Devil's Slide Journey to Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay

There are a few driving routes to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco. I choose to drive on Highway CA 1 because of the scenic view - surfers crashing waves no matter what the weather, quirky waterfront restaurants, twisty roads which leads to - Devil's Slide.

Devil's Slide was featured in the movie "Portrait of Black" and a very dangerous road with many death related incidents. The stretch of highway is currently under construction but comes with much controversy. Read more about it here.

Nonetheless, I like to drive through Devil's Slide on a warm, nice, BRIGHT day abiding the speed limit.

[Looks like I need a polarized lens soon]




Sam's Chowder House holds dear to me personally because Oz took me here for my birthday a few years ago. The day was gloomy and wet, we were bouncing roughly in his GMC work van on Devil's Slide, table by the fireplace, a movable seafood feast and romance without the cheesiness. We've been back several times and I still remember the gushing feeling every time.





We started with a selection of Steamboat (WA), Kumamoto (OR),and Marin Miyagi (CA) oysters The oysters are served with cocktail sauce, fresh grounded horseradish and a soy vinaigrette.

The spicy popcorn shrimp was ample and crusty.






My favorite clam chowder I've tried so far. Sam's serves two types of chowder - New England and Manhattan Clam Chowder. I've had both and it depends if I'm in a creamy or brothy mood. The clam chowders are chock full of little neck clams, potatoes, bacon and bits of vegetables. The chowder is thicken naturally with the potato starch, no flour at all; comforting and coats the back of my spoon evenly.

Never without fail, I order their famous lobster club every time I visit. The lobster roll was featured on "The Today's Show" top 5 sandwich in 2007. I can't say in 2010, the lobster roll is still the top 5 because I think Ike's Place should take a spot, and Old Port's lobster roll is as good if not better than Sam's.

Over the years, the lobster club seems to been filled with more claw meat than body meat, served with house made potato chips and coleslaw. The lobster club is "naked" meaning it is not in a creamy dressing. I believe the only way to eat a lobster club, to really taste the golden seafood flavors.

I love Blue Crab and maybe because we have easy access to Dungeness Crab in the Bay Area I find blue crab a treat. We ordered the Blue Crab Sandwich, a tomato, cucumber salsa and spicy rémoulade on a brioche bun. The crab meat is wrapped with iceberg lettuce upon presentation. However once you bite in the cross section there is an ample amount of crab meat, also "naked."




The side dish of Crispy Polenta Fries was sinfully delicious. The creaminess of the polenta enhanced with cheese and then fried to a golden brown.


Sam's Chowder House is a gorgeous place in any type of weather but the experience kicks up the meter during a warm summer night, sitting outdoors, hearing the waves crash and spending time with a love one. By the way, the outdoor patio wraps around the restaurant and equipped with heated lamps and a fire pit.

[I like the window picture, it's very boardwalk postcard-esque]

Follow Sam's ChowderMobile on twitter @chowdermobile




Sam's Chowder House
4210 North Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-0245