The Chowder House: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

This post may contain affiliate links

The last time I had legit seafood was in Portland, Maine last April. And I’ve been really itching for a good seafood place. It turns out these places are few and far between. Who knew it would be so hard to find good seafood in Ohio? Ha! I’ve tried telling BF that those crab legs at the Chinese buffet do not count.

A few weeks back we bought a Groupon for a place called the Chowder House Cafe. Even though it’s located in our city, I had never heard of it. A friend recommended it so we decided the worst thing that could happen is we would have a cheap meal {thanks, Groupon!} and some lousy seafood.

But that isn’t what happened at all.

We made a late reservation. Like, 8:30 PM late. {Yes that is late for us. On a Saturday night.} I had heard through the grapevine {but failed to see it mentioned on their website} that patrons could opt to bring in alcohol of their choice. I decided against it in fear that we would be the only couple hauling in a bottle of wine.

So to wrap it up, here were my initial, pre-visit, thoughts:

1. Is it necessary to make reservations at 8:30PM? Do people actually eat that late? I bet no one will be there. 
2. Why do they only take cash or check? I never have cash!
3. I’m hungry {really I was getting to the point where I was super crabby and needed food ASAP}.

And off we went.

When we walked inside it was packed! Completely full. Turns out we really did need that reservation! Two other couples waiting for tables before us.

And, as my hunger and crabby-ness were really starting to peak, my only thought was:

This better be worth it.

And it was.

I normally stay away from Clam Chowder. And clams in general. I tried some chowder in Maine, and I just wasn’t a fan. It’s generally way too salty {and clam-y-ish} for my taste. But BF ordered a bowl of their Clam Chowder. I promised him that, yes, I will try a bite of it.

And then I pretty much ate the whole thing! I loved it! I couldn’t stop eating it.

Our next course was an appetizer. We wanted to try the Etouffee — “scallops and crawfish simmered in a traditional bayou etouffee served with crusty bread” — but we were told by our server that it was unavailable that night. So we went with our second option: the Crab Gratin — “crab and lobster blended with mascarpone and gorgonzola bechamel, baked and served with crostini.”

I died and went to heaven. It was the best thing I have ever eaten in my life. True story.

Before we even finished our appetizer, our sandwiches came: Lobster Rolls.
The lobster rolls were good. But they weren’t rolls from the Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Maine. And this isn’t to discredit the Chowder House; we just have very high standards because of the amazing lobster rolls we became accustom to in Portland.

Post-dinner thoughts:

1. I want to come back tomorrow.
2. Next time we are bringing a bottle of wine — we were the only people in the restaurant that did not bring a bottle!
3. I just ate clam chowder and I liked loved it.

The verdict? Definitely going back very soon. A must-see in the Akron area.

{image}

var addthis_config = {“data_track_clickback”:true};