653080 Thu Sep 17 14:58:38 -0700 2009 12 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5037931 Long ago someone told me about a hole in wall seafood joint in the Fisherman wharf area where local San Fran people frequent. I am coming to San Fran, and it sounded good to me. Thanks for any help here. Any other suggestions on classic, real, genuine San Fran places with great food, and tons of charm? Thu Sep 17 14:58:38 -0700 2009 1096197 jahvay 1 5038047 it's only a slight overgeneralization to say that local san franciscans do not frequent *anywhere* in the wharf. it's for tourists, not us. that said, rworange did a compilation of restaurants that we can eat at when taking visitors around, as they inevitably want to go to the wharf. the usual suggestion for classic genuine san francisco seafood is tadich. both the sand dabs and cioppino are good. you may also find what you're looking for at swan oyster depot or hog island oyster bar. Thu Sep 17 15:47:19 -0700 2009 5037931 12336 artemis 1 5038054 Swan Oyster Depot is often (incorrectly) thought of as being in Fisherman's Wharf. I'm guessing that's it. Also, it semes like Scoma's stands out among the Fisherman's Wharf restaurants, no? Thu Sep 17 15:50:54 -0700 2009 5037931 292347 vulber 2 5038137 Scoma's is considered the best at the wharf, but you get better value (and a true San Francisco experience) at Tadich or Sam's. To the OP: No local ever says "San Fran". Thu Sep 17 16:31:55 -0700 2009 5038054 15807 Steve Green 1 5038147 You must be thinking of Swan. It's the only hole-in-the-wall seafood place frequented by locals. It's a mile up Polk Street from the wharf. Don't order the chowder, it's canned. Thu Sep 17 16:35:46 -0700 2009 5037931 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 5038164 Closer to 2 miles, longer if you avoid the hill. Thu Sep 17 16:41:19 -0700 2009 5038147 105235 wolfe 3 5038170 It's a mile from Aquatic Park, two miles from Pier [mano cornuto] 39. Thu Sep 17 16:44:30 -0700 2009 5038164 11369 Robert Lauriston 4 5038777 It's on the cable car line. Never mind it's the wrong cable car line. But yes, Swan is probably the spot. Thu Sep 17 23:01:11 -0700 2009 5038170 10966 Windy 1 5038794 Eagle Cafe at Pier 39? Thu Sep 17 23:24:38 -0700 2009 5037931 11914 monku 2 5039292 Eagle Cafe used to be my go-to spot on the wharf( but not for sea-food,) but years ago it was subsumed by some SoCal corporation and hopelessly effed up. If you need some $20 fish and chips you could try it but the soul got tossed out with the navy caps. Fri Sep 18 07:35:56 -0700 2009 5038794 17299 little big al 2 5040131 When locals went to Eagle Cafe, it was a diner. I don't think there was any seafood on the menu. It was torn down to build a parking garage, but the interior was reconstructed in the tourist-trap mall across the street. It persisted, incongruously, in its original style for many years, but was eventually sold, and except for the name it's now just another branch of the Tin Fish chain. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/340749 Fri Sep 18 12:01:58 -0700 2009 5038794 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 5040424 I thought maybe this was the place the OP was thinking of and no way endorsing it now. Way back I rember it being a solid place for a hearty breakafast. Fri Sep 18 13:29:36 -0700 2009 5040131 11914 monku 4 5040457 Yeah, the old Eagle was a classic. But not a seafood joint. Fri Sep 18 13:39:59 -0700 2009 5040424 11369 Robert Lauriston