Sam’s Grill & Seafood

The fifth-oldest eatery in the US, Sam's Grill, debuted in 1867, not long after the California Gold Rush. Its original home was the former California Market, an outdoor food market that was situated where the Bank of America building is today. It was “a great bazaar under a single roof, housing fish stands, vegetable and dairy stands, beer counters and restaurants” according to historian Evelyn Wells.

Morgahan's business was one of San Francisco's top seafood suppliers by the 1890s, and he continued to sell oysters from his stand. When the California Market was demolished in 1906, Moraghan's business kept on selling fish out of other places. In 1919, the California Market was completely reconstructed, and the business changed its name to the Burlingame Oyster Company. In 1922, Samuel Zenovich purchased the business and gave the eatery the moniker The Samuel Zenovich Restaurant. Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant became the name of the establishment after Zenovich passed away in 1937.

Sam delivers traditional San Francisco cuisine from the turn of the century alongside incredibly fresh and local seafood. Sam's has been a landmark restaurant in San Francisco for more than 150 years. It features antique booths with curtains and excellent, traditional formal service from servers in tuxedos. Sam’s Grill & Seafood is one of the oldest restaurants in California.

Year established: 1867

Location: 374 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94104, America

Website: samsgrill-sf.com