Ron G.
Yelp
If you're in San Francisco and looking to load up on seafood without emptying your wallet, this buffet might be your go-to. For $32.99 a head, it's a pretty great deal in a pricey city like SF, especially if you've got a crab craving. It's not fancy and there's not waiters/bartenders but that's part of the charm - it's very self serve and you can dive right in for crab legs and don't stress about the service or chit-chat with waitstaff. Drinks are extra, so don't be surprised by a small upcharge if you want anything other than water, but it's great if you want a quite place to eat.
I focused mainly on the seafood offerings - because that's why you're here, right? The crab legs were fresh enough and kept coming, which was awesome. I couldn't resist making multiple trips for the crispy lobster tail and shrimp; they were fried just right and juicy on the inside. The soups, like clam chowder, were also good, though I'd pass on the dumplings and some barbecue meats since they seemed like they had been sitting out for a bit too long.
Service is pretty hands-off since this place runs on a mostly self-serve model. It's part of the dive bar-looking feel, which wasn't really a bother because they do a good job of refilling the buffet pretty consistently, even if it is roughly every couple of hours. The only hiccup was a bit of a build-up of dirty plates before someone swung by, but that's kind of expected in this setup.
The vibe was laid-back, with a great view of the piers if you snag a window seat. It could be cleaner, especially around the railing areas, but honestly, it's minor if you're there for the food and not to inspect the place. I ate crab legs and read a book for 2 hours :-)
Overall, if you're looking for a good seafood fix on a budget in SF, it's definitely worth a visit despite the casual - and at times chaotic - setting.