06/17/09

Not to be missed

by rangerval

I ate here for the first time in 1987 and I make a point to stop here everytime I return.

The raw oysters are a must as is the clam chowder.

Get the crab louie - more crab - less work.

I'll be having lunch their next week - a 55th birtday present to me from me!

• Pros: The fresh sea food and the guys behind the counter
• Cons: none in my mind

05/06/09

Very Delicious, fresh oysters

by steely1

What a fun, delicious place to get oysters. The freshest in town! Ordered three dozen for a party I was having and they came out beautifully. And the nicest owner's. While you wait for a table. they offer you wine. Very fun, very delicious and if you like seafood it's a must!

• Pros: It's legendary
• Cons: Cash Only

02/24/09

Dirtiest Place EVER!!

by Heineybabe

OMG... I have never been to any food place where the worker's do not wash their hands after handling cash. Licking their hands, (note: no ATTEMPTs to even wash their hands) touching the hand-made crab salad. Grabbing themselves, touching their hair, and much more. GROSS, not only that very rude and mean. GROSS, GROSS, GROSS!!! This place should be shut down for being mishandling people's food.

• Cons: DIRTY, NASTY, GROSS, MEAN

02/05/09

Great Seafood at an AFFORDABLE price

by misskimberly

Every time I travel to SF, I make sure to eat at this lovely gem. I love the old school atmosphere and how unpretentious this restaurant is while offering such good seafood. If you're looking for good seafood in SF and you dont want to break the bank or deal with a "scene", this is the place for you.

01/30/09

San Francisco's dive bar.

by cmpost

I live in Buffalo, NY and have found ways to transport Swan's homemade horseradish back from the Bay area. Their wide variety of oysters are amazing! Swan's is a routine stop every time I visit San Francisco.

• Pros: Homemade horseradish and oyster selection.
• Cons: Seating is limited depending on the time of day.

01/13/09

The BEST clam chowder EVER!

by Bengelina

I have tried many clam chowder soups all over from Belgium, Canada, Boston, Easton, Seattle, Los Angeles, Taiwan, to New York, and nothing beats the San Fran's Swan's Oyster Depot. I had to special order it from there to my home town, Saint Louis! I recommend everyone to try it either by ordering it or simply go there! If you are ordering it for 4 people, order 3-4 qts since you would want seconds. Enjoy!

• Pros: Ambience and food
• Cons: parking

07/26/08

Count your change

by chef2nv

BE SURE TO COUNT YOUR CHANGE. I used to live down the street fron SOD for 20 years and only been there about 6-10 times. AND 90% OF THE TIME THEY TRY TO RIP YOU OFF.....Here is the test...go in with a 100 dollar bill. Have the oyster's on the half shell and the BROKEN clam chowder.(it has always been broken and when you point it out to them they get all steamed....Iit's funny.... am a 2 time James Beard recipiant)

Okay, pay with the 100 dollar bill and watch their lying face when you call them out on it. Be sure to mark your bill when they try to deny it.

All the son's look like Bobby Deinero clones and it'e intersting to watch who has the heirearchy.

good place to landmark

• Pros: great landmark
• Cons: count your change

06/23/08

Where the locals told us to eat, and they were right

by sillybugger

My business partner and I had only 24 hours in SF for a meeting, so we asked around and, without fail, this was the place recommended for Russian Hill (and beyond). It's a diner-y place, not at all fancy, and my legs did not fit under the counter quite right. So what. We had the crab salad and told the counter guy to make it the best way, not how we thought we'd like it. It was truly ideal, and we both ate way too fast. The guys there were friendly and kept up some steady banter between themselves and the guests, but they never stopped moving. Every once and a while one of them would cut off a couple of pieces of fresh smoked salmon or some other fish, and give it to us to try. We couldn't have made a better choice, and we got free sponges! Woot! As a tip, we arrived mid-afternoon, after the lunch hour rush and before dinner, so we did not have to wait to be seated at all -- I'd recommend this timing too.

• Pros: Seafood prepared simply and well

05/17/08

A must see/do for a visit to San Francisco. A S.F. treasure!

by GoldenGateGoldenBear

This is a classic S.F. seafood lunch spot. Be sure you know what it is...it is a casual lunch counter (a 5-star one at that). It has the freshest and highest quality of any place in the city. You sit at a long counter and get clam chowder, shrimp and seafood cocktails, lobster, crab...you name it. Grab an Anchor Steam and choose from the wide assortment of seafood specialities. It is run by a family of brother and cousins, just like their grandfathers and fathers ran it 50+ years ago. It is worth the wait, the staff is very friendly and helpful. You can also order ahead and serve it at home for a dinner party and/or snack for the Big Game. You can also walk up and get an order to go. Don't expect a gourmet atmosphere, but the food is as good and fresh as anyplace in the world. Enjoy!!

04/17/08

A must on any Top Ten list!

by baggen

It was one of the most incredible seafood experiences I've ever had! Delectable! Fresh, tasty, comfortable, fun! Service was awesome! It's a place I will visit everytime I go into the City for sure!

I only wish it was bigger, but I love the intimacy of the place!

• Cons: Too small