As rail travel popularized in the mid 1800s, so did the tradition of the Cleveland clambake.
“There was a source of shellfish that came through Cleveland on rail,” says Charles Young, the fourth-generation vice president of Euclid Fish Co. The family business — founded by John Comella 80 years ago and originally named Chef Comella’s Fish and Clambake Co. — helped define Cleveland’s take on one-pot steamed seafood: clams, chicken, corn, coleslaw, bread and, maybe, sausage.
As summer turns to fall, restaurants offer specials, but many families still host backyard renditions, too.
“During that small time period, we’re probably consuming more clams than any other state on the East Coast,” Young says. “It just goes to show the popularity of it, that it’s really for everybody.”
Why we love it: Each Sunday in October from 1-8 p.m., Brennan’s welcomes diners to its charming suburban venue, constructed in 1865, for a generous spread of freshwater food at its annual clambakes.
Try this: The clambake ($39.99) comes with a bowl of New England clam chowder, a dozen clams, half of an herb-roasted chicken, sweet potato, corn and bread and butter. Extra clams are also available by the dozen ($19.99). 102 River St., Grand River, 440-354-9785, brennansfishhouse.com
Why we love it: Fill your Friday plans with fish, as this favored wine country estate hosts clambakes on Oct. 4, 11 and 25 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Try this: Choose between an 8-ounce New York strip steak, grilled airline chicken or double clam meals ($44.95-$54.95). All come with a dozen clams, baby potatoes, corn on the cob, clam chowder, coleslaw and rolls with garlic butter. 7840 Doty Road, Madison, 440-466-3485, debonne.com
Why we love it: Chef Dave Kocab ensures that each annual clambake menu has its own specialty, and this year is no exception. Coming fast on Sept. 28 from 2-8 p.m., 2024's theme is all things Turkish, with a menu inspired by the medley of ingredients that Kocab has had his eye on recently.
Try this: Enjoy 12 classic clams, Turkish-spiced chicken, tomato and sausage skewers, roasted eggplant, sumac onion salad, hummus and bazlama flatbread ($55) — and save a plate for the array of add-on treats available. 5712 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-6867, flightcleveland.com
Why we love it: When a fall weekend just feels too cozy to get you out of the house, take your clams to-go from Euclid Fish Co., a cornerstone in the Cleveland clambake experience since the 1950s.
Try this: Chef Comella's Original Cleveland Clambake ($24.95) comes with all the foods you know and love: a dozen clams, a half chicken, sweet potato, sweet corn, coleslaw, rolls and butter. Cook it like the pros with a rentable burner and steamer ($24.99-$120), available per order with instructions. 7839 Enterprise Drive, Mentor, 440-951-6448,
neoclambakes.com
Why we love it: The semi-private club welcomes both members and guests to its annual clambakes on Oct. 9 and 11 at 5 p.m. Indulge in the spot's unique twists on the classic seafood fare and sides.
Try this: The bake bodes a dozen middleneck clams, a cup of clam chowder, rolls with honey butter, braised red skin potatoes, lemon poppy seed and apple slaw, sweet corn, half a roasted chicken or 12-ounce strip steak and apple crumble ($49). Add a lobster tail or a dozen clams if you still have room. 1 Club Drive, Highland Heights, 440-461-4653, stonewatergolf.com
Why we love it: Satisfying both seafood and meat lovers, the beloved German eatery is serving its clams with a choice of chicken or steak ($25.95-$29.95). Coming quick on Sept. 28 at 4 p.m., justify taking the pass on their iconic schnitzel dinner for this annual special — there will still be plenty of beers and cheers.
Try this: If course one isn't enough, order another round of clams ($10). 216-651-0888, 7001 Denison Ave., Cleveland, sachsenheimhall.com
Salty Mary’s Oyster Bar and Tavern
Why we love it: Continuing now through November, Salty Mary’s Oyster Bar and Tavern has you covered every Thursday and Friday for a laid-back weeknight clambake after school or work. Unwind with a classic spread of a dozen clams, corn, a half chicken, clam chowder, red skin potatoes and drawn butter.
Try this: Traditional clams not cutting it for you? The fried clam strips ($16.50) served with cajun remoulade might be just what you need. 25600 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, 440-298-2121, saltymarys.com
Why we love it: Making sure the season doesn’t end too soon, Solid Gold Lounge is saving its eighth annual clambake and steak roast for the back end of fall. Bask in the final days of falling leaves with a stash of seafood on Nov. 10, 2-6 p.m.
Try this: Enjoy a classic surf and turf meal with live music from ElectriCats as the soundtrack.15005 Snow Road, Brook Park, 216-267-3909, solidgoldlounge.com
Why we love it: Winking Lizard wastes no time kicking off clambake season. Starting in September, locations roll out their seafood-filled menus and keep them coming each weekend through Oct. 27. With competitive prices and a familiar atmosphere across 14 Greater Cleveland locations, you won’t have to go far for a notable clambake experience.
Try this: See for yourself why guests favor the lobster tail clambake ($40), with two 4.5-ounce lobster tails, soup, a dozen clams, garlic bread, corn on the cob and your choice of potato. Various locations (Downtown Cleveland is the only non-participating location), winkinglizard.com
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Why we love it: The restaurant’s generations-old family recipe has been
satisfying Clevelanders since the 1960s. The old-school flavor — nearly impossible to replicate — is profiled by fresh Rhode Island clams and keeps copious crowds coming back. This year is no different, as the Oct. 13 and Nov. 3 events at 1 p.m. ($35+) are expected to sell fast.
Try this: Start out with Irish Kevin’s traditional clam chowder and clam broth, and refresh with deals like half-off bottles of wine and special pricings on draft beers. 21490 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-331-5719, gunselmans.com
Why we love it: The winery's Hungry Hiker food trailer delivers a fresh lineup of a dozen clams, clam chowder, potato, corn on the cob, quarter chicken and broth ($40). Show up hungry and taste it for yourself on Oct. 12 from 5-8 p.m., with live music by Robin Roseberry keeping the scene alive.
Try this: To complement your meal, add your choice of wine for an additional cost. 5228 State St. NE, Canton, 330-754-9643, losttrailwinery.com
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Why we love it: Now through Nov. 1, guests can try their clams with a choice of four different fish and meat offerings, or order a specialty entree like the New England Shore Dinner — a date for two or a feast for one ($48.99-$95.99).
Try this: Claw into the lobster bake ($71.99), with a dozen middle neck clams, clam chowder, corn, sweet potato, melon and house-famous honey butter. 101 River St., Grand River, 440-352-6343, picklebills.com
Why we love it: Stancato’s invites you to shell-ebrate with clambakes available for dine-in or carry out every Saturday through Oct. 26. The hefty meal includes New England clam chowder, linguine pasta in a white clam sauce, marinated chicken breast, corn on the cob and more ($45.99).
Try this: Get out to the beloved Parma eatery to load up on protein and add a pound of mussels with shrimp scampi sauce ($12.99).7380 State Road, Parma, 440-886-6242, stancatos.com
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