Happy Hour in the alley!
Right next to Sam's is the related "Sam's Seafood Alley" where they have a great happy hour with worthy drink specials and half-price appetizers. Good fun!
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
+4
San FranciscoSam’s Grill & Seafood Restaurant 374 Bush St./Kearny St., GArfield 1-0594 ((415) 421-0594). L-D M-F; $$. Reservations accepted. . exterior of Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, California. Established at a different location in 1867, just after the Gold Rush, this old-timer has moved several times, finally settling here in 1946, on the corner of now-trendy Belden Place in the city’s French Quarter. It is said to be the fifth-oldest restaurant in the U.S. The restaurant hasn’t changed much through the years, and some people claim it has the original waiters, many of whom do seem to have the hard-earned skill that makes that possible to believe. Also, they all wear tuxedos, which is unusual nowadays. I am won over by the cozy atmosphere of wood-paneled walls and the bank of private booths with drape-covered openings and buzzers that once summoned the waiter but which no longer work. Back when, this was a favored lunch spot for the area’s movers and shakers and still is. You can practically hear the deals being made. Nowadays, there is also sheltered outdoor seating on popular Belden alley.
Rude waiter?! That's part of the charm. It is old San Francisco. The freshest seafood. The best bread. Old waiters in tuxes. Hard wooden chairs. Stingy drinks. 90 year old patrons who can tell you stories of Sam's in the 1930s. The best, most simple, fresh, delicious food in the city. Nothing fancy. No chic. Just come to eat and learn how superb restaurants used to be.
We had a great meal and service. Decor is a through back in time and is quaint. The price is in the norm for a good meal in SF or any major city. Ave with drink, desert, and tip $50 - $60
I would return and recommend it
Very tasty! A bit expensive but well worth it if you want fresh seafood. Very sweet servers.
Lovely outdoor patio, 1server working but he was amazing. He poured drinks & served food. Checked on me multiple times, amazing attention to his customers. Makes for a nice dining experience.
This place is fantastic. Our service was wonderful and the food was amazing. The prices are very reasonable for the location, service, and quality of food. We had the salmon and halibut and both were cooked perfectly and the sides were so tasty. I highly recommend getting an order of sourdough, it did not disappoint. Would definitely come back next time we are in SF!
Excellent ambiance, fresh seafood, and service! We first thought we were underdressed when we showed up in shorts and polos as the waiters are in tuxedos, but they didn't say anything about our attire. The swordfish mesquite grilled was exquisite! This is the empty plate after eating because I forgot to take a pic before finishing it all.
I was looking for some good seafood from a less crowded area and something a little more familiar to locals and I found Sam's. I had some dietary restrictions at the time due to a hospital visit and I found items on the menu almost instantly. The shrimp cocktail and calamari were incredible starters and I managed to have a small taste of the old fashion which has amazing tasting notes. The main I got the crab and shrimp pasta with prawns and it was the first true meal I had since getting out and it was amazing and fukk of flavor and the prawns were fresh. The service was amazing and the staff is so friendly. I never got our servers name. He was an older gentleman but one of the most friendly I have met in a restaurant in my life time! Keep it up your business is great. And also the atmosphere is very calm and relaxing!
Excellent service, atmosphere & good price.
Fish & chips are 5 star at least... Great wine & beer (a lot on tap) menu for sure.
Highly recommended!
Clam chowder was also excellent!
5/16/22...Had lunch today. Moderately busy but it was not noisy. Calm dinning experience. Service was relaxed. Had the calamari app and liked the slight heat of the coating. The swordfish was very good as my partner had never had swordfish. I ordered the crab salad but was served a shrimp salad by mistake but it was quickly corrected. The dessert was lemon tart, very good, and cheese cake which was a no bake cheesecake. It was presented with some mixed berries which was a good idea as the cheesecake lacked any flavor. It was not what I was expecting. The bonus today was seeing Mayor Willie Brown also having lunch with some people. If you are looking for a piece of iconic SF, this is worth the stop.
This is one of the best restaurants I have eaten at in my life. Food is heavenly, service is perfect and professional, and atmosphere is romantic and unique. If you want the best seafood dinner, come here. It is pricey, but a meal you will never forget
We just returned back to the US after a 4 month trip to Asia and was ready for some American food!
I ordered a crab salad and crab cakes and the lady was very nice and helpful when I called 35 minutes before they closed!
I grew up in SF and must have driven & walked by here 1000 plus time in the past 40 years and never ever saw this place!
The Dungeness crab was very fresh but the arugula salad with the crab cakes was old!
$71 is a bit expensive for a salad and crab cakes!
But it’s San Francisco!
Morris
Delicious food and fast service. One of the best seafood restaurants i have ever been to in San Francisco. The cioppino was absolutely delicious, my raw oysters were amazing and the bread was delicious. We will definitely be back.
This was the best place we visited in San Francisco the three days we were there. Food was amazing. I had the oysters Rockefeller and the Cioppino that was incredible. Service was fantastic. Next time I am in San Francisco I will be returning.
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