(1010 WINS) (HOBOKEN, N.J.) Workmen began removing bricks Thursday from the crumbling facade of the Clam Broth House restaurant in the first phase of the demolition of the 105-year-old icon. The Clam Broth House opened in 1899 and was a favorite of longshoremen and celebrities. Actor Marlon Brando is said to have dined there during filming for the 1954 film “On The Waterfront,” and native son Frank Sinatra’s mother, Dolly, was a regular in the restaurant’s Marlin Room. The restaurant closed in the spring of 2003 after tenants complained about buckling walls. The city eventually determined the buildings would have to be demolished, but the restaurant’s owners got a judge to temporarily block the demolition in March. “There’s a lot of traffic on that street, a lot of trucks and a lot of vibration,” Campbell said. “There was really no way to save the building.” The future of the site is unclear. It is in a historic district, which means any new buildings would have to mirror the rest of the district in height and appearance. Campbell said no plans have been filed for developing the site.
—For once, I’m not bitching about an old building being torn down; this one was falling down. But what a shame—I’ve eaten there (and stopped in to use their phone booth before I got a cell phone), and passed the huge lighted “Clam Broth House” sign hundreds of times.
It really stinks when a cool old joint like that goes “down the road”. I wish I could have had a chance to eat there.
Reminds me of this joint that used to be in Charleston, called the Goody House. It was on Calhoun Street, right across the street from the College of Charleston. Served breakfast and lunch. Best damned hamburgers ever. The place had only like eight stools at one serving counter, and people would be piling up out the door waiting to get one of those seats. It was just one of those funky hangouts that help make your neighborhood a special place.
I’ve seen the sign dozens of times as well. While I never dined there, I spent a good deal of time at the Cadillac Bar and Boo Boo’s in the early-mid '90s. It’s truly a sad day.
I love that sort of place and am making my first trip to your corner of the country next May. I’d have made a beeline to see it.
On second thoughts, maybe it’s just as well. My stepdaughter, who works in Hoboken, probably wouldn’t want us to take her to lunch there as she is practically a vegan. It doesn’t sound the sort of place where she could eat anything.
Well, at least the PATH has reopened, with a fine new temporary station with a sobering view of Ground Zero from eye level.
Hoboken is now getting as unaffordable as Brooklyn. Soooo fancy now.
And damn, I was there last week riding the new trolleys and passed near the Clamn Broth House. Yes, it was a mess, but I didn’t know I’d be seeing it for the last time ever. :eek:
Soooo fancy now.