Food coverage is supported by a generous donation from Susan and Moses Libitzky.
Sabra Grill, San Francisco’s long-running glatt kosher restaurant, is looking for a new owner. At 66, longtime owner Eitan Hilleli is ready to retire.
The grill, which opened in 1996, was for many years the only restaurant in San Francisco certified by the Vaad HaKashrus of Northern California. For some of that time, it was run by Hilleli’s nephew, and at other times his son and daughter helped out, too. It’s always been in the same family, but Hilleli’s son and daughter are now living on the East Coast.
He posted on Facebook on July 31 that he was looking to retire and wants someone new to carry on the Sabra legacy.
“Most importantly, I want it to stay kosher,” Hilleli said.
The building that houses Sabra Grill, at 419 Grant St., is at the entrance to Chinatown and ripe for opportunity, he said. The restaurant is on the second floor, while the ground level and third floor have been vacant for some time. Many years ago, Chabad rented the upstairs space and held services there as it gained a toehold in the downtown area.
For the “right person,” Hilleli said, opportunities include buying the business from him, working out a partnership or subleasing the restaurant. He said he believes the landlord is open to selling the entire building.
Sabra Grill serves typical Middle Eastern dishes: falafel, hummus, salads, chicken schnitzel and beef kofta plates. The restaurant has served kosher tour groups and provided to-go Shabbat meals for vacationers or businesspeople staying in hotels in the area. It nearly closed during the pandemic, but a GoFundMe helped keep it open. Business has returned, bolstered by tour groups.
Hilleli asks that potential buyers call him at (650) 281-9091 or, better, walk into the restaurant. “I need to look in their eyes and see the passion,” he said of any future owner. He said he’s also happy to show the additional spaces and help brainstorm ideas.
If no one steps up, Hilleli said he’d have no choice but to continue on, but he hopes that won’t happen. Perhaps he’d further modify the hours, currently 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
“I do it for the mitzvah,” he said. “I’ll stay until I can find the right person.” Meanwhile, he dreams about returning to songwriting.