A small-town fish shack with picnic tables, right in the heart of downtown.

The Scene
Spend an afternoon on the deck overlooking Boston Harbor with peel-and-eat shrimp, crab claws and a pitcher of beer. It's loud, raucous and everyone has to shout to be heard; yet there's a satisfied background murmur of cracking shells and loose-lipped chowder slurps that you might not indulge inside. The indoor dining room is only slightly quieter and just as casual. Live bands entertain crowds almost daily.

The Food
Choices are classic and competent: Fried clams, shrimp, scallops, oysters, calamari and fish of the day (cod, haddock or flounder). The batter tends to be a little heavy, but it's cooked so hot and quick that the fish inside stays moist and keeps its characteristic flavor. Real plain, real fresh. Live lobster and crab (not barking, fortunately) are other house specialties.