Monahan's Clam Shack by the Sea — Restaurant in Narragansett

A clam strip dinner box with fries & cole slaw & a lobster roll was the order. They were all on the "pretty good" side, but the fries were the star of the meal.

Early Sat afternoon on July 4th weekend; the wait in line just to order was 35 mins. Once our order was placed, it took about 20 mins for the food to arrive at our table & it was as hot/cold as you'd want.

The clam strips came with a good chunk of lemon, which added a necessary amount of flavor; we had to go back to get our own tarter sauce & ketchup. The strips weren't particularly "meaty," but the bits & pieces of clams were surrounded by a nicely done batter that was light & lacey, not heavy or greasy. The cole slaw was commendable --mayo-based, not vinegary-- but too small of a serving to really enjoy it. The fries, though, were absolutely spectacular! Tasted as if they had been double fried with a just-right golden crisp exterior with the perfect amount of salt and a fluffy hot interior. Add a little chilled ketchup on the side, and Monahan's can claim French Fry Nirvana status.

The real disappointment was the (Maine style [mayo], not Connecticut style [butter]) lobster roll. 95% of the elements for a perfect lobster roll were there at first glance... split-top roll grilled with butter, some sort of lettuce greenery layering the bottom of the roll, and a nicely generous serving of good-sized chunks of lobster overfilling the roll. 🦞 Woohoo!

BUT... the salad portion of lobster lacked any semblance of a decent lobster roll. No mayo. No seasonings. No taste! I did what I could with a (had to ask for it 'cause it wasn't on the condiment bar) side of mayo, a lemon wedge, s&p but not having had a couple of hours for the lobster to marinate in all of the above and some chives or parsley, a tiny titch of onion & garlic powder, mayhaps a wee bit of sweet onion (but I do thank them for no celery)... the lobster roll was just that... lobster on a roll. Bland. Flat. Not worth its price. 🤥

Go back? Sure, there's a lot of menu to explore still, and the fries are worth gold. Oh, and every creation seen leaving the ice cream bar in back also looked...

Upon arriving at Monihans, you're greeted with a rustic maritime charm that promises an authentic taste of New England's finest seafood fare. Alas, this promise falls a little short in execution. The eatery boasts a quick service, which stands true even amidst the hustle and bustle of peak hours - a redeeming quality that certainly deserves mention.

Moving onto the crux of any seafood shack - the food - The Clamshack's lobster rolls are the showstopper here. While generously filled with chunks of lobster meat, the balance of flavor is sadly skewed towards the spicier side. It seems as though the kitchen crew has confused "seasoning" with an overwhelming spice festival, drowning the delicate natural flavor of the lobster and making it rather difficult to enjoy the roll in its entirety. If you're a spice enthusiast, this might work for you, but if you're expecting a traditional, buttery lobster roll, you'll be left wanting.

Next up is their rendition of stuffed quahogs - another staple that any self-respecting clam shack should have nailed down. Regrettably, the stuffing that filled these baked clams was bland, devoid of the savory elements we usually expect. The clam meat itself, while tender, fell victim to the same lack of flavor that plagued the stuffing. The need for seasoning in these quahogs is as palpable as the ocean air by the shack.

While the mediocre food may lead one to believe that all is lost, The Clamshack does redeem itself in terms of service. The staff operates like a well-oiled machine, even during peak times. Waiting times are minimal, and they manage to serve their dishes with a smile. This quick and efficient service brings a silver lining to the overall dining experience, creating a paradox of sorts - fantastic service married with less-than-impressive food.

All in all, The Clamshack needs a significant culinary course correction if they wish to live up to their charming exterior and excellent service. As it stands, one might visit for the efficient, friendly service but should moderate their gastronomical...

We drove 45 minutes just to eat here specifically. We had chowder w/ clam cakes, a hot lobster roll, a cold lobster roll, and a clam roll (w/ clam bellies). Everything was excellent and exactly as it should be when you drive here just to eat, with the exception of the chowder. The chowder was lacking in clams and clam flavor, and just wasn't that good. Going to the beach, then Monahan's, then hanging out at the sea wall, and going for drinks is definitely worth the trip and a great way to spend the day. The Monahan's name has been well known in Narragansett for a WICKED long time, and any businesses they are associated with are like institutions. I DO have one other thing I have to complain about though. My daughter and I ordered chocolate milkshakes from the inside back bar (because there was no vanilla available? WTH?), and the chocolate ice cream had NO flavor whatsoever...it was extremely disappointing because I was REALLY looking forward to, and expecting, a milkshake that is on par with their food. I highly recommend paying Monahan's a visit to eat, hang out with all the cool people that work there, and soaking up some of the ocean...