Pops Clam Shell

[Don]

I stopped in Alton Bay on Saturday evening because of all the activity. There was live music at the bandstand and lots of people enjoying the beautiful summer weather.

The line wasn't too long at Pop's so I went over to check out the menu. The food coming out the window looked amazing. Huge overflowing dishes of fried fish, scallops and all kinds of seafood that made my mouth water.

It had been a while since I had a lobster roll so I decided to order one. I hadn't seen one come out but I assumed it would be as good as all the fried food looked. I must say I was disappointed. It was really a lobster salad roll, not a lobster roll. It was a hot dog bun filled with lettuce with a thin layer of lobster salad spread across the top of the lettuce. I dug through it and did find a few little pieces of what resembled lobster but most of it was the blended spread. I could barely detect the taste of lobster.

I also ordered a side order of calamari and that was great. The large and tender pieces of calamari were delicious and the order was huge.

The fried seafood at Pop's has to rate with the best around the lake. Unfortunately the lobster (salad) roll doesn't get such high marks from me. It made me long for the lobster roll at the old Waldo Peppers, stuffed with real lobster meat and served with drawn butter. That was really good.

[upthesaukee]

We also went to Pop's on Sat eve and brought our meal back to the boat. Wife had a lobster roll, and although she didn't say anything, I did not see a lot of lobster in it, way too much mayo, and I too would describe it as a lobster salad roll rather than a lobster roll.

On the flip side, I had a fried clam roll which was fantastic and huge. We also made the mistake of getting a medium order of onion rings, when a small would have sufficed. OR's were very good as well.

[Marko]

AWESOME! PLACE ROCKS! THIS IS A MUST STOP IN THE LAKES REGION!



Actually went here a lot in the 60's and 70's when it was called Andrews and the place hasn't changed much and the food and portions are super duper! This was our first stop last week as we drove up from the Manchester Airport and couldn't have picked a nicer day.



For lunch we had the small onion rings which is more than enough for two people plus a great hot dog and delicious thick cheeseburger with all the trimmings for $9 while we overlooked Alton Bay. Enjoying some tasty Pop's food and taking in the wonderful scenery was an excellent way to start our week vacation in the Lakes Region!



Great family memories from days past eating at this place. This guy was really happy to see it hadn't changed much and the portions are still huge! The light breading on the onion rings rock!


My hat is off to the new owner Pops for making this guys trip truly wonderful!
It may not be called Andrews any more, but it still feels and taste like it, thanks so much Pop's!

Marko
St Petersburg, FL

[Seeker]

Can't count the number of times over many years that we've been by Pop's. Only stopped once before to find them closed - kinda off season.

Well today we headed there as our destination and Mrs Seeker and I ordered a small fried clams, small calamari and small onion rings. I didn't think it would be nearly enough due to the size of the paper trays they have. Boy, was I wrong. We couldn't finish everything but I managed to finish the clams. You get more clams on a small side than most places give you on a full clam plate and they are great. Best I have had in the lakes region. Onion rings were thin and very good. Only wish they served tentacles with the calamari and not just rings.

They also have Moxie, my favorite. We will be back.

[Irish mist]

I love those pictures of Pops Reminds me of old-time NH before the box-stores & those silly neo-colonial fake brick buildings.

[VitaBene]

I love stopping at Pop's when rounding the lake on the bike, great food and views!