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Sam's Chowdermobile

3.9 (411 reviews)
ModerateSeafood, Food Trucks
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sam's Chowdermobile Photos

SAM'S CHOWDERMOBILE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Casual
Outdoor seating

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Reviews With Photos

Lobster & Old Bay Fries
Allie G.

Sam's Chowdermobile had the longest line out of all the food trucks at Half Moon Bay Wine and Jazz Festival - and for good reason! When we finally got to the front of the line, I asked if I can sub out the bread in my Lobster Roll for a handful of Old Bay Fries, and thankfully that was fine. My friend ordered a regular Lobster Roll, and the food was ready (quite literally) immediately. It was totally worth the wait - delicious chunks of lobster and perfectly crispy fries. The fries also had just the right amount of Old Bay seasoning to be flavorful but not overwhelming. Would happily eat here again!

Fish and chips (2 piece). Yum
Shylo B.

Driven by the restaurant many times and its always packed. So have not tried yet. So when the mobile popped up nearby we went to try it out. We both ordered the 2 piece fish and chips, and a chowder (because you just have to try it. The food was quick, hot and delicious. Decent size for a food truck and great price for what you get. I could have shared one order. I was full. So took the clam chowder with us and didn't want to waste it so I ate it... Im glad I did even as full as I was. It was delicious. Full of flavor. Beautiful!

Lobster Roll $22.50. Mouth watering buttery taste. https://youtu.be/UDQJOjjmCC0
Danny C.

If you like consistency, great tasting and mouth watering, then you need to try Sam's Chowder Mobile or at their restaurant in HMB. Included in this video is the main lobster roll for $22.50 and quart of clam chowder for $14. It's a good deal since the cups are going for $12. The bread is very buttery and the taste have you wanting more. Highly recommend!! Can't wait till the next time they are in the neighborhood. See the video on attached link. https://youtu.be/UDQJOjjmCC0

Shrimp Po'boy
Amanda M.

Sam's Chowder Mobile stopped by my worksite today! What a treat! Ordered myself a shrimo Po' Boy with Old Bay fries... and I was not at all disappointed! You get a hearty helping of crispy, fried shrimp, atop a bed of lettuce and tomato dressed up lightly with a creamy special sauce, and finally, hugged ever so gently between to slices of cloud-like artisan buns... warm, soft, delicious!! They also offer a lot more options under the sea, such as golden brown fish and chips, absolutely to die for lobster rolls (highly revered!) and creamy clam chowder ...but I was truly content with my choice. Note: They reign primarily in half moon bay, but are always available for public events, private parties and much more! Check them out! Your tastebuds will thank you!!

Beautiful meal!
Theresa D.

I had their fried shrimp po boy and it was the best po boy I've had. My sandwich came with a healthy amount of shrimp and their garlic aioli really tied everything together. I hope they come around foster city again so I can try their lobster roll. The guy who took my order was nice and helpful. They do accept credit cards which is a plus.

Crab cake, very good, must order
Joanne C.

I've been to the restaurant location a few years ago in Half Moon Bay and loved it! So glad they operate via food truck too. No driving a hour and a half in traffic anymore to get their tasty food yay! Normally, I would get the long lobster roll with clam chowder, their signature items, but today decided to go get em tacos and cakes. The food is delicious as always and the crab cake actually tasted even better than at the restaurant, less salty yummy! The sauce they give you to dip the crab cake is so much better than normal tartar sauce. I put some of that on my taco. The deep fried fish taco was so big! Very surprised. The Po Boy Sandwich with shrimps is also oh so good. Portions were great! Lots of fries included too. It's been 30 minutes and missing the food already. Please come back soon!

Sponge Bob Squarepants could have made a better crabcake
Jack R.

I haven't been this disappointed since I got $1 from the Tooth Fairy when the going rate was $5 according to what my friends received. Two of my co-workers and I got the crab cake special. With tax it's basically $15 for one small kiddie crab cake, cold fries, and coleslaw placed in one of those small salsa containers. I felt like Sponge Bob Square pants, the portion was that small. The crab cake was so bland and lukewarm we would have been better off grabbing a box from Trader Joe's or something. None of us were happy with our order. Epic fail. I should have gone to Sponge Bob's Krusty Krab restaurant under the sea. I'm sure it would have been better, even an imaginary crab cake is better than an awful one.

CeCe C.

Sam's chowder mobile was here today in front of Moxsie in Palo Alto! Michael L. and I were suppose to meet up for lunch, but I was just too hungry so I ate without him! haha I just tried their famous lobster roll! There's a $10 "shortie" (2/3 the size of the $15 one) and a $15 lobster roll. So the only difference is really the size. I ended up getting the $10 one! It is kinda pricey... but after about 3 bites into it and the toasted buttery roll, it's really tasty! :) Wished their lobster rolls were a tad bit cheaper... $8/$11 maybe? They take credit cards... including AMEX!! O_O Wow! Very awesome for a food truck! I'd be tempted to organize a UYE lunch food truck in front of my work one day!! :) Doesn't that sound yummy? So whenever the mobile is in your area, stop on by and say hi to the chowder mobile guy! Follow them on twitter: http://twitter.com/chowdermobile

clam chowder
Marti L.

I've wanted to try their clam chowder since forever. After my failed attempt to dine at the restaurant, I thought it was hopeless. Then I saw Sam's Chowdermobile in my vicinity. SUPER EXCITED! My excitement did not last. For $5, the portion of clam chowder was kid size. It would've been fine if it was orgasmic. But there was nothing special about it. It was actually rather bland. VERY DISAPPOINTED!

Sam's Lobster roll
Ann W.

They were parked nearby pumpkin patches and I thought why not try their lobster roll. Price is decent to me compared to Bay Area pricing. Portion is fine but the lobster was way over cooked. I don't know if they precook their lobster meat and throw it into the butter rolls or what. But it was rubbery and not fresh. They only had coleslaw as a side which was boring. Definitely can improve. Roll was tasty & not burnt so that's a plus.

Full size lobster roll
Kim T.

Coworker took me here for my birthday. yum! Check their website to find out where they will be. Ordered the full size lobster roll, trust me, the shortie just won't cut it. :) The rolls are toasted, nice and buttery. If you're worried about calories, don't eat this and stick to water. :P Lobster wasn't too bad. Had some celery in it and other spices. I'm from the East Coast so I'm used to traditional lobster rolls with mayo mixed into the lobster, but I'm not complaining. Also ordered the bay fries. They are ok, a little to salty for me. Service is great. They were all friendly. I would come back for this. :)

Vicky T.

FINALLY.. after months of watching them on twitter and drooling when my friends said they were going to get some I got a lobster roll biyahs! I got a shortie (small lobster roll) and it was simply put the best thing I had eaten in a while. It was rich, buttery, and the lobster spoke for itself. I was satisfied completely. Although some celery like stuff was in the roll it was 99% meat. The bread was soggy but crispy at the same time and once I started eating I could not stop stuffing my face. Since there were about 7 of us we were able to try a variety of things. I got to sample the calamari which was awesome!! It was light, crispy and perfectly fried (no dark coloring). I also got a few bites of Bobby's fish n chips.. the batter on the fish was surprisingly light and crispy.. even after it had been sitting for ten minutes or so (someone couldn't find parking hehehe). The fries varied..someone's they were super salty another they were fine. Other pluses 1. Quick service 2. Accept credit cards 3. Organic soda/ Kettle Chips Overall TIZZLE LIKES YOU GUYS LOTS!

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2 years ago

Excellent service and very friendly at the takeout and the food was great all they need is parking for takeout.

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4 years ago

It was okay. The chowder tasted good, but it wasn't anything special. It wasn't really worth the price to me

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Ask the Community - Sam's Chowdermobile

Sam's Chowder House - Chili-Garlic Prawns

Sam's Chowder House

(6.1k reviews)

$$

I mean, whenever I hear Half Moon Bay I think of 3 things: the beach, a cold beer, and Sam's…read moreChowder 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)

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

Ketch Harbor Pub - Not the best pic of outside area which was a good size. Jim

Ketch Harbor Pub

(313 reviews)

$$

We are locals, love breakfast and brunch and are fans of the original Ketch Joanne's. We're also…read morefans of the current owners of Jetty Wave, who are presenting a new incarnation of Joanne's under the name Ketch Harbor Pub. Curious about what the new/old place is like, our three-person family went there for a late breakfast today. Walking up to the front doors, the original inset stained glass remains. Walking in, the cool wood paneling and nautical decor remains in place with a couple of new touches. The fully appointed bar also remains, now with a more streamlined look with subtle lighting changes. We were greeted pleasantly and seated inside the dining room immediately; it was moderately busy and buzzing, not too loud. Our server was quick to our table, menu-knowledgeable and consistent in his attention to us. We had a Denver omelette, a couple of bennies and lemon ricotta pancakes to share. My omelette had particularly fresh and al fresca peppers and onions - wonderful. The lemon ricotta pancakes were sufficiently saturated and fluffy(hard to pull off)and came with fresh cream. The prices were at about the same level as the local competition, which pleasantly surprised us. It appears that the folks who did this breakfast/lunch reboot were shrewd in pricing their dishes. Jetty Wave, a drinks and appetizers adventure(which I heartily recommend as well for different reasons)in the northwestern part of Princeton, is not for the fiscally faint hearted. The only element that makes our experience short of a 5 is that we were not given a farewell when we left, though I was able to find our friendly server and thanked him. In all, the Joanne's legacy is intact - the old carved wood Ketch Joanne sign still hangs inside - literally and figuratively a homage to its legacy while bringing a new energy to this space. Recommended.

Ketch Harbor Pub (often just called Ketch) is a fantastic spot right on Pillar Point Harbor in Half…read moreMoon Bay. We stopped by for lunch on a crisp day, and it completely captured that perfect coastal vibe--think fresh seafood, laid-back atmosphere, and killer views of the boats and water. We started with the calamari, which was hands-down some of the best I've ever had: tender, not rubbery at all, perfectly seasoned and fried, melting in your mouth. The New England-style clam chowder was rich, creamy, with just the right subtle smokiness and balanced seasoning--definitely lives up to Half Moon Bay's chowder reputation. For mains, the Dungeness crab sandwich was the star: generous lumps of sweet local crab, minimal sauce (just how I like it), on toasted sourdough with fries on the side. My partner went with the fish and chips, and the cod was crispy, flaky, and not greasy at all--classic done right. The outdoor patio with fire pits was cozy even in cooler weather, and our server was super friendly, attentive, and full of local recommendations. The place feels welcoming, whether you're a regular from the Coastside or just passing through after a beach walk or harbor stroll. Prices are fair for the fresh, quality ingredients and location--definitely worth it. We've already added it to our list for the next trip to Half Moon Bay. Highly recommend if you're craving solid seafood in a charming harborside setting! 5/5 stars.

Sam's Chowdermobile - seafood - Updated May 2026

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