Walked up and down the hills of San Francisco to reach the Swan and it was worth every step. Beat the crowd that day and got seated immediately next to two young ladies, each with a bowl of clam chowder followed by a three-tiered rack of freshly-shucked oysters and clams. A student sat down to my left and immediately struck up a conversation about coming to Swan whenever he could find the money. Makes no difference that this place is only about 10 feet wide and 30 long.
I ordered a cup of clam chowder, easily some of the best I have ever had, served with sourdough bread and a huge bowl of oyster crackers on the bar. That was followed by an incredibly simple crab salad: an oblong eight-inch plate with a layer of iceberg lettuce, a little of their secret sauce and a mound of fresh crabmeat. Not a single bite without lots of fantastic crabmeat in it! Chased it all down with a cold Anchor Steam - and walked next door to See's Candies for dessert!
"Crab leg meat, cold Stella and wonderful San Francisco sourdough bread. The guy next to me told me he liked the ends best so I gave mine to him."
curly
"The Swan menu is posted on the wall. You cannot make a bad choice. (Marc Bruno photo)"
Michael Stern
"Consider yourself lucky if you walk in and actually find a place to sit without having to hover. At lunch time, a place at this counter is priceless. (Marc Bruno photo)"
Michael Stern
"Breakfast at Swan's counter."
Jeremy Sheldon
"History of Swan Oyster Depot. Click on the photo for a readable view."
Nobu Isono
"A great place to eat, Swan Oyster Depot is a storefront market that also displays handsome pieces of raw fish to take home and cook. (Marc Bruno photo)"
Michael Stern
