The atmosphere was nice and cozy and the food was divine. Our waitstaff was so sweet and made sure that we were taken care of. Will definitely be returning. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Lobster roll, clam chowder and an apple martini - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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AMAZING food and even better service! They are famous for their lobster roll and my goodness they pile on the lobster meat! So amazingly fresh, tender, and juicy. The roll was phenomenal, super soft and buttery. I wanted to eat more of the roll itself lol. I'm usually not a cole slaw fan but I kept finding myself eating more and more. Whatever they put in the cole slaw, please keep it up! I think the real winner was the mushroom gnocchi--such fragrant and earthy flavors and the gnocchi literally just melts in your mouth. Such a bummer that this isn't a main dish. They need to make it its own entree or at least a larger portion!! Clam chowder was alright, definitely authentic but slightly too watery for my personal preference (I prefer thick chowders). Our waitress was phenomenal! Please keep up the amazing work! She made our visit so fun and answered any questions we had about our dishes. Amazing customer service and hospitality! I also love how the interior of the restaurant makes you feel like you're dining on a boat! Very on theme with the city and the cuisine. Will mostly be dreaming (and drooling) about this place until my next visit. read more

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Rating: 3.5/5 Been here twice with my husband and the menu item that stood out to us the most was their baked oysters Rockefeller. It comes out piping hot, the cheese has a nice char to it, the bread crumbs adds a nice crunch, oysters tasted fresh, and the lemon just adds a nice citrus touch to the overall appetizer. We also enjoyed their calamari appetizer which wasn't too oily, fried well, batter was light, and the squid was cooked well and not too chewy. My husband I also tried their lobster roll, and clam chowder both of which were just decent and ok but nothing to go crazy for. I've had better chowder elsewhere, it tasted kind of bland and felt like it was missing seasoning. However, I do like that they don't skimp out on clam and potato pieces though. The complimentary sourdough was ehh and a bit tough and doesn't come out warm. This place is popular and does get crowded. Be sure to come early or make reservations--lines do start to form before opening. There's tons of seating indoors as well as outdoor patio heated seating too which you can enjoy the ocean views. Great service and welcoming environment! read more

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I would come back strictly for the view of this restaurant. Sam's chowder house, to me, lacks flavor. The chowder was average. My shrimp scampi was okay . Yes the seafood ( which obviously is the highlight of the restaurant) tasted fresh , yes the service is great but I wouldn't come here if I wanted a "worth the cost plate." We arrived half an hour early to get a table since they didn't take reservations for 5 and there is always a crazy line to get in on a Saturday morning. Come for views. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Shrimp scampi - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

My sister and I got the white clam chowder and fish and chips to go. We had our dog so we wanted to grab something quick to enjoy on the beach. Once I placed the order, it took about 30 minutes for pick up which wasn't bad considering how many people were standing around. The clam chowder was good. We shared a large size and they gave us crackers and bread to go. The fish and chips were okay, but it was bland and needed salt and/or some sort of seasoning besides lemon. Overall, food was okay, but wasn't anything that special. read more

I mean, whenever I hear Half Moon Bay I think of 3 things: the beach, a cold beer, and Sam's Chowder house. The group I was with came with a full heart but small appetite, but we left with full bellies. Starting off: we ordered a bunch of things but I only got half the photos before the boys started eating the unpictured. unpictured first: polenta fries: almost like if you fried mashed potatoes but it still had a grainy texture. wasn't a favorite but it came PIPING hot. old bay fries: exactly what it sounds like, easy to pick at throughout the meal, kept everyone full until desserts came gumbo: was told they regret not getting the chowder (come on, it's a CHOWDER house). I'm not even a fan of clam chowder but I almost ordered a bowl (I took 3 bites from my boyfriend's, though). the chowder: potato, fat pieces of clam, the flavor? amazing. one of the better chowders that even I debated on ordering. oysters: when I see Miyagi oysters, I already know they're about to be delicious. to me they're slightly sweeter and always have a good chunk of meat, even if the shells are smaller. we ordered 1 dozen and ended up getting a second when we realized how good they were. pictured captain's platter: it SEEMS pricey. but after digging in, it was worth it for sure. and all of us were just craving oysters HEAVILY for some reason (something in the salt water air). Shrimp, oysters, poke and chips, lobster, and a crab dip, with all the fixings for the oysters and shrimp (lemon, cocktail sauce, vinegar, horseradish). well worth the $90 price point. creme brulee: of the 6 of us, it was 3 people's birthday. this one was as good as creme brulee gets. soft serve: chocolate vanilla swirl, perfect end to the night crumble: the topping was like warm oatmeal cookie batter on top - not fully oatmeal but it was like a taste of grandma's house in a bite. all in all I wish we had bigger appetites but that just means we'll be back to redeem our stomachs :) Meagan our server was INCREDIBLE too, she was so attentive and even though we were there close to closing time she never rushed us (we know better than to stay past closing time but she was a doll the whole time we were there as well) read more

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The food is amazing, the staff are friendly and fast even while it was busy, but the ambiance is the best part. We ordered take out and enjoyed the warm sun and the cool sea breeze read more

Sam's Chowder House - Fish n chips, clam chowder, sourdough bread and coleslaw - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came here on Saturday afternoon around 1 pm and there was about 45 min to an hour. We put our name down, grabbed take out (hot dog and fish and chips) from the same place for the kids and went to the beach. Once we were seated in about 45 min we ordered oysters, Ahi Tuna tartare, lobster roll and blue crab sandwich. Tuna was so lightly seasoned it kept the flavors of the fish alive and fresh. Lobster roll was delicious with the brioche bun and crab salad was good but probably wouldn't order again. Highlight was oysters. Beautiful view of the bay with indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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About 45 minutes for a wait on a Saturday afternoon. Overall a solid place for a late lunch and patio area was very nice (though be warned, there is minimal shade). Ordered oysters, clam chowder, the hamachi special, and shrimp scampi. Everything was fresh and well-made, though overall the food was not a standout compared to other similar seafood places I have been to in the city. My favorite was the hamachi appetizer special, which actually was very good. read more

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This is for take-out only where there is a separate take out window in front of the restuarant. I noticed the prices kept creeping up when compared with the same menu from previous years. We ordered: 1) Fish and chips - two large portions of fish and lots of skinny fries but no vinegar for the fish or ketchup for the fries. We did get white tartar sauce for the fish which was crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. This came with a small cup of coleslaw - I was disappointed how little coleslaw you get. You're done with it after about 3 forks of it. (The picture i posted is misleading.) $21.95 (IMO - a little pricey) 2) white clam chowder soup with oyster crackers - not too salty or thick, just right but I didn't taste many clams. It came with a small bag of oyster crackers and two slices of sourdough bread with little pat of butter $10.95 3) ahi tuna poki- small tub came with what looked like tortilla chips - $17.95 family member ate this, it was gone in no time so I assume it was good (and I forgot to take a picture of it) We enjoyed it. But for 3 orders of fish and chips, 2 orders of small clam chowder soup and 1 poke, our total was $116.13 Parking: there is a big parking lot in front of the restaurant. Depending on what time you come, it can get really full. If you dine inside, you might need to wait a little if you go during prime lunch or dinner time. There are several benches in front of the restaurant (under a tent) for people waiting to be seated. There's also a small gift shop for souvenirs while you are waiting. Our take out food took about 15-20 minutes. read more

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Pretty good stop if you're in the area! There's a big parking lot, but it was actually pretty packed on a gloomy Thursday in January. Definitely a popular spot and a great location right off CA 1. The dining room is spacious and right along the water, so it is obvious why this would be a popular choice for visitors and locals alike! Originally had a reservation, but the baby was not having it ..so we decided to get our lunch to go and eat in the car. We ordered: Lobster Roll - wasn't my favorite to be honest, but still good Seafood Ceviche - this was my dad's favorite dish and he takes his seafood pretty seriously Fish and Chips - always a solid choice Clam Chowder - Can't come to a chowder house without getting chowder! Crab Cake - Pretty good and would definitely order again read more

Sam's Chowder House is such a great spot with an amazing view and a fun, coastal vibe. The portions are huge, you definitely won't leave hungry! The service was so nice and friendly, which really made the experience enjoyable. The food overall was good, but I felt like it could use a little more flavor. My clam chowder was creamy but mostly filled with potatoes, which was a bit disappointing since I was hoping for more clams. That said, everything was fresh and well-prepared. The highlight for me was the soft serve ice cream, it was super good and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. If you're looking for a place with big portions, great service, and a beautiful setting, Sam's is worth a visit. Just don't skip the ice cream! Follow me on IG: @kyms.kravings! read more

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Get there early! Arrived at 11 and there was already a line to go in but it goes by quick. Food came out quick. Id say the food is decent and has a nice view. Unfortunately can't say it's the best chowder or ciopino, overall good. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Shrimp po boy, NY clam chowder & ciopino - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Came on a Sunday morning, arrived 10 mins before they were open and there was already a line but the line moves pretty quickly as they started seating people We ordered - clam chowder (small bowl): I really liked it, just the right amount of clam mixed in and not too thick or salty, I would get this again 9/10 - baked oysters: they were okay, the cheese on top added a nice savory taste to the oysters, but next time I would try their fresh oysters instead 5.5/10 - naked lobster roll: so good, generous amount of lobster meat for a sandwich and lightly tossed with butter, it didn't taste too oily 10/10 - orange juice: didn't taste like fresh orange juice. I would skip this next time 5/10 Overall, great views and yummy food, I would come back for their clam chowder and lobster roll! read more

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After many years of visiting Half Moon Bay we decided to come here for Lunch. Normally parking is tough on a weekend but today (Sunday) had plenty of open spaces. The food was great and delicious. Our waiter was Axel and was very attentive. Sam Chowder House was a great restaurant for food and services. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Fish and Chips and coleslaw. Excellent! - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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Pretty big & spacious restaurant with lots of indoor & outdoor seating. Service was good, no complains. - Oysters: fresh & tasty, we got two types. Some broken pieces but overall good. - New England Clam Chowder: not as creamy but it also made it lighter and easier to eat. Good amount of clam & good potatoes. - Calamari: fresh batter, so it was light & yummy to eat. We'll be back. read more

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I really do think Sam's chowder is a 10/10. For the price and amount of food you get- I think it's totally worth every dollar. We got here when they first opened at 11am on a Saturday, and there was already a line. The restaurant inside is huge, so the line moves quickly and we got seated in no time. For appetizers, we ordered the Ceviche Mixto and large New England clam chowder to share. Ceviche Mixto - priced at $18. An honest 10/10- I was surprised with how much food this was! Comes with shrimp, tuna, and large chunks of lobster. On the side, there were plantain chips which I didn't care for too much; I would've preferred standard tortilla chips, but for the amount of seafood and variety, it was absolutely worth it! New England clam chowder: another solid 10/10 and priced I believe at $15. I've had plenty of chowder in my lifetime, and I liked how this wasn't overly buttery or salty. You just have to try it when you come here. Main dish: Naked Lobster Roll. This is a warm toast filled with huge chunks of lobster. Priced at $33, however they give sooo much lobster so bring your appetite. I ended up taking it home since it was a lot of food. Totally worth every dollar in my opinion. Overall, this place deserves every star - the food and customer service on a busy but beautiful Saturday morning, highly recommend going here! Will definitely be coming back. read more

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We stopped by for lunch on our drive up the PCH from Carmel to SFO. Beautiful view from the outside seating area and service was very good. We really enjoyed the food. You can always tell when you're getting close to San Francisco as the quality of the Sourdough Bread at restaurants greatly improves. My wife ordered the Shrimp Po Boy and really liked it. Smallish shrimp in a light batter with a mild remoulade that wasn't drowning the sandwich. What seemed like homemade potato chips, were also very good. I had the Clam Chowder as required when dining at any CA restaurant near the coast. Another good rendition, but I think the versions on the Monterey Peninsula are better. I also had the Shrimp Cocktail that came with 6 perfect shrimp (when did other restaurants decide that 5 or even 4 was the new default?). The homemade cocktail sauce was very good. I also ordered the Crab Cake appetizer. It was good, with little filler, but the crab was not lump as described on the menu. All in all, a good lunch, and would definitely stop in again. read more

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We always have a good time comimg to Sam's Chowder House, we usually take clam chowder to go, but on this occasion after the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival we decided to stop by and dine in. We got lucky and barely had to wait for a table for 2 to be seated, we spent more time circling for parking than we did waiting for a table lol. I got a bowl of clam chowder and it was exactly what I needed after feeling a chill in the air. It was warm, and the consistency was perfect , not too watery and not too thick, it was just right. I personally love when its not chock-full of potatoes so I appreciate the ratio of soup to clam, potato ratio. Baked oysters, ahi tuna poke and fries were also good. Service was quick and to the point, its very busy in there but we still felt well looked after. I love the view, especially when its that Hoa Hoa weather (IYKYK). read more

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If you're craving fresh seafood with amazing flavor, this place definitely delivers. I ordered the chowder and the salmon aki, and both were absolutely worth it. The chowder was rich, creamy, and packed with flavor--one of the best I've had. The salmon aki was just as impressive, perfectly cooked and super satisfying. The only downside is the long wait and how crowded it gets, which says a lot about how popular the place is. It can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you're really hungry, but once you get your food, it makes up for it. Overall, great food and quality--just be ready to wait in line! read more

Sam's Chowder House - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

When you least expect it, a restaurant you pick out of thin air, bashes you in the head like a thrown brick. This is what happened tonight in Half Moon Bay, California at Sam's Chowder House! The menu here is fish-centric of course and everything they offer looks and sounds terrific. So much so, that me and my wife took 20 minutes to decide what we wanted. We chose for our dinner: * SAM'S BLUE CRAB & SHRIMP LOUIE SALAD - with Honeycrisp apple, butter lettuce, cucumber, hard-cooked egg, house-made Louis dressing....absolutely outstanding * NEW ENGLAND CHOWDER - made with Little Neck clams, Yukon Gold potatoes, smoked bacon, cream, bay leaf - this bowl of soup was slurppable [sic] * FRIED SHRIMP PLATTER - which was made with HenHouse Blonde Ale beer batter and came with coleslaw and fried was great * ORGANIC SOFT-SERVE WITH SEA SALT AND OLIVE OIL - that had tastes like caramel that made this ice cream my favorite ice cream ever * A really wonderful local beer that worked perfectly with this amazing dinner This dinner we just had was one for the ages. From the greeting desk walking in to us walking out, we felt like welcomed guests inside their universe while enjoying some of the best seafood ever! read more

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I came here because of a friend's recommendation. Now I know to never trust his taste in food. I ordered the chowder. It was just ok. There were way more tomatoes and veggies than seafood. The shrimp pasta was a major letdown. The pasta was way overcooked and soft ugh. Can't believe I'm paying 30+ for something I can make much better at home. The sauce was too oily and salty to my taste too. My friend ordered the lobster roll and found that to be just ok. Other than the food, there're a few upsides. The place is very big, so we got seated fast and service was quick overall. The restaurant is right by the bay, so the view was fantastic. Maybe stay away from their pasta dishes. read more

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I am still thinking about my meal at Sam's chowder house. What a wonderful experience. If you're looking for fresh seafood, this is your spot. From raw oysters, shrimp cocktail, ceviche, your heart and taste buds will thank you by the time you leave. I love the cold crab sandwich I got too. It was on the lunch menu, but our server let me order it for dinner. He was great!! Shout out to Jesus! The ambiance is quite loud. It's spacious, welcoming and there's plenty of seating. I can't wait to come back here. read more

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Well this place is overrated for sure. Over priced and food doesn't match the dollar cost sadly. Cousins lobsters roll rock. Soup is not that great either sadly as we had the clam chowder. Oh and parking is ridiculous as well and good luck finding a spot and no handicap spots were seen either that we searched for. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Lobster rolls and clam chowder soup. - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

A must try in Half Moon Bay! I came here on a Sunday morning and 30 min before opening there was already a line! If you go early there's plenty of parking but even when we left it got super packed really fast. We got a seat indoors by the window and the view is lovely, you can see the water and the beach. Service was also great, very prompt and food came out fast. The vibe is very relaxing and casual. The food was great! The naked lobster roll is a must try, I was super impressed! The prawn cocktail was also great and I was impressed by the quality of seafood. My partner got the shrimp scampi and said the alcohol taste was a bit strong. We also tried the chowder which was good and enjoyable, but wasn't as good as the lobster roll. read more

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Yeah so let's just start at the beginning. The parking lot was very full which is usually a promising sign that the food's good so we stopped for a small bite to eat. The hostess sat me while my husband looked for a parking spot and said she would send them my way after I gave her his name over 10 minutes had gone by and I text my husband and he was standing at the host stand and the hostess never even asked him if he was looking for someone, etc. I had to send back my silverware because there was dried chowder on it. Our waitress was very busy but nice. The calamari was delicious. Let's get that right. The ambiance is beautiful and it's an open kitchen so you can see everything that's going on. So I guess we'll just chalk it up to them being busy and we'll give them another shot. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Calamari basket - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

If you're in the HMB area come check this place out. Every thing was fresh, everyone was nice and helpful. Big space, we were seated outside with a nice view of the waters. Def come check this place out. read more

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Place is great, food is good not excellent but good, but in this case i had an experience with a server Celene who came back after taking our check and basically demanded a tip. Tips are optional, there is no rule on giving tips. She did great but after we told her to put 15% she deliberately put more than 20% which left a tip of $39. Left with a bad taste in my mouth about this place. As a food service person myself, if somone leaves a small tip or not a lot you don't have to go after them and do the most to get what you want. Probably won't be coming back and I'll be telling everyone i can. read more

Sam's Chowder house is one of my favorite restaurants in the entire Bay Area. Came here on Valentine's Day after not coming in awhile and it's still amazing. The service is hands down the best because the servers are so nice and friendly. The clam chowder is nice that it does not have fillers in it. After eating there is a path from the patio that you can walk down the the beach. There's a bar that you can walk into but I recommend making a reservation a few weeks in advance. read more

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I've been to this restaurant many times, but never left a review until today. Food: we got the Boston style clam chowder, fish & chips, crab cakes and lobster rolls everything was ok, nothing to be excited about. It was basic seafood, the slaw was bland, no seasoning at all, the rest was just ok. We ordered their seasonal pumpkin cheesecake , this was tasty and do recommend you try it. Service was so-so, we waited a while for the bread and drink orders, our server did check on twice and our ordered was correct. Ambiance: we had our fur babies so we sat outside with the rest of the 4 legged guests and it was a bit loud, our pup is not friendly, therefore he wasn't happy with the other dogs sitting too close to us! It was a beautiful day and not too windy. read more

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Went here for a Friday lunch with a reservation and got a nice window table with a great seaside view. We ordered some drinks and ate some of the bread with butter that is complimentary. It's nothing special and the bread is not warm, just some slices of sourdough, but helps to make the wait time shorter. We got a bowl of the clam chowder, the naked lobster roll with bay fries and the halibut. I enjoyed the clam chowder which had a good consistency. The lobster roll is massive and comes with a lot of lobster meat, some chips and coleslaw. I liked it, but if I had the choice I'd probably still prefer a nice Dungeness crab sandwich. Somehow it didn't have a lot of flavor. The bay fries were great, really good seasoning. The halibut was cooked perfectly and the veggies with the sauce made for some nice bites. Staff were very nice and quick with refills and the view was amazing. Would come back and try a few more things, just a little bit disappointed by the lobster roll. read more

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Chowder Than Words Sam's is probably the most iconic restaurant in the HMB area as it's been mentioned in multiple publications like Food & Wine magazine, and featured on TV shows like The TODAY Show, where their Lobster Roll was named one of the "Top-5 Sandwiches in America." It's high praise, and places with this kind of media attention always seem to disappoint in reality. But in Sam's case, it is quite the opposite. They always hit with good food, great service, and, of course, a location that can't be beat. The Good: *Great service by Celene *The location is as amazing as all the accolades. *Dog-friendly outdoor dining *Full bar and beers on-tap *Complimentary Sourdough bread was exceptional. Ask for a few refill on the bread. *Their eponymous Clam Chowder is really, really good. Not the best, as that title still belongs to The Fish Hopper in Monterey. *Blue Crab Cake was excellent, as well. Full of fresh crab and a nice crisp coating. *I've had their Lobster Roll before and it's good but not Maine good. *Cioppino was good and filled with tons of seafood. I just wish the broth had a touch more sweetness and a little more depth, but otherwise it was a very good Cioppino. The Meh: *Strawberry Crumble was just OK. The strawberies needed more cooking down as the filling was just too watery. *Definitely tourist-trap pricing in effect The Ugly: *This place is almost always busy--at least during holidays and weekends. I don't know how we lucked out that day, as we arrived shortly after opening on a Sunday. *Parking lot is a fuster-cluck of epic proportions. There is some street parking on the side of the highway if you're lucky. *Restrooms are tiny and always have a line. So if your SO goes to pee and they disappear for a long time don't worry. They're most likely not hiding somewhere texting Sancho, as they're most likely just waiting in line. In which case they'd have plenty of time to text Sancho, but I digress... Conclusion: Good food, great location, and amazing service--but be prepared to pay in both time and money. But, it's still worth it. read more

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I've really been looking forward to trying Sam's Chowder House, but unfortunately the chowder really didn't hit the mark for me! It seems everyone points to Half Moon Bay and Sam's Chowder House for excellent chowder, but I thought the bowl lacked flavor and it didn't feel like there were actually any clams! I'm hoping this was just an unlucky scoop from the pot. However, I thought the oysters were good, and the lobster roll was fantastic. The oysters were decently big (and briny, which I like), and they did not skimp on the pieces of lobster in the lobster roll. I would come back here specifically for a lobster roll! The view of the bay was great, and it was nice sitting outside even on a cloudy / cold day, as there are heaters on the patio. I'd come back for the essence of Half Moon Bay and to try some of the other food, as they have an expansive menu. read more

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Place has a great location and SOME menu highlights, but overall it's due for an update. The decor feels outdated, and if you choose to sit outside, make sure it's not windy - it can literally blow your appetite away. The ladies' restroom line was endless, which definitely took away from the experience. Most of the menu leans on deep-fried items that come out oily, and the fish was soaked in grease. The fries was way overdried and felt like spice lid broke loose over it. On the positive side, the New England clam chowder stood out!, large portion easily feeds two and had solid, rich flavor. Beverage selection was decent with a fair range of draft beers. Overall, the place still has potential, but it's calling for a refresh in both design and menu selection to match its view and historical reputation. read more

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Food: the food tastes great! Definitely one of the best chowder I've had in Bay Area. Shrimp scampi is also good but the shrimp shells are not removed well. Service: staff is nice and attentive. It's a pity that the tableware chipped, and it's dangerous when dining with that. Ambiance: cozy and chill. A good place to enjoy warm food near Halfmoon Bay. read more

Yes yes yes. Sam's Chowder House for the win. Whether you're grabbing to-go or driving up/down the coast and looking for a spot to enjoy on your journey, Sam's Chowder House has a little something to offer for everyone. They have a to-go window, or if wanting to sit down and stay a while, they have a large interior/exterior. We put our name in for outdoor dining to enjoy the Pacific Ocean views ~ there was a band setting up and an outdoor bar to order drinks while we waited. After just about a 10 minute wait, we were taken to our table with brews & views. FYI, there was a line forming behind us so my guess is wait times def vary depending on where you want to sit. Also, there is a parking lot for the restaurant although this also seems to get filled pretty fast (you can park on the 'street' too). Food-wise we ordered: Spicy popcorn shrimp and New England Chowder cups to start. We also ordered Grandma Flora's Savory Meatballs and a side of Roasted Garlic Mash for the kiddo. Other items: Naked Lobster Roll, Blue Crab Sandwich, Shrimp Scampi and Linguini, and the Fried Shrimp platter served with coleslaw and Old Bay fries. What a seafood feast! Great portions, pricing is what we expected for seafood on the coast and a meal with a view, yummy flavoring throughout, and solid staff/service in place. A very well-oiled machine/restaurant. A few things to note that I learned along the way. The 'naked' lobster roll is just tossed with butter, while the 'dressed' lobster roll is served the authentic Maine style way where the lobster meat is mixed with lemon aioli. The lobster rolls come with coleslaw and chips, but you can upgrade to fries :)) There's a merch store by the front entrance and we of course had to grab a kiddo Sam's shirt for our trip memory. We also grabbed a large container of chowder to-go from the fridge. They mention if you're going to eat this after your road trip to grab a fridge container (not a hot n' ready one). The to-go container came with sourdough bread/butter and oyster crackers. This was well enjoyed post packing. All in all, such a great stop for our full party! read more

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When coming back to hang out at Half Moon Bay earlier in the year, we wanted to try the other really popular fish shop since we had tried and loved Barbara's Fishtrap. The first thing we noticed is the amazing view of the ocean this restaurant had. We had about 30 minutes of waiting time due to how busy it was and decided to take a little trek down to the beach it was overlooking and had nice relaxing walk before they called back to tell us our table was ready. Great atmosphere to set the mood for our lunch. We got some good seats next to the window inside the restaurant - they have tons of seating out in the patio area also - with a great view. We ordered a bunch of small shareable items: calamari, sauteed scallops, a small clam chowder and half dozen oysters. All the items were pretty fairly priced although I do feel like Barbara's was a slightly better bang for your buck. The calamari couldn't go wrong: crispy, fresh, nicely battered. The scallops were pretty good as well: the sauce that it came with paired nicely with the snap peas. The clam chowder was good but not better than a number of places we have been to around the Bay or the Pacific coast. Oysters were fresh and not too briny, with a good assortment of sauces including a cocktail sauce I particularly liked. All in all, the ambiance, food, and scenic location makes this a great option for a daytrip out at Half Moon Bay. read more

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The chowder was nice. The crab burger was just fine, but nothing particularly special. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Crab burger - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

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The location is unmatched! It feels like vacation when you eat at this restaurant. The place was packed on a Saturday, which is to be expected. So definitely anticipate waiting for your seat and for the food to come out. The service was busy, but nice and got the order right. The food was still yummy and I just had to ask for some butter on the side for that lobster roll to make it better. read more

Sam's Chowder House - Fully loaded lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

Finally! I've lived in California for 7 years and driven by Sam's many times but it's always so busy. We don't have patience for waiting in line or dealing with parking issues. But yesterday we decided to just say screw it. John dropped me off so I could get in line and he was able to find a parking spot fairly easy. Details: we arrived around 11:30 on a Saturday. The parking lot was already full (isn't it always full???) and there was a line but there really wasn't a wait once you got to the front of the line. They were seating people immediately. We got a gorgeous spot outside with a lovely view of the water. Service: Celene was our waitress and she was great. We had no issues with service and very happy in that regard. Food: We started with clam chowder and crab cake. Both were fantastic. They were my favorite parts of the meal. The remoulade with the crab cake was chef's kiss. So good! My smoked salmon salad was just okay. I eat a lot of salads and this one was missing something. I didn't like that the salmon was broken apart. And the green goddess dressing had no flavor. I had to put salt and pepper on there just to give it something. I was disappointed. We also tried the strawberry crumble. The flavor was good and I liked that it was gluten free but you could tell they used frozen strawberries so there was a lot of water in the dish. It was okay. Overall: To be honest, I wasn't expecting much for this place. I thought it was just a tourist trap. But I was pleasantly surprised. We had a lovely meal and we would definitely come back. I think coming right at opening might help with the parking. read more

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