The Original Hoffbrau

Welcome to The Hoffbrau!! We hope you have a unique dining experience and leave here planning to come back and see us again. We have been serving grilled steaks out of this little joint on West 6th Street since 1934 fed generations of families. We have a lot of friends from all over central Texas and even from halfway around the world.

Robert “Coleman” Hamby opened The Original Hoffbrau on August 4, 1934. Figuring he’d soon lose his job driving the ice wagon for Mission Ice because of a depressed economy, he made a small investment in a piece of property and opened a restaurant. By a stroke of luck or blessing (depending on how you look at it) the prohibition laws which made beer unavailable were revoked that same month. Few people could afford to eat out during the depression years, but those that could afford a nickel for a glass of beer made their way to The Hoffbrau and Coleman was more than happy to serve them crackers and coldcuts to make that nickel sale. The Hoffbrau boasted keg beer too, which people were curious about. We have a few old photos of the place currently on display over the tables near the windows.

The 1940's brought prosperous times for The Hoffbrau. People could now afford to eat out and made their preferences known. During WWII, soldiers from Bergstrom came in with big money and big appetites. They convinced Coleman to try steaks. The small grill at the bar, which could prepare two steaks at a time, was purchased. The steak sales took off and we’ve been serving them ever since. Along with chunky fried potatos, Butterkrust bread (for sopping) and the ever famous Hoffbrau salad…. loaded with garlic.

Coleman’s sons, Robert and Tom, ran The Hoffbrau from the 1950's to the early 1990's. Today, Coleman’s granddaughter Mary Gail and her husband Ruben operate the place. You are likely to see some photographs of these folks in the dining room. We pride ourselves on loving people and loving what we do, so please ask us if you need anything. Several of the employees serving you have been here more than thirty years and almost all have ten or more years under their belt. Some are even the second or third generation to work here!

The Hoffbrau just gets in your blood. We think so, anyway.