Old Fisherman’s Grotto
39 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 375-4604, oldfishermansgrotto.com
The clams are tender and moist, the potatoes appropriately textured and proportioned, the base creamy, buttery and garlicky. The ensemble cast works wonderfully, making the Grotto chowder The Breakfast Club of chowders. (Emilio Estevez is the potatoes.) That movie debuted in 1985, and it feels like The Grotto has won this title every year since then. For the record, this victory makes it 17 years in a row.