Where to find good old school fried shrimp?

[bellemdm]

I'm talking about the deep fried shrimp (batter or breaded) with red cocktail sauce, nothing fancy. I've really had this craving, but am lacking on ideas where to find it. Of course, it would be extra nice if it was fresh and sustainably raised, etc. but maybe I shouldn't be too picky. Just a place that can cook it right without being too greasy. Oh yum, cannot wait to hear the responses!

Thank you,
Michelle

[JasmineG]

My first thought is Spenger's in Berkeley, though I don't know if they make them anymore...yep, a look at their menu shows that they do. I haven't been there in a long time.

[Mari]

Joe's of Westlake has big deep fried shrimp. They come with tartar sauce but I am sure you can request cocktail sauce instead.

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Joe's of Westlake
11 Glenwood Ave, Daly City, CA 94015

[celeryroot]

The Old Clam House on Bayshore
http://sanfrancisco.menupages.com/res...

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Old Clam House
299 Bay Shore Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94124

[Janet]

Art's Crab Shak on 4031 Broadway , Oakland.

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Art's Crab Shak
4031 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611

[bellemdm]

Thank you all for the replies, I will definitely check some of these places out and will incorporate a road trip to Half Moon Bay as well.

[Pius Avocado III]

My favorite in HMB is the Ketch Jo-Ann. My go-to is the fried fish sandwich on sourdough toast. They have fried shrimp in both entree and sandwich forms.

The Harbor Bar next door turns out decent Bloody Marys to a colorful local crowd.

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Ketch Joanne
17 Johnson Pier, Princeton-by-the Sea, CA 94018

[wolfe]

Both Red Buffalo and Scends (practically neighbors) have fried shrimp/prawns.

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Red Buffalo
2935 Market St, Oakland, CA 94608

[jillyju]

I adore Scends for their fried chicken, but having tried their fried prawns/shrimp, I really can't recommend them. While they weren't terrible, they weren't special in any way. Maybe slightly overcooked, and not a lot of flavor. I would head elsewhere.

[pamf]

If you want to combine that with a trip down the coast, try Flying Fish Grill in Half Moon Bay or Barbara's Fish Trap in Princeton Harbor.

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Flying Fish Grill
99 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Barbara's Fish Trap
281 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

[ML8000]

A 2nd on Flying Fish Grill. Their fish and chips are excellent, crisp but not greasy. The menu states they use rice bran oil (higher burn temp) and tempura batter. If the deep fried scrimps are as good as the F&C, they should be excellent.

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Flying Fish Grill
99 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

[CarrieWas218]

I'd head straight to Woodhouse Fish Company - either in the Castro or on Fillmore. They have damn-good fried Clams too!

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Woodhouse Fish Company
2073 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114

[paprkutr]

I just went on their website, and they don't list fried shrimp. I'm going to be in SF soon, so I was interested

[CarrieWas218]

My goodness, you are right! I guess it was a thing from the past that I remember. My apologies...

But now *I* am craving some and don't have a vehicle to get down on the peninsula. I know it is not exactly traditional, but 1300 Fillmore has shrimp-stuffed hush puppies. I reviewed them here: http://frieddoughho.com/sf-1300-fillm...

I guess I will have to go to the Bubba Gump travesty at Fisherman's Wharf for the classic fried shrimp... Or there is the fried shrimp PoBoy at Brenda's Soul Food.

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Gump's
135 Post St, San Francisco, CA

[wolfe]

Than there is Queen's.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/668703?tag=post-box-content;5197205#5197205

http://www.chow.com/restaurants/39741...

[jillyju]

Oh, Wolfe, so glad you mentioned Queen's. Their fried shrimp are really excellent, and my order of choice when I go there (well, along with a cup of the gumbo). The fried shrimp platter comes with their yummy hush puppies, it's a very generous serving, and the shrimp are always fried perfectly and are really tasty. This is a truly good suggestion.