John's Grill — Restaurant in San Francisco

Truth be told, this is a review from a lunch we had about a year ago. And don't ask why so long, but it is what it is.

John's Grill is a San Francisco tradition that must be experienced, with its rich history connecting it with the vintage years of America, but more specifically, with the timeless film "The Maltese Falcon," starring Humphery Bogart. As you'all know, and even if you didn't know (and now you know!), the author of "The Maltese Falcon", Samuel Dashiell Hammett, frequently dined at John's Grill while writing his novel. Casts of the movie with the same name also dined there when they were filming. But when it comes to the reality of the restaurant itself, "The Maltese Falcon" is neither here nor there since the restaurant's ambience, food, and service proudly stands on its own! .....as it should if a review is about the restaurant and not its distractions! .....but then again, their distractions with Samuel Dashiell Hammett and Bogart is impossible to ignore either!

So back to the restaurant. The service was exemptional. We were a party of 3, and we were greated with the most inviting host who gave us a seat with minimal wait. He was a relatively young man, probably in his late 30's to early 40's, obviously comfortable with his job and seemed like he's enjoyed what he's done for awhile. After we were seated, I asked him about the seat/booth where Samuel Dashiell Hammett sat when he dined at the restaurant. The host was more than proud to bring me to Hammett's booth where I took photos and felt the aura of Hammett's presence. I asked if we could sit there and I was told the booth is reserved for the foreseeble future. I know, I've again digressed! Chalk it up to short attention span! Maybe this is why I waited a year to write this review!? LOL

Anyhow, I had a simple Fish and Chips with an extra dry martini, my wife had the Caesar's Salad with house white wine, and my son had some sort of pasta (sorry, my old age memory don't allow me to recall specifics of the pasta after a year, LOL!). The food was what it should be, and that's asking alot these days. So for those who have my handy dandy code decoder, that means it was good! ...especially the extra dry martini, but again, how can you mess up an extra dry martini, just pour the damn thing! LOL! The waiters/busboys? were on target, even gladly obliging me with photos of my family without hesitation. I would say, the staff was friendly which again is beyond the "new norm". And all this, having had reservations about old traditional supposedly "stuffy" restaurants, this restaurant was absolutely a pleasure that restored my belief that there is still good in tradition and respect for fellow human beings, you just have to find them sometimes. The prices were not low, but good for such a fine establishment with such a rich history. I actually expected the prices to be much higher, they weren't. Definitely recommend both locals as well as tourists to visit this hidden not so hidden gem, a San...

The famed John's Grill is a Bay Area staple that I have finally gotten a chance to check it out in my busy schedule during Father's day. Here are my thoughts about my experience:

Atmosphere/Decor - 3 out of 5. The decor is very mediocre. It's an old restaurant, I get that completely, however you can clearly see the stains on the carpet and that the floor is not clean. That said, they got a lot of nice pictures up on the wall of many celebrities that have visited this restaurant, so it does give it an old school feel to it.

Service - 3 out of 5. The service was questionable. Starting with the time for him to take our order to me wanting my coke refilled, the wait was kinda long. He was friendly but the wait is just well, long.

Food - 5 out of 5. My wife and I both got the Pre-fix menu. It comes with Lobster Bisque, Filet Mignon & Maine Lobster Tail. The Lobster Bisque is kinda heavy, but it's good. If you prefer a lighter taste, you might wanna drink some water with it like me. The Fillet Mignon was cooked to perfection, the meat was tender and for this I got to give it to them. I haven't had many good Fillet Mignon and they really did a great job here. This is the golden goose that got them through their history of over 100 years and I can clearly see why. The lobster tail had an unique taste to it. Typically, restaurants drench their lobsters with butter, oil, and salt which is good but not unique. However, John's Grill uses a different type of seasoning on top of the sauce. The lobster tail tasted unique and I really like it a lot.

Would I come back? My verdict, yes, but only occasionally from time to time. Is it good, yes, but there are definitely rooms for improvement on their service side. In addition, they should really consider changing their carpet, I can see how people not from the area can see this and question the cleanliness of the kitchen and food. Changing the carpet to vinyl flooring would help provide the restaurant a better look as I would hate to see the local staple for over a century hurt from something they could have prevented...

If you’re looking for a place in San Francisco where history, noir legend, and a downright excellent burger intersect, John’s Grill is the joint. Open since 1908, it’s one of the city’s oldest institutions—and it wears its years well, with dark wood paneling, old photos, and the kind of bar that makes you feel like you should be plotting something clever with a trench coat and a fedora. How many times will you be able say that you ate at a legit, literary landmark?

Literary buffs will appreciate its claim to fame: this was one of Dashiell Hammett’s haunts, and he dropped it right into The Maltese Falcon. Sam Spade ordered chops and tomatoes here, and the restaurant has leaned into that legacy ever since. From the Maltese Falcon memorabilia to napkins that literally read “Home of the Maltese Falcon,” the theme is embraced with a wink but never feels over the top. Think classy homage, not tourist trap.

Now, onto the food—which, let’s be honest, is why most of us show up. I had the broiled cheeseburger with cheddar, and it was perfection. Juicy, flavorful, cooked exactly to order, and topped with just the right amount of melted cheddar. The fries? Golden, crispy, seasoned just right, and honestly some of the best in town. They strike that elusive balance between crunchy exterior and fluffy interior, the kind of fry that borders on its own mystery of, "where did all the fries disappear to?" Your list of potential suspects should be fairly short!

The service was sharp and friendly, the cocktails strong enough to make you forget you paid San Francisco prices, and the vibe was exactly what you’d hope for in a landmark restaurant—lively but not chaotic, classy but approachable.

In short: John’s Grill isn’t just riding on its history, it’s still delivering the goods. Whether you’re hungry to be a part of history or just hungry for one of the best burgers and fries in the city, this is a stop worth making. And if you happen to solve a mystery or two while you’re here - consider it part of...