We have been eating at Fishbones for a long time and probably even had their chowder before, but it isn’t something we got often. We stopped by to give it a fresh try, but didn’t get around to writing it up. While we had an overall rating, we weren’t prepared to share details. So we returned to try it again. The second cup was better than the first.
cup $6 bowl $9 bread bowl $14
Clams
The clams in this chowder are pretty small and sometimes a little chewy, but the overall flavor of the chowder is nice and clam forward.
Cream and Consistency
Fishbones’ chowder is thick and creamy.
Potatoes
The potatoes are medium sized and have good texture.
Garnish
Westminster Bakers Co. oyster crackers, the go to for New England, but we were also offered fresh cracked pepper.
Everything Else
This is a very standard chowder. There is nothing extra going on.
Not Chowder
Fishbones is a spot we have been visiting for years. Most recently, we really liked the fish and chips. In the past, I always enjoyed the baked seafood casserole. They also have a very nice cocktail called the Perfect 10.
The Verdict
On our first visit, we weren’t too impressed with the chowder. The small clams didn’t help and the cup we had was light on both them and potatoes as seen in the video below. But on the second try, there was more stuff in the chowder and that made a big difference. The first visit straddled the line between two stars and three. The second visit between three stars and four. In the end, three seems about right for this very standard but good chowder. It’s also a great value at $6 for a cup.
Fishbones
34 Central Square
Chelmsford, MA
Concord Culinary Lyceum 
Thanks for the review! I prefer a chowder that is not so thick. No roux for me!
The second time I tried it was better and not as thick as the video. Did you see my last one, Billy’s in Wells? To me that was way too thin, but maybe more to your liking. Do you have a favorite spot I should try.