John's Grill in San Francisco, Calif. will be serving up free election-day lunch Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The tradition began as a dual effort by lobbyist Robert McCarthy and restaurateur Angelo Quaranta in the 1980s but more or less stopped in 2008., John Konstin, owner of John's Grill revived the tradition in 2015.
A revived tradition continues Tuesday in San Francisco when John’s Grill holds its free election-day lunch.
Former Mayor Willie Brown is hosting the non-partisan event starting at 11:30 a.m. at 63 Ellis St.
It’s for everyone including voters, candidates, campaign workers, celebrities and tech billionaires. Mayor London Breed is expected to attend.
The luncheon was started in the 1980s by restaurateur/commissioner Angelo Quaranta and lobbyist Robert McCarthy. The pair co-hosted the event every year at Quaranta’s Allegro Restaurant at 1701 Jones St. in the Russian Hill neighborhood.
It was created intentionally as a non-partisan event where everyone connected with the day could take a break after getting up before dawn to turn out votes.
Allegro served pasta and salad and people traded predictions, and made bets with both friends and foes.
John Konstin, the owner of John’s Grill, is offering up caesar salad, chicken marsala, ravioli, sourdough bread along with wine and beer.
McCarthy died in 2008 and Quaranta later returned to Italy and the luncheon stopped and then was an irregular occurrence for a few years.
Konstin revived the luncheon in 2015. Organizers stress that everyone is welcome.
Last modified November 5, 2019 10:50 am
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