Thomas N. Soffron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas N. Soffron (December 10, 1907 – February 21, 2004) was the clam digger and restaurateur who created the fried clam strip.[1][2][3] He was also a singer and guitarist, member of the Talambekos Mandolinata band.[4]
Thomas N. Soffron | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 10, 1907 |
| Died | February 21, 2004 (aged 96) |
Biography
He was born on December 10, 1907, and he was an immigrant from Greece with his three brothers and a sister: Virginia Soffron, George N. Soffron (1907–1990), Stephen N. Soffron (1919–1995) and Peter Soffron (1913–1984).[2]
Together they owned the Soffron Brothers Clam Company in Ipswich, Massachusetts, which started in 1938.[5]
They arranged an exclusive deal to provide their clam strips to the Howard Johnson's restaurant chain which were sold under the tradename "Tender-sweet Fried Clams".[1]
There is an anecdote that "Soffron was a picky eater and did not care for the clam's belly. He only ate the strip from the large clam, which he could sanitize."[6] In 1961 they were charged with tax evasion.[5]
He was married to Sophia Economis.[1]