In California's Bay Area, One Restaurant Smashes Through 3,000 Pounds Of Garlic Every Month

Located in the heart of San Francisco's North Beach district, The Stinking Rose is a garlic lover's dream. It's not surprising that the notorious Italian restaurant goes through 1.5 tons of garlic each month when Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world, is just a few hours south by car. The love for garlic runs so deep that the tagline of The Stinking Rose is "we season our garlic with food." The restaurant's name is an ancient Roman euphemism for the bulbous plant.

Owned by local restaurateurs Dante Serafini and Jerry Dal Bozzo, The Stinking Rose first opened its doors in 1991. For decades tourists and locals alike could drive down Columbus Avenue and see the line of guests vying for one of the coveted alfresco tables -– the thick scent of garlic enveloping that part of the neighborhood. After The Stinking Rose closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, its return looked bleak as the place remained closed for the entirety of 2021. But, much to the delight of diners across San Francisco, and the dismay of vampires, its grand reopening took place in the early 2022.

The Stinking Rose reopened in a much larger location a few doors down from its original spot, taking over the space of a sister restaurant called Calzone's. This new location boasts two levels of seating along with more spacious outdoor dining. Staying true to its garlic roots, The Stinking Rose is just as campy and inviting as ever. The name of the décor game there is maximalism: Giant braids of garlic wind their way around the walls painted a lively marinara red with Italian relics and themed tchotchkes everywhere.

Garlic doesn't just cover the walls but also the menu. Diners can start with the cult classic Bagna Calda, a decadent hot tub of garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and butter perfect for spreading across fresh bread. You haven't fully experienced San Francisco unless you've tried Dungeness crab, and the best way to have it is roasted and dripping in The Stinking Rose's secret garlic sauce. Ready for dessert? The Stinking Rose brings in the garlic capital's infamous garlic ice cream and finishes it with a drizzle of gooey chocolate sauce. There's no such thing as too much garlic at The Stinking Rose, not even for a vampire! The happy hour menu as well as the prime ribeye stake (get it?) are named after Count Vladimir. If you call The Stinking Rose to make a reservation, Vladimir handles the automated directory, finishing the list of options with a cheeky joke, "if you'd like to speak to a dead person, start speaking now." The Stinking Rose is worth every bit of the garlic breath you'll leave with.