08/08/09

Oysters and Wine

by llyonize

If you are at the pier, this is a great place to have a tasty lunch or snack. my sister and I ordered a couple dozen oysters and a bowl of clam chowder. the soup was really good kind of broth like with leeks potatoes and bacon,,,different but good. add a nice glass of wine or champaign to that and you have the perfect setting.

• Pros: variety of oysters
• Cons: long line

06/13/08

Great oysters and beautiful view

by greenfairy

This was the first time I've ever been to an "oyster restaurant". Oysters were delicious! If you don't want to spend that much money and you're hungry, you should eat the grilled cheese sandwich to get you a little full and then have some raw oysters! What's crazy is I normally don't eat raw oysters, but these were very very good! The oysters are small, yes- but I was told by a friend that the smaller they are, the more flavorful it will be. And yes, that was sooo true. We tried making it to happy hour on Thursday, but there was such a long wait and we didn't get to experience it. So, I suggest you get there super early. While we waited we got a few beers next door and enjoyed the view of the water. You should be prepared to spend a bit more money than usual, but trust me- it's worth it.

• Pros: Delicious oysters and beautiful view
• Cons: Long wait- can't make reservations

02/18/08

Go for the ambiance, Go somewhere else for oysters

by jbum

I've been to the Swam Oyster Depot and loved their oysters. I saw a review on Hog Island on Citysearch and found mostly positive remarks so I decided to take a chance this past weekend.

The setting is great as it is set in the Ferry Terminal next to the Bay. It's a very casual spot but a great joint on a sunny day. However, I was so surprised to see the smallest oysters I have seen "ever". Hog Island was rated on the best (maybe top 2) spots for oysters. What were the editors thinking?

Swan Depot was a bit more expensive but you actually got more... so in essence I don't think they were any more expensive... maybe less per weight.

I also ordered the clam chowder here. It was basically a soup with lots of clams. Although the clams (in their shells) was a nice touch, the chowder itself was watery and nothing like the chowder I'm used to or expect. It was overpriced for what it was.

• Pros: view
• Cons: small oysters, price

11/14/07

Great oysters and view.

by duboce

A wonderful casual spot for great oysters, ambiance and service. The prices are good and the views are beautiful. Good location for people watching and rides on the ferry.

• Pros: Food, service, location and views
• Cons: Sometimes a bit of a wait during busy times

09/24/07

Great oysters

by pokerplayer1234

I came here on a Tuesday after work for happy hour. It was a tiny bit chilly outside, so we were able to get a table outside by the water pretty easily, but I imagine it's tougher when it's warm outside. We tried two kinds of oysters and both were delicious and fresh tasting. Prices were about average for oysters. The waitress was very friendly and gave suggestions when we asked, but she was a little slow in coming around every now and then to check up on us. I would definitely come here again.

• Pros: fresh oysters
• Cons: service was very friendly but a little slow

08/07/07

FRESH

by f8d

Oysters are FRESH, FRESH, FRESH!! Expertly shucked. Great selection. Breadsticks & bread are fresh & abundant.

The grilled cheese sandwich is rich & decadent. Safer to share the fat with a friend & focus on the oysters.

• Pros: fresh oysters
• Cons: limited seating

04/30/07

Best Grilled Cheese

by martinikitty13

I don't want to diminish the wonderful freshness and quality of the oysters (and they were definitely wonderful), but I was blown away not by the oysters but by the spectacular grilled cheese sandwich. I'm still dreaming about how fabulous it was now - cave-aged gruyere cheese and fromage blanc from cowgirl creamery, oozing out of grilled acme bread. The flavors just burst in your mouth. The pickled vegetables (cucumbers, turnips and asparagus) were a perfect accompaniment to cut the grease from the sandwich (which, much to my surprise, was not that greasy). With a lovely glass of rose - i felt i was in heaven - eating a lovely repast with a gorgeous view of the bay.

• Pros: Best Grilled Cheese; Fresh Oysters

03/27/07

best clam chowder in the world

by judethaddeus413

If you want to try the best clam chowder in the world then you need to come here. The soup is served with clams in the shell, potato, bacon, and soup broth that is not thick and gooey, but nice with a thin texture. Its perfectly salted and peppered. Its real authentic clam chowder not that soup can tasty feeling you get at the wharf. Also the grilled cheese is ridicolously good. I am not a fan of oysters but when i had these they were so fresh and so sweet that i was hooked. Seriously this place is a diamond in the rough because its so small of an area that its easy to miss at the ferry building. I recommend it for everyone.

03/20/07

fun little dining experience

by 310valleygirl

this was a fun little dining experience. although the line getting seated seemed scary at first, it moved quite quickly once you were in it. (plus, they fed you with breadsticks while waiting.) then, upon entering the venue, we sat and the counter. i loved the experience because you got to see them set your plate in front of you. the shells seemed endless and each one provided their own delightful flavor and texture.

11/15/06

Impeccable oysters!

by pjlee1971

One of my favotite places in SF, Hog Island Oyster Company delivers some of the best oysters anywhere. Even when living in Seattle, which has many more oyster farms, Hog Island oysters were popular. I really like the Atlantic variety, but the happy hour special on Sweetwaters on Mondays and Thursdays are great deals. The small wine list is carefully chosen, but excellent. But they change very frequently, so don't get too attached to a wine! The manila clams are also very good, and judging from the number of people who order the grilled cheese, it must be pretty tasty as well.

• Pros: great oysters, wines, location
• Cons: a bit pricey