What a great question!
Has this been discussed before somewhere?
There is a place on the wharf at Monterey, if you fancy a drive, which has chowder so good that Aussies make sure they get to this place, buy several large-cans, then do it over each year ^

I don;t remember the name of the place, but they use condensed milk or similar for a thicker, creamier consistency. This place gives out samples on the wharf to lure in customers, and it works a treat