Zhongli's Authentic American Restaurant – Seafood Chowder Served in Bread Bowls

Text & Photos /Viviyu

Black Sheep California Restaurant (Zhongli Branch)

Address: 2F, No. 17, Fuxing Rd., Zhongli District (in front of Zhongli Library)
Phone: 03-425-2786
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Official Website:http://www.blacksheep-bakery.com/

Haven’t had real California cuisine in a while? Recently, American restaurants have been popping up more and more in the Zhongli area. It’s been a long time since my last visit, so I was really happy to be invited again this time. I chose a Saturday when I didn’t feel like cooking at home and decided on a family dinner out. Eating out saves the trouble of cooking, and holidays are also a time for moms to take a break.

The restaurant is very noticeable at the corner. It’s a multi-concept space with two floors: the first floor is Black Sheep California Boulangerie, and the second floor is where we dined — Black Sheep California Grill. There are several nearby partner parking lots in the alleys, so parking is easy and you don’t have to worry about where to leave your car. Zhongzheng Park is also nearby, perfect for a post-meal stroll.

The first-floor bakery is filled with all kinds of bread, and the moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air — it’s enough to make anyone’s stomach growl and rush upstairs to eat.

Our family often buys some bread for breakfast the next day. It’s not only easy to store but also super convenient to eat. Everything is made fresh daily, and even if you eat it the next day, it still tastes great.

It seems they also serve coffee and light meals. To go up to the second floor, you need to check in at the first-floor counter and wait for the staff to guide you. While waiting, I took the opportunity to browse and decide which bread to buy later.

As you walk up to the second floor, you’ll see a lovely fireplace that gives off a warm vibe in the winter — perhaps one of the hallmarks of an American-style restaurant.

The restaurant has a leisurely and elegant style, with wooden tables and chairs paired with black-and-white photos on the walls, adding a touch of exotic charm to the space. I really like this kind of atmosphere.

My kids were seeing it for the first time and were super curious. There’s even a rarely seen jukebox by the counter, giving off a 1960s vibe. You can put in a coin and play your favorite song.

Next to it is a carousel decoration — super cute and with a unique interior style. It’s a pity the carousel doesn’t move, or else the kids would definitely want to climb on and play. It’s rare to see a carousel used as a restaurant decoration.

The cute little black sheep logo is designed as a wooden coaster.

All the tableware here is custom-made. The coasters, plates, and even napkins feature the adorable BLACK SHEEP logo. You can tell the owners pay attention to every little detail.

The dining area has large windows where you can see pedestrians bustling about on the street. Natural sunlight pours in, brightening the interior. I love eating in a clean and bright environment — it just makes everything feel extra comfortable.

The central seating area features wooden tables and chairs that have a lot of character, while the other side offers a sofa area perfect for larger gatherings. My kid also loves sitting on the sofa to eat — such a cozy dining environment.

Signature Trio Combo [French Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Buffalo Wings] ($250)
Anita said she wanted crispy fries, so we ordered them as a starter to whet our appetite. Getting all three of the restaurant’s signature appetizers in one combo is totally worth it. It’s perfect for hanging out with friends and pairing with beer — ideal bar food.

Surprisingly, the mozzarella sticks turned out to be the kids’ favorite. The golden, crispy coating wraps around pure, creamy mozzarella. When you pull the stick apart, the cheese stretches into long strands — so soft and fragrant. The kids had a blast playing with it while eating.

Cheese Beef Burger ($280)
A must-order at any American restaurant is the burger. Depending on your appetite, you can choose a single or double beef patty. Antia, the little one, opted for a single patty. When it arrived, the gourmet cheeseburger looked amazing. The fries on the side were also great — super crispy, and just the right amount of ketchup for the kids’ taste~

The beef patties are made with Australian beef. When you bite into them, they’re super juicy and flavorful, thanks to the grilling process that locks in the juices. Paired with rich cheese, it’s the perfect combo.

The vegetables and fruits are delivered fresh daily. You can add onions and tomatoes according to your preference. The buns are made from naturally fermented dough baked in-house that same day. Anita, who loves meat, thought it was awesome — you really get to enjoy the pleasure of biting into juicy meat.

The beef patty is cooked to seal in all the juices, paired with fresh tomatoes, giving it a juicy texture and great flavor.

Fisherman’s Wharf Clam Seafood Chowder in a Bread Bowl ($260)
The biggest highlight of what’s called the BLACK SHEEP is that the top of the entire bread is sliced off to serve as both a bowl and a lid. Unlike other clam chowders, this one is served in a bread bowl — very eye-catching.

It clings to the edge of the bread purely by surface tension, with the rich chowder looking like it’s about to overflow, creating quite a visual impact. Poured into this is their signature, richly flavored homemade chowder. Tear off a small piece of bread and take a sip of the chowder — the unique, multi-layered flavors are simply a perfect match.

The chowder is made with fresh milk and a variety of seafood such as clams, squid, and shrimp. Only with such generous ingredients can the broth be so rich, flavorful, and sweet. After savoring the soup, don’t forget to tear open the bread and try it — the bread, soaked with the broth, is another delicious treat.

Bread Bowl Clam Chowder
A unique local specialty in San Francisco and also the most special soup on the menu. This bread requires a full day of slow fermentation to develop its unique sourdough starter. The bread has a nice chewiness, with a subtle sweet and tangy aroma. When paired with the chowder made from various simmered ingredients, it’s truly unforgettable. However, the portion is quite large, so it’s best enjoyed with a group.

Drinks (Included with Meal)
There’s also a deal I think is great value — add thirty dollars to your meal and you can drink as much cola, Sprite, Fanta, or lemon black tea as you want, all you can drink with unlimited refills.

Bread (Included with Meal)
There are two types of bread served — this is such great value. It’s homemade, super soft, and you absolutely must buy some when you pass by the bakery downstairs.

The texture of the bread is great, soft yet delicate. Butter is also provided as a dip. Spread the butter and let it melt into the bread — it’s delicious whether eaten plain or dipped in the chowder.

Chef’s Salad (Included with Meal)
The lettuce is crisp and refreshing, topped with a specially prepared salad dressing that has a mild sweet and sour flavor, which is very appetizing.

Chef’s Chowder (Included with Meal)
The rich, sweet flavor suggests it’s been simmered for quite some time. There are plenty of mushrooms adding texture and aroma.

After having the bread, chowder, and salad, even the sides are quite filling.

Matsusaka Pork & Pumpkin Risotto ($240)
The pumpkin aroma is rich without being overly artificial — no fancy spices are used, just the natural sweetness of pumpkin. It feels like real pumpkin simmered to bring out its subtle fragrance. On top is grilled Matsusaka pork slices, making it a fairly healthy and great main dish option.

The pumpkin puree is evenly coated over the rice. Fresh pumpkin is cooked with the rice to just the right doneness — each grain is distinct with a soft yet firm texture. Paired with tender Matsusaka pork slices that melt in your mouth, this combination works quite well.

Pork Ribs ($420)
Without any overly fancy plating, it’s simply arranged with baby corn and broccoli, but it nicely highlights the mouthwateringly roasted pork ribs. Especially with the aroma of the sauce wafting over, it’s so tasty you’ll just want to grab your knife and fork right away.

The ribs are roasted to perfection — not dry at all. The sauce has a slight sweetness. Cutting into them easily separates the meat from the bone. The texture is tender, juicy, and has a bit of fat — you can really taste the chef’s careful selection of ingredients.

White Wine Clam Spaghetti ($230)
The Vincent kids of course ordered their favorite spaghetti. They firmly believe that the simpler the spaghetti, the better it tastes. The noodles are surrounded by plump clams, and you can taste the sweet brininess of the clams infused into the pasta.

As expected, the simple white wine clam spaghetti delivers the most authentic taste. The spaghetti has a nice bite and absorbs the sweet flavor of the clams — it’s a pasta dish both adults and kids will love.

Dessert (Included with Meal)
The dessert after the meal is a chocolate cake. The decoration is a bit minimal, but the chocolate flavor is very rich, with a texture somewhat like a brownie — it’s a decent way to end the set meal.

I saw “California Happy Skewers,” which seems pretty good for sharing with a larger group, but today there were two kids who weren’t up for it, so we skipped it for next time.

Overall, the dining experience was good. The dishes are quite distinctive and appealing, with satisfying portions. A single set meal is filling enough. What’s especially unique is the pre-meal bread bowl. For an extra thirty dollars, you get unlimited drinks — very good value. The price is pretty average for the Zhongli area, making it a great choice for family or friends gatherings. Recommended for those who love American-style cuisine.
 

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