California’s commercial fishing industry and culinary history have gone hand-in-hand since the Gold Rush. A recent feature in SFGATE by columnist Drew Magary shines a light on Tadich Grill – California’s oldest continuously operating restaurant – and its longstanding commitment to serving local West Coast seafood.
Founded in 1849 as a humble waterfront coffee stand, Tadich Grill has spent over 175 years showcasing the richness of California’s fisheries. Today, its Financial District dining room remains a testament to the enduring appeal of fresh, locally harvested seafood.
Menu Highlights & Local Favorites
The review highlights several timeless seafood classics that continue to draw locals, tourists, and industry leaders alike:
- California Dungeness Crab: Served across nearly 50 preparations, from crab cakes to baked casseroles. Magary awarded top honors to the classic Dungeness Crab Salad – served cold and undressed with a cocktail sauce – as the ultimate expression of clean, delicate West Coast crab flavor.
- San Francisco Seafood Cioppino: A centerpiece of the menu, Tadich’s signature $60 cioppino comes packed with mussels, clams, scallops, white fish, prawns, and Dungeness crab in a rich, savory broth made for dipping crusty sourdough bread.
- Pacific Oysters & Shellfish: Fresh Miyagi oysters on the half shell and chilled prawn cocktails anchor the raw bar offerings, alongside local bay shrimp.
- Mesquite-Grilled Selections: Utilizing classic mesquite wood flames to sear fresh catches alongside traditional cuts.
Read the full SFGATE review by Drew Magary: I tried the $60 cioppino at Tadich Grill, San Francisco’s oldest restaurant