DJ's Clam Shack opens Stony Brook location

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A popular Long Island seafood joint just moved into a site that’s a stone’s throw away from Stony Brook University.

D.J.’s Clam Shack opened over the weekend at 1007 NY-25A, the site of the former D.P. Dough, a calzone hot spot that had been beloved by college students.

“We’re a big fan of [D.J.’s] in general,” Albert Lee said, a diner enjoying New England clam chowder, fried calamari with kung pao sauce and sweet potato fries with his family on Saturday. “We live in Port Jeff, so to be able to come here is awesome. We’ve been waiting for something to come in here for the longest time.”

Diners familiar with the D.J.’s brand won’t be surprised to see the overstuffed Maine lobster rolls, garlic steamed middle neck clams, golden fried shrimp and mahi mahi tacos at the new location.

While the menu is identical to the other clam shacks, the new location follows a more takeout-oriented model, owner Paul Riggiao said. There is enough seating for about 25 guests, between the dining room chairs and stools, along with the pair of picnic tables out front.

Riggiao moved back to his hometown of Stony Brook this year and decided the vacancy left by D.P. Dough would be a perfect third D.J.’s location for him and childhood friend turned business partner Jeff Gagnon (the “J” in D.J.’s.). The duo own the Shacks in Wantaugh and Northport.

Gagnon in 2009 opened his first D.J.’s restaurant with Doug Bell in Key West, Florida, a location that influences the decorum of the other locations.

Riggiao said that he has yet to promote the opening across social media platforms. He said he will likely announce the grand opening as Christmas nears.

“We’re excited to be in Stony Brook,” Riggiao said. “Me and Jeff grew up here, so we’re back in our hometown, we have a lot of high school buddies in town, friends and family, so it should be fun.”