We stumbled upon this place while trying to find somewhere different for dinner. Yelp had good reviews on it so we decided to try it out. The Sardine Can is next to the Coast Guard station in the Marina. The restaurant is tucked away and there is plenty of parking. The restaurant is small but it is on the water and has great views. I had fish and chips and it was great! We have been back a few times and tried different dishes but the food has been very good! The times we have been there, the staff has been really great. We were always seated right away and attended to shortly after seating. Great place for dinner but I have not had breakfast or lunch here. Will definitely have to try that! read more

I haven't been here in about 5 years and my mother hasn't been here in a year. We were hungry and she wanted to have the clam chowder again because she really liked it when she was last here. So we hopped in the car and drove up from Fairfield. We ordered the calamari as our appetizer and it was delicious. Lightly battered with tarter sauce on the side My mother was disappointed in the clam chowder. She said it did not taste good at all. So I suggested she just take it home and doctor it up (season it) to her liking versus not eating it, which she agreed. She enjoyed her cioppino and my seafood creole was pretty good. If you don't like mushrooms they are in the sauce. I happen to like mushrooms but did not expect to find them in this dish. I had the Butterfly Mimosa, which was really good and I could not taste the alcohol, which I appreciated. Service was prompt and friendly. I will definitley return. It sits in the back right off the water and has a very old time rustic look. There is no air conditioner, but they did have a portable one going. We sat by the window and it was fine when we first arrived but as our lunch went on, it warmed up, even though we dropped the shade. Not a complaint, just something to be aware of. We will return! read more

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My husband and I had lunch today at this restaurant and , first of all the service was just ok , the food was horrible I ordered the Clam chowder and the grilled turkey and cheese sandwich and cranberry juice. The soup was super salty and did no taste good or fresh, I was not able to finish it, the sandwich tasted old an greasy, the cranberry juice tasted like it was on the refrigerator for months ( did not taste good) My husband ordered the crab sandwich with the soup and coleslaw and he got the worst diarrhea that we had to go back home right after I was very worried that he was having a food poisoning episode. The restaurant needs to pay attention on what are they feeding their customers and check the expiration dates on their food on a daily basis. I will not eat here ever again read more

Food was delish! My sister had the seafood sauté... enough food for 2 people! I had the grilled tuna and home made clam chowder combo.... it was a big bowl of soup! Alexis was our awesome server... very kind and helpful. It was a beautiful day with a view next to the water. Will def be back! read more

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Yesterday I went to get some fish and chips for myself for mother's day. I understand the wait because of the holiday. I got home ready to eat and the fish pieces were too big and the outside of the fish was not crisp it was so soggy. The piece I tried to eat was awlful! A whole soggy mess! I threw the whole box in the trash! A wasted 20.00 read more

Such a little gem! The food is great, the staff are super friendly and welcoming, and the views truly make it even better. I came with a group and we were seated quickly. We arrived right at sunset, and it was stunning to look out the big windows over the water from our table. I had the New Orleans gumbo and it did not disappoint!! Highly recommend! read more

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We were warmly welcomed when we entered (around 9:45am) & the server took our drink order when she handed us our menus. The coffee really hit the spot! There were quite a few occupied tables & I noticed the lone server did a great job checking on all of us until the next gal came in. We ordered the following: Piggy Scramble, Mushroom/Spinach/Swiss omelette, Meat Lovers Skillet & Sourdough French Toast. Everything was delicious! Can't wait to go back and try something else... read more

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As you can see, by all my reviews, we LOVE this place. However last night's experience was a bit disappointing. ( Sad Face) :( Hubby and I were famished after driving our grandson to the SF Airport from Napa. The traffic was a nightmare returning. We decided to stop for dinner at the SC. We have never been here in the evening. Now I know why. The place was packed! We lucked out and found 2 empty seats and quickly claimed them. Our server, Kayla, who was one of only two servers was pretty quick to acknowledge us. We usually stick with the usual Bowl of their absolutely delicious Clam Chowder and half sandwich, but we wanted something different so we ordered the Bang Bang Shrimp for an appetizer and the Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp as a main. The BB Shrimp came out about 20 minutes later and looked delicious but upon tasting the first bite they were NOT sweet as I've had before, but very over salted and almost a vinegary flavor like Buffalo sauce? Sweet Chili Sauce it was not. THEN we are served the Fettuccine. It looked good and God knows there was plenty, but it had a runny Alfredo that was unseasoned and bland. So all I can say is from now on, as in MY kitchen, I'm sticking to what I know. My review stars in this are based solely on our food this night. SC gets 5 stars always on the Chowder! And many thanks to Kayla for being so attentive . read more

What a surprise for a little restaurant hidden at the end of a dilapidated parking lot beside the bridge to Mare Island. The decor and layout is dated but still charming in its own way. There are windows facing the marina which you can see from any table. My MIL kept saying how much she liked seeing the boats. Our server had a friendly and familiar personality. I had a sense that she's used to chatting with her regular customers. The menu offered large portions of seafood (chunky pieces of fish with chips), delicious bowls of clam chowder and refreshing beers. There were other items I'd like to try the next time I visit, including dessert (banana pudding!!) read more

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We had Crab Louis, garlic bread, Creole Special, clam chowder, sweet tea, mimosa, and dessert (carrot cake and red velvet cheesecake). Sorry folks we ate and I totally forgot to take pics of the entrees. Lol. So you know it was good! We took our dessert to go and it was delicious too! Food was fresh, clean, and appealing to the eyes! Only thing that could have been better was the still water tasted like tap water. Yuck! Cmon folks at least get filtered water. Service was ok - not spectacular. It's a small place at the very end of the marina by the Coast Guard station. If you don't know it's there you wouldn't see it. There is indoor/outdoor dining. It's an older building that could use sprucing up (washing and repairing windows,etc). Otherwise we would definitely recommend but no need to dress up. Very casual place. read more

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Omg. Had the Can Sandwich. Can't wait to go back and have it again. Was so delicious. I really stepped out of my comfort zone to try this and so glad I did. The vibe in this place besides the wonderful service, the view of the water is a plus. read more

A small joint, very American, and very country. We ordered seafood over rice in two styles. They were all very tasty. You can taste the local history in food as well as in this restaurant. The place is also very country and American with all the decor. People here are efficient and fast. A very interesting area and spot. I recommend it. read more

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It's a hit or miss. Breakfast is better, but who can mess up eggs and bacon. We had the chowder and it was watered down, jambalaya was ok, sandwich meat had too much fat on it this was our lunch menu. read more

The service was great, the mixed vegetable appetizer, breaded clams, and clam chowder were all great. Unfortunately, I LOVE Cioppino and order it everywhere I can find it, but will never order it here again. The packaged stuff at Costco is better. Other than the shrimp, the seafood was overcooked, and the broth was really poor: I expect a deep, rich, flavorful, broth, and was really disappointed. I could not finish it. read more

You are stepping back in time when you enter the doors here! I'm pretty sure there are decos on the wall that were hung up when this place first opened. Very chill, nothing fancy. There's indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit in the back, you'll have a water view. The are plenty of menu options and I ordered the jambalaya which was really good. It was a large portion and had plenty of sausage and shrimp. I also ordered a bowl of clam chowder. Delicious! Lots of clams! The service was friendly and sparse. Our order was taken, delivered and no one checked back with us. Not a deal breaker for us. We'll be back again. This place is worth checking out. It's unique, interesting and after your meal you can walk along the marina. read more

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Had a very tasty late breakfast. Atmosphere relaxing and refreshing. We chose to take a seat outside. Perfect Fall morning g. A little crisp with the Sun peaking out from the surrounding trees giving a kiss of warmth. The carb and avocado market was good. I like a bit more spice (Bay or Chesapeake) but not having it wasn't a deal breaker. Hubby had all meat scramble with an add of peppers. He really enjoyed it. As mentioned it was a late breakfast and hubby wanted a biscuit so they made him a biscuit. Excellent customer service and delicious food. Would highly recommend trying. read more

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Absolutely horrible service. Waited over an hour for a soup and salad eventually got too tired of waiting and asked to pay for my soda. It took her several minutes just to go get the receipt so I just left four dollars at the table and she sat chased me down at the door with a $4.37 tab then waited for me to retrieve the petty 37¢. at that point she should've just gave me the drink for free! Her excuse was that the kitchen was backed up. Too backed up to pour some soup in a bowl and throw some greens on a plate?! read more

Ordered To Go. Cajun Batter Fish and it was very bland no kind of seasoning added. Couldn't even eat it. Figured the clam chowder I ordered would be good but it was too thick and you crunch on sand every bite which made it inedible. Dinner was a bust. read more

Looking for a hidden gem spot to have one of the best Bloody Mary's in the East Bay by the water before heading to the Niner game? Look no further than Sardine Can. A whole-in-the-wall type of spot that's no frills, but gets the job done. We take a Niner bus to the games from the East Bay with a stop in Vallejo. Because the bus leaves so early, we are always on the hunt for an early spot we can have a pre-game and a solid breakfast. Sardine Can never disappoints. The Bloody Mary comes with crisp bacon, and everything I've ever ordered here is solid: buttery hash browns, fluffy pancakes, juicy sausage, hearty breakfast sandwiches, fresh eggs, and strong coffee. Love the servers, a real "when you're here, you're family" type joint. Won't break the bank before a big weekend outing, and just the spot to also breathe in a little bit of the Vallejo waterfront breeze. Already looking forward to the next Sunday Funday! read more

The Sardine Can - Breakfast sandwich with hash browns - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

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Just got home from my weekend Sunday motorcycle ride. I stopped by The Sardine Can for an afternoon lunch in Vallejo CA. I was somewhat undecided to have Beer Pawns or Jambalaya when reviewing the menu. The waitress Nadia told me Jambalaya is real spicy, so that's what I decided to have. The Jambalaya had good flavor, and I clearly was able to taste the spicy. However, it lacks seafood flavor. The chef's Mario Jambalaya sauces had a lot of Mushrooms for Mushrooms Lovers. Nadia the waitress checked on me a few times ensuring I was okay. I observed Nadia politeness and eagerness to satisfy the customer's requests. I felt their prices from the menu were fair, not too high or low based on their competitors. I'm rating the food (3) and services a (5) for an Overall Rating (4). read more

The Sardine Can - Jambalaya - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

I've been here a couple times, but today's visit was the best! Came here on a Monday early afternoon. It wasn't busy at all, which we loved. And I also love how lowkey it is. Servers are friendly. Food came out fresh. I ordered the crab melt with fries. My mom got the tuna melt with coleslaw. Both sandwiches on sourdough. They were yummy and crispy. The coleslaw wasn't all that. I wouldn't order it again. My toddler enjoyed fish sticks with a cup of fruit. Everything was delightful from the vibes to the views of the ocean. There's plenty of seating inside and outside. read more

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I was in Vallejo for work when a buddy recommended I check out The Sardine Can. At first glance, the restaurant looks a little run down, sitting right off the water, and I'll admit--it can be deceiving. Don't let the exterior fool you though, because what's waiting inside is fantastic food and even better service. We came in during breakfast and the menu had plenty of options. I went with the breakfast sandwich, which claimed to come with hash browns. When the plate came out, I thought they forgot them--turns out the sneaky cook put the hash browns inside the sandwich! Talk about a surprise. Honestly, it made the sandwich even better. Every bite was hearty, delicious, and hit the spot. What really stood out, though, was the staff. Everyone was top notch and super duper nice. A huge shout out to our waitress (wish I got her name). She mentioned she normally doesn't even work breakfast, but you'd never know it--she crushed it. Friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience that much better. If you're in Vallejo and want a solid breakfast with warm service, this is the spot. Don't judge a book by its cover--The Sardine Can is the real deal. read more

Garlic fries were yummy but a little salty. Grilled cheese was very cheesy. Onion soup was flavorful. Seafood saute. Added small scallops. With veggies. Chili was flavorful. Service was friendly helpful and encouraging. Mermaid mimosa was yummy read more

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First of all...this place is a Vallejo staple. It's awesome and a hidden gem by the waterfront. Crab sandwiches are ridiculously good and the staff is hella hard working. Go there and try it out. read more

This is our main place to come when visiting my parents in Vallejo. It's near the water although doesn't have much of a view. The atmosphere is casual and there is plenty of indoor/outdoor seating. They have good burgers and sandwiches. Their jambalaya is great although very seafood forward. My favorite thing on the menu is their Gumbo. It has amazing flavor with the perfect spice. I'm not usually a fan of Texas toast but it definitely works in this case. Service is always nice and efficient. They have only one bathroom, so that can be a slight challenge if it's busy. Overall, we like the place enough to keep coming back regularly. read more

The Sardine Can - Gumbo - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

I'm glad this place is still doing good business. It's a pretty casual place and I much prefer it over the other restaurant that is very nearby in the same area. I have been coming here for almost 20 years and I am still a fan of the view and the service and the menu. I went recently and had linguine with clams. I also had a salad , both were freshly made with abundant portions and unique flavors. The clams were with shells which were easy to remove from and a side dish to discard into. I really enjoyed the waitress who is a local, and been coming to the restaurant since she was a kid. I will be back, and I hope that squeaky front door gets some oil soon. read more

First off this place has probably around longer than I. The location is iconic to any local. I believe it's changed ownership several times or at least a few. I stopped by to reminisce on the scenery and the food isn't bad but I'll give you a honest review of my experience. It does get crowded so my hostess wat spot on to try and make sure everyone is taken care of. My fish was well cooked. The batter was crispy but the slaw was pretty soggy with zero flavor. ‍. Overall it's still a nice place to eat and don't get me wrong I've had other things here that was pretty good. The slaw was just not so good read more

The Sardine Can - beer battered fish. With slaw. - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

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Delicious food with a vintage mermaid vibe. Comfortable Back patio seating. Salad was a fresh crisp generous portion. Yummy dressing. Waitress is a pro with efficient quick service. The chef is a charmer. read more

In the Marina with Nice water view, good service and good food, must try if you're in Vallejo, Ca. read more

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For a little waterfront canteen the food is good and the service was nice. Had jambalaya, tasty!

Beautiful location overlooking Mare island bridge, next to the water and yachts. You can dine outside with fresh air or inside where the window view is next to the water. Decent prices on soup and some seafood, some I find pricey but interesting to try next time. We ordered a gumbo and a soup and sandwich combo: I had clam chowder and a BLT. Food is good but not comparable to Sam's Chowder House is still my number one. Plenty of parking space, quiet area not much people on a weekday 4pm, you will also see people walking near the water. Location is away from the main road or highway, I agree that it is a hodden gem that you will not find it if you will not look for it. read more

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We love this place!!!!! Crab sandwich is incredible, hard to beat the mushroom cheeseburger. And screaming, delicious fish and chips. Super cool staff and it is on the water read more

The Sardine Can - Crab sandwich on grilled sourdough, this obviously was paid to go order. - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

My dog and I love to take a walk out at the waterfront and stop by the sardine can for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink. They will bring dog bowls for your dog to drink some fresh water while you enjoy your lunch as well. Whenever me and my dog pull up to the restaurant my dog drags me straight up the ramp wiggling her body because she's so excited to see the workers and hang out on their patio. I love their clam chowder It's simple and so yummy. I've tried pretty much everything on their menu and I recommend it all. They also have a full bar If that's your jam. The views from inside are darling of the water. Sunset dinner inside is a perfect date night. I feel like not enough people know about the delights Vallejo has to offer, this is surely one of them! read more

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A new fav for breakfast - nice THICK griddled Ham Steak, perfectly cooked eggs, big portion of Hash Browns (could have been a bit crunchier) - my minor complaint would be the ketchup bottles are a tad " overfilled" , meaning you need a knife to get them "started" (I'm being picky - i know) Friendly greeting and service - relaxed family place - great views of the harbor full of boats read more

The Sardine Can - Ham & eggs breakfast with hash browns - look at how THICK the ham slice is! - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

The food was good. That's where the positives stop. Our waitress was attentive up until she delivered our food. After that she did not interact with us anymore. We ran out of drinks, just kept passing our table up with no refills. Never brought us our check, we had to actually walk up front and stand there to wait while she rang us up. And I had to go to the kitchen and ask for a to go container. Worst part, there was maybe just two or three other tables there. Waitress had short hair, glasses and a lip piercing. Disappointed. read more

This is probably the oldest operating diner/restaurant in Vallejo. Right on the water overlooking the harbor. Friendly customer service and lots of regulars who keep coming back. Deck in front that is dog friendly, with a large dining room in back with a great view. Cheap cocktails, and lots of higher end fish dishes like their amazing ciappino/seafood stew, but nothing beats their burgers and fish and chips. It's old, so a bit beat up looking, but that's part of the charm. And if you've never been before and are using gps directions, you are not lost, it really is at the end of that road behind some warehouse buildings. Cheers! read more

The Sardine Can - 1/2 lb Angus beef burger w avocado and bacon. The fish and chips are delicious. - Seafood Near Me - Vallejo, California

Today, I'm in Vallejo. I'm at The Sardine Can this evening. This spot is slightly tucked away, in a nook and cozy location, and it's kinda picturesque here. I didn't expect it to be right off the Dock, that was a surprise. I had me a grilled Albacore Tuna Sandwich. It was another delicious Sandwhich. And the Cup of Watermelon, Melon, Cantaloupe, and Grapes were fresh. I was thinking this was going to be a 3.7-4.2 stars, but I give this 4.2 stars. read more

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Decided to do a day date with the hubby and found The Sardine Can. Food was really good and our waitress and staff were very friendly. We tried the fried oysters, jambalaya, salmon, and the seafood sauté. The oysters were huge and flavorful. Salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. Jambalaya had a nice spicy kick to it, but the seafood sauté was the best! We will definitely be going back and bringing friends! Oh...and the clam chowder was delicious!! read more

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The friendly, casual, unpretentious atmosphere is worth every miserly penny. This is what family diners used to be. Please don't patronize. We like our leisurely, uncrowded, late lunches & early dinners there. Stick with the chains and leave this gem to those of us who patronize it. And, if you do venture to The Sardine Can, tip well. Those long time servers deserve our appreciation for putting up with us. read more

Drive to the end of the road until you see the coast guard gate. The Sardine Can parking is to the left. They closed at 9 pm on Saturday night. They no longer have Sunday Jazz. We walked in and grabbed a table. There were a few seated inside. Cioppino is a tomato base stew with prawns, crab, Bay shrimp, clams, scallops, and cod. Is it the best I've ever had? No, but it's under $25 with great service, free parking, and cold beer. The seafood was a little over cooked but not terrible. The avocado salad was just right for a light bite. The lunch sandwiches look tasty so I'll be back. When traffic is impossible, this is a nice stop or worth the trip in general. read more

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