Fishermen's Grotto is a place that has been photographed by tourists and travel writers for years. It sits in the main hub of Fisherman's Wharf and has a neon sign that you can't miss. A lazy fisherman in a yellow rain slicker is this infamous eatery's logo. The back of the restaurant is the bay and marina, and local fishing boats bob in the water out the back window. You can't ask for a more photogenic location. These restaurants have been here since the 1950s, serving fresh seafood to tourists for years.
I was dining alone this night, and it was getting late. I knew exactly the meal I wanted: Crab Louis, sourdough bread, clam chowder, and a cold beer. Any one of the restaurants on Crab Alley would serve this traditional San Francisco dinner, but tonight I chose Fishermen's Grotto.
It was late and there were only a handful of diners. Only one waitress was still on duty. Although there were many empty tables, I was not seated near the window. Normally I would have asked for an open window seat, but tonight I just wanted to eat, and besides, it was dark. Normally I would advise you to sit upstairs, where the view is spectacular. On a clear day, you can clearly see the Golden Gate Bridge and can watch fishermen unloading today's catch.
Some may call the interior dated; others may say it's retro. Whatever the case, it looks more like 1960 than 2005. The waitress was very pleasant and had a warm smile. She was friendly without being overbearing.
First, let me tell you the sourdough here is perfect. I don't know the reason, but the sourdough here in San Francisco tastes better than anywhere else in the world. Every meal starts out with a basket of fresh sourdough bread, and this alone is worth the price of the meal!
The Crab Louis here is made with local dungeons crab. It's full of crab meat and is served on lettuce with egg, then drenched in Thousand Island dressing, and I do mean drenched. Usually I ask for the dressing on the side, but this time I simply forgot to ask and the salad came drowning in dressing. This is the way they are made all over the wharf. It was delicious, but way too much for me to finish. The Grotto is not cheap (really, none of the wharf seafood places are), so be prepared to pay close to $40 for this simple meal of salad, soup, and beer! But then, can you really go to Fisherman's Wharf and not partake in the dungeons crab?