Smithsonian Cafe and Chowderhouse

Andy Holland

2023-11

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Robin A

2024-04

Unfortunately our lunch visit today was sub par on many levels. When we walked in the door the restaurant was filled with smoke. That should have been our cue to leave but I was craving a delicious popover like I’ve gotten in the past. I ordered a chicken pot pie popover and it was just off today. Like everything was 3-5 days old. The pot pie filling was runny and sour tasting. The popover was tough and rubbery. Not like I remember them to be. My husband was happy with his sandwich, so I’m guessing my choice was just a poor one. Couple this with very unfriendly service by the young lady at the counter (never greeted us and asked if she could help us…just stood at the register with an unhappy glare ) …not pleasant and acted annoyed that she had to take our order…it made for a disappointing customer experience. We thought the smoke filled dining area would get better but it actually got worse over the course of our lunch. Surprised that the smoke detectors didn’t go off. Definitely not a pleasant or healthy lunch experience. Our clothes smell of smoke and several hours later, my eyes are still burning. Got to do better Smithsonian.

Reuven Zecharia

2024-04

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J. DeCourcy

2024-02

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Montana Foolish

2024-05

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Isaiah Cleveland

2024-03

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Bridget

2023-12

Peter and his staff did such a wonderful job catering our wedding and he was an absolute pleasure to work with. Not only was the food great (lots of compliments from our guests!), but there were many thoughtful gestures. Things like labeling dishes for our guests with dietary restrictions, and even making sure to set some appetizers aside for my husband and I to have when we were done taking photos.Peter was always easy to get in touch with and we really enjoyed being able to work with a local business that clearly cares about the community.

Jim Lawson

2023-08

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Jeffrey Phelan

2024-01

I went there yesterday for the first time after reading their great reviews and was HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED!!! The lobster roll was fishy and lacked flavor (other than the fishy unenjoyable taste) and the golumbki stew was average at best. If you have never been there before, I STRONGLY recommend that you keep it that way and before you ask me what you can do to make it up to me below, my answer is you can't do anything other than refund my money and hire a new cook!!!! I'm perplexed in regards to ANYONE who thinks this place is AVERAGE never mind Good...

sam nelson

2024-04

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H R

2023-12

Always hits. Comfort food in a classy but casual place. Out-of-towners, it's only gonna take one stop here to learn why everyone in town knows and loves the Chowder House.Something-for-everyone menu, (always vegan/veg options) covered outdoor seating, plenty of parking. Wicked nice staff, and a good employer paying good wages.Skip the chains, this place is right off the exit and a hundred times better and great prices. Thank you Chowder crew!!Vegetarian options: Always running veggie/vegan soups, tomato bisque is awesome.Dietary restrictions: They use rice flour for their roux so lots of soups are gluten free when normally they might not be.Kid-friendliness: Super nice staff, kid friendly food options, family friendly atmosphere but you can also get a beer.Wheelchair accessibility: There is a nice long ramp with a modest grade right up to the side of the building.

KERRY BLANCHARD

2023-11

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Petie D

2023-10

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Cassidy Shaida

2024-04

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Judd Gledhill

2024-02

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Ariel- and-Chris

2022-05

We went with Smithsonian Catering for our wedding reception buffet-style dinner and Peter and his staff were an ABSOLUTE pleasure to work with.Everything that Peter suggested for a menu (that we subsequently tried) was delicious and we only became more and more sure of our decision to work with them as time went on. He also kindly gave us seafood chowder whenever we went and OMG that stuff is DELICIOUS.Peter and team made us a fruit + cheese table for appetizers, chicken marsala medallions, baked haddock with seafood stuffing, grilled vegetables, caesar salad, tomato mozz salad, and even helped us pull off our custom desserts! We got cupcakes in the following flavors : Andes mint chocolate, earl grey and chocolate, and apple cider vanilla, IN ADDITION to a tiramisu cutting cake. And EVERYTHING was delicious!Every tasting we went to was fantastic and everyone at the reception really enjoyed the food. Thank you, Peter, for being down to earth, transparent about costs and any changes that needed to be made, and for just being absolutely fantastic to work with. We're definitely recommending you to every event/friend we can! You guys were amazing, Smithsonian Catering team.Thank you for helping us with our wedding!P.s. Peter is also willing to take on custom menu items and has experience with interracial wedding menus (where someone's grandma's recipe can be used). We didn't end up going with this option, but as an interracial couple, just knowing that he was considerate of those potential dynamics spoke volumes to us.

A V

2021-05

Great spot right off the highway. Delicious clam chowder and amazing popovers. Dog friendly at the outside picknick tables. Service was awesome. Will stop there again next time we are traveling through.

Merri Winn

2023-12

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Kate Deady

2023-09

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sheena harper

2022-05

When driving up to Vermont we always make a stop for some of the best chowder and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Fredy Teyssedou (tastydew)

2024-02

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Megan Donovan

2023-07

Fantastic! They just catered for our family reunion. They made all of the food gf/ df to accommodate dietary restrictions. The food was excellent, the owner made sure I knew everything was gf and that they look every precaution to avoid cross contact. The red beans and rice were so good! They also made gf corn bread muffins and a gf/df apple crisp that was amazing. They were the nicest people who were more than happy to make modifications to ensure the food was safe for everyone to eat.Dietary restrictions: Gluten and dairy

Emily Fishman

2023-05

Totally delicious corn chowder! A big treat to find for someone who doesn't eat seafood. The fried brussels sprouts were a little over fried for my taste. We appreciated that there was plenty of outdoor, covered seating.

Lynda Raimondi

2023-05

I ordered from the catering menu and Peter is Fantastic! I was coming up from NY and he is so accommodating and just wonderful to work with. The food is EXCELLENT!!! I am so happy with Peter and the Smithsonian. I've found my caterer in Northampton! Peter goes above and beyond on the personal level too which he doesn't have too. He carried all the food out himself to my car and text me the next day to ask how everything was. Everything was AMAZING!!! The chicken franchise was soooo good, the teriyaki steak tips were so tender and delicious and the sausage and peppers were high quality sausage which can really make or break that dish. All the produce was extremely fresh, even the salad dressing was exceptional! I highly recommend the Smithsonian!!! For delicious food, stress free catering from a very pleasant and easy to work with caterer, Peter is your guy.

Christina Griffin

2023-05

Cooks are great. The food is great. But there is one girl who works the counter that makes it so unpleasant. She doesn't greet you, she gives you attitude about everything, she doesn't smile, she always looks like she doesn't want to be there and it makes us never want to go back there. 4 times we've been there in the last few months and the last time will be the last time because of the poor customer service. You guys can do better.

Christine Boatwright

2023-07

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Lydia Jarvis

2022-05

This place is AWESOME. The food is fantastic, reasonable prices, friendly staff, clean, good atmosphere, and the desserts are phenomenal. They actually catered my reception and they did a HELL of a job. Highly recommend!!!

Chelsea Counsell

2023-05

I have been to this location 8+ times for chowder--every time it was delightful and the service workers were friendly. Once I went and the chowder seemed very watery, but I mentioned it to the manager on duty and he said they were having an issue with the chowder heaters. He comped my chowder and threw in a chili for free as well. I really appreciate the time and effort he made to make me feel like a valuable customer. I'm also glad that it was just the machines because their chowder is really good and I want to keep going back.

Marguerite Gilles

2023-05

The absolute greatest decision we made was booking with Peter to cater our wedding - where to even begin? The food was incredible. The servers were lovely. And their can-do attitude meant they jumped in to work with our other vendors as a team, from moving chairs to figuring out fuses. They took on many many roles that were not technically their job, and it made our wedding possible. We are so grateful. Cannot recommend them highly enough!!!!

Margo Desantis

2022-05

Super great!!! Luv the chowdah..make your own grill cheese rocked!! Built an outdoor dining area with heaters...run don't walk it a crowd pleaser!!