115-year-old downtown SF restaurant throws free lunch block party

On Oct. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the downtown SF restaurant invites community members to share a meal at no charge in the closed street in front of its 63 Ellis St. location. That’s right, John’s Grill in Union Square is serving free lunch (and wine) Wednesday, no RSVP required.

Because of the grill’s reputation as the watering hole for the city’s political elite, the usual suspects are scheduled to appear. The guest list includes five of San Francisco’s 11 supervisors, former Mayor Willie Brown, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and, of course, Mayor London Breed. Several California state politicians are expected to be on hand as well.

For Giants fans, the event is a chance to hear the dulcet tones of Oracle Park announcer Renel Brooks-Moon, who is slated to emcee the gathering, and for once actually see her face at the same time. 

The menu is slated to feature Caesar salad, ravioli stuffed with sundried tomatoes and cheese, and three choices of entree: lamb chops, filet mignon medallions and chicken marsala. 

The celebrated family business is owned by John Konstin and his son, also named John. They’re consistently on site in the dining room, welcoming everyday regulars and famous guests alike. According to the restaurant’s website, everyone from Vice President Al Gore to former Giant Willie McCovey has sat at its tables. An SF literary icon also is a “patron”: Dashiell Hammett wrote the spot into his 1930 novel “The Maltese Falcon” as a hangout for main character detective Sam Spade. The mention was long commemorated in the restaurant, with a plaster falcon replica, which was famously swiped — and replaced, with a much heavier model — in 2007.

Said to be the first downtown restaurant to open after the 1906 earthquake, John’s Grill has seen its share of struggles, especially after the pandemic. After it finally reopened fully in March 2021, the senior Konstin told the San Francisco Chronicle that the restaurant’s combined 220 days closed amounted to a total loss of $20 million. (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms).