CHAD’S CHOWDERHOUSE

"Make yourself at home," calls out Sharon Rosen, the proprietor for the past fifteen years of Chad’s Chowderhouse. "Okay, where’s the remote?" calls back the customer, feeling very much at home indeed. That’s the kind of place Chad’s is — not, shall we say, anonymous. Partial as I am to odd prices, I will report that three quite scrumptious clamcakes can be had for $1.10, and if you shell out two and a quarter for a cup of the "award-winning" seafood bisque, you will receive a nickel in return. What’s not to like, except for the fact that they don’t take credit cards? Seeing me blanch at this news, Sharon reassures me that she'll make an exception and let me pay by check, or I can "pay another day if you’d like." Now there’s nothing not to like. Besides, how can you resist a place that has a fish on the wall that flaps his fins while warbling, "Don’t Worry, Be Happy"? —D.A.R.

1160 G.A.R. Highway (Rte. 6)
Somerset, Massachusetts
508-672-5505

Open Tuesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday  until 9 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. -­ 8 p.m. No reservations. No smoking. Parking lot. Wheelchair accessible.

-- from Rhode Island Monthly