Fried whole clams may contain some disgusting stuff, so eat them quickly and don't analyze each morsel. If you can still find a Howard Johnson's restaurant, the clam strips should be good, particularly on a clam roll with tartar sauce. If you're desperate, you can get tolerable fried clams even at White Castle . Right next to Jimmie's, a former competing restaurant has been transformed into a city-owned conference center . I've never been there, but I'm going to get there.
Clams are important.
The shells have been used for jewelry and currency. Dollars are called clams. Lots of restaurants are called Clam House and Clam Shack and Clam Bar. Clams can grow pearls, like their classier cousin, the oyster. And many men spend much of their lives in pursuit of the elusive bearded clam.