The Cupboard of Gloucester

What a strange place. We stopped in to get some fried clams recently. It was about 8:35 and we did not know that the place closes at 8:30. My hubby stood at the window and a woman inside was wiping the counter about a foot from him. She made no eye contact, said nothing and continued to work. No sorry we are closed, no hand gesture, nothing, she just averted her eyes and pretended he was not there, he stood there for a bit, she came and went, all the time ignoring him. He tried the door and it was locked, so we knew it was closed. Really strange behavior — not a youngster either, but someone who should know better. A few days later we foolishly stopped in again. Same woman at the window — he wanted clams and we were near by. Terrible clams — huge, tough and giant bellies. The batter had a raw uncooked taste. Make the drive to Essex or hit up the Causeway — no good reason to waste money here.

I’m really not sure why you would go here for food if you couldn’t get away with parking here for a bit to enjoy Stage Fort. It’s a typical greasy spoon and its nothing special. $ 5 for a cheeseburger with nothing else and it’s tiny and unsatisfying. Your kids will be begging for McDonalds after this. They have ice cream on the other side, which is pretty hard to screw up, although mine had huge shards of ice cubes mixed in. Not quite sure how that happens.
So, in short, it’s beach food. If you think of it as just that, you might not be disappointed. Other than that, stop somewhere along the way or bring your own picnic and pay to park at the park.

The service sucked, we ordered and they took the slip 20 minutes after we ordered, we got two burgers, others who came and ordered after us got their food before us. I dont understand how they get away with charging $ 8 for a burger plate, when the burger is no bigger than a toddlers hand and very thin, and you get about 6 fries, in which my fries had hair fried to them, not very appeasing to my stomach, certainly not worth the hour and a half we spent there waiting. only thing that was enjoyable was the cole slaw.

Great place! Best burgers, fish, and real fries. The food the setting the whole package!

This is the «Cheers» of Gloucester
I was starting to become hungry, but still wanted to seek out more hidden areas of Gloucester. Hubby drove into a park and then it hit!
The hunger pangs, not the I can wait a while honey, but the I gotta eat NOW!
Commonly known as B*$chy hungry!
So he parks and we look up and see The Cupboard.
Looks rustic and non-​toursity — let’s do it!
All locals and the Special of the Day is Spaghetti!!!
One man comes in and the waitress says «You’re not eating chicken again are you?»
Man replies «Nah… too d@mn expensive. I want a hot dog for $ 2.75!»
For those prices, I know what I am getting myself into. And I am OK with it.
Once again, we sat at the countah…
Me being the pastaholic, I ordered the
Spaghetti $ 7.95 —
with bread and a salad
Yummy for my tummy and saved the rolls to feed the birds — way too much food for me!
Hubby:
Cheeseburger $ 4.25 —
It was a good ‘ol homemade burger, nothing more, nothing less.
Cindy and Grover Carter were in the kitchen making our dinners
They look several years older, but they were there.
We listened to the woes and tales of the locals and felt like we were in someones’ home instead of a café.
Ambiance — 5 Stars — VERY homey, casual and as a result attracts locals and conversation! Do NOT come here if you want a Umami burger or Spaghetti at Lucca!
Food — 5 Stars — as good as it gets for the price you pay. I knew this the moment I stepped in and loved the warm atmosphere. Good ‘ol home cookin’ without all the glamour!
Service — 5 Stars! Friendly, quick and with a Gloucestah accent! What more could a tourist like me want?
We were lucky to find this place before they closed on ⁹⁄₂₃ for the season.

$ 14.91 for a small box of fried whole-​belly clams. This is the only thing I had the opportunity to enjoy here, and enjoy I did. What’s a trip to the beach with out a deep-​fried sea creature snack!
The clams were really large and the menu claims they’re local, too. They were cooked just right and I’d order them again even though they’re on the pricey side. Though I didn’t try any other menu items, the prices looked reasonable especially given that it’s the only food option in walking distance from the beach. About $ 4.50 for a burger, $ 2 for fries, $ 3 for onion rings etc. It looks like they have a large selection of ice cream and soft serve too. Service was quick and nice enough, there’s ample seating on the beach and behind the shack, and you can even park there without paying the beach fee if you’re down in the area to go here specifically.

i grew up going to the cupboard. several family members have worked at the cupboard and we’re on a first name basis with the owners. they do everything on the menu exactly as they should; fried foods are fried perfectly, grilled food is grilled deliciously, the ice cream is portioned well. i know the cupboard is famous for its fried fish and all that, but the grilled ham and cheese has been my summer staple for at least a decade. i know that sounds uninspired but you have no idea until you try. it’s loaded with ham and just the right amount of cheese. it gets sort of soggy from all the juicy deliciousness but not so soggy that you can’t pick it up. oh my head, i want one right now. i just can’t do them the same way at home.
anyway, go to the cupboard for your standard, delicious tourist-​trap food. enjoy the outdoor seating and scenery and definitely grab an ice cream after.

I just discovered this gem the other day… It is surprising that I never had ate here before considering that I grew up in the area.
Anyway, this is a Lunch Counter/​Eat-​in-​the-​Rough style place. We had the clam plate and a fried fish sandwich. Both were excellent. Native clams and thin sole fried in New England style corn flower.
Also, it seems like all the other patrons were regulars, always a good sign.

The Cupboard, to me, says summer. Only open a few months a year, my family visits almost on a weekly basis. They have burgers, hot-​dogs, fish & chips, clams… basic stuff, for the most part, but all of it is tasty (and cheap!).
You can either sit inside (at the counter or the few tables) or outside– either way, if it’s hot, well, you’re out of luck. No A.C., no fans.
If you don’t want to sit and eat there, they have a take-​out window for both regular food AND ice cream. mm, ice cream.
The location may be one of the best things about it. It’s right at Stage Fort Park, which is also up the street from the boulevard. Chances are, if you’re a local, you’ll be in the area at some point or another. No reason NOT to go if you’re right there, anyways.