I stopped by for the Block Party on Ellis Street yesterday, in honor of the 115th birthday of John’s Grill Restaurant. The restaurant’s most famous claim to fame is that it was mentioned in the novel ‘The Maltese Falcon’. {Sam (Spade) went to John’s Grill and asked the waiter to hurry his order of chops, baked potato, and sliced tomatoes.} To celebrate the occasion John’s set out tables all along the block and served free meals to everybody who stopped by. I more interested in getting another Brigid glass. (Thumbnail images)
Ellis Street, looking toward Market Street, around the time that John’s Grill opened: (San Francisco Public Library Archives)
This is the stretch of Ellis Street, between Powell and Stockton Streets, where the block party was held. The vintage picture is from the 1920s. (opensfhistory.org)
I did an update a few years back of a 1970s picture by Peter Stratmoen of this stretch of Ellis Street, but I don’t think anybody paid much attention to John’s Grill in my picture because of the pretty girl with the Victoria’s Secret bag.
They were still setting up tables when I got there. This is the view from Stockton Street in the 1950s, and yesterday. Truth be told, I’ve spent more time in Tad’s Steakhouse than I have in John’s Grill. (opensfhistory.org)
Mayor London Breed took time out from her tribute to Dianne Feinstein to congratulate the current owners of the restaurant.
There was plenty of stage entertainment.
The line of visitors stretched around Ellis Street down Powell to Market Street, so they had to keep putting out more tables to accommodate the crowd.
Of course, you can’t go to John’s Grill without going upstairs to see the Maltese Falcon or taking home a Brigid Glass, named in honor of the femme fatale from the Maltese Falcon. Awhile back, I did a post about the Maltese Falcon that features John’s Grill. It’s become my most often viewed post, so in closing, I’ll include the link to it.
San Francisco Film Locations Then & Now 
You know, I have never seen the Maltese Falcon. I have seen reproductions of the sculpture though. Our next door neighbor in Montara had one on her front porch. What ever happened to those, and where did they come from? Are they gone now because so few remember their significance?
You should watch it someday, Tony. It’s one of the best movies ever made, and it holds up really well. It’s “the stuff that dreams are made of”.
I do not enjoy much cinema, although, when I do, it is generally old classics. (Modern movies that are made by computers are not so great, and some are downright awful.) I had to look though, and found that cheaper copies of the Maltese Falcon can be purchased online! I suppose that if I look on eBay, I could find several of ‘the’ original!