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207:, closed in 2018 after 60 years in business. Sam's Hof Brau, in business in Sacramento for 64 years, was severely damaged by a fire in 2023. In January, 2024, the owners announced that Sam's Hof Brau would not reopen. Harry's Hofbrau, once a larger chain, lost the lease on its
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Restaurants are laid out cafeteria-style: Customers take a tray and utensils at the beginning of a long steam table, place meat orders at the carvery station, add side dishes as they move down the line, pay the cashier at the end of the line, and then seat themselves.
41:, which originally referred to a brewery with historical ties to a royal court. Hofbraus emerged in San Francisco just after World War II, and spread through Northern California and elsewhere. The concept is in decline in the 21st century, though it still exists.
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in San
Francisco opened in 1947. As of 2023, Tommy's Joynt is still in operation. In the 1950s, successful chains like Harry’s Hof Brau, Sam's Hofbrau and Chick-n-Coop were established in Northern California.
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Expansive dining areas are generally available at larger hofbraus, and are typically used as meeting places for large groups of people who gather to eat, drink, watch sports on television, and have parties.
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394:"Why 60-Year-Old Brennan's Restaurant Is Closing Its Doors in Berkeley: Rising rent, climate change, and declining cocaine use are all part of the closure, says owner"
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268:"Long Live the California Hofbrau, an Endangered Species of Boozy Cafeteria: As Brennan's in Berkeley closes, the future of the dining tradition looks dim"
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This restaurant concept was developed in San
Francisco following World War II, and spread throughout Northern California. Tommy's Joynt on
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Beer on tap is commonly available at most hofbraus. Liquor is sometimes available, and most alcoholic drinks are generally inexpensive.
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restaurant in 2019. That restaurant then closed, after 42 years in business. As of 2023, Harry's
Hofbrau has two locations, in
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in San
Francisco since 1958, closed in 2017 after a bitter dispute with their landlord. Brennan’s, a popular hofbrau in
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Hofbraus have declined in business success and popularity in the 21st century. Lefty O'Douls, a beloved hofbrau on
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ladled over the sandwich at the carvery station. Dinners often come with a side of
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and gravy, with gravy ladled over both the potatoes and the meat. In addition, a
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or as plated dinners, per the customer's preference. Sandwiches are often served
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plus a choice of hot and cold side dishes is included. Hot sides often include
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The choice of meats offered at most hofbraus includes some form of
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303:"San Francisco's Tommy's Joynt reopens after eight month closure"
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485:"Harry's Hofbrau Restaurant Loses Lease, Closes After 42 Years"
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362:"Lefty O'Doul's closes its doors on Geary Street in SF"
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37:. The name is derived from the German term
33:-style restaurant concept, similar to a
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266:Barmann, Jay C. (September 11, 2018).
559:Cuisine of the San Francisco Bay Area
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335:"Restaurant Review: Harry's Hofbrau"
392:Bitker, Janelle (August 24, 2018).
360:Ravani, Sarah (February 1, 2017).
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456:Jarone, Molly (January 2, 2024).
333:Wolfe, J.D. (October 14, 2009).
301:Roth, Rob (November 5, 2020).
179:Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco
100:Meals are typically served as
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21:Hofbräu (disambiguation)
16:Carvery-style restaurant
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495:San Jose, California
19:For other uses, see
554:Restaurants by type
343:Fremont, California
142:macaroni and cheese
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201:Union Square
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158:potato salad
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213:San Leandro
154:pasta salad
150:green beans
130:dinner roll
71:corned beef
548:Categories
501:October 8,
469:January 3,
441:October 8,
435:Sacramento
409:October 8,
377:October 8,
318:October 8,
283:October 8,
248:References
223:Operations
116:style, or
114:French dip
102:sandwiches
51:roast beef
112:rolls in
110:sourdough
55:prime rib
31:cafeteria
236:See also
209:San Jose
205:Berkeley
85:such as
75:pastrami
69:such as
53:such as
430:KCRA-TV
313:Oakland
242:Carvery
171:History
95:buffalo
91:chicken
63:brisket
59:tri-tip
39:Hofbräu
35:carvery
27:Hofbrau
367:SFGate
148:, and
134:butter
106:au jus
87:turkey
399:Eater
273:Eater
162:salad
132:with
122:gravy
77:, or
61:, or
503:2023
471:2024
443:2023
411:2023
379:2023
320:2023
308:KTVU
285:2023
215:and
146:rice
138:corn
118:open
83:bird
45:Food
108:on
89:or
79:ham
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