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oChef » Swamp – San Francisco
Swamp - San Francisco
Photo from Swamp
Swamp at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🦞 Seafood Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 2 of the guests
#2113 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#40 Seafood Restaurant out of 48 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
282
Reviews
58.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Seafood variety
- Group friendly
- Happy hour
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Poor service
- Billing issues
The restaurant Swamp invites you to discover a delightful culinary experience in the heart of San Francisco. Located in the vibrant Richmond District, this seafood restaurant offers a unique setting for your dining pleasure.
You can look forward to a memorable meal, whether you’re seeking a casual evening or a special occasion. Prepare to enjoy fresh flavors and a welcoming atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting Swamp
Swamp offers a distinctive dining experience where the food generally receives positive remarks, particularly for its seafood options and flavorful preparations like garlic noodles . However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in certain dishes.
The overall atmosphere is often described as inviting, making it suitable for various occasions. While the culinary offerings have their high points, aspects like value and service present a more mixed picture.
Guests appreciate specific deals such as happy hour pricing, but the overall cost can quickly add up, and the attentiveness of the staff sometimes falls short.
Good
6.2
out of 10
282
Reviews
58.2%
Satisfaction
96
negative
22
neutral
164
positive
Overall, Swamp holds a Restaurant Score of 6.2 , placing it in the average category. Customer feedback, gathered from 282 opinions (164 positive, 96 negative), indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 58.2% , which suggests a mixed experience for many.
While not outstanding, it’s a place that has its proponents and detractors, reflecting a balanced sentiment. Diving deeper, the Food (6.9) stands out as a stronger point, often receiving decent remarks for its offerings.
However, Service (4.9) and Value (4.4) appear to be areas needing attention, with scores indicating room for improvement. The Ambience (6.4) generally contributes positively to the experience, sitting comfortably in the average range.
What people like
- Diverse seafood options
- Inviting group atmosphere
- Good happy hour deals
What people don't like
- High prices, poor value
- Disorganized, slow service
- Dishonest billing practices
Swamp presents a mixed bag, with a Recommendation Score of 6.4 . If you’re seeking a casual spot for seafood with friends and appreciate happy hour specials, it could be worth a visit.
The atmosphere is generally welcoming for groups, offering a decent setting for a relaxed meal. However, be mindful of the potential for higher costs and occasional service hiccups.
While the food has its strengths, the overall value and staff attentiveness can be inconsistent. It’s a place that might satisfy specific cravings but could disappoint if you expect a consistently smooth and budget-friendly experience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Swamp
Food (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, diners generally find a lot to love! With a solid score of 6.9, the culinary experience leans towards good, and about 120 positive remarks out of 180 total observations highlight some real winners. Guests rave about the fresh seafood, delicious garlic noodles, and the unique hurricane sauce, often praising the quality crawfish and shrimp boils.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 66.7%, indicating there's room for improvement. Around 45 negative comments point to concerns about bland flavor, inconsistent portion sizes, and occasional issues with food quality. Some also found certain items, like the hush puppies or mussels, to be disappointing or overly salty.
Food
180
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
45
negative
15
neutral
120
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh seafood
- Delicious sauces
- Great variety
What people don't like
- Bland flavor
- Small portions
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodthe food is good for the most part
- seafoodThey also have sports TVs and great happy hour prices. I highly recommend that you visit there sometime for some good seafood at a decent price 🤑🤑🤑😳😳😳.
- garlic noodlesfood is always great garlic noodles
- shrimpThe customer service was super, and our waitress was very, very nice. I recommend trying the alligator sausage, crawfish, shrimp, and mussels.
- alligator sausageTried the alligator sausage and it was amazing
- crabCrab or lobster in garlic butter sauce is the bomb.
- crawfishThe customer service was super, and our waitress was very, very nice. I recommend trying the alligator sausage, crawfish, shrimp, and mussels.
- beignetsI also enjoyed the fresh oyster and the unique gator sausages. A key recommendation is to save room for beignets, which were a delightful end to the meal.
- calamarifood is always great calamari
- garlic butter sauceCrab or lobster in garlic butter sauce is the bomb.
Frequently criticized
- shrimpThe shrimp wasn’t deveined and it still had the head on
- crawfishnot a fan of crawfish (where's the meat?!)
- 5 spice chickenthe 5 spice chicken was very brown and i wasn't sure what cut of the chicken I had
- cornI ordered 1lb of shrimp and 1lb of crab legs with corn and potatoes. However, I received only half a potato in each order and half a corn cob in each order as well. For the price paid, the menu should clearly state that only half a potato is provided.
- foodI found the shrimp to be old and the sausages tasted like they were from Costco. Overall, the food was just not good. I will never go again.
- oystersThe oysters weren't the best I've had
- Crawfish beignetsCrawfish beignets: 2-stars. dough wasn't fried like donuts but instead quite bready and crusty
- GI disturbancessick with GI disturbances for a week
- Garlic Noodlesif you order a side of Garlic Noodles for 2 people, it won't be enough
- Garlic noodlesI ordered the Garlic noodles and catfish fillet
If you're craving a seafood boil with unique flavors like hurricane sauce and garlic noodles, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that while many find the food good, some experiences point to inconsistencies in flavor and portioning, so manage your expectations.
Service (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres a lot to appreciate! Many customers, based on 16 positive remarks, rave about the friendly staff and quick service, with some even highlighting specific individuals like Cindy and Steve. While the overall score sits at an average 4.9, youll often find excellent customer service and fast wait times, making for a pleasant experience.
However, the picture isn't entirely rosy, with 40% customer satisfaction indicating a mixed bag. A significant 21 negative comments point to issues like long wait times, feeling understaffed, and a general lack of acknowledgement. Some experiences describe disorganized service, with waitresses leaving mid-order or requests going unfulfilled, suggesting a need for a more consistent system.
Service
40
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
21
negative
3
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Excellent service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Understaffed issues
- Disorganized service
Often praised
- serviceThe garlic noodles were a standout dish, even more so than the crawfish I also tried. The atmosphere was quiet, and the service was good, though the small staff might lead to slower service if the restaurant gets busy. Overall, it's a good Cajun option.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great seafood and the friendly staff. I always bring my parents here when they are in town.
- Cindy and SteveCindy and Steve are the best
- bibs and wet wipesThey give you bibs and wet wipes too!
- customer serviceCustomer service was super
- grandmathe grandma is nice
- great servicegreat service
- wait timethe wait time was fast
- waitercurrent waiter dude works really hard hustling
- waitressOur waitress was very very nice
Frequently criticized
- serviceWe used to come here because of the Yelp check-in, Groupon, and because it's closer than driving to San Jose and waiting for hours to get a table. Since the new ownership, the service has been frantic and neglectful. Even when it's not a full house, they don't seem to have a system.
- acknowledgementA simple "sorry for the wait" or at least some acknowledgement would of been enough
- bossWe didn't want to put up a fight or cause a scene, but while they were ringing us up, we looked at both promotions, and NEITHER one said that you could only use one at a time. When we showed it to the waiter, he had "the boss" come to talk to us. We showed him both fine print, and still, neither said only one offer could be used at a time.
- customer serviceWhen it is busy, it's worse. The food is still decent if you can put up with the lack of customer service. That's what we thought until the last time we went.
- foodThe flavor on their sauces was good. However, the food took way too long to make, even on a night that wasn't busy.
- front of houseonly one person at front of house?
- leg cutterasked for a lemon and a leg cutter and none was delivered
- lemonasked for a lemon and a leg cutter and none was delivered
- owner/managergirl (seems like the owner/manager) doesn’t put much effort
- people running the businessthe people running the business seems really disorganized
So, should you go? If you catch them on a good day, you'll likely enjoy friendly, quick service. But be prepared for potential long waits and disorganization, especially during busy times, as the service can be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has some definite upsides, with a score of 6.4 indicating its pretty average overall. Many guests, making up 15 of the 23 observations, appreciate the "quiet spot" and "spacious seating, " making it great for "large parties" or a "group meal. " Plus, the "sports TVs" and "full bar" add to a "good atmosphere" for hanging out.
However, its not all perfect, as reflected by a mixed customer satisfaction of 65.2%. Some diners found the atmosphere somewhat awkward or noted a strong garlic smell. A few also mentioned the kitchen staff being noisy, and the general sentiment that things can get messy might not appeal to everyone, based on 6 critical observations.
Ambience
23
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spacious seating
- Sports TVs
- Full bar
What people don't like
- Garlic smell strong
- Atmosphere awkward
- Can get messy
Often praised
- atmospherein a clean, inviting atmosphere
- best spotMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the best spot in the city for a good price with great deals. It's also a great spot to hang with friends, especially for the best crawfish.
- full barMy experience at this family-owned Asian Cajun house was for an early Sunday dinner. The vibe of the place is perfect for seafood lovers who don't mind getting their hands dirty, with spacious seating, a full bar, and gloves provided. I tried the Steamed Shrimp in the Hurricane Sauce, which was a special dish.
- glovesgloves is made for seafood lovers
- good atmosphereI really miss this restaurant and wish it could reopen. My experience was defined by good food and a good atmosphere. The overall experience was so positive that I truly wish it were still open.
- great experienceHowever, the bill adds up quick. It was a great experience with friends, but overall, it was nothing special.
- group mealMy experience at this restaurant was positive, especially for a group meal. While it's not quite as down & dirty as the Boiling Crab, it's a great place for a group meal in the city!
- large partiesPerfect for large parties
- locationthe location is convenient
- quaint restaurantcame upon this quaint restaurant
Frequently criticized
- atmospheresomewhat awkward atmosphere
- garlic smellthe restaurant has a strong garlic smell.
- kitchen staffKitchen staff overly ringing bell was annoying
- messy thingshow messy things can get
- nameI absolutely hate the name of this place, but I love their garlic noodles. What a horrible name for a place.
- table assignmentwanted to move us from a 8 person table to a 4 person table because we were only 5 of us
This spot offers a casual, spacious setting with a full bar, great for group meals. Just be aware of a potential strong garlic smell and a bustling, sometimes messy, vibe.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some bright spots, with a 4.4 score indicating its pretty average overall. Many guests appreciate the price and cheap options, especially noting happy hour deals and great value combos. Folks often find good quality at a reasonable price, praising how inexpensive some food items are and the appealing happy hour specials.
However, the customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather poor 33.3%, suggesting a significant number of diners feel otherwise. With 24 negative remarks compared to 13 positive out of 39 total comments, many find things overpriced and expensive, with extra charges making the bill adds up quick. ' Issues like unhonored promotions and unexpected costs also frequently pop up.
Value
39
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
24
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Reasonable combo deals
- Good quality for price
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Unexpected extra charges
- Promotion issues
Often praised
- happy hourThey appear to be from the same owners. Plus, there's 15% Off during happy hour(s) from 3 pm to 6 pm. Oh yeah, they also serve seafood.
- 15% OffThey appear to be from the same owners. Plus, there's 15% Off during happy hour(s) from 3 pm to 6 pm. Oh yeah, they also serve seafood.
- 2 or 3 item comboThe 2 or 3 item combo for $14/lb is a great deal
- cheapCheap, considering food quality
- decent priceThey also have sports TVs and great happy hour prices. I highly recommend that you visit there sometime for some good seafood at a decent price 🤑🤑🤑😳😳😳.
- good priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the best spot in the city for a good price with great deals. It's also a great spot to hang with friends, especially for the best crawfish.
- great dealsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's the best spot in the city for a good price with great deals. It's also a great spot to hang with friends, especially for the best crawfish.
- great valuegreat value and quality meat.
- happy hour pricesgreat happy hour prices
- inexpensive foodhow inexpensive the food here is
Frequently criticized
- pricemediocre for the price ($75 before tips for 2)
- pricesNew owners have raised prices on everything
- $25The stole $25 from us.
- 74 dollarsnot worth the 74 dollars it comes out to
- GrouponWill not honor groupon. Twice they made excuses.
- Spriteit was 3 dollars for a can of sprite
- added his own tipthe waiter added his own tip into our bill
- bill adds up quickthe bill adds up quick
- crawfishEXPENSIVE! $19 per pound for crawfish!
- dishonest thievesDishonest thieves. The stole $25 from us.
If you're looking for specific deals like happy hour or combo meals, you might find some good value here. However, be cautious of potential extra charges and verify promotions, as many guests felt the overall cost was too high for what they received.
How are the prices at Swamp?
On average, you’ll spend around 33 per person – from 2 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $31–$40 category. For a Seafood Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the individual reviews, prices are quite spread out, with one guest spending in the $11–$20 range and another in the $51–$60 range. This suggests a mix of cheaper and more premium options. Since we only have data from 2 guests, this is a good indication, but keep in mind it’s a small sample.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 2 most recent reviews. This data is limited, but it gives a good indication.
Heres how this restaurants value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Seafood Restaurant, especially considering the range of options available. It seems like you can find something for different budgets here.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Swamp
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Miss this restaurant, great food and atmosphere!
I really miss this restaurant and wish it could reopen. My experience was defined by good food and a good atmosphere. The overall experience was so positive that I truly wish it were still open.
- good food9
- good atmosphere9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Favorite Coconut Curry Prawns - Hope it Reopens!
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their amazing coconut curry prawn and rice bowl. It was my favorite place for this dish. Unfortunately, it's sad that it has been closed due to COVID-19.
I truly hope it reopens soon!
- coconut curry prawn and rice bowl10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Dish Portion Disappointment
I did weigh my food just to see if it was an honest restaurant. One of my dishes weighed the right amount. But the expensive dish came up short.
This will be on the “no go place” list. Should just bring back the old owners.
- dish weight5
- expensive dish2
2
Horrible Service, Nasty Food, High Prices
My experience at this restaurant was not good at all. The service was HORRIBLE, and there's not much to say about the NASTY flavor of their food. Additionally, the prices are too high for the portion they offer.
- service1
- food flavor1
- prices2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Delicious Cajun with a Side of Noodles
My experience at this Cajun restaurant was quite positive, especially regarding the food. The garlic noodles were a standout dish, even more so than the crawfish I also tried. The atmosphere was quiet, and the service was good, though the small staff might lead to slower service if the restaurant gets busy.
Overall, it's a good Cajun option.
- garlic noodles9
- crawfish6
- quiet place8
What Swamp offers
Offerings
- Happy hour drinks
Dining options
- Dinner
Service Options
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What dining and service options does Swamp offer?
At Swamp, you can enjoy dinner. For your convenience, the restaurant also provides takeout and delivery services, allowing you to savor their dishes wherever you are.
Does Swamp offer happy hour or accept reservations?
Yes, Swamp features happy hour drinks for you to enjoy. Additionally, the restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to plan your visit and secure your table.
What is the overall rating for Swamp and what are its strongest and weakest areas?
Swamp has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.2 . Its Food (6.9) is generally well-regarded, while Ambience (6.4) is average. Service (4.9) and Value (4.4) are areas where customers have noted room for improvement.
Is Swamp a good place for group gatherings?
Yes, many customers find Swamp suitable for groups, describing it as having an inviting atmosphere, spacious seating, and being perfect for large parties or a casual group meal.
Are there any concerns about pricing or billing at Swamp?
Some customers have expressed concerns about the value , noting that the bill can add up quickly, prices have been raised, and there have been instances of issues with honoring deals or incorrect billing.