Chowder Barge — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Wanted to try this place because of a reel video on Facebook. It's located in an old marina in Wilmington. Be aware it is very close to the docks so it's not unusual for freight trains to be present blocking the entrance to the parking lot. We waited about 10 minutes so a train could pass before entering the parking lot. On our way out there was another train so we waited for it to pass before we could leave. Once parked you are on your way down the gang plank that is a steep walk way down to the docks. The barge is just a boat converted to a restaurant so be aware there isn't much space. It's not tiny but but at capacity I could see a problem moving around. When we visited there were people waiting but the bar seating iwas available. I asked if the bar seating was open and was informed that if I take a spot at the bar that's where I would be served my entire stay. "You put your butt down and that is where we serve you drinks and dinner." We ordered the sampler appetizer and I had the chowder burger. My wife ordered a bowl of chowder and that was a lot of food for the two of us. There was one server and she seemed a bit overwhelmed but you could tell she was doing her best. They had open tables but since they only had her serving they limited the number of people they seated. Which is smart because she could only handle so many orders at a time. Now for the food. The fried sampler had shrimp, clams and calamari rings and cocktail sauce. It's fried food not much to say about it. It wasn't greasy and tasted ok. The chowder burger was decent, the chowder was good and thick. Not your run of the mill clam chowder. This is a hearty chowder. One of the customers sitting at the bar recommended a few dashes of Tabasco sauce and it did add to the flavor of the chowder. In all the food was good. Make sure you check out the menu online, there are several sources, to figure out how much you want to spend here. This is not a 5 star restaurant so set your expectations. This is more like your local bar that serves food. Also please be nice to the server she is just trying to do her job and a nice pleasant attitude from customers can go a long way In all it is definitely a...

Number one complaint. The chowder barge is Surrounded by a bunch of meth users. Of course as meth users do they infiltrate and ruin everything.

The maintenence dock worker is a total meth freak with half a brain leftover who abuses cats. Dock b slip 9. 2nd boat to the end. Poor cat.

We are sitting in our cars getting ready to eat and he barney fifes his smoked out snaggled toothed body over to ask us 21 quesrions. All of which he is entitled to none. Then proceeds to tell us that we are loitering. We ignored him of course, dined, and when we came back we caught him looking in some guys truck who came out and yelled at him. He tried saying something about the spare tire which made zero sense. Then tried flipping it and told him he needed a sticker on his truck if he wanted to park there.

This guy couldnt maintain his life, a cat, his wife, a child, his vehicle or anything else. How is he going to call himself a maintainence worker

That is nonsense!!! Also If everyone needed stickers and that was true there would be noplace to park for the barge. So he is trying to shoo customers from the barge too?

Nobody should be harassed or asked about their ongoings by a shifty meth using nobody. Especially after having just pulled up. I dont want that scarey freak comi g up to my vehicle, my person, property or family. The man is a criminal!!!

It is never ok to approach someone in their car or boat. You are not welcome so go loiter or bother someone else. Trust me guys this is back water trash out here.i suggest you shoot first and ask questions later, call police, or just stay away. Hopefully the cops will infiltrate their drug ring and get it back to a family environment not a sewer barge with rotting zombies livong on their...

What an awesome find! Absolutely the best clam chowder I have ever had. My husband and I were selling our boat. So I met the guys down at Lemans Marina in Wilmington. This is where the new owner would be keeping the boat and I was meeting them to drive them back to Alamitos for their vehicles. Not real easy to find but a diamond in the rough would be accurate to say. I had my little dog with me but they didn't mind at all providing a table overlooking the marina and a bowl of water for my little one. Did I mention the incredibly delicious smell that brought my attention to this place? OMG! It is located on the docks in the marina. You will need to walk down the gangway to get to it. Just follow your nose. I had a bowl of clam chowder and a captains size draft beer. It was huge and in a frosted mug that kept it ice cold until I polished it off along with the chowder. I couldn't wait to tell my husband and the new owner of our boat how great the chowder was. We ended up going back to the Chowder Barge when they returned so they could try it as well. They also ordered some of the onion rings (gotta try these too guys....yum!). I ordered another captain size draft beer which I shared with my husband. It was unanimous that the chowder was amazing. FYI, my husband drove us back to Alamitos as I drank most of the second draft as well and they really are huge. Great food, exceptional service and an overall perfect experience on a day that was bitter sweet. I'm gonna miss our boat but may just view it from a distance when I return to the Chowder Barge for their yummy...