John's Grill Explained

John's Grill
Street-Address:63 Ellis Street,
San Francisco, California
Postcode:94102
Country:United States
Coordinates:37.7853°N -122.4069°W

John's Grill is a historic restaurant located in the downtown area of San Francisco, California.[1] [2] The restaurant is famous, in part, because of the novel The Maltese Falcon (1930), and the later film The Maltese Falcon (1941). On the climactic final night of the novel's plot, detective Sam Spade dines on chops, potatoes, and tomatoes at John's Grill after coming into possession of the titular falcon.[3]

History

John's Grill was established in 1908[4] and was the first restaurant to open in downtown San Francisco after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.[5] The restaurant stands at the edge of the Tenderloin neighborhood, around the corner from the "Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround." Over the years, John's Grill has had many famous patrons. The restaurant serves steakhouse fare.[6]

In August 2021, owner John Konstin, Jr announced that the restaurant would require patrons to show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 for both inside and outside seating. This made the restaurant the first in the area to impose this requirement.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ho . Soleil . 14 October 2021 . Is the food at S.F.'s historic John's Grill actually good? A Soleil Ho investigation . . 1932-8672.
  2. News: Smith . Kendra . 115-year-old downtown SF restaurant throws free lunch block party . 2024-01-20 . . en.
  3. Web site: Zigoris . Julie . 2023-10-04 . The Noir History of San Francisco’s John’s Grill Ensures Its Future . 2024-01-20 . The San Francisco Standard . en.
  4. Web site: Nolte . Carl . December 2018 . John's Grill in the city's heart for 110 years . The San Francisco Chronicle . 1932-8672.
  5. Web site: Ong . Gayle . 2023-10-05 . Iconic SF restaurant John’s Grill celebrates 115th anniversary . 2024-01-20 . KRON4 . en-US.
  6. Book: Lovato, Kimberley . Unique Eats and Eateries of San Francisco . 2017 . Reedy Press . 9781681061115.
  7. News: Conejero . Ginger . Elle . Jean . August 11, 2021 . SF Restaurant Becomes First in the Bay to Require Proof of Vaccination Indoors, Outdoors . NBC News.