Summer Shack

07/10/08

Like a bad joke...

by Mybestfriendlesley at Citysearch

After seeing Summer Shack on the Top 10 list for the best clam chowder in boston, I decided to check it out. Bad idea. Not only was the environment cheap and touristy, but everything on the menu was incredibly overpriced. I guess I should have known that it would be entirely unauthentic, since 2 of their 4 locations are at Logan Airport and Mohegan Sun, but I was still shocked by the tacky nature of the entire restaurant. It felt like they were playing a bad joke on customers while mocking New England tradition. And the chowder sucked.

• Pros: decent crab club
• Cons: price, service, ambience, chowder

06/05/08

Expensive for poor quality seafood

by MelissaS23 at Citysearch

Last night, we visited the Summer Shack. A friend and I decided to split the lobster roll. It was $20, and it was on an untoasted hotdog bun (which immediately fell apart), and had the meat of about 1 lobster tail. I ordered two drinks at 8.50 a pop that were ridiculously weak. And their hot fudge sundae dessert left much to be desired. Their seafood (fish even) plates are super expensive ($28 or higher). Even their crab legs are $36. The deal is, the lobster roll wasn't even that good. The lobster was poor quality, again, the bun fell apart, and it was pretty much lobster smothered in mayo. Gross.

• Pros: cheap for non-seafood dishes
• Cons: expensive for poor quality seafood

07/28/07

Not worth the price

by niiicola at Citysearch

I am originally from the Cape, and this place is nothing like a "Cape Cod seafood shack." If you are going to go with the "seafood shack" thing, then go with it, but don't charge high-end restaurant prices. Unfortunately, we ended up paying $85 for two people (not including drinks) for boring seafood and a downmarket atmosphere. I understand that the whole vibe of the place is fun and casual, but the food really doesn't deliver. I had the striped bass special, and while the quality of the fish was pretty good, the dish was like something I could have cooked myself at home, but with less seasoning. My husband ordered the ginger/scallion lobster, which at $45 was overcooked and drowning in sticky sauce. For appetizers, the Wellfleet oysters were very good, but the shrimp were definitely not as fresh as they could have been. All in all, we were pretty disappointed with this place, and my overall feeling is that it's all hype and no substance. It felt a bit like a theme park restaurant.

• Pros: Good oysters
• Cons: Way overpriced, not a great ambiance

04/27/07

Great seafood!

by pinkxg1rl at Citysearch

Went here last weekend and the food was so good! Our waiter was super nice and the food came out very fast. There's alot to choose from in the menu. Prices are fair...a tad high but seafood always costs a little mroe. Very casual atmosphere (think summer camping). I'll be back for sure!

• Pros: great food, great service
• Cons: none

12/16/06

A Cape Cod seafood shack on steroids, charging city prices for super-fresh seafood.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
From the 40-foot fisherman statue that guards the front door to the 1,500-gallon tanks housing hundreds of stomach-bound lobsters, celebrity Chef Jasper White's labor of love thinks big. This humongous shack (which holds a capacity of over 300) sees its bevy of communal tables and leather booths filled to the gills on most nights, guaranteeing deafening noise levels and harried service. Area singles stop by the comfy bar and lounge areas to indulge in some of the smoothest margaritas around.

The Food
Locals and tourists alike get a kick out of White's colloquial menu of New England favorites--where else in Cambridge can one find hearty cod cakes with Boston baked beans or an authentic clambake? Foodies come from all corners to study the chef's signature lobster preparations. Opt for the wok-seared lobster with ginger and scallions. The dessert menu includes blueberry pie.

02/28/06

Fantastic Food!

by rebeccae at Citysearch

I went to the Summer Shack with some friends with intentions of getting some apps and drinks after work. However, we ended up staying for dinner because we were so impressed with our starters! The Shack margarita was perfect and the Rhode Island style calamari was just the right amount of spicy. Our server was very helpful in answering our questions about the menu. She seemed pretty busy (there was a wait after we sat down) but very considerate. The baked stuff lobster was delightful and, while pricey, worth every penny. My only complaint was the noise level-every sound seemed to travel across the restaurant.

• Pros: Portions, Helpful Servers
• Cons: Noise

12/19/05

Expensive...Overrated

by oxo_min_oxo at Citysearch

Service was SLOW. I waited 20 minutes for a waitress to come ask me if I had even been waited on, then she took my order. While I waited for my appetizers she came back with my Sprite (tasted like a combination of iced tea and Coke), stale corn bread accompanied by cold rolls with semi-frozen butter. The appetizer fried belly clams were sand filled and the corn fritters were covered by burnt batter. By the time I wanted to cancel my entree order, my waitress arrieved with it. The RI calamari was overcooked, chewy with freezer-burn. The intense pungent aroma of pickled hot peppers and its sour juices soggied up my french fries. My friend had four tiny pieces of fried chicken for just $11. Leaving with $49.35 less in my pocket-we had it all, sandy clams, burnt fritters, soggy fries, chewy calamari and a fried chicken kids meal.

• Cons: Expensive, Little Portions

09/27/05

expensive

by richzac at Citysearch

Summer Shack is remarkably expensive for what you get. The Lobster roll for instance is a joke. Hardly any Lobster and as expensive as a much larger, more meat filled roll. The way they sell their food, the smaller aps are a bit more than everyone else and the entrees are more as well so you wind up with a bill about 20% higher than you would otherwise think. The atmosphere is cool, however, and there's plenty of parking. I rate this place 6/10.

• Pros: atmosphere, aesthetically nice
• Cons: expensive

07/05/05

Yummy!

by jmartinescu at Citysearch

I was in search for a great seafood restaurant around, and after going to Summer Shack, I found one! I am so thrilled I didn't check the reviews before going. The meal started with tasty cornbread and my lobster roll was above par. Service was prompt and attentive. There was a long wait, but it's worth it!

• Pros: Free parking lot, T accessible, Great seafood

06/01/05

User review by kwinter74

by kwinter74 at Citysearch

It's long tables make it a great place for large groups, and the atmosphere makes it a great place for gorups of kids! Interesting decor gives it that waterfront feel. Great food too.