Clam chowder
Almost everywhere you go for lunch or dinner around here, there's clam chowder on the menu. Preferably served in a sourdough bread bowl.
In Santa Cruz we went to the annual Clam Chowder Cook Off Festival. We now know the difference between the Boston Clam Chowder (white and creamy) and the Manhattan one (red and not creamy). We like the Boston style better.