A little reason to celebrate
National Deep Fried Clams Day
Food · November 1
A day for deep fried clams, from rich whole belly clams to chewy clam strips, and the clam shack plates they are served on.
National Deep Fried Clams Day falls on Sunday, November 1, 2026. That is 5 days away.
A paper boat of deep fried clams usually holds one of two things, and people who grew up near them tend to have an opinion about which one counts.
Whole belly clams are soft-shell clams, shucked and fried with the soft, rounded belly left in. They taste rich and briny, with a tender middle under the crust. Clam strips are cut from the firm foot of large Atlantic surf clams. They are chewier and milder, and they are the version most often found far from the coast.
Both get a coating before they go into hot oil. Many cooks use corn flour or cracker meal, sometimes after a soak in milk. The crust should be thin and crisp so the clam flavor still comes through. A heavy batter tends to bury it.
In New England, fried clams are a summer staple at roadside clam shacks, served with tartar sauce, a lemon wedge and often french fries or coleslaw. Some places pile them into a split top bun and call it a clam roll. Inland, strips show up on seafood platters and in the frozen aisle.
Menus can be vague. On the New England coast, a plate listed simply as fried clams usually means whole bellies, while elsewhere it often means strips. Asking is normal, since the two eat very differently.
Fried clams lose their crunch quickly, so the best ones are eaten within minutes of leaving the fryer, ideally at a picnic table with too few napkins.
Ways to celebrate
- Order whole belly clams and clam strips side by side to compare.
- Try fried clams in a split top bun as a clam roll.
- Mix a simple homemade tartar sauce with mayonnaise, pickles and lemon.
- Ask a local seafood spot which style of fried clams they serve.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, November 1 |
| 2027 | Monday, November 1 |
| 2028 | Wednesday, November 1 |
| 2029 | Thursday, November 1 |
| 2030 | Friday, November 1 |
All national days on November 1
Also on November 1
- National Calzone Day
- National Cinnamon Day
- National Cook For Your Pets Day
- National Author's Day
- National Pâté Day
- National Vinegar Day
Categories: Food days