Sam's Chowder House

Doesn't Recommend

mossbeach

Joined 7 years ago

Much better places in the area. We live in the area and have been eagerly anticipating the opening. The owner stated he was hoping to create an unpretentious, affordable chowder house where families could drop in for a steaming bowl of chowder on a cold night. I'm afraid he missed the mark.

The fish was tough and dry, the french fries were inedible, the portions were very small, and everything was extremely overpriced, including the wine list. For some strange reason they put bacon in the New England clam chowder, which turned off at least two of the tables near us. It's been a long time since I've had such a disappointing meal at such a high price.

While the service was good, it certainly didn't make up for the nagging feeling that we had been had.

There are so many excellent fish restaurants on the coast (at least three of them are at the harbor itself)that I can't imagine anyone returning a second time. If you want to enjoy the view just order a glass of wine (for $9), sit out on the deck, and save yourself $100.

Recommends

ellensf

Joined 7 years ago

What a view!. We stopped here on our way to Half Moon Bay one day and were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant is a very cool design with beautiful views of the harbor and ocean. It was one of those crystal clear days on the coast, so we sat outside and had a glass of wine, then went in for dinner. I think that it had just opened the week before, so the service was a bit uneven, but the food was worth the wait. We each had an appetizer (crab croquettes and the calamari) and then split the clambake (you have to have two people to order it). Everything was fantastic! We split the key lime pie for dessert. It was a perfect way to end the meal. This is a great place for lunch or dinner if you're going over to the coast.

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coastjetty

Joined 7 years ago

Excellent Halibut Fish and Chips!. Went to sam?s over the weekend and we loved it. Best chowder I?ve ever eaten, and beats anything I?ve had on the coast so far. Also like their fried calamari, and my girlfriend had the popcorn shrimp and she loved it, and then we shared a lobster roll, which was excellent. We read it won some award and I can see why. Service was great and we had a blast sitting outside by the firepits. I scored big points with the girlfriend for the romantic view. Great spot!

Recommends

kkaplan

Joined 7 years ago

Great seafood, large variety and excellent view.. I ready about Sam's Chowder House in the Daily Candy and decided to try it. The view is incredible. The menu is very large and varied. It was hard to decide between the oysters, lobster roll, chowders or fish. We really enjoyed are dinner. The food was excellent. I highly recommend you try Sam's. We loved the seafood and are planning to go back soon.

Doesn't Recommend

lusciouslemon

Joined 7 years ago

Nothing like New England!. Extremely overpriced for what you get. While the view may resemble a "new england style chowder house"..being on the ocean and all...the food doesn't even come close. It's a california style seafood house complete with over priced entrees. I'm from the east coast, so at least put some starch on the $30 tuna entree PLEASE! Brussels sprouts just don't cut it....Oh, and we got there 15 min after they opened and they still made us wait 20 min. for one of the 20 or so empty tables they had...pretentious!!

Recommends

rsak

Joined 7 years ago

New England seafood in the Bay Area.... Advertising for New England seafood in the Bay Area. Interesting concept. To me anything along the water in Half Moon Bay gets an extra star. I liked the atmosphere. The food was typical seafood fare. Everything seemed to be particularly fresh, but I'm pretty spoiled by SF seafood so it wasn't extraordinary. Wanted to try the clambake, but the other party wasn't interested. I'll have to come back and try it eventually. Go when the weather is good...

Doesn't Recommend

alison_94018

Joined 7 years ago

Disappointing. Went here on friday night....was very disappointed.....my salmon was dry and certainly it wasn't a cheap meal...had high hopes for this place....but unfortunately I think it is good location and bad food...my partner did not like his food either....tasted more like cafeteria food than a restaurant with a good chef.