One of the biggest challenges in launching a new business is getting people’s attention. With a name like Happy Clams & Hams, owner Scott Dolan hopes his newest venture does exactly that.
Dolan, owner of the popular Big Water Fish Market on Siesta Key, recently moved farther inland and noticed something missing in the Bee Ridge area: a neighborhood seafood market offering fresh fish and prepared seafood.
“Most seafood lovers head to Tamiami Trail,” Dolan said, noting destinations such as Big Water Fish Market, Walt’s Fish Market, Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill and Detwiler’s Farm Market. “But around Bee Ridge, your options are mostly supermarkets, and the seafood isn’t always as fresh.”
Dolan knows the seafood business well. Before moving to Florida in 2000, he owned a successful deli, butcher shop and fish market in Atlanta, as well as an oyster bar. After relocating, he saw an opportunity to bring a high-quality seafood market to Siesta Key, opening Big Water Fish Market in 2011.
More than a decade later, he’s bringing that experience inland with Happy Clams & Hams Market & Deli, which opened June 8.
The new venture is a partnership with Carlyle Veale, Big Water’s longtime general manager, and Brian Paetsch. Veale enthusiastically supported Dolan’s playful business name, helping bring his latest—and, he says, final—restaurant concept to life.
The market combines a fresh seafood counter, retail market and deli, offering everything from grouper sandwiches, lobster rolls, clam chowder and octopus ceviche to house-made corned beef, smoked pastrami, po’boys and muffuletta sandwiches.
“It’s Atlanta meets New York meets Florida meets Boston meets New Orleans,” Dolan said. “Those are my favorite places to eat. When I travel, I go to eat.”
Since opening, some of the most popular menu items have been the grilled bologna and cheese sandwich, smoked fish spread, fish stew and the grouper sandwich made famous at Big Water Fish Market. Lobster rolls and fish tacos also carry over from the Siesta Key restaurant.
“Some recipes are the same,” Dolan said, “but others are new because we’re not trying to duplicate Big Water. We’re trying to create a new, original concept.”
The menu also includes playful offerings such as Costco hot dogs, Key West pink peel-and-eat shrimp, Seinfeld’s Big Salad and One-Eyed Jack’s Trifecta—a sampler featuring shrimp salad, tuna salad and chicken salad served over greens.
Customers can order sandwiches “Beach Body” style for a lighter meal or “NYC” style for an overstuffed version.
Additional offerings are already in the works. Dolan plans to introduce seafood steam pots with one reservation-only dinner each week, limited to 20 guests. Friday fish fry nights are also coming soon.
The 1,200-square-foot market seats 26 guests indoors, although takeout and call-in orders have quickly become popular. Guests are welcome to bring their own beer, and a raw bar offers oysters and other fresh seafood selections. Happy Clams & Hams also provides catering services.
“Hopefully it’s the right combination for this neighborhood,” Dolan said.
Happy Clams & Hams Market & Deli is located at 4110 Bee Ridge Road, next to Southern Steer Butcher.
Retail hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The kitchen serves lunch until 4 p.m. daily and is closed Sundays. Dolan said retail hours will be extended to 7 p.m. during the busy season.
Large-group reservations and private parties can be arranged through Big Water Fish Market, 6639 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key. Call 941-554-8101 for reservations.
For more information, visit happyclamsandhams.com or bigwaterfishmarket.com.
