Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Lou’s Fish Shack – San Francisco
Lou's Fish Shack - San Francisco
Photo from Lou’s Fish Shack
Lou's Fish Shack at a glance
San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 1 of the guests
#2196 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#41 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Average
5.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
142
Reviews
50.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Food
- Friendly Staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor Value
- Slow Service
The restaurant, Lou’s Fish Shack, is a quintessential seafood restaurant nestled in the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find yourself drawn to its inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying fresh catches.
Imagine savoring delicious dishes with the refreshing bay breeze, as outdoor seating is available for your comfort. Whether you’re seeking a casual lunch or a memorable dinner, this spot offers a true taste of the city’s coastal charm.
Overview: Introducting Lou's Fish Shack
Lou’s Fish Shack offers a mixed experience, with many guests finding the food to be quite delicious, particularly certain seafood items. The friendly staff often receives praise for their attentiveness, contributing positively to the dining atmosphere.
However, some visitors have encountered poor and slow service, leading to frustration. The overall perception of value can also be a point of contention, with some finding the offerings a bit pricey for what is delivered.
Average
5.8
out of 10
142
Reviews
50.7%
Satisfaction
54
negative
16
neutral
72
positive
Lou’s Fish Shack holds an overall score of 5.8, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 50.7%. This assessment is drawn from 142 customer comments, comprising 72 positive and 54 negative observations.
While the Food (6.3) generally receives favorable remarks for its taste, and the Ambience (6.1) is often appreciated, other aspects present more of a challenge. The Service (5.2) is perceived as average, with feedback indicating both positive interactions and instances of slowness or inattentiveness.
The most significant area for improvement appears to be Value (3.9), which falls into the poor range, suggesting that many guests feel the pricing doesn’t quite align with their expectations for the dining experience.
What people like
- Delicious Food Options
- Friendly, Fast Service
- Lively Ambience
What people don't like
- Poor Perceived Value
- Inconsistent Service
- Variable Food Quality
Lou’s Fish Shack presents a mixed bag, with its 6.2 recommendation score suggesting it’s worth considering, but with reservations. If you prioritize a lively atmosphere and generally tasty food, especially during happy hour, you might find it suitable.
However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent service and pricing that some find steep. It could be a decent option if you’re in the area and specific dishes appeal, but perhaps not a destination for those seeking exceptional value or flawless service.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lou's Fish Shack
Food (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.3 and customer satisfaction sitting at 58.4%. Out of 77 customer opinions, 45 were positive, praising delicious calamari, great jumbo shrimp, and outstanding truffle fries. Many also enjoyed the fish and chips and happy hour margaritas.
However, 24 opinions pointed out some areas for improvement. Some found the burger overcooked, the seafood pasta lacking, or the clam chowder disappointing. Issues like dry fish, lukewarm dishes, and subpar ceviche also popped up, suggesting inconsistency in execution.
Food
77
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
24
negative
8
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious calamari
- Great jumbo shrimp
- Tasty fish & chips
What people don't like
- Overcooked burger
- Disappointing clam chowder
- Dry fish and potatoes
Often praised
- foodthe food was delicious
- beerThis is a really good spot to take a break from walking on Fisherman's Wharf. I enjoyed the really good food, great service, and cold beer!
- fish and chipsThe fish and chips were delicious
- friesthin crispy fries
- good foodreasonable priced good food
- margaritasGood margaritas as well!
- Ahi PokeAhi Poke was excellent
- CheeseburgerThe classic cheeseburger with extra bacon was really very good!
- Fish & ChipsOttimo il Fish&chips
- Fried Chicken Breast SandwichThe Fried Chicken Breast Sandwich was geschmacklich also very lecker!
Frequently criticized
- Clam ChowderClam Chouder in a bread bowl. It did not meet up with my expectations
- Latinoamerican foodif that the way this restaurant want to portray Latinoamerican food, they are a joke!!
- Pupusasexpensive tortilla which was not even cook properly
- breadthe bread for my crab roll wasn't warm
- burgerThe burger was overcooked
- cevicheThe ceviche was sub par
- clam chowderThe clam chowder was a little too creamy.
- clam chowder soupthe clam chowder soup was not good
- dishesdishes could taste better for what you pay
- draft beerla birra alla spina vi ha fatto venire il mal di testa ed era incredibilmente amara
If youre looking for some solid seafood classics like calamari or fish and chips, youll likely find something to enjoy. Just be aware that some dishes, like burgers or certain seafood preparations, might be a hit or miss, so choose wisely.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 and customer satisfaction sitting at 44.4%. Many guests appreciated the friendly and accommodating staff, with shout-outs to specific waitresses, waiters, and even the chef. People often mentioned quick seating and good service, especially from the young, brown haired employee and bartender.
However, based on 36 customer observations, theres also a noticeable downside. Some experiences included an older waiter ignoring customers, horrible service, and long waiting time for orders. Unfriendly staff and management issues were also cited, with some even experiencing racism or a complete lack of apologies for mistakes, leading to a feeling of inadequate service.
Service
36
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
16
negative
4
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, accommodating staff
- Quick seating
- Excellent waitstaff
What people don't like
- Slow, inadequate service
- Unfriendly staff
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceThis is a really good spot to take a break from walking on Fisherman's Wharf. I enjoyed the really good food, great service, and cold beer!
- friendly staffcozy environment and friendly staff
- ServiceThe fries were exactly to our liking! Very nice and, above all, fast service! The price was unusually high for us, but considering the city and the area, I find it appropriate!
- accommodating staffthe staff were friendly and accommodating
- bartenderbartender friendly
- chefJoshua my chef fixed my food perfect
- nice peoplenice people who work there
- wait timeno wait when we went
- waiterCarlos my waiter was awesome and very friendly
- waitressWaitress was excellent
Frequently criticized
- serviceFrom the outside, the restaurant looked promising, but unfortunately, there were no wow dishes. The service was poor and slow, to the point where I observed other patrons walking out.
- apologiesI ordered a hamburger, and it took them 30 minutes to realize they had forgotten our order. To make matters worse, there were no apologies offered. I will never be coming back.
- employeehis excuse: I just work here
- managementmanagement is more concerned about getting people in here
- older waiterHad a weird experience with an older waiter
- racismThere was also some racism
- servermy server ignored me the whole time
- staffthe staff were very unfriendly
- waiting timetook 20 minutes to come to the table
- waitresswe had no waitress for 95% of the time
If youre looking for a quick bite and hoping for a friendly face, you might get lucky with some of the staff. However, be prepared for the possibility of slow service or an unengaged server, as experiences here are quite inconsistent. Its a bit of a gamble on the service front.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
The ambiance here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.1, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 56.3%, which is mixed. However, many guests loved the outdoor seating, calling it a great people watching spot and a perfect place to sit outside. The cozy environment and enjoyable live entertainment also earned praise, especially for those looking for a late-night option, contributing to 9 positive remarks.
On the flip side, the live music could quickly become too loud for some, making conversation difficult. It also seems the place can get quite crowded, and if you're dining outside, be prepared to deal with rather aggressive seagulls and pigeons. These points came up in 4 negative observations, suggesting areas where the atmosphere could use some fine-tuning.
Ambience
16
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great outdoor seating
- Cozy environment
- Enjoyable live music
What people don't like
- Loud live music
- Can get crowded
- Aggressive pest birds
Often praised
- cozy environmentcozy environment and friendly staff
- free entertainmentfree entertainment on Saturday night
- great experienceOverall great experience
- late nightI went with a friend and I have to say the place wasn't bad at all. It was the only one open late at night, so if you don't know where to go, give it a try.
- live entertainmentenjoyed the live entertainment
- musicThe live music in the upper area quickly became too loud (we could barely talk), so we moved downstairs. We could still enjoy the music from there! Since it was my first crab, I can't compare it, but I found it delicious.
- outdoor seatingOutdoor seating option is available
- people watching spota great people watching spot on the patio
- spot outsideA perfect spot to sit outside
Frequently criticized
- aggressive seagulls and pigeonsIt was crowded, and the food was not good. I also had to deal with rather aggressive seagulls and pigeons.
- crowdedIt was crowded
- live musiclive music quickly became too loud
- patio seatingAs a solo diner, I was initially disappointed when the host would not seat me on the patio. I ended up sitting at the bar instead.
If youre looking for a lively spot with outdoor seating and dont mind a bit of a crowd or potentially loud music, this place could be a fun choice. However, if you prefer a quiet, serene dining experience, or are easily bothered by urban wildlife, you might want to consider other options.
Value (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few folks found some bright spots, mentioning reasonable priced options and even a happy hour that offered good deals. However, with a customer satisfaction of just 15.4% and a score of 3.9, its clear that these positive experiences are unfortunately quite rare among the 13 comments. On the flip side, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards disappointment, with many feeling the "price" was too high, often describing things as "pricey" or "overpriced.
" There were also complaints about the "happy hour" not delivering as promised and even hidden costs like the "soda price" not being listed on the menu. With 10 negative comments, it seems many felt they didnt get their money's worth.
Value
13
Reviews
15%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Good happy hour
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Misleading happy hour
- Hidden soda costs
Often praised
- happy hourzur happyhour echt günstig
- reasonable pricedreasonable priced good food
Frequently criticized
- pricefor the price I expected better
- priceyKinda pricey for something as simple as fish / shrimp & chips
- US$65.00 for a 2 pupusas, two tacos, two drinksUS$65.00 for a 2 pupusas, two tacos, two drinks... A totally ripoff
- billHe then offered me another dish, the daily soup, which took half an hour to arrive and was only lukewarm. To make matters worse, when we received the bill, the undercooked pork item was still on it. I was so unimpressed and wish I had eaten from one of the street vendors.
- foodThe food was expensive - not crazy expensive for what is obviously a tourist location.
- happy hourlured us in with happy hour and didn't come through
- pricesMy experience at the restaurant was marked by very good service. However, the prices are on the high end, and I felt the dishes could taste better for what you pay.
- soda pricesoda is not priced on the menu but charged at $5.50
If you're looking for a great deal, this might not be your best bet, as many found the prices to be on the higher side for what you get. While there are mentions of a happy hour, it seems to be a hit-or-miss situation. Proceed with caution if value is your top priority.
How are the prices at Lou's Fish Shack?
On average, you’ll spend around 31 per person – from 1 guest. That puts the restaurant in the $31–$40 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the price distribution, all the current data points fall squarely in this range, showing a very consistent price point. Since we only have one customers input, this is a good initial indication, but well keep an eye on it as more data comes in.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 1 review. With such limited data, this gives us an initial peek at spending habits.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Seafood Restaurant in San Francisco, a 31 price point feels quite fair. We think it offers a good balance for those looking for quality seafood without breaking the bank. Its a solid choice if you’re in the mood for a mid-range seafood experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lou's Fish Shack
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Awesome Service and Perfect Food!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! My waiter, Carlos, was awesome and very friendly. The chef, Joshua, prepared my food perfectly.
I especially enjoyed the great big jumbo shrimp and the homemade tarter sauce, which was the bomb! 😋
- waiter9
- chef10
- jumbo shrimp9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Food was alright, entertainment was great
My experience at the restaurant was decent. The food was alright, but the extra stars are definitely for the free entertainment on Saturday night.
- food5
- free entertainment9
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Clam Chowder Disappointing, Service Mediocre
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I had the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl, and it did not meet my expectations, especially compared to my previous visit to Fisherman's Wharf. The service was also mediocre and not very friendly.
- Clam Chowder3
- service4
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great Food and Nice People
My experience at Lou's was great. They have good food and nice people who work there. The upstairs area sometimes features a band.
- good food8
- nice people8
- band6
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Fresh Seafood with Limited Vegetarian Options
My experience at this restaurant was centered around the fresh seafood, as one would expect from a place in Fisherman's Wharf. They offer outdoor seating, which is a nice option, and a kid's menu with standard American fare for less adventurous eaters. However, I would not recommend this place for vegetarians.
- fresh seafood8
- outdoor seating7
- kid's menu7
- vegetarians3
What Lou's Fish Shack offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
FAQs
Can you enjoy a meal outdoors at Lou's Fish Shack in Fisherman's Wharf?
Absolutely! At Lou’s Fish Shack, you can take advantage of comfortable outdoor seating, perfect for soaking in the San Francisco atmosphere. Whether you’re planning for a delightful lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even just dessert, table service is available to ensure a pleasant dining experience for you.
Is Lou's Fish Shack a good choice for families dining with children?
Yes, Lou’s Fish Shack is very welcoming for families! You’ll find it’s good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu with appealing options. High chairs are also readily available to ensure your little ones are comfortable during your visit, making it an easy choice for a family outing.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Lou's Fish Shack?
Lou’s Fish Shack has an overall score of 5.8, indicating an average experience. While Food (6.3) and Ambience (6.1) are generally well-regarded, Service (5.2) is average, and Value (3.9) is considered poor by many guests.
Are there any specific food items that stand out at Lou's Fish Shack?
Yes, customers frequently praise the fish and chips, Ahi Poke, and cheeseburgers as delicious options. Some also enjoy the thin crispy fries and margaritas.
What are common complaints about Lou's Fish Shack?
Many guests express concerns about the perceived high prices and poor value. Service can also be inconsistent, with reports of slow or inattentive staff, and some food items like clam chowder or pupusas have received mixed reviews.