Paul's Blog

Sam's ChowderMobile - a mobile "seafood shack"!

I am extremely excited about our latest endeavor – Sam’s ChowderMobile!  We figured that everything else is mobile – phones, computers, the web – why shouldn’t great seafood be too? We’ve been working on this for about a year, and last month our first ChowderMobile hit the streets. It’s 24’ long with a very tricked out kitchen, which we have customized with two separate fryers (one for Fish and Chips and one for Fries), a grill, and several burners. Here we are at Catholic Healthcare West in San Francisco, for their annual "Employee Appreciation Day". 

As far as we know, we are the first mobile “seafood shack” that does fish and chips in the U.S. So far our customers are lovin’ it, which is very fun for us. We have been all around the Bay Area, from downtown San Francisco to the San Jose Jazz Festival, serving up chowder, fish tacos, lobster rolls and more. We are also using the ChowderMobile for private events like delicious Lobster Clambakes, which we can do right at our customer’s homes or offices, or even on the beach.Here we are at a private event in Atherton, and then serving up a Lobster Clambake in San Francisco at KNGY Energy 92.7 Big Gay Wine Day.

 

Corporate clients really like the idea that they can do “on-sites” and save travel costs and everything that goes with that, to have their business events right in their own facility or parking lot. They can either choose the “line up and order” method where the truck is available with our standard fare for their event, or they can do a Lobster Clambake.  

If you want to find our current location, you can follow us on Twitter @chowdermobile, or just go to www.samschowdermobile.com and either follow the Twitter live info there, or sign up for our mailing list – weekly emails will give the ChowderMobile’s schedule. If you want us to visit your office or business park, you can also email route@samschowdermobile.com. Hope you get a chance to try it!

Lobster Clambake Fireworks Benefit May 28

It’s that time of year again, when we gather all of our friends and great customers for a fabulous New England style Lobster Clambake!  This one of my favorite events as it reminds me of my childhood days growing up in the east – we used to do these all the time right on the beach. 

All of the profits are donated to the 2009 Coastside Fourth of July fireworks fund, supporting the only fireworks that occur here on the Coastside.  The Lobster Clambake begins outside on Thursday May 28th at 6:30 with wine tasting, passed appetizers, a raw bar, etc., and is just a really fun party.   Our huge wooden clambake steamer box is loaded up with Maine lobsters, fresh corn-on-the-cob, clams, red potatoes, and great Andouille sausage, and layered with special fresh lobster seaweed that we fly in from Maine. It’s covered with a burlap tarp and steams away while we enjoy the ocean, apps, wine and company.  It’s great later when it’s uncovered because all of the flavors meld together, and you get that smokey, salty seaside aroma – it’s fantastic.  

The clambake is dumped out into bowls and served family style.  It’s a feast – it starts with our New England Clam chowder and also includes coleslaw, dessert, etc – it’s a ton of food.  Then we have the live Charity Auction, which includes items donated from hotels, restaurants, wineries and businesses from all over the region – some great stuff to be had.  We hope to see you there! (You can find details on our website.)