The Great Machipongo Clam Shack

Omg this place is awesome! They didn't even blink when I said my food had to be celiac safe. The waitress asked me what I liked to eat and said she would make it gluten free for me. There are specific gluten free options on the menu. And for those not interested in seafood, they have chicken tenders, tacos etc. The atmosphere was so nice too. I wish I lived close to this restaurant. It is so worth a stop!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Other dedicated kitchen equipment (oven, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, etc.)
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for breakfast/brunch
• Good for dinner
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegan options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Interesting place. Nice, helpful waitress who steered me away from anything fried, as she was concerned other foods may have been in the “dedicated” fryer. Bummer. They can do most of the menu gf so those who can eat seafood have lots of choices. I can’t eat seafood so was hoping for more options (the sign out front says in big letters “not just seafood”) but was limited to salad, burger without a bun, and possibly a piece of chicken (I forgot to ask about that). Burger was unremarkable. Got apples for a side and they were delish! Looks like a good choice for seafood lovers.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for lunch
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

Tons of gluten free options, big menu, super cute, employees are extremely sweet and knowledgeable about ingredients, on the main road not at all out of the way. Highly recommend

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Super lunch. Designated fryer and rice flour used as coating to fry seafood. I had gluten free crab cakes, which were delicious. Many of the sides are or can be made gluten free. The lady who took my order was very knowledgeable and careful.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Fabulous Gluten Free Crabcakes and Seafood Cakes

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating

We had a great dinner. My celiac daughter had the gf crab cake (we brought our own gf bun) with the baked apples and a huge side salad (we brought our own dressing). My mom, who is gf but not celiac, had the shrimp stuffed with crab, baked apples and beets. The server was knowledgeable about the gf items and marked the gf meals accordingly. Overall a great experience and I would highly recommend.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

First delicious crab cake I've had in a year! There were several side item options that were GF also. the green beans and baked apples were awesome! Staff was wonderful and friendly too and let my son have the husk puppies that usually come with meals (since I couldn't eat it and it's usually left off the GF meals).

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much/None

Phenomenal!!! A must go! I have celiac and feel great. Staff was knowledgeable. I came for the gluten free crab cakes, although good. I think the real winner here was the seafood gumbo, steamed clams and they have a kids meal with steamed shrimp, my 10 month old devoured it. Honestly every single thing was truly so good. Clearly marked gluten free, always ask if they have anything else gluten free, tried the clam chowder. Also very good. When I go back, I’ll get more steamers. I could have eaten 50! For covid, they have a drive up window and lovely picnic tables under the trees. Sort of makes the beachy seafood feel even better if you ask me. So happy we drove this way home from vacation.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Good selection of options. GF tacos and crabcakes, included. Friendly and knowledgable staff. Local eatery worth the stop on Rt 13 to Virginia Beach and Outer Banks beaches.

Pretty good GF menu and staff knowledgeable. The crab cake was solid and clam chowder quite good. Not amazing but very good overall

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We enjoyed our experience. The kitchen is not certified gluten free, but the waitstaff was knowledgeable and patient with questions regarding cross contamination. Jumbo sea scallops, green beans and baked apples was the meal of choice. No problems arose.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very surprised at the yummy GF options, especially the fried oysters. Both my 'normal' husband and I have been so happy w/the service and local 'flavor', we make this one of our regular stops when traveling. We constantly try new things and are always pleasantly surprised.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Good gf crabcakes but only two or three gf options on the menu.

I found the food to be quite good and tried the GF gumbo, GF crab cakes and some steamed clams. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed it.

We frequently eat here. Fresh seafood, gluten free crab cakes and other options. Staff always very friendly. Very large collection of exotic spices for sale as well as wines in their market area.

Three of us stopped and ate gluten free. There is NO separate gluten free fryer as it mentions. The wait staff was extremely nice, and knowledgable, that is the plus side of our eating experience. My clams were so sandy I couldn't eat them, and my husbands scallops were too. I ordered the salmon and it was very dry, and left most of my meal. My daughter had the ribs and that is the only thing she ate from her plate besides the baked apples. My husband had a large sampler plate ($34) and left most all of it. I don't recommend the food, nor would I stop again.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Super friendly-very knowledgable-separate GF menu-dedicated fryer! Great food! I had GF crab cakes, fried shrimp and fried scallops-unheard of anywhere else usually have to eat broiled. Soups were GF too! She crab soup was like crab stew so thick with crabmeat and yummy. Live in NJ so definitely stopping back on our way home!!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I didnt eat here (not a seafood lover) but my family did- did see that they offer GF selections on menu (crab cakes, salad, soups) Also have GF stuff in their store area. Great place, very unexpected. "Normal" food very good per the fam (hubby is very particular about soft shell crabs and said he'd go again).

On a long, long road with few options for any food at all, I was thrilled to find a place to eat. And a gluten free crab cake? Unheard of! The menu has a number of items, as does the store. Great find!