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Foghorn Taproom

450 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118
$$
Fried Chicken, Wings, French Fries

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Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)

Foghorn Taproom 8.0
Inner Richmond
Neighborhood taproom where beer and fry platters anchor game nights. Fries come hot, crispy, and ready for buffalo, lemon-pepper, or parmesan riffs.
Must-Try Dishes: Buffalo fries, Garlic-parmesan fries, Loaded fries with ranch
Scores:
Value: 8.3 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 8.1 Food Quality: 8.2 Atmosphere: 7.4 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Game-day fries with rotating seasonings and shareable portions.
Who should go: Beer lovers and fry sharers
When to visit: Early evening before big games start
What to order: Buffalo fries, lemon-pepper fries, a local IPA
Insider tip: Order at the counter first to speed up seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along Clement and 6th; metered spots open up after 6pm but can be competitive on game nights.
Dress code: Casual—jerseys, jeans, and sneakers fit the taproom vibe.
Noise level: Loud during games and weekends; conversational only at off-peak hours.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes for tables, faster if you’re fine with bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; counter service moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—seasoned fries, salads, and a few share plates work fine.
Vegan options: Limited—some fries can be ordered without cheese or aioli.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated fryer; cross-contact likely for fried items.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into beer and casual energy—it’s more sports hangout than date-night spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—counter service only, so just grab a seat after ordering. Groups may need to wait during big games.
Is it kid-friendly? Mostly adult crowd but minors are allowed until 9pm; no kids’ menu, just shareable snacks.
Best For
Better for: Group hangs, game nights, and hearty bar snacks paired with rotating local beers.
Skip if: You’re seeking quiet conversation, upscale dining, or strict dietary accommodations.
Foghorn Taproom 8.5
Inner Richmond
Compact taproom where wings are the headline: hefty, crackly-skinned, and tossed in rotating sauces alongside a deep beer list. Counter ordering and plenty of TVs make it a game-night standby.
Must-Try Dishes: Buffalo wings, Bourbon maple bacon wings, Lemon pepper dry rub
Scores:
Value: 8.3 Service: 8.2 Consistency: 8.8 Food Quality: 9 Atmosphere: 7.4 Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Large-format, sauce-forward wings with true bar energy.
Who should go: Wing fans and beer lovers
When to visit: Early evening before major games start
What to order: Buffalo; bourbon maple bacon; lemon pepper
Insider tip: Order at the counter first, then grab a TV-facing table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Clement and adjacent avenues; it fills fast around game time, so arrive early or use a rideshare.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—team jerseys and hoodies fit right in.
Noise level: Lively during games with TV sound on, but manageable for small-group conversation before 6pm.
Weekend wait: 20–30 minutes for tables during peak sports hours; bar seats turn faster.
Weekday lunch: No wait—service is quick at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—mostly sides like fries, tots, and salads.
Vegan options: Minimal—ask about sauce ingredients; fries are typically safe.
Gluten-free options: Some sauces are GF-friendly, but wings are fried in shared oil—check with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves wings and sports—it’s casual, messy, and noisy but can be fun for low-pressure hangouts.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s counter-service only, so just grab an open table after ordering; small groups find seating easily before 6pm.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids—staff is chill and the vibe casual, but noise and bar focus make it less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Beer-and-wings purists who care about sauce rotation and crisp texture; excellent game-day energy.
Skip if: You’re seeking a quiet meal or elevated plating—this is a taproom, not a sit-down restaurant.
Foghorn Taproom 7.9
Inner Richmond
A snug Richmond taproom known for meaty, sauce-tossed wings and a crispy fried chicken sandwich alongside a broad beer list. Game nights get lively, but counter ordering keeps food moving quickly.
Must-Try Dishes: Nashville-style Fried Chicken Sandwich, Buffalo Wings (bone-in), Lemon Pepper Dry Rub Wings
Scores:
Value: 8.2 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 7.9 Food Quality: 8.2 Atmosphere: 7 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Beer-centric taproom with standout wings and a hot chicken sandwich.
Who should go: Wing lovers and beer list hunters
When to visit: Early evening before big games start
What to order: Nashville sandwich; buffalo wings; lemon pepper wings
Insider tip: Order at the counter, then snag a TV-view table for faster service.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Clement and adjacent side streets; fills quickly during evening games but typically manageable before 6pm.
Dress code: Casual—game-day jerseys, jeans, and sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Loud during sports events; moderate otherwise. Expect raised voices to compete with TVs.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during major games; otherwise immediate seating.
Weekday lunch: No wait—counter service moves fast.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—salads, fried cauliflower, and sides like fries or tots are available.
Vegan options: Limited—ask to hold sauces or butter; no dedicated vegan entrées.
Gluten-free options: Partial—some sauces and fried items may contain gluten; confirm with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into sports or casual hangs. The energy’s fun but loud—better suited to relaxed, low-pressure meetups than deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service only. Arrive early during big games for the best seating near TVs.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes during daytime or early evenings; families often stop by for wings before crowds arrive. Late hours skew adult and bar-oriented.
Best For
Better for: Wing variety and local beer selection beat most nearby pubs; great for sports-watch groups or casual hangs.
Skip if: You want quiet dining, craft cocktails, or refined presentation—this is a lively beer-and-wings joint.