The latest we can go is early September. My daughter is a school teacher and we babysit our 1 yr old grandaughter during the school year. We are going to try to make the trip later this summer. Thanks for your concern. Really bummed----and hungry for New England seafood and beaches!!!

You guys are the best. I have had great success on CH every time I pose a question. When I started this thread i was thinking of my childhood days when our relatives from Boston and Rhode Island would bring us the 2 coffee syrups that were mentioned. They were something that was not and still is not available in Michigan. Michiganders never heard of a coffee cabinet and coffee ice cream ( my fave ) is a fairly recent phenomenom in Michigan. Thanks to all!
Sad ending to my quest. Was scheduled to fly to Boston at 0600 tommorrow, had to cancel late tonight. Wife broke her foot 10 days ago (rented wheelchair for trip). I spent this afternoon in the emergency room after slicing off the tip of my middle toe in the garden. Both our doctors advised us to cancel trip. Out about $900 airfare/car and so many delicious treats!

I am from Michigan and am visiting Boston, North Shore, NH and Maine next week. My wife and I always enjoy grocery shopping for unique items that are indiginous to the part of the country we are vacationing in.
Can New Englanders suggest we purchase any grocery foods unique to Boston/New England that we might enjoy?

Visiting Boston and New England in my youth I was huge fan of the wonderful meatball subs and coffee cabinets? (is that what they are still called?). Sometimes both could be had at the same location with delicious results. The meatball subs were served in a hard crusted sub roll.
Any recommendations for the Boston area and North Shore?
These may be more native to the Providence RI area where I think I first enjoyed them?

Just so you guys know, HOJo's has been gone from Michigan for probably 20 plus years. The only fried clams served by all restaurants here are the sad, wet little things found in the frozen food section of our supermarkets. They do not resemble any fried clam strip found in abundance on the northeast coast
Maybe that will help you understand the gems you have compared to the junk we have in the Midwest. That is why I loooooove New England fried clam strips!!!
6 days and counting----watch out clams and lobsters, here I come.

AMEN BROTHER

You clam belly guys are relentless. I have tried the whole bellies twice and i think they are disgusting. Can't a guy say that his favorite chidhood and adult food was Howard Johnson's clam strips and not get corrected or criticized by the belly crowd?

VISITING BOSTON FROM MICHIGAN FOURTH OF JULY WEEK. STAYING IN BURLINGTON,MA. WILL BE SPENDING TIME IN BOSTON, NORTH SHORE, NH AND MAINE.
MY FAVORITE DELICACIES WHICH I CANNOT GET AT HOME ARE FRIED CLAM STRIPS AND LOBSTER ROLLS.
LAST VISIT TO BOSTON LOVED THE CLAM BOX IN IPSWICH AND BOB'S CLAM HUT IN KITTERY MAINE FOR FRIED CLAMS. WENT ALL THE WAY TO WISCASSET MAINE FOR THE BEST LOBSTER ROLL OF MY LIFE!!
ENJOY A HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE WITH MY FRIED CLAMS AND LOBSTER ROLLS DIPPED IN HOT BUTTER.
ANY MORE RECOMMENDATIONS IN MA, NH OR SOUTHERN MAINE COAST FOR SAME OR BETTER?

Being from Michigan, we have no BYOb restaurants. I see BYOB mentioned in many NE restaurant posts. Is it in certain states? Can you bring a bottle of rum and order cokes to mix it in?

You hounds are amazin! Over 100 replies!!!

What's wrong with the one at Bob's Clam Hut? I thought you couldn't go wrong with any of their seafood.

It was very much like a cold lobster roll. Lumped crabmeat held together with a little mayonaise. Yummy. In some ways maybe tasted better than a lobster roll if that is possible.

My last trip to New England 2 years ago I had great crab rolls at Yankee Lobster in Boston and Mariners Grill in Camden Maine. Not sure if soft or hard shell.

Will be in New England in mid July. Looking for the best crab roll.

Will be in Boston area in mid July. Looking for the best crab roll within a daytrip ride.

You Hounds are amazing. Coming to New England mid July. Looks like I have some decisions to make. So many clams--so little time (one week).
Thanks for all of your time and expertise!

Kattyeyes,
Thanks for the link and the picture---- it looks large and yummy.
Have you tried the hot lobster roll or the hot crab roll I see on their menu? If so , which is better?

Try Mariner's Grill on Main st. Wonderful food, reasonably priced. Try the rear deck overlooking the bay and waterfall. Wonderful, friendly owners.

Do you know if the Causeway serves fried clam strips?

As a visitor 2 summers ago I visited 2 places highly recommended on this Board. Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery (fried clams, seafood) and Red's Eats in Wiscassett--best lobster rolls on the planet!
Try them--they are both amazing and wonderful.

You Chowhounds are amazing! Just got back from a week in Vegas and discovered all these great recommendations! I will get a map and start plotting my route and restaurants based on all this information. Thanks so much for your time and trouble.

Fourunder, thanks for your help. I have also enjoyed the Grand Lux Cafe in Vegas.

I know that the Cheesecake Factory is a chain and therefore repulsive to many on this board. But I love food and happen to love the Cheesecake Factory. We have none in Michigan but enjoy them in our travels to Chicago, Las Vegas and Ft Lauderdale.
Love most of their soups and salads, sandwiches and pastas. Especially like the chicken madiera and the wonderful mashed potatoes and gravy. Will be enjoying the Vegas location next week.
My dilemna is this: the menu is so big--there's so many choices and so little time.
What's your favorite?

I appreciate the advice that I 95 is not the best route from NYC to Boston. Does everyone agree with that?
If I take 15-91-84-90 where will I find my great fried clam strips and lobster rolls along that route?

Thanks to all for so many rec's! The trip is in mid July and additional rec's are always welcome. Especially if I take the advice that I should avoid I 95.

Will be in Vegas mid June. Last time I was there I enjoyed $1 frozen margaritas at, I believe, Casino Royale and Bills Gambling Hall. Where else can special drink prices be found?

Searching Boston and North Shore for your 5 favorite clam shacks (and they need not literally be shacks). Especially love fried clam strips.

Kelly's Roast beef? All locations?

Cheesecake Factory, hands down.

I love all seafood, especially fried clams and scallops. IMHO I think that often the tartar sauce can make or break the seafood. It can't be bottled, must be homemade. I especially enjoy a hint of dill. Where is the tastiest tartar sauce in Massachusetts?--it goes without saying, the seafood must also be good.