Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale

Really enjoyed this low-key seafood restaurant. Great deals at lunchtimes, and fresh delicious lobster and crab. I had a few pieces of shell in my lobster roll which wasn't great. But otherwise, loved our visit. Friendly service and a huge menu.

Nice spot. Great service. Somewhat pricey but good food. My fries were cooked too long but my lobster roll was amazing. Wish it was a little bigger. Not sure why it had a sweet taste as well but overall it was a good lunch date with one of my clients.

Stopped here to meet up with family. It was my first time. I had the lobster roll and it was as good or maybe better than those I had in Maine. Wife had fish tacos which were nice and crispy. The merry go round outside looked really historic and very cool thing to have on the grounds . And all admissions paid go to charity! There is a soft serve ice cream hut as well. It was a really great experience. Dog friendly outside area.

We came here because of the reviews. The atmosphere is basic, nothing fancy. I ordered the lobster roll. It was good but wish it was more juicy and filling. The Cole slaw was good. The first server was ok. We moved to another table and the server for that section was great, very friendly. I could see this place is a favorite for the locals. I think I’m biased because I’ve had lobster rolls from Maine so….

Lenny & Joe’s has by far the BEST lobster in all of New England! Their lobster roll is packed with fresh, flavorful lobster meat, and the mac & cheese is pure comfort food perfection. Honestly, everything on their menu is outstanding—you can’t go wrong. I also loved seeing them at the Big E this year. The manager of the booth went above and beyond—exceptional service that made the whole experience even better. If you’re anywhere in New England, this is a must-try spot for seafood lovers. Absolutely five stars! Warm regards, Dennis Schleicher YouTuber with over 90K subscribers and content creator on Instagram

Great lobster rolls and fried seafood. There is a picnic area outside with and without shade. It's amazing sitting outside on a nice day with a tasty lobster roll. Or you can get take out and go to the beach to eat good food with a view. Can't go wrong with any options.

First time here and we will be back! Great service, menu options, and parking. Food was served fresh, hot, and delicious. We ordered the fish tacos, shrimp dinner, and clam roll. Definitely worth the trip!

Hadn't been here since the early 90s but it is mostly just how I remembered it. Fried clam strips were alright, didn't love the lobster bisque. Staff was nice, vibe was great, just thought the food could have been a bit better. Also ended up with some classic Lenny and Joe's shirts, still amazing affordable and available in a crazy range of colors.

If you are looking for that classic shoreline seafood fun and friendly place this is it! I was skeptical before we went but our fish and fries dinner was great! Great fish, perfect fries not greasy, nicely done and onion rings were all great! The tarter sauce was just right and the coleslaw was awesome We will definitely go back! One more point the service was friendly and attentive

The food wasn't overly greasy which is a plus for apps such as the ones we purchased. Unfortunately, the flavor just wasn't there for us. The hot dog bread wasn't fully toasted which made it sog up. I don't know if the shoestring onion rings are usually more bland but these didn't have much flavor. It could be a preference.

Went for lunch with a group of friends. I got the scallop roll. With Cole slaw. French fries were extra. The scallops were delicious. Service was quick. Menu was large. No alcohol at this establishment. They also have ice cream here. Was a fun time.

This usually is five stars all day long. First, let me say that the service was impeccable. Every one of the staff is so nice I sat out in the porch area, and placed my order for Rhode Island clam chowder, along with a meal which consisted of deep fried shrimp and sea scallops with french fries and coleslaw I also ordered the house brand of Sprite to drink. Almost immediately came the Rhode Island clam chowder, along with the soda. This Rhode Island clam chowder is on point and some of the best in the area. Barely 3 minutes went by, and I was just getting started with the chowder after letting it cool for a bit, and the meal arrived. Just poor timing. So there I was splitting time between eating the chowder and the meal The french fries were good, but not seasoned. The coleslaw was as normal as normal coleslaw could be. The sea scallops and shrimp were deep-fried in a very light batter. But the oil they were deep fried and seemed either burnt or too high of a temperature because they just didn't taste right. They were also lacking seasoning. So looking around on the picnic table, I was sitting at, there were napkins, but no salt or pepper. I looked around at the other tables, no salt or pepper. WTF this is a restaurant! Anyways, the meal the chowder and the soda came to $38 and change, I left a $10 tip. I hope you aren't slipping Lenny and Joe's, and this was just an anomaly.

I have been to Lenny & Joe's a few times and have always enjoyed my experience. Most of their entrees are fried, but they do have a few broiled entrees, but their fried fish is delicious. I had the fried calamari and scallop combo with fries and cole slaw. The fish was lightly battered and cooked perfectly. I am picky about cole slaw but theirs passes the test, with a nice tangy flavor. The meal was reasonably priced for what you received. Their customer service is outstanding. I arrived ahead of my party but they gave me a table (I was prepared to wait for all of my party to arrive). We were very well attended to and they gave my nephew ice cream as we were there celebrating his birthday. I am looking forward to my next visit.

Came here after a few months, and found it more disappointing than in the past. As someone who has loved this place since I was a child, I was left disappointed by the dinner. The food here has gone downhill for sure. I got the scrod dinner for $20, and expected more. The batter was bland and tasteless, and the fish was flaky and bitter; overall just tasted flavorless without any sauce. The sauce they do give you is in these very small cups (~1 tablespoon of ketchup and tartar sauce), and had to ask for more. Party member got a scrod sandwhich and got a small sandwich smaller than their hand with no sides. Need to improve their food for sure. The service was nice, very friendly and helpful. They were very good at getting food and checking in on my party. Great locals, amazing staff and good conversations. The ambiance was always very nice. Very nice atmosphere and reminds you of a true fish restaurant on the water. Doesn't get better. Other than the food, this place is a great stop. However, due to the quality of the food, I'll be lessening my trips here.

A nice experience overall. We chose to stop after a beach day for a quick lunch. Our clam strip rolls with fries and coleslaw were delicious. They definitely had a really good special that day for $16.99 .The service was nice. I just wish the hostess would tell us The other room was also available as well as the outdoor. We thought that they were not open. Therefore, we stayed in a first room which is not the most updated one. We ended up going outside for ice cream and that's where we had a really good time. We remembered coming here with our kids when they were little and using the carousel. It's a really nice place and I will definitely return.

Loved the location, close to the beach. Fun casual restaurant after a day on the sand. Customer service was very friendly. We arrived 30 minutes before closing and the staff made us feel very welcome. We both ordered the Sautéed seafood plate which included lobster, scallops, and shrimp. We asked for double veggies instead of rice, they were happy to make the substitution. We really enjoyed it and would definitely order again. Next time we would try the fried zucchini sticks as opposed to the calamari. We left with Lenny and Joe t-shirts! Such fun!

The cod was fresh and deliciously prepared. It was accompanied by a brown rice pilaf and a nice selection of mixed vegetables which unfortunately were a bit charred. My friend ordered a fried platter of scallops and clam strips. Perhaps it is the oil they are using, but she believed the breading and oil overpowered the taste of the scallops and clam strips which didn't seem as fresh as they used to taste. Lenny and Joe's Fishtale in Madison has definitely evolved over the years. They seemed to be shortstaffed and the food was served on paper plates. The service and ambience was pleasant but nothing like it used to be. I am sure it's a sign of the times and yet we were thankful that they are still in business. Hopefully, in time, they will return to their days of glory.

I hadn't been here since I was a kid. My grandma lived in Madison and we would come here all the time. My sister & I did not like fish and still don't but we loved the fried chicken sandwich & birch beer. Had it today and it was just as good as I remember. A great step back in time to wonderful memories.

I love fresh seafood l, and when I want some this is where I go. The great service coupled with a wonderful sea side ambiance, complete the great experience

If you're looking for good seafood, drive on. We were headed down the road to a different seafood restaurant after taking a walk at the beach but we passed this place and turned around to try it. We like to try new places but we sort of wish we hadn't. The restaurant is half seafood market and half restaurant. While it is very informal they did have a sectioned off side area with a separate door for entry if you have a large party. Wood booths for seating and tile floors. When we came their co2 machine was broken so we couldn't get anything carbonated so we asked for iced tea instead but they only had unsweetened. Why any restaurant does that is beyond me. We ordered clam chowder, a scallop roll, a lobster roll and onion rings. I wish I had taken a picture of the chowder. It was nothing more than brother with 1 clam and some diced potato's. And I'm not exaggerating one bit. The scallop roll was good but dry. It was just fried scallops on bread. No tomato, no cabbage slaw, no nothing. The lobster roll was very good but it was the same sort of texture- dry. The onion rings were mediocre. They were hand made but unless you know how to make a good batter it's even worse. And the batter too was bland. I hate to sound like such a negative person with this review but it's just honestly what we experienced.

I've been to Lenny and Joe's in Madison twice this summer. So this review is a composite of both reviews. Actual rating: 4.5. First visit: The food could not have been better. My fried scallops were perfectly cooked and not greasy at all. The fries were also perfection and (yay!) unsalted. Attention All Restaurants in the Universe: Please serve your fries unsalted and let your patrons salt to taste. Cole slaw was tasty. Also, the ambiance of outdoor picnic tables out back was just perfect. BTW, attached photo is from this visit. Second visit: Same meal. Slightly disappointing, as the scallops were slightly greasy. Also, I noticed that a lot of the scallops this time were whole scallops cut in half. So a lot of the flavor was lost. Please don't do this. Also, the fries were slightly greasy, requiring napkins to blot off.

Food and ambience is worth a 5 star. Eating outside is where it's at. Place your order at the little shacks by the menu on the wall. Pickup inside when they call your name. Drink refills cost $. Midafternoon wasn't as busy as it looks like it can get. Enjoy! We sure did.

Stopped here for lunch after spending the morning at the beach. It was a good stop to bring my family from out of state! They enjoyed the experience and food here. We sat outside so we ordered at the booth and then went inside to grab our food. We got the fried calamari, salmon dinner & chicken teriyaki dinner. Everything was good and everyone was happy with a full tummy!

Was on my way to a job that didn't start for several hours so I was looking for a place to stop for lunch. Having heard about this place I figured I would give it a try. The place was fairly empty upon arrival but I received the warmest welcome from the staff. The place itself didn't actually impress me. Pretty plain inside nothing spectacular but very clean. I looked over the menu and saw several things that looked very good but I didn't want to over indulge so I was excited when I saw the steamer clams because not a lot of places serve them. While waiting they give you delicious bread and butter. Steamers arrived in nice net bag with fresh broth and hot butter. They were very clean. Only one or two with some sandy feel to them. I would say my experience between the food and the warm waitstaff was a very pleasant one.

Great food. The only reason it's getting a 4 star instead of 5 star rating is that it feels like takeout even though it is a very nice setting. Everything is served in disposable container () , including drinks. No alcohol on the menu. The food however was delicious. We both got the baked cod with with lemon caper sauce, nicely served on the side and (plentiful) rice and fabulously prepared veggie. ( Yes, really). Outstanding meal.

Lets start with the clam chowder. Terrible at best. A can of Campbells soup would be a major upgrade. The fish sandwich was a serious disappointment. A small chunk of fish in a bun. You would be better off at McDonalds. For everything else portions are small and greasy. Find a better place to spend your money.

Solid seafood restaurant very close to Hamonasett Beach. Plenty of seating indoors or outdoors. Ice cream. Activities for children. A real family friendly spot. Average and decent for seafood these days. Nothing about my lobster roll meal wowed me but it was decent and fresh. I think it was the special for $26 on my visit. A ok spot.

Great simple place to enjoy simple seafood dishes with family after visiting beach. Very friendly service and kids are welcome. There is even real carousel in the backyard.

I've been here several times over the years. They are definitely consistent in their efficiency, friendly service, and quality of food. I usually get the sauteed shrimp or scallop meals, which are delicious. I've tried the fries too, which are very tasty. They're always fast and efficient, even if they have a lot of customers, like they did today. Yelp is asking me about ambiance and of course, it's wonderful. You can sit inside or outside, where there's a carousel.

Seafood is excellent. $$$ Please consider putting lids on the to go coleslaw. The liquid was all over the Seafood, fries, my backseat of the car, on my mail, on my crochet project, and now, hours later, on an Amazon package and all over my hands.

Very very small servings . Very expensive. I got the fried fish sandwich. Less than 3 oz of fish . Onion rings tasty but soggy and greasy.

Food was overcooked and chewy. Service was excellent. Ambiance? I had about 6, supposed to be full belly clams. I had 3 and they were overcooked. I traveled 2 hours to get there. Wife had the cod, and she said it was okay, but portion was smaller. I would rather pay more then get such a smaller and overcooked meal. I should have gone to McDonalds and got the filet of fish sandwich.

There isn't much I can add to the words of praise already said about this CT seafood landmark. We stopped in during early April, they must've just opened for the season, and as usual the restaurant operated like a well oiled machine that it is. Although they were already starting to get busy at 11:30am, ordering was quick. Wait time for our food was short! The seafood was fresh, the chicken was moist and cooked perfectly. We were very happy and always love the festive outdoor seating. My only complaint, which I'm sure was an oversight that's already been corrected, is there were no hand sanitizers near the condiment pumps. Yes most of us carry our own these days, but I left mine in the car and was uneasy after filling my ketchup cups (and actually came down with a terrible cold the next day... coincidence? I don't blame them! I am at fault for throwing caution to the wind.). We really enjoyed our lunch at Lenny's and will definitely be back. I tend to visit Lenny's at least once or twice a year and have never been unhappy.

Excellent lobster roll. These come on a heavily buttered split top bun full of flavorful lobster served with a side of tasty coleslaw. We also ordered both whole belly clams and clam strips that were served with a tartar sauce. Staff was friendly and food came out quickly.

Best chowder Great service The kids love the carousel Scallop roll is my fav Finished at the Ice Cream hut - Perfect ending

Stopped by with a friend for dinner after an afternoon of shopping at the outlets and the seafood did not disappoint! We ordered the fried shrimp, lobster roll, and Rhode Island clam chowder. I really enjoyed the chowder - it's thinner than the classic New England style chowder, which I actually preferred. The fried shrimp were excellent - they were so big and perfectly fried, not overcooked at all. The lobster roll tasted great but I thought the bread to lobster ratio was a little off - too much bread for my taste. We both really liked the coleslaw too - crisp, tangy, and refreshing! The workers were very nice and knowledgeable about the menu - our waitress was the one who recommended the shrimp and I'm glad we went with it! The service was attentive and efficient. Overall vibe was beachy, no frills and very family friendly. Overall a great place for seafood. Would definitely stop by again if I'm in the area!

Service good Many changes that seem focused on profitability (only table service inside now with waiter, much smaller portions) Lost much of the ew England charm that made it a popular choice. Time to look for new fave!

Many reviews many visits, just a good place to enjoy great seafood in a relaxing atmosphere. The ice cream hut is and added bonus!

I've always thought the food and vibes here were amazing since I was little! I love the outdoor benches where you eat. The hot dog has always been a favorite of mine and you can never go wrong with their fried food with their delicious tartar sauce!! They have you order at a window and then call your name when the food is ready, making the service quick and efficient. For further review, check out @gbennieats on Instagram

This was a great sport for casual seafood. They've turned it from quick serve to table service. Now you get quickserve food, still on paper plates, but you have to sit and wait for it. Of course this has led to higher prices plus a tip. They've changed this from a fun quick spot to a cheap table service restaurant.

This place is hit or miss. We eat here about 5 times a a year. Sometimes the food is outstanding and sometimes blah. It used to be quaint with its walk up service and placard menus on the wall above the counter. Now it is table service and has lost the fry shack charm. They have also markedly increased prices and now charge for an extra portion of cocktail or tartar sauces. So average but with the chance of better on a good night.

So sad to see how BAD this local gem is now. First we were seated in the covered porch area. We had to move as the smell of shellac was very strong. ( They heavily shellac their tables and were clearly just redone.) I can't believe the are seating people in there to eat. We happily moved to the main room and were excited to have the first lobster roll of the season. We all ordered lobster rolls with fries extra lemon and mayo and no drink. The waitress never came back after dropping off our plates at $35.00 per person. This was an issue as she dod not bring the requested mayo fir the fries. And it is what table serve is..."Service"! We did not get the mayo requested and could not make eye connect with our waitress or any other server who passed us. So not to allow the rolls from getting cold, I went to get mayo for the table. I was handed mayo packets. These cheap packets are full of chemicals and sodium and is not close to real mayo. But in the end it didn't matter because the fries were gross. While they did not look burnt, they sure tasted carcinogenic. Which tells me they don't change their frying enough. Not okay. Besides, why would such a high priced restaurant not offer really mayo? How pathetic. The lobster roll were completely dry. Where is the melted butter folks??? We all took turns getting up for our needs that should have been delivered upon serving and preparation. The alternative to getting up to serve your group was waiting for service- which was not an option without dancing on the table and waving them down to even look your way. Run! Don't walk. There are too many great places in this area to get a lobster roll. This is quintessential New Englad food. Madison Fish Tale is a huge disappointment these days. And the owners don't care that you are dissatisfied , as they are running to the bank with the money they are making with this sub-par food and service. This ship has sailed. So bummed. Go elsewhere...You have been warned.

Always a solid meal here! My favorite is the clam strips, but have changed my diet so I tried the sautéd shrimp and lobster. It was delicious! Not overly greasy and the veggies were nice and crisp! My DH got the broiled haddock and enjoyed that as well! The servers are always nice too! This location did change from an order at the counter place to a traditional wait to be seated and served which was nice.

Food and service were very good. I had the Calamari dinner Restaurant was very clean. Lenny and Joe live up to their reputation. We will be back when in the area.

After a last second stop the beach driving home from a road trip, decided to stop in. Their gift shop of T-shirts and hoodies was 10/10 - so cute and witty! Liven their food was not bad, it just wasn't anything to write home about. We tried to sit outside and nearly every single table had ice cream or something gross on its. There IS a ton of seating though! Some inside and massive amount of tables outside both in the sun and with shade.

Service is very good here and staff is very helpful. Our favorite dish is the fisherman's platter with whole-belly clams. It doesn't matter if the clams are large or small, they are succulent and lightly breaded. We are from Maine and consider ourselves to be connoisseurs. So, any size of the clams considered to be tender or not is a myth. The shrimp on the platter is out of this world. My personal favorite are the sea scallops. My wife doesn't eat them, so they are all mine. Maybe the fish could be a little larger. She says the tarter sauce is excellent. And it doesn't matter which store you go to, the food is the same.

In town for a long weekend and my wife craved a good lobster roll or fried clams with the bellies. Lenny and Joe's Fishtail had been highly recommended. We were headed for the Connecticut shore and decided to try them. They were fairly crowded but we were seated quickly. I ordered the hot lobster roll. My wife ordered the fried clams with the bellies. The waitress stated that their onion rings were very good, so add them to our order. The facility is older and well worn. The restroom was not dirty but did not feel clean. I get it that they are a summer hangout but I question if it has been updated since the 60's. It just looks tired. The food arrived and again, presentation was minimal. I had a long skinny, top cut roll with lobster and appeared to have poured hot butter over the top. The flavor was fair but the roll was soaked in butter. The coleslaw was adequate. My wife only ate the generous quantity of clams and left her soaked roll also. The onion rings were served on a paper plate along with all the other entrees. The rings were not crisp and were in a pool of oil. I love the small mom and pop shops. I go out of my way to support them. Lenny and Joes in Madison is not on my return list. The food was below par and ever though they are making money, they need to update the restaurant and food prep presentation. I get that they are a local institution, but I am not a fan and will be searching for a better lobster shack on my next visit to Connecticut.

Hello summer! This is a classic outdoor glorified seafood shack. Don't get me wrong, it has some indoor seating and it's a full service place but the vibe on this place is total summer. You get assigned a picnic table (there are lots of them) and then order at a stand. It's easy and the food get delivered to your table. We were here for the seafood. It's wonderful. Got the whole belly platter and there were lots of clams without being too greasy. Fries are solid. The clam strips are also quite good if you're not into the whole belly. Dining companions raves about the hot lobster roll and the scallops as well. Really it was just about a perfect way to spend a warm summer Saturday night. Put your cares away.

Excellent food. First time visiting. Had the combo fish dinner and the two way combo. A little pricey but the norm these days.

I found my new 'favorite' menu item today and will 'never go back'! Trying a taco in the land of lobster rolls seems fraught with problems. The fish taco with that coconut curry sauce is excellent. It's fresh and light and filled with flavor. You get the fried fish and in that simplicity you get the best. I can't stop thinking and talking about that sauce as it was such an unexpected treat with a great kick. I partnered it with onion rings and not fries for a great combination of flavors. Got sat a the last table on the porch with so little room for legs or tummy so was a bit uncomfortable. The place was mobbed so service was effective but slow. This is really a place to sit and relax and eat good food prepared to order so there was, for me, no problem.

Sigh... far cry from the glory days of Lenny and Joes. Having lived in the area for over 40 years I know the shoreline restaurants well. Outdoor Lenny and Joes was great even after the ownership changed. Now it's just a profit center. Lobster roll was very small with no tail meat at all. Portions were way too small for the prices. The French Fries container was half filled as was the Maine steamers. I'm sorry to say that if you hade great memories of going to the beach and grabbing awesome seafood.... Please move along and pass up L&J.

Always love coming here as seafood quality is extremely fresh. Huge venue with quick service. Portion sizes are rather large too so plenty for leftovers. I enjoyed the crab cakes as well as the lobster roll

Food is good. Lobster rolls are good for the price. Good classic sea food. No mumbo jumbo, this aint no long John silvers.

Booth was a bit tight for us big old folks but otherwise it was a great meal. Service was excellent and friendly. Food came out fast and hot. Generous wine pour. Hubby loved his Cajun Salmon salad and my lobster roll, slaw and fries were as good as any I've had any other place.

Big! Big indoor dining area. Big outdoor dining area. Big portions. Big parking lot. Friendly, fast service. Great fried clam strips and fish. The coleslaw was ehh. Big family atmosphere.

Always a pleasure to visit this age old seafood establishment right on the coast. With a wonderful carousel, delicious crabs and lobsters, and a home town feel, I have been coming to Lenny and Joe's for the better part of twenty five years. They always have great options and local favorites. The ordering has changed a bit, they offer table service now! Having a waitress is a great part of the experience. The staff was all nice and friendly. I got the Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Clam Strips, and a lemonade. Definitely great tasting and a good portion of food. Can't wait to come back in the summer to sit outside! It's o oh a few blocks from the state park so you can swing by after a big day of ocean fun.

Been visiting this place since I was a teenager. We still make it a stop when we visit family in CT from California. Great food, neat atmosphere and service is always good.