Pinecrest Diner • 1969

When the Foundas family opened their Greek-American diner near Union Square in 1969, San Francisco still had plenty of all-night greasy spoons—now Pinecrest stands as one of the last. The charbroiled Niman Ranch burgers draw crowds around the clock, but insiders know to order the country fried steak or the feta-topped patty melt, quiet nods to the family's Greek heritage tucked into a menu of fluffy pancakes and midcentury comfort plates.