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Tony's Seafood Restaurant
- Hours:
Fri 9 am - 8 pm
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
110 reviews for Tony's Seafood Restaurant
Review Highlights
"A great place to stop and get some BBQ oysters."
(in 51 reviews)
"The clam chowder was REALLY good and my wife's favorite."
(in 20 reviews)
"Warning to bring cash (and plenty of it."
(in 12 reviews)
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110 reviews in English
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Review from Nat V.
San Mateo, CA
11/30/2011
Looking at the outside of the restaurant and considering that it is in the middle of nowhere I didn't have huge expectations, but we were hungry and my fiend insisted we eat in it as he had been to the place before. There were about 10 of us, we kept ordering different dishes and were able to try a lot of things on their menu.
Their BBQ oysters are to die for - we couldn't get enough and just kept ordering more and more of them. I'm not a fan of fresh oysters, so I haven't even tried them, but my friends seemed to absolutely love them! We also got an order of BBQ shrimp and calamari, which were both good, but couldn't even compare to oysters. -
Review from Jono H.
San Francisco, CA
9/7/2011
Overpriced, poorly prepared food.
The barbecued oysters (5 for $9) are slathered in sauce that tastes basically like ketchup. And at least two of them where shriveled, tiny morsels that probably should not have been served.
Pretty much everything on the menu is overly sauced or fried.
It's too bad, because the place's no-frills ambiance is a nice antidote to the area's predominant preciousness. But they need to make me feel like I'm getting my money's worth for me to return. -
Review from Pippi L.
Sacramento, CA
9/5/2011
We stopped here because we wanted to try the Marshall Store, but I have a 6 year old and a 3 month old, and the 3 month old needed to nurse and we were foiled by parking. We turned back, to Tony's, where there WAS parking.
We know why.
Service is definitely not the best. Sure, the food is going to be fried, it SAYS it's fried, or sauteed, so I can't complain about that. But we paid 18 bucks for a 6 dollar fried meal with a crummy side salad, served up with a relatively crummy attitude, and no refills on beverages, and no check ins, and we got our own extra napkins. Also??? You need cash. Get some at the Marshall Store, and then stay there.
The guy cooking the oysters, who we were seated next to, was so nice and busy. Our waitress? Irritated we wanted to sit by a window; another seemed irritated I had a kid who was standing waiting for a table to be cleaned, and another waitress screaming over our heads waving at her boyfriend while talking on her cell phone (he was on a crummy little boat fishing within sight of the restaurant.)
The food was eh. My 6 year old and my husband have a weird and unquenchable appetite for oysters. We ordered her two platters of the bbq oysters, and they come with sweet sickly sauce. WTF? Just cook them up and serve them with some lemon, garlic butter, or hot sauce, but don't douse them. The third platter was special ordered, and she ate them all up. She was well behaved and stuffing her face, and my baby I nursed outside dockside, so everyone in our party was calm and kind and not annoying (and we can be, trust me.)
Oysters are just fine, you can special order them without crummy bbq sauce and they come out looking really good. Scallops were good, and the clam chowder was smooth and flavorful, needing only a bit of pepper.
The platters of food with crummy french fries, crummy green salad, and fried bits of seafood worth about $6 and sold for 3X that?? Skip!! I did, however, really like the fried scallops, and if I was stuck in a ditch within walking distance of only this restaurant, I'd get those.
$67 bucks for 2 subpar meals, 2 sodas, an iced tea, 1 cup of clam chowder, 18 oysters (of which only 6 were decent because they didn't have sickly sweet bbq sauce) and a irritated to be there server.
Luckily, it's Tomales Bay. There are plenty of fish in the sea. -
Review from Brian J.
San Francisco, CA
12/31/2011
One of the most well-loved oyster shacks on the coast. I've been coming here for at least 10 years but probably more like 15 and usually stop whenever I'm near, say 50 miles. This is a unique place because it holds a lot of memories when I think of it. I remember when I forgot to bring money and took my check. Or the time I went just as they were closing and the nice waitress brought me something out of the kitchen anyway even though she had other things to do. I remember an assortment of dates that I brought here...but then I digress. Tony's is a local icon of more than just food. If you're here because you were looking for the most unique and tasty gut stuffing experience north of the gate and compare this to something out your best restaurant list, you will be dissapointed. I might gently say that you just didn't experience what it means to see the sun set at Tony's.
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Review from Autumn K.
8/13/2011
I only ate the bbq oysters and drank the champagne. I left very happy. Almost as good as The Marshall Store and such friendly small-town service. What the interior lacks in modern ambiance (everything doesn't have to look like 25 Lusk to be outstanding), it makes up for in the crazy delicious oysters and equally friendly locals who seem to convene here. The two sisters who work here are the sisters of the cutest bartender over at Nick's Cove. Good trivial knowledge to possess.
I don't know what the prices are like, but trust me: whatever the cost, it's worth it. -
Review from Roy C.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2011
The BBQ Oysters are 5 star!
We've eaten here a few times.
The Boston (white) clam chowder is pretty good. However, the Manhattan (red) clam chowder ranks as one of the best I have ever had. For me, it was much better than the white.
The Calamari Steak tasted pretty typical.
The last time we were there, I tried the Cioppino. I was really looking forward to a great tasting dish. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment for me. For me, the best thing about a Cioppino is the soup/broth. If you nail it, nothing else matters. All the fish and shellfish in this version was fresh and properly cooked. However, the broth was watery and not that flavorful.
Frankly, after having the amazing Manhattan (red) clam chowder, the Cioppino was a big let down. If I could, I would ask them to bring me a big bowl of the Red Chowder, then throw all the Cioppino Fish and Shellfish into it and add a bit of water to thin it. Next to the BBQ Oysters, that would be the best dish on the menu! -
Review from Mike V.
7/6/2011 2 photos
I have been coming to this place for years (granted, it's like 63 years old and my tenure is only a fraction of that) and there is no other seafood joint I will stop at in the whole Bodega/Tomales/Pt. Reyes region.
I always get four plates of the BBQ'd oysters (at minimum) and usually a cold beer. I prefer to sit in the back area by the grill.
I just hope they stay open for another 63 years. -
Review from Bill S.
Lafayette, CA
6/11/2011
We were late going up to Tomales Bay, and were craving oysters. The BBQ oysters were amazing. We purchased several plates to go with the garlic red sauce on top. My wife loves oysters, and she loved the flavor and depth of these oysters. A great place to stop and get some BBQ oysters. The bulding is not much to look at, but it is right on the water. We also had a bowl of chowder that my boys loved.
End result best BBQ Oysters we have found so far. -
Review from Lana L.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2011
Amazing unpretentious oyster shack in the middle of nowhere. Make sure to stop by on the way to Bodega Bay. Very inexpensive fresh oysters, BBQ oysters the place is famous for, flavorful claim chowder, and variety of "catch of the day" options. The only minus is their rather limited wine selection, but, again, who is expecting good wine from the side-of-the-road type of place?
Chatting with the owners, we were surprised to find that most of the oysters they serve are not even local! Which would probably explain the consistency of the quality. -
Review from Grace L.
San Jose, CA
2/13/2011
If you're looking for fried seafood & Ore-Ida crinkly cut fries, this is the place for you. If you're looking for a nice dinner out, skip it. Tony's has been around forever, and the view is spectacular. The food, however, is really disappointing.
Unfortunately, we made the mistake of eating here a second time, having forgotten that we'd been here before (hee, hee). On this visit, we had a seafood linguine (on the list of specials) that was bland, watery, and overcooked. Also had a "sauteed combo" of scallops and prawns that was allegedly sauteed in butter and wine. It, too, was bland, watery, and overcooked with no hint of butter or wine. Salad was lettuce only. Those Ore-Ida fries were pretty good, though!
It was 8 pm on a Saturday night and there was one other couple in the place. Which was a good thing, because they close at 8:30 on Saturdays. (Cash only.) -
Review from Bill D.
Oakland, CA
7/10/2011
We don't know what the complainers where looking for. This ain't New York or downtown SF, but every time we've been there (like 10+ times) the ambiance, the food and the price was excellent. What do you look for in on a leisurely drive up the coast? A place to sit by the water and enjoy good, wholesome food.
Think the complainers wouldn't be happy eating at a Thomas Keller restuaran--too pricey or somehting. -
Review from Victoria G.
San Jose, CA
11/2/2010
I only like oysters two ways.. RAW or at Tony's!
You can't beat the price or the freshness of Tony's BBQ Oysters. They always fill my tummy up with some warm yummy goodness. I love the tangy bbq sauce with the little garlic bits. Occasionally you'll get some oyster shell bits stuck from the high heat that they bbq them at but its sooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it -
Review from Dawn M.
9/13/2010
We stopped here on our way to Hog Island Oyster Co. I have no idea why Tony's don't buy theirs just down PCH instead of from WA especially since they are so isolated.
The diner is perched on the bay and looks something like a railroad car with wood floors. The waits talk to each other a lot but our oysters, hamburger and krinkle fries were fine. I haven't seen those in 30 years.
Cash only - so bring plenty this isn't cheap! -
Review from Peg S.
6/22/2010 2 photos
Final BBQ oysters count:
Hubby: 31
Me: 17
Total: 48
Large, fresh oysters, slathered in tomatoey BBQ sauce and sprinkled with garlic. Slithery, hot flavor bombs in your mouth (this is a good thing). 5 for $8.95. They gave us an extra oyster per plate after the first three plates. During our oyster gorge fest, we saw the staff repeatedly walk back to the kitchen with freshly chopped crab legs (sorry, this is turning into a macabre review). Oh, and the New England clam chowder wasn't bad either. -
Review from Gita P.
Belmont, CA
11/8/2010
Remember, I am a vegetarian and no, seafood is NOT on the ok list. We went to Tony's Saturday night. The place was marginally busy. The view awesome.
The hubby, my sister and her bf. They ordered the BBQ oysters which they loved, shrimp tacos...which lacked the spicy kick, hallibut...white fish, and a sopa which did look amazing with all of the sea creatures and what not. When it was my turn, i asked about any veggies suggestions and I was informed that they had salad and grill cheese. Oh yipppee! Please really could I order off the menu for three year olds?
Once the meal was served, i finally got it. Other than the lettuce for the salad and potatoes for french fries, this place had no vegetables, NONE what so ever!
So, to the owners of Tony's I say...Really? You can't come up with one or two vegetarian inspired dishes for us smucks who end up there with our meat loving peeps? -
Review from Julie S.
10/26/2010 3 photos
I had really wanted BBQ oysters at the Lake Chalet, but they weren't doing them the day we were there -- bummer! My friend and I were driving up to Guerneville from SF and decided to take the scenic route up the coast. We ate a HUGE picnic lunch at the lighthouse and then headed out. As we were driving, we saw Tony's sign for BBQ oysters and had to do a quick u-turn to go get some, even though we were still pretty stuffed. Our server was so nice and the oysters were delicious! Fresh garlic, sweet marinara...yum!
I asked some locals about the WA thing and they said that they heard it was because the competing oyster restaurant is also the owner of the oyster boats and won't sell to them. Not sure if it is true or not. Just repeating what I was told. Regardless, they were super tasty and really hit the spot! -
Review from Steve V.
Northern, CA
7/24/2011
We love the food here - the waitress can be nice but then prickly at the same time. We've had her before and she's not the friendliest or most service orientated waitress. Seems like you are bothering her when you ask for something. I had to go to compassion because she was only one of two waitresses and the place was crowded. We enjoy Tony's and it's a favorite of ours. The clam chowder and seafood platter is amazing, just a little more heavier on the calamari than shrimps, scallops and fish. Tarter Sauce, crab louis dressing are exceptional too. The views of Tomales Bay are extraordinary.
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Review from Asa D.
Berkeley, CA
7/17/2010
UPDATE: The oysters gave me food poisoning for 10 days! Dehydration never felt so good! Thanks, Tony's!
Have you ever wanted to replicate your high school cafeteria experience? Mediocre food served by people who don't bother to mask their loathing for you? An undercurrent of something not-quite-right? Check out Tony's. For the cost of what would have been a nice dinner in a Point Reyes Station restaurant, you can be served slop by bitter, rude people... and not affected Zeitgeist hipster rude, either... this is the real deal!
During my mercifully-short stay at this establishment, I sat at the bar and listened to the creepy bartender dude loudly alternate between annoyed sighing, barking petty orders to the waitress (why yes, the ketchup at that table IS low!), and referring to female waitresses in, um, rather physical terms!
I had raw oysters, with just a hint of norovirus- which forever established the difference between "diarrhea" and "REAL diarrhea" in my life, a bowl of white clam chowder (no clams, apparently a specialty chowder!) and a glass of what they claimed was white Italian wine, but tasted like- and probably could double as- brake fluid. Oh sure, it might cost a little more than eating at a "proper" establishment, but it's worth it!
Whew. All this sarcasm is making me thirsty. Seriously, this place sucks. As others have pointed out, it probably stays in business from clueless tourists that don't know food, don't know wine, and are too tired to protest the horrible service. Don't be a clueless tourist. -
Review from T and C H.
San Jose, CA
8/31/2010
Tony's famous BBQ oysters are from .... WASHINGTON??? Yes, that's what the waitress told us, and, furthermore, she said they've always been from Washington.
Don't waste your money helping the Washington economy when you can buy fresh and local Tomales Bay or Drake's Bay oysters almost anywhere in the Point Reyes area. -
Review from David S.
Petaluma, CA
5/4/2010
I'm not certain why this place gets such good reviews. It's kind of a dump (without the charm of some dumps). The food was, at best, mediocre and the service was barely adequate.
I will admit the BBQ oysters were good (large, tender, flavorful but with what tasted like bottled BBQ sauce) but the clam chowder most Yelp reviewers rave about was bland and thickened with corn starch. And call me overly demanding but clam chowder should have more than a couple of clams. We also had the bowl of clam steamers in broth... OK but nothing to come back for.
If you want really excellent clam chowder keep going north on #1 and stop at Spud Point Crab Company in Bodega Bay. Now that's the real deal. -
Review from Elise G.
9/12/2010
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while cruising the coast today. The restaurant was quaint and the view was right on the water. We arrived just at sunset, so it was very romantic.
The food was delicious and comforting on such a cold day. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir, the BBQ oysters, mussels, and a cup of vegetable clam chowder. All together the bill was $63. Not bad for fresh seafood and a bottle of wine!
The BBQ oysters were my favorite! The sauce was sweet and the pinch of freshly chopped garlic really complemented the perfectly cooked, meaty oysters. The mussels were plentiful, and the broth was so amazing, I devoured it like soup. The mussels were bathed in tomatoes, green onions, and parsley, which made the dish taste light and herbaceous. The vegetable clam chowder was so so good and really hit the spot. It was tomato based with strips of potato, celery, and clams, similar to a minestrone, only better. Everything was so hearty and homey.
The service was welcoming and informative and the food came fast. It was a nice dining experience on our coastal adventure. -
Review from Roy N.
7/22/2008
Been coming here for years and the food tastes even better after a nice drive up the coast along Hwy 1. The obvious draw here is the oysters, both BBQ'd and raw, but since I don't eat oysters, I always order one of the fish dishes. I'm always happy with their fish and chips and when you walk in, see if they're unloading or cleaning fish out front.
This not a high end, yuppie upscale place, it's the real deal...an old school seafood restaurant on Hwy 1 overlooking the water.
The best halibut I've ever had in my life was here. I was walking in when I saw them unloading fish and I saw them cutting and cleaning the most beautiful freshly caught halibut out front in the cleaning area. It had just been caught that morning! Naturally, I ordered it and wow, it was celestial.
The food is consistently good, although not always to that level, but as I mentioned earlier, definitely keep an eye out as you walk in for clues on what's incoming.
Nice little bar upfront too. Tony is a good guy and I'm always happy to see my favorite waitress...Hope.
While you're in the area, it's just a short drive to the town of Bodega where the Hitchcock film, "The Birds" was filmed. The tourist and travel center can give you a free map to help you find the actual school house and the original "The Tides" restaurant (now remodeled/rebuilt) from the film.
A great way to spend the day...pretty cool! -
Review from Rick S.
Gallup, NM
2/1/2010
On a recent trip to the Bay area, we decided to take a detour over to Point Reyes Lighthouse. As we explored the coastal region and stomachs began growling, we thought we'd stop for a nice oyster lunch and happened upon Tony's. Situated on the sparkling waters of Tomales Bay, the ramshackle building housing Tony's has an authentic weatherbeaten look and is still standing more out of spite than any other reason. In fact, I feel the same way about our experience there.
First of all, it's not a very welcoming restaurant. The wait staff is unfriendly and unattentive (perhaps locals are treated better) and the rickety structure has numerous holes in it. How would we know this? Well, it happened to be a somewhat blustery day when we visited, and the wind and rain howled through those holes, many around the windows right along the waterside tables. There weren't any better tables available so we stayed where we were.
Sometimes the kitchen can make up for bad service, but sadly, it wasn't to be. We started with clam chowder, but it was only lukewarm when it finally arrived much later. Tony's version is New England-style and was somewhat bland and a bit skimpy, with more potatoes than seafood. Whether the plates were cold or simply sitting on the counter too long, I don't know.
We also had oysters on the half shell. I love to savor the oyster and the enclosed liquor with a bit of Tabasco and fresh grated horseradish. They were extremely fresh and tender (yes!) but they were not shucked properly and featured shell bits along with the oyster (no!).
Mediocrity reigned during the balance of our forgettable lunch. Fried items seemed unable to make the twenty-foot trek from the kitchen to our table without becoming cold and greasy. Again, the service may be suspect as to why items kept coming out less than piping hot.
The pièce de résistance for me was the outhouse experience of Tony's. Yes, the filthy bathroom is located in an adjoining outbuilding (albeit with running water). Fortunately, the weather had brightened by the time I had to do my business so I was saved an uncovered walk in the rain. I did have to wait though as a line had formed due to a tour bus group at the restaurant.
Then it hit me. I wondered if perhaps bus drivers on the take, ferrying unsuspecting patrons to their gastric demise, are the only obstacle keeping this dump from shuttering its doors for good. Or maybe people who spend their weekends driving around the countryside in Volvos, buying $3 peaches at slickster fruit stands, enjoy consuming overpriced, underwhelming food. It doesn't really matter. Some things just need to be avoided, like the Plague. And Tony's. -
Review from Jessica K.
Roseville, CA
4/24/2009
For Sandie S: How to get to Marshall, CA...(ahem)
Take Hwy 101 to the Stinson Beach Exit which is otherwise known as Highway 1. Take this all the way up last Stinson Beach and past Pt. Reyes and there you have Tomales Bay and the favorite local treat: Tomales Bay oysters.
I dig authentic local places like Tony's. We found it by accident because the family did not want to go to Tomales Bay Oyster Co. and wanted a place to instead sit down and grab a comfortable meal indoors. I don't think we were at all disappointed and I have to say that we're huge seafood fans so our standards are higher than most.
It's so windy in Marshall that it's a joy to finally be able to run into their oyster shack and grab a seat by the window as the sign above their service window directs. The servers are friendly, quite knowledgeable and are comfortable enough to sit down and have a chat with you with is endearing in my opinion.
Their oysters on the half shell are excellent (6 for $9.95). The horseradish itself could open my nostrils, clear up my sinuses and smack me around fairly roughly. So yes of course I dabbled much of it on with the fresh lemons, cocktail and two, yes TWO kinds of hot sauce they carry.
I think my favorite have got to be the BBQ Oysters though. (5 for 9.95) These are some meaty and hot oysters. They slap them on the grills, dabble on their homemade BBQ sauce and the 5 will fill up a Dixie plate. These suckers are good enough on their own with just the BBQ sauce. Having an order would most likely be enough but save room for their entrees if oysters are not your bag.
I had the Seafood Linguine, the bf had the grilled Red Snapper and the sister had the Cioppino. The salads that were brought out were amazingly plain but fresh. I didn't spy a single iceberg lettuce and a nice addition of cherry tomatoes. How could anyone not love a cherry tomato here and there and their dressing automatically on the side?
The cioppino and linguine looked exactly the same with the exception of adding pasta to one. Both are cooked in a tomato broth and had a nice combination of scallops, mussels, clams and fish. The fish tasted a little metallic but it was scarce so it was hardly an issue. The Red Snapper was breaded and fried but flaky and moist on the inside.
Overall the meal was terrific, the server was polite and on point and we all walked away happy and full. I'd try to come back again if I could but some of us had carsickness on the way here.
Just remember two things:
1. Bring cash and lots of it.
2. Fill up with gas before you get up here. -
Review from gwynnie p.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2007
5 stars for sittin' atop Tomales Bay and for the BBQ and 1/2 shell oysters.
0 stars for everything else-it's crap. Oysters and Anchor my friend.
note: Very limited hours-off season Fri, Sat, Sun 12-8pm. In the summer I think they're open Weds-Sun, but call first! CASH ONLY.Listed in: GET OUT OF TOWN!
-
Review from Nina F.
Long Beach, CA
7/6/2007
Some day I will actually order seafood here, but for now I just can't get past how wonderful the grilled cheese sandwiches are. Yummy, gooey, cheese melting between thick slices of fresh bread....mmmmm....
As per usual, I have to knock a star off for the cash-only, but I will definitely be back. -
Review from Katie Z.
New York, NY
7/31/2009
Good marinara-style bbq oysters. They have a sweet bbq/marinara sauce. We also got bowls of chowder - B. got the New England clam chowder and I got the house specialty veggie chowder. Both were fine, but weren't exceptional. They actually seemed a little low on the clams.
It's a cute little place though, with seats right on the water, and it's a nice place to enjoy a seafood dinner. Be sure to get the oysters. -
Review from Will H.
San Francisco, CA
6/22/2006
Even though Tony's is a good hour north of the city, it's worth a mention. No, it deserves a BIG mention.
Tony's is a tiny, local seafood shack on the water about 1 mile south of Marshall on Highway 1. It reminds me of some of the places from my childhood along the South Carolina coastline.
Excellent BBQ oysters. The oysters are grilled over an open fire pit and baked with BBQ sauce and tons of garlic. (Next time I go, I'll order a couple dozen and wash them down with a few Anchor Steams.) The cracked crab is chilled and sweet - it doesn't need any sauce at all. The fried seafood, while good, is definitely not the main attraction. For anyone making the trek, stick with the shellfish.
Also, beware...cash only. -
Review from Katie M.
San Francisco, CA
7/22/2007
If you are cruising up Highway 1 from Point Reyes, you must hit up this seafood dive. I felt like I was back east and not in Northern California. The BBQ oysters are amazing you can watch em get bbqed on the grill in the back, people where eaten them by the plate full, so I knew I needed to hit them up.
They were perfectly cooked with great homemade bbq sauce and a little cheese melted on top. I also had some raw and fried oysters which were also great bu the bbq ones were def my fav.
Awesome fish tacos, seafood salads, and fish and chips as well. This place has been around for over 40 years and there is a reason why. It reminded me of the old school seafood shacks I used to go to as a kid in the summer on the coast of Maine and New England, cheap, greasy, fresh fish cooked to perfection. -
Review from Nenette Y.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2009
OK, prices are not exactly cheap but considering how fresh and incredibly delicious the oysters (BBQ and fresh) were I am a FAN.
After a 10 mile hike the husband and I were starving and ate 2-3 dozen oysters and washed it down with a few well earned beers. (Wasn't crazy about the cioppino, BTW... I think mine is better).
It's a simple restaurant on the water with a lovely view, but don't go expecting candles, cloth napkins, etc... the bathrooms are portable and service somewhat harried but I will definitely return, just make sure to bring cash with you since they don't accept cards. -
Review from Lindsay Z.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2008
After an afternoon of exploring the Point Reyes area, we ventured up to Marshall to find some oysters and seafood to munch on. It was about 4 o'clock on a Friday, so we wanted something to hold us over until we got back to the city to eat dinner. I'd looked up Yelp reviews for places before we left, and Tony's fit the bill perfectly. Especially since I think it was the first restaurant you see when you hit the Marshall town limits.
We walked in and the place was mainly locals. As we were there, a few more tourists showed up, but it was still mainly a local place. It's situated right on Tomales Bay, which makes for a nice view. We ordered one of everything from their seafood section of the menu.
BBQ Oysters: Served 6 to an order I think. Very good!
Raw Oysters: Tasted super fresh, I could have just eaten these.
Shrimp Cocktail: Used the tiny (bay?) shrimp, good but not great. Served with lemon and cocktail sauce.
Crab Cocktail: Taken out of the shell and served with lemon and cocktail sauce. Very good. Tasted like fresh crab, not from a can.
Steamed Mussels: Piping hot and delicious.
Steamed Clams: White wine broth was superb. Delicious clams.
They didn't bring us any bread, which I love to use to soak up the broth from the steamed mussels and clams, so I asked the waitress, expecting nothing special. What she brought was a basket of steaming sourdough. Crisp on the outside, doughy on the inside. We asked for a second basket. Be sure to ask for some bread, it was SO good!
Bring cash!!! They do not take any cards, and I did not see an ATM anywhere. -
Review from Derek C.
Santa Clara, CA
5/28/2008
BBQ Oysters - If there was a Wikipedia page for this mana food, it would have to be redirected to "Heaven." Tony's service is fast and its BBQOs are absolutely perfect.
The wife often skips a regular meal and goes BBQO with a side of chowder. (Who by the way, doesn't even like oysters, but these are "different"). They come right out of the ocean and onto the grill, then onto a paper plate, with the juices still bubbling. No frills, no fancy.
Their entree dishes are pretty good and specials are certainly worthy of their names. Last time I had cracked crab with a side of bread, which was pretty delish. Their fried goodies are also strong performers.
It's more restaurant than seafood bar, and more seafood bar than a place that might have table linens, but it is very consistent, you never really have to wait, and there's a great view of Tomales Bay to greet you. Warning to bring cash (and plenty of it). A beer, plate of BBQOs (5), entree will set you back $15-20/per person easily, and you may want to opt for that 2nd BBQO plate. -
Review from Sonya C.
Novato, CA
Updated - 12/8/2008
Yesterday I went and had oysters in Tomales Bay, again. But, this time we checked out the competition.
So....
sorry, but it was better. The Marshall Store just a little further North has even better BBQ'd oysters.
However, if I was looking to sit inside and have some wine or beer I would go to Tony's. The Marshall store doesn't have a liquor license. But, if we're talking about food quality and cooking techniques, I have to say The Marshall Store has Tony's beat. But, seriously either of these places is absolutely delicious!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/24/2008
This is the first place I ever liked Oysters. Get them BBQ'd!!
We stopped in here for some steamers… Read more »
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Review from GIR ..
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2008
Tony's is anything but tony, it is as down to earth and unsophisticated as it gets. This is not a bad thing, the basic amenities mates perfectly with the simple straight forward fare.
There is more to Tony's then what you actually get there though - the beautiful, meditative drive and scenery is part and parcel of the Tony's experience and elevates it to an out of the ordinary event.
Grab the car keys, feel the road unwinding, slurp down a plate of shuckin great barbecued oysters, take in the views, breath the briny air and live the moment.
Oh, and be sure to call first for hours and bring CASH. -
Review from Serge S.
San Francisco, CA
3/7/2008
I have driven here from San Francisco on numerous occasions, just to go for their BBQ oysters. The fresh raw oysters are pretty good as well, but nothing beats their BBQ oysters.
Seat yourself and be sure to bring cash. -
Review from Katya B.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2009
This place is a great if you are in the Marshall/Bodega Bay/Russian River (its worth the drive) area. Tony's really is a local gem, its homey, the service is friendly (not the fastest in the world, but well meaning) and the seafood is to die for!
My absolute favorite are the BBQ oysters, these are GIANT oysters on a half shell, barbecued to perfection and served sizzling hot. They also have great clam chowder, and know hot to fry thier food well.
Can be rather pricey if you really enjoy your seafood, especially compared to the oyster farms and small dives around but your get to have a good sit-down mean.
The restaurant is very homey, the walls are decorated with sea-faring memorabilia, and its right on the water. Another added bonus is that they have parking right in front (or across the highway during busy times) and there is a great deck area out front with seating to enjoy the view.
Highly recommend it - especially if you would like someone to shuck your oysters for you. -
Review from James G.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 7/7/2008
Better than ever. Brought my Dad, a refugee from Long Island, and it reminded him of some of our old favorites out on the North Fork.
And, the fries were much better than I remembered!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/11/2008
This place is just great. Like a step back in time -- it reminds me of those old-fashioned seafood… Read more »
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Review from Sean L.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2009
This is my first review on Yelp, but I've eaten at Tony's 4-5 times now, and it's always an event to drive out to Tomales Bay (Marshall). Unless you're touring the Coast and stumble upon Marshall, Tony's is a destination restaurant and well worth the drive.
in addition to fresh chowder and fish, they serve 3 types of fresh oysters: raw, BBQ, and Rockefeller. I don't have a favorite as they're all amazing--you really need to eat a half dozen of each to enjoy the best of what Tony's has to offer.
The raw oysters are served with a light and tart vinaigrette sauce, no heavy cocktail sauce required. The BBQ oysters are cooked to perfection (read: not overcooked) and have just the right amount of spicy sauce. The oysters Rockefeller are loaded with fresh spinach & garlic. and come with fresh sourdough).
Besides the amazingly fresh seafood and friendly service, the views are stunning. They have some tables set up outside of the restaurant, and that's the place to eat when the sun is shining and it's not too windy.
For those who have not made the 90 minute journey from SF to eat fresh oysters at Tony's, you're really missing out on a Bay Area jewel. The drive up the coast is just icing on the cake.
Fantastic food, spectacular views, and a fun drive amount to a great afternoon @ Tony's. -
Review from Quan D.
Los Angeles, CA
6/30/2009
After spending a couple of days camping and hiking up a sweat, this was a delicious break from the camping cuisine and a nice slice of civility. The food is fresh, sweet, and delicious.
I opted for the plain raw oysters, which were huge, and just so sweet and smooth. My favorite is with lemon and a dash of Tabasco, but the horseradish they offered also complimented it well. For my main entree, I had the prawns scampi, which I thought would come with noodles, but were none the less excellent. The portions were just right, and considering I had just covered 12 miles earlier that day, that's not bad.
Others in my group had ordered the crab salad, which was monstrous in size and also very good. The crab was light and also sweet of freshness. The hamburgers, nothing too special, but priced right and flavorful.
The service is very friendly. Our waitress the first time I went sat down with us and just chatted, she was very friendly and gave the restaurant a more personal feel. The view is beautiful right on the water. Everything you'd expect from a small town restaurant.
Only drawbacks is the cash only (going on 1 North, the last ATM before the restaurant is the Wells Fargo in Marshall). -
Review from Rocksbox A.
Portland, OR
4/17/2011
LOVE is not too strong of a word for me to describe Tony's. Although I taste Willipa Bay not Tomales Bay in their oysters. Tony is trying to hold on despite the restaurant giants from SF moving in on Hog Island and Nick's. Both of which used to be more like Tony's. Your staff at Tony's are local, so is the atmosphere. Come in, sit down, and chill out.
