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I guess it depends on exactly what you mean by "salty atmosphere" If you simply mean a place by the water with the salt air in your hair(assuming you have some...probably have nose hair@least) there are a lot of choices, all good for their own reasons and depending on your mood/level of fish-guts smeared on your shirt...
Matunuk Oyster bar is great, for...Oysters. Buck a shuck is great. But it's not exactly a clam shack, it gets confused and thinks it's fine dining sometimes. Stick to the raw bar and clam shack favorites and you can't go wrong. The fried clams I have had there have been small, but perectly cooked. Had one of the best afternoons in a while w/a buddy there having beers and oysters on the deck, watching the tide rush out of the pond beside us. Guy's pulling their skiffs up and unloading fresh oysters.
Back Eddy in Westport is awesome. great raw bar, absolute top-notch kitchen. It gets a little fancy. Not a clam shack. It's my favorite place to go to with my girlfriend, once I am showered and have a clean shirt on. Almost every ingredient is sourced locally and sustainably(and you will PAY for it, but it is prepared so well that you can't complain!) Also, I always hope that there is a long wait for tables because then I can hang on the dock and have a few beers and raw bar items while I wait. they usually have a Weber grill goin' out there too with meat-on-a stick, shellfish and other delights.
As for straight up fried clam type places my all time favorite is Woodman's in Essex, MA (credited as being the "inventor" of the fried clam. I know this is silly as people were no-doubt frying those little guys long before Woodman's existed but this is the lore) They are the big guys and certainly have their detractors, but it is my sentimental favorite and in my opinion, PERFECT. Have been named best in country by many food magazines etc. For the record I have never had a bad clam ANYWHERE in Essex or Ipswich, MA!
Jim's Dock in Jerusalem, RI(duh) it's BYOB and CASH only! it is a hidden gem. Just down the road from Matunuk Oyster, but a world away. Surrounded by boats, great view, laid back, old school. I think they run a charter boat or two also... so you can show up fresh from fishing and not get dirty looks. If anything, it might help!
Quito's in Bristol has amazing fried clams and cold beer, haven't experimented beyond that there.
Bayside in Westport.
Spent a few good rainy afternoons drinking beer and eating stuffies/fried clams etc @Champlin's. in PJ. Old school, salty, no frills. Kinda the anti-Georges'. (which is fine, but good luck w/the tourists)
Ok, I gotta stop now. Sorry, started to get carried away. I have so many favorites, all for different reasons... There are many, many more. I am the type of guy that gets a little obsessed and plans road-trips for fried clams. Obviously, these are just the opinions of a contradictory whack-job w/multiple personality disorder. cheers.
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