DJ's Clam Shack Opens In East Northport

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — DJ's Clam Shack opened in East Northport in October, marking the eatery's second Long Island location and fourth overall.

The seafood joint found its roots in Key West, Florida, before coming to Wantagh three years ago. With co-owners Jeff Gagnon and Paul Riggio seeking expansion on the north shore, East Northport was eventually determined as a landing spot.

DJ's Clam Shack specializes in casual seafood that combines the flavors of Key West and northeastern United States, according to Anthony Gentile, a co-manager.

"Northern seafood meets southern seafood," Gentile described the menu as.

Lobster rolls, steamed clams and New England clam chowder are the featured items from the north. Conch fritters, a Key West staple of conch meat that's battered and fried, is an example of the fried seafood that represents the south, Gentile explained.

Unlike the Wantagh location, which only serves beer and wine, the East Northport branch has a full liquor license. DJ's will form a list of at least seven cocktails inspired by its "Key West roots," though it has yet to start the process. The business won't be a full-service bar, however, as Gentile said the chain is going for a "family-place" atmosphere.

Customers would go to the Wantagh location and ask when DJ's would launch a second Long Island venture, as well as suggest making one out east, Gentile said. Ownership began to look at expansion opportunities, including in Huntington.

Eventually, they found 1972 E. Jericho Turnpike, East Northport. The space was previously occupied by Long Shot Bar & Grill, which shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The accessible nature of the location, and what Gentile described as the "turnkey" nature of the previous bar's setup, made East Northport a "perfect fit."

"Everything inside was brand new and redone," Gentile said. "The kitchen was already there with the equipment. We didn’t have to do any major renovations inside. It was right on a main road, so it was a no brainer for us."

There haven't been any financial hurdles for DJ's Clam Shack regarding opening a second Long Island business while New York has been rocked by the coronavirus and the resulting state mandates, according to Gentile.

"The response from the community has been amazing," he said. "We’ve been welcomed with open arms by a lot of people. I was surprised with how many people were customers of the Wantagh location who live out [on the north shore]. A lot of people were very pleased to see us out here, and the response has been overwhelming so far."

The eatery is adhering to all COVID-19 regulations and rules; social distancing, sanitizing the tables and equipment, and everyone wears a mask and gloves. Following those mandates hasn't been the toughest part of the pandemic for the business.

"We’re a very casual place," Gentile said. "We’re very friendly with our customers. It does take a toll on us, because we want to be really friendly and smile, but you have the mask on, so it’s difficult. Other than that, we’re chugging along and doing really well."

The size of the East Northport DJ's is much bigger than its Wantagh counterpart, according to Gentile. There's significantly more indoor seating and room for a full bar. There's also a different ambiance between the two.

"Wantagh is very rustic, very Key West-y," Gentile said. "It’s got the used driftwood along the walls. It’s got the color scheme of a beach: bright orange and blues, and old surfboards all over the place. When you step into Wantagh, it’s like you’re stepping into DJ’s Clam Shack in Key West. Northport is much different. I’m hesitant to use the word elegant, because it’s not really elegant, but comapred to Wantagh, it’s a much nicer, much more polished location. The color scheme is completely different."

There will be no difference in the food and service, though.

Gentile, his co-manager Beth Conners, and the co-owners are all "completely stoked" for the East Northport chapter of DJ's Clam Shack.

"We’re just happy to bring DJ’s to a different community," he said. "The response has been overwhelming out here. People have really welcomed us. They’re coming in, enjoying their food, staying and having a good time. The takeout business has been incredible. We’ve seen a lot of new customers making friends with people in the area. It’s been really exciting to see the new relationships that we’re forming with the businesses and people in the area."

The East Northport store can be reached at 631-486-9474.

Photos

This article originally appeared on the Northport Patch