Sam’s Grill, the fifth-oldest restaurant in the US, opened in 1867, shortly after the California gold rush. Its first location was in the old California Market, an open-air food emporium located where the Bank of America building stands now. Historian Evelyn Wells described it as “a great bazaar under a single roof, housing fish stands, vegetable and dairy stands, beer counters and restaurants.”
Sam’s takes pride in serving exceptionally fresh and local seafood alongside classic San Francisco dishes from the turn of the century. Boasting old-school curtained booths, and superior traditional formal service by waiters in tuxedos, Sam’s has been a San Francisco classic for over 150 years.
Sam’s was founded by Michael Bolan Moraghan, a native of Ireland, who called it simply “M. B. Moraghan’s.” Moraghan was an oysterman who raised oysters in southern San Francisco Bay. At their peak, his oyster beds produced nearly 2.5 million pounds of oyster meat a year, and oysters have always been part of Sam’s menu.
Sam Zenovich owned the Reception Café, an establishment of some repute, a hangout of ring and race fans including boxing champions John L. Sullivan, James J. Corbett, and Jack Dempsey. Zenovich bought Moraghan’s restaurant in 1922 and his regulars followed to his new establishment, “The Samuel Zenovich Restaurant,” but everyone just called it “Sam’s.” Frank Seput bought Sam’s when Zenovich died in 1937. Seput changed its name to “Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant.” Sam’s moved to its current location in 1946 and was run by the Seput family for three generations. Peter Quartaroli started working for Gary and Walter Seput in 1994 and later the following owner, Phil Lyons. In 2014 Lyons sold the restaurant to Peter and a group of loyal Sam’s patrons.
Come join us, and take a step back in time to a more civilized era where lunches always begin with a cocktail. A classic is always in style.