Best Clam Chowder?

[GatorChris]

I've been reading menus for our upcoming trip, and I noticed that at least three different places have Clam Chowder in bread bowls. Royal Street Veranda, Harbor Galley, and Pacific Wharf over at DCA. I realize that this isn't Monterey, but who has the best... if there's a difference at all.

 

[spacemermaid]

I'm pretty sure that the chowder's the same at all 3 locations (I've taste tested...MANY times ), but the best bread bowls are at Pacific Wharf, as they're the freshest...

 

[bcla]

It's essentially just Boudin clam chowder in a bread bowl. I'm guessing the chowder comes in a can and isn't made from scratch on site. Maybe a larger can for foodservice, but likely the same recipe that goes into their retail cans. Should be the same regardless of the location. The bread may be different. Boudin claims the location affects the sourdough.

http://store.boudinbakery.com/boudin-clam-chowder-cans-x-6--a213-p73.aspx

You can find it at their cafes around California:

https://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm?page_id=157
https://www.boudinbakery.com/Bakers_Hall/Wharf
https://www.boudinbakery.com/More_Locations

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you want to dine in DtD, La Brea Bakery sit down side serves clam chowder, too.

Boudin is correct about the location affecting the sourdough yeast. Since yeast is a living organism, it is affected by its environment (the way wine grapes are affected by their environment). So sourdough bread can taste different in different locations, even if the yeast is from the same mother starter. Just an interesting note from a big fan of bread.

 

[CassieF]

I'll second the soup being the same in all three locations, with the bread being the best at Pacific Wharf. If you are in DL, go to the harbor galley, as the line will be half as long or less than RSV. Tonight before fantasmic the line for RSV was wrapped around to the bridge but I literally walked up to the window and ordered at HG.

 

[Amommy21]

We think the chicken corn chowder at Storyteller's is super yummy!

 

[GatorChris]

I'll second the soup being the same in all three locations, with the bread being the best at Pacific Wharf. If you are in DL, go to the harbor galley, as the line will be half as long or less than RSV. Tonight before fantasmic the line for RSV was wrapped around to the bridge but I literally walked up to the window and ordered at HG.

Great info! I'm glad to hear it's Boudin Clam Chowder. They make some great soups. I was afraid it was something simple like Campbell's, or worse, Sysco. I'll remember the Harbor Galley. I figure we'll be doing some sitting for Fantasmic! and this will go over great. Until one of the kids spills it all over the blanket.....

 

[bcla]

I'm thinking so much about it that I've got to get this for lunch.

 

[CassieF]

Yep, I used it last night as a distraction for my niece while we waited. Of course my sister didn't pack us a bib and my niece LOVES the soup and grabs the big spoon overflowing with soups and spills it all over, despite my attempt to cover her with napkins. Still, it kept her occupied until fantasmic started!

 

[bcla]

So this discussion did in fact make me hungry enough to get the clam chowder in a bread bowl at the local mall with a Boudin SF booth at the food court. $8.99 and tax total for the chowder in a bread bowl and a half sandwich for later.

 

[CassieF]

Nice! That price will ALMOST get you a bread bowl at DLR...

 

[GatorChris]

Nice! That price will ALMOST get you a bread bowl at DLR...

That's what I was thinking. And if you go to the wharf at Monterey where the Chowder is the best in the world, it only costs $7.50. And the bread bowls are HUGE to boot! MMMmmm, I'm thinking daddy needs to take the kids to the coast this weekend.

 

[PrincessHook]

My husband and I start craving the clam chowder and bread bowl from cafe bakery in the pacific warf. We love it but I think the location helps the soups taste better

 

[bcla]

Nice! That price will ALMOST get you a bread bowl at DLR...

Well, yeah. As former NBA player Latrell Sprewell once said (after turning down a $21 million 3-year contract because it wasn't enough, although he got no further offers and ended up retiring) - I've got a family to feed. And when I'm at Disneyland, I'll put up with the high prices because I really do have a family to feed.

Here's one of the menus (basement of Macy's Union Square in San Francisco):

https://www.boudinbakery.com/usercontent/XImages/pdfs/menus/cellar_Registerback_May 2014_r1.pdf

$7.99 for a selection of "Best of Boudin" with 2 selections from a list of soup/salad/half-sandwiches. That can include one soup with a $1 upcharge for the bread bowl; I've tried asking for two and no dice.

Their prices are slightly higher at the "Bakers Hall" location next to their demonstration bakery at Fishermans Wharf. I guess they can do it because it's mostly tourists, but even then it's a pretty good value considering the surrounding options.