Grubstake

What you need to know

Grubstake is a late-night Polk Gulch diner open since 1927, partly built from a converted railcar. Open until 3 or 4 AM most nights. The diner is also a longstanding part of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ history.

The Food

Burgers, steaks, breakfast, and homemade pies. The dinner menu also has Portuguese specialties: bacalhau and other dishes reflecting the kitchen’s history. The pies are baked in-house. Grubstake was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

The Space

Half the room is the original railcar, narrow and lined with booth seats. The other half is a more conventional dining room added later. Both share the same kitchen.

Practical Info

Price: Most items $15 to $25
Reservations: None. Walk in.
Hours: Sun-Wed 6:30pm to 3am, Thu-Sat 6:30pm to 4am
Getting there: Pine Street is a few blocks from Polk. 19 Polk and 1 California Muni lines stop nearby.

Filmed here

All San Francisco films →

4 productions filmed at or beside Grubstake.

2015Ant-ManIntersection of California at Polk2024A Man on The InsideB Roll - Nob Hill District2025DreamsHoliday Inn San Francisco, Golden Gateway, 1500 Van Ness Ave.Dope Queens20252025Dope QueensPolk Street between California and Pine