The Big Four in The Huntington Hotel

The Big Four – Huntington Hotel
1075 California Street
415-474-5400
A+
Situated at the top of Nob Hill across the street from Grace Cathedral, Huntington Square Park and The Union Pacific Club and within yards of The Masonic Auditorium, The Mark Hopkins Hotel and The Fairmont is this grand and deluxe restaurant and bar that rivals the great restaurants and bars of the world. Located off the lobby of the Huntington Hotel, the Big 4 Restaurant is known locally as "the place" for the power lunch — a reputation aptly deserved as both social and business titans alike relish the privacy this exclusive San Francisco restaurant affords them. Guests enjoy the heady ambience while savoring perennial favorites, including one of the best burgers one can find in San Francisco. This uniquely historic San Francisco restaurant is named after the nation's four most famous railroad tycoons of the nineteenth century – C.P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, and Mark Hopkins. Appointed with lead-glass mirrors and forest-green banquettes, the Big 4 Restaurant instantly transports guests to another era of San Francisco dining and décor, with an impressive collection of original artifacts, historical photographs, and memorabilia from California's unique history. The burger is made from a huge hand formed chuck of choice ground chuck which is char broiled to order and served on a toasted and heavily seeded bun that easily absorbs the fine juices the meat lets off. Good white cheddar cheese is melting over the meat when served and the white steak platter is filled with generous portions of really fine tomato, lettuces and onion along with a good whole pickle.

Rounding out this glorious burger experience, the plate is brimming over with crisp, hot and addictive shoestring fries, lightly salted and delicious. A small plate with individual ramekins of good catsup, mustard and mayo are also offered and appreciate. The bar area is home to about a dozen nice tables where a limited but excellent menu is offered at really great prices. The dining room is a more formal affair but is equally warm and inviting. Green leather club chairs, thick etched glass table, white napery and solid silver plate flatware and discreet whispered service make this a premier destination for all great food and drink, along with a terrific pianist playing a concert grand and truly professional bar and wait staff come together to make this one of the great burger experiences anywhere. A must visit for any burger and history lover.