Chowder House Cafe

This is my second time visiting — and the food has always been tasty. They don’t skip on the seafood. We didn’t come with a reservation, which kind of threw them off their game. Food didn’t come out very quickly this time, however, there was a large party so for the small kitchen it was understandable. My fav item tonight was the salted carmel cheesecake. The reason for the three star review is because they do not accept credit/​debit cards… cash or check only.

I had dined once before at Chowder House, with nothing standing out as memorable. With their recent deal on Groupon and being ranked in the top 100 restaurants of Northeast Ohio I figured it was time to try again. I was unfortunately very underwhelmed. The clam chowder was the only thing I would eat again.

Another very good meal. Great clam chowder their way with no potatoes. The wedge salad was heaped high with blue cheese crumbs and plenty of white French dressing. The crabs cakes were hardy. The crab stuffed sole with rice cakes was very good and large portion. Fun atmosphere. On this night the patio was busy. We like Chowder House.

Been here twice. First time ordered a special, wasn’t real pleased with the food. Came back to give it another try. Ordered clam chowder and seafood papperdelle off the regular menu. Again, disappointed. They brag about how there aren’t potatoes in the chowder, which would be great, if there were some clams in there. $ 5 for a cup felt like a ripoff. The pasta in my meal was overdone and getting gluey, and the menu said three cheese sauce– one of which tasted like bleu… come on. Bleu cheese and seafood aren’t a great pairing of flavors. The atmosphere is unique, but ultimately decieving… I don’t think I’d bother coming back.

Unfortunately we were not able to eat here because the business does not accept credit cards. They are also receiving one star for their attitude.
There are so many avenues these days to allow businesses to do this, it was not even something we thought about! As soon as we came in (with family visiting) we were asked if we had reservations, which we did not. The woman greeting us was very snippy about our lack of calling-​ahead (for four people), and said it would be 15 – 20 min. We were prepared to wait, no big deal… but there were only two tables in the whole place with customers at them. I am not sure what we were waiting for!
While we were waiting we noticed the sign that said «Only cash or check accepted» and were pretty shocked. We confirmed with the woman at the hostess stand and apologized that we would have to find somewhere else to go. She was very rude about it.

Never disappointed. Amazing value. One of our favorite restaurants! Others we love include: Greenhouse Tavern, Lola’s, Spice, Saigon, Cowell & Hubbard, Russo’s. We don’t do chain restaurants — ever.

I was disappointed by my experience at the Chowder House. I ordered the Lobster Bisque and the Scallop Poboy. First, both were brought out to me at the same time and so I couldn’t eat the Poboy while it was super hot. The Bisque was flourey as if the rue was not well mixed. It lacked chunks of lobster that is traditionally found in bisques and had very little lobster present. The sandwich was generously portioned with large scallops, but the roumalaid overpowered the sandwich. Further, with such large scallops, it ate more like a lobster roll rather than a sandwich. The scallops could have been cooked a little longer to bring a nice sear to them. The texture was a bit mushy. Overall, not very impressed and probably will not be returning. The staff was very welcoming, however and the décor is funky and fun. Also, does not take debit/​credit card!

The three stars are really just for the lobster bisque– had a bowl and it was so good, I should’ve just had a second bowl for my entrée. Instead I had the pad thai– super disappointing. Literally tasted like an Annie Chung’s bowl from the supermarket soup aisle. Only sweeter. The scallops and shrimp on top were not good, tasted of chlorine, not fresh. This place is really cute inside, and I love local places, but we were there for two hours at lunch time and my friend and I were the only customers in the entire place the entire time. This place has decent older reviews, I hope the chowder house can get it together– to the previous standards it seems to have had– in order to survive.

Very good! Many items made from scratch and fish is cleaned there. The portions aren’t too big. Everything was flavored well. Would def return.

Went for a small dinner. Split the crab cakes (which were excellent) and had a bowl of lobster bisque. I tried their French onion as well. It was good, little extra thyme (I’m fairly sure it was that) then I care for.

The place sounds like a great idea; casual upbeat food, BYOB, and reservations-​only on Fri/​Sat night. However, all this comes with a price.
The food– it’s ok, better than Applebees, but not for the price. You are getting mainly pasta and cheese sauce with 1 – 2 pieces of seafood for $ 20; not a deal.
BEWARE: This ‘corking’ fee applies to ANYTHING, regardless if you bring an already-​corked bottle or not. They have the audacity to charge YOU to bring your own alcohol. $ 5 to bring my own drink; what’s next, $ 5 to piss in my own bucket?
This is a one-​and-​done kind of place. Service is all over the place, no organization, and you have cooks taunting one another during your meal and yelling for the server’s name every minute.
If possible, wait til Groupon comes out, so your not that out of your losses…

Excellent seafood here. I’m very picky about seafood, and rarely ever order it at restaurants. I get seafood here every time.
Lobster bisque is the best I’ve ever had.
Food will not disappoint.
Bring your checkbook
BYOB — cuts down on my beer bill, I guess.

Thank goodness Red Lobster was a 45min wait or we wouldn’t have found this gem! I was so in the mood for seafood. And this did not disappoint.
The ambience reminds me of when I lived out west and the service was friendly and pretty timely for a Friday night.
The lobster bisque was amazing — pretty much everything we got there was. They have quite the variety as well. We’ll definitely be returning!

The portion sizes have drastically decreased, so I’m not so sure I find it to be worth the expense anymore. In addition, the last 2 out of 3 times I ordered the Twisted Noodles the «pan seared ahi tuna» was completely cooked through :(I’m not sure we’ll be back, at least not for a while. I’m still giving it a 3 because the atmosphere is adorable and the wait staff is friendly.

I really wanted to give this place 4 stars because the atmosphere was great and the clam chowder was delicious. However, my girlfriend and I waited up front for at least 5 minutes while waiting to be seated and the food was a little over priced. Our waitress was very friendly and we enjoyed our visit. I’m guessing its worth stopping in during the busy lunch/​dinner hours, but in between (when we came 3−4pm) is not the ideal time for service.

Wine Dinner Review
Yes… we still are monthly regular customers… but now they have started to offer wine dinners… once a month… they are closed on Monday but the last Monday of the month is Wine Dinner Night!
5 course… 5 wines… lemon infused water (more than a wedge, less than lemonade) was delightful between courses… one long table of wonderful foodies with a different theme each month.
Skipping lunch is recommended… we started with Gorgonzola bechemele and ended with berries and cream and cake and nuts and wine.
Short Rib tacos and goulash were in the middle. not combined… and a delightful pork cutlet with a perfectly poached egg.
Such a great trip through a wide variety of cuisine… and wine… oh… the wine!
Can not wait for next month’s… hopefully the weather will warm and it can be held outside!

Honestly this place has been one of our favorites in the area. We were never disappointed. Had I wrote this review a year ago it would of been 5 stars.
Something has happened however in the last year+. The food quality has just gone down hill badly. I think we’re done with this place. My pasta was cold dried out and hard on the edges .like heat lamp hard … friends burger came with nothing on it .they forgot to put stuff on it … twisted noodles, always one of our favorites was just not right, and they made lots of emergency substitutions for the things that were supposed to be in the dish as stated by the menu. Ran out of like 3 entrée’s on the menu as well. on a Wed night?
I must say the service has been bad the last few visits as well. Waitress just disappears. Get what you want when you see them because they don’t come back except to give you the check when your done. Ran out of water. couldn’t get cheese for pasta.
This place has potential. Like I said … maybe I’ve just been hitting them on off nights lately. different cook or something… but it’s just happened too often for me to want to go back.
They do let you bring your own wine and uncork for a fee. I still do like that.

This apparently is not a luncheon kinda place.
The lobster roll wasn’t. But rather mayo and celery on white bread.
The lobster bisque which at dinner had large chunks of lobster in it, was flavored heavy cream poured over a lobster shell for flavoring.
Portions were inadequate.
Luncheon was a disappointment en toto.
Will try them once again for diiner to determine if the hour is the culprit.

Fantastic local place with a cool, artsy vibe. This place used to be Jimmy’s coffee house and the interior remained the same.
They have daily specials and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Their lobster bisque is delicious, as are their crab cakes. Usually, I take one of my kids and we share a bowl of the soup and split a sandwich. I have always been satisfied with the food and service.
They do have outdoor seating and I celebrated Mother’s Day with my sons outside. I had the chicken & waffles, which was very good. They had the chocolate-​chip pancakes. We had lots left over!
For $ 5, you can bring your own alcohol! Bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the ambience!

Cash only.

Best brunch I’ve had in the Akron area in all my years living here — and still one of the best I’ve had, period, when I compare it to the three years I spent brunching around Washington, DC. The service was perfect, the prices are low, the French toast is to die for, & the atmosphere is quaint & creative, very welcoming. I Aldo love that they try to use as much local produce & goods as possible — a rarity in the area.
Since my first visit, I’ve been recommending the Chowder House to everyone I know; I can’t wait to go back!