Hog Island Oyster Co

I had my first oyster eating experience on Saturday at Hog Island and I loved it! The oysters were so fresh and delicious. The waiter was attentive and very knowledgeable about the variety of we ordered. We also ordered the steamer and clam chowder. They literally looked like the same dish. The clam chowder was more like clams in a broth than a traditional soup, so I’d suggest ordering one or the other, but not both. I also snuck a peek at someone’s grilled cheese sandwich and it looked really good, so I may have to try this next time I go there! Pros: Fresh oysters/seafood, adorable location Cons: Pricey, limited seating more

If you are at the pier, this is a great place to have a tasty lunch or snack. my sister and I ordered a couple dozen oysters and a bowl of clam chowder. the soup was really good kind of broth like with leeks potatoes and bacon,,,different but good. add a nice glass of wine or champaign to that and you have the perfect setting. Pros: variety of oysters Cons: long line more

This was the first time I've ever been to an ""oyster restaurant"". Oysters were delicious! If you don't want to spend that much money and you're hungry, you should eat the grilled cheese sandwich to get you a little full and then have some raw oysters! What's crazy is I normally don't eat raw oysters, but these were very very good! The oysters are small, yes- but I was told by a friend that the smaller they are, the more flavorful it will be. And yes, that was sooo true. We tried making it to happy hour on Thursday, but there was such a long wait and we didn't get to experience it. So, I suggest you get there super early. While we waited we got a few beers next door and enjoyed the view of the water. You should be prepared to spend a bit more money than usual, but trust me- it's worth it. Pros: Delicious oysters and beautiful view Cons: Long wait- can't make reservations more

I don't eat seafood but my husband loves it, a friend recommended this place because they had both seafood... more

I've been to the Swam Oyster Depot and loved their oysters. I saw a review on Hog Island on Citysearch and found mostly positive remarks so I decided to take a chance this past weekend.\r \r The setting is great as it is set in the Ferry Terminal next to the Bay. It's a very casual spot but a great joint on a sunny day. However, I was so surprised to see the smallest oysters I have seen ""ever"". Hog Island was rated on the best (maybe top 2) spots for oysters. What were the editors thinking?\r \r Swan Depot was a bit more expensive but you actually got more... so in essence I don't think they were any more expensive... maybe less per weight.\r \r I also ordered the clam chowder here. It was basically a soup with lots of clams. Although the clams (in their shells) was a nice touch, the chowder itself was watery and nothing like the chowder I'm used to or expect. It was overpriced for what it was. Pros: view Cons: small oysters, price more

A wonderful casual spot for great oysters, ambiance and service. The prices are good and the views are beautiful. Good location for people watching and rides on the ferry. Pros: Food, service, location and views Cons: Sometimes a bit of a wait during busy times more

I came here on a Tuesday after work for happy hour. It was a tiny bit chilly outside, so we were able to get a table outside by the water pretty easily, but I imagine it's tougher when it's warm outside. We tried two kinds of oysters and both were delicious and fresh tasting. Prices were about average for oysters. The waitress was very friendly and gave suggestions when we asked, but she was a little slow in coming around every now and then to check up on us. I would definitely come here again. Pros: fresh oysters Cons: service was very friendly but a little slow more

Oysters are FRESH, FRESH, FRESH!! Expertly shucked. Great selection. Breadsticks & bread are fresh & abundant.\r \r The grilled cheese sandwich is rich & decadent. Safer to share the fat with a friend & focus on the oysters. \r Pros: fresh oysters Cons: limited seating more

I don't want to diminish the wonderful freshness and quality of the oysters (and they were definitely wonderful), but I was blown away not by the oysters but by the spectacular grilled cheese sandwich. I'm still dreaming about how fabulous it was now - cave-aged gruyere cheese and fromage blanc from cowgirl creamery, oozing out of grilled acme bread. The flavors just burst in your mouth. The pickled vegetables (cucumbers, turnips and asparagus) were a perfect accompaniment to cut the grease from the sandwich (which, much to my surprise, was not that greasy). With a lovely glass of rose - i felt i was in heaven - eating a lovely repast with a gorgeous view of the bay. Pros: Best Grilled Cheese; Fresh Oysters more

If you want to try the best clam chowder in the world then you need to come here. The soup is served with clams in the shell, potato, bacon, and soup broth that is not thick and gooey, but nice with a thin texture. Its perfectly salted and peppered. Its real authentic clam chowder not that soup can tasty feeling you get at the wharf. Also the grilled cheese is ridicolously good. I am not a fan of oysters but when i had these they were so fresh and so sweet that i was hooked. Seriously this place is a diamond in the rough because its so small of an area that its easy to miss at the ferry building. I recommend it for everyone. more

this was a fun little dining experience. although the line getting seated seemed scary at first, it moved quite quickly once you were in it. (plus, they fed you with breadsticks while waiting.) then, upon entering the venue, we sat and the counter. i loved the experience because you got to see them set your plate in front of you. the shells seemed endless and each one provided their own delightful flavor and texture. more

I love a good oyster. Although you can go around the corner on Saturdays and pick up a dozen Kumamotos from... more

One of my favotite places in SF, Hog Island Oyster Company delivers some of the best oysters anywhere. Even when living in Seattle, which has many more oyster farms, Hog Island oysters were popular. I really like the Atlantic variety, but the happy hour special on Sweetwaters on Mondays and Thursdays are great deals. The small wine list is carefully chosen, but excellent. But they change very frequently, so don't get too attached to a wine! The manila clams are also very good, and judging from the number of people who order the grilled cheese, it must be pretty tasty as well. Pros: great oysters, wines, location Cons: a bit pricey more

I had an enjoyable birthday lunch at Hog Island oyster bar with my girlfriends (it's hard not to like somewhere when you're being treated!). The oysters I had (half dozen quilcene from Humboldt) were delicious, and fresh, and I enjoyed their spicy take on court-bouillon to go with it.\r \r My friend and I enjoyed a glass of wine each, and another had the Oysters Rockefeller. Another friend highly recommended the clam chowder (although I think it's hard to mess up when you have a cup of cream in each bowl), and the cheese sandwich is absolutely to die for. The pickled vegetables they had with it were delicious.\r \r Good service when it came to sharing plates - they plated everything up separately for us. However, one of my friends brought in a birthday cake. Our waiter had gone home ill unexpectedly, and there was a mix-up, so she had to track down the maitre d'. He then provided great service, cutting up the cake for us, but they threw away the box, and we then struggled to take the remainder home. I don't hold that against them at all, but since they charged for bringing in a cake, I might have expected slightly smoother service in this area. I'd happily go again (although probably without the cake). more

i got there after work at approx. 5:30 on a monday (happy hour), and waited only 25 min for a table of 4 (most their tables are for 2). we ordered 48 oysters and 2 clam chowders. In the middle of eating, my sister looks over at my boyfriend's oysters and sees something moving!! it was a tiny WORM moving around in the oyster. We've eaten already half of the oysters already, so feeling pretty grossed out. We told the waitress and she seemed pretty nonchalant (does that mean it happens often???) She brought it back and came back w/ another one, plus one more extra. A comp of 1 oyster? which are 1$ at the time - 1$ comp?? They're lucky we're not the high maintenance type. *sigh*\r \r Me and my boyfriend have been to Hog Island a few times before, and we think they have the best oysters. Despite the worm, I'll still go back, and recommend it to my peers. The clam chowder is great as well as the view. Go during happy hour if you don't mind the wait. \r \r 48 oysters - 48 dollars\r 1 pint of beer - 5 dollars\r 2 clam chowders - 24 dollars\r 3 lemonades - 9 dollars\r finding a worm in your oyster - priceless more

Hog Island is part of the draw of the Ferry Building . . . it's the perfect spot for a happy hour beer or wine and to snack on oysters or other items from their small menu. I have brought many out-of-town business travelers here for a little bit of San Francisco! One warning: if you want to take advantage of Hog Island's great happy hour deals on Monday and Thursday, get there before or as close to five as you can . . . a line forms quickly (though the staff is adept at getting folks in and out). Pros: fantastic views of the Bay Bridge, great happy hour deals Cons: fills quickly more

Unless you like waiting in line like cattle and being ""helped"" by snotty waiters who rush and don't look like they want to be there then skip this place during Happy Hour. Possibly the rudis host I have ever encountered. Cons: Staff, Crowded, Lines more

$1 oysters on Monday can't be beat. Service is friendly and knowledgable. more

I have been frequenting the HIOB for the past two years. The clams, oysters and wine list are excellent. I believe the food and the ambience are a huge validation that the Ferry Building was the right thing to invest in years ago. HOWEVER, the service is continuing to decline. I am writing this in hopes that they'll get the message. The host is generally disorganized, rude and never remembers repeat clientele. They are not flexible and their staff ranges from outright rude to pleasant - getting the good servers is something I keep my fingers crossed before sitting down. Their chairs wobble too. They need to fix this stuff if they really want to be around competing with Joe's! Pros: Food Cons: Service more

The oysters are fantastic especially during happy hour prices. The place is small, but fun and lively. It closes at 8 and doesn't have a full menu, so go for the oysters and the clam chowder. Everything is fresh and tastes fantastic. Prices are reasonable especially for the location and it is a fun place to go with several people to sit out on the water and look over the bay. Pros: Quality of Food, Location, Prices Cons: no reservations, somewhat cramped, Limited Menu more