Connie and Ted's offers three kinds of clam chowder

[u/anony1911]

I saw it mentioned in a different topic some months back and made a note to go try it sometime, which I was able to do today.

Left to right: Rhode Island Clear, New England, Manhattan.

Important to note: I asked for a cup of each, not the "sample of all three," so the portion amount would likely be different if you asked for the sampler.

My personal ranking would be New England > Rhode Island Clear > Manhattan, but I think all three were good, and it really depends on what you're interested in. I found out that I, personally, don't want my clam chowder to be tomato-based like the Manhattan style. But if you do want that, then you very well might enjoy Manhattan the most. Rhode Island Clear had too light of a broth, in my opinion (I'm not really sure why it is considered a chowder, perhaps someone who knows more than I do can explain?). I would actually say that the New England style even seemed light, but still, it was definitely my favorite of the three.

[u/goPACK17]

Jfc, Massachusetts born & raised and none of those look like a New England 😅

[u/ExKage → u/goPACK17]

Am I wrong in thinking New England is pretty creamy? Where's the creamy clam chowder

[u/kikijane711 → u/goPACK17]

Yes the New England should be thicker.

[u/snobun → u/goPACK17]

I was thinking the same thing, the middle one? Is that grease on top?

[u/goPACK17 → u/snobun]

Ya, if that's a grease layer ontop, that is positively horrendous. Listen man, I love Los Angeles and the food scene here beats out Boston; but they're out of their element on this one 😂

[u/CodMilt → u/goPACK17]

You don't need to be from New England to come to this conclusion. 😂

Personally, my favorite of the three is their Rhode Island. For some reason, it actually tastes creamier then their "New England"

[u/BaconSqueezer1444 → u/goPACK17]

Same here, from Mass originally. I've eaten their New England there, and it was not good. I actually left thinking they'd given me Rhode Island Clear and I just didn't want to complain. Now I see that I got New England and that that's one of the few things they objectively do wrong there

[u/SunIllustrious5695 → u/goPACK17]

I used to go all the time with my wife from NH (who strongly believes New England is the only clam chowder), the New England chowder was great but I don't remember it ever looking remotely like that photo. It definitely was creamier and thicker (and good, and approved by her New England or die family).

Either this was a bad day or something's gone terribly wrong at that place.

[u/anony1911 → u/goPACK17]

Well, perhaps you’re just the person to enlighten me on the Rhode Island Clear variety, since RI is pretty close to MA.  Any idea how it comes to be called a “chowder” when the broth is so light?

[u/goPACK17 → u/anony1911]

Honestly couldn't tell you. I grew up equal distance from Providence and Boston as a kid (Also bounced around the state from there), and never really came across Rhode Island clear chowder on menus anywhere and I've ate out quite a bit across New England.

I'll plead ignorance on the other varieties, maybe it's very Rhode Island specific. But if that middle one is a classic New England, that is unfortunate.

I've been to Connie & Ted's a few times too. Hit/miss imo, and mostly miss. Saltie Girl provides the better product between the two. And tbh? Broad Street is the best New England seafood I've found out here.

[u/anony1911 → u/goPACK17]

From Broad Street, I’ve tried both the cold lobster roll with mayo, and the warm lobster roll with butter.  I thought both were pretty good!  I’ve also tried their burger, which was kind of just a burger.  Do you have any specific favorites from there?

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah → u/anony1911]

Because it's still chowder, just doesn't have all that "filler flour" that makes traditional chowder so thick. Technically it IS more like a soup, but still falls under the term "chowder".

Source: former Rhode Islander

[u/angryberr → u/anony1911]

Lived in new England and never heard of clear RI.chowder

[u/Spare_Echidna2095 → u/goPACK17]

You said it mane! No one fucks with the Jesus!

[u/clampy]

Perfect weather for it!

[u/anony1911 → u/clampy]

I may or may not have been, but definitely was, sweating while I ate them.

[u/AlwaysBeCozin → u/clampy]

It's LA, the only weather variation we get here is wildfire season.

[u/bebesee]

I was so thrown when I ordered clam chowder in Rhode Island for the first time. Their take on pizza is also crazy--no cheese!

[u/Penny_No_Boat → u/bebesee]

I have a dairy allergy and this comment makes me want to visit Rhode Island immediately!

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah → u/Penny_No_Boat]

I highly recommend Sal's Bakery (Providence) and D. Palmieri's Bakery (Johnston) for pizza strips.

[u/AlwaysBeCozin → u/Penny_No_Boat]

Have you ever gotten a Philly tomato pie?

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah → u/bebesee]

Their take on pizza is also crazy--no cheese!

Those are called "pizza strips"

[u/MarkBank → u/[deleted]]

What do you recommend there or what is your favorite? I love a good chowder

[u/The_Bucket_Of_Truth]

They have a great lobster roll and the maple blondie dessert is decadent and wonderful.

[u/PersimmonQueen83 → u/The_Bucket_Of_Truth]

Their hook burger is kind of amazing, too.

[u/BassDrive]

CHOWDAH!

[u/yoodle]

I love the chowder flight. They're all so good so I would get FOMO if I just ordered a bowl of one.

[u/PlayDontObserve]

Really expensive place but its damn good.

[u/VaguelyArtistic]

I’m not super crazy about tomatoes but Santa Monica Seafood has the best Manhattan Clam Chowder. It’s delicious cold.

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah]

As a (former) Rhode Islander, the clear chowder is really good, but I think it's a bit "off" from what you get back in Lil Rhody. I think they use too many herbs/spices.

[u/Appropriate-Neck-585]

[u/angryberr]

Wtf none of those look remotely close to a clam. chowder

[u/Dommichu]

Tanks the report back! As clam chowder fan…Manhattan clam chowder is nothing but a cheap Cioppino.

[u/LolaLee723]

None of them look appetizing. I’ve lived in Boston and NYC. Not Rhode Island though. But the Boston and Manhattan ones don’t look appealing at all.

[u/EnvironmentalMix421 → u/LolaLee723]

But the chowder in Boston Neptune kinda suck too 😂

[u/Capybara_99]

I also get the sampler on my occasional visits. Though I have my personal ranking, the highest ranking is for variety.

[u/costcodount]

Can't image having all these soup when hangover

[u/Penny_No_Boat]

Hey! I wonder if it was my comment you saw? If so, cheers!

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskLosAngeles/s/Tihn52TSpj

[u/anony1911 → u/Penny_No_Boat]

It was a different comment, but hey, cheers to you as well!

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah]

Have you tried the clam cakes and stuffies?

[u/anony1911 → u/FawmahRhoDyelindah]

I haven’t.  Do you recommend them from Connie and Ted’s, or from somewhere else around town?

[u/FawmahRhoDyelindah → u/anony1911]

I believe Connie and Ted's is the only place in L.A. that you can get them. They're a RI staple but haven't made their way out here. Some local places offer crab cakes, which I guess are similar but have never tried them.

[u/appleavocado]

Is that the red or the white?

I can never remember that… white?

red door opens

Yes!!!!

[u/Dre063]

I’m begging one of you to recommend a decent NE clam chowder in this city. Begging. Please. PLEASE!!!!

[u/RollMurky373]

Someday I'll find a clam chowder without pork

[u/SkullLeader]

How is the New England vs at other restaurants? I am actually going to Connie and Ted’s tomorrow, first time there.

[u/anony1911 → u/SkullLeader]

I actually don’t have to broad a knowledge of clam chowder around LA.  

I thought that all three of these were good, but nothing special.  Definitely try it out if it’s what you’re in the mood for.  If not, don’t lose any sleep over going with something else.

[u/SkullLeader → u/anony1911]

Thanks. I have to look at their menu and figure out what I am going to order. Clam Chowder sounded good but then again not sure hot soup and this weather mix.

[u/concordia1999]

Am I crazy or or do these look transparent? Almost like egg drop soup or something. I feel like the good chowder I have had is more creamy? Idk

[u/Granadafan]

New England clam chowder is supposed to be creamy. That looks like greasy broth 

[u/FoodLosAngeles-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Please be constructive in your comments.

[u/floppydo]

Bro it’s 95° out and you felt like clam chowder 3 ways was the move? 

[u/AlwaysBeCozin → u/floppydo]

No, he should have gotten ice cream for dinner instead...