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    Sam's Chowder Mobile

    3.5 (163 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood, Food Trucks
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Sam's Chowder Mobile Photos

    SAM'S CHOWDER MOBILE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Sam's Chowder Mobile

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    Lobster roll
    Bianca G.

    I looked up the spot when I was visiting the Academy of sciences. Of course I came to Yelp. And let me tell you this spa is literally so freaking good. We got the lobster roll since we had ordered some tacos from the spot next to it to try it. However, the spot 100% beat the taco spot. The lobster roll was fresh and it was packed with lobster. I feel like a lot of places just don't give you any lobster or lobster rolls or it's generally not that good. This spot lives up to its hype. It is literally so good. The bread is buttery. The lobster is fresh and well seasoned. Service was kind of quick I mean we went to the food truck so it was just kind of an order and then you pick up your plate. They do have this food spot though like right by the academy of sciences, so it was really nice area with a really nice scenery. I will 100% be back and try this spot if I am ever around town again.

    Lobster catering
    Steph K.

    Sam's provided a great mobile catering experience with selections of lobster, seafood, shrimp, clams, mussels boil was delicious. Andouille sausage and coleslaw yummy! Watermelon and lemon slices served. Highly recommend for catering. Friendly on-time service.

    Lobster roll
    Nick C.

    One of the rare food trucks in the Bay area that doesn't serve up the kind of slop that one might eat in a fever dream. Lobster rolls have gorgeously buttered bread, are generously portioned with sweet-tasting fresh lobster, with a lovely light dressing that doesn't overwhelm. Coleslaw is good. Old bay fries are lovely. If only it weren't so expensive...

    Front to back: clam chowder, fries, lobster roll, fried calamari
    Hannah C.

    I'd be happy following this food truck around because the food is just that good! Sam's Chowder Mobile seems unassuming from the outside - it's a simple red truck. However, the seafood is fresh, and the portions are generous. The service was really speedy despite the long line. I got a variety of dishes to try. Sam's Famous Lobster Roll is well-known for good reason. The buttery roll is heaped with loads of lobster. Every single bite is packed with butter, bread, and delicious lobster meat. The roll comes with a side of cole slaw, a fresh contrast to the rich lobster. The New England Clam Chowder is creamy and delicious - the chowder contains clams, potatoes, and bacon in every scoop. The Fried Calamari is beautifully crispy and comes with a good selection of sauces. Lastly, the fries are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. I really consider Sam's to have some of the best seafood in the Bay. I'm looking forward to my next visit!

    Fish and chips and chowder in the park
    Jordon B.

    A much needed respite after a great exhibit at the De Young museum. It was a bit pricy, but the food was excellent. We had the clam chowder and fish and chips. The chowder was the perfect consistency, not too thick, with plenty of tender clams and potato chunks. The fish and chips were delicious ( fish needed a little salt) but the coating was crispy and not greasy, and the fish flaked beautifully. Fries were nicely seasoned. A good lunch stop!

    Avivi W.

    I stopped by try their lobster roll and clam chowder and it was not so great... The lobster roll somehow it tastes like medicine and I'm not sure why?? The clam chowder was alright but it mostly consisted of celery and potatoes with minimal clams in it.

    Spicy popcorn shrimp
    Jenna C.

    This truck comes by San Francisco General Hospital during lunch sometimes. I usually order the fish and chips which seem very fresh, crispy, and tasty. Today I ventured out and tried the spicy popcorn shrimp, and I was a little disappointed. The spice they put on the crispy shrimp was sprinkled on at the end and not well mixed. This makes the shrimp soggy with the pieces that were sprinkled with the hot sauce. The other pieces were pretty bland tasting. Although the shrimp is very plump and fresh, next time, I will go back to my old order of the two piece, fish and chips. This truck is pretty pricey but at least all the seafood is fresh

    Lobster roll with butter
    Lynn F.

    This review is solely about the magnificent lobster roll drenched in butter, on a slightly elevated hotdog bun. I like the competing as well, but Sam's is more generous with the lobster meat. Usually a claw or two in there. Food slathered in butter? Yes, please. So why the side of slaw slathered in mayo? No thank you. Yeah, I'm a picky eater. Further proof: I know the truck says chowder, but I'm a strict Manhattan tomato base fan, so I'm not having it. I'm sure it's good. Three cheers for the lobster roll! Every time they're in Levi Plaza I'll be there.

    Crab cake
    Mary Ann B.

    My fave item from this truck is the crab cake. Sam's crab cakes are all crab and minimal filler. I love that because I hate when crab cakes are mostly fillers. Items that are shareable for the price are the shrimp popcorn and calamari. The shrimp and fish tacos are huge. Unfortunately my fish tacos were bland as hell. The clam chowder is good and great on cold days.

    2 Piece Fish & Chips
    Eric H.

    An amazing food truck that stops by Levi's Plaza every so often. They have the best Fish & Chips I've ever had. Very large pieces of fish and the fries are seasoned well. Their clam chowder is also pretty decent.

    lobster roll
    Rona C.

    My partner and I went to Sam's chowder mobile because we got hungry and to our surprise, a very tasty lobster roll! The roll is PACKED with lobster and the bun is toasted perfectly with a generous amount of butter. We only visited 2x, but if it was closer to home, we would definitely go more often :) Maybe next time we can try the chowder!

    The Chowder mobile by DeYoung Museum entrance!
    Joanna T.

    Sam's Chowder is fantastic! I have been down to their restaurant down the coast of Highway 1 on my way to Half Moon Bay. For Sam's to have a chowder mobile come up to the City is Awesome! They sell their classic New England clam chowder, fried local calamari, po'boys with choice of bay shrimp, chicken or kielbasa, Old Bay fries ($5), and more! Super easy to order at the window. Use a card and poof it's done (except you do have to sign the screen). The food is so heart warming! The cashier was sweet when I explained that I put my bag down on a bench, took the box of calamari out and then a gust of wind blew the bag to the ground. The Chowder was spilt and my mask were messed up :( Amazingly, after I shared this tale of woe, he gave me another cup of chowder! Definitely tip the truck staff! Another delicious meal from Sam's Chowder in Golden Gate Park!

    Menu 2020
    Ann T.

    Just before COVID founds Sam's at Treasure Island on a very windy day. We had to hold onto our food boats to avoid having them fly away, the seagulls were having a feast! With all that we had some great seafood and an amazing view of the bay! Lobster was fresh and a good portion size, clam chowder warm and hearty and French fries had a Cajun type seasoning . With all the French bread I ate, whatever the babes didn't eat of the fries went literally to the birds!

    Regular lobster roll

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    23 days ago

    Shrimp and fish tacos both pretty bad. It's probably not their specialty though, I would consider trying lobster roll or chowder.

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    I stopped by General hospital and seen this truck i decided to order. The fish was not seasoned at all and the fries was over cooked.

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    Page 1 of 5

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    Fog Harbor Fish House

    Fog Harbor Fish House

    4.4(12.8k reviews)
    2.1 miFisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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    Fog Harbor Fish House - Fresh Local Dungeness Crab

    Fresh Local Dungeness Crab

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    Anchor Oyster Bar - Interior

    Interior

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    Fish of the day

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    Betty Lou's Seafood and Grill - Pleasant interior.

    Pleasant interior.

    Betty Lou's Seafood and Grill - Sea bass special

    Sea bass special

    Betty Lou's Seafood and Grill - Seafood Risotto

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    Seafood Risotto

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    Pat Kuleto established himself as a premier Restaurateur in San Fransisco, by bringing in well…read moreestablished and sought after chefs like Nancy Oakes, Todd Humphries, Traci Des Jardin, and the incomparable Mark Franz at the Waterbar on Embarcadero in San Francisco . I had the opportunity to visit the this location yesterday (4.30.26). The restaurant was absolutely beautiful, the ambiance of the restaurant...unmatched. As a writer imagine my utter shock and dismay to be racially discriminated against by the Host of the Waterbar when myself and a colleague were told there were no outside seats only to watch four white men to be given the choice to be seated outside or inside, immediately following what we were told. While they had a party of four, there were only two of us. The ambience here was one of the most beautiful...but we were only privy to a glimpse of the luxury design as we we whisked off down a few steps to the back corner of the restaurant where no one was dining...as if we were escaping some war torn country and they had taken pity on us. While the Indian woman who I dined with voiced her disdain for the obvious difference in treatment she believed we should stay. I have to admit, I cannot tell you how exceptional Chef Mark Franz cuisine was...as it was memorably overshadowed by the bitter taste of racism. Unfortunately my palette is not accustomed to the savoury sting of disparate treatment. I'm not sure if Mr. Kuleto is aware that he has a middle aged white male with racist views representing his good name, but if not...it's about time he was made aware. Not only Mr. Kuleto but Consumer Affairs, the Better Business Bureau, the San Francisco Chronicle and my fellow writers and editors in the writing community. Lisa Walker Thomas

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    Waterbar - Indoor bar area

    Indoor bar area

    Waterbar - Happy Hour oysters

    Happy Hour oysters

    Waterbar - Oysters daily

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    Oysters daily

    Sam's Chowder Mobile - seafood - Updated May 2026

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