Cousins New England Clam Chowder

Today, we are reviewing Cousins Maine Lobster New England Clam Chowder. In terms of clam chowders, New England clam chowder is unique because it has a cream-based broth (Manhattan clam chowder is tomato-based, and Rhode Island clam chowder is clear). This marks the first soup assessment we have done since Cigar Coop implemented a weekly food review.

Cousins is primarily a food truck business founded by two cousins, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, in 2012. Both Tselekis and Lomac grew up in Maine. After moving to Los Angeles, the two cousins saw the potential of LA’s growing food truck industry and decided to enter it – serving the foods from where they grew up in Maine. Today, Cousins operates food trucks in 46 different cities across the U.S. In addition, they have added five franchise stores and an online-order food business – all serving up foods from Maine.

Cousins Maine Lobster offers a New England clam chowder and a lobster bisque.

The Construction

Cousins New England Clam Chowder is a soup served “as is,” – meaning there are no customization options.

Stock: Roux-thickened fish stock with tempered light cream
Hand-Shucked Maine clams
Rendered salt pork
Sautéed onions
Potatoes
Oyster crackers (served on the side)
Dimensions: n/a
Size: Large
Price: $9.00

The Experience

With food reviews, it is not one size fits all when it comes to scoring, even though I’m using the ten-point system. Ultimately, I opted to give the broth the most significant score component since you can’t have a soup without it. Clams were given two points since, in the end, they are a secondary but important ingredient. I classified all of the other extras in the soup as condiments. Of course, as with every food review I do, there are intangible factors.

Stock (Broth): 4 points
Clams: 3 points
Condiments (everything but clams): 1 point
Intangibles: 2 points

Stock/Broth

The broth of Cousins’ New England Clam Chowder is a cream-based fish broth that is roux thickened. Roux is typically a mix of fat and flour used as a thickening agent. I tend to like soups that are not overly thick, and in the case of Cousins’ New England Clam Chowder, I found the thickness to be at my sweet spot – not too thick, but not watery cream, either. Flavor-wise, there seemed to be more of a creamy flavor than any of the fish flavors. It was still an above-average broth, but it might have gone a little more “fishy.”

Score: 2.50 out of 4.00 points

Clams

I’ve been impressed with the seafood quality in Cousins Maine lobster dishes. This is my first dish from Cousins with clams. Cousins clams have a slightly salty kick and the right texture (not too tough).

Score: 2.25 out of 3.00 points

Condiments

The condiments were good but didn’t elevate the soup much. The potatoes and onion were both average. They weren’t bad but didn’t elevate the overall experience much. It was hard for me to pick up or see any of the rendered salt pork. I guess most of it melted into the soup, but I didn’t quite get the flavor and saltiness I wanted imparted into the soup.

One side note about the oyster crackers: They can typically add some saltiness and could have possibly picked up where the rendered salt pork fell short. I usually put my oyster crackers into the soup later, as I prefer them to remain crisp and not get too soggy.

Score: 0.50 out of 1 point

Intangibles

The ingredients did mesh well together, but if you follow my comments about each component, two things are lacking. The soup needed a little more “fishy” taste in the broth and a little more saltiness. Proportion-wise, I would have liked to see an increase in both the clams and potatoes in the soup.

In general, the portion is not filling for a meal but makes a great side dish.

Score: 0.75 out of 2 points

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Cousins Maine Lobster has scored quite well with its Connecticut Lobster Roll and Lobster Grilled Cheese. The New England Clam Chowder is a solid clam chowder, but it isn’t one that’s going to light the world on fire. I’ve had better New England clam chowders, and I’ve had some that are far worse. A $9.00 its a little expensive, but it complements something like the Lobster Roll and Lobster Grilled Cheese quite nicely. While I wouldn’t run to a Cousins truck for this soup, I certainly would get it as a side dish. It also hits the spot during the winter.