Located on Rt 1 near the Kittery outlets, Bob’s Clam Hut opened for business in 1956. In the summer, it is always packed, but if you can find a spot to park it is well worth the lines. Bob’s has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where they made lobster stew but not chowder. It was also on Thrillist’s list of “50 Essential Restaurants Every American Should Visit.” Bob’s Clam Hut serves the best fried clams so do they also serve the best clam chowder?
Cup – $6.95 Bowl- $11.95
Clams
Bob’s is famous for clams and their chowder has big pieces of extremely fresh clam in it.
Cream and Consistency
This chowder is very thin. There is no thickener and it has the consistency of milk. It would be a better chowder if it was a little creamier.
Potatoes
Bob’s potatoes are nicely sized and flavorful.
Garnish
Nothing exciting here, just the basic Westminster Oyster Crackers. There are packets of Texas Pete’s Hot Sauce if you want to add some heat.
Everything Else
Even without adding hot sauce, there is a kick to this chowder. There is a good amount of black pepper here.
Not Chowder
You can’t go wrong at Bob’s, but our family favorite is the clam strips. They also offer two different styles of whole belly clams, clam rolls, and clam cakes. Bottom line, get some clams.
The Verdict
This one is tough. Bob’s rides the line between three and four stars. The freshness of the clams and the overall flavor lean toward four. But in the end, it is just a little too thin. If you don’t mind a thin chowder, this might even be a five star, but if you want body in your chowder, it’s a very high three star. It doesn’t help that there are so many other amazing things to eat at Bob’s that the chowder just doesn’t outshine the rest of the menu.
Bob’s Clam Hut
315 US Route 1
Kittery, ME
Concord Culinary Lyceum 
I’d give it five stars because I don’t like a thick chowder; we were raised never add a roux! Too often it ends up gloppy. Bob’s is always our first stop on the way to the Maine Coast! The absolute best whole belly fried clams!
There was a lot of debate on how to rate this one because really the only downside is how thin it was and not everyone thinks that’s a downside. I know this is a five star chowder for anyone who doesn’t mind it thin.