Now we’re getting somewhere. Local chowder, summertime type stuff happening, and these kids.

We read about Bobette’s while preparing our trip to Newport in a few weeks for the Chowder Cook Off and to possibly pre-screen some local restaurants. They apparently won 2nd in the “Seafood category” in 2008. When we arrived, it seems clear that it was for their Mussel chowder. That might be enticing but we’re clearly focused on clams right now and don’t have time to mess around with too many variables.

The name Drive-In should have tipped me off to potential problem number one. No seating. Which might be no big deal if we lived in Milford and could have brought hot, fresh chowder home. We had to make do with eating outside on a dreary day and headed down to the harbor.

Who knew there would be a major disagreement with the judges? Here are the scores, in the order they were assessed.

Since it's take out, we went to the harbor.

Sniff test first.

Overall freshness 6
Quality of clams 6
Quantity of clams 2 (Chowder girl actually complains about this in a video I took but I can’t edit it today…)
Seasonings 8
Potato 9
Butteryness 3
Thickness 5.

And then a protest occurs. Chowder Boy got quite angry at this statement and demanded that I make a second column for his own review “since she doesn’t get it.” And declared the thickness a ZERO.

Temperature N/A
Total: 39/70 = F

I have to say, I can’t really argue with him, but this is very typical Connecticut style clam chowder. It’s not our personal preference but I can see why it might be nice for some.

“Clams, not fresh, and not enough. Potatoes are absolutely perfectly good. Chowder boy says thickness is terrible. Seasonings were nice but there was an excess of celery which is a BIG problem for Chowder Girl.”

Needs salt.

Where have all the clams gone?

It nearly gets worse though. We brought some home to Chowder Dad who was doing some work at home. His ratings:

Overall freshness N/A
Quality of clams 6
Quantity of clams 7
Seasonings 7
Potato 9
Butteryness 6
Thickness 5
Temperature N/A
Total: 40/60 = F/D-

Here’s the problem with Chowder Dad. He’s kind of clueless. It leaves me wondering, does he know bad chowder when he eats it but can’t get the nuances of good chowder?

Bobette’s clam chowder was clearly very very good. No one spit it out or started crying. But we wouldn’t make a special trip back for it.