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What a hidden gem and floating dive bar restaurant at the Leeward Bay Marina off the 47 freeway. The barge that it sits on dates back to 1935 where it was used to film "Mutiny on the Bounty". The restaurant itself is filled with lots of nautical themed momentos of the past. The Chowder Bar is renowned for their Boston-style clam chowder and it did not disappoint. Their clam chowder was one of the best that I've had outside of Boston. The chowder was rich with the right thick consistency and was chocked full of clams. A bowl would have satisfied me, but ordering only a cup, I also had their Fish Sandwich with deep fried cod. The cod was juicy and well breaded and seasoned. Their cole slaw was also very good. Service was adequate. Prices were reasonable. Parking is free and easy right out front of the gangway to the water and restaurant. Just don't miss the small sign and turnoff on Henry Ford Avenue close to and below the St. Vincent Thomas Bridge. Overall, the Chowder Barge is a great place to kick back and relax by the water with a beer and a hearty bowl of clam chowder.
Fun place with great prices! Interior reminds me of the inside of a boat or yacht club. Burgees hanging close to the bar. Pictures mounted on the ceiling! Lots of indoor tables and booths. Lots of stools around the bar. They serve breakfast as well.as lunch and dinner. We went for an early lunch on a Saturday and it wasn't crowded yet. Parking was easy and they have their own lot. Watch for the small "Chowder Barge" sign low down while traveling on Henry Ford! It's a ahort walk down to the restaurant down the gangway. The food and drinks. My.husband ordered the Caprain size Michelada. Housemade mix with Draft Midelo (choice of several.beers on draft). We started with cups of chowdet, very filling! We shared a 2-piece Fish & Chips Basket along with a Dinner Salad. Plenty of food for the two of us. Fish waa a bit heavier coated for my taste but the cod inside was great! The coleslaw wa excellent! The Garden salad had cucumbers and beets. The blue cheese dressing was so good! Service was excellent and very attentive. Nina was our server. She was very friendly and helpful!..we will definitely be returning!
Food and service are amazing. Not only is the food great but it's also really affordable. Highly recommend this place if you. Kid friend too. My 7 year old has tried both the burger and chicken tenders and he loves them.
My friend and I chose this place because it sounded cool to eat on a barge. Our first view was the dirty water in the marina walking down ten dock to the restaurant. No a nice view. We get inside. We get seated. Look at the menus. Menu shows they had Diet Coke. My daughter and I both ordered one. When it arrived we both thought it tasted weird. I mention it to the server "that's because it's Coke Zero" Diet Coke and Coke Zero are not interchangeable, guests should be made aware of this especially when the menu says Diet Coke and that's what was asked for. Another note, fountain drinks only had one free refill. I ordered fish and chips, my daughter got the ham and grilled cheese sandwich with "fries", my friend ordered the clam chowder and her daughter got the shrimp basket. First, the "fries and chips" were not fries. They were potato wedges. Although potato wedges are fried potatoes they are not French fries. The fish part of my fish and chips wax good. The tartar sauce was sweet and that threw off my taste buds. My daughter and friend's daughter both enjoyed their orders. My friend said she'd give the clam chowder a 6/6.5. I tasted it. It wasn't bad, but tasted more bacon than clam. It was definitely an experience eating here. I forgot to mention when the check came it had a credit card fee on the check without knowing if I was paying with cash or card.
Located on an old barge the restaurant is small and well decorated the staff was very friendly and attentive. Food came quickly, was hot fresh and very flavorful. Chowder was full of clams, it was thick, rich and buttery. Cup $7, Bowl $10 well worth the drive to the marina.
OMG His is what you dream of when you think about your local spot! So much fun! Tasty food and drinks. The chowder was amazing! Had the chowder burger, ridiculous! My wife had chowder and chili cheese fries, yum! Servers were great! The space was epic!
The ambiance is cool with a serious nautical theme. Came on a really hot day and it was nice and cool inside. Service was strange. Waitresses were border line rude with the way they great people and how they take orders. It was almost like we were interrupting them. We came in after the lunch rush so maybe they were burnt out. The food was outstanding especially if you like fried clams. If your not into fried clams skip the double and triple. After eating I wish I had more of the Chowder and less fried clams. My girls platter was good the fish had good breading that stayed on the fish without falling apart. Shrimp were butterflies and battered differently but still good. Overall I do recommend this place. Just need to remember the staff is not all that welcoming, but the food made up for it
Found this by accident as we were looking for food in the area. What a cute floating restaurant. Don't let the "older" decor deter you from going, the food is delicious! It has a lot of a dive bar charm. It's in the boat dock. Friendly staff. I love the steam clam with garlic bread. It was their daily special.
Oh, how I wanted to rate this place higher but, there's good and bad. I always start with bad news first so, here goes... I ordered a bowl of clam chowder, and fish and chips. The "bowl" of clam chowder is served in a ceramic coffee CUP; I kid you not. (I'm guessing the "cup" of soup is served in a sewing thimble.) Anyway, an insufficient size for those looking forward to clam chowder, and a too-high price for the amount you get. The fish and chips was OK, but the fries were darker in-color than they should be. (Quite possibly due to frying oil not being replaced when it should be.) A definitely turn-off. Finally, there was the dreaded credit card surcharge. I'll continue to call-out those places that implement this very customer-unfriendly practice. Now, for the good. The atmosphere and service are terrific. It's a true barge, located in an area of boat docks. Location can be hard to find, but it's also hard to beat. Servers were friendly, and efficient; definitely the best part of The Chowder Barge. I'd love to come back again and again, just hope I can look past the negatives.
We made our way down to the marina to try the Chowder Barge. I'm from Seattle, where clam chowder is taken very seriously--it's a dish that's hard to get right and very easy to get wrong. Their clam chowder is delicious, but it isn't a traditional New England-style chowder. It's closer to a baked chowder, yet still incredibly flavorful and satisfying in its own way. I love places like this. The aesthetic is exactly what you'd hope for: gritty, vintage, and perfectly imperfect--a classic seafood dive right on the water. The staff was lovely, and the service was great. It's important to keep places like the Chowder Barge going. These unique, character-filled spots play an essential role in preserving culinary diversity.
First time here! This was the hubby choice, it was a pretty cool and a actual barge. Great for breakfast or date meal, it was interesting and different. Service was friendly, although she forgot to put our order in. She apologized and gave us a complimentary bowl of their award winning clam chowder to share Yummm! Accidents happen and we understand, Thank you for owning your mistake . We ordered the fisherman's plater fried fish, shrimp, clams and fries. It was delicious. We will definitely be back.
It's legendary for a reason. You want to drink beer and eat good? You won't be disappointed, the Chowder Burger is a game changer for many! There's a ton of write ups and foodie vids out there if you're curious, but if you're down in this neck of the woods it's can't miss.
Cute old school spot. Didn't take a photo but get the off menu: chili and chowder. Didn't disappoint! The fisherman's platter was ok. Come for the ambiance and seafood. Service was great. Everyone including the chef was really awesome. Chowder burger is a must just at least one time.
1 year ago
The chowder burger is amazing! Love at ambiance of the restaurant and the service was great friend service. Portions were great my meal was so filling I was not able to finish the whole thing so I had a delicious leftover to take one with me. (See my photos) The other thing I would like to say about this restaurant as hole in the wall as it seems and vintage kitsch it is an extremely clean restaurant you do not feel like there's any thing other than care taken at this restaurant with how they serve their food and treat their customers and take care of their restaurant. Top notch comfort food can't wait to visit again! Was just thinking this place would be great even on a rainy day! So good! read more
1 year ago
Eat here if you want a combination of a relaxing ambiance, great friendly service and good food. It's worth it just go. Watch the hours, they are pretty limited each day. read more
A unique dining experience. This is an oldest floating restaurant in LA area. The clams chowder is their famous dish and it's a must try. Ordered the chowder burger with fries. The combinations were very interesting. The clams chowder was so good. Taste the clams in every single spoon. The service is impeccable. The entire restaurant has a unique decoration. Love it. read more
2 years ago
Horrible customer service!!! No greeting, hot inside, bad vibe. Everyone waited to get drinks, service. We stayed for 5 minutes and decided to take our business elsewhere. They need training in customer service. read more
3 months ago
1 year ago
Andrea our server went above and beyond her job by accommodating every aspect of our dinning experience. It's been 10 years since last we visited the chowder barge for no other reason than life tends to have you forget some pretty awesome places to eat. Food was absolutely delicious like we remembered it and the vibe is still the same that of a beach town living a simple life. The decor is reminiscent of that of an old ship but cool stuff to say the least. We (my family and I) highly recommend this place for just the clam chowder alone it's that good. I'm sure everything is great here but we have not done the whole menu yet. Just be mindful you could miss the turn from Henry Ford so pay attention. Thanks for an awesome dinner with my family. read more
6 months ago
Don't let the building fool you. Yes, it's out of way. Yes, it looks a bit shaggy. HOWEVER, the food is solid. Honestly, I've heard about this place for years. I did a drive by a few years ago. And...I drove away. Big mistake. IF you enjoy New England style clam chowder, you can enjoy it here, EVERYDAY! Since my mother-in-law's fav soup is NE clam chowder, decided to venture here. Solid 5/5. We enjoyed the chowder, the namesake of the restaurant. Thick & creamy. Not overly "starchy". Notes of bacon flavor hit first. Nice sized pieces of clam meat & potato chunks. This is really good. If you name a restaurant after your clam chowder, hey it's gotta be good, right? So we split the fisherman's platter as well. Nice sized cod(?) filet, 3 crumb coated shrimp-maybe frozen(?), & several clam strips. Thick potato fries (frozen) & house-made tartar sauce & cocktail sauce. Very satisfying. Killer sauces and especially the cocktail sauce with a kick of horseradish. Finely diced veggies in a mayo based tartar sauce. Although much of this was frozen, it's prepared well, not greasy & served hot. Solid 3.5/5. Interiors have a "charming" heavy timber nautical vibe. Ample parking with railed ramps leading to the restaurant. Waitresses were friendly & quick to respond to requests. Food was delivered quickly. Will return since it's my MIL's fav soup. The chowder is VERY good. read more
2 years ago
I've been here with my family a handful of times and it never disappoints this time around. I tried the fried fish sandwich and it did not disappoint. I find myself craving it every once in a while the clam chowder here is very delicious and if you I really hungry, you should really try the chowder burger although it looks a little funny it is so delicious. Everything here is pretty good fish and chips fried calamari, french fries onion rings nothing out of the ordinary, but everything is quality and you can't forget about the ice cold beer mugs. Those are a must. Their service here is always great and always on point. The charter barge is a nice indoor seating venue right on the water. It's very unique and a great place to visit. read more
3 years ago
Whether it's for a date night or maybe you just simply have a craving for some good fish n chips, The Chowder Barge is your best bet! It's technically within the border of Wilmington and Long beach, hidden away within the industrial buildings in the area making it a great lowkey spot to dine. Not to mention the view is beautiful as it's located on a dock near a bunch of small boats making it a simple yet unique dining experience! The atmosphere is very cozy and cute inside, they have windows facing the water so you can gaze at the sunset while you dine. Regarding the service I have no complaints, our server that night was attentive and served our food and drinks to us in a timely manner. Onto the food, i've never had fish n chips before this night and I was honestly quite delighted with my meal. Steak fries were good, fish was nice and fresh and the tartar sauce paired well with my food. Not to mention they have alcohol as well! My boyfriend and I opted for a pitcher of beer while we enjoyed our meal. Affordable, lowkey and delicious?! I'll definitely be bringing my business back to this local establishment and I suggest you try it out as well. read more
7 months ago
3 years ago
Placed an order over the phone. It was ready pretty quickly. -Fisherman's platter. 3.5/5 -Fried cod fish sandwich and fries. 3.5/5 -Fried clams. Nice and crispy but didn't feel overly breaded. 4/5 -Double clam chowder. Clam chowder doesn't taste like your normal clam chowder. It was more potato-y. It was very flavorful though, and it was delicious with the fried clams. 4/5 -Tuna melt. Pepperjack and American. 3/5 -Fish and chips. Nice and crispy. Tartar sauce was good. 5/5 They charge a 3.5% fee for using a card. I wish they said something because I had cash. Overall, it was tasty, but it was also quite expensive. read more
2 years ago
Very cool nostalgic ambience. Popular amongst the locals. We visited tonight for dinner. Our first time here. Plenty of parking and signage to find the Barge. Such a cool vibe with all the boats around. We walked in and were greeted by friendly staff. Of course had to try the clam chowder it was delicious packed with hearty clams, creamy and flavorful. Husband had the salmon plate and we shared the mussels in a delicious buttery sauce. We had a fabulous dinner. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
Went here about a month ago with another couple. We had clam chowder and it was soooo good. I had fried shrimp with fries. Very good. And someone else had fish and chips. He said it was really good. The service was great. Our server was awesome. Prices were really good. Loved the inside of the place. But don't get the michellada. It was basically really cold beer. Over all we will definitely be back. read more
This is in the most random location and hard to find, but the food was really good. The clam chowder was thick and creamy with great flavor. The fish was so crispy on the outside but cooked beautifully on the inside. Loved the seasoning on the fries, too. We sat outside because we had our dog, and their outdoor seating area could definitely be improved. read more
4 months ago
10 months ago
This review is going to be short and to the point. Clam chowder was creamy and delicious as usual. The Cod fish sandwich on brioche bun was good. The fish was piping hot and tasty, I would've preferred the fish to cover the entire bread verse just the middle half. I felt i ate half bun and half fish BUT it was good. Service was friendly and prices were fair. read more
Food and service is amazing every time please check hours they do close early on slow days. Ambiance is cool because your on the water on a floating restaurant. Always look inside to find the new decor item always look for the long beach yacht club flag. Thanks to Chris from Henry Schein for introducing me here. read more
2 years ago
This was a delightful work lunch. The place is small and very cute. It gives off a we are an establishment with "regulars " vibe" and the food was so good that you want to be counted as a regular. The servers were excellent, and the decor made this rainy day all the more bearable. Its nautical theme is tasteful. It's kind of like the nautical theme version of the shabby chic design theme. The fire place is roasting skulls for crying out loud, y'all! The chowder was the best I've had in a long time( I recently bought some from Costco. - I was desperate! Don't judge!). The creamy was just the right creamy and there were actual clams overloading the chowder. The wings were a good table share along with the seafood sampler appetizer. I'll definitely be back, and it's worth the trip to experience this if you're in the area! read more
1 year ago
I love this place food was amazing and just realized it was on I know what you did last summer so cool ! only thing I was sad about is you have all them nice tables outside with a beautiful view how come you guys don't buy chairs so we could enjoy the outside dining? I came here to sit outside, but was forced to sit inside. Can you guys please get chairs? read more
Business owner information
Nyla O.
We have chairs out there now. It was just a few hours that we didn't,…
1 year ago
What a wonderful surprise. The journey there from Long Beach is lined through an industrial landscape and not very picturesque but once you arrive, everything changes. Plenty of parking available in a lot at the marina and begin your walk to the Barge. When you enter the Barge, the experience changes. I was greeted by the servers and told to sit wherever I wanted. The decor is all sea-fairing garb and it makes you feel like you're on a boat from olde. I ordered a cup of Chowder & the Fried Shrimp Boat which came with fries and Cole slaw. The Chowder was some of the best I've had in a long time. Plenty of clams and flavored with bacon. The shrimp were jumbo and fried crispy. I could taste the horseradish in the cocktail sauce, which I love. The Cole slaw was also tasty but I added lemon and black pepper to my liking. Despite the outside scenery, I will return for the food and great service. read more
3 years ago
Really love this place. The chowder is awesome, and super rich. Onion rings are great. And the beer is *cold*! You are most definitely on a barge. Lots of nautical or tiki related kitsch but it all adds to the ambiance. Service can be a little spotty if they are busy but still attentive. The barge lists slightly so after a Captain's Pacifico stumbling seemed "normal". At least that's the story I'm sticking too...! read more
1 year ago
Checked this spot off the list and it surely didn't disappoint. As a first timer, the clam chowder is a must. For the full experience, it's all about it being served in a bread bowl. Ok, it's huge and the bread is swimming in a bowl of chowder. Yes!!! Not only a unique presentation, but from first bite, I was sold. One of the best (maybe the best) clam chowder I've ever had. Just for variety, we also shared a basket of fish. When it comes to fried fish, this is the spot. Perfectly crisp outside, but overall very light batter, and buttery soft fish inside, yum. Served with fries and coleslaw plus dipping sauce. It was so much food, but leftovers heated up nicely. Located on the water, it's very unique. Kinda hidden and hard to find, but GPS nailed the location. Free parking a major plus. Service was great. Felt like we had a the staff helping us at one point. Definitely returning here. It can get very crowded with over an hour wait. Plan accordingly! read more
2 years ago
We came in Saturday around 11am finding parking in the marina was a little difficult but we finally did! It was busy so we signed in and they had some seating outside so we waited like 10min Once we got seated our waitress came by immediately and she was super nice and friendly. It was my first time so I was amazed and looking around at everything on the walls. This place is really cool! We ordered 16oz clam chowder for us to share,the fisherman platter and a burger with a side of onion rings. The chowder came out first and OMGGGG it was absolutely delicious. Thicker than I've had it usually but omg it was so good! Honestly wish I hadn't ordered the burger bc I was so full after the chowder The portions are really big! The fisherman's platter was really good, it was perfectly crispy. The fish was soft on the inside, shrimps were really yummy and the clams were good too! (First timer here, trying fried clams!) The coleslaw was delicious. The burger was huge but I didn't even take a bite because I was so full decided to take it home. The patty looked juice and home made, but the onion rings my goodness They were freaking delicious. Decently priced, definitely worth it!! Looking forward to coming back! read more
8 months ago
The vibe is cool the food is great the service is good and outside view is so relaxing I will come back perfect for cold day read more
2 years ago
This place is really cool! Maybe I've watched too many movies, or tv shows, but eating here, I felt like a fisherman, just stopping by at a restaurant for some food after a long day. This is a cool, nautical themed, lowkey spot to get great clam chowder. You order food and chill; they even have a nice outdoor seating area. Overall, a really pleasant experience. read more
What a cute little restaurant this is! I walked in and was so surprised by the decor! I loved it! It's a very small restaurant but big enough. You also have an option to eat outside but it was too hot for me. Food here was so delicious! The server was so nice and attentive! Our food was served within 10 minutes. Which I was glad because we were hungry. I will be coming here regularly! read more
Got BLOAT on the FLOAT! ...by the BOAT! Work brought me to the Port of Long Beach, and this floating restaurant was nearby for lunch. It was a little difficult to find at first, since you drive through industrial streets + railroads and not through shopping/restaurant/commercial areas, but we eventually followed a sign to take us down by the water. Standard fast food. We ordered fish and chips, and you can pick how many fish you want in your dish. Felt a tad pricey so we opted to one fish, BUT it came out like potatoes with a side of fish LOL Next time I'd opt for two fish to balance out the ratio. Even though it was toasty outside... I HAD to try the chowder for the name. It was a little too thick & chunky for my taste, but overall the food got me nice and bloat.. (and pst pst a lil zzz food coma before returning to work LOL) Fun atmosphere and cool decor. Restaurant was a bit warm, even with fans. We ate around noon and folks around us were already enjoying nice cool beers :) Service was chill, friendly, and quick. Overall, I liked the boat and water view for a unique experience! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Stopped in here after a quick local soup search. And I'm so glad I did. The ambience is nice chill old school pirate vibes as the restaurant is on the water. The inside is clean and well kept. The food was amazing hands down best chowder I have ever had. But what made this visit so great is the service. Karley was my server and she is so on top of things. Always coming back to check on us. Quick With the refills and her recommendations were great. She's got a great personality and awesome smile best server I have had in a long time. Thanks Karley I'll definitely be back. 10/10 this is a must try you won't regret it. Don't forget to ask for Karley! read more
2 years ago
Nice staff. Good food. Laid back ambiance. Huge beers. I would go back and recommend everyone check it out. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
Great ambiance with a fun nautical theme. Beer was ice cold. Services was great and most importantly, the food was excellent. Very tasty and fresh. read more
5-stars for being LA's only floating (and cool!) restaurant! The Chowder Barge is definitely off the beaten path in a tucked away dock in Wilmington. When you make your way on board, you'll sway a bit and hear the creaking wood beneath you, but the barge seems pretty darn sturdy! It's super casual...think, funky sailor's diner on a fishing boat. You'll get a kick out of the eclectic maritime decor and photos. Everything I've had here has been delicious: Triple Chowder - fried clams in a bread bowl with clam chowder Steamed Mussels- 1 lb. cooked in a yummy, buttery white wine sauce with garlic bread Seafood Platter - fried calamari, fried clams and breaded fried shrimp I wouldn't come here if you're looking for healthy and light, although they do have salads. They're just not as fun as all the fried and smothered dishes! Plenty of parking, great service, and surprisingly no long waits to be seated! read more
2 years ago
If you're in the mood for some clam chowder ... the Chowder Barge is a must try! The location is very cool located at one of the marinas near the ports. The place is filled with mostly locals and workers from the port. Service is prompt And friendly and did I mentioned the chowder bowl is filled with clams ! The grilled cheese on sourdough was on point and definitely compliments the chowder bowl ... I opted for grilled cheese instead of bread bowl , so I'll have to try bread bowl next time ! The ambiance is very fitting of the location Next time I'll try the bread bowl read more
More info about The Chowder Barge
611 N Henry Ford Ave
Wilmington, CA 90744
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(310) 830-7937
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http://www.thechowderbarge.com
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Ask the Community - The Chowder Barge
Looking to dine in August on a Sunday. Are reservations taken?
No reservation system but probably not an issue.
Is the veggie burger vegan? Is it homemade? I am allergic to beyond and impossible brands. Thank you?
No. The fries perhaps (fried in same oil as fish, etc), but no. They have a bar though. That looked…
How's the parking? Is there room for a larger van? Valet or lot or street parking?
There is an open parking lot. No valet. Saw some vans there.
Do you guys sell like a party size chowder like for the holidays?
A quart is our largest.
Is it truly wheelchair accessible? Would a person confined to wheelchair be able to get across the parking lot and up the entrance ramp?
We are accessible. However, depending on the tide, it's tougher when it's low.
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