Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Anyone expecting to wait to be seated then served at a table at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison, Connecticut will be surprised. Unlike the Lenny & Joe’s a few miles away in Westbrook where that is the set-up, Lenny & Joe’s in Madison is an order at the counter, self pick-up, condiment corner restaurant. Customers can then seek out their own booths. What is the same however, is good food at reasonable prices.

Hot lobster roll – excellent.

With Hammonasset Beach State Park located in Madison barely five minutes up Boston Post Road, this more casual restaurant style is perfect for beach-goers or campers who want to stop in for a no-fuss bite to eat, or grab take-out. As the restaurant name indicates, the menu focuses on seafood. The hot lobster roll was delicious, priced at $16.50. It was served with a side of coleslaw. Clam chowder here is not the milk-based New England style, rather it has a broth base. Although that is not my ‘cup of tea’, I’m told it was excellent, as well as wide cut crinkle fries.

Crinkle fries.

Broth-based clam chowder.

Given the close proximity of these two spots to each other, making a choice really comes down to whatever mood one is in. A couple differences include a loaf of warm mini bread served before the meal in Westbrook, where they also have a short dessert list, and a small bar not available in Madison. But Madison has an ice cream carousel area outside in back that is especially appealing to families with kids. There is also a Lenny & Joe’s in New Haven which I have not visited.

The ever popular Lenny & Joe’s tee-shirts.

Find your own seating.

Both Madison and Westbrook (and undoubtedly New Haven) sell their popular Lenny & Joe’s baseball caps and tee-shirts. Designs are slightly different each year, and the shirts are still less than ten bucks. Yes, I added one to my assortment on this trip.

Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale 1301 Boston Post Road, Madison CT 203-245-7289 http://www.ljfishtale.com