Pops Clam Shell 2020

[barefootbay]

Will you be open on Mothers day this year ?

[upthesaukee]

Seen on one of the Alton FB pages

We are currently unsure when we’ll be open for this season. I’m not comfortable having my employees work during this time. We usually open the first Saturday in May. My hope is we will be open before Memorial Day.

Dave

[barefootbay]

Awesome, keep us posted please !

[JADAQ]

From pops FB page and the big banner out front, MAY 9th is the day!!!!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

I think the place is overrated, just like Sawyers.
Last time clams were full of sand, oily and soggy.

We go to this place on Rt3, near the mall. Do not recall the name.
For us, it is much better.

Good Luck to all restaurants.

Sacrilege!
I LOVE Pop's. It's not the absolute best, but it's always been very, very good and the setting—I've only been by boat—is Americana at its best.

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[WeLoveTheLake]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Sacrilege!
I LOVE Pop's. It's not the absolute best, but it's always been very, very good and the setting—I've only been by boat—is Americana at its best.

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Enjoy, to each is own.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

Enjoy, to each is own.

Thanks, friend—share the name of your place when you get it!

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[WeLoveTheLake]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Thanks, friend—share the name of your place when you get it!

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Lobster Connection
1007 Laconia Rd, Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 524-7079

Google is a good thing

Best of luck to all the restaurants.

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

Lobster Connection
1007 Laconia Rd, Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 524-7079

Google is a good thing

Best of luck to all the restaurants.

Time for a new place, they're gone. Hopefully to open again across the street, but nothing much going on there now...

[WeLoveTheLake]

I was not aware of that, sorry to hear that.

When did that happen?
Yes, time for a new place, any suggestions ?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Bigstan

Time for a new place, they're gone. Hopefully to open again across the street, but nothing much going on there now...

I saw they put the sign back up on the original building a couple days ago??? You sure they aren't staying put?

Dan

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I saw they put the sign back up on the original building a couple days ago??? You sure they aren't staying put?

Dan

Nope, not sure. It was on the market, maybe they couldn't sell as they wanted close to 1m. I did recall that it sold, but I may be wrong.

The red lobster is still on the building across the street. Maybe I'll swing by tomorrow and see for real. Awesome if they are open, better yet if they are open now.

[WeLoveTheLake]

https://www.yelp.com/biz/lobster-connection-tilton

Yelp site says it is closed.

[WeLoveTheLake]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

https://www.yelp.com/biz/lobster-connection-tilton

Yelp site says it is closed.

I just called and THEY ARE OPEN

[Irish mist]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

I just called and THEY ARE OPEN

Lol, that solves that

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Lol, that solves that

That's good. But Yelp should be told, and their web site doesn't work either.

Is it the old location? Great news either way, add that to the weekend list.

They should spend a day ramping up their web / social media presence, there really is no reason to not have any these days.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by WeLoveTheLake

Yes, time for a new place, any suggestions ?

Why yes... Pops!!

[JADAQ]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I saw they put the sign back up on the original building a couple days ago??? You sure they aren't staying put?

Dan

Opened today! Just stopped for some fried shrimp!!

They said they will be moving across the street at some point.

[Liquorish]

They had some permitting issues at the new building, did some renovations at the old spot and are now open for the season as stated. Can’t wait for my first feast!

[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Sacrilege!
I LOVE Pop's. It's not the absolute best, but it's always been very, very good and the setting—I've only been by boat—is Americana at its best.

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Pops has been there over 60yrs , they must be doing something right !

[TheTimeTraveler]

I believe POP'S will be opening on Friday May 8th.

Does anyone know whether they will be offering limited outside seating or will is just be 100% take out?

It will be nice if one could sit at their upstairs outside tables but it is understandable if the tables are limited or not usable due to Covid-19 situation.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

I believe POP'S will be opening on Friday May 8th.

Does anyone know whether they will be offering limited outside seating or will is just be 100% take out?

It will be nice if one could sit at their upstairs outside tables but it is understandable if the tables are limited or not usable due to Covid-19 situation.

Copied from Pop's FB page:

We open for the 2020 season on May 9th. Looking forward to seeing you then.
Thank you.
Pop’s

I would be surprised to see the inside and outside dining areas open on the 9th. One reason is cleaning the tables (read sanitizing). Another is moving rallies to keep social distancing. I'm anticipating takeout only.

Dave

[upthesaukee]

From Pops FB page:

We open for the season tomorrow!
The forecasted weather will make it not “feel” like summer but we can make it “taste” like summer.
You can find our menu on our website and phone in orders for pickup. We will have signs up encouraging social distancing and will be taking steps to protect our employees and customers. Our dinning room and deck will be closed to dinning.I ask that you please follow protocols and be patient while we adjust to this curveball we’ve been thrown. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Pop’s

FYI : Website says they open at 1130.

Woo hoo

Dave

[thinkxingu]

I could really go for a seafood platter. I was jonesin' for one last night and was majorly let down, but I can't seem to DRIVE to Pop's and the weather just isn't cooperating to visit by boat...

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[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I could really go for a seafood platter. I was jonesin' for one last night and was majorly let down, but I can't seem to DRIVE to Pop's and the weather just isn't cooperating to visit by boat...

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Today gives you a chance to get a historical picture- a jet-ski ride (in the snow!) to POP's for those delicious clams. mmmmm!

Your commitment might shutdown the complainers of your saga!?!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

Today gives you a chance to get a historical picture- a jet-ski ride (in the snow!) to POP's for those delicious clams. mmmmm!

Your commitment might shutdown the complainers of your saga!?!

I don't care enough about complainers to take the ski out in snow (or, really, do anything but post more), but the weather might have me looking to get out, so maybe today's the day I drive to Pop's!

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[Barney Bear]

Perhaps you can come by sled.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

Today gives you a chance to get a historical picture- a jet-ski ride (in the snow!) to POP's for those delicious clams. mmmmm!

Your commitment might shutdown the complainers of your saga!?!

Nice guy Jeep, trying to get poor Think to cross the Broads on Jettie One with winds NW 15-30, gusts to 50. What did he ever do to you?

Back to Pop's.

Dave

[pondguy]

Sounds like a job for Boatie two

[thinkxingu]

Y'all are crazy—no way I'm going out there today. We ARE driving to Pop's, though—warming up 4Runny One!

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[thinkxingu]

Just finished lunch at the bay with the fam. Pop's has the best, and most consistent, fried seafood combo around the lake. The only place even close is The Bob House (I like their "fries" better).

Now back to camp, where we have a fresh For Goodness Cakes cake warming up!

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[upthesaukee]

Glad you liked it.

Dave

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Just finished lunch at the bay with the fam. Pop's has the best, and most consistent, fried seafood combo around the lake. The only place even close is The Bob House (I like their "fries" better).

Now back to camp, where we have a fresh For Goodness Cakes cake warming up!

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So what is the dining situation there? In the car? Outdoor table? Inside the “pavilion”?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

So what is the dining situation there? In the car? Outdoor table? Inside the “pavilion”?

Strictly takeout. Dining room and upstairs closed.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

So what is the dining situation there? In the car? Outdoor table? Inside the “pavilion”?

Up has it right. We ate in the car in the parking lot across the street overlooking the bay. If it wasn't so windy, we would've grabbed some grass, but it was ROUGH out there today!

Enjoy!

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[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

So what is the dining situation there? In the car? Outdoor table? Inside the “pavilion”?

May18,2020 is the first day that people will be allowed to eat at outside tables which are spaced at least 6 feet apart with no more than six people per table.
This is what the governor is calling phase 1.

Phase 2 would allow for limited indoor seating in restaurants. I don’t think they have a date for this,yet.

[upthesaukee]

Pop's is open for the season starting Fri Jun 19th. Here is their post from their FB page.

We open full time for the season this Friday 6/19 at 11:30 am.
We will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesday’s throughout the summer. Our dining room is now available for indoor seating.
This is a great opportunity to come by and enjoy our delicious clams and avoid waiting in long lines.
Our spring business has been overwhelming to say the least and I want to thank everybody for their patience.
Pop’s
Popsclamshell.com

Dave

[gravy boat]

Alton Bay was packed at noon - lot full and then some and a long line at Pops. Welcome summer!

[thinkxingu]

We hit up Pop's on Saturday, and it was awesome as always. I was surprised to find a spot for 4 skis without a wait just after noon.

I still hold tight that nobody can touch Pop's for fried seafood (the ice cream was my daughter's who needed to "cool down.") The Bob House is as good for taste, but Pop's smokes them for value.

(Always open to suggestions, though!)



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[Jdarby]

We hit Pops yesterday for Father’s Day. Arrived at the docks just before noon and there were ample slips open. Was already a decent line at Pops but it really grew quickly after our arrival. The food was awesome as usual. I think they give you a ton more when you get it to go.


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[Meredith AK]

Arrived at Pops yesterday from Meredith at 3:08. Sign advised that they would be closed from 3-4 for restocking and oil filtering. I was certainly disappointed, however the fact that Pops was cleaning the fryolater oil and making sure that the rest of the patrons later in the day would be serviced properly, I truly understand and commend the effort. Going to have to time it better next time, and there absolutely will be more than one time this summer as Pops is worth it.

[pops]

It’s usually Friday,Saturday and Sunday that we have to close from 3-4. Our little building only allows us to have four fryers. Thank you for understanding and your patronage.
Pop’s

[TheTimeTraveler]

Originally Posted by pops

It’s usually Friday,Saturday and Sunday that we have to close from 3-4. Our little building only allows us to have four fryers. Thank you for understanding and your patronage.
Pop’s

I think you are doing a great job, and please keep up the good work under these difficult conditions.

Hopefully you won't encounter any Red Tide issues this year like last year. The environment has been far cleaner for the past four months due to worldwide shutdowns (because of the Corona Virus). Our air is cleaner and our waters are cleaner!

Hope you have a great summer!

[thinkxingu]

Just found out that I can skip coleslaw for onion rings and BOOM, day made!!!

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[BoatHouse]

We love Pop's Clam Shell.

However, we were disappointed to find they only serve Clam Chowder on opening day.

During the Winter carnival, we were able to sample the clam chowder and voted for them. Multiple times. :-)

Fast forward to 4th of July weekend and we head down to Alton Bay on the boat with Friends to have some award winning Pop's Clam Chowder. There were some very disappointed boaters.

Does anyone know if they ever have the clam chowder other than opening day?

[pops]

I make chowder for the winter carnival at the request of the Alton business association. We do serve it sometimes in the spring when it’s cooler outside. It’s not cost conducive to sell it in the heat of the summer. Also I do not have time to prepare it once we start the summer season.
Pop’s

[Happy Gourmand]

There are so many things we miss about the lake since we moved to FL in August 2018. One of them is Pop's...I needed several fixes every summer and never had a bad experience there, never. There is no other seafood place that I know of that is so consistently excellent. That is my story and I'm sticking with it!
Hey Pop's, how about a Pop's South, say about 25 miles or so south of Tampa? I'll be first in line!

[pops]

I have considered going to Key West to retire. Maybe a fried conch shack?

[TheTimeTraveler]

Originally Posted by pops

I have considered going to Key West to retire. Maybe a fried conch shack?

That would work, and I can tell you that no one down there offers fresh full bellied fried clams.

If you could get someone to fly those gallon buckets of tubs (full of those succulent New England clams) down to you each day then you'd have the market cornered and do VERY well if you keep the same quality controls in place.

Heck, you can't even get decent tartar sauce in Florida!

[BoatHouse]

Originally Posted by pops

I have considered going to Key West to retire. Maybe a fried conch shack?

Are you thinking of retiring because I asked about the Clam Chowder? LOL

BTW - Your Clam Chowder is the best!

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by pops

I have considered going to Key West to retire. Maybe a fried conch shack?

NOOOOO...that's way too far South! LOL
There is at least 2 places within 20 minutes or so from me that fly the Ipswich clams weekly when they can get them.....pretty good....but not the same as yours.

[JEEPONLY]

Originally Posted by Happy Gourmand

NOOOOO...that's way too far South! LOL
There is at least 2 places within 20 minutes or so from me that fly the Ipswich clams weekly when they can get them.....pretty good....but not the same as yours.

Somebody fill me in- the "Ipswich clams"?

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by JEEPONLY

Somebody fill me in- the "Ipswich clams"?

The Ipswich clams from Massachusetts are considered to be the best of the whole belly clams. When they are not available, restaurants will turn to Maine and Canada for their clams.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by Top-Water

Not true ...........

They get them from Ho' - Jo's



LOL remember when they sold them

I do remember when they sold them. I only remember them selling the clam strips. I don’t think they ever had whole belly clams.
My father used to really like Friday night all you can eat fish and chips.

[barefootbay]

Ho Jos sold clam strips only. Ie; fried rubber bands lol

[Top-Water]

Originally Posted by barefootbay

Ho Jos sold clam strips only. Ie; fried rubber bands lol

Perfect description "fried rubber bands"

Funny how just a little batter makes them become edible.

[Irish mist]

Used to eat at the old Ho Jos at the Weirs back in the day. I also remember the old Gandy Dancer bar that was attached to the building. There's 1 Ho Jos left in the world up at Lake George in NY.

[TheTimeTraveler]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Used to eat at the old Ho Jos at the Weirs back in the day. I also remember the old Gandy Dancer bar that was attached to the building. There's 1 Ho Jos left in the world up at Lake George in NY.

I wonder if they have those famous clam strips (rubber bands) and still offer a 28 count selection of ice cream flavors ?

[TiltonBB]

With the recent riots, tearing down monuments, and forcing sports teams to rename themselves someone will probably object to the "HO" in Ho Jo's saying it is disparaging to women.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

With the recent riots, tearing down monuments, and forcing sports teams to rename themselves someone will probably object to the "HO" in Ho Jo's saying it is disparaging to women.

Oh no! What will Santa do now?

[Barney Bear]

How about "HA, HA"?

[JEEPONLY]

what do you call Jo Jos? Twice as politically incorrect?

[Irish mist]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

I wonder if they have those famous clam strips (rubber bands) and still offer a 28 count selection of ice cream flavors ?

Lol, I kind of hope they have retired those clam strips.

[Top-Water]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Lol, I kind of hope they have retired those clam strips.

Nope they have just re-purposed them.

They are now used to keep the claws closed on lobsters. very very chewy.

[tummyman]

Went there by boat last night for the first time based on the reviews. Was surprised that nobody in the business was wearing a mask, including the person taking our order. Was not happy to see that. Food was fine, although we had two scallop boats that could have used a small knife to cut the scallops instead of the flimsy fork. Overall food was good but would not make the long boat trip again.

[pops]

We are not mandated by the the state of NH to wear masks. The health department advised me it was more dangerous to have my employees wearing masks in the heat and was up to my discretion. My employees safety is very important to me. We have put up barriers at the order/pick up window to encourage social distance. Our restrooms are closed to the public.We also have very strong captive air ventilation combined with many screened windows. We actually have negative air pressure in our building. There is no way you would be infected by a order taker/server. Particularly if you are observing the barriers and keeping back six feet. Corona viruses are not transmitted through food. I personally monitor our employees health daily.These are the reasons we are not wearing masks.

[TheTimeTraveler]

I was at Pop's today for my fill of succulent Fried Clams. No disappointments.

They told me that Monday will be their final day as they are closing for the season. Thought I'd post this so all you folks can hit them up one last time this summer.

DON'T FORGET: They close daily from 3 pm to 4 pm for cleaning, fryer oil changing, and restocking.

Thank you Pops for another great season of good food!

[thinkxingu]

I was actually thinking of heading over there tomorrow, but then I got to thinking about Dockside, which I really enjoyed last time... So many choices!

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[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I was actually thinking of heading over there tomorrow, but then I got to thinking about Dockside, which I really enjoyed last time... So many choices!

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Pops had a post on FB reminding customers that Monday, Labor Day, is the last day. He also reminded all that items can sell out, and when they are gone they're gone. Monday's can be a little dicey. Earlier in the day is better.

Dave

[dippasan]

I had a "Half and Half" clams/scallop boat on Thursday while I was enroute to camp. Sat in my truck and ate it across the street like I hadn't eaten in a month.

Tear in my eye as I pulled away with crumbs all over my shirt.
I might have dropped one clam in the black hole next to my seat.
Something to look forward to this winter!!

[JADAQ]

Pops is by far my favorite seafood take out stand in the East!

The food never disappoints and they by far offer the best lobster roll around!

It is always sad when Labor Day rolls around as you know it will be another 8 months before you can get quality fried food in the lakes region.

Till next year 😢

[hd333]

Originally Posted by dippasan

I had a "Half and Half" clams/scallop boat on Thursday while I was enroute to camp. Sat in my truck and ate it across the street like I hadn't eaten in a month.

Tear in my eye as I pulled away with crumbs all over my shirt.
I might have dropped one clam in the black hole next to my seat.
Something to look forward to this winter!!

Half and Half is the only way to go in my opinion.


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[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by hd333

Half and Half is the only way to go in my opinion.


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I've often considered that, but then something good gets left out. Haddock is just a space taker, but shrimp, scallops, and clams are essential. I'd love a "pick three" or "trade the haddock" option!

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[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I've often considered that, but then something good gets left out. Haddock is just a space taker, but shrimp, scallops, and clams are essential. I'd love a "pick three" or "trade the haddock" option!

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How about fried oysters ?

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by barefootbay

How about fried oysters ?

That's just crazy talk.

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