Mo's Restaurant And Chowder House

Mo’s Restaurant was started in 1940 and still retains the original unique informal style of dinning. With its beginnings in Newport with Mohave Marie Niemi, the popular seafood restaurant has grown to 6 locations on the Scenic Oregon Coast.

Every time we go to the coast we have to stop and eat there. Her clam chowder is the best we have ever had and the fish and chips are delicious.

The restaurant is very informal and cozy and the service is very friendly and efficient. We have never had to wait very long for our food. We have found that it is best to get there after the noon rush or else you will have to stand in line because it is so popular.

Mo started her restaurant on Newport's salty waterfront. Her father and her bought the Bay Haven Inn on the waterfront.

They sold the tavern and Mo and her friend Freddie Kent started a cafe called "Freddie and Mo's". A few years later when Freddie became ill, Mo bought her friend out.

Clam Chowder And Seafood

The combination of Mo's warm hospitable personality gave the little joint on the waterfront it unique charm.

Early one morning a woman returned to her car parked outside the restaurant, put it in drive instead of reverse and crashed through the front of the cafe. Mo put her arm around the woman and said, "Well, we’ll just put in a garage door so you can drive in anytime you want". To this day, the garage door on the front of the restaurant is raised on nice days and turns Mo's into an instant sidewalk cafe.

Her Many Friends

Many dignitaries have eaten there and entertained by Mo. They are Governors Tom McCall and Neil Goldschmidt; Senators Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood. Once news commentator Paul Harvey walked in and said, "Is there a Mo, here? I'm supposed to meet her."

Other people that became friends of Mo were Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Henry Fonda and Lee Remmick. They met her when they were filming the movie "Sometimes a Great Notion".

Mo's Restaurant Opens Five New Cafes

In the summer of 1968 Mo opened her second restaurant across the street and overlooking Yaquina Bay. Four years later, in 1972 she opened one at Devils Punchbowl in Otter Rock. Since then she has opened one in Cannon Beach, Taft and Florence.

Mo died in 1992, at the age of 79 but she left behind more than a successful business. Her greatest legacy was the work ethic she instilled in her family and which survives to this day. Her granddaughter, Cindy McEntee took over running the business.

Mo's Restaurants

The Chowder Room produces about 500,000 pounds of Clam Chowder a year. Some of the chowder is packaged and shipped to grocery stores and the rest is delivered fresh to all the restaurants.

Little did she dream that in 1999 Mo's Clam Chowder would be a featured entrée at the first luncheon ever held in the Smithsonian Institute, which celebrated "Best American Regional Foods."

Your Favorite Restaurant

Do you know of a great place to eat along the Scenic Oregon Coast?

I would love to hear about it and I will even post it here with your permission.

Contact me and let me know what your favorite place is.

Remember, Let The Waves Tickle Your Toes.

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