What Kind of New England Clam Chowder Is This?

Last week we went out for lunch at a new restaurant that opened here in New England. I spotted the “New England Clam Chowder” on the menu and of course I wanted to give it a try.

The meal looked great.

And of course, they also brought the clam chowder.

I asked, “Is this the New England Clam Chowder?”
“Yes,” I was assured.
“But, it’s brown and it doesn’t taste like clam chowder.”

Clam chowder is supposed to look and taste like this:

Just looking at it you can taste it.

I know that other types of chowders exist: Manhattan style, corn chowder, fish chowder, spicy chowders, etc. – but this menu specifically said it was “New England Clam Chowder.”

#EpicFail.

As the Dallas Morning News reported in this 1964 newspaper article, New Englanders “are almost offended if they are served anything but the creamy New England Clam Chowder.”

Which clam chowder do you prefer?
New England?
Manhattan style?
Other?

Tell us about your favorite in the comments section below.

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