Hoffbrau Steakhouse Reviews

Small place where you only select your cut of meat and how you would like it cooked. All meals come with a house salad, which is better than normal because their dressing is a lemon/garlic blend. You get steak fries that are fat, fresh and fantastic. And you get your generic bread. They were out of t-bone the day we went, and that's my normal cut, so I had a tenderloin that was cooked to perfection. Very, very tender and sensibly flavored. I didn't have to add anything to it. Really cool history behind the restaurant, and worth a visit.

The Hoffbrau is a waste of space. There's nothing good to say about it. It wouldn't still be here, except for old-time Austinites who remember when it was the only restaurant west of Congress Ave.

Absolute worst! Seven of us walked into the patio to enjoy live music and cocktails. One of our group had a bandanna around his neck but had yet pulled it over his face. The door man almost killed himself trying to scold him into raising it. Then proceeded to ask for all of our IDs. We are all well over 50 and have lots of money to spend. Not sure if they didn’t want our age group in there, but there was only about 8 people there. Bless the entertainers heart since we could have made his night. Don’t GO THERE unless you plan to be hassled.

My boyfriend and I went to a pub where the bar tender recommend us this steak place, we where looking for great local food. If you are craving for the best steak, extremely good prices and service this is the place. Nothing fancy but great place. A place with a lot of history in Austin. They been on business since 1932, they know their business!!!!

Not sure if it fair to even rate Hoffbrau since we didn't eat. Many moons ago, enter late 70's early 80's, my roomy and I used to come here on pay day Friday. It was our best and really only big meal we would eat all week. We were young and broke so we would really look forward to coming by and stuffing ourselves with the huge plate of fries and a steak in a hot tub of butter. I liked the simple salad and it seems they haven't missed putting garlic in it. It has been years since I actually ate here, what I can report is we popped in purely for a flashback moment. I wanted Suzie to experience it and just kick back and let the memories soak in. We came in and I asked if it would be okay if we just got a beer and reminisced. The young lady gave me a huge smile and said OF COURSE. Two Shiner Boch's appeared and we sat and took in the smells and sights. I loved the fact that it simply hasn't changed one bit in 30 plus years. We sipped our beers and a charming lady came out to visit with us. I mean who does that? We chatted for a little and then she told me she remembered me and didn't I graduate Austin High?... How the heck she knew that was beyond me. Upon further discussion she said she remembered me have long hair in a pig tail.. well I did have long hair, but never in a pig tail.. who cares if she may have confused me with someone else, the fact that she came out to greet us and welcome us is epic. Yes, you may find a nicer, modern place, with prices twice what they are here, but you won't replicate what made Austin, Austin.

After 37 years of living in Austin, we finally made it to this institution We're rather sorry we did. I imagine if you go with a group of people and consume lots of beer that it might be tolerable. We did neither. The food is just plain nasty - salad drenched in dressing with massive amounts of garlic and steaks incredibly thin drenched in grease. Bare bones surroundings is one thing, bad food another.

Hoffbrau is an Austin institution and is frequented by the "movers and shakers" of Texas government. Its appearance is nothing special, and you may be required to share a table with a complete stranger, but it is a good dining experience. I usually get the large t-bone, and I have never been disappointed. It is a very popular place for lunch; go early if you don't want to stand in line, which is common.

Nice original rustic location in the heart of Austin. I had 14oz steak - well seasoned and juicy. If you just want a steak this is the place to go.

Tried this place last night, based on numerous glowing reviews. Am I missing something? I love that the place is an institution, and has been there forever. But I won't be going back. The decor hasn't been updated since what appears to be about 1970. Which is great in a retro way, but honestly it just felt dirty. The tables are formica, with large missing parts on the sides, etc. The walls are panelling from the 70s. But the real problem is they are about four inches too tall. You sit on very cheap metal folding chairs, and unless you are very tall it's actually uncomfortable to try to eat at that height. I looked around and entire tables full of people were trying to hike their elbows up on the tables to try to eat. Very limited menu. Basically half a dozen steak choices, plus maybe chicken if I remember. The salad, as others have noted, is a one choice thing. I liked the salad. Some may not. We both had the ribeye. It comes in 10 ounce, listed on the menu. Or they ask if you want 16 ounce. We went with the larger. I didn't realize the extra size bumped the price from $16 to $25. That's not mentioned anywhere on the menu. The side (only one offered) is a very large potato wedge. It was crispy and hot, but absolutely no flavor. You can order other sides (like fried zucchini) but they aren't listed on the menu and you sortof have to know that's an option. We had fried zucchini. It was very hot, heavily breaded. Diner quality. The steak itself was cooked as ordered (medium rare). But I found it sortof tough and tasteless. It comes in a butter lemon sauce. Lots of sauce. Basically swimming in it. It's basically melted butter. I was expecting from the description some sort of nuanced highly flavored sauce. It isn't. I found myself salting and peppering the steak, and covering it with A-1 to try to liven it up. The staff was extremely friendly and efficient. I guess I left feeling like I just didn't get it. A $25 steak that was diner quality at best. Which is basically what this is - a diner. I understand original charm. But the weird uncomfortable tall tables and folding chairs and really dated decor, after decades of serving pretty high priced food, seems almost insulting to customers. Surely the owners could spring for something other than folding chairs. Again, maybe I'm missing something. But I sortof felt like this was almost a joke - like something newcomers to Austin are pointed toward as some sort of a litmus test testing how polite you will be about an experience that just isn't that good.

Felt rather third world to me. Steak had a lot of fat and the pool of lemon butter was ... A pool of butter. Spend your $ somewhere else

We were exhausted and hungry and not in the mood for the noise at the other restaurants we had walked by. We decided to go in, and I am so glad we did. Nothing fancy here, just straight up good food with good service! The menu consists of several choices in steaks and one choice for chicken, that's it, keeping it simple! We had the Rib Eye, perfection, with an amazing sauce that it's just sitting in! DELICIOUS! I know this sounds sloppy and not amazing, but the thing is this, it's been around for 87 years, the locals go here, and that's where you want to go for good food! Also, the drinks are good and not expensive! Give it a try, you will not regret it!

For a restaurant that supposedly specializes in steaks in Texas, this place doesn't measure up. It must have been good in the past but not today.

Good bar steaks, lots of butter/garlic topping & potato wedges to soak it up & offset the beer. Not a great meal on its own but acceptable if you know what you're getting. Be sure to play the giant beer pong in back. Fun with our large group.

I ordered a sirloin steak, my husband a ribeye. Both were not cooked to order, mine undercooked, and my husband's over cooked. The waitress offered to correct the order, but we weren't picky and chose to eat the steaks as cooked. My sirloin was tough and chewy. My husband's ribeye was barely 1/2 inch thick. Both the salad and the steaks were soaked with garlic. Too much! With all the added butter, my stomach was upset for hours afterwards. Eat here only if you love garlic and butter.

A complete dump. A walk outside for bathrooms that are dirtier than many outhouses. The steak is 1/2" thick and is served in a pool of unknown grease. The meal is served with a plate of "Wonder Bread". When I asked for butter, the waitress said they offer no butter. She said people dip their lousy bread in the steak grease. The salad is a bowl of drenched, flat , lettuce smothered in garlic. Do not go there!

As others have said, this is an old school Austin restaurant that's been around for 86 years. They are not pretentious and do not try to be fancy.. but they do try to be good and they are! We had very attentive service from very down to earth, nice people. A member of our party asked for a Mai Tai which the bartender didn't know how to make (thee youngsters--i tell ya) but they figured it out and it was wonderful. The choices to be made are basically, what kind of steak do you want and to what temperature. With your order is a salad, sliced white bread and huge potato wedges. The salads come in sort of a clear house dressing with tomato and slivered olives..i thought it was pretty good, although not my preference as i'm a dressing on the side type guy. Potato wedges were cooked to a nice golden brown. I had a t-bone. 2 of us had NY Strip and one a ribeye. They were all cooked nearly perfectly. I could see the grill from my seat and thought that they may have had the steaks wrapped and maybe cured in a little salt/garlic before cooking? Or possibly a marinade. but all steaks are serve atop a pool of butter (with garlic and lemon i think) The steaks were terrific..i just had the remainder of my t-bone for lunch and it tasted as good as it did last night. If you're fine with a casual atmosphere, high quality meat and a cook who knows exactly what he's doing--stop in here!

Really enjoyed eating here - very friendly staff, and the steaks were excellent! The sides were all the same (fried potato wedges and salad), but we ate every bite!

Went with a friend who has been going there for years. The steak was wonderful--perfectly cooked and at a reasonable price--and the potato wedges are perfect for soaking up some of the wonderful lemon butter sauce. Tenderloin was our pick for the day.

No frills, but if you enjoy a good steak and caring staff, this is the place to go. It's been in the family for something like 4 generations. Sit on the patio and watch the people walking by while have a cold beer! Yum!

This has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. However this visit was the end for me. I went early on a Saturday night. Upon arriving I went to the restroom to wash my hands. The restroom is located in the adjacent bar and it was standing room only with sports fans. packed wall to wall. It took me 15 minutes to get through the lively crowd. Once I made it back to the tabel the salad was amazing as ever. Yet the steak was disappointing. It was not the high quality beef that they offered in the past. I had to apologize to my friends as I could tell they were not impressed. The service was adequate. I was given a bill and paid in cash and when I received my change it was not right. I asked the waitress for the receipt and sure enough when she brought the receipt she brought me the 20% that she had mistakenly held out. She said it was busy and it was her mistake. This has been my experience.

I stopped by yesterday for the first time to have lunch with a friend that is a regular. When I walked in the front door I was not impressed with the beautiful waiting or seating area. As described by others the interior is nothing to brag about, but there are tables and chairs, It reminded me a lot of some bbq spots that I have been in. We actually sat outside at a picnic table with a great view of all the people walking by on West 6th. I thought the service was very good. The fried zucchini was great. My steak was very tasty and done just how I preferred my steak. The bathroom is an outhouse in a parking lot, but unlike so many restaurant restrooms, this one was very clean. Recently I visited Nick and Sams in Dallas and would go back to Hoffbrau many times before going back to that highfalutin spot in Dallas (see other review). I will be back soon. Thank you

I have eaten here twice, and don't understand how anyone could like their food. The specialty is steak which is a thin cheap cut of beef, served swimming in olive oil and butter. The meat was tough and greasy. The salad is a chopped salad with wilted lettuce- terrible!!!!! And it cost $15.00!!!!!

With the full hipsterization of Scholz Garten, The Original Hoffbrau Steakhouse (not to be confused with the commercialized copy-cat chain with a similar name) may well be just about the last of the establishments that made Austin 'the place to be' that still exists as it did 30-40-50 years ago (count The Broken Spoke as well as a survivor). Good, honest steaks... now cooked the way you want them (in the 1920s-50s, steaks tended to overcooked on purpose to kill hookworm... the butter was added to soften the meat). Stopped in for dinner recently after a LONG absence... and I was pleased to see how little INSIDE the building had changed. The neighborhood, however, was unrecognizable to these old eyes. Good steaks, great prices, wonderful people, tiny restaurant... just like the good ole days. HIGHLY recommended.

paper thin steaks for 18 bucks. no thanks.

this place has been here for 85 years. the menu is simple but good. we didn't get to go to the patio but they now have a patio bar as well.

I stumbled upon this local joint while wandering the far end of 6th Street. The prices looked good, it looked local, so I decided to try it on a whim. This place has been in business -- likely in the exact same location -- since the 1930's. It classifies as a "hole in the wall" with a small footprint and simple furnishings. The staff were friendly and welcoming, especially when I identified myself as an out-of-towner. All signs pointed to an underrated, memorable food experience. The "love it or leave it" salad... I left it. Too watery. The large tenderloin I ordered was average. The steak comes floating in a pool of their highly-touted "lemon butter," which adds nothing to the flavor and, frankly, looks kinda gross (I ended up using A-1 Steak Sauce along with it). Overall, Hoffbrau is quaint and friendly, but the food is average and, despite the hype, uninspiring. There are plenty of other options along 6th Street.

This is truly an Austin institution. Many great memories of summer evenings spent in the open air dining and celebratory business lunches. T-bones & longnecks! Wear your jeans and kick back. Reuben and Mary Gail, along with long-time staff, will take great care of you. I have always been a fan of the steaks, salad and camaraderie.

The oldest steakhouse in Austin. The menu, small very small but STEAK. A couple of options to select. Less than an dollar per oz so great deals. A love it of leave it salad, was severely overdressed but loved it. slices of bread and crackers, The steaks are cooked on a flattop and dressed with butter. Cooked to order, excellent. Kate was great, friendly and come by many times. The old style liquor set up reminds you of walking into Tombstone and coming up to a bar. Small inside sit down area. Parking may be an issue. Sit outside before and after your meal and enjoy the bar.

An Austin institution. Go there to meet quirky locals and have great conversations. Of course- one has to get the steaks which come in a plateful of melted butter!

I was travelling with two macho Aussies just after the Circuit of the Americas Moto GP race. They had severe withdrawal symptoms from not having consumed sufficient cow over the past days. I was not in the mood for steak; I wanted an oversized garden salad. But I was outnumbered so in we went. What a funky place! The server was the daughter (grand-daughter?) of the original owners and happy to share what she must share year in and year out. Limited menu choice (steak!) with wonder bread and salad. I was still very unhappy at this point until the salad arrived. Drenched in garlic, I immediately stole the Aussies' salads too and was in heaven. I don't drink beer and the only wine they had was a chardonnay (blech) but the lady behind the bar went to great efforts to find a dusty sauvignon blanc for me so I was very happy by the time we left. This venue has odd hours - check before you pop in.

Busy tourist place with mediocre food. If you like to lick your bbq grill, you'll love the burnt grlil, flavorless steak. Apps were decent, steaks, not so much.

This little hole in the wall restaurant is a blessing. No frills, no nonsense, just damn good steaks cooked to perfection! A must eat if you’re in this 6th street area of downtown Austin! My boyfriend and I split a large Ribeye and it was more than enough for the both of us. Served with house salad and chunky potato wedges. Don’t walk by without stopping inside!

Morton's it is not. You have to be very sophisticated to understand why people have loved it for over 70 years. The salad is great and is known as a wilted salad, very tasty. The steaks are greasy with a lemon butter sauce that tingles the old taste buds. Presidents, oil tycoons, University of Texas students, and people spending their last few bucks before becoming homeless have made this place a national treasure. A real Old West Joint. Please bring your Manhattan girlfriend and see how she is strung, or girls bring your LA boyfriend in The Biz and see how he reacts.

We loved this place - so glad we got the last seats of the evening. This is a very popular busy spot, so don't count on getting a table. It's small time, family run historic place with non-trendy atmosphere - just good old history - if it ain't broke don't fix it....including the menu item "our love it or leave it salad" - it's the only salad option there is and it comes with the meal no matter what. HEALTHY EATERS - keep walking and don't stop here. Those of you who enjoy food for the love of food - come on in. The menu is short and sweet on the table in a plastic stand. Staff was super nice and did their best to make it a great meal - the steaks....OMG - die happy is my motto - and the butter lemon garlic sauce on the steak will kill you but man you will have a smile on your face and be asking for more as you fade away. We both had the rib eye - yah - death by steak...fabulous! And it's a thin cut so you don't completely stuff yourself beyond reasonableness - who wants to be bloated in your coffin? Done to perfection on a medium rare and a medium. Salad - ok another DOA - the dressing is super salty and super garlicy - YUM!!! I swear I had my sodium intake for the week on this one - but it was delicious. Served with plain old white bread to sop up the dressing and the steak sauce. COMFORT FOOD to the max. Grab one of their cocktails from the historic bar and you are good.

I'll give it three stars just for the uniqueness of it. Nowhere else have a eaten a T-Bone steak in a pool of butter.

Though I am not from Austin, rather Dallas, this place seems the same as the others I have visited in Texas. Yes, you can get a good steak, but in Texas you can get a good steak EVERYWHERE. This place is a place that tourists go....not that that is bad, but that seems the crowd. And yes, I was a tourist when I went, but I have lived in Dallas for 25 plus years and been to Austin over 100 times.....so not your average tourist.

This is the kind of place I want to experience when I travel. For the price of a corn dog appetizer at a nearby new fancy joint - I get a pretty good steak and a storey to tell. We enjoyed our dinner at a slanty picnic table on a gravel lot. Grungy maybe, unclean I think not. Give this place a try. Far more unique than the stuff across the street.

We were in the mood for a steak. My husband works overseas and likes a good steak before he heads out, and also when he returns. We arrived in town after several hours of driving, and just wanted a steak without having to dress up and make a fuss. We decided to try the Hoffbrau. It was just what we wanted. They have a basic menu (you choose your steak, and the rest is a set menu.) In addition to the steak, you get sliced bread, a salad, and large fried potato wedges. We weren't fond of the salad (iceburg lettuce with an oil and vinegar type of dressing, a really good grape tomato, and some green olives.) My father would love it, but it wasn't our style. When I read the menu, it is called the "Love it or Leave it salad." That is a correct name! For the potato, they quarter a potato and fry it...so large potato wedges. The steaks are cooked on a grill and then a butter garlic sauce is poured over it. My daughter and I really liked the sauce, but my husband (avoids lots of dressings and such) thought it was too much. But I am sure you can ask for the sauce to not be drizzled over it if you avoid butter and such. We wanted a filet, but they were sold out so we opted for the rib eyes. They were perfect. Not too fatty, and lots of tender and flavorful meat. Husband had a Shiner Bock and I had a glass of cabernet. We all shared a slice of chess pie. Perfect meal. Hit the spot on needing a nice, steak meal without the fuss. They are working on an outdoor seating area. Parking was in the back off of the alley. They now have a full bar and have put in a nice wooden bar. Give it a try if you simply want a steak.

Steaks were perfect! Service was great and the drinks were good! Will definitely go back the next time I'm in Austin!

The wait staff was friendly and gave you a homy feel. That was the best part. No menu and very vague on price. Ordered a 7oz strip steak rare, received a paper thin, well done steak and no more than 3 oz. Most expensive meal for a week in Texas and the worst. The restaurant was rated in the AAA guide but it's a rip off.

While traveling through Austin, we were hungry for a good steak--but didn't want to break the bank to get one. Hoffbrau Steakhouse was recommended, and it didn't disappoint. The interior was humble, with some old photos of the founding family, one of whom still runs the place all these years later. The service was friendly and the food was great--at a price we liked. What more can you ask for?

On a recent visit to Austin we were in search of a place for a nice dinner. We happened across the Hoffbrau Steakhouse on 6th St. It was already pretty late in the evening, we were hungry and steak sounded great! The main part of the restaurant in pretty no frills and looks like an old run down diner inside. We decided to sit outside on their patio, which seemed a quieter choice than inside. We were a bit late so they only had 2 kinds of steaks left. We all ordered the T-Bone steak. It comes with their house salad which has a garlic salad dressing. It was the strongest garlic dressing I have ever had! It took a few bites to get used to but it grows on you for sure! They only serve regular sliced bread with their salad but you can order refills if you want. The steaks were done quickly and cooked perfectly. They were thick, juicy and yummy. They were served in a butter sauce which was perfect for soaking the potatoes in. They have clearly been there for over 30 years for a reason. Good food, no frills, no hype and friendly folks. Kind of weird to use the bathrooms outside in an outbuilding but it definitely adds to the uniqueness and small town feel to the charm of the Hoffbrau Steakhouse. I definitely prefer it to the hype, noise and cost of some of the other places on 6th St. If you want a good selection of steaks, get there early!

We were tired, hungry and wanted a steak. Made the mistake of not reading reviews but saw this restaurant was considered an institution in an Austin guide book, and it was nearby. When we got there it looked suspect because it desperately needs a remodel, but we took a table outside to enjoy the evening. The staff were friendly and attentive, but even though the steaks were cooked as ordered (I like rare and my husband likes well done) they were the worst steaks we have ever had. They were tough, and worse yet, tasteless. I didn't know beef could have so little flavor. They were presented in a puddle of sauce which is supposed to be butter lemon sauce, but also tasted like nothing. The salad that we got before the steak was so garlicky that I tasted it until the next day. If this approach is some sort of Texas tradition, maybe they do it well, but we were totally disappointed. The only reasons I gave it two stars are the friendly staff and we did get a decent piece of pie.

We visited Hoffbrau with friends from UT days for nostalgia. It is what it has always been -- a unique steak cafe with thin steaks floating in grease and butter served with very good steak fries and a small salad. They no longer have beer on tap, but serve it in bottles. A good place for nostalgia, but not for steaks. The restrooms are still in the "outhouse" out back in the parking lot.

So for as many years as I have lived in Austin I just had my first dinner at the Hoffbrau. 3rd generation family member of the original owner runs the place and our fantastic waitress told as about the history of the restaurant; which included the bar that was rebuilt in the 70's after the fire and other interesting details about the tables. The menu is simple but very good. Steaks are tender and well prepared on the flat top griddle. This is a Texas style cowboy steak. No fancy grilling magic etc here. Just a good steak at a great price. All meals come with a small salad, potatoes and white bread. My dining companion and I decided to split a 10 ounce steak and it was PLENTY to split between both of us. And our waitress (once again) was WONDERFUL in splitting the steak and brought out an extra small salad. The food was great but I think what put things over the top was the true Texas hospitality of this place. If you are visiting from out of town this is a can't miss but there are maybe a dozen tables (if that) and be respectful here. This place is an Austin institution and a place we Austinites hold in high regard.

Meat, taters and many years of Austin tradition, all served with no excuses. Get some! Great place for weekday lunch, try nad order a salad here...I double do dare ya!

You go to Hoffbrau for the historical charm. Rich in great history and the food is good. In a time that has people nit picking food and experience like they are an NYC food critic, the Hoffbrau is a way to experience and enjoy the rich history of Austin. Also, I had a flash back to the steakhouse in the movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance with it's simple menu and everyday good food. To me 3 stars is good and everyone should experience Hoffbrau Steaks. The local who took me has been going for 30 years.

I routinely eat at another 6th street restaurant when I’m in Austin, but they stopped serving lunch. This led me to explore a bit further down the street and I came across the sister restaurant (more of a sandwich shop) and then this place. The server was very friendly and engaging. She was attentive and offered history and menu commentary to make the dining experience more personal. It is a small location so I was able to greet all of the staff as I entered and they were all very welcoming. The salad was simple, but somehow one of the best I can recall ever having at a restaurant. The steak was slightly over medium rare, but was a decent cut of beef. I think the quality of ingredients was excellent, but still a bit bland. A regular came in as I was leaving, and I saw him eating on the patio as I walked back to my car. The staff recognized him immediately and he gave the impression of someone who eats there often if not daily. The meal was very basic. It was filling without grossly over-portioning. I definitely think its history and unique style deserve at least one visit from any visitor to Austin. I couldn’t see being a regular given the limited menu and simplicity of spices, but if I worked nearby this would probably be a monthly stop. The sister restaurant had a broader menu selection and the server offered to let me bring coffee from there to go with a dessert ordered here since this restaurant did not have a coffee maker. The pie was very good. They did have beer and sodas at least.

Worst dining experience ever.

About as no-frills as you can get.

This is straight out of small town Texas and a throwback to the time before Austin decided to become Los Angeles. Good, simple buttered steaks served on battered pans, delicious garlic-heavy salads, employees that have been there for 35 years, decor that predates them by a decade, a good place for a lunch.

Was in Austin for a conference and was told I have to try this place by others. So myself and 2 others from the conference walked from the hotel to the location. Now we was surrounded by millennial on the street but this place is strict old school. Not a fancy restaurant but was given service as soon as we sat down and was treated very friendly. Found out the cook has been there for decades and we watched as he cooked our steak. Very simple menu and fare. Bar is limited for my friends but worked. The food was delicious! Not a single piece of steak was left. Next time we have a conference again in the area will be heading back to it. Only thing we noticed was that the place is old looking some people on street thought it was closed and was sitting on the steps to enter. Waitress had to tell some to move a few times.

Do you like a great piece of steak drenched in butter? If you do then this is a restaurant for you. This place has been around since 1939 and it feels like it when you walk in. Don't expect great service and don't expect value for your money either. You get to choose from sirloin tips, sirloin, T-Bone and 2 sizes of Ribeye. All meals comes with an iceberg lettuce salad and yes drenched in garlic oil but along with sliced potatoes that are oven baked to perfection. The steaks are served in a puddle of butter and while they are very fresh and tasty you don't get your money's worth. The steaks are pretty small for the price they charge ($20 to $30) and that is just one of the reason I gave a 3 star review. The point is that you are paying for a piece of history in Austin. For the same amount of money you can get a bigger and less greasy steak almost everywhere else. I can honestly rate this restaurant as average.

Awesome Old School steakhause. No frills, just great food and fun. If you go to Texas this is a must do.

Good old-fashioned steakhouse. The steaks are great, and the atmosphere is... traditional. It isn't Ruth's Chris (for better and worse), but it is down home Texas at its best.

Was planning this exciting visit. The salad was luke warm and had a worm in it. I ordered a well done expensive Rib Eye but got a sirloin. First time I didnt finish my dinner. The steak was more like well done and dry. No flavor. No marbling on it. Will not go back.

Good steak and salad, well baked potatoes. Not a wide selection, but it was enough. The only recommendation: you shall really love garlic!

The restaurant is authentic -- There's not much to the theme, and it probably hasn't changed much since the place opened many many many years ago. It's not at all like the western-themed Hoffbrau restaurants scattered across Texas. It has a small town feel -- Very friendly, talkative staff, not much on the menu. Not at all like the urban-chic neighborhood that Austin has now become. And the food is weird: Their specialty is a steak swimming in butter. Not kidding: Literally served in about a quarter-inch pool of butter. Nothing particularly special about the steaks. The accompanying steak fries were dry. However, they did provide white bread to sop up the butter. Kinda tasty. It's very convenient to The Rattle Inn, where we were headed for a concert later, but not sure it would be a destination all by itself. Great buttermilk pie!

Been a veggie until recently, and on a trip to the US decided to start eating meat. Read a review of this place in the Guardian, and decided to try it. The food is simple, but fantastic. Few options to choose from, different cuts etc. but basically its steak, garlic and butter. Very rich, but its great. The owner and wait staff are friendly, and they came out to talk and told us the history of the place, and how long its been in the family. I'd go back, and if your in Austin and want a steak this is the place.

This place is different, but the love of the food and place makes the food great. Prepare for your steak drenched in butter. Very unique place.

This was my first visit to Hoffbrau. I ordered the large tenderloin which came with a salad and potato wedges. The steak was okay, I've had better and worse. I ordered it cooked medium but it came out medium rare. It did have a good flavor but it also had some fat & gristle on one end. What they call salad is nothing more than a pile of lettuce with one cherry tomato and a couple of green olive slices which was all drowned in liquid garlic. It was pretty much inedible and the worst excuse for a salad I've ever seen. I only ate two or three bites and it still gave me heartburn. The potato wedges don't come on the plate with the steak, but they are put on separate plates that you share with others in the party. They were huge potato wedges and pretty tasty though. They don't serve sweet tea- shame! The service was fast and friendly. The price was a bit high for an average steak though. Probably won't be back. If they were located anywhere other than 6th Street, they would have went out of business a long time ago.