Smitty's Clam Bar — Restaurant in Somers Point

Stopped by Smitty's Clambar, a spot that's been on my radar given my globe-trotting palate. Ordered the fried clams, hoping for a standout experience. They were good, fresh with a non-greasy batter – exactly what you'd expect from a place known for seafood.

However, considering the other local joints I've tried, Smitty's clams didn't necessarily stand head and shoulders above. Given the reputation of the place, I was expecting a bit more of a wow factor.

The ambiance is nostalgic, and there's a lively buzz that speaks of its popularity. But be prepared: the wait was longer than I'd have liked.

If I had to rate my experience, I'd hover around a 3.5 to 4. Not mind-blowing, but certainly not bad. I appreciate the quality, but for a place with Smitty's renown, I was hoping for that extra punch. Still, worth a visit if you're in the area, but manage your expectations.

All said and done, every place has its charm, and my journey's far from over. Hey, if you've got that wanderlust itch like me, follow my trail on Google! I'll be serving up more travel tales, dishing out the deets on must-visit spots, and even giving you the scoop on places to sidestep. Buckle up for a fun ride, and here's to more adventures and awesome eats! Cheers to the road less traveled and the stories it unfolds! 🌍✈️🍴🥂 (And yes, even to the clams that keep us guessing!) Catch you on...

Smitty’s clam bar is a no frills seafood restaurant that is amazing for friends and family. You come here for the food but the best part is the wait. Depending on the night it can be a 1+ hour wait. And that is what brings us here. It’s a way to sit down outside and drink BYOB before eating. Relaxing with family enjoying the sea breeze and not worrying about anything else. Once your name is called they seat you inside where they have a menu but the specials every night are worth it. They have different seafood specials each night. Potato skins to scallop pot pie. My family and I rarely order from the ‘menu’ but pretty much always look at the white boards throughout the restaurant and order off the specials board. Your meal will arrive minutes later hot and delicious. If you are anywhere near ocean city / somers point and looking for a place that is worthy of Diners Driveins and Dives. This is it. They are cash only and a ATM is on site. They are BYOB with a liquor store 1/2 a mile down the street.

Always a must when I am in the south jersey area...

The staff, service, and atmosphere are all great, but how customers consistently give the food four to five stars is beyond me. My only guess is they are ordering the fried platters? But the baked dishes were neither tasty nor fresh, and the latter is definitely concerning considering its proximity to the ocean.

Everything was overcooked and bathed in sauce. That fish could have been frozen since last year for all I know. The clams were dry and sandy, and my eight year old ordered a burger that wasn’t edible. The bun looked like it was from last year. Lastly, the only sides are fries and coleslaw. They had a corn salsa special that was drowned in vinegar and littered with raw peppers. It was dreadful. It didn’t taste like food, and more importantly whoever made it could not have cared to figure out if it actually tasted decent enough to serve customers. It’s the type of place that needs a menu refresh, and a chef upgrade.

Sorry for the harsh review, but it’s the hard...