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Home > The M.O. > Archives > 2009 > March > 11 > Entry

Your A-List: Best Steakhouse

I’m no historian, but you’d be pretty hard pressed to find a restaurant that has been serving up hot food in Austin longer than the Hoffbrau Steakhouse, with 38 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Steakhouse.

Fancy steak joints with their leather booths, white tablecloths and coiffed waitstaff may come and go, but Hoffbrau has become an Austin tradition, serving steaks off their griddle for 75 years. The lemon-butter sauce that comes on the steaks at Hoffbrau may not exactly resemble the flavor of either of said items, but it is certainly refreshing to be able to buy a 17-oz. T-bone dinner (salad, potato, iced tea) for under $20, or about the same price as an appetizer at some of the city’s swankier joints.

Some places survive the test of time by simply offering friendly service and authenticity, which the historic Hoffbrau does as well as any place in town.

Others receiving votes

  • Austin Land and Cattle, 18 percent
  • Ruth’s Chris, 12 percent
  • Texas Land and Cattle, 8 percent
  • III Forks, 7 percent
  • Fleming’s, 7 percent
  • Joe DiMaggio’s, 3 percent
  • Truluck’s, 2 percent
  • McCormick and Schmick’s, 2 percent
  • Backstage, 1 percent
  • Finn and Porter, < 1 percent

Permalink | Comments (83) | Categories: Your A-List

Comments

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By Winchester

March 12, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

Most Popular does not mean the same thing as Best. Of the places I’ve eaten at on this list, I’d place Hoffbrau last.

By WR

March 13, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

The Hoffbrau is the best! It may not be your average, every-day steakhouse, but the people are great, the food is always awesome and the atmostphere is exactly what Austin is all about. No snotty-ness here like you get at some of the other places with the white-table cloths places (and chain restaurants.) Family friendly and an Austin icon! I’ve been going there with my parents for 20 years and take my family now. Way to go Austin for making it #1!

By RFB

March 16, 2009 11:52 PM | Link to this

I like mine well done and smothered in A1 sauce.

By Texas Aggie

March 17, 2009 12:46 AM | Link to this

Hoffbrau wins! DD,B. Thanks for the heads-up, RFB.

By Gynocide

March 17, 2009 6:52 AM | Link to this

Cheaters won this poll. A bunch of people who have never even been to Texas voted for Hoffbrau. The link was posted on a sports message board by a texas resident and hundreds of people voted for Hoffbrau as he told them to do so, promising a free steak.

By RFB

March 17, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry for skewing the results of this poll sending out broken promises of free steaks. I should have sent my usual housemaid to vote a thousand times instead of getting 400people who have never eaten at the place before to vote.

By Gynocide

March 17, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

ah yes, the cheaters are now adding comments…how cute. But the fact still remains, members of a sports message board teamed up to pad the results of the poll in Hoffbrau’s favor. The results of this poll should be voided and the offender banned from austin360.com

By McCain

March 17, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

LMAO @ RFB, and you call politicians crooked?

P.S. How’s that Obama thing working out?

By McCain

March 17, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

RFB, I forgave you for using bad judgement and electing Obama, but this? I don’t know that I can ever eat steak again and not have some type of mental trauma. Even with all his faults, Ho Chi Min was more honest than you.

By Gynocide

March 17, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

You admirin’ they cheaters, brahs?

By Vagynocide

March 17, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with Matlock?

By Vagynocide

March 17, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this

No really though, what’s wrong with Matlock?

By Vagynocide

March 17, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this

LOL @ all the Steak House Elitists voting Austin L&C. “Oooooo, looky here!!!! It’s got the word Austin in the name. It must be good!” Friggin uptown hippies. Someone should crack you in the back of the head with a bottle of whatever crap sauce it is you have to put on one of their steaks to make it palatable”

By Obama

March 17, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

The American people should have to buy steaks for those that cannot afford it. Why should some Americans not be able to afford a basic steak in life? I propose a tax increase to help enable those of us bla….. poor people that refu… cannot find a job, get all the steaks they want.

By AARFB

March 17, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

Look at all of you little facists. Whats next, photoshops of Stalin riding a My Little Pony through a concentration camp?

By McCain

March 17, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

*fascists

and speaking of concentration camps, from the standpoint of being a p.o.w. I like the movie “The Bridge over the River Quai” better than “Schindlers List”.

By Dubt-T4Ever

March 17, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this

Lol @ Hoffbrau. The best steaks are served nightly at your local Golden Coral and only $5.99 brah.

By BGSU

March 17, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this

I ate at Hoffbrau once before in my life and it made my poo my pants. I voted for Austin L&C, Hoffbrau is a dump and no one should eat there.

By BeerSharts

March 17, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this

My Daddy used to always tell me stories about a cook at Hoffbrau named Howie that used to add his own “secret sauce” to the lemon butter mixture. Guess that’s why my mom always loved that place.

By Fat Charlie

March 17, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this

I ated the whole place and it was good.

By GENO

March 17, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this

Reported

By Shammy

March 17, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this

You admirin’ my slab of meat brah?

By BigRob

March 17, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this

You admirin’ my porterhouse brah?

By RVR

March 17, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this

I prefer the Taco Bell Triple Steak Burrito.

By LOL@Ace

March 17, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

Ace, it’s moot, not mute dumbarse.

By RR8

March 17, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

I love me some hot meat in my mouth

By LongHorninNYC

March 17, 2009 2:39 PM | Link to this

I saw Tiki Barber eating there once…or was it Ronde?

By HawgWild

March 17, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

Red Lobster ftw!

By CFDan

March 17, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this

The butter sauce got all over my Affliction shirt.

By LonghorninNYC

March 17, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this

JDT’s love child loves Hoffbrau steaks, that little kid eats them all the time.

By uscrocks93

March 17, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

It’s no Arby’s but it’s ok.

By RoughRider8

March 17, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this

This isn’t my horse barn.

By FB6244

March 17, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

Buy your steaks from your local butcher please.

By RoughRider8

March 17, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

I asked my date if she liked her steak, she said neigh.

By Schmidt

March 17, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this

EVAN LONGORIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By BGSU

March 17, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this

The best steaks are organically raised.

By SScleVeland

March 17, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this

LeBron drops 40 tonight MVP MVP MVP

By Bowlbasaur

March 17, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

I was only able to finish 95% of my steak.

By BEB

March 17, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this

I’m having some boy trouble……

By SScleVeland

March 17, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this

LEBRON MVP

By Shammy

March 17, 2009 2:55 PM | Link to this

I love the Hoffbrau so much, I put the ALC in an armbar!

By ocbuckeyebabe

March 17, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this

Hoffbrau reminds me of this date I went on last night. He was really cute and I wanted to give him my flower, but he just dropped me off and sped away. What’s wrong with men out here??

By IbisRules

March 17, 2009 3:00 PM | Link to this

Hoffbrau’s rocks…….. I was so hungry, I ran there in jeans once just to take a taste of that steamy meat……..

By WVUFan304

March 17, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this

Something horrible just happened to me at Hoffbrau!!!

By GSUEAGLE

March 17, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this

Should I wear a suit there?

By Humble_Scarlet

March 17, 2009 3:10 PM | Link to this

Is the steak cooked when it comes to your table?

By SSOU

March 17, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

man eating sucks

By Pillow Pants

March 17, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

What’s your favorite anime?

By Fat Charlie

March 17, 2009 3:16 PM | Link to this

This is the place I went to eat 5 minutes after my gastric bypass. Where else can I get 5 tbones for under $90??

By ISG

March 17, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this

Hell, I can beat their meat

By ATLLSUGIRL

March 17, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this

That place sucks sooo bad! My husband and I go to places that are tons better, but the pricey places, not that we cant afford them. We are careful with our money, because we screwed up in the past the credit :blah :blah

There are so many better places in Austin, MA

By GENO

March 17, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

does Hoffbrau accept to go ordered faxed in?

By SSOU

March 17, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this

I once did a photoshoot at the Hoffbrau when I was a famous underwear model.

By Fat Charlie

March 17, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this

I do the truffle shuffle for the steaks at this place.

By LadyRazorBack

March 17, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this

ATLLSUGIRL,

say what you want, but don’t bring this stuff up. That stuff doesn’t fly brah and don’t act like you aren’t on here just as much anyone. No reason for a classless remark like that.

By Ihova

March 17, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this

Post for later

By BCEAGLES24

March 17, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this

I like to drizzle my steak with the blood and crushed bone marrow of my fallen ancestors that found with valor in the alamo.

By Ralph Harrison

March 17, 2009 6:51 PM | Link to this

You should all be ashamed of yourselves to go and ruin this special piece of the web site with your fraudulent activities and incessant spamming of comments. I plan to report all of you and can only hope that IP bans are imminent so that you may never trash this wonderful web site ever again. Please take note, this is not a playground..people are genuinely interested in this web site’s content and it’s not to be fooled with by the likes of you. I will do my best to find you folks and pay my respects.

By ATLLSUGIRL

March 18, 2009 8:14 AM | Link to this

OMG, Golden Corral is SO much better than Hoffbrah steak house. Me and my husband go there in my Toyota SUV. its not that we cant afford Hoffbrah because we can, but we just like the buffet line better at the Golden Corral. We can totally afford better places though….

By RSmitten

March 18, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Please remove these juvenile comments. Also, you people are being watched. This is the 1st warning.

By donno

March 18, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

Being watched? Really?

So you have a problem with people exercising their first amendment rights.

Why do you hate America, Mr. Smitten?

By GENO

March 18, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

Hey Ralph, you wanna pay your respects boss. I got your respects right here in the PIT.

By Ralph Harrison

March 18, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

I see you people are still at it. These silly games will not go unpunished. I have my superiors informed, forces aligned, and am contacting the IT folks at austin360 for an immediate investigation. Action will soon be taken. I would advise leaving now, as you don’t want what is coming your way.

By Spoon

March 18, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this

Ralph Harrison’s wife watches Matlock.

By yeyo

March 18, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this

did you say steak?

By LobstersAndArmBars

March 18, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

I plan on coming and enjoying a delicious steak at Hoffbraus during my next visit to San Antonio. Ralph, how can I contact you and assure I will be the first to receive your visit? CheddarBay Chokehold FTW.

By Fear The Storm

March 18, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this

Ralphie and Rsmitten, You think you scare us? Wooo. Be careful what you wish for pal. You may one day regret looking for and or finding us.

Fear The Storm

By michiman

March 18, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this

Of course we are being watched. Yet one more freedom being taken away from us.

By Mcneezzy

March 18, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this

Bryce Brown :)

By BEB

March 18, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this

You people are so juvenile. As if something like this is super important and needs this much attention. You should be devoting your time to teaching me how to function in a normal social atmosphere. Maybe one day when some of you work for your parents and allow them to pay for your apt, car and college tuition, you’ll grow up and be mature like me. One can only hope.

By LOLCAT

March 18, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

I can haz shaym?

By pat morita

March 18, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this

BONZAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By pat morita

March 18, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this

ror

By Johntez

March 19, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this

Do you serve RC Cola?

By BEB

March 19, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this

WTF, CHILL OUT.

By Mcneezy

March 19, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

D@NG!

By Fear The Storm

March 19, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

Can I interest you in a generator?

By BEB

March 19, 2009 1:01 PM | Link to this

Quick question:

If a guy takes you out for a steak dinner, does this mean that he sees you as a friend or as someone that he could continue dating? I mean, what if you have been taken to eat steak by say… 3 or 4 of his friends. Would this cause problems? What if you ordered a T-bone with one guy and a Filet with the other? :panic

By TheChosenOne

March 19, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Hoffbrau, Wow. Just, wow. I finally know what it feels like to start reading something and actually know you’re getting dumber by the word. It was a train wreck that I couldn’t turn away from. You don’t have the menu complete, you don’t have the silverware in the right position, and the actual ranking of wines as well as your breakdown was absolutely atrocious. H#ll, you didn’t even get the price/wait time/driving directions right. It pains me to actually realize how uninformed someone can be. I appreciate the effort, but F#$K me running. That s#cked.

By Schmidt

March 19, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this

this isn’t that funny.

By JDT

March 19, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

Please give me the ratio of women to men at this establishment. I’m going to need know.

By smokinhotie

March 19, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

I buy better steaks at Costco than any of these places.

I suggest any of you steak eaters feeling a little overwieght hire me as a personal trainer.

By bamafan4ever

March 19, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this

Hoffbrau plays really good 80’s music.

 

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