1. PETER LUGER
Brooklyn, NY
2. MINETTA TAVERN
New York, NY
3. RM SEAFOOD
Las Vegas, NV
4. SWAN OYSTER DEPOT
San Francisco, CA
5. CUT
Beverly Hills, CA

4

Photo Courtesy of: JMP’s Potostream

Swan Oyster Depot
San Francisco, CA

1517 POLK ST.
415-673-1101


They have been shucking fresh oysters since 1912 at this restaurant that some find reminiscent of Barcelona's Cal Pep. Besides oysters, there are clams and other assorted shellfish on offer, along with chowder, seafood salads and seasonal specialties like Dungeness crab. And if the idea of a large pile of sparkling-fresh shellfish isn't enough of a lure, the countermen are total characters. As the entire place consists of a mere 20 stools, you can expect a line that stretches out onto Polk Street and a 20- or 30-minute wait. However, we suggest you think twice about going if counters filled with large piles of empty shells make you squeamish.