Where: 200 Jefferson Street (between Taylor and Mason), Fisherman’s Wharf

What: Clam chowder/Seafood

Fisherman’s Wharf is known for two things by locals: tourist attractions, and outrageous prices. San Franciscans will all agree it’s easy to drop $100 in one day at the Wharf, and that’s if you ignore all the shops that, let’s face it, have some pretty awesome stuff. I’ve generally avoided the Fisherman’s Wharf area for anything besides sightseeing, but I found myself there last weekend and was introduced to a new place where I could enjoy Fisherman’s Wharf’s world-famous clam chowder without breaking the bank.

There are many restaurants up and down the Wharf like Alioto’s, Tarantino’s and Boudin, all of which are probably great but (being a broke college student) I’ve never been. Tucked between these fancy places are a couple of chowder stands that I never really noticed before last weekend. Located at 200 Jefferson Street, these places are officially called Guardino’s and The Crab Station (same prices, same product, probably same owner), but they’re known just as well in San Francisco as the sidewalk chowder stands. You can go to either since you’ll get the same thing for the same price; it just depends which has a shorter line. I got two bread bowl clam chowders for about $12, which is steep for most places but not Fisherman’s Wharf. The portions are decent, and after you’ve finished your chowder you get to eat the delicious sourdough bread bowl. If there’s one thing San Francisco consistently gets right, it’s clam chowder and sourdough bread. 

My one complaint about the place would be that there isn’t really anywhere to sit. But, at the same time, posting on a bench by the bay with your chowder bowl and no napkins kind of adds to the experience. If any of you have been avoiding the restaurants on the Wharf because of the price, the chowder stands are a great alternative where you don’t get completely ripped off and still get some authentic San Francisco clam chowder.