Best Clam Chowder in Mass (Cambridge, Raynham: live, park, dinner)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Legal Seafood chowder comes in a huge plastic bag from a supplier in Fall River owned by the same parent company. It's pretty good chowder if you buy it at a Legal's restaurant or at the Blount outlet in Fall River because it hasn't been frozen. Lots of other restaurants buy from Blount so I see it in various non-Legal's restaurants. It's better than frozen Sysco truck bagged chowder. Personally, I prefer clear broth chowder that skips the dairy and flour but that's more of a Rhode Island thing.

The thing that makes Legal Seafood chowder distinctive is the herb blend. A vanilla New England clam chowder doesn't have any herbs in it. It's an Herbes de Provence blend. You can do the same flavor with Sysco truck bag chowder or canned Snow's when you heat it up but the potato won't be as good as the non-frozen Blount stuff.

That's what I meant, at the actual restaurant...would never buy the stuff from S&S, etc.

I as well actually prefer the RI style (RI "white" I mean, the "red" stuff is hideous). I also like the fish chowder that's typical in Maine or the Maritimes.

[ResearchMom]

What about Woodman's of Essex? I liked their chowder a lot!

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by ResearchMom

What about Woodman's of Essex? I liked their chowder a lot!

I don't know, love their fried clams though!

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by massnative71

That's what I meant, at the actual restaurant...would never buy the stuff from S&S, etc.

I as well actually prefer the RI style (RI "white" I mean, the "red" stuff is hideous). I also like the fish chowder that's typical in Maine or the Maritimes.

I can't say with any confidence that I've had New England-style chowder at any restaurant in the last decade that didn't come off a truck. If I owned a restaurant, that's not where I would be spending my labor cost dollars since I could buy from Blount, toss in some herbs and a bit of butter, and not be able to do better with my own staff. That's what Legal Seafood does. I just wish I could reproduce their herb blend. I keep varying the herb blend when I make my own clear broth chowder from leftover steamer clams and haven't been able to get it right yet.

That nasty red stuff is only eaten by people who wear NY Yankees baseball hats or who are wearing Jets/Giants logo clothing.

Two owners ago, the local hole-in-the-wall restaurant on my harbor had great clear broth quahog chowder. I'm not aware of anyone around me that does it. I'd have to drive to Rhode Island.

[bostonguy1960]

When I arrived in town in 1978, I loved the chowder at No Name. Not sure if it was a clam
or a fish chowder. Granted, I had never had restaurant or any other quality chowder before but loved it.

I hear not-so-glowing feedback occasionally about No Name; I'd hate for Boston to lose another institution eventually.

Anybody recommend No Name's clam chowder or fish chowder? Heck, they're a clam's throw from the harbor...I'd expect fresh chowder made on premises but who knows where it's from?

[CaseyB]

The No Name serves fish chowder. It's delicious.

[ashcav]

Chequers at BUMC. Only served on Fridays and the best chowder I've had.

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by Boston_Burbs

Skippers in South Yarmouth, MA

I had some at Capt Parkers which also was really good in Yarmouth

[Mr. Joshua]

Originally Posted by sawyer2

The Sail Loft and Island Creek are both great

I second the The Sail Loft. Very creamy with a little dill, fantastic!

http://thebostonsailloft.com/

[495neighbor]

I haven't seen my favorite Kelly's mentioned. Now it has.