"If you’re a seafood lover and you don’t mind waiting for a table, head to Anchor Oyster Bar, preferably before 7 p.m., and get your name on the list. This is easily one of the best bang-for-your-buck spots in the Castro neighborhood, especially if you share stuff and order carefully, and there’s no better place nearby for oysters, Caesar salad, and perfectly cooked fish dishes. It’s not always clear how long the wait will be, but you can chance it and hop across the street to the wine bar at Swirl to kill 30 minutes or so. Just make sure you’re sending an envoy back periodically to see where you stand, or you could lose your spot." - Jay C. Barmann