Grubstake

When you sit at the Counter in The Grubstake, you are sitting in a tiny bit of Bay Area history! The rail car that houses half of The Grubstake originally served the Key Line that provided transportation between Berkeley and Oakland and San Francisco. The completion of the Bay Bridge caused major transportation changes, and, with, along with four other cars, it was "set" in San Francisco in 1927, it became a diner - long before diners were trendy. Then it was red and white and called The Orient Express. It sat alone on the lot with an alley where the present dining room is located, and the kitchen was at the Pine Street end of the car.
In 1967, the owners of Grubstake I at 142 Mason Street (now the site of the Parc Fifty Five Hotel), established Grubstake II in the rail car. When business expanded, they added the present kitchen and dining room.

Today, The Grubstake continues the tradition of serving cooked-to-order burgers and breakfasts--as well as full meals and house-made desserts--from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. daily. In 1995, The Grubstake added "The Portuguese Corner" to the menu and is the only restaurant in San Francisco serving continental Portuguese dishes every day. Both Portuguese and domestic wine and beer are available. Service begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.