09/12/09

Simply Terrible

by rachees613

The onion rings were greasy and fairly flavorless. The potatoes tasted old and mealy. The steaks were greasy, with horrible flavor. How this place has been in business for 75 years is a comPLETE mystery. Would give zero stars if could.

If you want a cheap steak, save yourself some stomach problems and go to Outback -- it's about the same price and won't make you sick.

• Pros: Nice wait staff
• Cons: Everything else

09/15/08

Not for the picky

by lucyvondom

The restraunt is a great place to eat, not overdone with a romantic or young environment, but has reatined the environment from when it was first opened. its a great place to go eat steaks after watching a UT football game. That is when I had my first taste! I wasn't very hungry but they were all out of the smaller t-bones so i got the larger with the intention of bringing the rest home..I started off with the salad which was great with the crackers crushed on top, when I took my first bite of that buttery t-bone i couldn't help but finish the whole thing! so much for not being hungry! The grease people keep talking about isnt your typical nasty pizza grease its a delicious buttery sauce that is great for dipping your white bread in! I can't wait to go back.

• Pros: it's the kind of place you go back to regularly or make a tradition out of
• Cons: not for people who like to dress up their steaks with unnecessary rasberry foo foo sauce and etc.

09/14/07

Go Elsewhere

by dgg

I had heard about this Austin "Tradition" for years; however, every time I was in town, it was closed. Recently, we were headed to Katz's Deli, another Austin "Tradition," when we noticed that the Hoffbrau was open. We had T-bones and the house salad. The steak was thin and totally saturated in grease. The salad was good; however, it may have only tasted "good" in comparison to the steak. The decor is rustic depression era truck stop. The service was prompt and cordial. Parking is limited. Suggestion: pass up this "icon" and go to Katz's Deli across the street or the Hut's Hamburgers on down the street. Better yet, save up your money and get a real steak at Ruth's Chris>

12/04/06

Not worth your time

by davebuoy

Sorry, but for what you get it just is not worth your time. I understand the over 70 crowd remembering this place and wanting to return but really. A 1/4 inch thick T-bone fried on a grille. I do better at home in my sleep.

• Pros: none
• Cons: not worth your time or money

Sixth Street favorite offers steak and 'taters to feed your inner Texan.

by Contributor

In Short
Opened in 1934 in a former feed-store building, Hoffbrau will remind you that Austin was once a small town. Eat in the memorabilia-filled dining room or grab a picnic table outside under the trellis. The crowd includes business types, laborers and anybody else who appreciates good steak. The 14-ounce T-bone, one of three cuts and six sizes, is served in lemon-butter sauce. Hearty German potatoes are huge, filling and shaped like gold bricks.

06/01/06

I can't wait to go back!

by texanwannabe

My in-laws are native Texans so when we took a trip out there last year, they insisted we go to this "great" steak place. They talked it up so much I was expecting a huge "Longhorns" type restaurant. What was there was a relatively small, diner type restaurant. Not too impressive, but once entered I realized why they spoke so highly of it. On any day, you'll find dusty construction workers sitting next to business executives in high priced suits. The decor wasn't great, but SOMETHING brought people in. It was the steak. And yes, as reviewers before me stated, it comes in a pond (a "tank" in Texas) of grease/butter, but once you dip your bread in there, you'll wish you had a bowl of it. That's why we're going back in a couple of weeks, and I can't WAIT!

• Pros: The steak, The grease, Did I mention steak?
• Cons: Distance from SC, Not open 24hrs. , It's not free.

06/06/05

Not a Texas Steak

by jwalker773

Steaks were very thin, floating in grease, and tough. I was expecting a good Texas Grilled steak and was disappointed.

03/09/05

Best Steaks Ever

by wt2long

Anyone who thinks this place is bad is not a true Texan. Fried potatoes and the best steak in town! What more could you ask for?

• Pros: Good steak, Good Salad, Good everything

10/11/04

A Nasty Dining Experience

by hylndr

My girlfriend and I got the 17 oz T-bone (1 of 2 steaks available). To say this is served in a lot of butter does not convey the experience. We enjoy greasy dives with character. This place has character: a steak-dive with history. But, to cut through the grease...well, neither of us could. There was too much. We were forced to exercise great caution cutting our steaks to avoid the half-inch pool of oil from spilling onto the table or us. We ate less than a quarter of our steaks and took them home. Once home, the dining experience "congealed" in our minds, moving us to exorcise it by ceremoniously dumping the doggie bag. My constitution is high. A great steak or burger is wonderful. I don't understand how anyone could do this to his body. Regular diners must have one foot in the grave already.

• Pros: Fast Seating, Friendly Service
• Cons: , Nasty salad

10/02/04

Great Nostalgic Place

by vegregory

I love the Hoffbrau! It's like entering a time warp - rustic - like 1943 when I first ate there. Reservations were required because meat was rationed. The food served is simple but hearty and delicious, exactly as it was then.

The down home attitude then hasn't changed either. Mary Gail, granddaughter of the original owners, says regular customers rebel when changes are proposed! There's a modern cash resister but the original one is still on display.

The food is truly memorable - steaks in butter sauce, deep fried potato wedges and a great salad. Another reviewer called it wilted but that's how it's intended - flavored with garlic, lemon juice, and green olive bits.

A reviewer complained of a $25.00 bill. It needn't cost that. I choose the small sirloin - $10.50. The salad is worth every penny its $2.50 cost.

Give this little old-time spot a try.

• Pros: Great steaks, Quick service, Friendly personnel