John's Grill and its link to The Maltese Falcon

John's Grill is a long-established restaurant near Union Square that is mentioned in Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 novel The Maltese Falcon; the book’s association has been part of the restaurant’s public identity. The restaurant has served seafood and classic American grill fare for many decades and remains located on Ellis Street. Its literary connection makes it a noted site in San Francisco’s culinary and cultural history.