The Boiler Steam Kettle Cooking — Restaurant in Chino Hills

The Boiler is one of the best steam kettle cooking restaurants I have ever been to. If you enjoy cajun/creole seafood, you have to try out The Boiler in Chino Hills. I always take out-of-town visitors here because it's a unique dining experience that you really can't find in too many places.

The best dishes to order at the Boiler are:

House pan roast (lunch price: $17.50; dinner price: $28.00): this is the main dish that everyone comes to The Boiler for. It has shrimp, scallops, crab, and clams in a tomato cream based sauce. It is absolutely delicious. You choose a spice level between 1-10. There are spice levels aren't that bad at the restaurant - I normally go with a 7, and it's just enough spice. You can also ask for the scoop of rice on the side if you don't want it inside of your bowl when it's served.

Fisherman's chowder (lunch price: $17.50; dinner price: $27.50): if you like New England claw chowder, this is the option for you. This chowder has calamari, shrimp, scallops, crab, mussels, and white fish in the creamy chowder sauce.

Shrimp diablo (lunch price: $16.50; dinner price: $24.00): large prawns in a white wine, garlic butter, olive oil, and spicy tomato sauce served over linguini. Delicious texture that pairs perfectly with the noodles.

Cajun calamari appetizer ($12.00): I always order the cajun calamari to start. It's a large appetizer order, good enough for 3-4 people to share. The cocktail sauce with the horseradish that it's served with is a delicious complement to the calamari sticks.

Cajun fries ($6.50): When I am extra hungry, I get the cajun fries on the side. I love dipping them into the house pan roast as well.

I've tried all of the main entrees on their menu, and can say that the house pan roast, fisherman's chowder, and shrimp diablo are the best options. I've had better jambalaya and gumbo elsewhere, so stick with the options I listed above.

The staff is extremely friendly. Try to get a spot in front of the steam kettles so you can see how the chefs prepare each dish. It's really fun to observe and ask...

The Boiler's food is satisfying and enjoyable but not particularly craveable. Overall, closer to a 3.5. The Boiler is located in a very large shopping strip mall at the Commons at Chino Hills near the Souplantation. The environment was casual with a few big TVs on the walls playing sporting events. The cooking in the steam kettles is done within a U-shaped bar that occupies the majority of the restaurant. It's a good experience to sit at the bar to watch your food cook and interact with the chef. At about 8 PM on a weeknight, The Boiler was about one-third full. Service was average and could have been more attentive. Huge parking lot in a big strip mall with plenty of parking spaces. Safe neighborhood.

House Pan Roast (~$20): The pan roast was pleasingly rich with cream and butter but modestly flavorful. You get to choose the spice level on the pan roast. The pan roast had an intense richness that made it perfect to slop up with bread or the rice. It's a hearty meal that's perfect with a beer. Although the seafood could have been more generous, the rich stew, bread, and rice is plenty of food to fill-up a hungry appetite.

Bread (Free): The bread was basic and meh. The crust was a light-brown, not really crusty, and somewhat rubbery. The crumb was dull, tight, and had minimal air pockets. The bread tasted like mass-produced bread. It was also served with small individualized Land O'Lakes butter...

Finally got to try this place out, since knowing about it for some time. Place is nice and clean and took the advice of others and came in early. The calamari and crab cakes was great to start things off . Was able to try the Cioppino, Fishermans Chowder and the House Pan Roast . All was very delicious but the spice level of the Cioppino and House pan roast were both different . We had request for the same spice level and the Cioppino was spicier than the roast. Not to sure what happened, but next time I'll ask if the Chioppino is naturally make with a little extra kick to it . The pan roast was good especially with extra sausage in it . The Fishermans chowder is one of the best chowders I have had . It is now hard to have just a regular clam chowder, after having a great mixture of some delicious seafood . Not sure if they did not have enough staff, but it seemed like they were lacking a tad. I'm glad the people I was with aren't the type who would get easily mad. Since it took a couple of times to get the attention of servers . For extra napkins, refills, extra plates and all. Overall I can't wait to come back, I just hope this time their air conditioning will be working . Or maybe I'll just come in on a...