Howards Chowder Shack

Where’s the fish in the fish ‘n chips? Seriously, there was so much heavy batter on already small pieces of fish that I barely found any. The pre-​made french fries were okay, but cold and overall not good. The chowder was okay, but that also tasted like it was pre-​made. The clam cakes had not clams. Save yourself some money and go somewhere else. It’s too bad, the Country Chowder Shack has real good chowder and clam cakes and was always consistent. I wish the new owners kept those reciepes

Someone once said this is the «best» chowder they ever had, even better than iggys. I was like okay I will try it and be the judge since I LOVE clam chowder and clam cakes. That person lied to me, and I will never trust that person ever again. Not sure how their taste buds work.
The place is literally out in no where land. If I didn’t live in the area or wasn’t around the area I would never have even knew it was here. But they did have a cute set up, nice little tables and area to eat minus the bugs.
The lady who helped me wasn’t very friendly at all hence the tip jar had nothing at all in it. But I still tipped, because that’s how I am.
Now I ordered chowder (white) and clam cakes. I opened the container and was confused to why it had garlic looking things on top of my chowder but I tried it anyways. I absolutely didn’t like it at all. I have never have a clam chowder taste this way. It was weird and had a flavor I didn’t like, the clam cakes were good but that was about it. I won’t come back here. It was worth a try.

I really enjoyed stopping at Howard’s Chowder Shack! I had the white clam chowder, lobster roll and frozen lemonade. Everything was awesome! Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I’ll definitely be back soon!

White or Red its our favorite chowder. Clams cakes and fries are awesome and Howard’s frozen lemonade is the best their is. RI best chowder shack is not by the ocean it in the woods

Fresh seafood and good fritters !
Friendly service in a roadside stand.
Menu has everything you need to feel like you’re at an ocean side clam shack.

I know alot of people seem to be knocking this place but I have lived near it my whole life and have been a regular since I can remember and have always loved the food. Since it changed to howards (instead of chowder shack) we have been plenty of times the meals are always delicious and good serving sizes. I’m sure restaurants have bad days but I haven’t had a bad experience yet! Plus there isn’t too many places with good seafood that arent along the coast lines.

Very very good fried fare: clam cakes were fluffy not the usually lead sinkers you get around RI, the fish lightly battered and cooked perfectly, and the chowder not overly creamy and with pleasing herb notes. Highly recommended for casual very reasonable fish

My husband and I visited one time during the winter and had a delicious meal. The meal tonight was horrible! Our fish and chips had very small pieces of fish, mostly batter. The fries were soggy and wet and the gluten free fish was horrible this time. We also got clam cakes which had one piece of a clam per cake in them. We will not be back. $ 29.00 down the drain.

What a shame! This has been a favorite place of ours for years, and it’s been even better since it became Howard’s. But tonight it was awful. First, the credit card machine wouldn’t take any of the new credit cards that have a chip in them — the counter clerk said it’s been charging people twice (she didn’t offer to enter the card number manually). It was a cool night so we took our food home where we realized they shorted us one drink. The fish and chips and the fish sandwich had almost no fish at all (we actually first thought maybe there was supposed to be another container for just the fish since we couldn’t find it in the container — but then found the scant amount of fish that probably weighed less than an ounce). It was abundantly clear that the manhattan clam chowder hadn’t been cooked; the tomatoes were acidic and there were probably two pieces of clams. The crab-​cakes were average — nothing to go out of your way for.
We called to complain and they did offer to give us the «right» amount of fish if we drove back (no explanation of why they didn’t give us what we paid for in the first place other than the Owner left for vacation the day before.) And they wouldn’t credit us for the missing drink or the dinners without fish.
We all have bad nights now and then — but there were so many things wrong that I won’t be going back and warn those who do to check your order carefully while you’re there.

Recently gave this a try ordered the fishmans platter a little pricey but the amount of food was good– fish well cooked, the only things I did not care for was the fries were not the normal fries, cole slaw was only enough for spoonful and the tartar sauce was the same. Probably would return if I am in the area

Happened upon this place while driving through Rhode Island. They have the best calamari I have ever had. Everything tasted fresh and the atmosphere was definitely coastal New England. Will come back again for traditional New England seafood.

Umm really folks, 4 stars? The chowder was full of potatoes with a few rubbery clams and the fries were the cheap, previously frozen, potato by-​product formed into french fry shaped fries. Bleh.

I like their Clamcakes, red chowder, and white chowder. Will return to try more. Nice and fresh. Menu is huge. Friendly staff. Order ahead. Onion rings are awesome! While belly fried clam roll awesome. Scallop roll as well. Rolls really good.

Found the reviews on Unilocal and decided to give it a try passing through on a long road trip. Yummy, fresh, reasonably priced and quick. Will go back!

I love roadside, outdoor service «shacks» like this. Order up, grab your food, and head to a picnic table. Decent food, and friendly service. Reasonable prices. What more could you ask for?

Much more consistent since reopening under new ownership. White chowder is creamy and delicious every time instead of watery as it was during the previous régime.
Huge menu with combo deals now.
Good stuff!

Great seafood shack! I had a lobster roll the other day and clam cakes. The lobster roll was really good, loaded with lobster salad and came with potato chips that I believe are made in house. The clam cakes were just as good and had a good amount of clams.

It is now Howards Chowder Shack. It is has been open all year and the food is better then ever. I had the clam cakes and white chowder. The cakes were light and filled with clams. The chowder was thick and also filled with clams. I talked with the owner and he has some great ideas for next year. He is into catering and I am glad the shack is back. Good luck and I will be visiting often.

Hey man, an A-​OK rating is nothing to scoff at.
We stopped in on a Saturday after apple picking. Husband got the white chowder and said it was good. The clam cakes were roaring hot and freshly fried. There were definitely a few chunk of clams in them which surprisingly, is hard to come by in Rhode Island.
Prices were decent and it was a good little snack before hitting the road home.

Came here last Saturday after a long trip through CT back to RI. The prices are very reasonable and the menu is expansive, covering everything from cakes and chowder to burgers and pasta dinners. There is a sizable lot in the front of the shack, with covered picnic table seating on each side. *Noteworthy* There isn’t a traditional restroom here, just a port-​a-​john– but it is clean! with wipes! and hand sanitizer!
I ordered the clamcakes and red chowder, and my friends got the fish and chips and white chowder. My cakes were small and fresh, not super chock full of clams but definitely enough. My chowder was the star of the meal, whole clams were definitely floating in there. I contemplated taking a quart home with me, but I resisted. My friend raved about the white chowder in the same way, and my friend loved the fish and chips (especially since they were so inexpensive!).
I also wanted to mention how sweet the staff working here was to us. As we were finishing our meals outside, a young boy approached us with a tray of red sox ice cream sports bars! Totally free! Nice touch with the service there, Howard’s! I plan to come down this way for my chowder fix next time; especially since it was a peaceful location off the beaten path.