Iconic Silver Crest Donut Shop Closes Its Doors.
The Silver Crest Donut Shop, known for its glowing red neon sign proclaiming “We never close,” has officially shut down. Located on Bayshore Boulevard in Bernal Heights, the diner that was a staple for 24-hour doughnut lovers has been boarded up, as confirmed by a Facebook post early Tuesday morning. The shop’s phone line has also been disconnected.
For many years, the cash-only Silver Crest was considered one of San Francisco’s most unique dining spots. It had an ambiance reminiscent of a David Lynch film, featuring blue-green fluorescent lights, silent jukeboxes in most booths, and often broken pinball machines. Although it was known as an all-night breakfast diner, its menu offered unusual items such as a fried ham sandwich for $11.95, Sanka coffee for $2.95, and a hot snail (a sticky pastry, not escargot) for $2.95.
Several menu items that were no longer available, like the liverwurst sandwich, remained posted on the wall, with their prices painted over. The only special offered was a steak dish priced at $29.95. The diner also had a back room with a pool table, and it was common for owners George and Nina Giavris, a Greek American couple who ran the shop since the 1970s, to offer customers a complimentary shot of ouzo. Over the past 15 years, they were known for their incredibly long work hours. A 2023 profile in Alta noted that George once shot someone in the leg, while Nina claimed to have worked 48 hours straight on multiple occasions, fueled only by coffee.
Attempts to contact the Giavris couple for comment have been unsuccessful.
The Silver Crest was often seen as a quirky and confusing place to eat. For over 25 years, it stood as an anachronism in a rapidly changing city. Yet, to a niche group of locals who appreciated burnt coffee, rough service, and a touch of discomfort, it was a beloved institution — always open and a familiar presence in the community.