Historic John's Grill

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1. AS

   AndrewS

   Sacramento

   23 reviews

   5.0

   23 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always a treat and love the vibe. Excellent for the business meeting as well as I usually am going for pleasure with my wife.

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2. TO

   TeresaO

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Quick bite before Giants game always a great time here we just love John’s Grill

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New Orleans

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food3service5ambience4

   Ordered the ribeye medium rare and it came out medium at best, leaning towards medium well. There was a hint and I mean hint of pink. Sent it back and the chefs response was this is my medium rare. Brought me what looked like a after thought piece of meat that was rare. Probably won’t be back unless someone is paying. Server was great though!

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4. M

   Mark

   Calgary

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food3service4ambience2

   Historic but run down , food ok , waiter was a good guy

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5. JC

   JamesC

   Philadelphia

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great service and great food. Real old fashioned service and ambiance. The prices were very reasonable

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6. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Indiana

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall3food2service3ambience4

   Food…..borderline. Just OK. Nothing special in nothing I ordered. By the way…, the fries….probably ready for hours 😠

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great ambiance. On time with seating for reservation. Food was well prepared and well seasoned (red snapper and filet mignon). We will be back.

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8. J

   Jonathan

   New Orleans

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I am visiting from New Orleans, home of great seafood. I ate at John’s Grill in July 2021 and it was wonderful. I had Seafood. I had the grilled Halibut on Friday 5-20-22 nite. The entire meal was Exceptional.

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9. M

   Midwesterner

   Washington DC

   92 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   92 reviews

   Dined on May 19, 2022

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   I am reading the Maltese Falcon so I was excited to go to John’s Grill where Sam Spade had dinner in the book. The food was absolutely delicious and the staff was wonderful. I also enjoyed seeing the Maltese Falcon memorabilia on the second floor. I would highly recommend John’s Grill!

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10. LE

    LanaE

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was our first meal there and it was delicious. The service was great. We ordered a chocolate tort to go, but when we got back to our room there was cheesecake. It was a delightful mistake. Wish we had gotten two! We’ll definitely go back.

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Palm Springs

    66 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    66 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3

    John’s never fails to please. It’s a classic. Just make sure you are feeling flush, because you are definitely going to spend plenty.

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12. m

    mjhs

    Washington DC

    50 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Pros - staff was very accommodating; was our anniversary and they provided a champagne cocktail which was very appreciated. dinner was very good. Cons - it is a very vibrant restaurant so it was a bit loud for me personally. biggest problem for us was that a table for two in truly small. really, really small and our table was in what I would call the kitchen alley so a lot of traffic back and forth. that said it’s a legacy restaurant, packed for a Monday night and we were greeted by “happy anniversary!” so they pay attention to detail. would we return? maybe if we return to SFO and could get a different table location.

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13. JK

    JKGPA041776

    Philadelphia

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great. Food was delicious and service attentive

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14. CV

    CesarV

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fabulous food and dining experience

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15. PC

    PacificChick

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was so good! It really was special. We look forward to going again.

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Environment was full of energy. Lots of tables over multiple floor in this historic building. For what you pay for a nice outing in San Francisco, we thought this was a pretty good value. Service was prompt- not overly personable, but that was ok by us. They were very busy! Near public transportation so easy to walk to. Would definitely come again for a special occasion.

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17. L

    Lucy7083

    San Francisco

    59 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    59 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I love this restaurant. Every time I go the food and atmosphere is memorable. I ordered the house Cesar salad which was made perfectly. The dressing was just right with freshly made croutons. The ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce melted in my mouth. I’m not a dessert person but the chocolate mousse was exquisite

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18. JA

    JANOU

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Very highly salted.. had to send back side dish of spinach.

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19. TM

    TimM

    San Francisco

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Mostly terrific. The only thing I did not like was the bus boy LOUDLY dealing with knives, forks, spoons right behind our table. Tim McShane

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20. BS

    BarbaraS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Went to John’s Grill for a special thank you dinner for very special people. The energy in the restaurant is always spirited in a classy way. Our waiter was attentive but very unobtrusive and the drinks are excellent and the food is even better

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21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    Always a great time at John’s. The only downside is the waitstaff. Unlike Scoma’s or Tadich, John’s doesn’t have that long term staff that really makes a classic stand out. That’s a shame because John’s really is a gem that needs to be treated better than a transient staff.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Really great meal. Excellent service.

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a great steak - service was excellent and a brilliant venue

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24. JE

    JuneauEats

    New York Area

    51 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    51 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Normally I don't enjoy a steak house since I don't love steak, but there was availability here for a last minute dinner so we went. What a surprise! the fish was delicious! Truly, truly delicious. My husband had the steak and loved that too. Both came with a baked potato that had a nice crisp skin (note: I love a good potato skin) so that was an added plus. The place is old fashioned in a good way (decor). We should have given it a 5 across the board but the service was a bit lagging but I think it was a factor of Mother's Day and the staff was quite busy. Overall, it was a great choice.

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The ultimate San Francisco experience. A lot of history. Love the Maltese falcon display on the second floor. Food was pretty good too!

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26. IE

    InExile

    San Francisco

    289 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    289 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Some people visit John's Grill expecting the glamour of old Hollywood: they confuse reality with movies with the reality upon which movies are based. John's Grill is special because it has remained largely the same restaurant for over 100 years, with each generation adding a nuance or a fold into the story, making it richer and better as it grows older. My lunch today was the Jack La Lane Salad, mint tea, and delicious sourdough bread, served in a corner seat where countless thousands had dined before me. I have seen the head of house mature from a young, inexperienced waiter into a capable Matre'd, and today's waiter proudly carries on the tradition. John's doesn't try to be a movie: it is a restaurant. And a restaurant still serving delicious meals by courteous, professional waiters in a wonderfully anachronistic setting. Enjoy it for that.

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27. MS

    MatthewS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    John’s Grill is an outstanding place for steak and lobster. I try to come here at least once while staying in San Francisco. The service was friendly and efficient and atmosphere was perfect for informal dining on top of the line food and drink. Love the film noir vibe with Dashiell Hammett/John Huston’s Maltese Falcon!

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28. EO

    EdwardO

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience5

    Great ambience. The whole Dashiel Hammet-Sam Spade thing is really appealing and the place reflects it. The food hews to an old-fashioned approach. Lots of butter on everything.

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A very pleasing experience from beginning to end.

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30. DJ

    DonnaJ

    Charleston

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service, delicious food. Fabulous evening.

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31. CS

    CeliaSF

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Consistently great food, drinks and wine in a classic setting. The service is always impeccable! You can never go wrong at Historic John's Grill!

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32. L

    Lillia

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Thank you John’s Grill for welcoming my Family with warmth of great service & great food! Thank you for helping us celebrate Mother’s day & my Son Nathan’s 14th birthday! Love from the Tanti Family

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33. MP

    MPFZ

    San Francisco

    60 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    60 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    John's never fails. Great drinks, food and service!

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34. MC

    MikeC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The best steak ever. Perfectly grilled. Loved the peppercorn sauce.

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35. BH

    BeveH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    John's Grill was easy to find and was only 2 1/2 blocks from where we parked near our venue. The ambiance was special wood darker many pictures of people who had come to this old place, loved it. Wait staff were dressed in black with aprons, tables had white tablecloths and napkins, really first class. So many things on the menu with reasonable pricing for this covid time. We started with the house salad, dressing a nice vinaigrette. We all chose the lobster Ravioli with fresh grated parmesan and a tasty sauce. There were several covered, separated places to eat outside. The service was wonderful, Dishes were cleared as we finished them plus drinks refilled We should have stayed for a dessert, they had many to choose from. This would be a nice place to linger over coffee and talk.

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36. S

    Sanfranfan

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    First time at John’s Grill. Excellent experience all around. We were seated immediately and the service was outstanding. Food very good. This was a birthday lunch for my friend and we were served a free dessert with a candle. A complete surprise and very classy. Another visit is definitely in the offing.

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37. MM

    MassimilianoM

    Dallas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Bel locale, ottimo cibo, servizio veloce buoni cocktail

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38. JP

    JohnP

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The signature dish, lamb chops with a baked potato, was supurb as was the house white wine. A fun, happening place.

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39. AC

    AmyC

    Sacramento

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service - Pricey but everything in the Bay Area is pricey

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40. LK

    LeeK

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    This is a solid steak house. If you really want seafood or surf and turf, you may rethink your decision. I had surf and turf with filet mignon, which was well prepared, although a bit grisly for the cut, I thought. The "surf" was 3 deep fried prawns, which were good, but deep frying is sort of the culinary copout for seafood, isn't it? The obligatory baked potato was nothing special, nor were the seasonal vegetables. I was counting on the ambience, which was nice in the dining room downstairs. I got to see it as I was lead upstairs to a much plainer dining room. It felt a bit like the kids' table at the holidays. Dining alone is always iffy, and had I known I'd be relegated to the upstairs and sat on the high waiter-traffic aisle, even with a reservation, I may have asked for an upgrade to a window seat. As it was, I kept my elbows in and had a pleasant, although not the most relaxed, dinner.

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