John's Grill
Restaurant · Union Square
63 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Highlights
Old-school, wood-paneled space with photos of famous past patrons, offering steaks and seafood.
Old-school, wood-paneled space with photos of famous past patrons, offering steaks and seafood.
"The more a restaurant feels like stepping back in time, the higher the chances of you being the happy recipient of free bread. John’s Grill has no problem honoring this rule. The classic steakhouse in Union Square—complete with ribeyes on most tables, martinis, and a shrine to The Maltese Falcon—is as old-school as they come. They also stock the table with enough butter to make Julia Child proud. A win in our book." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
"If you’re looking for a touch of old-school San Francisco, John’s Grill has it in spades; peruse the historical photos, learn about the restaurant’s ties to the Maltese Falcon, and, of course, try the food and drinks. The lamb chops and Jack LaLanne’s Favorite Salad remain favorites, but it’s hard to go wrong with the restaurant’s mix of steakhouse and seafood favorites." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri
"Focused on steak and seafood, John’s Grill is a San Francisco institution favored by local politicians and filled with literary romance. Featured in Dashiell Hammett’s detective novel the Maltese Falcon, the restaurant has played up the connection — they’ve got a model Maltese Falcon and some Sam Spade lamb chops on the menu, for instance. But the strongest order might be steak: All cuts are dry-aged Black Angus from the Midwest." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"For a touch of old-school charm on your Christmas Day, head to John’s Grill for a holiday dinner that spans prime rib, Sam Spade’s lamb chops, and the classic Jack LaLanne’s Favorite Salad. Feel free to order a la carte from the holiday menu, or select the restaurant’s prix fixe menu for $95 per person, featuring lobster bisque, filet mignon and Maine lobster tail, and a choice of dessert. Reservations are recommended." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"On August 8, California’s state Supreme Court ruled that San Francisco restaurant John’s Grill’s financial losses from COVID shutdowns are not covered by an insurance policy specific to viruses. This follows a ruling that closures due to shutdowns did not constitute property damage, favoring insurance companies. John’s Grill settled its insurance case in 2022 for a substantial amount, so it won’t be financially affected by the Court’s decision, but the ruling affects other businesses disputing insurance claims." - Justine Jones
