Virginia Tatakis-Calder grew up in food service, starting with making pizza boxes at her family's Resturant at the age of 7. As a teen she worked at Thompson's Restaurant in Bingham and worked summers through college at Mariah's Restaurant, also in Bingham, as well as Shirley and Harold's in Presque Isle. After marrying Chebeague Island local Thomas Calder and having three kids (Tracy, Tim and Tiffany-who are often spotted around the shack, working or just hanging out) Virginia decided to try out a new venture and go back to her roots. With help from family, she got plans together and built Calder's Clam Shack, the first business of its kind on the island for several years. A small take-out most famous for its homemade pizza, delicious burgers and local, fresh seafood, it's the best place to go if you don't want to cook. Or if you want to grab a sandwich for your picnic. But you can also stay at the shack and eat at one of the purple or red picnic tables littering the lawn. It is certainly a family affair, as Virginia and Tom work the grills while Tracy (age 13) mans the take-out window and Leanne, Tom's sister, does prep work with her daughter, Gail and Tom's mom, Dianne. Tom's father, Dick, can often be seen chatting up the locals or cleaning up the yard with help from seven-year-old Tiffany, who also supervises the cleaning of the tables and does busboy work.
Tim, who is ten, is in charge of refilling the soda machine; he loads up supplies from the barn and brings them down to the shack via a John Deere lawn mower with wagon attached. It is quite a sight to see, and it is obvious that the entire family very much enjoys the shack.
Since its establishment in 2005, Calder's Clam Shack has grown to include many of Virginia's recipes and favorites including the seasonal fish chowder (available on cold days) and this years newest additions: chicken salad and chocolate chip cookies (although, obviously, these are not served together). Last year she added Greek fare including the Greek salad with feta cheese topped with Virginia's own Greek dressing, and Greek pizza.
Everything in homemade and well-loved, like the pizza dough, and coleslaw. In the fall there are specials like Hawaiian chicken, a family favorite, and occasionally other full dinners. But the shack is full of other great finds like the chicken finger basket (which the kids whole-heartedly approve of) and the Stone Slooper which is a basket of clams, haddock, Maine shrimp and scallops together with French fries. If you are looking for something a bit simpler, then you can try the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or grilled cheese.
Although my favorite is Tim's creation, the TLC burger which is topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and thousand island dressing. Most people also love the "Shack Attack" pizza, which has onions, green peppers, mushrooms, hamburger, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, Greek olives and ham.
And don't forget dessert! The Gifford's ice cream flavors change occasionally, but the one constant is Moose Tracks, the most ordered cone and a favorite of the entire family.
Written by Gail Libby
