The Bancroft is one of our favorite restaurants. We like to sit in the lounge and enjoy a good drink and a small bite to eat. We have enjoyed several of their rotating soups and their menu always features Boston Clam Chowder, so the chowder quest checks in.
Cup – $9 Bowl – $12
Clams
There aren’t a lot of clams in this chowder. The ones that are there are on the bigger side, but are too soft.
Cream and Consistency
The thickness is right but the cream doesn’t come through.
Potatoes
Like the clams, there just aren’t enough potatoes in this chowder, and the ones that are there are over cooked.
Garnish
The best part of the chowder is the three house made oyster crackers. These are really excellent.
Everything Else
There is a lot going on in this chowder. There’s a little bacon, plenty of black pepper, and visible pieces of celery. It’s the celery and onion flavor that take the lead.
Not Chowder
The steaks are great, but our favorite things to eat are the burger, steak tartare, or shrimp cocktail.
The Verdict
We were surprisingly disappointed by this chowder. The flavor leads with onion/celery rather than clam and cream. The thickness is spot on and the oyster crackers are brilliant. But there are a lot of great things to eat at the Bancroft and this isn’t a dish we’d go back for.
The Bancroft
15 3rd Avenue
Burlington, MA
Concord Culinary Lyceum 
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