Kick Ass Clam Chowder?

While the name of the chowder at Joe's at the Barleyneck Inn is "Kick-Ass New England Clam Chowder," we are not sure that this chowder lives up to its name. While there were a decent amound of clams in this recipe, there wasn't much flavor and the consistency was much too thick for our taste. It was only slightly improved with a lot of salt and pepper. With a bit of seasoning this chowder might be Kick-Ass, but we just didn't think it was at this time.

On a positive note, the pub grub at Joe's is generally good - tasty thin crust pizza, juicy burgers, and a rib special that literally fell off the bone. And, October is a fantastic time to visit as Joe cleans out his wine cellar annually and all bottles are discounted at 50%! And this is no shabby wine list either - it has been a yearly recipient of the Wine Spectator Restaurant Award of Excellence since 2001.

Chowder's On At The Nun!

The Red Nun is a new-ish addition to the restaurant scene in Chatham. Over the last couple years it has gained a reputation as one of the few places I can honestly say still feels "local" even in the height of the tourist season. Its no frills decor bodes well with the locals and it doesn't hurt that the bar is always bustling, the flat screen TV's are tuned to the right games, and the pub style food hits the spot. The chowder is no exception - with heaps of big clams and chunks of "just right" potatoes, the Red Nun's chowder delivered on our expectations. We needed to add just a bit of salt and pepper to kick the flavor up a touch, but all in all, this was some of the better chowder we tasted. The best part, though? If you're in the mood for a pint of beer and a bowl of chowdah, the Nun is just the right atmosphere.

The Port's Chowder

Even though we think we found the best chowder on the Cape, the search continues (slowly). We recently visited the Port, in Harwichport, MA. The Port is a trendy restaurant with a bustling atmosphere and great bar scene. We haven't been in a while, but we were impressed. The chowder at the Port had a great consistancey, not too thick for us, but not watery. It had nice chunks of potatoes, lots of bacon, and a great taste (our waitress asked if we wanted fresh ground pepper, but we did not think that this one needed it). Our biggest complaint would be the lack of clams. We are guessing that the price of clams makes it difficult for restaurants to put bigger pieces in, but that was the only thing missing from this chowder. It is a great choice if you want to sit at the bar, have a drink, and talk to some of the locals.

Impudent Oyster Chowder

The Impudent Oyster is a landmark in Chatham – the ambiance is bustling and the tables are always full and hard to come by in the summer. The reason? Certainly people aren’t flocking here for the décor which is minimal and somewhat rustic. They come for the food which is consistently outstanding and draws customers back, sometimes multiple times during their vacation. With this in mind, we decided a sample of their chowder, or, as they call it “Yesterday’s Quahog Chowder,” was a must. We were surprised to find that while certainly tasty, this was not at the top of our list. The clams and potatoes were plentiful and the consistency was a bit on the creamier side, but we felt it was lacking a bit in the flavor department. With a bit of doctoring up with some salt and pepper, we did enjoy the chowder and do recommend it, particularly since the atmosphere lends itself to the chowder and beer image we all have in our minds.

Chatham Bars Inn Chowder

While one typically envisions their clam chowder dining experience as casually slurping down a bowl with a pint of beer and perhaps the Red Sox game broadcasting on the bar’s TV, we couldn’t complain about the water views and fine china that accompanied our bowl of chowder at the Chatham Bars Inn. This was certainly the most different chowder we have sampled so far. Rather than spoonfuls of chunky potatoes and tender clams, the Chatham Bars Inn version was more of a purée than chowder. Though far from what we expected, the flavors were fantastic while perhaps a bit salty for some. Sometimes, it’s best not to mess with a classic, but we think the Chatham Bars Inn did a fine job of putting a gourmet spin on a New England tradition.

Roo Bar Chowder

One might think that with a new baby our search for the perfect chowder would be put on the back burner. However, we are trying to expose Abigail to our favorite pastime of dining out well before she is actually able to enjoy anything off the menu. So, while she downed a few ounces of formula, we downed a couple cups of chowder. The Roo Bar's version is on the creamier side, but not "stick to your spoon (and ultimately your gut)" thick. While we would have preferred a few more clams, the ones that were there were cooked well and there were plenty of potatoes for a those who prefer a heartier bisque. Overall, we enjoyed the flavors, but personally prefer our chowder a little less creamy and a little more clammy!

Captain Linnell House chowder

For those of you who do not know us that well, the Captain Linnell House in Orleans, MA, is a special place for us. We were married there back in 2001 and go every year for our anniversary. This year when I opened the menu, at the top was Clam Chowder and the menu claimed it was the best. Upon arrival of their clam chowder, I received a wonderful aroma. It was nicely presented, with chives on top. No oyster crackers, but with their rolls, one does not need crackers. The chowder had a great consistency, not too thick, just the perfect creaminess. It tasted great and I was truly impressed. My biggest complaint would be the amount of clams. I would have been looking for more, but other than that, this may be the best (it is only our second entry, but it was good). The Captain Linnell House is not the type of place to go just for a bowl of chowder as it is a romantic sea captain's home, but if you are looking for good chowder and a nice meal, it is a great choice.

In Search of the Best Clam Chowder

Here in Chatham, Massachusetts, it's pronounced "chowdah," but however you pronounce it, one thing is for sure - tourists and locals alike are constantly on the prowl for the best bowl around. Join us as we embark on our own mission to find the tastiest- then go try for yourself when you visit us on your next Cape Cod vacation.

Our first stop...the infamous Chatham Squire. A favorite New England eatery and bar, those seeking comfort food in a casual setting will find it here. Chock full of clams and tender potatoes, the Squire's chowdah recipe didn't disappoint. The pepper flavor, while not too strong, was distinct, and the clams were cooked to perfection. Our only complaint? Perhaps it could have been a bit thicker in consistency, but for those who don't like their chowdah too creamy, this could be the chowdah for you.