Hog Island Oyster

My husband and I were celebrating my birthday! It was a nice day! But it ended really quick because of wasps that attacked our lunch!!! We were disappointed because we told our server ... and he didn't even offer a different place to sit! We hurried through our lunch and left!!!

The wait for this was the worst part of this experience! It was cold and the scent of the amazingly fresh seafood was a tease!

The raw oysters were a blend of sweet, briny, mild, and buttery--definitely a great daily pick of oysters. The cocktail sauce was simple and elevated the oysters so well!

This spot has a romantic view regardless of whether you're facing the water, or facing interior. It's a perfect casual date spot.

Was skeptical of getting fries at first but they proved me wrong! The fries are everything good fries need--generous on the salting and flavor, fluffy inside, crunchy outside.

Would not hesitate to come back!

Next time I would try
-clam chowder
-mussels
-roasted asparagus

There was no wait on a Friday night around 6:30pm which we found super surprising! Hogs ALWAYS has a line during lunch and especially at dinner!

We sat outside on their patio. The chairs and tables are wide and comfortable. Service seemed friendly enough although both hosts looked visibly annoyed. I always wonder why management puts the most frowny people at the front as greeters. This happens in a lot of places. I want to add, while they looked annoyed (probably of each other based on the conversations) , they were efficient on managing the customers and seating them quickly. I guess you can't win them all!

Now onto the food. I saw that all the most recent reviews are high ratings but was surprised that the food we received were all unpalatable. Normally, if it's just one dish that was off, it's no big deal because you can't love everything. But it was literally THE WHOLE MEAL that was off! We couldn't be like "hey, the food was gross. Can we get a refund?" So we just ate what we could, and then asked for the check which btw took a solid 20 minutes because it was a one woman show out on the patio. The server was hustling.

All the ceviche and carpaccio items, although VERY pretty, were hit with TOO much acid. The punch of citrus caused us to both wince. And it lacked salt.

Our clam chowder should have been called clam milk. It just tasted like heavy cream with steamed clams + barely cooked down potato chunks. Yeah pretty unappetizing.

Their shrimp and chips were completely over fried with what tasted like old oil. The table next to us got the same things we ordered and looked visibly upset.

I really don't know what happened because it used to be super solid (4 years ago?) Did they change chefs? We don't remember the dishes looking that fancy, but they also didn't taste like a bad recipe.

We're not looking for a refund but just hope things start tasting better for the sake of all the tourists who visit SF! We're local and the tourists are what activated the city! And most of all, hope that Hogs doesn't become a "tourist trap" place, because the restaurant is beautiful and a SF culinary staple...

Great little spot! After about a 5 minute wait, my table was seated outside with an amazing view of the water. We ordered bread and butter, steamed mussels, and the seafood stew.

What worked:
-- the view was lovely! Even if the food hadn't been enjoyable, the sight of the water would have made it a worthwhile dinner.
-- they had a non-alcoholic apricot shrub--it wasn't overly sweet and it was fairly unique
-- the bread and butter were good! It was nothing insane but it was nice to have extra bread to dip into the stews
-- the seafood stew and steamed mussels were great. The sauces were flavorful and light and the seafood tasted fresh
-- service was great. The staff was kind and quick
-- I appreciated the focus on sustainability. It meant a somewhat more limited menu but I think it's a worthwhile sacrifice

What didn't work:
-- I wish they served rice! It would have been very comforting and hearty, especially with the seafood stew
-- the bread was good but it would've been far better if it was warm. Cold bread just doesn't feel as satisfying, does it? Especially not on a cold San Francisco evening


Overall, I'd come here again for the views and to satisfy a seafood craving! Definitely bring a jacket if you plan to sit outside!

So we can all appreciate that the Ferry Building harbors a hugely popular restaurant where you simply have to wait in line to be seated. Once you're in though, be prepared for a treat, and by that, I hope you're in the mood for oysters and clam chowder.

My gf and I weren't feeling raw oysters but lo and behold, they have grilled oysters. The miso nori grilled oysters were surprisingly really good, just a shame that one order only gave 4 when we could've easily eaten like 8 or 10 but we're not that rich.

The clam chowder was also just flavor on flavor. Spectacular and absolutely generous with the clams, you'll wish you ordered two bowls.

We got the shrimp po boy too but that was kinda lackluster. I suppose it supplements the rest of our dishes as a filler but it really wasn't all too impressive all things considered. I'd have just gotten more clam chowder or something else.

So if you come early enough or on a weekday you won't have to wait too long, so plan accordingly especially if you're visiting.

Lined up and was seated outdoors to enjoy SF's beautiful weather over the weekend. Nice view of the water and bustling Embarcadero, what a vibe.

Oyster Bar Mix -

Hog Island Sweetwater (Pacific), Tomales Bay, CA
Hog Island Highwater (Pacific), Humboldt Bay, CA
Pickering Passage (Pacific), South Puget Sound, WA
Glacier Point (Pacific), Kachemak Bay, AK
West Passage (Atlantic), Narragansett Bay, RI
Dukes (Atlantic), Topsail Island, NC

Faves were definitely the Hog Island oysters and the Pickering, the West Passage and Dukes had a more viscous mouthfeel, more umami and brine flavor. Nothing wrong, but further confirms my preference for sweet, light brine oysters. All were delicious with their Hog wash, their house mignonette!

Chipotle Bourbon Grilled Oysters - 4 oysters in an order. Butter, garlic, bourbon, chipotle chili in adobo, and brown sugar. Cooked to perfection, great flavor and melt in your mouth oysters! Amazing!

Clam Chowder - dare I say, Hog Island knows how to do clam chowder ... I'm sorry Boudin who? Their chowder is on the thinner side, but absolutely filled with clams. No digging around wondering were the clams are. Super flavorful, light and delicious to dip your Acme bread in.

Acme Bread + Butter - bread and butter, how can you go wrong? Literally every table has an order of their bread and butter.

Watermelon Wake - sweet and spicy vodka based cocktail. watermelon juice with a bit of heat, super refreshing!

Service was timely, chowder was split to share and wait time for food was appropriate. Can't wait to be back!

One of the more popular spots to eat in SF. They don't do reservations, so get ready for a long wait in a line of people. So the questions remains, is it worth it?

Mostly yes. The price for food is fair, drinks are OK, and food quality overall is pretty good. Service is slightly slow, but again this is a really busy place.

If you like seafood then this place is worth a shot for sure.

Amazing food near the water! Service was great as well! The clam chowder was unique compared to all the other clam chowders in SF.

THE FRESHEST OYSTERS!

We are so happy We checked this place out!
We did a walk in, though i suggest getting there with enough time because there is a line out the door.

The staff was very prompt. They go down the line asking how many in each party and the they seat accordingly.
If you have a big group I suggest making a reservation or you'll be waiting a while to be seated.

The inside is very modern and low key classy.
So you can dress up or down.

We stumbled across a minor set back.
We placed an order for 1 dozen oysters, garlic bread ( it never arrived) and fries.

Our server was a bit of all over the place and so we waited for our bread but it never arrived so when I asked our server for the check and it came back with the bread charge I was a bit dissatisfied.

We mentioned it to the server and he gladly took it off the check but I think he should have been on top of it since he asked how we were doing like 3 times.

Also, I would recommend a different sauce for the oysters.. something other than what they pair it with. It's tasty but a bit of variety would be even better.

A fave for fresh seafood!
1. Oysters - variety plate!

2. Clam Steamers - the broth is so good!! Lots of clams and a yummy sausage, cannellini beans, with kale. You can add pasta, but I prefer without it!

3. Grilled cheese sandwich- something about their grilled cheese sammie is perfect to go with the clam steamers! These dishes together make my fave meal!

SF location can get pretty busy. Get there when it opens and stand in line. If you're there early enough, you're seated quickly. Staff is great, friendly and fast! We love stopping by here whenever we crave fresh food!

The views are fantastic overlooking the water and Bay Bridge!