John's Grill
15 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco17 comments cited below
What people say, in short
John's Grill receives recommendations for an old-school San Francisco dinner. Commenters praise its historic atmosphere, and individual diners single out steak and chicken Alfredo. Several call it a classic, while dissenters find the food mediocre or the experience expensive.
Address
John's Grill, 63 Ellis St, San Francisco, CA 94102
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Steak, Chicken Alfredo, Prawn cocktail
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/MajorAd3363 in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
Fun historic spot with a literary tie-in; likes it and suggests checking the upstairs.
- Recommendsu/NumberCapital7000 in r/AskSF · Jun 2025
Calls John's Grill super old school.
- Recommendsu/Cheznation in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
Highlights its Maltese Falcon history and upstairs museum, calling it affordable with excellent food and service.
- Recommendsu/KublaKahhhn in r/AskSF · Dec 2025taste
Praises the historic atmosphere and says the food is genuinely good.
- Recommendsu/CarrieNoir in r/AskSF · Jun 2025ambience
Agrees John's Grill still exudes old school character in the best way.
- Recommendsu/vtjustinb in r/AskSF · Jun 2025consistency
Goes often; steaks never disappoint and the chicken Alfredo is surprisingly good.
- Recommendsu/F0N3M in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
Simply recommends John's Grill.
- Recommendsu/doedoughs in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
Calls it a quintessential must-hit spot, though fine-dining fans may differ.
Show all 17 cited comments
- Caveatu/excelllentquestion in r/AskSF · Dec 2025value
Advises skipping it: expensive, mediocre food, coasting on book fame.
- Recommendsu/throwaway-94552 in r/AskSF · Jun 2025
A decade-long holiday tradition; has a real soft spot for John's Grill.
- Recommendsu/AliSalsa in r/AskSF · Jun 2025
Includes John's Grill on a list of classics.
- Recommendsu/playmore_24 in r/sanfrancisco · Jul 2025
Lists John's Grill among picks.
- Recommendsu/Content-Wonder6571 in r/AskSF · Jun 2025
Recommends John's Grill.
- Recommendsu/Which_Flatworm_9853 in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
Says the restaurant is underrated.
- Caveatu/obi_wan_fashobi in r/AskSF · Dec 2025price
Warns that dinner and drinks can exceed a modest budget.
- Recommendsu/Bennythecat415 in r/AskSF · Dec 2025
They enjoy holiday lunches there.
- Recommendsu/GRIFTY_P in r/AskSF · Jun 2025
Says nothing is more old-school than John's Grill.
Also on
John's Grill is on another map too, with what people said about it there.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.