The Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide

One of the East Coast's more beloved and affectionately derided food is the clam cake or clam fritter. Fans clamor for these clam-studded savory beignets that are served as an appetizer to a possibly even more calorie-filled fried fish dinner or paired with a chowder for a "light" lunch. Clam cakes and fritters--despite their bad nutrition, frequent greasiness, and seasonal availability (or, actually, because of these things)--are the focus of countless "best of" articles, blogs, jokes, contests, fund-raising dinners, sampling crawls, and T-shirts. This fun little guide takes on the cultural history of clam cakes and fritter, tells you where to find the best ones, and how to make and enjoy them at home.