Eat This Now: Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco, CA

Outside Swan Oyster Depot

Outside Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco, CA

Eat This Now is a new feature that brings you great food from places around the world as chosen by Chubstr staff and readers. Tell us your favorite places to eat and why and we might feature you in an upcoming article. Click here to share your favorite place to eat.

As you’d probably imagine, San Francisco is awash in seafood joints. Large and small – high end and super casual – however you like your food and your atmosphere, the city can accommodate you. If you’re like me and you want some history with your seafood, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to eat than Swan Oyster Depot. For 100 years, Swan has been serving the freshest seafood and tastiest clam chowder to hungry customers willing to brave the long line to get in.

The Menu at Swan Oyster Depot

The Menu at Swan Oyster Depot

The restaurant holds 20 customers at a time, which partially accounts for the long lines and waits that sometimes exceed an hour. You’ll find the food to be worth the wait. The menu is pretty specific, offering oysters on the half shell (with a variety of sauces for you to mix and match), cracked crab, maine lobster, various seafood cocktails, and smoked fish. You’ll also find wine and beer if you’re so inclined. It’s said that some of the 20 stools at the counter have been there as long as the place has been around, and that they’re not super comfortable, but that probably helps keep the line moving, with customers coming in, eating, and heading out quickly.

Inside Swan Oyster Depot

Inside Swan Oyster Depot

If you’re in San Fran, make sure to stop by Swan Oyster Depot for fresh seafood and a unique dining experience. After 100 years in business, they must be doing something right.

Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA
(415) 673-2757 

Photos by Paul Lowry, soupstance, and Sifu Renka at flickr.

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