It makes perfect sense that Chonkers, the viral, food motivated sea lion in San Francisco, calls the culinary capital of the U.S. home. Weighing nearly 2,000 pounds, this sea-lebrity certainly knows his way around a menu. Here is a Chonkers-approved food crawl of Fisherman’s Wharf that includes the best flavors of his backyard. From Italian seafood stew, to crab cakes straight from the boats at Pier 47, to award-winning clam chowder in a classic sourdough bread bowl, like Chonkers, you’ll be demanding seconds.
Are you ready to taste your way through Fisherman’s Wharf? Read on to discover four of SanFran’s culinary best:
- Did you know that this iconic Italian seafood stew was invented in Fisherman’s Wharf? One of the city’s most famous dishes, enjoying a steaming bowl of shrimp and squid at the titular Cioppino’s allows you a taste of all the hearty seafood the Bay has to offer and a glimpse into what’s keeping Chonkers so well fed.
- No trip to Fisherman’s Wharf is complete without dining at this legendary waterfront restaurant, and one of the oldest on the wharf. In true Chonkers style, order the Dungeness crab Louie salad (which includes half a pound of crab meat) or opt for the oysters – you can even watch boats drop off their catch as they arrive each morning!
- Follow your nose to Pier 39 to catch a whiff of the irresistible scent of freshly baked sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery. Known as the “original San Francisco sourdough,” enjoy a tangy loaf of history (Boudin still uses a portion of its original starter) after watching the baking magic happen through the 30-foot demonstration window and keeping an eye out for Chonkers lounging nearby.
- For the best views of Chonkers, the sea lions of Pier 39, and the Golden Gate Bridge, head to Fog Harbor Fish House. Here, you can indulge in sustainable seafood including fried scallops, mussels (Chonkers’ favorite!), oven roasted lobster tails, and clam chowder served in a fresh house-baked bread bowl.
