Crab Park Chowdery: Clam Chowder and Grilled Cheese

It was a dark and stormy night in late November when I first visited Crab Park Chowdery. Located in the heart of Gastown (about a 10 minute walk to Crab Park), this place has been on my radar for quite some time. I mean, who doesn’t like chowder?

I was a bit surprised that this place wasn’t very busy when I visited during the supper hour… but I’m fine with that as I don’t like crowds. First things first, before you head to the back to place your order, make sure you check out the menu that’s hanging on the large brick wall. It’s not an extensive menu… chowder and sandwiches – but that’s kind of the point.

I wound up ordering the New England Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl topped with bacon ($11.75). For some reason, I was a bit surprised that the bread bowl (and the accompanying chowder therein) was on the small size. Normally, I’d be all over eating the bread bowl but, for some reason, I only scraped the fluffy inside of the bread bowl to accompany my soup.

Was this the best chowder that I’ve had? Well, it was good but maybe I had myself hyped up for something that was really going to knock my socks off. Maybe next time, I’ll try it without the bread bowl.

This is the other reason why I didn’t finish my bread bowl… I also ordered the Grilled Cheese with Bacon ($8.95 + $3). Seriously, this was a good grilled cheese sammie… I loved the crispiness of each bite that gave way to the ooey-gooey, cheesy goodness that was inside. And that cheese string pull… damn!

The chowder may have been the reason why I wanted to come here in the first place but the outstanding grilled cheese is why I would come back again.

221 Abbott Street,
Vancouver, BC

chowdery.com