was looking forward to this for a while. line was 20 mins long. they ran out of lobster in about an hour. food took 40 mins to reach my number (a bunch of people ordered for their entire department it seems... grrrr) they lost my order apparently took another 10 mins to make my order so I didn't get the lobster roll i was hoping for. instead i got: fish taco - large but just average fried calamari - a good size serving but again about average in quality read more

Sam's Chowdermobile - Huge wait - Seafood Near Me - Half Moon Bay, California

I've heard rave reviews Sam's Chowder house, but haven't had the chance to drive out to try them so when news struck that they now have a traveling truck I was excited to give them a try. My friend had gone a couple days before, and wanted to give them a try again so I tagged along. Perhaps it was because they were so hyped up that I was expecting a lot but I wasn't too impressed. I ended up getting their chowder and calamari. Maybe I should've gone for their lobster roll instead. The calamari was good and largely portioned, but the chowder was unimpressive (my friend said it was better the day before). It was rather watery and not creamy, and overly salted. I'll give them another try, but probably wont' be actively hunting them down to do so. Maybe if I had tried their lobster rolls it'd be a different story. read more

Some of the lobster in my roll was overcooked. It was also poorly seasoned and the celery is a weird ingredient, so I added in my own cracked peppercorns and green onions. The clam chowder was the winner of the meal, but still nothing that outstanding. read more

If I were a sandwich, I would be a lobster roll. I would melt in your mouth with all my buttery juices. I would fill your tastebuds with my fresh meat. I would satisfy you like no one ever has. I would drip down your chin and be all over your hands. You would search the town and eat me down. If I were a sandwich, I would be a lobster roll. Roll on Chowdermobile!!! read more

I went on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and there was absolutely no parking at this place! It was packed!! Thankfully, I was only ordering take out. I ordered the New England clam chowder, and it was mighty awesome. They have great serving sizes, they are bigger than normal. I was surprised to find the "cup" size would normally be considered a bowl in many other places. They have a very convenient take-out service, it is nice because you do not have to go into the restaurant; there is a little hut place you can order and look around the gift shop while you wait. read more

Good but not great. Like many reviewers I find things overpriced which limits my star rating. I had the lobster roll and the chowder - found both to be good but not worth the combined $22 which would imply pretty extraordinary. I suspect there are a lot like me who try it once for the hype and will not return. read more

I just ate at the Chowdermobile this week. They were at my work, and I had to indulge in the lobster roll and clam chowder. I got the small lobster roll and a cup of the clam chowder, and it definitely hit the spot. I liked that they had a small option for the lobster roll, since the large would have been too much for me for lunch. The chowder was hot and delicious. The sandwich was the same as it is in the restaurant. Obviously, this is a genius idea for them, since making the trip to HMB can be super lame when you are in the mood for a lobster roll. I have decided to follow them on Twitter so I can be sure to know where they are, when I am in the mood for a roll and some chowder..... read more

When the average order is $20, you gotta accept plastic! I went on a day when their machine was broken, and had to schlep to the nearest ATM at a creepy gas station to get the dough to be able to afford a lunch here. Argh, too much trouble to be worth it. I got that i-ate-too-much-grease feeling after my meal, which made every minute to 5o'clock that much more tortuous! I am a fan of the restaurant, but the mobile version is not the same. read more

So far, I've had the lobster roll, and a shrimp po'boy w/old bay fries. Pretty tasty, if you as me. I only wish it weren't so $$$... it's shellfish, I get it, but maybe have a loyalty card or something. They are in my work-hood at least once a week, and we try to make it out there whenever their around, but spending about $20 for lunch every time is just too rich for my taste. read more

Ahh sweet sweet lobster roll. If you like lobster, go get one of these cause they are freakin awesome! A little on the pricey side, but Sam's Chowdermobile will not disappoint you. Everything they make is as good as the restaurant, which is always slammin! read more

YUM! Lobster is tasty. I admit $15 for a sandwich is a lot for lunch from a truck but the lobster meat is big and chunky. The juices from the lobster and butter also seep into the toasted roll even better. I went when they stopped by Mountain View for lunch. We got there around 1140 and there was already a huge huge line. If you want that roll go early. If you want to not wait in line forever also go early. They ran out of the roll by 12:15 and the line was 50 percent longer. read more

Had the clam chowder and the lobster roll yesterday. The clam chowder was OK. I like my chowders thick and theirs was a little on the watery side. The lobster roll, however, was DELICIOUS! And the toasted bun was a perfect pairing. I would definitely eat here again as well as try some of their other items. The pictures on the menu alone are making me drool! read more

Our second stop on the epic Veteran's Day South Bay food adventure was Sam's Chowdermobile, which was serving lunch at Snap-On that day. Still somewhat full from our first stop, we made a to-go order to share one lobster roll. BIG MISTAKE. Eat it as soon as you get it! After 20 minutes, the bread had become pretty soggy by the time we had sat down to devour this thing. However, I did like the fact that they had huge chunks of lobster and the roll itself was pretty tasty. This roll would've been more delicious had it not been the soggy bread. The next time I stumble upon this mobile truck, I will definitely eat the roll on the spot. read more

Yum. Caught up with the Chowdermobile down in the South Bay near my office. Being a New Englander, I love my clam chowder. Their version is good - not too thick and gooey, and full of fresh clams. The lobster roll was a bit of a change for me - I'm used to the cold, lightly dressed version and this was buttered and warm. Still, quite delicious. I'd definitely go again. read more

Let me start by saying I love Sam's Chowder House. But this was my first experience with the Chowdermobile and it will be my last. I happened to see the Chowdermobile outside of Pillsbury (a law firm in Palo Alto) at 1:15pm. The receptionist at the desk said there was a line of a 100 people earlier but now there were only 2. Go for it! My friend and I ordered a lobster roll and shrimp poor boy. What a disappointment. The lobster roll was just OK and tasted like it had been unrefrigerated for too long. But it was the Shrimp Poor Boy that was completely inedible. The Shrimp were barely warm. They might have been fried some time that day, but certainly nowhere near the hour I was there. The bun had also seen better days. My guess was that they were at the bottom of the barrel for food. And we got the bottom. Not good. It appears the goal for the truck is "don't come back with any unsold food" rather than "serve a quality product." My advice. Don't go near the Chowdermobile after the lunch crowd. It may be worth trying before. I gave them one extra star because I like the restaurant. read more

Spontaneous stop to Sam's mobile which holds chowder while trekking through Golden Gate Park. Solid chowder...not the best but legitimately good. Not too thick and not too potatoey. The clams were good and there was just enough onions to add some nice texture. Would definitely go back. read more

Lobster roll is simply the best. No competitor is even close. I will say that it is very expensive ($16.50 each), typically making my lunchs $20 total. If it were a few dollars cheaper I'd probably eat it twice as much! Finally, I would have given it 5 stars but consistency is an issue. Sometimes you get a lot of lobster, sometimes you a get a little. Sometimes the bread is crispy, sometimes its soggy. I guess it just depends on what crew you get in the truck or what time. read more

Just order the Lobster Roll. Everything else is average, and over priced. They give you a generous helping of lobster, which makes the $16.00 price tag bearable. read more

Their Shrimp Po' Boy is where it's at! OK, so I admit it, I usually toss the bread and tomato and just eat the shrimp, but man oh man... it's just so perfectly fried, and their special sauce is sooooo tasty. Why would I want to dilute those flavors? Plus, if I fill up on all that bread, I won't have enough room for chowder! read more

Lobster roll, delish! The lobster was plentiful and juicy, highly recommeneded. Coleslaw was not bad either.

Great ocean views, food was delicious. The best part s the view. Parking was a bit tight when we got there, however it might varies through the day. read more

Not sure if we caught them on an off night but this experience was not all I was hoping for. First, for the positive - my husband got the Shrimp Po' Boy and it was delicious! Probably not the healthiest thing because the shrimp is deep fried and it has some kind of mayonnaise type sauce on it but the flavor was great, the Old Bay seasoned fries are mighty tasty as well. Now for the not so great - I went for the lobster roll and was pretty disappointed with it. There was a good amount of lobster but it tasted fishy to me and did not have much flavor besides that. Not sure if it was the freshness factor or what but I ended up sharing the hubby's po' boy, much to his delight. The lobster roll seems rather pricey for the quality of lobster. read more

They are at Eat Real and it's worth the long wait for a $5 lobster roll. Bread is very good and good solid portions of lobster

Wow I was quite shocked for a food truck. The Chowder Mobile was clean and updated not to mention serving some great food. New England Chowder was fantastic not too creamy but just enough lumps to keep you digging for more. Let's talk about the baja shrimp taco! It was huge and full of goodies like pineapple and a special sauce! If you have a chance to eat off here try it. Worth the $$! read more

They started coming to the building where I work and I decided to give it a try. I have tried their clam chowder, fried calamari, fish and chips, and the lobster roll. I am absolutely in love with their food! The seasoning is great, the chowder has tons of veggies and clam. The price is actually ok I don't think it's too pricey. If you want to taste some great seafood you should definitely try their food. read more

Their lobster roll is seriously disappointing. It mostly contained the yucky soft pieces of claw and legs in there with a light sprinkling of actual fleshy claw meat. It should cost less than the Shrimp Po' Boy which tastes 20x better. Chowder is good and the Shrimp Po' Boy is fantastic, but I felt so turned off by the lobster roll I received. read more

If you go to Sam's Chowdermobile, you have to go for one thing: The Lobster Roll. They were not kidding, this is one AMAZING sandwich! You can tell it is fresh, when you can smell the ocean on the lobster meat....you cant get anything better than this! I agree with Yelper Rich H., this is not an everyday or even every week thing, but a periodic splurge. Very pricey! I tried their fish and Bay Seasoned chips which are on point. Chowder was OK to be, but I am not an expert in this category. Great truck! read more

Lobster roll, cole slaw, & fries - All pretty good. You know how it is...lobster is always pricey, so be prepared to shell out some $$ if you desire it. I wish they served a small size cup of clam chowder, but they don't :( read more

These Chowdermobile lobster rolls are heretical. A proper lobster roll does not contain lobster meat that's bathed in butter and served tepid. The meat should be lightly tossed with mayo, and therefore slightly chilled. Nor should a lobster roll, in my New England opinion, contain celery, but celery happens even on the Maine coast, so it's pardonable here, I suppose. Finally, the lobster should be firm yet tender, not soft and rather mushy (evidence of previously frozen lobster perhaps?). And what's with the buns? For 15 clams, real New England-style hot dog buns are in order. Yes, I sound like the angry East Coaster that I am. Nonetheless, there's lobster them there lobster rolls, so I'll probably be back. read more

A friend turned me onto Sam's Chowdermobile when they stopped off in Mountain View! What an AWESOME meal! I got the full Lobster Rolls and the Clam Chowder. Loved them both!! The Chowder was rich, creamy, meaty and tasty! Yum. The Lobster Roll was FULL of big chunks of Lobster. I am heading back again with folks from my office the next time they come by. Cons: Had to wait about 25 minutes because I got there late! Next time I'll get there early! read more

I had a cup of the chowder for $5. A bit overpriced but damn that was some good CHOWDA! I would definitely recommend this food truck if it were only for the chowder. =) read more

Pricy, but their lobster rolls are great. Fresh lobster in a buttery fresh roll... mmmm.

This is Bomb Chowder and The Lobster Roll is to die for. We usually have them come around to our offices once a quarter. It's a killer thing to set up for your employees. What a treat! Great Chowder, Tacos, and Fish n Chips are Perfect!! read more

Some guys at work in Santa Clara raved about this truck, so I gave it a try and became a big fan. The Shrimp Po-Boy is one of the best items on this truck, they do not skimp on the shrimp. The chowder is great. the menu prices are a bit steep therefor it is not an everyday thing but a once in a while stop. The Lobster roll looked like it was packed with leftover meat, no other seasoning or sauce or flavor, I guess I was spoiled by a lobster roll I had in New England and nothing will compare. The truck staff are great and courteous. read more

One of the best food trucks to come to Emeryville. Who could complain about perfectly flavored (slight garlic and pepper) clam chowder rich with clams, thickened with potatoes, served piping hot. Lobster roll (regular) had about a pound of juicy lobster, large chunks, on buttered roll, accompanied by coleslaw. Cole slaw had slight bite, with crispy cabbage. Well worth the money. My only complaint -- too many people know how good the food is, and even before 12 there was a line. Contrary to the Facebook page, they did have key lime pie. (Did not try) read more

Total fail! They were booked for our school's back to school night and arrived totally unprepared. The chowder mobile ran out of chowder within the first hour...people waited in line for over 30 minutes only to walk away empty handed. They also clearly hadn't changed their grease in a long time.... calamari was disgusting, lobster roll was greasy and unappetizing, fish and chips and fish tacos were decent and the cole slaw was tasty, but not enough to redeem experience and justify price....wish I could have tried the chowder read more

Surprised hardly any line compared to the other Off the Grid food trucks. Tried the clam chowder. It was way too salty for me. Pass the water! read more

Had the shortie lobster roll. I'd give this 4 stars. What really makes this sandwich is the buttery toasted bread. They give you a good amount of lobster but it's not marinated or seasoned with anythign special. Make sure you eat it while it hot and toasty! The calamari was plain, 2 stars. You get a good portion for $7, but it was definitely under seasoned and nothing out of the ordinary. read more

The Chowdermoblie was at Snap-On today on Hellyer in South San Jose. Hands down the BEST lobster roll EVER!!! A nicely toasted brioche-like bun stuffed with succulent lobster, a bit of celery and drizzled with butter... A regular for $15 is about 8 inches and was the perfect size. I bet if you get the Shortie, you'll be left wanting more! Old Bay fries and Roasted Pork sammy were also tasty. Can't wait for them to be back in 2 weeks! YUM!! read more

Finally got to try Sam's Chowdermobile while it was at 111 W St John Street in San Jose. In a word, AWESOME! I got the Lobster Roll and Clam Chowder and spilt an order of the Old Bay Fries with a friend. Chowder was delicious and served with Westminster Oyster Crackers (the sign of a classy place!). The Lobster Roll was stuffed with more lobster than you would typically see in a restaurant lobster dinner. The fries were crisp and tasty and were large enough to make a meal all by themselves. Yea, they are a bit pricy. But man oh man was it worth it! Will definitely have to track this bad boy truck down again. read more