Food worth the drive: New England food destinations

What can we say? Sometimes a food craving so intense comes along that you’ll stop at nothing to get your hands on that very dish. Maybe you’ve driven an extra hour to assure you can enjoy those Buffalo wings, or perhaps the traffic will be worth it all, as long as you can taste the perfect clam cake. We’ve all been there, whether it be planning a trip around a certain food destination, or just tossing caution to the wind and making the meal the primary catalyst. We don’t judge. So, we offer these destinations throughout New England, each worthy of an extended drive for the specialties that have made them household names. Feel free to share your own destinations as well.

Polly’s Pancake Parlor

Polly’s kicked off its 75th season in business when opened for the season in March, delighting both Granite Staters and visitors alike, many of whom won’t hesitate in calling the Sugar Hill location home to some of the best pancakes anywhere. All pancakes – three inches in diameter, six to an order – are made from scratch from an original recipe – no prepared mixes – and served with an unlimited supply of Polly’s own maple products. Currently open weekends only, Polly’s opens daily beginning May 11. Reservations are accepted only on non-holiday weekdays, so expect a wait. It’s worth it. – Hildex Maple Sugar Farm, Sugar Hill, N.H., 603-823-8849, pollyspancakeparlor.com

Al’s French Frys

Stepping into this South Burlington, Vt. institution is akin to visiting the Peach Pit on the original 90210, a throwback soda and burger shop attracting all the cool kids for an afternoon snack. Whether it be local college kids, or visitors on their way home from nearby Montreal, Al’s French fries (or, frys, as they spell it) are legendary, served in a cup, pint, or quart. In fact, Al’s most famous menu item, freshly-cut from whole potatoes and fried to a perfect consistency – was even recognized by the James Beard Foundation as one of America’s Classics. High praise, indeed. – 1251 Williston Road, South Burlington, Vt., 802-862-9203, www.alsfrenchfrys.com

Nectar’s

Just down the road in Burlington, Nectar’s may be the hotspot that Phish put on the map, but the institution is just as well known for its gravy fries, a plate of French fries drowned in gravy, a delicacy that has served as one of the most notable late-night treats in the Queen City. On any given night, it’s not uncommon to see dozens of people lined up at Nectar’s take-out window, where “gravy fries’’ will be ordered by the majority, a steaming, hot treat that always takes the nip away on a cold, Vermont winter night. – 188 Main St., Burlington, Vt., 802-658-4771, liveatnectars.com

Duckfat

On the other side of New England comes a fry prepared quite differently than Al’s, with just as fervent a following. At Duckfat, in Portland, Maine, the famous fries are cut from local, Maine potatoes, then deep-fried in, well, duck fat, creating a taste sensation many say can’t be matched by any other French fried potato. The downtown sandwich shop’s fries come with a choice of dipping sauce, including garlic mayo, truffle ketchup, and horseradish mayo. If those don’t float your fancy, Heinz and vinegar are available upon request. – 43 Middle St., Portland, Maine, 207-774-8080, www.duckfat.com

Evelyn’s Drive In and Flo’s Clam Shack

In an ideal world, any drive to Rhode Island would include a visit to both of these clam shacks, two of the best in all of New England for clam cakes. At Evelyn’s bask in the glow of what might be the region’s most perfectly cake, whole sitting on the shore of Nannaquaket Pond, making it a tempting stop for boaters during the summer months. (Evelyn’s re-opens April 8.) Meanwhile, Flo’s is a Middletown institution, a popular stop for many who have spend a summer day lounging on any of the Newport area beaches. – Evelyn’s – 2335 Main Road, Tiverton, R.I, 401-624-3100, www.evelynsdrivein.com. Flo’s – 4 Wave Ave., Middletown, R.I., 401-847-8141, www.facebook.com/pages/Flos-Clam-Shack/245316810509

The Lobster Pool

Lots of places serve lobster on the North Shore. Few can do it in the setting of The Lobster Pool, an almost-dream-like summertime setting where visitors can dine on crustaceans and other classic seafood fare along the shore of Cape Ann, the perfect spot to dine and drink (bring your own) as the sun sets. The restaurant, which is self-service, with no tipping, is open weekends only through April. It opens full-time for the season in May. – 329 Granite St., Rockport, 978-546-7808, www.lobsterpoolrestaurant.com

Arnold’s Restaurant

Visit this Eastham hotspot in the midst of summer, and you’re surely guaranteed a wait in line, a testament to the restaurant’s popularity with the vacationing crowd. Arnold’s does most every sort of seafood well, but it’s the fried clams that make it a household name, breading and frying the clams to a perfect texture that’s not too crispy, nor too flimsy. In fact, Food and Wine Magazine called them “the best clams in the world.’’ If that’s not worth the drive, then what else possibly can be? – 3580 Route 6, Eastham, 508-255-8255, www.arnoldsrestaurant.com

North End pizza

It’s really no use trying to settle the battle for North End pizza supremacy, so we certainly won’t try it here. All you have to know is that people from all around the world sample the likes of Regina Pizzeria, Nebo, and Galleria Umberto every year. In a race too close to call, Regina gets all the rightful love because of its history, but there is more than enough to go around to satisfy everyone in this noted Boston neighborhood. – 11 ½ Thacher St., 617-227-0765, www.reginapizzeria.com

Louis’ Lunch

Whether or not this New Haven landmark really is the birthplace of the hamburger – not too far from where Bobby Valentine claims to have invented the wrap sandwich, of course – can be debated. But that’s the legend that Louis’ Lunch still claims. In 1900, a customer asked for something quick because he was on the run. A few minutes later, steak trimmings were placed between two slices of toast, and voila, the hamburger was born. Today, the same cast-iron grills from 1898 are used at the establishment, which also appears to have changed little since. And if you want ketchup or mustard on your burger, you’re better off elsewhere. Louis’ Lunch is confident in the taste of its burgers that condiments other than cheese, tomato , and onion, are not allowed. – 261-263 Crown St., New Haven, Conn., 203-562-5507, www.louislunch.com

Red’s Eats

While it’s nearly impossible to select favorites among the hundreds of clam shacks that litter the Maine coastline, Red’s Eats is a destination in itself for what many consider the best lobster roll in all of New England. Red’s lobster roll features meat from a one-pound lobster – yes, one pound – served on a classic-style bun, and served with your choice of melted butter or mayonnaise on the side. You’re forgiven if you’ve stopped reading and are already in your car now. – 41 Water St., Wicasset, Maine, 207-882-6128

Delaney’s Hole in the Wall

There’s nothing worse than ordering a Buffalo wing appetizer at a restaurant and receiving a small plate with a half-dozen half wings with minimal sauce. You’ll never have that problem at this Mount Washington Valley favorite, where wings are served whole, smothered in your choice of Buffalo or honey hot sauce, and piled high enough that one order is more than sufficient for a meal. Expect attention. From the moment they’re brought out, the steaming aura fills the room with a scent that will render your surrounding cohorts jealous. – 2966 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, N.H., 603-356-7776, www.delaneys.com