San Francisco is chock full of wonderful restaurants and food. However, if you want to eat somewhere with character, history, and without all of the pretension then look no further than Grubstake. This is a restaurant that used to be a train car!

Grubstake is located at 1525 Pine Street, San Francisco, 94109. This part of San Francisco is nicknamed "Polk Gulch."
Kevin Y/Yelp
The railcar houses half of Grubstake. The railcar originally carried riders between Berkeley, San Francisco, and Oakland. In 1927, this railcar was set down and established as a restaurant in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco.
Grubstake Site
In 1967, the owners of The Grubstake I at 142 Mason Street moved and established The Grubstake II in an old Key Line rail car.
Grubstake Site
The original Grubstake restaurant, before the current building on Pine Street, is classic and will give you the feeling of being in a classic American diner. Sadly, this is quite hard to find in SF now, so enjoy this relic.
Adam S/Yelp
Once you step inside Grubstake you'll notice that this was a rail car. Also, part of Grubstake was a "lunch wagon" manufactured for use as a small diner too.
Jose P/FourSquare

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The food served at Grubstake is classic diner food. Expect burgers, fries, wings, and rich soups.
The Grubstake SF/Facebook
The food here is best for a late night feast or a weekend brunch. Expect classic diner food, so eggs, bacon, and the works are the norm here.
Donny M/Yelp
The booths and counter with stools, basically the converted cable car, has been featured in Humphrey Bogart’s film Dark Passage in 1947. But, this was in a different location.
The Grubstake SF/Facebook
Grubstake has their own green hot pepper sauce. This is a one-of-a-kind spot that will excite your senses, fill your tummy, and make you nostalgic for another time.
Grubstake Site
Grubstake is a must do for food fans in the city. Also, it has late hours for the city, so this place to be open from 5pm-4am on weekdays and on weekends from 11am–4am.
The Grubstake SF/Facebook
Check out the Grubstake site for more information. This is a place you have to check out in the city!

Have you been to Grubstake? Let us know your experience. Share this story too! If you’re curious about other spots in the city then check out The Ultimate Pizza Bucket List In San Francisco That Will Make Your Mouth Water.

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Featured Addresses
1525 Pine Street, San Francisco, 94109