Food Review: Fisherman’s Wharf Must-Tries: Dungeness crabs and clam chowder served in sourdough bread
August 17, 2008 – 12:37 pm by wiffyWhen in Rome, do as the Romans do … and when in Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, California … order dungeness crabs and clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.
When you’re at fisherman’s wharf, how can you not be mesmerized by the surreality of the beautiful bay and waters? As touristy as it may be, it’s difficult not to get soaked up in the whole atmosphere, which also sets you in the mood for seafood (though whether the seafood actually comes from the nearby waters is another question?).
Every eatery - from small store to big-name restaurant - capitalise on this by serving lots of seafoods. It IS seafood galore at Fisherman’s Wharf - calamari, shrimps, lobsters, oysters, crabs and clams are aplenty.
Street foodie delights at Fisherman’s Wharf, SF
Typical corny convo during meal time
Me: Urghhh! This bread is spoiled!! It’s sourish!!!
B: Duh… this is the famous sourdough bread … u noob!
Me: O_O”
I still think I prefer non-sour bread, heh … but this is still a nice foodie experience not to be missed if you’re at Fisherman’s Wharf. The clam chowder is thick and rich =)~
Another must-try: the ubiquitous dungeness crabs - you see crabs, crabs, crabs menu, crabs logos outside restaurants, crabs, crabs, crabs at almost every store, eatery and restaurant… oh, crab, I think I left my heart in San Francisco =x
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Other eats in San Francisco
- Double-double cheeseburger at In-N-Out Burger
- Pho Bo at Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant
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Tags: california, clam chowder, dungeness crabs, fisherman's wharf, review, San Francisco, sourdough bread bowl
Posted in Food Reviews, San Francisco
18 Responses to “Food Review: Fisherman’s Wharf Must-Tries: Dungeness crabs and clam chowder served in sourdough bread”
Wow, I could eat that right off the screen! It’s beautiful and one of my favorites!
By noble pig on Aug 17, 2008
I don’t think I would prefer the sour bread either…
But then I have not tasted it yet…
By Ning on Aug 17, 2008
I love the super thick clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf. Some people say the whole sourdough bowl and clam chowder is overrated and touristy but hey there is something about having a nice bread bowl of hot thick chowder as you walk along the pier, no?
Btw, I have an award for you over at my blog
Not sure if you’ve received it before.
By Nilmandra on Aug 18, 2008
Wow, thick clam chowder on bread. Looks really good. Oh yeah, I love crabs too. Those crabs looks so inviting, argh.. I am craving for them now at 1am!
By didally on Aug 18, 2008
I went to SF Fisherman’s Wharf when I was 20, ages ago, thus I had no idea it’s famous for dungeness crabs. If I visit there again, will sure have some dungeness crabs and seafood. Yeah, me not a fan of sourdough bread too.
By Little Corner of Mine on Aug 18, 2008
I took me a while to develop a liking for sourdough. I like it served fresh and warm!
By tigerfish on Aug 18, 2008
It took me a while to develop a liking for sourdough. I like it served warm and fresh…
(P.S Not sure if my comments are appearing coz I’m not seeing it)
By tigerfish on Aug 18, 2008
gosh i love the chowder in the bread! and i do see smiley faces on crabs too
By rita on Aug 18, 2008
Eat it off the screen? When it has crab AND clam chowder on it, I could the screen itself!
By Tom Aarons on Aug 18, 2008
this sounds so great!!hmmm im so trying this!
By dhanggit on Aug 18, 2008
My first long distance trip to the US was to San Francisco! City by the Bay! The clam chowder was really good in chilly wet foggy SF! So many wonderful heart warming memories
By Joyce on Aug 18, 2008
Ooh, this brings back memories of my first trip to San Francisco last year. My first night there I had clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at a restaurant that had Mermaid in its name….Blue Mermaid?
Wish I was there!
By Olga on Aug 19, 2008
I tell you, the first and last time I had that chowder in the bread bowl was 1995. I still think about it. My friend and I were so hungry. We stopped there and sat on a curb and ate it. It is a memory that still lingers with me!
By Lori on Aug 19, 2008
I have been to the place on the Wharf and it is so amazing - There really is nothing better than chowder in SF. Of course it would not be complete if it were not in the bread bowl.
By Cathy - Wheresmydamnanswer on Aug 19, 2008
Oh, I could not resist clicking on your picture from Tastespotting. I am a CA Native….specifically San Jose…just a mere hour away from SF… I have been transported to South Carolina…. I told my husband that just seeing your pictures was enough to make one miss living in CA….alas, I then thought of the traffic, the expensive housing…what a shame there wasn’t a happy medium….
I’ll go back to looking at your pictures…I miss the restaurants and food the most in CA nothing like it out here!!! Sourdough bread rocks and no place tastes better than SF Sourdough!!!
By Melissa D. SC on Aug 21, 2008
noble pig: Thanks!
Ning:: Yep me too, I think the sourbread is an acquired taste
Nilmandra:: Yeah I totally agree… and the clam chowder is one of the thickest I have enjoyed!~
didally:: Hee, I often get food cravings after looking at food photos too
LCOM:: Yesssss…. you must try! You’re so much nearer to SF than me … sob sobsss
tigerfish:: Yep… it definitely is an acquired taste
rita:: heh … hi 5!
Tom A:: hee… I won’t be responsible if your screen is damaged
dhanggit:: Hee… must try!!
Joyce:: yes… so many nice memories … why can’t I go back
Olga:: I heard Blue Mermaid is famous, but didn’t had a chance to try … wish I am there now too! Thanks for visiting me
Lori:: Woah that’s more than 10 years!! Good memories last forever
Thanks for visiting my blog 
Cathy:: Yes, SF is the best place to have SF! Thanks and welcome
Melissa:: ahhh… at least you are much, much nearer than me to SF … so you can easily go back anytime for a little holiday
Thanks for your kind words, and welcome! 
By wiffy on Aug 21, 2008
Oooooh!!! The dungeness crab looks so good!! I was just in SF over the past weekend, but I was too stuffed (had just eaten tons of great food at the ferry building) for crab. I’m sorry you didn’t find the sourdough bread to be that good. I am personally a huge fan.
In fact, I bought a round of it to take home! ♥
Ooooh… now I have a craving for crab… I want to go back to SF!
The next time you’re in the city, though, definitely check out the great food at the ferry building (try to go on a Saturday morning to catch their farmer’s market, too). It’s foodie heaven!
By Jojo on Aug 22, 2008
Hi Jojo, thanks for your comment! I think the sourdough is an acquired taste … I’ll still order it if I am at the wharf next time
I’ll be sure to check out the ferry building and the farmers market next time I visit … thanks for your recommendation! 
By wiffy on Sep 10, 2008