The History of Woodman’s, Inventing the Fried Clam
Steve Woodman of Woodman’s of Essex tells the story of how his grandparents, Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman and his wife Bessie, invented the fried clam in 1916
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The History of Woodman’s – Staying Alive During The Depression (Video)
Steve Woodman talks about grandfather, Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman, and an infamous story about what happened when the bank called his loan during the depression.
The History of Woodman’s – Clambake Catering (Video)
Steve Woodman of Woodman’s of Essex talks about the history of clambake catering at Woodman’s, from the 1920s and 1930s to the modern era.
Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman and the History of Woodman’s of Essex (Video)
Steve Woodman of Woodman’s of Essex talks about his grandfather, Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman, and how his humble beginnings led to over 100 years in business.
A Tale of Two Condiments
Woodman’s makes its own tartar sauce for our fresh seafood using three simple components: minced onion, dill relish, and a creamy “sauce” with a French name and Spanish origins. This preparation of olive oil, egg yolks, and vinegar was allegedly first concocted in the town of Mahón, Spain, in the 17th century, before being discovered […]
And All of Essex Mourned
A decade or so after Bessie’s passing, Chubby married Lucille Cook. “She was always with him,” says granddaughter Patti Woodman D’Alelio. “Once the Essex Lobster House had been sold, and he no longer had his own dock, Gramp moored The Sally at the town marina. In the winter he’d store it on a trailer in […]
Essex Causeway A.D. 2039
It would be fascinating to learn what a future reader makes of this time and place. Let’s say you’re reading this 25 years from now, in 2039. What will have changed? What will the Woodman’s menu look like? If you could communicate back in time, what would you tell us here in 2014? In the […]
A Brand New Season
The Red Sox, who had won five World Series titles in the 15 years between 1903 and 1918, appeared in only four World Series in the 82 years between Babe Ruth’s last pitching appearance in 1918 and the year 2000. Although each was a barnburner, the championship trophy steered clear of Boston. However, the annual […]
Let’s Take It from the Top
Rhonda Woodman recalls climbing to the roof of the Pool with Deck one day in the late ’70s. “I remember pointing out to him that with a view like this it would be a great place for some extra seating,” she says. “He didn’t say much, which was typical, but it wasn’t long before I […]
If These Old Walls Could Talk
Built by the Burnham family in the 19th century, the house that overlooks today’s parking lot from its own little hill was home to Ellis and his wife and sisters prior to Chubby and Bessie’s arrival. When they moved in, the Woodmans introduced a refreshing new element to the old place: children. Split into two […]
