McCormick & Kuleto’s — Best Happy Hour in Fisherman’s Wharf

For cheap. For reals.

Fisherman’s Wharf gets a bad rap.  It really does.  True, it is the tourist destination from hell — swarms of fanny-packed, camera-laden foreigners from such far-away lands as Michigan and Ohio with way-too-loud children and no desire to tip at any food establishment — but it’s definitely a San Francisco landmark, and an entirely enjoyable one at that if you know where to go.

McCormick & Kuleto’s is the kind of seafood restaurant that prints out fresh menus twice daily.  That is to say, it is NOT cheap.  Except during happy hour.  From 4pm – 6:30 pm and 9:30pm – close Monday through Friday, you and your friends (or just you if you’re a selfish food whore like me) can gorge on the happy hour menu that features prices ranging from $1.95 to $4.95, including escargots, habanero wings, clams, and white truffle fries.  For me and my cholesterol, the highlights are the half-pound cheeseburger and fries for $2.95 and the turkey sandwich with caramelized onions for the same price.  The happy hour selections also change from time to time, so it’s kind of a nice surprise if you come here to binge as often as I do.  Also, this joint overlooks the bay, so it has some serious ambiance going on.  Which I would care about if I took terms like “ambiance” seriously.