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last mo.

San Francisco Begins Demolition of Alioto’s at Fisherman’s Wharf for New Public Plaza

The Port says reuse proved unrealistic because costly structural fixes deterred new operators.

Workers secure a neon sign removed from Alioto’s Restaurant, the historic Italian fish restaurant at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, on the back of a truck on Monday.
Workers place letters for Alioto’s restaurant on the sidewalk as they are removed from the restaurant roof during demolition work on Monday.
Kim But watches the neon sign being removed from the front of Alioto’s Restaurant on Monday.
The letters for Alioto’s restaurant are removed from the restaurant roof during demolition work on Monday.

Overview

  • Crews have taken down the neon letters and 500-pound fish sign, which the Port has placed in storage while it discusses their future with the Alioto family.
  • Demolition of the vacant, dilapidated 11,000-square-foot building began Jan. 5 and is expected to continue through late February.
  • The Port plans a $10 million public plaza on Taylor Street, targeted for summer 2026, with seating, picnic tables, new lighting and a cafe to better connect visitors to the inner lagoon and fishing fleet.
  • Officials say attempts over several years to find a new operator failed as the three-story structure required a multimillion-dollar investment to be made structurally sound.
  • Alioto’s operated for nearly a century after starting as a 1925 fish stand and closing in 2020, with community reactions ranging from nostalgia to support from Wharf leaders and neighboring businesses for the change.