SF restaurant owner says Bernie Sanders was 'cranky,' rude to staff

John's Grill has been a watering hole and meeting spot for retail barons, financiers, private investigators and newspaper types - and sometimes all of them at once - since it opened on Ellis Street off Union Square in 1908. less John's Grill has been a watering hole and meeting spot for retail barons, financiers, private investigators and newspaper types - and sometimes all of them at once - since it opened on Ellis Street off Union ... more Photo: Penni Gladstone, SFC Photo: Penni Gladstone, SFC Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close SF restaurant owner says Bernie Sanders was 'cranky,' rude to staff 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Sen. Bernie Sanders was in town for the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting and dined out with staff at San Francisco's iconic John's Grill on Thursday, according to Politico.

The presidential hopeful didn't impress the owner of the 111-year-old restaurant, John Konstin.

"It was all very nice, except for cranky Bernie," Konstin told Politico.

Konstin told SFGATE the U.S. senator from Vermont declined to shake hands and take photos and "was rude" to staff.

"He was just rude, not friendly," Konstin said. "I think he was just hungry and didn't want to be a politician. He lost my vote."

John's Grill opened in 1908 and was famously used as a backdrop in Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon." Politicians frequent the restaurant and their photos adorn the wood-paneled walls.

Lee Houskeeper, the media contact for John's Grill, said it's uncharacteristic for Konstin to say anything negative about his patrons.

"Bernie had to be in a terrible mood," Houskeeper said. "Anyone in the public eye needs to understand when it's time to order room service."

He added Sanders left a tip and his wife apologized as the group was leaving the restaurant.

ALSO: Here's where Elizabeth Warren, Beto O'Rourke and Cory Booker were spotted eating in SF

The DNC's three-day event in San Francisco was attended by 13 presidential candidates in the 2020 race who participated in caucus, council and committee meetings. Former Vice President Joe Biden was one of the few candidates to not attend.

Konstin told Politico his restaurant hosted a party with Secretary of State Alex Padilla, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was "pure class."

Sanders' rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren also recently dined out in the city, visiting in June for the 2019 California Democrat Convention.

Warren, the U.S. senator from Massachusetts, brought her staff to Ayala in Union Square's Hotel G.

"She was absolutely wonderful and came into our kitchen," Ayala General Manager Alexandra Loulias said. "So complimentary of our staff. She took individual photos with everyone. Just the nicest lady."

After speaking with John's Grill owner John Konstin, SFGATE updated the story at noon on Monday. SFGATE has reached out to the Bernie Sanders campaign and will update the story again when we hear back.

Amy Graff is a digital reporter for SFGATE. Email her at agraff@sfgate.com.