The Shuck Shack
Brand new to Hampton Beach, The Shuck Shack (3 D St., Hampton Beach, theshuckshackhb.com, and on Instagram @theshuckshackhb) is the hottest place to be for raw bar oysters, street tacos, lobster rolls, beer, wine and more. The 50-seat outdoor-only eatery is the latest venture of Swell Oyster Co.’s Russ Hilliard and Conor Walsh, who have been harvesting fresh Atlantic oysters in Hampton Harbor for nearly a decade. The pair of surfers and University of Rhode Island graduates, who also run Swell Oyster Shack just over a mile to the south, saw an opportunity to expand their offerings when the former Pat’s World Famous space on D Street became available. The Shuck Shack’s raw bar, in addition to Swell’s own oysters, has others grown from farms across neighboring New England states like Maine and Massachusetts, plus non-oyster options like shrimp cocktail, Jonah crab claw, littleneck clams, ceviche and caviar. But even if you’re not a seafood lover, there is plenty to enjoy here, from the pork carnitas or chicken adobo street tacos to small bites like street corn with mayonnaise, scallions, lime and queso fresco. “Maybe you love the raw bar, but who you’re with doesn’t, and so we try to accompany everyone’s palates … and just make it a fun, casual place to come hang out and eat some good food before you hit the beach,” Hilliard said. The Scene recently caught up with Hilliard, a Hampton Falls native, to discuss some of his must-try recommendations for visiting The Shuck Shack this summer.
How long has The Shuck Shack been around?
We did a soft opening on Thursday [before Memorial Day weekend] with friends and family, and then we just went right into it after that. We had a great first weekend.
What makes The Shuck Shack unique?
We have a complete raw bar … [and] we’re also affiliated with our own oyster farm, which is super cool. All of our staff are really well-trained in shucking oysters, so they are presented really well. … We also don’t have a frialator here; just super clean, fresh, good-tasting food.
What is your favorite thing on your own menu?
I’ll give you three. I love our Baja fish taco, I think the street corn is phenomenal, and then I also really enjoy the salmon tartare that we offer.
What is something that everyone should try?
If you’re an oyster lover, I would say you should try one of each oyster and see which one you like the best. … Sure, I love our Swell’s, but I like all of the other oysters as well, and each person’s palate is different. … I [also] think our warm butter lobster roll is really good here. We’re really happy with how it turned out. … [It’s] super simple, [with] lemon, a little bit of sea salt, and, of course, butter on a nice toasted bun. You can’t really go wrong with that.
What celebrity would you like to see eating at The Shuck Shack?
I’d like to see Sterling Spencer. He’s a surfer and a pretty funny guy.
What is an essential skill to running a restaurant?
Not necessarily [having] management experience, but just having experience working in a kitchen and knowing how kitchens work [is helpful]. … If you have that little bit of background, you can make all the right moves.
What is your favorite thing about being on the Seacoast?
I just really love being on the water. … So many people come to Hampton Beach from all around as a vacation, and we get to just drive down the road and be in that same spot.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of The Shuck Shack
