Bites Nearby: Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale

The last place you want to be tonight is the kitchen. Let’s eat out!

Restaurant name: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale

Address: 1301 Boston Post Road, Madison, and 86 Boston Post Road, Westbrook

Phone number: 203-245-7289 (Madison); 860-669-0767 (Westbrook); www.ljfishtale.com

Cuisine: Seafood

Price range: $1.99-$20.99     

Take out:  Step up to the counter at the Madison location, and order anything you want, including fried seafood portioned to feed four. On some items, such as whole clams and lobster, prices change according to the market, but prices are listing on the menu board.

Kid-friendly:  The children’s menu lists scrod, clam strips, fried chicken, hot dog and burgers, all served with French fries. Kids also will enjoy the charity carousel, which will re-open in May. At $1 a ride, the Fish Tale has raised more than $650,000 in eleven seasons.

Why you should go right now: When the craving for fried seafood hits, there’s no better outlet than Lenny and Joe’s. The fish is super fresh, and the light breading fries up crisply in pure vegetable oil. The Super Fish Tale Platter is a mammoth serving of scallops, shrimp, scrod and clams. For the clam plates, customers can choose between juicy whole belly clams or strips. The broiled fish dinners also are first-rate. The kitchen also pays close attention to its side dishes – tangy cole slaw and tender boiled salt potatoes. Don’t miss the clam chowder. Made with a clear broth, there’s no cream to mask the flavor of the fresh quahogs.