Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Seafood Restaurant & Catering Service in Essex, MA
Woodman's of Essex has been a cornerstone of New England culinary tradition since 1914. Founded by Lawrence 'Chubby' Woodman, inventor of the fried clam, we combine over a century of experience with a commitment to quality seafood and hospitality. Our family-owned business specializes in authentic clambake catering, wedding events, and restaurant dining, serving generations of loyal customers. With a focus on innovation and tradition, we deliver award-winning chowder, fresh lobster, and locally sourced ingredients.Our dedication to community involvement and event excellence has made us a trusted name in Massachusetts. We maintain rigorous food quality standards while adapting to modern needs, including corporate catering and food truck services.
Services
Clambake Catering
Wedding Catering
Corporate Catering
Food Truck Services
Seafood Restaurant
Event Planning
Gift Cards
Takeout Orders
BBQ Catering
Private Dining
Details
- Year established: 1914
Highlights and features
- We have over 110 years of experience in seafood dining and catering
- Our family invented the fried clam and perfected clambake catering
- We offer customizable menus for dietary restrictions and special events
- Our team provides seamless event coordination from rehearsal dinners to weddings
- We maintain strict food quality standards with locally sourced ingredients
What people say
Excellent quality
Award-winning chowder
Seamless event coordination
Fresh lobster
Professional staff
Services
Clambake Catering
Woodman's offers traditional New England clambake catering with fresh lobster, steamed mussels, and award-winning chowder. Our expert team prepares authentic seafood feasts for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. We provide complete catering solutions including tents, tables, and linens for events of any size.
Wedding Catering
We specialize in wedding catering with customizable menus and venue options. Our services include rehearsal dinners, reception catering, and access to our scenic Top Deck venue. We accommodate dietary restrictions and provide full event coordination for seamless celebrations.
Food Truck Services
Our food truck brings Woodman's signature seafood to festivals and events across New England. The mobile service offers fried clams, lobster rolls, and chowder with the same quality as our restaurant. Available for private bookings and public events throughout the season.
Seafood Restaurant
Our Essex restaurant serves classic New England seafood dishes daily, including the original fried clam invented in 1914. We offer indoor and outdoor dining with family-friendly options and daily specials. The menu features gluten-free choices and kid-friendly meals during winter months.
Corporate Catering
We provide corporate catering solutions for business lunches, office parties, and company events. Our services include drop-off catering, on-site preparation, and customizable menus for groups of all sizes. We offer efficient service with professional staff for corporate functions.
People
Lawrence Chubby Woodman
Founder
Inventor of the fried clam in 1916, Lawrence 'Chubby' Woodman established the restaurant that became a New England tradition. His innovative clambake methods revolutionized seafood catering and created a family legacy spanning over a century.
Questions
What makes Woodman's clambakes unique?
Our clambakes use traditional methods perfected over 100 years, featuring fresh local ingredients and professional service at your location.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, we offer vegetarian options, gluten-free meals, and can customize menus for special dietary needs at events.
Do you cater outside Essex County?
We cater throughout the Boston area and New England, with experience handling events of all sizes across various locations.
What venues do you offer for weddings?
We provide the Top Deck venue in Essex and can cater at your chosen location with complete event support services.
How do I book catering services?
Contact us at 978-768-2559 or through our website to consult with our expert event planners who will guide you through the process.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards and offer flexible payment options for catering services and gift card purchases.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Judy F.
Jun 16, 2022
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Been going here since I was born in the 1960s & it hasn't changed a bit! Awesome fresh seafood, authentic picnic atmosphere that's timeless. Thanks Woodman's for being a classic!
Maureen V.
Jun 15, 2022
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What a wonderful surprise to find they had gluten free batter and a gluten feee flyer! the clam strips were amazing!
Caity C.
Jun 04, 2022
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Another year, another excellent meal at Woodman's! The fried clams are the best you'll find anywhere, and the steamers are excellent as well. Service is always quick. Still recommend!
Walter B.
Jun 04, 2022
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Well to be fair the fried food was very good. The clam chowder was tasteless and seemed to be basically hot white water with a few ingredients. Stay away from this unless you like Campbells soups. Although expensive : as all bellied clams are the batter was very good. Tartar dip could have been a bit tastier as well : too much mayonnaise. Although the charm is sitting at those 100 year old wood tables and eating with plastic utensils; but mr woodmans could at least turn the heat on. Everyone in the place had to wear a coat: really!
Anne-Sophie D.
May 29, 2022
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Usually this is one of our favorite stops for late afternoon lobster and beer. I feel compelled to write this review because I am so so disappointed about the meal we had. First, the price. We had 2 small lobsters, 2 coleslaw, fries and small chowder and 2 beers. It came to over $150. I know everyone's suffering now but that's nuts for a place that is only counter service. Even worse was that the lobster was over cooked, tough and flavorless.
I think they even used fake butter because it had no flavor either. Finally, and this is the best (I say sarcastically) they don't provide any tools with which to eat your lobster. No picks, no crackers. This is no longer the lobster shack I used to love. It will remain a tourist trap but for a local, I'll no longer be stopping there. Sad.
I think they even used fake butter because it had no flavor either. Finally, and this is the best (I say sarcastically) they don't provide any tools with which to eat your lobster. No picks, no crackers. This is no longer the lobster shack I used to love. It will remain a tourist trap but for a local, I'll no longer be stopping there. Sad.
Chuizheng Kong
May 28, 2022
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This little bowl of fried clam boat has about 10 pieces of clam inside. About 4-5 of them has sand inside and some are large enough to spit out. The bottom is all fries. This dish is ~$27 after tax. Subtracting the fries, I am not pleased with how each of those little clams would worth $2. Just like other reviews, outdoor environment was good, tartar sauce was good, and fries are good. I guess Google reviews are not always reliable.
