peterdeon
(3) reviews
11/15/2007
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
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I would give them a positive, but downgraded them because they didn't live up to its hype. I expected a life changing experience, but it was just average good. I am from New England and I have high standards regarding sea food and this place was adequate, but not worth standing in line for. clam chowder was honest and good, but not exceptional. In my two trips, I have yet to have anything that I would go back for a second time. ”
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ThurstonHowell
(18) reviews
7/4/2007
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ nothing finer, horseradish , oysters fresh bread washed down with a ice cold beer. A perfect breakfast! Don't bother to show up after 11 or their will be a line out the door of other oysterites.
”
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Appetizers
(32) reviews
1/3/2007
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “
If you like raw oysters, you'll love Swan. It's been there since before Columbus, and is still a family operation; real friendly gang, must be brothers and cousins or something. It's a tiny hole in the wall, long row of bar seats equaled only by the long line of people waiting to get in the door. Lots of variety, different kinds of oysters, seafood cocktails, chowder, beers. Also lots of fresh fish to take home, if you're in the mood. Best prices around for such fresh oysters. San Francisco institution; an experience not to be missed. ”
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miwako
(25) reviews
8/16/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ I know this is one of the famous restaurant in SF. Many people are waiting most of the time. But it worth to wait! Ask server for any questions. I asked about the different kinds of oysters. What I get was all mixed kinds fresh oysters. Clam chowder is amazing. You must try!!!
”
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EpicReviews
(41) reviews
7/24/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ You know that this place is the real deal because every moment that they are open there is a line out the door. Clam Chowder is insane and the oysters are unreal. Looks a little out of place when you first see it, but do not be fooled they have the best fresh seafood in the city.
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lafontaine
(50) reviews
4/21/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ Can't get fresher food than here! I know the time to come here without any wait time, and pig out on oysters, crab and the bread! The place is great, service is always prompt! No better seafood in town! ”
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samarati
(443) reviews
3/19/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ Barbara & I ate a mid-week lunch here. The line was out the door at Noon. I've walked past this place 500 times without giving it a thought beyond..."This place is a hole-in-the-wall, it looks old, dirty, and funky. Everybody waiting on-line looks like a tourist". Barbara ate here many years ago and insisted that I try lunch with her. I'm going to admit that the crab louie was good. A bit too old school for me, but the quality is high. Had a bowl of chowder - Thought that it was a bit watery, I guess they do not use potato to thicken the broth. Bread was okay, not the best . I drank bottled beer. Barbara loved her seafood salad and sides.
I'm put-off by all the junk on the shelves above the food prep counter. Looks like there are 4 years worth of newspapers dropping dust on my food. Fixtures, counters, seats look like they haven't been cleaned in 50 years. Too gritty for me. Yes the servers all all wonderfully friendly and clever. Good food served in a dive. ”
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nativedave
(27) reviews
3/7/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ Love, love, love this place. Goofy, crowded atmosphere paired with impeccably fresh seafood. It can be an ordeal to go there, but always worth it. Their clam chowder is my favorite in the world. Crab, smoked salmon, the salads, everything is good. Great pint of Anchor on tap, well-selected wines (even house-aged tequila, for those in the know). Rock-bottom prices for the quality. These guys are pros, weren't wearing gloves when shucking oysters. It's like Peter Luger in Brooklyn, they've been around forever and get the best of the best from their suppliers. A true SF classic. The only thing I'm not crazy about is their cocktail sauce, a bit off to me. ”
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kathryn
(18) reviews
2/14/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ When you file into this place it is a bit of a shock at first, long and narrow, and there is always a line, but hang your coat on the hooks behind you and get ready for some of the freshest seafood of your life. The servers behind the bar are all singing and having a blast, and are amazing with the oyster knife. Yum. ”
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sharonP
(6) reviews
1/28/2006
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ There is so much to like about this place. The cheapest fresh seafood in town also happens to be the best at swan oyster. Really!! The oysters, the dungeness crab, the lobster. Oh la la. And the portions are to die for. My friend and I split a dozen oysters and a dungeness crab salad and were completely full.
Then there's the atmosphere - small and quaint. This restaurant opened in 1912, and you can tell. Much of the decor reflects this period in SF history. The seating area is composed of very long counter.
Then there's the service - like no other in SF. The guys who work there, brothers, have a folksy friendly way, and are super quick.
Plan to get there early, or wait in line for a long time. ”
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kpnh
(7) reviews
10/14/2005
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ Service is friendly and very down to earth...don't worry about not knowing your oysters, no snobbish looks here (malpeques are my favorite). There is usually a line, but it moves fairly quickly, especially after they offer a beer while you wait. Very reasonable prices for what you get. This place will turn anyone into a seafood lover! Fresh fresh fresh. ”
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xscientist
(223) reviews
6/9/2005
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ This place is as old as SF itself. We waited on a line that stretched out the door (on Thursday in the afternoon!). There is only one long bar that seats about 15, so just get ready to wait. The extraordinarily friendly and talkative staff will eventually offer you wine or beer while you stand on line (you get the feeling that open container laws don't apply to them). We had clam chowder (very decent, but not the best i've had, but a worthy starter), crab cocktails (amazing), and an assortment of oysters (sublime, but the more I eat oysters, the more I think that it's worth only eating Kumamotos for the rest of my life). As we sat at the bar and watched one of the gentleman slicing fresh local smoked salmon for another customer, he could feel our eyes on him and he quickly offered up free samples to our eager mouths. Being a New York jew, I can safely say that their salmon is amongst the best on the planet (sorry Russ!). The wine they served us was amazing as well. Worth every penny. ”
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SarahW
(5) reviews
5/10/2005
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ A san francisco gem worth discovering, if you haven't already. A family owned hole-in-the-wall seafood place that has been around forever. Fresh seafood salads and cocktails, chowder, oysters and clams on the half-shell,crusty sourdough and anchor steam on tap. The brothers who own the depot are part of the dining experience. bottom line: always worth the wait in line. ”
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cmcgavran
(34) reviews
3/3/2005
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ I had an opportunity to do lunch here on a recent weekday, and jumped on it as I'd completely given up on making it past the weekend lines. Well we get there and the line is longer than ever! I asked a few people in line why they were there, and quite a few were tourists who were walking by and figured it must be good because of the line. We ended up elsewhere.. just too long. I miss it :(. ”
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kushnir
(405) reviews
12/23/2004
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ The best time to come here is around 10 in the morning. There is usually a parking space close and the food is being removed from boxes filled with fresh seafood packed with ice. Start with a dozen or two oysters and top it off with their crab c***tail. So what if it costs you 80 bucks, it's worth it, better than lunch at some overpriced Martini bar, and its all fat free! Just don't pig out on the free sourdough and butter. This place would be a must see, as long as you can get in! Update 12/06
As usual, nothing changed except the price, service is attentive and the oysters are, you know, nectar! Great horseradish, blow your eyeballs out of your sockets! Fresh seafood to take home and they will pack it in a container with ice if you need it! ”
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sv650kd
(30) reviews
11/29/2004
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ Swan Oyster Depot is like a wonderful fairy land. The brothers who own and operate it seem to always be in a good mood. When crammed together at the counter (the only seating in the place), customers become nice. They interact with each other. And the food is delicious It's a seafood idyll. Who cares if it's in all the guide books? ”
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lady chan
(130) reviews
11/2/2004
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ An SF institution. If you want seafood that is fresh, fresh, fresh..this is the place...casual atmosphere well worth the inevitable wait, but good things come to he who waits. can get fish to go or dine in. ”
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punks
(110) reviews
5/27/2004
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Cuisine:
Seafood
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Polk St./Van Ness |
| “ I almost love the service there as much as the food! Outstanding clams and oysters! Cherrystones *** John, we all miss you! I wish you were still here with all of us because you are sorely missed. <3 <3 ”
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