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Historic John's Grill, San Francisco, CA

Historic John's Grill

4.7
4.7
7434 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 81 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
John's Grill has been a San Francisco tradition since 1908. This historic restaurant is one of the city's oldest and most famous and is a favorite of celebrities who enjoy great steaks, expertly prepared fresh seafood with excellent service and a one of a kind atmosphere. John's Grill was a setting in author Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon.

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Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Steak, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (415) 986-0069
  • Website
    http://johnsgrill.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Mauricio Sibrian
  • Private party facilities
    Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.
  • Location
    63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown / Union Square
  • Cross street
    Powell Street
  • Parking details
    There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
  • Public transit
    BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Appetizers

  • Escargots$11.95

    Garlic cream

    • Jumbo Prawn Cocktail$17.95

      Soup & Salads

      • New England Clam Chowder$8.95

        • Lobster Bisque$9.95

          • Lunch Salad$6.95

            Seasonal greens, with vinaigrette dressing

            • With Bleu Cheese Dressing$7.95

          • Caesar a la John's$14.95

            • Bay Shrimp Louie$17.95

              • Roquefort Salad$17.95

                bay shrimp, avocado

                • Roasted Beet Salad$15.95

                  Candied walnuts, feta cheese, lemon aioli topped with micro greens

                  • Jack LaLanne's Favorite Salad$29.95

                    Seasonal greens, crab, shrimp, avocado, mushrooms, tomato tossed in our famous creamy bleu cheese vinaigrette dressing

                    Seafood & Shellfish

                    All the below entrees served with seasonal vegetables

                    • Grilled Pacific Snapper$17.95

                      Sauce Piquante (spiced tomato sauce)

                      • Jumbo Prawns Dijonnaise$19.95

                        Sautéed with mushrooms, wine, garlic and Dijon cream

                        • Broiled Salmon$22.95

                          Served with Hollandaise Sauce and mashed potatoes

                          • Petrale Amandine$18.95

                            Sliced almonds, Lemon butter sauce

                            • Fried Jumbo Prawns$19.95

                              • Fried Sea Scallops$28.95

                                • Fried Oysters$16.95

                                  • Fried Combination Seafood$25.95

                                    Coated with herbed breadcrumbs and accompanied by tartar sauce

                                    John's Featured Steaks

                                    Served with seasonal vegetables & baked Idaho potato. All of our steaks are sourced from Black Angus Midwest Corn-fed beef, the finest available. They are naturally aged in order to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness. Each steak is hand selected and hand cut in California to meet our exact specification. Add 3 Fried Jumbo Prawns to any steak $12, Add 4 Oz Maine Lobster Tail to any steak $19.95, Side Peppercorn or Bearnaise Sauce $3

                                    • New York Steak$31.95

                                      • Ribeye Steak$36.95

                                        • Filet Mignon$38.95

                                          • Surf and Turf$43.95

                                            New York Steak & 3 Fried Jumbo Prawns

                                            Sam Spade's Lamb Chops

                                            • Sam Spade's Lamb Chops$35.95

                                              Served with baked potato and sliced tomatoes [Sam Spade went to John's Grill, asked the waiter to hurry his order of chops, baked potato, sliced tomatoes...and was smoking a cigarette with his coffee when... The Maltese Falcon]

                                              Sandwiches & Pasta

                                              • Broiled 1/2 Lb. Deluxe Burger$19.95

                                                • Broiled New York Steak Sandwich$24.95

                                                  All Accompanied by French Fries

                                                  • Tortellone$15.95

                                                    Filled with sundried tomato, romano, parmigiano and ricotta cheese in a basil cream sauce topped with shredded Grana Padano cheese

                                                    • Maine Lobster Ravioli$18.95

                                                      Herbed tomato cream

                                                      • Chicken Linguine Alfredo$18.95

                                                        • Fisherman's Pasta$25.95

                                                          Linguine, jumbo prawns, salmon, snapper, mushrooms in basil cream

                                                          On the Side

                                                          • Baked Idaho Potato$5.95

                                                            • French Fries$6.95

                                                              • Sautéed Mushrooms$7.95

                                                                • Fresh Creamed Spinach$7.95

                                                                  • Caramelized Onions$7.95

                                                                    Chef's Weekly Special

                                                                    • Fish & Chips$17.95

                                                                      Anchor Steam beer batter, wild caught Pollock with caper tartar sauce

                                                                      • Crispy Chicken Sandwich on Brioche$17.95

                                                                        Roasted garlic-sundried tomato aioli

                                                                        • Heirloom Tomato & Burrata Cheese$16.95

                                                                          Aged balsamic, extra virgin olive oil and basil

                                                                          • Medallions of Beef$32.95

                                                                            Medallions of Filet mignon, béarnaise sauce served with Parmesan mashed potato and seasonal vegetables

                                                                            Last updated: June 18, 2023

                                                                            What 7,434 people are saying

                                                                            Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                                                            4.7
                                                                            4.7 based on recent ratings
                                                                            • 4.6Food
                                                                            • 4.6Service
                                                                            • 4.6Ambience
                                                                            • 4.4Value

                                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                                            Loved For

                                                                            • San Francisco

                                                                              American

                                                                            • San Francisco

                                                                              Most Booked

                                                                            Review summary

                                                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                            Historic John's Grill is a San Francisco gem, offering "amazing food and service" in a storied setting. Its iconic ambience, complete with live jazz, delights diners, making it perfect for special occasions. While the "steaks are magnificent," some find seating less comfortable. Overall, a must-visit for a classic dining experience.

                                                                            7,434 Reviews

                                                                            1. Steve

                                                                              Sacramento

                                                                              56 reviews

                                                                              2.0

                                                                              56 reviews

                                                                              Dined 1 day ago

                                                                              1. Overall 2
                                                                              2. Food 2
                                                                              3. Service 1
                                                                              4. Ambience 3
                                                                              High expectations. Disappointing experience. Our waitress took our drink order and our food order. We next saw her when she brought our bill to the table. I ordered the signature lamb chops. I asked for medium-rare. The two thicker chops were medium-rare. The three thinner chops were medium-well. The solitary carrot was served cold. The baked potato was good. My wife loved her lobster bisque. My service expectation is that the server will inquire after food has been brought to the table. Didn't happen.

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                                                                            2. David

                                                                              Sacramento

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              Dined 2 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Great food and service! Really awesome ambiance with the decor. Only opportunity for improvement is the oysters re small for the price. Lobster bisque is the best I’ve ever had!

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                                                                            3. Andrea

                                                                              New York City

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              Dined 3 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Esperienza molto bella con musica dal vivo. Piatti abbondanti e molto buoni

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                                                                            4. MaryAlexis

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              Dined 4 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              We loved everything Food, beverage and service were great and we will be back SOON

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                                                                            5. Stan

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              3.0

                                                                              3 reviews

                                                                              Dined 5 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                              2. Food 3
                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Based on reviews, my expectations were high. My Shrimp Louis salad was boring and neither worth the price nor especially tasty. My Lobster ravioli was over salted and the portion meager. The vibe was great. We enjoyed the stepping back in history - not an experience I would have normally searched out. I cautiously recommend John's Grill. Perhaps other meal selections will warrant a better rating.

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                                                                            6. Henry

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              26 reviews

                                                                              2.0

                                                                              26 reviews

                                                                              Dined 5 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 2
                                                                              2. Food 2
                                                                              3. Service 1
                                                                              4. Ambience 3
                                                                              We have been to John's Grill in the past even on New Years Day and we've had great food and service. I realize it was New Years Day and John's Grill was busy but my food was luke warm and my wife's vegetables were cold. They seated us directly in front of the jazz players (who couldn't hold a tune). We couldn't even carry on a conversation because it was so loud.

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                                                                            7. Laura

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              1 review

                                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              We had an incredible experience at John’s Grill! The food was absolutely amazing – every dish was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The service was equally impressive; the staff was attentive and friendly, and special props to the bartender for being incredibly efficient and quick. This place is a gem, and I can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend!

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                                                                            8. Joseph

                                                                              Richmond

                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              5 reviews

                                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              NYE dine solo at bar. Was well-cared for and watched the world go by with great food and the company of newly made friends for the evening.

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                                                                            9. Jaime

                                                                              Mexico City

                                                                              8 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              8 reviews

                                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              Gran restaurant. Exelente comida. Muy buen servicio. Algo clasico e historico en san francisco.

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                                                                            10. Jennifer

                                                                              VIP

                                                                              San Francisco

                                                                              15 reviews

                                                                              5.0

                                                                              15 reviews

                                                                              Dined 6 days ago

                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                              What a fun festive atmosphere. Can’t get a better streak anywhere.

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                                                                            FAQs

                                                                            Historic John's Grill offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 986-0069.

                                                                            Historic John's Grill is rated 4.7 stars by 7434 OpenTable diners.

                                                                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                                                            Make a reservation

                                                                            2 people
                                                                            7:00 PM
                                                                            Booked 81 times today

                                                                            Order delivery or takeout

                                                                            Google Map for Historic John's Grill

                                                                            63 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

                                                                            Dining areas

                                                                            Additional information

                                                                            • Cross street
                                                                              Powell Street
                                                                            • Neighborhood
                                                                              Downtown / Union Square
                                                                            • Hours of operation
                                                                              Lunch Daily 11:45 am–3:30 pm Dinner Daily 3:30 pm–9:30 pm
                                                                            • Price
                                                                              $31 to $50
                                                                            • Cuisines
                                                                              American, Steak, Seafood
                                                                            • Dining style
                                                                              Casual Elegant
                                                                            • Dress code
                                                                              Casual Dress
                                                                            • Parking details
                                                                              There is a parking garage directly across the street, Ellis - O'Farrell Garage.https://www.sfmta.com/garages-lots/ellis-ofarrell-garageParking near John's Grill:https://www.parkinsf.com/sanfrancisco/parking-near/John%27s+Grill
                                                                            • Public transit
                                                                              BART / MUNI at Powell Street Station
                                                                            • Payment options
                                                                              AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                            • Executive chef
                                                                              Mauricio Sibrian
                                                                            • Additional
                                                                              Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                            • Website
                                                                              http://johnsgrill.com/
                                                                            • Phone number
                                                                              (415) 986-0069
                                                                            • Private party facilities
                                                                              Historic John's Grill is a landmark restaurant established in 1908 offers private dining rooms for 20 - 300 guests. Classic San Francisco atmosphere offering local seafood and fine cuts of steaks and chops. Chosen as top 10 by Esquire and featured in Gourmet.

                                                                            Featured in

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