PIke Place Chowder: Best of Seattle Foods

This is another in my intermittent series of “Best of” posts about Seattle food. This time I’m touting what I think is the best chowder in Seattle: Pike Place Chowder. Though they sell many varieties, I like the New England best. It’s won reams of national awards most notably (and regularly) at the Great Chowder Cook-Off in Newport, RI. Why is it so delectable? First, it’s rich and full of lots of clam meat. Second, I understand it has a “secret” ingredient, bacon. I don’t know what precisely the bacon does in relation to all the other ingredients. But to me it makes this chowder stand out. Third, it also has lots of vegetables which give it some heft and variety.

A close second in my book goes to Market Grill whose chowder is also excellent. I would highly recommend his various fish grilled sandwiches for lunch. Plus I just plain like the proprietor and his staff. Their service is superb.

Pike Place Chowder
1530 Post Alley
267-2537

Market Grill
1509 Pike Place #3 (stall opposite Pure Fish in main food concourse)
682-2654