SCOMA'S HISTORY
May 1965…
“It started with six stools and their mother’s recipes”
Brothers Albert and Joseph Scoma opened Scoma’s Restaurant, a small location on Pier 47, in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s commercial fishing boats, and serving local fishermen, a legacy began...
The Scoma brother’s new restaurant gained immediate popularity. Al and Joe realized the need to expand and Scoma’s celebrated its first anniversary with the grand opening of new dining room. Scoma’s was officially a successful, well-known restaurant in its first five years of operation. In 1970, with partners, Roland and Victor Gotti, the Scoma brothers opened a second Scoma’s located on the water in beautiful and historic Sausalito. Scoma’s Sausalito, offering a premier view of San Francisco from its historic pier became a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
The 70’s continue into the 80’s…
Joe Scoma set out on his own in the mid 70’s opening a restaurant in the East Bay, a few years later Joe sold his restaurant and retired to Sebastopol. Al and Joe remained close and were seen together often in the restaurant enjoying each other’s company in the place they started years before.
Al expanded the Fisherman’s Wharf location adding an additional kitchen and dining room to accommodate the growing popularity. He also opened Scoma’s by the Pyramid, ordinally called Don Nunzio (Al’s father’s first name) located in San Francisco’s financial district at the foot of the historic Transamerica Pyramid. A perfect location for a business lunch, happy hour or an event in the wine cellar. The expansion continued in the late 70’s but it was not another restaurant, not yet. This time it was adding its own fishing boat. What better way to ensure the freshest fish and support the fishing industry; the boat was christened the Fishing Vessel “Scoma’s” and launched Scoma’s Restaurant into the commercial fishing business. As the 70s drew to its close, Scoma’s opened location number four in 1979. Marin’s Larkspur Landing center was home to newest addition to the Scoma brand.
Al and his partners decided to expand south to Rancho Mirage, just outside of Palm Springs and in 1983, Scoma’s of San Francisco opened its doors in the desert. Up north, Scoma’s added more dining rooms at the Wharf location, moved its business office to a second-level addition to the building, and made the hard decision to sell its Financial District location to focus on the four remaining restaurants. Scoma’s was not just a restaurant, it had now become a Brand. Scoma's in Fisherman’s Wharf was one of the highest-grossing independent restaurants in the US, recognized around the world for its fresh seafood, classic entrees, and warm hospitality. Hosting guests from near and far, for business or pleasure, special occasion or no occasion at all, Scoma’s was a world-renowned destination. Presidential candidates, governors, members of Congress, mayors, heads of state, kings and queens, singers, dancers, and actors, all enjoyed dining at Scoma’s. The walls filled were with celebrity photos over the years.
Scoma’s Silver Anniversary….
1990 marked the 25th anniversary and a celebration benefiting Children with Special Needs. The new decade brought change to SF after a devastating earthquake in 1989. The early 1990s were a time of change for the Scoma brand; decisions were made to sell the restaurants in Larkspur and Rancho Mirage, and in 1983, a celebration was held to mark the opening of the new Fish Receiving Station on Pier 47. Dedicated to the memory of Al’s beloved brother and co-founder Joe Scoma, the celebration was a new beginning for the Scoma brand. Nicknamed the “FRS” the new station replaced a previously unused structure and offered a state-of-the-art fish receiving facility. Significant improvements for offloading of fish directly from the boats and the addition of windows allowed the public a view of fish preparation for the restaurant.
30 years and counting…
Scoma’s celebrated another milestone in 1995. Now operating in Fisherman’s Wharf for 30 years, Scoma's hosted a party on the pier complete with a crab picking contest! As the decade came closer to an end Scoma’s popularity increased and we continued as one of the highest grossing restaurants in the country and voted a favorite restaurant by readers of Where Magazine in consecutive years of visitor polls. Scoma’s began an expansion of environmental practices and took a lead in the restaurant and Fisherman’s Wharf communities to further a goal that minimized Scoma’s impact on the environment.
Y2K arrives….
The new millennium, with all the anticipation and preparation for a new beginning Scoma’s transitioned seamlessly and focused on an expansion of environmental efforts, commercial fishing grew with the addition of a crab permit and continued efforts to give back to the community, providing leadership for industry and neighborhood associations. Scoma’s leadership in the F-Line expansion, Waterfront Advisory Group, and water quality helped shape the neighborhood visited by millions annually. Scoma’s was honored for recycling efforts diverting over 90 percent of waste from the waste stream, as well as its environmental efforts winning consecutive Golden Dumpster and Wrap Awards. Al Scoma was honored by the City of San Francisco when the Board of Supervisors renamed Jones Alley to Al Scoma Way. The dedication and unveiling in 2002 was a celebration and recognition of Al Scoma’s and Scoma’s dedication to San Francisco and to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Scoma’s commitment to give back grew with fundraising efforts to end hunger, fight cancer, assist fishing communities locally and in Louisiana recover from oil spills, support local nonprofit charities, Salesian Boys and Girls Club, Tel-Hi Neighborhood Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, East Bay Standdown for Homeless Veterans, just to name a few. As community and small business partners, Scoma’s was committed to providing leadership to the Fisherman’s Wharf Merchants, The Port Tenants Association, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, Chamber of Commerce, and San Francisco Travel Association.
Scoma’s celebrated 40 years in San Francisco in May 2005 with what has become a signature party on the pier. In June 2007, the Scoma’s sadly said farewell to its beloved founder; Al Scoma. Al’s family was committed to keeping his legacy alive and thriving. After three years of planning, “Take Us Home” was launched. For years Al was asked to take his brand into the retail market and in his honor the family did just that. In 2010 Scoma’s launched its famous crab cakes in the retail markets. Online or in the store, the line of seafood cakes, including crab cakes, was a hit. The iconic San Francisco restaurant brand was in households around the country. In this new arena, Scoma’s remained committed to its philosophy on the environment by shipping its frozen cakes in reusable packaging made from environmentally acceptable sources.
The Golden Decade begins….
Scoma’s “Take Us Home” campaign increased in popularity with sales in the millions, and the iconic restaurant brand was now a fixture in markets around the state and beyond. Taking a step toward alternative fuels, Scoma’s retrofitted a vehicle to run on used vegetable oil recycled from their kitchens fondly called the “Veggie-Mobile.” Scoma's donated the remaining used vegetable oil to the Golden Gate Bridge District to power trucks for the crew. The 50th Anniversary was quickly approaching and the focus then shifted to planning for the Golden Anniversary. In 2015, the Scoma family agreed it was time to remodel Scoma's in Fisherman's Wharf. Retro was the theme and a new updated look was given to both bar areas and the original dining rooms, all while keeping that old-school feel. Developing a menu inspired by the Sicilian heritage and partnering with local fishermen and farmers, while staying true to their classic style were all priorities for the Scoma brand. Along with the new bar and lounge areas, Scoma’s launched a new bar program, led by the 1965 Manhattan. This cocktail was barrel-aged for 1965 hours in honor of the year Scoma’s was founded. A state-of-the-art wine on-tap system was added and now allows Scoma's to serve guests the best wines by the glass or carafe while eliminating over 30,000 bottles from the recycle stream. The 50th celebration itself was a throwback to the 60’s party and the launch of Scoma’s Pier to Plate initiative. Scoma’s, committed to sustainable fishing practices, wanted to bring the focus back to the local fisherman. Through Pier to Plate, the restaurant highlighted the fishermen who bring Scoma's fish. Together with a philosophy committed to FLOSS (Fresh, Local, Organic, Sustainable, and Seasonal), Scoma's extends its support to local farms along with local businesses. Scoma’s is committed to 100% sustainable offerings and became a proud partner of Seafood Watch.
50 years and counting…
Scoma’s continues to look to the future, remaining committed year after year to its environmental practices. Winning the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Saucy Award for Most Sustainable Restaurant in 2017. Then in 2018, Scoma’s Fishing Vessel was the beneficiary of a grant for a new engine, minimizing the impact on the ocean and the bay and ensuring many more years of responsible commercial fishing.
Scoma’s, 54 years and counting…was honored in 2018 with the People’s Choice Award given at the annual Saucy Awards. This award was a true testament to the commitment of the restaurant’s long-standing business philosophies. Scoma’s continues to innovate as well as provide leadership for the community, the restaurant industry, and the visitors in San Francisco. The focus on sustainable practices was the guiding principle as Scoma’s launched the Mindful Supper events in March 2019. Mindful Supper dinners offered guests a special meal that paired food and beverages procured from its partners who were also committed to sustainable practices.
Looking ahead…
Scoma’s looks forward to what is next and continues with anticipation toward the next milestone in its long history. Scoma’s is proud to be one of San Francisco’s iconic businesses located along the waterfront in historic Fisherman’s Wharf. Scoma’s remains committed to their team members, their loyal guests, and their community. Furthering their sustainable practices to protect the bay and our environment also remains a top priority for this legendary restaurant which has operated in the City by the Bay for nearly 60 years.