Union Square in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

John's Grill

Friends of Libraries U.S.A.

— Literary Landmarks Register —

John's Grill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 17, 2009

1. John's Grill Marker

Inscription. John's Grill site where Dashiell Hammett wrote "The Maltese Falcon"

"Spade went to John's Grill and asked the waiter to hurry his order of chops, baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes... and was smoking a cigarette with his coffee when... "

is designated a Literary Landmark by Friends of the Libraries U.S.A.

Erected 1997 by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Literary Landmarks series list.

Location. 37° 47.13′ N, 122° 24.44′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Union Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 63 Ellis Street, San Francisco CA 94102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Ignatius College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parrot Building (about 300 feet away); San Francisco Centre (about 400 feet away); Andrew S. Hallidie (about 400 feet away); Phelan Building (about 700 feet away); 49 Fourth Street (about 700 feet away); Hotel Bristol

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(about 700 feet away); Ambassador Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Regarding John's Grill. "This landmark was the setting for the Maltese Falcon novel by Dashiell Hammett and now is the headquarters of the Dashiell Hammett Society of San Francisco, founded October 21, 1977, by William Nolan, author of a biographical study of Hammett,and Jack Kaplan, retired U.S. Army major now director of Pinkerton's." -- from the Menu at John's Grill.

Also see . . . John's Grill. (Submitted on May 31, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Fiction

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 17, 2009

2. John's Grill Marker

Historic John's Grill<br>Since 1908 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 17, 2009

3. Historic John's Grill
Since 1908

Since 1908<br>John's Grill<br>Steaks & Seafood Cocktails image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 17, 2009

4. Since 1908
John's Grill
Steaks & Seafood Cocktails

Cocktail Napkin<br>At John's Grill image. Click for full size.

5. Cocktail Napkin
At John's Grill

Sam Spade's Lamb Chops<br>Served with baked potato and sliced tomatoes image. Click for full size.

6. Sam Spade's Lamb Chops
Served with baked potato and sliced tomatoes

"Spade would have gotten his biggest surprise when he opened the menu and looked for his favorite dish. The Sam Spade chops, potatoes and tomatoes now sell for $22.95. That's a lot of lettuce, kid." -- San Francisco Chronicle, June 28, 1997. In 2009, Sam Spade's Lamb Chops cost $30.95. In 2014, they'll set ya back $35.95!

Dashiell Hammett image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Edward Biberman, 1937

7. Dashiell Hammett

Edward Biberman's 1937 Portrait of Dashiell Hammett hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,018 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 31, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.