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Iconic Chowder Pot III Restaurant Closes in Branford

In a shoreline town that’s known for its variety of restaurants, breweries, and other eateries, one iconic stop is no longer on the map. On March 3, the owner of Chowder Pot III of Branford suddenly announced that the restaurant was closed.

The closing was announced with a brief note posted by owner/chef John Bencivengo, Jr., on the Chowder Pot III Facebook page at 5:30 p.m. on March 3.

“With a heavy heart, I have to announce the closing of our doors today. I want to say thank you for all the love and support you have shown myself and Chowder Pot lll throughout the years. I could not have done it without all of you, my staff and my family,” Bencivengo posted.

The message has been met with an outpouring of heartfelt comments posted by hundreds of patrons thanking Bencivengo, his family, and the restaurant “crew” for providing many years of great meals and memories.

The U.S.S. Chowder Pot III restaurant was established by former owner Jonathan Smith and his wife Debbie as a stand-alone Branford restaurant location at 560 East Main Street. The Chowder Pot III’s Branford site was built on the Smiths’ success with a small seafood drive-in in Madison, also known as U.S.S. Chowder Pot I, according to information shared at the restaurant’s Chowder Pot III website. The history notes that the 1977 Armstrong Rubber workers’ strike motivated Smith to “...get creative and find another source of revenue,” resulting in the opening of the Madison location.

In local history, Smith’s clam chowder was also a Stony Creek favorite in the early-to-mid 1970s, when it was served up in the summer at the Stony Creek town dock from a window of a snack bar at the neighboring (former) Indian Point Beach Club.

Known for its fine seafood and slow-roasted prime rib, Chowder Pot III grew from its original configuration into its current footprint with two large dining rooms and the expansive Captain’s Lounge, which drew patrons to its dance floor with live weekend bands and also featured a popular bar-side raw bar.

After expanding to open the U.S.S. Chowder Pot II in Clinton, the family restaurant was joined by Bencivengo as its executive chef. In June 2017, Bencivengo became the new owner. The business also weathered the 2020 pandemic’s forced closing of indoor dining at restaurants.

The March 3 farewell message from Bencivengo was posted beneath a menu board image with the the note, “Thank you for all the support over the years! - Chef John and family.”