Escargot
$ 17.95Tender escargot baked in a bubbling, rich garlic cream sauce, offering an authentic taste of traditional continental grilling.
Tender escargot baked in a bubbling, rich garlic cream sauce, offering an authentic taste of traditional continental grilling.
Chilled jumbo prawns served alongside zesty cocktail sauce and authentic, pungent fresh horseradish.
Fresh diced ahi tuna exquisitely seasoned and served with delicate accompaniments for a light, luxurious starter.
Pristine Kumamoto oysters served fresh and raw on the half shell with classic mignonette.
Plump tortellone stuffed with a rich blend of ricotta, romano, and parmesan cheeses, bathed in a velvety basil cream sauce and finished with grana padano.
Delicate pasta pockets stuffed with tender Maine lobster, tossed in an herbed tomato cream sauce and showered with grana padano cheese.
A rich, comforting traditional New England clam chowder loaded with hearty potatoes and tender sea clams.
A velvety, decadent lobster bisque enriched with subtle hints of sherry and heavy cream.
Crisp seasonal field greens tossed with golden, crunchy garlic croutons in a light house vinaigrette.
Crisp, refreshing greens tossed thoroughly in a rich, creamy blue cheese dressing.
Classic Caesar salad prepared with crisp, clean romaine lettuce, shaved parmesan, and garlic croutons.
Seasonal greens paired with tender shrimp and crumbled Roquefort cheese, tossed in our signature bleu cheese vinaigrette.
Roasted sweet beets layered with candied walnuts, creamy feta cheese, lemon aioli, and delicate micro-greens.
Ripe heirloom tomatoes paired with creamy fresh burrata cheese, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic glaze, and fresh basil.
A legendary blend of seasonal greens, fresh crab, succulent shrimp, avocado, mushrooms, and tomatoes tossed in our famous creamy bleu cheese vinaigrette.
Flaky grilled Pacific snapper fillet served with a vibrant, spiced piquant tomato sauce.
Succulent jumbo prawns sautéed with mushrooms, garlic, white wine, and a luxurious Dijon cream sauce.
Tender broiled salmon served alongside creamy mashed potatoes and draped in rich hollandaise sauce.
Delicate Petrale sole sautéed to perfection and finished with a bright lemon-butter sauce and toasted almond slices.
Jumbo prawns hand-crusted in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and fried to a golden crunch.
Crispy golden-fried sea scallops served alongside a tangy house tartar sauce.
Plump oysters fried until golden and crispy, served with traditional cocktail sauce.
An assortment of fried seafood crusted in herbed panko, served with fresh seasonal vegetables.
Hand-cut premium Black Angus New York strip steak, grilled to juicy perfection over an open flame.
Richly marbled, exceptionally juicy ribeye steak cooked to your exact preference.
Supremely tender filet mignon cut from the finest Black Angus beef and grilled to order.
The ultimate pairing of a tender New York steak accompanied by three golden fried jumbo prawns.
A massive prime bone-in rib eye served with a fluffy baked Idaho potato and seasonal vegetables.
Classic prime T-bone steak served alongside a baked Idaho potato and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Historic signature dish featuring thick, tender grilled lamb chops served with a baked Idaho potato and fresh sliced tomatoes.
A deluxe broiled burger served with crispy fries, crisp lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle.
Crispy breaded chicken cutlet served over mashed potatoes with a delicate caper-beurre blanc sauce.
Tender chicken sautéed with mushrooms and artichoke hearts in a creamy white wine sauce, served with baked potato and vegetables.
Tender sliced New York steak on toasted bread with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, served with crispy fries.
Crispy fried chicken breast on a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and a side of fries.
Grilled chicken breast layered with savory pesto sauce, fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion, served with hot fries.
Tender grilled chicken breast tossed with linguine pasta in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce.
An extravagant seafood pasta featuring linguine, jumbo prawns, salmon, snapper, and mushrooms in a basil cream sauce with grana padano.
Classic fluffy baked Idaho potato prepared fresh daily.
Crispy golden French fries lightly salted to perfection.
Fresh whole mushrooms sautéed gently in savory butter and aromatic herbs.
Tender green spinach simmered in a rich, velvety cream sauce.
Slow-cooked sweet onions caramelized to rich, savory perfection.
Ultra-smooth mashed potatoes blended with savory parmesan cheese and butter.
Stepping through the doors of John's Grill in downtown San Francisco feels like stepping directly into the pages of a classic noir novel. Established in 1908 in the heart of Union Square, this historic landmark has cemented its status not only as San Francisco's premier old-school steakhouse but also as a cultural touchstone immortalized in literary history by Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon. Wood-paneled walls lined with sepia-toned photographs of legendary past patrons, politicians, athletes, and movie stars create an atmosphere dripping with timeless character, nostalgia, and unpretentious charm.
True to its heritage, John's Grill delivers an exceptional menu rooted in classic American steakhouse traditions alongside top-tier seafood selections. Diners frequently rave about standout appetizers like the creamy Escargot baked in rich garlic butter and the ultra-refreshing Jumbo Prawn Cocktail served with authentic, sinus-clearing freshly grated horseradish. For entrees, the legendary Sam Spade's Lamb Chops remain an absolute mandatory order—delivering thick, expertly charred cuts paired with a fluffy baked potato and sliced tomatoes. Steak lovers will also appreciate the thick-cut Ribeye and the decadent Surf and Turf, which marries a juicy New York strip with crispy fried jumbo prawns.
While the historic dining rooms can bustle with energetic crowds and lively chatter—especially during weekends and local celebrations—the professional and welcoming staff ensure every guest feels like a regular. As diners note, whether you are dressed in formal evening attire or comfortable blue jeans, the hospitality remains consistently stellar. Between the rich history, perfectly seared meats, comforting bowls of New England Clam Chowder, and vibrant atmosphere, John's Grill offers a quintessential San Francisco dining experience that honors its storied past while continuing to delight new generations of food enthusiasts.
165 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
55 Cyril Magnin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
721 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
314 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108
201 3rd St Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94103
52 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104
John's Grill is famously known as a historic San Francisco landmark and literary fixture featured in Dashiell Hammett's classic noir novel, The Maltese Falcon. Operating since 1908, its walls are adorned with historic photos of legendary patrons.
The absolute signature dish is Sam Spade's Lamb Chops, served with a baked Idaho potato and sliced tomatoes. Other crowd favorites include the Ribeye Steak, Jumbo Prawn Cocktail, and the rich Lobster Bisque.
Yes, the menu features several gluten-free options including Kumamoto Oysters, Roquefort Salad, Bone-In Rib Eye, New York Steak, and Sam Spade's Lamb Chops.
While John's Grill offers an upscale culinary experience with prime steaks and fresh seafood, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, allowing guests to dine comfortably in anything from business casual to a t-shirt and blue jeans.
Entrée prices generally range from $26 to $55 for classic steaks, sandwiches, and seafood pasta, while premium prime cuts like the Bone-In Rib Eye are priced around $110.
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