TLDR
An iconic, vibrant Sheepshead Bay staple known for serving the city's best traditional seafood and red sauce Italian classics.
Instagram Posts References
The user is incredibly excited to have found what they describe as authentic New England clam chowder in NYC, specifically at Randazzo's Clam Bar. They highlight the chowder's rich and solid flavor, and appreciate that it does not contain common additions like bacon, celery, dill, or tomatoes, which they seem to consider undesirable for true New England style chowder.
Taggedbeautyy makes a special trip to Randazzo's Clam Bar in Brooklyn, describing it as the 'motherfucking motherland' for seafood. She highlights the vibrant exterior, comparing it to Vegas, before diving into an array of dishes. She starts with a lobster bisque for herself and notes her dad enjoyed the clam chowder. The feast continues with a plate of baked clams and a large serving of fried calamari, which she affectionately calls 'Galamad,' smothered in a red sauce and accompanied by a spicy dipping sauce. The meal concludes with fried shrimp and zucchini, indicating a full and satisfying seafood experience. Her commentary is filled with enthusiasm and clear delight for the food and the establishment.
Details
A legendary Sheepshead Bay institution, this landmark destination is celebrated as an 'OG' for authentic red sauce Italian cuisine [1]. Seafood lovers flock here for an expansive menu that includes everything from baked clams to 'insane' lobster fra diavolo [2]. Recently recognized as one of the 100 best restaurants in NYC, it remains a must-visit destination for those seeking traditional, flavor-forward Italian-American dishes [3].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on classic Italian-American seafood preparations, with particular acclaim for its clam dishes—including raw, baked, and linguine with clam sauce—and shrimp specialties like fra diavolo, parmigiana, and scampi [6], [7]. While the seafood and fried items like calamari are highly praised, some diners note that the pasta dishes may not be the primary highlight for every palate [8].
Caveats
The restaurant is located in Sheepshead Bay, which some diners consider an out-of-the-way 'expedition' compared to other city locales [10], [11].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About RANDAZZO'S CLAM BAR
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Who Has The Best Spaghetti And Meatballs In The
"Recommended for their meatballs, with the caveat that they are only served on Sundays."
PositiveFrom post: Best Restaurant In Nyc You Can Find A Table On
"Recommended for Italian cuisine."
PositiveFrom post: Your Favorite Clam Dishes In Manhattan Or Brooklyn
"This establishment is recommended for all types of clam dishes including linguine, raw, baked, and chowder."
PositiveFrom post: Seafood Restaurant Recommendations That Are Must
"Mentioned as a seafood restaurant."
NeutralFrom post: Whats Your Favorite Shrimp Dish That Youve Had In
"The user recommends the scampi."
Positive