This roster lists the best of the best restaurants that have competed in this greatest food competition that the Jersey Shore has to offer. More than a hundred competitors have joined the ranks, by shucking, creating, and serving the finest red, white, and creative chowder ever made.
ChowderMonth invited Traveling Tasters to visit restaurants directly and cast their online vote for ChowderMonth Manhattan, New England, and Creative Champions. The winners were announced at the 2022 ChowderMonth Closing Ceremonies during the Bayfront festival held in Beach Haven on October 15, 2020.
RED SOUP CATEGORY
Country Kettle Chowda
Daddy O Restaurant & Bar - 1st Place Champion
Dockside Diner
WHITE SOUP CATEGORY
Country Kettle Chowda
Russo’s Italian Restaurant
The Chicken to the Egg
Tuckers Tavern - 1st Place Champion
CREATIVE SOUP CATEGORY
Country Kettle Chowda
Delaware Avenue Oyster House - 1st Place Champion
LaBamba Express
The Old Causeway
ChowderMonth invited Traveling Tasters to visit restaurants directly and cast their online vote for ChowderMonth Manhattan, New England, and Creative Champions. The winners were announced at the 2021 ChowderMonth Closing Ceremonies during the Bayfront festival held in Beach Haven on October 3, 2021
Country Kettle Chowda - 1st Place Manahattan 1st Place Creative
Delaware Ave Oyster House
Dune 18 - Creative Honorable Mention
Lefty’s Tavern - Manhattan Honorable Mention
LaBamba
Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House
Panzone’s Pizza
Polly’s Dock
Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls
Roberto’s
Scojo’s - New England Honorable Mention
Surf City Bistro – Surf City Hotel
The Chicken or the Egg - 1st Place New England
2020
Due to COVID there wasn't an onsite festival. Tasters went directly to restaurants and submitted their votes online for one overall winner.
Chowdermonth Grand Champion
Cluck'n Crabs
Cluck'n Red Chowder
Thank you to all our Chowdermonth competitors:
The Arlington
Birdy's Cafe and Artisan Market
Buckalew's Restaurant & Tavern
The Chicken or the Egg
Cluck'n Crabs
Country Kettle Chowda
Daddy O Restaurant & Hotel
Daymark
Dune 18
The Gateway Restaurant & Lounge
Howard's Seafood Restaurant
Kubel's Too
LaBamba Mexican Restaurant
Lefty's Tavern
Living on the Veg
The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House
Ott's Good Earth Garden
Panzone's Pizza
Panzone's Pizza & Pasta
Polly's Dock & Clam House
Roberto's Dolce Vita
Scojo's
Surf City Hotel
Terrace Tavern
Tuckers Tavern
The WooHoo
2019
Bistro 14 Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 3rd Place Red
Black Whale Bar & Fish House
Bread & Brine
Chicken or the Egg, Grand Prize White
Cluck’n Crabs
Country Kettle Chowda, Grand Prize Creative
Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis
Hotel LBI, 2nd Place White
Kubel’s Too, 3rd Place White
La Bamba Mexican Restaurant, 2nd Place Creative
Lefty’s Tavern, Grand Prize Red
Mainland Kitchen + Pub
Ocean County College
Parker’s Garage, 3rd Place Creative
Shore Fire Grille, 2nd Place Red
2018
Bistro 14 Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Black Whale Bar & Fish House
Blue Water Café, Grand Prize Creative
Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern, 3rd Place Red
Chicken or the Egg, 2nd Place White
Country Kettle Chowda, 3rd Place White
Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis
Delaware Avenue Oyster House
Howard’s Restaurant, Grand Prize White
La Bamba Mexican Restaurant
Lefty’s Tavern, Grand Prize Red
Nancy's Barn, 2nd Place Creative & Rookie of the Year
Ocean County College
Polly’s Dock & Chowder House
Stefano’s Restaurant, 2nd Place Red
Sunny Rae's Kitchen Food Truck
The WooHoo, 3rd Place Creative
Tuckers Tavern
Wally's
2017
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 3rd Place Red
Blue Water Cafe, Grand Prize Creative
Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern
Chicken or the Egg, 2nd Place White
Country Kettle Chowda, 3rd Place White
Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, 3rd Place Creative
Delaware Avenue Oyster House, Rookie of the Year
Howard’s Restaurant, Grand Prize White
La Bamba Mexican Restaurant (entered two chowders)
La Bamba Mexican Restaurant, 2nd Place Creative
Lefty’s Tavern, Grand Prize Red
Shore Fire Grille
Southern Ocean Medical Center
Stefano’s Restaurant, 2nd Place Red
Sunny Rae’s Kitchen Food Truck
2016
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 2nd Runner Up Red
Blue Water Café, Grand Prize, Creative Seafood Chowder
Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern, 1st Runner Up, Creative Seafood Chowder
Chicken or the Egg, Grand Prize, White
Country Kettle Chowda, 2nd Runner Up White
Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, 3rd Runner Up Creative Seafood Chowder
Howard’s Restaurant, 1st Runner Up White
LaBamba Mexican Restaurant, Rookie of the Year &
2nd Runner Up Creative Seafood Chowder
Lefty’s Tavern, 1st Runner Up Red
Mud City Crab House Seafood Grill & Market, 3rd Runner Up White
Sea Oaks Country Club
The Shack
Shore Fire Grille, 3rd Runner Up Red
Stefano’s Restaurant, Grand Prize Red
Southern Smoke Foods
Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club
2014
Arcadia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 3rd Runner Up White
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 1st Runner Up Red
Chicken or the Egg, 1st Runner Up White
Country Kettle Chowda, 2nd Runner Up White
Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis, Rookie of the Year
Howard’s Restaurant, Grand Prize White
Lefty’s Tavern, Critics’ Choice Red, 3rd Runner Up Red
The Maine Course, 2nd Runner Up Red
Phillips Seafood
Resorts Atlantic City, Critics’ Choice White
Sea Oaks Country Club
Shore Fire Grill
Southern Smoke Foods
Stefano’s Restaurant, Grand Prize Red
Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club
TGI Friday
2013
Arcadia Nursing & Rehab Center
The Arlington
Bistro 14
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 2nd Runner Up Red
Buckalew’s Restaurant & Tavern, 1st Runner Up White
Chart House
Chicken or the Egg, 2nd Runner Up White
Country Kettle Chowda, 3rd Runner Up White
The Gazebo Restaurant
Howard’s Restaurant, Grand Prize White
Lefty’s Tavern, Critics’ Choice Red & 1st Runner Up Red
M & M Seafood Shack
Phillips Seafood, Critics Choice White
Sea Oaks Country Club
Shore Fire Grille, 3rd Runner Up Red & Rookie of the Year White
Southern Smoke Cajun & Caribbean BBQ
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Stockton Seaview
TGI Friday’s
2012
Bistro 14, 2nd Runner Up Red
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 1st Runner Up Red
Buckalew’s Restaurant & Tavern
Chart House, Rookie of the Year
Chicken or the Egg, 3rd Runner Up Red
Country Kettle Chowda, 1st Runner Up White
The Four C’Sons, 2nd Runner Up White
Gourmet Deli & Catering
Greenhouse Cafe
Howard’s Restaurant, Critics’ Choice White & Grand Prize White
Lefty’s
The Maine Course
Phillips Seafood
Sea Oaks Country Club, 3rd Runner Up White
Southern Smoke
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Critics’ Choice Red & Grand Prize Red
TGI Friday’s
2011
Beachside Shore Café
Bistro 14, 2nd Runner Up Red
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 3rd Runner Up Red
Chicken or the Egg, 1st Runner Up Red
Country Kettle Chowda, 1st Runner Up White
4 C’s Sons, 2nd Runner Up White
Greenhouse Café, 3rd Runner Up White
Gourmet Deli, Rookie of the Year
Howard’s Restaurant
Longshots Sports Bar & Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Phillips Seafood, Critics Choice White
Southern Smoke Cajun & Caribbean BBQ
Stefano’s California Grill, Grand Prize White
Stefano’s Pasta & Seafood, Critics Choice Red & Grand Prize Red
TGI Friday’s
2010
Beachside Shore Café, Rookie of the Year
Bistro 14, 1st Runner Up Red
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 2nd Runner Up Red
* The Buck Tavern
Chicken or the Egg
Country Kettle Chowda, 2nd Runner Up White
Dock Road Crab Shack
Greenhouse Café, Critics’ Choice White & 1st Runner Up White
Howard’s Restaurant
Joeys’ Pizza & Pasta
Key West Grill
Mud City Crab House
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 3rd Runner Up White
The Sandpiper Restaurant
Sea Oaks Country Club, 3rd Runner Up Red
Stefano’s California Grill, Grand Prize White
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Critics’ Choice Red & Grand Prize Red
TGI Friday’s
*Entered red & white chowder
2009
217 East Main
Almost Famous Chefs
Antoinetta’s
Bistro 14, 2nd Runner Up Red
Black Whale Bar & Fish House, 1st Runner Up Red
California Grill, Grand Prize White
The Chicken or the Egg, 3rd Runner Up White
Country Kettle Chowda
Dock Road Crab Shack, Critics’ Choice Red
Greenhouse Cafe, Critics’ Choice & 2nd Runner Up White
Howard’s Restaurant, 1st Runner Up White
Joey’s Pizza & Pasta, Rookie of the Year Red
Mud City Crab House
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Sea Oaks Country Club, 3rd Runner Up Red
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Sweet Jenny’s
TGI Friday’s
2008
Bistro 14 Raw Bar & Restaurant, 1st Place Red
Buckalew’s Restaurant & Tavern
California Grill & Pizza, Grand Prize White
Country Kettle Chowda. 1st Place White
daddy O/Plantation
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Café, 2nd Place Red
Howard’s Restaurant, 2nd Place White
Marlin 308 Deli
Merri-Makers Caterers
Mud City Crab House, 3rd Place White & Rookie of the Year
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, Critic’s Choice White
TGI Friday’s
Sea Oaks Golf Club
Stefano’s Restaurant, Grand Prize Red & Critic’s Choice Red
Surf City Bake Shop & Catering
Sweet Jenny’s, 3rd Place Red
2007
Bistro 14, Grand Prize Red
Buckalew’s Restaurant
Country Kettle Chowda, 2nd Place Red
Creevy’s on Atlantis
Daddy O
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Cafe
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, Grand Prize White
Pinziminio Marketplace
The Plantation, 1st Place White
Skeeter’s Crazy Water Cafe, 3rd Place White
Stefano’s California Grill & Pizza, 2nd Place White
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 1st Place Red
Surf City Bake Shop
Sweet Jenny’s, 3rd Place Red
TGI Friday’s
2006
Arcadia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
The Bayside Diner
Bistro 14, 1st Place Red
The Boat House Restaurant
Chicken or the Egg, 1st Place White
Country Kettle Chowda, Grand Prize White
Creevy’s on Atlantis
Greenhouse Cafe, 2nd Place Red
Howard’s Restaurant, 3rd Place White
Panzone’s, 3rd Place Red
The Plantation
Sea Oaks Golf Club
Stefano’s California Grill, 2nd Place White
Stefano’s Seafood, Grand Prize Red
Surf City Bake Shop & Catering
Sweet Vidalia
2005
Bayside Dinner
The Beach Plum Cafe at Southern Ocean
County Hospital
Chicken or the Egg, 3rd place white
Bistro 14, 3rd place red
The Boat House
Country Kettle Chowda, Grand Prize White
Creevy’s on Atlantis
Greenhouse Cafe, Grand Prize Red
Howard’s Restaurant, 2nd Place White
LBI Surf & Turf
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 2nd Place Red
Plantation Restaurant, 1st Place White
Stephano’s California Grill, 1st Place Red
Surf City Bakery
Sweet Vidalia
2004
Basil’s/ Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 1st Place White
Buckalew’s
Carroll’s, 2nd Place White
Chicken or the Egg, 3rd Place White
Coastal Learning Center
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
Creevy’s on Atlantis, 2nd Place Red
Dartcor Management Services
The Grapevine
Holly’s Deli, 3rd Place Red
Marina Russo
The Mooring, 1st Place Red
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Skeeter’s Seafood Cafe
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Surf City Cafe
2003
The Boat House, 3rd Place Red
Buckalew’s, 2nd Place Red
Carroll’s
Coastal Learning Center
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
Fabian’s, 1st Prize White
The Grapevine, 2nd Place White
Great Bay Nursing & Rehab
The Mooring
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 1st Place Red
Pinziminio Trattoria
Sea Oaks Golf Club
Southern Ocean Center/Genesis
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Thristy Mallard, 3rd Place White
2002
Basil’s/ Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 1st Place White
Buckalew’s
Carroll’s, 2nd Place White
Chicken or the Egg, 3rd Place White
Coastal Learning Center
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
Creevy’s on Atlantis, 2nd Place Red
Dartcor Management Services
The Grapevine
Holly’s Deli, 3rd Place Red
Marina Russo
The Mooring, 1st Place Red
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Skeeter’s Seafood Cafe
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Surf City Cafe
2001
The Boat House, 3rd Place Red
Buckalew’s, 2nd Place Red
Carroll’s
Coastal Learning Center
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
Fabian’s, 1st Prize White
The Grapevine, 2nd Place White
Great Bay Nursing & Rehab
The Mooring
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 1st Place Red
Pinziminio Trattoria
Sea Oaks Golf Club
Southern Ocean Center/Genesis
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, Grand Prize Red
Thristy Mallard, 3rd Place White
2000
Buckalew’s, Grand Prize Red
* Carroll’s
* Country Kettle Chowda’, 1st Place White & 1st Place Red
Fabian’s, 3rd Place White
Four C’s Sons, Grand Prize White
* The Grapevine
Great Bay Nursing & Rehab
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
* Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 2nd Place Red
Seashell Club & Restaurant, 2nd Place White
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 3rd Place Red
Surf City Hotel
* Tuckerton Seaport
*Entered red and white chowder
1999
Barnegat Light Deli
Buckalew’s
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
Fabian’s, 2nd Place White
The Grapevine, 2nd Place Red
Marino Russo, 1st Place Red
The Mooring, 3rd Place Red
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Picadilly Pub
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Shop-Rite of Manahawkin
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 3rd Place White
* Surf City Hotel, Grand Prize Red, 1st Place White
Tuckers
* Entered red and white chowder
1998
Beacon Street Grill
Buckalew’s, 1st Place Red
Carroll’s, 2nd Place White
Charles’ Seafood Garden, Critics’ Choice Red
Country Kettle Chowda’, 1st Place White
Engleside
Fabian’s
Gateway, The Gateway
The Grapevine
Il Giardino
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 3rd Place White
Picadilly Pub
Seashell Club & Restaurant, Grand Prize White & Critics’ Choice
Ship Bottom Shellfish
Shop-Rite of Manahawkin
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 2nd Place Red
Tuckers, 3rd Place Red
1997
Buckalew’s
The Bulkhead Restaurant
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 3rd Place Red
Clayton’s Log Cabin
Country Kettle Chowda’, Grand Prize White
* Gateway, Grand Prize Red, 2nd Place White
Greenhouse Cafe, 2nd Place Red
The Marlin
Montarusso’s, 1st Place White
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 3rd Place White
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Shop-Rite of Manahawkin
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 1st Place Red
Tuckers
* Entered red and white chowder
1996
Barnegat Nursing Center
The Boat House
Buckalew’s
Carroll’s, 1st Place Red
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 3rd Place Red
Country Kettle Chowda’, 2nd Place White
Engleside Inn
Gateway, Grand Prize White
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Cafe, Grand Prize Red
Joe Pop’s, 2nd Place Red
M & M Steam Bar, 3rd Place White
The Marlin
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Quarter Deck Inn, 1st Place White
Seacrest Village Nursing & Rehab
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta
1995
The Bagel Shack
Barnegat Bay Seafood House
The Boat House, 3rd Place Red
Capriccio Ristorante
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden
Chicken or the Egg
Country Kettle Chowda’, 2nd Place White
Engleside Inn
Joe Pop’s
Luv’s Deli
* M & M Steam Bar, 3rd Place White
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Quarter Deck Inn, 1st Place White
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Southern Ocean County Hospital, 2nd Place Red
Southern Ocean Center/Genesis
Stefano’s Seafood & Pasta, 1st Place Red
Tuckers
* Entered red and white chowder
1994
Barnegat Bay Seafood House
Capriccio Ristorante
Carroll’s, 2nd Place White
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 3rd Place Red
Chicken or the Egg
Country Kettle Fudge, 3rd Place White
Engleside Inn
Gateway, 1st Place White & Critics’ Choice
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Cafe, 1st Place Red & Critics’ Choice
Griffo’s
John Morrell
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Ponderosa
Quarter Deck Inn
Ryland Mortgage
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Southern Ocean County Hospital, 2nd Place Red
1993
American Culinary Federation
Barnegat Bay Seafood House
Capriccio Ristorante, 3rd Place White
Carroll's, 2nd Place White
Charles' Seafood Garden, 2nd Place Red & Critics' Choice
Country Kettle Fudge, 1st Place White
Engleside Inn
Jim Episale
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Cafe, 1st Place Red
Griffo's
Morrison's Seafood Restaurant
Nugent's Famous Seafood
Panzone's Pizza & Pasta
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Stefano's Seafood & Pasta, 3rd Place Red
Tuckers
1992
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 2nd Place Red
Country Kettle Fudge, 3rd Place White
Engleside Inn
Foster’s Market
Gateway, 1st Place White
The Gazebo
Greenhouse Cafe, 1st Place Red
Griffo’s Italian Cuisine, Critics’ Choice
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 2nd Place White
Romeo’s, 3rd Place Red
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Ship Bottom Shellfish
Stowaway Restaurant
Starboard Inn
Tuckers
1991
Beall’s Food Market
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 2nd Place Red
Engleside Inn
Foster’s Market
Gateway, 1st Place White & Critics’ Choice
Greenhouse Cafe, 1st Place Red (Tie)
Mangone’s
The Mooring, 2nd Place White
Morrison’s Seafood Restaurant, 3rd Place Red
The Owl Tree, 3rd Place White
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Romeo’s, 1st Place Red (Tie)
Seashell Club & Restaurant
1990
Boulevard Clams
Carroll’s
Charles’ Seafood Garden, 1st Place Red & Critics’ Choice
Family Restaurant, 2nd Place White
Fisherman’s Friend
The Mooring, 1st Place White
Nugent’s Famous Seafood
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta, 3rd Place Red
Picadilly Pub
Ponderosa
Port O’ Call, 2nd Place Red
Seashell Club & Restaurant, 3rd Place White
Stowaway Restaurant
Starboard Inn
Sunset Harbor Realty
1989
Boulevard Clams
Buckalew’s
Callahan’s
Charles Seafood Garden
Crest Seafood
Jim Episale
Fisherman’s Friend
Gateway, Best Overall
Harvey Cedars Shellfish
The Mooring, 1st Place White
Nugent’s Famous Seafood,
Critics’ Choice
Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta
Ponderosa
Port O’ Call, 1st Place Red
Seashell Club & Restaurant
Ship Bottom Shellfish
Starboard Inn
Sunset Harbor Realty
Surf City Hotel
Chowder Mission Statement: Chowderfest is a fundraiser that has been organized by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce since 1989 to provide funding for out-of-area marketing, ongoing business/nonprofit support programming, and scholarships. It is planned and managed by volunteers of the business community through the Chamber Board and Chowderfest Committee. This event has never been produced as a for-profit venture, and always operated to positively promote the region bringing off-season dollars to expand our local economy. Spanning over three decades, the festival continues to evolve to keep the mission of reaching new audiences, raising awareness of Long Beach Island, and bringing people together for the unofficial end of summer.
