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    Grubstake Diner

    3.5 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateBurgers, Diners, American
    Open 6:30 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Grubstake Diner Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    GRUBSTAKE DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Grubstake Diner

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    Reviews With Photos

    Potato Skins
    Donna Z.

    Standard diner food that was open after a night of drinking by our hotel. Was seated immediately around midnight and ordered an app and two mains between my partner and I. We got potato skins, the grubstake burger, and the Linguica & Eggs. Food came out quickly, was perfectly fine and was much needed to satisfy our hunger after drinking.

    French Dip Sandwich Ice Cream Shakes
    Natalya S.

    I had the french dip and the strawberry milkshake which definitely hit the spot at 3 am after a night of drinking. Not the best sandwich you will have in SF but totally worth coming for some heftier food and a wider selection of options after hours. The inside definitely has some character to it and the service workers are nice and quick.

    Free birthday treat
    Ashley Y.

    Wrapped up a late night at Grubstake to celebrate my friend's birthday -- he's been getting obliterated by work, and with most of our friends out of town, I wanted to make the night feel special. The waiter was incredibly kind when I mentioned it was my friend's birthday at midnight, surprising us with a little candle in a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was such a sweet moment seeing my friend's face light up. As for the food -- my patty melt hit the spot, super satisfying, though just a note that it's more of a burger patty (ground meat) than the classic melt style. My friend's Philly cheesesteak had tender shreds of meat and the Caldo Verde soup looked hearty and comforting. Perfect place for a cozy, late-night bite with warm service and great vibes. Keeping the review rating consistent. Food was great and just hit the right spot... but it was still a diner. Five stars for it being a diner. Great location and great for a cute diner after drinks on Polk Street.

    French Dip Sandwich and onion rings
    Matt C.

    Came into town staying at the holiday inn across the street. I was hungry around midnight and decided to drop by. You can tell upon entering that it has a storied past and definitely gives off SF vibes. The service was prompt and the server was welcoming. I ordered the French dip with a side of onion rings via their phone menu service. Although you can opt for a traditional menu as well. Food came out hot and fresh and pretty quick as well. Was the sandwich out of this world? No but definitely above par. Above basic, and slightly below gourmet is how I'd describe it. The bread was soft with crispy surface, really nice. I would say the melted cheese was a bit overpowering for a traditional French dip. The onion rings were cooked perfectly. No complaints there. One thing that stood out to me is that they are not stingy with the sauces. Each table had a huge bottle of condiments including their own special green chili sauce, ketchup, mayo, and more. Very tasty. If you're in the area late at night, definitely worth checking out.

    Strawberry milkshake
    Mayte C.

    Looking for a late night treat in the city and found this local diner that's open late! It looks small from the outside but I was surprised that the dining area was bigger than expected. We were greeted quickly by the staff and grabbed a table. You scan the menu via QR code and place your order from your phone. The menu looked great but we just wanted something sweet. We ordered the Strawberry Milkshakes. So good... the staff was nice to make them to-go for us. I loved how the shakes had really tasty ice cream and it wasn't a sugar overload. Loved the sprinkles on top... make it a picture-worthy treat. Definitely want to try their food next time I'm in the area!

    Ian L.

    The most standard diner food I've ever had. But when it's late and you need somewhere to eat, it's nice to have a place like this.

    222 Breakfast Special and A-1 Smackdown Burger with fries
    Kaylyn G.

    This place is a gem of a diner. The food was hot, fresh, damn tasty, and open way past my bedtime.

    Nora F.

    It was surprisingly quiet on a Saturday night, thankfully. The wall murals really set the vibe of a classic San Francisco diner. BYO Cheeseburger for $13.50 is quite a steal for San Francisco, but I wasn't particularly thrilled. There was one dude working all by himself and he kept all of our waters full - great service!

    Cute grapevines
    Madison S.

    I was so excited to eat here and I'm glad I did! The burger was so yummy and filling! I love the ambiance and the lights! The service was a little bit short with me, but only because I asked if there was cheese on cheese burger. I would definitely come again!

    Pineapple pie w brown sugar on top. Amazing
    Jim D.

    Quite possibly the best pancakes I have ever had in my life. How excited does anyone ever get about pancakes? Absolutely phenomenal. I am going back to try their chocolate chip ones. And the pie? We got the pineapple. We both talked about the pie the whole ride home. Excellent

    Jennifer T.

    Great late-night place to grab a burger! We came with a party of 9 and we were able to find a seat right away. All of our burgers were great and the fries especially were very satisfying.

    Petty Patty Melt Burger. Where's the meat?

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    2 years ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    Photo of Glenn G.
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    2 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much! :)

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much Marion! Always great to see you :)

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    1 year ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    We think you're a 10 out of 10 too.!! Thank you for coming.!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Come on in and try the apple pie and Double Johnny Burger!!!

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    2 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much!! We hope to see you again soon :-)

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much! We hope to see you again soon!

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much! So glad you came to Grubstake Diner :)

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    3 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much for coming in!!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much Maddie! So great to have you at Grubstake!!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

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    2 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Great drunk food. Great burgers, fries, wings and such. They are open late. It's my go to spot after going out late at night.

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    Nicoletta S.

    Thank you so much Jason! We hope to see you again soon :)

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Nicoletta S.

    So awesome to have EPIC customers. See you soon!!

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Worst restaurant in town. McDonald's serves you better food with better service. Any time I've eaten there I always regret it.

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    Page 2 of 32

    Grubstake Diner Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Grubstake Diner

    Wasn't the restaurant on California Street?

    No. It’s on Pine

    Do they take reservations?

    Wayfare Tavern

    Wayfare Tavern

    3.9
    (4.8k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$

    Wayfare Tavern somehow managed to make a great thing even better with the new space. It's…read moreincredibly chic while still feeling warm and inviting, and it's just as perfect for a business lunch as it is for dinner with friends. The food continues to deliver every time. The martinis are excellent, the burger is one of the best in San Francisco, the steak tartare is always a must-order, and the popovers absolutely live up to the hype. What really made this visit stand out, though, was our server, David M. He was warm, polished, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. He anticipated what we needed without hovering and struck that perfect balance of professionalism and personality that makes you feel truly taken care of. Excellent food, a beautiful new dining room, and service that reminds you why hospitality matters. I'll absolutely be back, and hope to sit in David M.'s section again.

    Such a beautiful space! Really helps make the dining experience feel special…read more Excellent apps and mains. Maybe best beef tartare I've ever had. Solid Caesar with real anchovies, not overdressed. Roasted prime beef and verlasso salmon were incredibly tender but what really knocked it outta the park was the seasoning and veg sides - the ponzu braised cabbage under the salmon, the hen of the woods and potato puree under the beef. Didn't get the fried chicken this time but it's incredible. Burrata whipped potatoes haricot verts, chocolate cupcake, and Madelines were solid. Assume options off the event menu are better. The croutons a little stale in the salad and the cupcake frosting tasting artificial were my only notes.

    Photos
    Wayfare Tavern Deviled Eggs
    Wayfare Tavern Deviled Eggs
    Organic Fried Chicken
    Organic Fried Chicken
    Wayfare Tavern

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    Terrene

    Terrene

    4.1
    (208 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    The food is very good - we've been here twice and had great food all around…read more Our first visit we had some trouble with the service, feeling rushed thru for what is a pretty expensive dinner, but the team there contacted us after (we had a reservation so they had our email) and they made it right by inviting us back as guest of Rob, the Bev Mgr. The 2nd visit the service was impeccable, everything went exactly as we had hoped. We will be back. We can recommend the scallops and the Salmon, the chicken was very tasty. Also, for the food, I recommend the dips and the fresh pitas, so good. We'll be back just for that. Reminds me of the old Berkeley restaurant years ago, Holy Land (IYKYK). Mmmm. Thanks!

    We each ordered the sunrise sandwich - one with bacon and one with sausage. The sausage was super…read morethin and dry. The bacon was fine. The sandwich comes with a small dressed salad and three tomato halves. It was nice. The potatoes served with the sandwich were roasted but served cold and dry. Like they were left over from the night before. Randy enjoyed his mocha. We shared a very dry, flavorless except for the two small bits of jam in them, "cheese" danish. Definitely skip this $7 item that you could get at a circle k for $1.50 and it would taste fresher. You order when you walk in and someone delivers your order and then you're left to fend for yourself. We were able to locate some ketchup for the potatoes on our own. Nobody ever checked on us. This is the second place on this visit that's charging an extra 5% fee so that their employees can have a living wage and health insurance, which absolutely, every employee should have. With the prices they charge, they should already be able to do that, though. I read an article about this fee with many different names and I would rather pay a bit higher of a price and know the employees were taken care of than be surprised by this fee later. Two sandwich breakfasts, a mocha and a danish on top of tax and their healthy sf fee was $63. Steep for the quality we got. Won't be back.

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    Terrene Lounge
    Terrene Lounge
    Steak and eggs
    Steak and eggs
    Seared scallops

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    Seared scallops
    Tommy's Joynt

    Tommy's Joynt

    3.8
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Killing some time before dinner, stopped in for Happy hour at this supposedly legendary place…read more From ths outside, it didnt look like much, in fact it had Dive written all over it. I was pleasantly suprised walking in, as I was greeted with a Warm, cozy rusticly decorated place full of charm . Immediately through the door to the right was a hof-brau manned by a gentleman ready to serve up whatever culinary delight you wanted to try. The place was peppered with tables, occupied by what appeared to be a heavy presence of regulars. Took a spot at the bar, and ordered a beer and a shot while my sister got a manhatten. Prices for happy hour were well within reason and the pour for the bourbon was quite generous. The barkeep was gregarious and engaging . I want to go back for sure and try the hof-brau. It gave me a similar vibe like the old sams in sacramento.

    A San Francisco classic!…read more Had the pleasure to be in the neighborhood looking for a bite, and got quick nods of agreement when I suggested we hit Tommy's Joynt! I've been coming here for over 30 years, but I know this place has probably been there for at least that long before I made my way through its doors! We all ordered slim plates, which is a nice option, as the provide lighter meals for a lower price. For $14.50 I got Prime Rib (I think they call it round steak), mashed potatoes, a salad, a roll, and a side of beans. They offer a wide range of other options, including rotating nighttly specials. The guys at the counter are awesome, and are eager to serve you up a tasty plate, just how you want it! Everything is perfectly serviceable. Drinks are available on the other side of the room, and they have a great selection of beer and liquor (and I expect wines as well). I had a Ukrainian beer with my steak, and it hit the spot! Service at the bar is also quite good. I didn't have an Irish Coffee, since they didn't have fresh coffee made and we were in a bit of a time crunch, but I recall those being a treat as well. Huge helpings of tasty food at a reasonable price, and service with a smile makes this a heartwarming bit of San Francisco's classic dining. Give them a try for food, or just come in and have a drink - folks around here seem to be friendlier than most - maybe it's just getting good food at a great price!

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    The seating area
    The seating area
    Tommy's Joynt
    The bar side! Something for everyone!

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    The bar side! Something for everyone!
    Hillstone

    Hillstone

    4.0
    (2.7k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$$

    Hillstone is a favorite among Telegraph Hill locals. My go-to's here are their French dip or lamb…read moresandwiches for lunch, and salmon or rotisserie chicken + artichoke for dinner. Good wine and cocktail selection from the bar. I would pass on their burgers though which are mediocre. What makes this place 5-stars is the service and ambiance. Some of their staff have been there for several years, which is a testament to how well the restaurant is run. Since it's along the Embarcadero and close to Fisherman's Wharf, a lot of tourists tend to wander in. And this is probably why their website says there's a strict dress code. But I feel comfortable coming here in shorts and a t-shirt. The staff is always welcoming. I also go to the Los Altos Grill which is the same restaurant as Hillstone. The menu is pretty much the same, but the service at Hillstone is just excellent.

    Hillstone offers a pleasant dining experience in a great location, making it a convenient spot for…read morelunch or dinner. The atmosphere is inviting, and the staff was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout our meal. We started with the artichoke dip, which was enjoyable but fairly standard. For $24 artichoke dip was far from with it. The steak was ok and had good flavor. However, considering the price, the portion and overall value didn't quite align with expectations, it didn't feel like the meal justified the premium cost. Overall, Hillstone is a nice restaurant with excellent service and a great location. Although the food was ok, I felt the value could be stronger given the pricing.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Grilled artichokes
    Grilled artichokes
    Knife & fork barbecue ribs

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    Knife & fork barbecue ribs

    Grubstake Diner - burgers - Updated July 2026

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