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Pike Place Chowder
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Restaurants American (Traditional) Restaurants Soup Seafood, American (Traditional), Soup [Edit]
1530 Post AlleySeattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown
(206) 267-2537
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
917 reviews for Pike Place Chowder
Review Highlights
"Recommend the Dungeness Crab roll served on a hoagie."
(in 48 reviews)
"Possibly the best clam chowder I've had to date."
(in 72 reviews)
"The clam chowder in a bread bowl was AMAZING."
(in 132 reviews)
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917 reviews in English
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Review from Maria C.
Use the Yelp check-in offer!!!
Every time I'm in town, this is a MUST.
Took the fams and friends here and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch. With the check-in offer, you get to sample 3 of the chowders. You still cannot beat the infamous clam chowder.
Delish on a cold, snowy day!!! Will def NOT disappoint.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/12/2010
The BEST clam chowder I have ever had!!! This place is a MUST should you decide to visit Seattle,… Read more »
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Review from Amy S.
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Maybe its cuz we went there 3 days in a row only to find it CLOSED due to the weather. lame. even when i called them one day and they said "we'll prolly be open till 3" they closed by like 2 when i got there!
Had the sampler: Original, Seafood, Chicken and some watery healthy one. I like original best. Its good, but not trekking in the snow, going 3 days good but still good. they use hearty chunks of clam and the chowda melts in ur mouth.
The front counter service left much to be desired and it gets crowded.
I would go if your strolling through Pike's place. -
Review from Brian and Ann Marie E.
Seattle, WA
2/6/2012
Seafood Bisque.
One of the best soups I've ever had in my entire life. Absolutely unbelievable. Won best bisque in the nation.
Unbelievable. -
Review from Jennifer K.
2/5/2012 3 photos
It was such a comforting experience... creamy chowder on a chilly rainy spring day.
Pike Place Chowder really hit the spot. We just have this smile on our faces when we having their famous Clam Chowder and Manhattan Chowder for lunch.
These chowders are thick and every spoonful has clams inside... If you prefer the more creamy texture, I definitely suggest their regular clam chowder.
Limited interior seating, so it is more like a eat and go place.
Writing this review makes me want to have a cup right now!!! -
Review from Nicole W.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
What more is there to say that hasn't been said already?
Depends on what time you go, sometimes the line is out the door and other times there are no people waiting to order. Customer service and seating aren't the best but you're not really there for that. It's all about the chowdaaaa and it's BOMB. -
Review from Vivian H.
Being a native San Franciscan, I like to think that we invented the clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Even so, I was very open to trying the clam chowder at Pike Place Chowder, which won the best chowder of the west coast in Monterey, CA.
On a rainy day, bf and I shared a small bowl of clam chowder and the dungeness crab roll. The food was ready immediately.
The chowder was amazing. Creamy, flavorful, and almost every spoonful had clam in it. I loved it.
The dungeness crab roll, however, was very cold that I had trouble biting into (I have sensitive teeth). Honestly, it was really bland and I doused it with Tabasco sauce to give it some flavor. I could not really taste the crab very well and it did not seem fresh enough.
Four stars for the chowder alone. It's excellent for a rainy Seattle day. -
Review from John r.
Updated - 2/8/2012
Made it through here again this time without stacking a food tour group and again enjoyed a very good chowder and ok place to watch people go by. Yes we might stop in here again
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/9/2011
It was last September when we followed a food tour group and found this place. A bit of a line was… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan Y.
Irvine, CA
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
First stop on our Seattle-eat-and-play-a-thon. Rhymes with Jonathon. But my name is Jonathan.
Located in the famous Pike's place market. There's a lot of character here, and there are a lot of pigeons too. Long story short, split up, someone grab one of the limited seats. The chowder is better than SF. If you check-in you get a 3 bowl sampler at a great cost and you can shill out a couple extra bucks for a fresh bread bowl! I am a genius.
It's just enough to warm you up and get you revving to walk around and eat some more here. -
Review from Kayla s.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
LOVE THIS PLACE! The chowder is chalk full of goodness! Came here on Friday too when the sun was shining on a WARM February day (and by warm I mean 59 degrees). Couldnt have asked for a more perfect day to visit the market!
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Review from Kris Z.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is all about the food.
You'll find it in a little nook on Post Alley. There's not a whole lot of seating, this isn't some sort of romantic place, though you will fall in love. The price of the chowder here is also a little high. At the time I'd thought "Well I'm in Seattle so it's going to be a little expensive". Now I came to this place just because I was at Pike Market and I wanted some lunch. I saw 4 1/2 stars on Yelp so I thought "eh, I'll have some chowder, that sounds good". I hit this place up on a Sunday afternoon, and the inside seating was about full, but not really much of a line. I didn't really know what I was getting into. I was unaware of any hype behind this establishment.
I had their Cascadia Harvest chowder in a bread bowl. It's got local shellfish and salmon with corn. I think the best word I can use as to how good it was is "blindsided". I'm almost disappointed now, because all other chowders will be compared to this. I'm not sure if here's really any better I could do from here. Even the sourdough they served it with was outstanding. To top it off, I discovered this chowder was some sort of negative version of the popular 5 hour energy drink. It produced a 5 hour food coma of sleepy satisfaction.
While I was eating, I looked around and saw hints of the accolades they'd received, and it all made sense. With dumb luck I'd stumbled into a Seattle chowder mecca. I'm not really sure if I'd qualify as a chowder aficionado. I've grown up in the bay area and had my share of good chowders down there. This beats anything I've had.
You can read my other reviews, I don't usually go on and on about the food like this. They serve some really amazing stuff here. I'm not sure what secret ingredient(s) they use, but it's pretty awesome. Five stars all the way. -
Review from Niño M.
Norwalk, CA
2/6/2012
Get their signature clam chowder bread bowls and call it a day. Your belly and taste buds will thank you. You'll spend like 10-12 a person (with a drink). A+++++++++++ and :D **************
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Review from Allison S.
Hacienda Heights, CA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I liked their original clam chowder, but I think I like SF's a little better at the end of the day. It was creamy, hearty, and delicious, but not piping hot like it should be. Maybe I should have gotten it in a bread bowl. Perfect for Seattle's cold and rainy days!
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Review from Shalan G.
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
What's not to love about soup on a cold dreary day? Especially if the soup is a creamy seafood goodness served with fresh sourdough slices, butter and oyster crackers.
Yesterday was a cold and dreary day in Seattle. I wanted to take Chris there for a quick bite to eat. Long queues, lack of seating or the tourist vibe didn't deter us.
Checking in on the Yelp app got us three cups of different chowders for $8, and I added a fourth - chowder of the day because I firmly believe in gluttony.
* New England Clam Chowder - The best I have ever had. Divine.
* Salmon Chowder - Pink soup, anyone? Just try it. It's damn addictive.
* Clear Crab and Shrimp Chowder - this was a surprisingly good with corn.
* Seafood Bisque - Oh my! I want this for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Next time, we are going to try the salads and sandwiches. Mmmm... they looked appetising.
I am docking a star for the seriously lacking space and rickety tables which are dirty to boot. Perhaps the other location might be cleaner and more hospitable. -
Review from Eric R.
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
The chowder was delicious. Only reason I removed a star is that my insignificant other and I didn't have such good feeling stomachs afterwards. I don't think there was anything wrong with the chowder just that it was super rich and creamy and that may have contributed.
Other then that pretty darn delicious!!! I like the variations! Sad to say I had some in San Francisco that tasted maybe just a bit better. Maybe! -
Review from Molly M.
Queen Anne, Seattle, WA
2/5/2012
This soup is super. Go to the Pike Place location for a Seattle experience. If you just want to enjoy the soup without a crowd, you can find a less busy venue on the top floor of the mall.
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Review from Mo W.
Berkeley, CA
1/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Traditional Clam Chowder
BEST CLAM CHOWDER! I've had a lot of clam chowder and THIS was the best one. Very creamy soup, lots of potatos and clams! I would literally be happy eating this for the rest of my life! Must have a cup if you're in Seattle!
This was definitely better than Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco, CA! -
Review from Jon L.
1/7/2012
Best clam chowder that I have ever had! The chowder here is really a must try.
There are two Pike Place Chowder locations. The one that I go to is one at the Market. The problem with this location is the line can be long during peak hours (lunchtime) and it is heavily touristed. It does not help that this location has limited seating. The location at Pacific Place has seating and I have never seen much of a line there. Yet I wonder whether the quality is as good there as the original which is why I don't.
Although the clam chowder is the specialty, there are more chowder options to choose from. Eight varieties daily. Many are heavily creamed and contain seafood. Though there are a few options like vegan chowder and the tomato based Manhattan clam chowder if you want something different. Salads and seafood sandwich rolls round out the menu.
The chowders come in an array of sizes. There is also the popular sourdough bread bowl as an option here. If you are looking to take the chowders home, there is also a refrigerated case on the right hand side near the register which you can grab quart containers of the clam chowder to go.
I just had my second visit to Pike Place Chowder after all these years. I remember my first visit being a bit mixed. The chowder was excellent, but I found the sourdough bread bowl option to be a bit too filling.
I decided this time to give the crab & oyster chowder ($7.95 for a large bowl) and I also picked up the quart of the signature New England clam chowder ($12.95). Since there was no seating, I took the chowders to go which were wonderfully packed. Chowder can be problematic to transport, but they have the process down pat. They also threw in a couple packs of bread to go along with the chowder.
The crab & oyster chowder is good, but not great. I do like that there is a generous amount of crab chunks in the chowder, though I didn't really see any oysters really. Either they must have been tiny or it was just mixed in with the potatoes and other ingredients. This chowder is rich and creamy like the clam chowder.
However if you had to choose between the crab & oyster chowder and the clam chowder, it is no contest. Get the clam chowder. The chowder consistency is better and all of the ingredients are accounted for. Clams, heavy cream, potatoes and the X factor, bacon! This chowder is truly one of the big reasons to go to the Market and has the lines to prove it.
Although I am not fan of the crowds, the lines or the limited seating, the chowder at the Market location of Pike Place Chowder is a must try. A trip to Seattle would not be complete without a visit here.Listed in: Nom Nom Nom-ing in Seattle, The Daily Double
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Review from john-michael c.
Santa Clara, CA
1/10/2012
CORNY CHOWDER!
They had a bunch of different ones but the special for the day was one with corn. I love corn. And it was great... fantastic. Fortunately we noticed that there was a Yelp offer or something that offered a sample of a bunch of chowders for a low price. So we got all of that and ordered another additional order of the special. All of it was good... Great even!
I wish I never left.
To be fair this place was not perfect... a table did not open up for us at the perfect time, but one did open up at the right time next to this other couple of ladies that happened to sit down right before us. They were from out of town visiting like we were and fate had brought us next to them... we practically ate their food and they were practically sitting on top of us we were so close. But who can complain the cramped quarters when we are all their sharing our love of chowder!
;D -
Review from Matt S.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2012
my favorite thing on earth is clam chowder. This is some of my favorite of all time go get some asap!
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Review from Bruce P.
Seattle, WA
2/3/2012
The Chowder was flippin' awesome! A great place to sit down and take a break from running around Pike Place.
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Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
1/7/2012 6 photos
Going next for more savories our path would lead us to Pike Place Chowder, winner of multiple awards for both their New England and Manhattan style soups and with their indoor seating a particularly popular spot on this afternoon due to the steady rain and chilly conditions outdoors. With the space itself inside a larger building and divided from a small pizzeria by an off white wall we entered the queue of ten quickly noting that both the signature bread bowl and the daily "market chowder" were already sold out but desiring neither with hopes of more variety and less capacity we chatted as the line progressed and we made our way to the cashier. briefly about what sounded best as we made our way to the cashier.
With seven selections still remaining and the option for a pick-4 chowder sampler with a side of sourdough for a mere $10.16 plus tax and tip it was a short debate between the scallop chowder and the smoked salmon bisque before we placed our order and on paying the bill we grabbed a tray, some oyster crackers, and two glasses of water before making our way to the pizza parlor for a seat (apparently allowed, but not without a snarky comment from the parlor's purveyor about "tourists" and the quality of his pies.)
Beginning first with the signatures Erika started in on the Manhattan while I dug into the New England - a potage so thick you can stand a spoon up in it and even before adding oyster crackers for that extra crunch and salinity I can say without batting an eye that this was indeed the best New England clam chowder I've ever tasted, even if it was about as far from New England as I've ever consumed chowder. Thick, creamy, full of clams and potatoes with a slightly smoky tinge conferred by bacon - textbook, and especially compared to the Manhattan style which, although good and similarly filled with clams and vegetables, simply wasn't my style given my preference for cream over tomato bases.
Moving next to the final chowder and one non-chowders I admit I was a bit hesitant about my sister's choice of Smoked Salmon Chowder as I generally don't fancy salmon but proving my skepticism unfounded I actually found this to be perhaps the most interesting choice of the quartet with the woodsy notes serving to temper the nicely cooked salmon while hints of capers, onion, and butter also found room on the palate to shine without being overwhelming or overwhelmed, a feature that would be equally well represented in the seafood bisque, a satin smooth puree with briny notes of the sea kissed by both butter and a touch of tomato that rivals some of the best bisque I've ever tasted without being too rich or heavy, even when sopped up with the still-warm sourdough. -
Review from Rachel H.
Concord, CA
2/1/2012
Mmmm...on a cold day this authentic new england style chowder hit the spot. We also tried the seafood bisque. Not as good - a tad "fishy" tasting, but not bad either. The chowder tho, that was heaven and you should not miss this place when in Seattle.
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Review from wendy M.
Las Vegas, NV
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
AWESOME!
We did the Yelp trio($8.) but swapped the New England Clam chowder for the Manhattan clam chowder (because of the bacon), the scallop chowder, the seafood bisque and it came with sour dough bread.
Each one was delicious but I saved the seafood Bisque for last cause I think it was my favorite. Bisque's can tend to be a bit to rich for me, and I usually stay away but this one has changed my mind. It was perfectly balanced, chunks of seafood and veg in tomato cream goodness.
The seared scallop chowder was also a winner. It seamed like every bite had a scallop in this cream based soup.
If I find myself in Seattle again I will defiantly be stopping by for a bread bowl of bisque. -
Review from Ann D.
Newark, NJ
1/22/2012
Great spot for a quick and delicious meal, although sometimes there is a line (but it moves fairly quickly).
All of their chowders taste great and are *spot on* in terms of flavor. I've always liked chowder, but I never knew there were so many types, or that it could be so incredibly flavorful. For the best deal, get their chowder sampler and choose 4 different chowders for about $11.
We ordered so many chowders, we forgot which one was which, and even though we were told several times, the guy who was helping us with our order told us after the 3rd time that we would be able to tell. I thought he was just saying that to get us off his back, but it was true! We all had fun figuring out which cup was which chowder. We ordered:
1) smoked salmon chowder with capers and a light hint of cream cheese. Very good, with a great salmon flavor.
2) seared scallop chowder with dill and lemon. We also liked this one. The scallop flavor really shined.
3) crab and oyster chowder (which was one of the changing daily chowders). This one had potatoes and leeks as well, and the oyster flavor was amazing.
4) Southwestern chicken and corn chowder, which sounds plain, but was very flavorful. I thought it wasn't as special as the seafood chowders, but it was not at all boring or disappointing.
5) seafood bisque, which included salmon, bay shrimp, and calamari in a tomato-based broth. Also good.
We also tried the Dungeness Crab roll which they say is acclaimed, but we really didn't think it was anything special. It was a giant sub roll with a lot of chopped lettuce and a little bit of shredded crab meat. They didn't cook the crab meat in anything special or give any unique sauce or flavoring. Below average and expensive ($14) for something we didn't even bother finishing.
Definitely worth stopping by for the chowder. Don't bother with the crab roll. -
Review from Anna N.
San Diego, CA
1/20/2012
I had my reservations that places like this would be over hyped, but this place sure lives up to the hype! Don't be intimidated by the long line like I was, the lines here are normally long but it moves pretty fast.
Back to the food... the three of us split the four 5 oz. tasters so that we could have a taste of it all. We chose the traditional New England clam chowder, the seared scallop chowder, the seafood bisque, and the smoked salmon chowder. The soup taster came with sourdough bread and crackers, but I was too busy enjoying the soups to try it. Plus I wanted to save some room for other foods I wanted to sample.
The New England clam chowder was really good. I really enjoyed how the celery, onions, and potatoes were perfectly cooked and with the right amount of crunch to it. I really enjoyed the various textures that those vegetables added. The clam chowder had a sweet savory flavor, a nice thyme flavor, the fresh cracked pepper was apparent, and the soft and flavorful clams were just amazing.
The seared scallop chowder had nice chunks of scallops, a strong dill flavor, a small hint of sour cream, and crispy potatoes and onions. The sweet flavor and slight sour aftertaste made it a pleasant soup.
The seafood bisque was our favorite! It had a generous serving of different chunks of seafood, an amazing flavor, a nice slightly sour tomato taste, the broth wasn't too heavy, and the minced basil was a nice touch.
The smoked salmon chowder was good as well. Like the others, the chowder had really good celery, onions, and potatoes. The broth had a smoky bacon flavor to it. The only downside was that the salmon was a bit tough.
The servers were nice but not as great with giving suggestions when we were trying to choose soups to try out. Overall, I really enjoyed the friendly and fast service and the amazing food. I can't wait to come back here for more of that seafood bisque! -
Review from Dennis L.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
So you're telling me they entered their New England clam chowder in the annual clam chowder competition in Rhode Island and beat out the competition?!?!?!! That's what our tour guide from Savor Seattle told us. They won two years in a row which automatically made them part of the Hall of Fame and therefore ineligible to compete again. HAHA
The samples given to us during the food tour were not sufficient so I had to come back and buy more. I even got a couple quarts shipped frozen back home. YEAH IT WAS THAT GOOD.
They have plenty of other option to try but I consistently go back to the New England Clam Chowder. It's one of the reasons I like coming back to Seattle's Pike Place Market. That and Piroshki Piroshki. -
Review from Miss Bonnie B.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
My friend URGED me to go here and I don't regret it. My husband would LOVE this place. The original Clam Chowder really IS the best.
Must try! -
Review from Justin C.
Honolulu, HI
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Definitely hits the spot in 0 degrees Celsius.
The sourdough is the softest and the most delicious. -
Review from Erich D.
This little eatery down a slightly less traveled road than the major one just one-half block to the west of it has some small-old-town-diner-charm to it.
They have a number of chowders to choose from. The best bet is to try their chowder sampler where you're able to get a cup of four different chowders they offer. A Yelp check-in will get you $3 off the sampler too! Ordered the sampler with the obligatory order of New England clam chowder, the salmon chowder, the scallop chowder, and the harvest chowder. Also ordered the dungeness crab roll. I have to admit, the dungenness crab roll was quite disappointing. The crab wasn't very flavorful and the shredded lettuce that filled the remainder (and actually a majority) of the sandwich did not help in accentuating the flavor or texture of the crab meat. Of the chowders my favorites were the New England and the salmon, I didn't really care for the harvest or scallop versions. All four I tried though were pretty nice and hearty and helped warm me up on a cold but nice day in Seattle.Listed in: Space Needles and tree needles
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Review from Stephanie G.
Miami, FL
1/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
If it were not incredibly pathetic to write a sonnet about the perfect bowl of soup, it might take a lot to stop me. I mean I've have decent chowders before, but all pale in comparison to the magic of the those at Pike Place Chowder. The place looks and feels like the traditional chowder shop right near the water, and while it may cater to tourists it really delivers on quality.
If you think soup can be simple, bland and unfulfilling than clearly you have been living under a severely mistaken misapprehension. It's the standard to which any chef should hope to attain should they desire to make a quality and hearty bowl of soup. I found it interesting that their New England Clam Chowder, has won first place three years in a row in Rhode Island's Great-Chowder-Cook Off." If you can beat out the entire area of New England with your version of a New England Chowder, you know you're doing something right! Rich, buttery and silky, it's loaded with potatoes, chewy clams, and even some smoky bacon. Together, it culminates in a sublime balance of flavors. My favorite selection though is the Seared Scallop Chowder, which is thick and creamy, with just a hint of sweetness from the bay scallops. In addition to the clam chowder and the seared scallop, they got several other choices, including a smoked salmon, chicken and corn and a seafood bisque. They even have a coconut-milk based vegan chowder available! If you aren't sure which one you want, they will let you sample them before selecting. Furthermore, if you are a bread fan, I would highly recommend the soft sourdough bread bowl as the perfect vessel for your soup. Fresh and filling, they soak in all the excess liquid in a delectable way.
Please note, they've got more than just chowder though! They also have sandwiches chock full of fresh seafood, like an Oregon Bay Shrimp Roll and a Dungeness Crab Roll. Plus they offer an assortment of fish and chips, sides and salads. I wouldn't nominate this place for any most-healthy awards, but they certainly accomplish magnificent taste. Pike Place Chowder is definitely a must stop for seafood and chowder lovers while you're in Seattle! Apart from being some of the best anywhere, their chowder really is the consummate treat to warm up on a cool day, and a can't miss delight on a hot one.Listed in: Seattle Sweet Spots
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Review from Tim C.
12/9/2011
Excellent New England clam chowder packed with big flavor (bacon, yum!) and a rich creamy texture. There's not much else to say, really.
I'm typically skeptical when places claim to have award-winning food, but this one lives up to its claim. Especially on a cold day. -
Review from Erica W.
Queens, NY
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best Clam Choswer I've Ever Had!!!
I went on a food tour of Pike Public Marketplace and this was one of the stops. We got to taste the clam chowder and the seafood bisque. The seafood bisque was also very delicious. Luckily I was part of a tour and we got our chowder upon arrival, beacuse before the place even opened up, there was already a huge line forming to the side.
I knew I had to come back before I left Seattle, and thats exactly what i did a couple days later. I got the clam chowder and I also tried the crab and oyster chowder - that was just okay. This place needs to open up in NY :) -
Review from Kim L.
Santa Clara, CA
12/17/2011
I could not find this place for the life of me! I was using my gps on my phone to get here to this place since I was walking around pike market.
Thank goodness I did not give up! This place was well worth walking around in a few circles for. I came here around 2pm and they already ran out of bread bowls for the day :(
I did a sampler tray of their clam chowder, seafood bisque and seared scallop. Overall my favorite was the regular clam chowder, it was too creamy or runny. Also, it didn't taste like the generic chowder I would get at the mall.
The seafood bisque and seared scallop were tasty but it was just nice to try. Il stick to the original :) -
Review from Laura M.
Los Angeles, CA
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
YES! Everything you read about this place is true. My husband and I waited like little kids in a candy store till they opened at 11am... we were so anxious to try it an be amazed!
Clam Chowder on bread bowl..... YUMMMMM!!! Everyone knows its awesome for a reason, cause it is! -
Review from Maylee L.
12/14/2011
The soup is nicely tasty, very thick, and somewhat dreamy/creamy.
Although, the only problem was that the cashier was giving me a stinky eye for no reason. He seemed to keep staring at me as if I was going to eat him up instead, kind of weird feeling. -
Review from Sherry V.
12/24/2011
I was looking throughout the marketplace for this spot... we were about to call it a day when I decided to trek further and there it was... Pike Place Chowder tucked in an alleyway. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning!
I had the traditional New England Chowder.. My sister tried the Seafood Bisque. My clam chowder was nice and rich... delicious meaty chunks of clam.... I think the magic touch must've been the bacon. My sister said her Seafood bisque tasted a bit too fishy... but it has salmon/cod/shirmp in it. Go figure.
This place definitely lived up to it's hype. Thanks! -
Review from Daniel W.
1/12/2012
Total tourist trap, absolutely, but worth the line. My girlfriend had the traditional clam chowder which I must say was excellent. It was creamy, smokey, and bacon-y without being too heavy or overwhelming the clams (which were still tender in the soup). I had an oyster, clam, and chorizo chowder, which was great (loved the paprika) but lacked the proper amount of chunkiness. The sourdough bread was good and sour, but a little chewy around the crust (I prefer a harder, crunchier crust. The inside was good and chewy though.) Definitely as good as anything I've had in New England.
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Review from Jason P.
I am from the New England area, and I have to admit that Pike Place Chowder serves up one of the best chowder that I've ever had, topping even some of the best chowder establishments in the East. And I love New England Clam Chowder. If the lines are long, don't worry as it moves fast. If you only have the littlest bit of liking towards chowder, this is the place to go as you will walk out a convert and huge fan of chowder.
Their traditional New-England style Clam Chowder has already won several awards, displayed across the wall, and the menu description describes it voted as "Nation's Best". If there's one chowder that you must get, this is the one. I ordered a cup of the Clam Chowder (Cup - $4.95 + tax) and was shockingly amazed at how delicious it was. It was not too watery nor too chalky, but had the perfect balance of thickness from all the buttery and creamy goodness, making for an outstanding chowder. Add that to the bits of bacon and a generous amount of clam bits, while not filling it up with too much potato, and you've got one stellar chowder.
The Smoked Salmon Chowder is another delicious variation of their original chowder. It includes bits of Nova smoked salmon with capers and cream cheese. It has a nice yet subtle smoked flavor in the same creaminess as the original Clam Chowder, but in a pinkish hue. It's ever so slightly saltier, but another top notch choice, being a favorite of bot mine and of Seattle's.
The Manhattan Clam Chowder was the only one of the bunch that ceased to impress me. It truly is your traditional red chowder with tomato, onion, celery, and loaded with clams. It was fresh and tasty with a slight herbiness and tartness from the tomato-based broth, but it fell short of fascinating, leaving nothing to be desired.
Each soup is also served with a piece of sourdough bread. Be sure to dip your bread in the soup, mmmm. Packets of complimentary oyster crackers can also be picked up by the spoon/napkin station.
Award winning? I definitely agree and have to say you can't come to Seattle without trying their Clam Chowder and Smoked Salmon Chowder. I could eat their soup everyday on a cold winter night. When I come back to Seattle, this will be on my list of places to revisit.Listed in: Hello Seattle
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Review from Yun ah L.
Portland, OR
1/24/2012
We ordered the sampler and crab salad sandwich.
The New England clam chowder was amazing and prepared perfectly. All of the other items were tasty, but when I return I will go straight to the traditional item.
Stop by for delicious, traditional clam chowder! -
Review from Jessica Y.
Los Angeles, CA
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just as delicious as everyone claims it is! I tried the Yelp check-in sampler, which provides three of their best selling clam chowders! But be prepared for a wait because of it's popularity!
Now if only we had some of this creamy goodness down here in LA...
