Sam's Chowder House - Seafood, Half Moon Bay

Best: Clam Chowder

4210 North Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay CA 94019
(650) 712-0245
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Lunch Mon - Fri 11:30am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4:30pm; Dinner Sun - Thurs 4:30pm - 9pm, Fri-Sat 4:30pm - 9:30pm
http://www.samschowderhouse.com/

Last Visited: July 5, 2008

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

The Chadwins first mentioned Sam's Chowder House to my mom when she had shared that we were heading to Half Moon Bay with some friends. Soon after, the American Automobile Association's monthly magazine, Via, came out with an article about Sam's. While Sam's Maine Lobster Roll was voted one of the top five best sandwiches in America by NBC's The Today Show, the Via article said that the Blue Crab Sandwich was the thing to get.

Never one to just trust what I read without being willing to check it out myself, I sacrificed my waistline for you dear friends and took the plunge - I ordered both.

Although it was the middle of summer, it was a cold day to start and coming in, the fireplace had a fire in it, offering instant warmth. The windows in the dining area streamed in light and just a bit of the sunshine peeking out from the clouds. Located along Highway 1, you can enjoy the beautiful ocean views and scenery.

Service was welcoming and we were quickly seated. Although I don't remember service as being exceptional, it was good and the menu offered a wide selection including grilled seafood (delivered fresh daily), fried platters of oysters and fish, cioppino, gumbo, mussels, salads, house cured salmon, and hamburgers too in case seafood doesn't suit your fancy. Their starter menu is very complete with hot and cold starters. It might be a good way to try more of their fare.

- New England Clam Chowder - As a clam chowder lover, this bowl of little neck clams, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked bacon, and cream was one of the best clam chowders I've had. The flavors were well balanced and the texture creamy and smooth. Excellent! $6.25 cup, $9.95 bowl

- Maine Lobster Roll - Maine lobster with butter is served on a toasted bun with chips and coleslaw. With such a high rating from a national search for best sandwiches, I admittedly had very high expectations for this roll. It was good, but when I compared it to the blue crab sandwich, I found that I liked the crab better than the lobster. I also wasn't too crazy about this being served with chips, but it was okay. While I would eat it again, given the choice, I would opt for the crab sandwich. Good. $19.95

- Blue Crab Sandwich - Fresh blue crab with tomato, cucumber salsa, and spicy remoulade is served on a brioche bun. Chips and a dish of sliced pickled cucumbers accompany the sandwich. Perhaps it was the combination of remoulade with the salsa, or that it wasn't as heavily dressed as the lobster roll, but I thought the flavors of this sandwich were cleaner and you could really taste the sea in the crab. I also liked the pickled cucumber side dish which cleansed the palate. As mentioned above, I would pick this one over the lobster roll given the choice. $16.95

Sam's has so much seafood available, that it's a bit hard to choose what to order. I would absolutely order the clam chowder again and probably try some fried dishes and other fresh catch. Sam's is definitely worth another visit and great for bringing friends!