The Morrison family also runs a restaurant in Freeport but in August opened a second spot in the Portland location which previously housed Smoothie King (between The Works Bakery and the Nickelodeon parking garage). The Temple St. site is a prime location as a lunch stop for 9-to-5ers. Anyone who knows chowder has heard of Morrison’s which took first place in the people’s choice category and third place in the judges category at the 14th Annual Portland Chili & Chowder Challenge.
There are few frills here — it’s an order-and-pickup setup using paper chowder cups and bowls — but the atmosphere is warm and inviting. Each of the 11 tables offers wooden bench-type seating. The tables are covered with Plexiglass with the Morrison’s name branded underneath. A replica of a ship’s bow protrudes from one wall and the simple kitchen area is open for viewing behind the counter.
We sampled the seafood chowder ($4.95 cup, $6.95 bowl, $8.95 bread bowl), clam chowder ($3.95, $5.95, $7.95) and lobster stew ($7.95 for an 8 oz. cup). I requested a bread bowl for the seafood chowder but they were sold out at the end of a busy day. (Each cup or bowl of chowder comes with a roll and crackers).
Even in a paper bowl, the chowder was tasty and not as salty as many I’ve sampled. It also came with potatoes that kept their peelings on, which was a different, welcome touch and made the chowder seem more hearty. The clam chowder could have been thicker but the flavor was spot-on. The lobster stew had an interesting, mild flavor, was smooth and creamy and had two hunks of solid claw meat plus many pieces of smaller lobster in it. It wasn’t too buttery or oily as many lobster stews tend to be.
Morrison’s choices are all natural, refined from old-family recipes handed down through four generations of Morrison lobstermen. A huge fan of chowder of any kind, my biggest complaint was that none of the choices comes in XXL size.
Other chowders you can order up at Morrison’s include haddock, corn and crab & corn. For sandwiches, try a lobster roll ($11.95), crabmeat roll ($7.95), shrimp roll or tuna roll (both $5.95).
There is also a selection of salads on the menu board above the counter and a kid’s menu that includes PB&J, grilled cheese and hot dogs. For desserts, try ice cream, cookies or whoopie pies.
Morrison’s Maine Course is located at 14 Temple St. in Portland and is open 11-8 daily. The chowder can also be enjoyed at Morrison’s Maine Chowder House, 4 Mechanic Street in Freeport.