No More Hofbräuhaus at ANA

messydesk · February 5, 2021 6:45AM

The Chicago Hofbräuhaus closed for good last week, so those of you looking forward to Sauerbraten, Schnitzel, Schweinshaxe, and Schäufele will be disappointed if the ANA show happens this summer. A pizza restaurant will be taking its place. The brewery will still be there, but will not be making Hofbräu's recipes.

Pnies20 · February 5, 2021 6:54AM

😢

The German restaurant in Nashville closed too.

1Bufffan · February 5, 2021 6:55AM

So sorry to hear that, It was a favorite after show stop along with the Argentine Steak place on the corner. I liked the large grass area there also, nice place to sit and relax and clear the mine.

johnny9434 · February 5, 2021 7:00AM

😭

coinkat · February 5, 2021 7:07AM

Berghoff's in downtown Chicago might still be open... That is old and traditional German- it opened at the time of the Columbian Exposition.

Crypto · February 5, 2021 7:15AM

There is a charming one on rt29 about 30min north of Charlottesville

ricko · February 5, 2021 7:16AM

Too bad... I love sauerbraten and schnitzel.... As a kid, I was good friends with the son of the German butcher in town. Enjoyed some good meals at his house, and their meats were always top notch. Helped with butchering a few times... Cheers, RickO

Walkerfan · February 5, 2021 9:21AM

Terrible news!!

JBK · February 5, 2021 9:55AM

Never been there but I still feel for the loss.

keets · February 5, 2021 10:01AM

Central States need to move away from their singular location. I suggest they come to Cleveland, Ohio which ahs always been a great Coin Town.

I should add that we also have a Hofbräuhaus.

tommy44 · February 5, 2021 1:01PM

My favorite was always Golden Ox on North Clybourn Ave, I believe it is also closed. Sketchy neighborhood but great food and great German beers.

vplite99 · February 5, 2021 1:06PM

I loved the Hofbräuhaus downtown - I did not know there was another location which was the one that apparently closed.

Pnies20 · February 5, 2021 4:11PM

@keets said:
Central States need to move away from their singular location. I suggest they come to Cleveland, Ohio which ahs always been a great Coin Town.

I should add that we also have a Hofbräuhaus.

Go Browns

Namvet69 · February 5, 2021 4:15PM

Maybe they'll offer brat slices as a topping. Yum. Peace Roy

Swampboy · February 5, 2021 5:34PM

Tough business these days.
I'm buying gift cards from local eateries in hopes they'll survive.
Varsity Inn today. Just an FYI in case any NW types enjoy a delicious lunch or breakfast.

messydesk · February 5, 2021 5:44PM

It's no surprise they closed. "Let's go get German food where we can't carry on a conversation because of the band," isn't something people normally think of doing. Then the location, which is great when the convention center is open, is horrible otherwise, as it isn't near anything and is difficult to get to from everywhere.

JimTyler · February 6, 2021 4:44AM

It was just Hofbräuhaus in name only. I liked it but after being to the original in Munich it really isn’t Hofbräuhaus. I never went to the Rosemont Hofbräuhaus when there was live music.

Exbrit · February 6, 2021 5:06AM

@coinkat said:
Berghoff's in downtown Chicago might still be open... That is old and traditional German- it opened at the time of the Columbian Exposition.

Berghoff's is a very nice place. Downstairs the stand up bar where you can pick up a nice slice of prime rib. They also have an outlet at the airport (O'Hare)

pcgscacgold · February 6, 2021 5:15AM

All this Hofbräuhaus talk is making me thirsty. It's always noon somewhere. We have several Hofbräu beer gardens in parks in the summer. Always fun to share a liter with others while the band plays. Time to head to the store and pick up a 6er of Hofbräu Hefe Weizen.

Coinosaurus · February 6, 2021 5:43AM

@tommy44 said:
My favorite was always Golden Ox on North Clybourn Ave, I believe it is also closed. Sketchy neighborhood but great food and great German beers.

All the local German places gone, Zum Deutschen Eck, Ann's Bavaria Haus, Hans Bavarian Lodge, Chicago Brauhaus, etc. Even the downtown Berghoff closed in 2005, until an ownership change. Just hasn't had the staying power as an ethnic cuisine option over the last generation.

Veep · February 6, 2021 6:27AM

I used to have a client that loved the Golden Ox so I’d take him there occasionally. Then in Milwaukee, it was Mader’s or Karl Ratsch’s (sp?.) That was in the ‘80’s. Don’t know if any of them are still there.

pcgscacgold · February 6, 2021 6:34AM

@Veep said:
I used to have a client that loved the Golden Ox so I’d take him there occasionally. Then in Milwaukee, it was Mader’s or Karl Ratsch’s (sp?.) That was in the ‘80’s. Don’t know if any of them are still there.

Karl Ratzsch closed in April of 2017. Mader's is holding on so far. The new Fiserv Forum for the Bucks has helped some but without fans it is tough. They plan to have 25% attendance so maybe that will help. Been to Mader's often. Also enjoy the Old German Beer Hall down the street from it. They serve Hofbräuhaus beers. Used to have a $5 lunch special. A brat, spaetzle and a 1/3 liter of beer.

Coinosaurus · February 6, 2021 9:41AM

Karl Ratzsch closed in April of 2017. Mader's is holding on so far. The new Fiserv Forum for the Bucks has helped some but without fans it is tough. They plan to have 25% attendance so maybe that will help. Been to Mader's often. Also enjoy the Old German Beer Hall down the street from it. They serve Hofbräuhaus beers. Used to have a $5 lunch special. A brat, spaetzle and a 1/3 liter of beer.

The food at Mader's is good, but the place is a kitschy, overpriced tourist trap that is living off its reputation. I had a great dinner there at the 2007 ANA, but it had more to do with the company than the food.

pcgscacgold · February 6, 2021 10:24AM

@Coinosaurus said:

Karl Ratzsch closed in April of 2017. Mader's is holding on so far. The new Fiserv Forum for the Bucks has helped some but without fans it is tough. They plan to have 25% attendance so maybe that will help. Been to Mader's often. Also enjoy the Old German Beer Hall down the street from it. They serve Hofbräuhaus beers. Used to have a $5 lunch special. A brat, spaetzle and a 1/3 liter of beer.

The food at Mader's is good, but the place is a kitschy, overpriced tourist trap that is living off its reputation. I had a great dinner there at the 2007 ANA, but it had more to do with the company than the food.

I agree for every day meals. It's the beer and pretzel that bring me in. Much like the Essen Haus in Madison.

Mader's does do a Thanksgiving day buffet that is very good.

coinkat · February 6, 2021 12:22PM

I remember my first visit to Berghoff's in 1973. I also liked Mader's...which is in Milwaukee. I was there about 10 years ago. Mader's has pictures up on the wall of the famous people that have been there. Looking at those types of items add to the experience. There was an old German restaurant in Baltimore called Haussner's that was good. Haussner's had some incredible art and just a legendary look that had to be seen to be appreciated... words would fall well short in terms of trying describe it as well as the menu. I think it closed around 10 years ago or so.

EdGOhio · February 6, 2021 3:27PM

If the criteria for a ANA is a Hofbräuhaus and great local German food I'd like to recommend Cincinnati area, right across the river in KY is a Hofbräuhaus and going strong. If I want traditional German food I go to my sisters house in Cincy. In our family we are "from scratch" cookers. I'll admit I'm a bad German ...can't stand sauerkraut LOL

No More Hofbräuhaus at ANA

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