HOW IT STARTED

Larry Mellum and a business partner opened a café in West Seattle in the year 1991.

When they opened, they decided to offer New England Clam Chowder as one of their “Soup of the Day” specials. With that, Larry said, “I have a good recipe that will work.” The Chef, with more than a little bravado, said that his chowder recipe was probably better than Larry’s. This inspired one of the cooks to chime in, “it can’t be better than the one my mama cooked every Friday.”

This led to a kitchen rendition of anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better. The solution was obvious. Every Friday, a different version of clam chowder would be put to the test with their customers, who would have the final say.

Naturally, each thought theirs was the best and prepared a gloating acceptance speech. Much to Larry’s chagrin, the winning recipe wasn’t his, nor was it the chef’s. It was a briny, smooth-as-silk version concocted by one of the line cooks!

In 2003, Larry opened a low-key and friendly chowder house in Seattle’s world-famous Pike Place Market. Soon, following the briny aromas wafting down the cobblestone streets, hungry customers began to form a line, first in two and threes, and soon, by the dozens with lines forming around the block.

To cater to the long lines and loyal fans, Larry opened the second chowder house in 2007 at the beautiful, downtown Pacific Place Shopping Center.

HALL OF FAME

2016
1^st Place Seattle Chowder Chomp – Seattle WA
New England Clam Chowder

2015
1^st Place Chowdafest – Westport CT
New England Clam Chowder Division

2012
1^st Place West Coast Chowder Competition – Monterey, CA
People’s Choice

2011
1^st Place West Coast Chowder Competition – Monterey, CA
People’s Choice

2009
Award Winner International Chowder Fest – Newport, RI
Seafood Division – Seafood Bisque

2006
1^ST Place Great Chowder Cook-Off – Newport, RI
Seafood Division – Seafood Bisque

2002
Great Chowder Cook-Off, Hall of Fame – Newport, RI

2002
1^ST Place Great Chowder Cook-Off – Newport, RI

2001
1^ST Place Great Chowder Cook-Off— Newport, RI

2000
1^ST Place Great Chowder Cook-Off — Newport, RI

1996
1^ST Place Seaside Chowder Cook-Off — Seaside, OR

1994
1^ST Place Seattle Chowder Cook-Off — Seattle, WA

1993
1^ST Place Seattle Chowder Cook-Off — Seattle, WA
1^ST Place Judges Award Seattle Chowder Cook-Off — Seattle, WA
1^ST Place People’s Choice Award Seattle Chowder Cook-Off — Seattle, WA
(The only chowder in the history of the event to win both categories)

ASIA INVASION

Seattle Pike Chowder is born out of a partnership between Founder Larry Mellum and Singapore-based Giojio International Asia Ptd Ltd.

To much fanfare and delight of fans, the chowder house decided to make its foray into Asia with Singapore as its very first stop. In 2015, Seattle Pike Chowder finally reached Singapore’s shores with two outlets at Parkway Centre and Fort Canning Arts Centre (Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris)!

As part of its commitment to consistently high standards and quality, Seattle Pike Chowder remains under the supervision of Larry Mellum. Sure enough, judging by the multiple raving reviews, the piping hot chowders here are equally loved and taste as great as the ones served in the original chowder house at Seattle’s Pike Place Market!

Seattle Pike Chowder also serves gourmet sandwiches, beverages and other tasty bites to quench your thirst, satisfy your tastebuds and fill your stomachs!