hog island oyster co. {san francisco}

I’ve admitted my oyster fascination in the past. When I’m in a city not my own, I head for the nearest oyster. Because in Rome, even though I can get oysters, I usually don’t trust where they are coming from, and they are ridiculously expensive. In other words, they are a fancy restaurant kind of thing.

So of course, my  point of entry into the San Francisco dining scene was Hog Island Oyster Company, located in the Ferry Building. Hog Island Oyster company has been raising sustainable and fresh oysters up the coast in Tomales Bay since the early 1980’s. While you can make the hike up to their farm (which is a fantastic experience and which we did about 8 years ago) their oyster bar in the Ferry Building is a bit of oyster heaven itself.

It’s always pretty crowded, and since they don’t accept reservations, be prepared to wait in line. Although, that said, I went on a weekday, at about noon, and got a table for one right away. A table right out on the promenade, overlooking the bay.

Yes, I got to sit right on the water, eating oysters. I was in heaven.

Their offerings change daily, oyster wise, and if you don’t know your way around an oyster, feel free to ask the super friendly and helpful staff. Or just do what I did, and order the Oyster Bar Mix.

I  managed to make it back to this piece of heaven two more times while I was in town. Oysters of course, but also one of the best bowls of chowder, served New England style, rich, creamy and incredibly briny.

Evidently they also serve what is supposed to be one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches around. I saw others ordering it. But really? With those mountains of oysters at the bar, ready to be shucked and slurped? Who could possibly consider grilled cheese?

Hog Island Oyster Company
The Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building
415.391.7117
Mon-Fri, 11:30 – 8:00. Sat-Sun, 11:00 – 6:00