Blink’s Fry Doe
Who doesn’t love fried dough and piña coladas on the beach? With two spots just a five-minute walk from one another on Ocean Boulevard, Blink’s Fry Doe (191 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach; 115 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach; find them on Facebook and Instagram @blinksfrydoe) is open all summer long for you to get your fix of that crispy, mouthwatering goodness. A staple for generations of beach-goers and fried dough lovers alike, Blink’s is also celebrating 50 years in business between C and D streets in 2024. Despite taking the helm just last November, new owner and Hampton Falls native Hyatt Hodges is no stranger to the beloved fried dough stand. “I worked here pretty much from when I was 13 until I was a junior in college, and so I have so many great memories here,” she said. Hodges firmly believes in the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage, which applies perfectly to Blink’s. “We do fried dough in about 30 different flavors … [and] there has only been a new flavor or two in about 30 years,” she said. “Our drinks are also iconic to the beach. We make authentic piña coladas and authentic strawberry daiquiris … and then we serve a full milkshake menu as well. We’ve expanded the [drink] flavors this year to complement the fried dough.” The Scene recently caught up with Hodges to learn how her first season as owner is going and what some of her picks for must-try recommendations are the next time you visit before hitting the beach.
How long has Blink’s Fry Doe been around?
Blink’s is technically 51 years old, but it’s the 50th year at Hampton Beach. They started at the Methuen Mall and were there for about a year before opening at the beach. … The location between C and D [streets] is the original location that they’ve had for 50 years. … We try to be the first to open and the last to close of the season on the strip, so we opened in March of this year, and we’ll remain open through at least November.
What makes Blink’s Fry Doe unique?
We do two things — fried dough and drinks. That’s what makes Blink’s unique on the beach. That’s all we’ve ever made, but we do it well and have spent a lot of time perfecting it.
What is your favorite dough flavor on your own menu?
I really like the sauce and cheese with garlic. A close second, though, would be the peanut butter and honey. I also really love the classic, which we call The Works. It has cinnamon, powdered sugar and butter. … For drinks, I would say my favorites are strawberry daiquiris.
What is something that everyone should try?
The Works dough and a piña colada. That’s the fan favorite. … People always ask us, though, what’s one thing you can get if you want to go non-traditional, and I love the Turtle. It’s a dough that has chocolate, walnuts and caramel.
What celebrity would you like to see ordering from Blink’s Fry Doe?
You know who I admire a ton and would love to see is Martha Stewart. … She always appreciates the best of everything, and I really do think that we have the best fried dough around.
— Matt Ingersoll
Photo courtesy of Blink’s Fry Dough
