Hoffbrau Steak
(512) 472-0822
613 W Sixth St
Austin,
TX
78701
30.2695
-97.7487
Neighborhood: Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for Hoffbrau Steak
16 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 16 reviews
Not for the picky
by lucyvondom
September 15, 2008
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.
Go Elsewhere
by dgg
September 14, 2007
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>
Not worth your time
by davebuoy
December 04, 2006
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
August 30, 2006
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.
I can't wait to go back!
by texanwannabe
June 01, 2006
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.
Not a Texas Steak
by jwalker773
June 06, 2005
Steaks were very thin, floating in grease, and tough. I was expecting a good Texas Grilled steak and was disappointed.
Best Steaks Ever
by wt2long
March 09, 2005
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
A Nasty Dining Experience
by hylndr
October 11, 2004
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
Great Nostalgic Place
by vegregory
October 02, 2004
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
Awsome
by davepope
October 01, 2004
The Hoffbrau may not have fancy tables and chairs or a romantic "atmosphere". But if you want a good, fast T-bone steak, you'd be hard pressed to find better. They have no menus( the selection consists of steak, potatoes and salad...do you need a menu for that?), they don't take reservations(there is ALWAYS a lineup, get there early)and they dont take plastic. What they DO have is awesome, fast and cheap steaks with oversized portions of spuds and salad! You sit down and five minutes later your food is on the table. The spuds are excellent, try them with the hot sauce...SPECTACULAR!! I come from Alberta Beef country, while spending 3 years in Austin I found myself eating there at least once a week. This place is NOT for finiky eaters who change orders and customize, but it IS the place for a good steak served up hot and fast.
- Pros: great steaks, FAST service, inexpensive
