Swan Oyster Depot

Pros: Fresh oysters and cold Anchorsteam
Cons: The bar, the wait

May I wax poetic for a moment about the joys of fresh seafood? I’m not talking about the seafood ...

Pros: Only the freshest of seafood is served
Cons: Tiny, cramped, uncomfortable and long waits

There are two legendary seafood restaurants in San Francisco. One is Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in continuous operation in The City (since 1849). The other is this one, Swan’s Oyster Bar. It, too, is ancient (1912). It is both a ...

Pros: * Fresh classic seafood
* "Old School" vibe
Cons: * Indeterminately long waits
* Cramped seating

If you love seafood, you have probably been around the block and know your seafood joints.  You have your favorite sushi restaurant for those raw fish cravings.  But where do you go for classic American seafood like crab, calamari salad, and ...

Pros: fresh seafood heaven, friendly service, best oyster you can get!!!
Cons: only a counter to sit at, always a line, horrible salads, not open for dinner

I've heard many great things about the place. It's constantly on The Cronicle's best hundred restaurant in the Bay Area. I've heard hype, hype and more hype. I have to agree its as good as everyone says it is.

here's the lowdown...
...

Pros: More seafood in one dish than you've probably ever encountered.
Cons: Not for the luxury-mided; the Depot is purely come-as-you-are.

If you’re a true oyster lover like I am, you could probably do without all the trappings of the shi-shi restaurants that generally serve these mouth-watering mollusks. Let’s just say that I don’t need a huge tray of chipped ice, seaweed garnishes, and...

Pros: fresh, fresh, fresh.
Cons: the wait

Every now and then I eat at a place that just makes me extremely happy. . . I'm not talking just smiling contented happy, I'm talking about a deep feeling of satisfaction and goodness that is indescribable. Swan Oyster Depot did it to me like no other ...

Pros: lots of fresh sea food, friendly
Cons: lunch only, long queue, bar sitting only

If you come from a part of the world where sea food is both hard to find and horribly expensive (like I do), you'll find yourself queuing in front of Swan's (yes, I know that 's ing is an east coast thing) time after time, salivating while you wait for a...

Pros: Fast Fresh Seafood
Cons: A bit crowded

This "restaurant" is located on Nob Hill in San Francisco at 1517 Polk Street. The dress code is very casual.

This is where you find wonderful, fresh seafood. My hubby and I are from the midwest where fresh seafood is hard to find....

Pros: None
Cons: See the review

This is one of the most highly over-rated places in San Francisco. The oysters are no better than can be found at numerous other places, often even at lower prices at other locales. The clam chowder is no better than what you get from a can. To add insult to injury they even have the audacity to charge you extra for bread. Charging extra for bread? That is outrageous! Sometimes tourists stand in line to get in. Locals do not even go.