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Arrived at Fisherman's Wharf 9am Friday morning to walk around, see the seals at Pier 39 and check it all out. At around 10:30am my friend wanted to try the Crab. $33 for a whole steamed crab. They must have just delivered the crab that were in a box and he was steaming them fresh. Still alive in the box. She loved her crab, I had the shrimp. Pricey of course, you are at Fisherman's Wharf. Food was fresh and tasty. We found them very helpful but of course it was early and they were not busy. Tables are in front and very basic. After we sat, 4 other groups stopped by to order their fried offerings, soup in the bread bowl, etc. We just stopped for a morning snack.
Lobster Roll is a staple food at Fishermen Wharf in San Francisco, and finding the right restaurant is very difficult. There are many locations to choose from. The Crab Station was randomly chosen and it was definitely the right choice. The bread was soft and fluffy, filled with delicious lobster. The service was fast, got the Lobster Roll right after paying. There are outdoor seatings which were kept clean, but the seatings are located next to the busy sidewalk. The price was steep, but it is no different than any of the other locations serving Lobster Roll.
This is solely regarding their fish and chips menu. And if I could give this menu a negative rating, I would. I honestly can't believe I paid $19.50 for a flat, and dry piece of fish they call fish and chips -- I've had better texture and taste from a McDonald's Filet-O-Fish. While I wait I realized that the inner place they're cooking looked chaotic, coated with Chinese letterings and Buddhist stuffs. There were four guys running this place but they run around like they had no idea what each person is doing what. I don't think they know how fish and chips are supposed to be. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't cancel the order while looking at all that. But hey, lesson learned --no fish n chips available here.
The crab sandwich was not good and was a huge disappointment. Multiple sandwiches was already pre made and kept refrigerated and cold! Nothing about it is fresh. I thought it was going to be made fresh then served but no it wasn't. The clam chowder was 80%-90% potatoes! Barely clams in the chowder. The inside dining tables were also unclean. Trash of food was left on the table until me and my party walked then it was then the employee came to clean it. I would not come back. Huge disappointment for being on the fisherman strip which is the first thing tourist see when they enter.
San Francisco is known for their lobster rolls and it was bit of a tough decision to choose which restaurant to get a lobster roll from. The Crab Station opens early and they have an open kitchen showcasing all of their foods. The tables and seats were clean and right in front of the restaurant. The man who took my order was very nice and excited to take my order. I ordered the Lobster Roll and it was expensive as it came out to $36.00; so be aware of that. The price did not bother me since I have been wanting to try one for a very long time now. The roll is PACKED with lobster and each bite was messy, but in a good way. The lobster was tender, sweet, and fresh. I did find a couple pieces of shell, but I did not mind. The mayonnaise brought it all together and the lemon and melted butter paired very nicely. The roll itself was soft and fresh as well. The lobster roll is a lot for one person so I recommend sharing. Overall, I enjoyed it very much and the service was great. I can understand if some people may be skeptical because of the "looks" of the restaurant, but it's the style of the food spots in this area and I recommend trying new places and things. I'll definitely be back in the future.
The best places don't always have a flash! Crab station sits on the corner and from the naked eye, it's just another corner spot. However, you'll see quickly why The Crab Station stays with a line compared to those in the area. Baskets are always fried fresh and plentiful in size. Whether it's the fresh cod, fresh popcorn shrimp or crab, The Crab Station serves it up right. Kudos for a quick lunch while strolling the pier area.
Food was the worst food I've ever ATTEMPTED to eat. Frozen years ago in a rectangle and no chance it would survive. One bite and threw away the rest even though crazy expensive. Clam chowder was straight out of the can and not a good brand. When we complained, the employees could not care less. DO NOT GO HERE!
What else do you do on your vacation to San Francisco? You wanted to see a vacation for 22 years? At the wharf...to eat harbor style seafood bistro...crab cakes, fish and chips...harken back to 1997...harken back to your high school days....harbor style seafood bistro...is so fun and it was raining lightly...the world doesn't stand still..the crab shack is back Here's to my father and all the good people...de ja vu
The clam chowder In the bread bowl was delicious. Only thing I will complain about is that the bread wasn't warmed up. They had both indoor and outdoor seating but the day was too Beautiful to sit inside. The fish and chips were yummy too. The French fries reminded me of jack in the box fries, which I'm a huge fan of! Service was super quick! Loved it
One of the last things we did before leaving SF was to hit up crab shack for a crab and shrimp cocktail. We got there right when they opened, maybe a little early, but they had no problem serving us. We ordered just one to share and it was full of delicious crab and baby shrimp. The sauce and cracker accompaniments made it that much better. It's a roadside stand kind of vibe so don't expect fine dining but for a what it is, it was perfect and hit the spot. Only downside was that it was a little expensive, which may be to be expected since it's seafood and in the most touristy spot in SF. But the taste and customer service made up for that! If you're looking for a quick, yummy seafood cocktail, give this a try.
Turns out we've eaten in their dining room before but actually brought in food from a neighboring biz. Whoops! I was extremely saddened to see that neighboring restaurants, Tarantino's and Guardino's, both closed for good due to the pandemic. They were our go-to's for crab and chowder. Luckily, Crab Station weathered the storm. ATMOSPHERE: Located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf on Taylor Street, the takeaway stand has a few outdoor tables along the sidewalk and a lesser known indoor dining room. The "dining room" is in back of the stand and features three double counter seats and two high tops. We had it all to ourselves until a few stragglers took notice. MENU: Seafood apps, soups & mains. Soft drinks & beer. FOOD: Dungeness Crab - $ MP Our two medium-ish sized crabs came out to $59. They cooked it, cracked it and served it up with lemon wedges, drawn butter and cocktail sauce. Simply divine. Clam Chowder - $10.00 (bowl) Very tasty and creamy. Served in a paper bowl with oyster crackers to the side, we took it to nearby pier 45 where we consumed it all while enjoying the sensory experiences of the area and view of Alcatraz. My heaven... SERVICE: Surprisingly really good and professional, especially from a sidewalk stand. Kudos! OVERALL: This is exactly how we like to consume crustacean in SF. No glass plates, waiters in tuxes, or climate-controlled rooms.
Been eating the crab on Sourdough since 1986! It's a full to the brim with crab on a fresh roll. We always need a bit of salt on it but it's delicious! Clam chowder is great too! Place is not fancy but food is amazing!
Very polite proprietor. Our orders were ready in minutes! It's the Wharf, so expect to shell out à crazy amount of money for seafood. It's very fresh, don't you worry, it's just priced so much more than say the seafood in Los Angeles. It's a tourist spot so of course they need to exploit that! I will say though that the calamari was so very bomb. Snarfed it down. I wasn't very ladylike when I ate it but who cares, it was delicious. read more
4 months ago
I really wish I had trusted my gut and skipped this place. I paid over $50 for clam chowder and crab cakes, and it was honestly one of the worst food experiences I've had in San Francisco. The crab cakes were extremely greasy, mushy inside, and were made with imitation crab. After the first bite, something felt off and I immediately had the feeling I shouldn't keep eating them. Unfortunately, I powered through a little more before throwing the rest away. The clam chowder was not much better -- it tasted like it came straight out of a Campbell's Soup can. Within about 10 minutes of eating, I started feeling nauseous and like I needed to throw everything up. I ended up getting sick afterward, and it lasted for about 3 days. For the price, location, and the fact that this is in Fisherman's Wharf, I expected much better. I would absolutely not recommend this place, especially if you're looking for fresh seafood. There are so many better options nearby. I'd starve before choosing to eat here again, steer clear. read more
The line to order was very long and we came on a Friday afternoon around 3pm. We accidentally came across the back area where you can also order! So we were first in line :). Workers were nice and the surrounding area around their workstation looked clean. If you look directly across from their counter, you'll see a small little sitting area and we luckily got a table! We ordered a lobster roll ($36!) and a bread bowl with clam chowder. I have to say...the clam chowder was okay. I've honestly had better. But the lobster roll was amazing! Pricy but very filling. read more
Arrived at Fisherman's Wharf 9am Friday morning to walk around, see the seals at Pier 39 and check it all out. At around 10:30am my friend wanted to try the Crab. $33 for a whole steamed crab. They must have just delivered the crab that were in a box and he was steaming them fresh. Still alive in the box. She loved her crab, I had the shrimp. Pricey of course, you are at Fisherman's Wharf. Food was fresh and tasty. We found them very helpful but of course it was early and they were not busy. Tables are in front and very basic. After we sat, 4 other groups stopped by to order their fried offerings, soup in the bread bowl, etc. We just stopped for a morning snack. read more
2 months ago
Lobster Roll is a staple food at Fishermen Wharf in San Francisco, and finding the right restaurant is very difficult. There are many locations to choose from. The Crab Station was randomly chosen and it was definitely the right choice. The bread was soft and fluffy, filled with delicious lobster. The service was fast, got the Lobster Roll right after paying. There are outdoor seatings which were kept clean, but the seatings are located next to the busy sidewalk. The price was steep, but it is no different than any of the other locations serving Lobster Roll. read more
8 months ago
This is solely regarding their fish and chips menu. And if I could give this menu a negative rating, I would. I honestly can't believe I paid $19.50 for a flat, and dry piece of fish they call fish and chips -- I've had better texture and taste from a McDonald's Filet-O-Fish. While I wait I realized that the inner place they're cooking looked chaotic, coated with Chinese letterings and Buddhist stuffs. There were four guys running this place but they run around like they had no idea what each person is doing what. I don't think they know how fish and chips are supposed to be. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't cancel the order while looking at all that. But hey, lesson learned --no fish n chips available here. read more
7 months ago
The crab sandwich was not good and was a huge disappointment. Multiple sandwiches was already pre made and kept refrigerated and cold! Nothing about it is fresh. I thought it was going to be made fresh then served but no it wasn't. The clam chowder was 80%-90% potatoes! Barely clams in the chowder. The inside dining tables were also unclean. Trash of food was left on the table until me and my party walked then it was then the employee came to clean it. I would not come back. Huge disappointment for being on the fisherman strip which is the first thing tourist see when they enter. read more
San Francisco is known for their lobster rolls and it was bit of a tough decision to choose which restaurant to get a lobster roll from. The Crab Station opens early and they have an open kitchen showcasing all of their foods. The tables and seats were clean and right in front of the restaurant. The man who took my order was very nice and excited to take my order. I ordered the Lobster Roll and it was expensive as it came out to $36.00; so be aware of that. The price did not bother me since I have been wanting to try one for a very long time now. The roll is PACKED with lobster and each bite was messy, but in a good way. The lobster was tender, sweet, and fresh. I did find a couple pieces of shell, but I did not mind. The mayonnaise brought it all together and the lemon and melted butter paired very nicely. The roll itself was soft and fresh as well. The lobster roll is a lot for one person so I recommend sharing. Overall, I enjoyed it very much and the service was great. I can understand if some people may be skeptical because of the "looks" of the restaurant, but it's the style of the food spots in this area and I recommend trying new places and things. I'll definitely be back in the future. read more
The best places don't always have a flash! Crab station sits on the corner and from the naked eye, it's just another corner spot. However, you'll see quickly why The Crab Station stays with a line compared to those in the area. Baskets are always fried fresh and plentiful in size. Whether it's the fresh cod, fresh popcorn shrimp or crab, The Crab Station serves it up right. Kudos for a quick lunch while strolling the pier area. read more
8 months ago
Food was the worst food I've ever ATTEMPTED to eat. Frozen years ago in a rectangle and no chance it would survive. One bite and threw away the rest even though crazy expensive. Clam chowder was straight out of the can and not a good brand. When we complained, the employees could not care less. DO NOT GO HERE! read more
What else do you do on your vacation to San Francisco? You wanted to see a vacation for 22 years? At the wharf...to eat harbor style seafood bistro...crab cakes, fish and chips...harken back to 1997...harken back to your high school days....harbor style seafood bistro...is so fun and it was raining lightly...the world doesn't stand still..the crab shack is back Here's to my father and all the good people...de ja vu read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
The clam chowder In the bread bowl was delicious. Only thing I will complain about is that the bread wasn't warmed up. They had both indoor and outdoor seating but the day was too Beautiful to sit inside. The fish and chips were yummy too. The French fries reminded me of jack in the box fries, which I'm a huge fan of! Service was super quick! Loved it read more
9 months ago
One of the last things we did before leaving SF was to hit up crab shack for a crab and shrimp cocktail. We got there right when they opened, maybe a little early, but they had no problem serving us. We ordered just one to share and it was full of delicious crab and baby shrimp. The sauce and cracker accompaniments made it that much better. It's a roadside stand kind of vibe so don't expect fine dining but for a what it is, it was perfect and hit the spot. Only downside was that it was a little expensive, which may be to be expected since it's seafood and in the most touristy spot in SF. But the taste and customer service made up for that! If you're looking for a quick, yummy seafood cocktail, give this a try. read more
3 months ago
Turns out we've eaten in their dining room before but actually brought in food from a neighboring biz. Whoops! I was extremely saddened to see that neighboring restaurants, Tarantino's and Guardino's, both closed for good due to the pandemic. They were our go-to's for crab and chowder. Luckily, Crab Station weathered the storm. ATMOSPHERE: Located in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf on Taylor Street, the takeaway stand has a few outdoor tables along the sidewalk and a lesser known indoor dining room. The "dining room" is in back of the stand and features three double counter seats and two high tops. We had it all to ourselves until a few stragglers took notice. MENU: Seafood apps, soups & mains. Soft drinks & beer. FOOD: Dungeness Crab - $ MP Our two medium-ish sized crabs came out to $59. They cooked it, cracked it and served it up with lemon wedges, drawn butter and cocktail sauce. Simply divine. Clam Chowder - $10.00 (bowl) Very tasty and creamy. Served in a paper bowl with oyster crackers to the side, we took it to nearby pier 45 where we consumed it all while enjoying the sensory experiences of the area and view of Alcatraz. My heaven... SERVICE: Surprisingly really good and professional, especially from a sidewalk stand. Kudos! OVERALL: This is exactly how we like to consume crustacean in SF. No glass plates, waiters in tuxes, or climate-controlled rooms. read more
9 months ago
11 months ago
Let's be real, there are A LOT of clam chowder bread bowls and other seafood options on Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39. And I'm sure most of them are wonderful. This particular spot is not fancy--it's pretty much street food right there on the wharf. But there's something about it that we always crave and go back to every time we're in the area. The bread bowls are large and hallowed out enough that you're getting a balanced ratio of clam chowder and bread. The chowder is savory and creamy and has an acceptable amount of clams and potatoes and everything else. If they could figure out a way to make the tiny cardboard they put the chowder bowl in edible, there would be no waste with our family. LOL! :-D Their fish & chips are also delicious. It's crispy on the outside and super tender on the inside and the flavor is there. They don't provide tons of tarter sauce (I was only given a packet, but I'm sure I could've asked for more) but the fish itself was tasty on its own that I didn't feel I needed to douse it in sauce. Seating on the outside sidewalk (yup, I meant to say that) can be a little tricky, and huge warning, the lines can get pretty long here. But people somehow manage. As for us, we'll keep coming back. read more
We were visiting pier 39 and we found this place around that area. The whole experience was okay... the crab sandwich was a lot but the sourdough was really hard to eat. I was disappointed with that crab sandwich because I was looking forward to that the most. The shrimp and crab cocktail was okay too and ut came with the cocktail sauce. I did like the fried shrimp, curly fry and small octopuses. The clam chowder was good and probably what I liked best. The service was good. It was outdoor eating cause the restaurant is kind of on the street. read more
3 years ago
The food was really good! The food was served fast and was really good I would come here again read more
2 years ago
The crab station has one of the best lobster rolls in town. This is a place to come to get your lobster fix. read more
3 years ago
Was on a mission to get a lobster roll. Had decided to try one from here. It was tasty, but to my surprise I enjoyed the crab roll more. read more
Absolutely love this place. It's too bad that since the pandemic many restaurants did not survive. However, this place did and it is thriving. Ordered their crab sandwich plus Diet Coke and it was very delicious. No skimping here, the crab meats is filled to the brim and it had a perfect balance of flavor. Highly recommended!! read more
Was walking around with my wife and son near Fisherman's Wharf and stumbled on The Crab Station. I live in the bay area but don't get a chance to come to the city very often so I was determined to have a cup of clam chowder and a Lobster Roll. I thought the the $10 cup of clam chowder was excellent (5/5). It wasn't too salty and was nice and hot. Since I was eating outside and it was around 50 degrees, it was nice to have some warm soup. The price for the Lobster roll wasn't listed on the menu but I'm guessing it was somewhere around $30. It had a generous amount of lobster on fresh sourdough bread roll. Not the best Lobster roll I have ever had but I would say a solid 3.5/5. In general, I enjoyed the laid back casual outdoor atmosphere and would go back again. read more
It's more like a 3.5 stars. The sandwich was as not fresh when it came to the crab part but the shrimp part was good. This is located among other seafood options so I may only come her for the shrimp sandwich. I wonder why it's called the Crab station. read more
TLDR: no frills crab shack We're pretty simple. We had a hankering for whole crab and this place steams 'em, cracks it open for you and serves it with plenty of lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. Crab was delicious, price seemed fair for being in a tourist area. Happy camper here. read more
1 year ago
Pro-tip: Don't eat here or anywhere in Fisherman's Wharf if you don't want to fall into a tourist trap restaurant. Highlights: They let us substitute the fries in the Fried Calamari and Chips for more calamari. Lowlights: Crazy long lines, expensive, and you're just eating lots of batter and no seafood. The ratio of batter to actual seafood is insane. I wouldn't even recommend the clam chowder. read more
2 years ago
The clam strips and fries were not very good. Could not differentiate between fries and strips, they both tasted the same! You do get a very large order, so if I were drinking and needed something to soak up the alcohol, this would be my order.Maybe I ordered the wrong thing. Service was fast, lots of premade cold seafood in the cases. Next time I might try something from the case. read more
My boyfriend and I always come here when we go to Fisherman's Wharf because we typically crave either a clam chowder bread bowl, lobster rolls, shrimp rolls, or anything seafood that we can get our hands on. We saw that there was only three stalls opened and this place had the longest line (all stalls have the same price for everything, so I'm sure you can get the same exact thing at the next stalls down). The crab station does have an inside restaurant where you used to be able to sit inside. Due to COVID, I'm not too sure if you can anymore. However they do have two - three tables set up in front, but don't count on getting a table unless you snag it from someone leaving. They don't wipe it down after a party leaves, so do bring your wipes to disinfect. They also have a bar seating where it sits 3 people as well. Last weekend (3/14/2021), we were craving a clam chowder bowl, but it also evolved to wanting calamari and fries. Everything that's fried is already made and heated under a lamp, as well as the clam chowder. Pricing of each: Clam chowder bread bowl : ~$11 I believe Calamari and Chips(Fries) : $13.99 - $16.99? I forgot but it's within that price range. It seems that each year, they do increase in pricing. Breakdown of each item: Clam Chowder Bowl: -definitely hits the spot because the wharf is so cold, so getting clam chowder warms you up. You get bits of clam in there, as well as potato. The sourdough bread bowl itself was super fresh and not stale. I do appreciate that because I hate when bread is hard to rip or eat. The sourdough bread bowl itself is not overly sour. We were also given packaged oyster crackers to add into our soup, which was great. Calamari and Chips: -I did love the calamari. Some were crispy, but some were soggy. The curly fries itself was pretty soggy. You do get small pieces that may be crispy, but I do really like their cocktail sauce because it leans thinner. It did compliment the calamari well. For any additives, such as lemon, you will need to ask for this at the counter. They won't give it to you right then and there. Overall, it's something to satisfy your needs for seafood, but it does lean more expensive. This is a tourist place after all, but you can definitely go elsewhere if you want more fresh seafood. If you want something quick and efficient, this is the place for you. However, watch out for the seagulls!! They are vicious over there and they will knock the food out of your hands so they can eat it haha (it happened to my friend once). read more
Typical tourist trap here, not too long of a line but not worth the prices. From the reviews, passed on the clam chowder and got the fish and chips. This was a letdown, 3 pieces of fish were really dry and not much fish. The chips were curly fries which were ok. But definitely not worth it. There's a few other seafood stalls there, maybe will try next time. Service is pretty quick at least. read more
3 years ago
Overall: 7.5/10 "The Crab Station" is definitely a perfect spot if you're in a need for something quick and delicious. I ordered the "Mix Item Combo" which came with (Jumbo Shrimp, Calamari and a side of Curly Fries, The food is definitely fresh and delicious, only down side I've encountered was that my food was on a bit heavy on the salt side. Aside from that there's plenty of other delicious options to try. When it comes to there service there very friendly to new comers. Just be aware that when you do come by, either try to come before or after lunch rush because it does get a bit hectic due to other connected restaurants. So plan accordingly. read more
This place feels like you're eating local even though it's located right in the middle of a tourist area. The prices were much cheaper than most places and the portions were a good sized. The shrimp roll was loaded with shrimp, just wish the bread wasn't so hard to bite into and cold. I wish it was like toasted or with butter on it or something. The crab was reasonably priced and was super good! read more
Wish they had the soft bread for the lobster rolls since it's super hard to eat a loaded lobster roll in a rough/hard sourdough bread roll! I think this stand is owned by Chinese Americans; they work hard and there's no messing around - order and pay, and be on your way, lol!!! Ordered two lobster rolls ($31 each, which is less than other places, a large shrimp cocktail, and a small clam chowder. The shrimp cocktail was good - tail was already detached and no guts/poop. The lobster rolls seemed loaded, but it looked like this due to the way the sour dough bread roll was cut - again, wish I asked if they had a soft roll like other lobster rolls. We basically ate the lobster with a fork and ate probably half the sour dough bread separately. The clam chowder was definitely "fresh" because I could taste the the "sand" in the clams - so, just a tad grainy, lol. We come here at times to have the Dungeness crab rolls, which were good last time, so will have to come back to re-try their crab rolls. Don't think we will be back for the lobster rolls though. read more
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When do they close?
Yelp says 10pm but when I went down there between 9-9:30pm they were closed and all of the other ones were closed. I was informed that they had closed a few minutes before 8pm. I am curious about what time they open now since I know I need to get…
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