Swan Oyster Depot
SWAN OYSTER DEPOT
Swan Oyster Depot is a family owned and operated seafood establishment founded over a hundred years ago. After the great earthquake of 1906, Swan Oyster Depot was moved to its current location on Polk Street. Locals have since long enjoyed both the atmosphere and quality of this San Francisco staple. Anthony Bourdain (RIP) featured them on his show launching them into every tourist’s guide must do’s for years to come. This place is old school, no reservations and a single bar with a small number of seats communal style. They open at 10:30 with a line usual formed before that. The wait can be anywhere from
30 minutes to an hour or more, but it is undoubtedly worth it. As a person who hates lines and often refuses to frequent establishments that only dabble in them, I made an exception for this landmark. My best friend and I cruised over around 11:30 and waited about 45 minutes before we were seated.
I LOVE kitsch. It reminds me of my grandparents whom I love dearly and instantly makes me feel at home. The ambiance in this place is straight kitsch. Mementos of a bygone era litter the wall shelves behind the counter. Pictures of famous San Franciscans and celebrities alike adorn the wall along with knickknacks and gifts from throughout the years. The staff is beyond friendly, they are genuinely engaging and helpful. There is a set menu (which you will not be able to access ahead of time as they have no official website, regardless of what populates in your google search) along with a secret menu that I have come to the conclusion is you just asking nicely for a combo of items that you are willing to pay whatever they say for (something I am totally down with). The most life changing thing I have learned in my visit is that if you want to eat your delicious seafood elsewhere, there is no line for to-go orders. Which will most likely be the way I indulge in this restaurant in the future. The fish is sourced fresh daily, once they are out of something, they’re out. I had my heart stuck on crab which was gone before noon. Being one of little compromise my lust would not be satiated until my stomach was full of crustacean so I ordered the whole lobster instead. The lobster can come as either a salad or on its own. As tempting as the salad sounded I didn’t want anything interfering with the buttery goodness of the meat. The wait for lobster is 20 mins which you are informed of before ordering. Plenty of time to have a glass, or two of wine and stuff your face with bread and butter. As for appetizers my friend and I ordered the octopus salad which was duh-vine. It was a light dish with crunchy bits of celery and onions drizzled in olive oil. If you're a people watcher the staff keeps you entertained while you wait for your order with conversation and bubbly personal antics. My lobster came out split in half, tomalley on full display. I dove in and devoured the first half. Unfortunately my eyes were far bigger than my stomach as I had to ask for the second portioned to be wrapped up. Overall the food and experience was great. I will absolutely be going back to get my hands on some crab… and hopefully the cute server who made my experience quite memorable.
Swan Oyster Depot is a family owned and operated seafood establishment founded over a hundred years ago. After the great earthquake of 1906, Swan Oyster Depot was moved to its current location on Polk Street. Locals have since long enjoyed both the atmosphere and quality of this San Francisco staple. Anthony Bourdain (RIP) featured them on his show launching them into every tourist’s guide must do’s for years to come. This place is old school, no reservations and a single bar with a small number of seats communal style. They open at 10:30 with a line usual formed before that. The wait can be anywhere from
30 minutes to an hour or more, but it is undoubtedly worth it. As a person who hates lines and often refuses to frequent establishments that only dabble in them, I made an exception for this landmark. My best friend and I cruised over around 11:30 and waited about 45 minutes before we were seated.
I LOVE kitsch. It reminds me of my grandparents whom I love dearly and instantly makes me feel at home. The ambiance in this place is straight kitsch. Mementos of a bygone era litter the wall shelves behind the counter. Pictures of famous San Franciscans and celebrities alike adorn the wall along with knickknacks and gifts from throughout the years. The staff is beyond friendly, they are genuinely engaging and helpful. There is a set menu (which you will not be able to access ahead of time as they have no official website, regardless of what populates in your google search) along with a secret menu that I have come to the conclusion is you just asking nicely for a combo of items that you are willing to pay whatever they say for (something I am totally down with). The most life changing thing I have learned in my visit is that if you want to eat your delicious seafood elsewhere, there is no line for to-go orders. Which will most likely be the way I indulge in this restaurant in the future. The fish is sourced fresh daily, once they are out of something, they’re out. I had my heart stuck on crab which was gone before noon. Being one of little compromise my lust would not be satiated until my stomach was full of crustacean so I ordered the whole lobster instead. The lobster can come as either a salad or on its own. As tempting as the salad sounded I didn’t want anything interfering with the buttery goodness of the meat. The wait for lobster is 20 mins which you are informed of before ordering. Plenty of time to have a glass, or two of wine and stuff your face with bread and butter. As for appetizers my friend and I ordered the octopus salad which was duh-vine. It was a light dish with crunchy bits of celery and onions drizzled in olive oil. If you're a people watcher the staff keeps you entertained while you wait for your order with conversation and bubbly personal antics. My lobster came out split in half, tomalley on full display. I dove in and devoured the first half. Unfortunately my eyes were far bigger than my stomach as I had to ask for the second portioned to be wrapped up. Overall the food and experience was great. I will absolutely be going back to get my hands on some crab… and hopefully the cute server who made my experience quite memorable.
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