I came here for my first time recently, and although I'm a sucker for "German" things in a city that isn't very German anymore, it was downright embarrassing walking in here. I feel sorry for the staff and the musicians. From "Sweet Caroline" to other odd songs, the band tried. Including playing Alpine horns. I imagine they have to do this all night, every night. There was even a male fashion show going on during our dinner. Why? Beer prices are (as expected) too high for plain old HB. Food is of an abysmal quality, with sky-high prices that don't compensate for anything. If you want to sing "Ein Prosit" every 5 minutes (or hear dreadful renditions of "Happy Birthday" every 10 minutes) and pretend to be European with lots of tipsy middle-aged people staying at the hotels, you may not have a problem plunking down half a paycheck here. Like another reviewer said - skip several rounds here and you may be able to buy a Lufthansa ticket instead. There's little resemblance to the real Hofbrauhaus here (which in its own nature is a tourist trap, too. But at least it's the real thing.) A population which allowed Zum Deutschen Eck (probably no one remembers that place now) to be knocked down is now flocking to the most warped (spankings) and watered-down interpretation of Bavarian culture that can be built.
(2)
Leah C.
fun with a large group and for a cheesy time... my family party of 12 had a great time celebrating my nephew's graduation at the HB. sure, it's cheesy with its dancing on the tables, beer mug contests and traveling band (tips please!) but if you are in the right mindset, it really is entertaining. i had a huge lunch before having dinner here for fear that my din would consist of pretzels and beer but i was pleased to find vegetarian schnitzel! haha - not the most delicious thing in the world but welcomed over a carb-fest of cheesy pasta or starchy potatoes. the apple strudel is yum!
(3)
Amanda C.
We had so much fun eating here! We have eaten both lunch and dinner now, and can say that the service is very consistent. At lunch time, the group of patrons is smaller, and on the weekends, the band is rowdy and playful. Go here for a fun time!
(5)
Jim G.
This is a great beer hall. Good food, great beer and fun atmosphere. It's crowded, it's loud, it's beer drinking, it's singing. Brezel is good, obatzda, gurkinsalat (cucumber salad), wurst, all authentic and tasty. Beer... all varieties are good. Stood next to a guy when he ordered a bud light. So sad. I live 100 miles away, and this is a destination 3-5 times a year. Get a room at a walking distance and enjoy the fun!
(4)
Jamie T.
Potato soup was Amazing! Wish they sold it by the gallon. Had the sausage platter all were flavorful. Sauerkraut and red cabbage were on point. Not too sweet and not too sour. And I love soft pretzles so it was a big win for me. It is a large place and it is loud. Not they type of place if your going to catch up with old friends but it had a fun atmosphere and the kids thought it was lot of fun.
(4)
G.j. N.
Decided to take my girlfriend there for her first time yesterday night. Paid 29 dollars for two 34 oz beers. The beers were the only highlight this evening at Hofbrauhaus. Was greeted by a good server, but was upset that the previous table had walked out on her without paying the bill and expressed it to us as if it was our problem. We decided to move away from the bar area and on to the main floor, where picnic tables, Oktoberfest style tables, were set up for the general public. We were rudely informed by a server that we had to check in with the hostess to sit at these tables even though approximately 15 tables were vacant at that time and shooed away like riff raff. We reluctantly went back to a bar table. I'm German....and I brought my girlfriend there expecting German polka music, but was dumbfounded when the song "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was played for about 14 minutes straight...Its an American classic, sure. But NO ONE CAME TO HEAR THAT SHIT. PLAY GERMAN MUSIC. All this before a 20 minute "women only" half beer stein chugging contest. The contest itself took about 30 seconds, the explanation of the rules took about 19 minutes and 40 seconds. I don't remember much else but being entirely disappointed and leaving half of my $14 beer behind ad we went to a real bar, Toby Keith's. HAD A BLAST AT TOBYS. Get your shit together, Hofbrauhaus. I won't return.
(1)
Renee J.
The beer is watered down, but the price is not. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely not good enough to be worth what they charge for it. Forget it if you want to be able to hear your neighbor, much less the person across the table. The service is reasonable, but the uniforms look like they come from a second-rate costume shop - at least, the ones they make the female servers wear look that way. This seems like it would be a great place to go as a middle-aged yuppie who regrets not having "really lived" and wants to be cajoled into standing on one's chair and singing. The sort of person who prefers to make their own fun will probably not find anything worthwhile here.
(1)
Mary Locke M.
This place is beyond cheesy, and not in the good cheesy like Medieval Times. It's absolutely huge. They have a polka band. The polka band plays "Sweet Caroline." One of the waitresses had a visible tattoo on her boob. That would be okay if this were an adult entertainment establishment, but it was a little offputting at a dinner with my boss. I think you're starting to get the picture and it's not pretty. I was here tonight for a work event. We had the whole back room set up with a buffet. The spread made German Thanksgiving come to mind. The food was mediocre at best. Everything tasted like it was straight off the German Sisco truck. Hofbrauhaus immediately makes me think of Beerfest. Maybe if I had been Beerfest drunk from das boot this would have been fun, I left full, but I would never choose to come back. Strike out.
(2)
Kïrsten M.
Terrible food for the money. $29 for a appetizer that had a few pieces of cold sausage and a pretzel. Will not be back!
(1)
Jon O.
I visited the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont on a Friday evening with a group of friends who are frequent visitors. A little context is required for this review. I actually lived in Bavaria for 13 years (7 years in Munich), so it's safe to say that I am familiar with German culture and traditions. This restaurant's interpretation of Bavarian/German culture is almost insulting; I have never heard of, or witness anybody being spanked by a waitress in Germany. Why is this happening here? Where does this bizarre practice come from? Secondly, the beer is not that good. I am a huge fan of German beers, and have spent a considerable amount of time in the beerhalls of Munich (as recently as two weeks ago). The beer served at this place is not imported from Germany; it is brewed on site, which is fine, but unfortunately it is not as good as the real thing. Granted, in Germany, Hofbrau is known to be a second-rate beer to begin with. As a matter of fact, the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich is known by locals as an overrated tourist trap rarely visited by actual Germans. Third, the prices where ridiculous. $8.50 for a half liter wheat beer? We ordered a few pretzels (they were pretty good), yet very expensive again. Looking over the dinner menu made my head spin. Fourth, the music was too loud, and very repetitive. How any times did I have to hear "zike zake hoi hoi hoi"? The noise level made conversation very difficult. Lastly, please do not believe the Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is an authentic German restaurant. It's nothing but a very flawed, and almost disturbing, interpretation of German food and culture. If you are looking for great German beer and food, there are several options that are considerably better in Chicago.
(2)
Bill S.
I agree with most reviewers , it's loud, it's a fun place, the beer is pretty good. The food is mediocre at best , the service was good. But it's way over priced for what you get , I felt like I was in a touristy restaurant it's really tacky with the tee shirt/ trinket sale right there when you walk in. Not great for a first impression. Been here done it. Probably won't be coming back
(2)
Karla Q.
So this place is one of those places you enjoy solely for the atmosphere. It is not a place where you can catch up with a friend and have a conversation. Unless... It's summer and you sit outside. The music level is high but lively. The food is actually kind of hit or miss. I've been here at least four times and the food has been either amazing or unreasonably bland. I had the Bavarian steak and the gravy was super bland. I could still taste the roux. (Ew.). Anyway, the sausages and pretzels are phenomenal and the Heffenweizen is still my favorite. Watching other patrons getting paddled is always fun. Oi oi oi. This place is great for big groups and is usually super packed on the weekends in the evenings. Parking is available in the giant parking complex and you can get it validated. :)
(4)
Greg Z.
Akward place. I felt as if i was in a mess hall in the army . Loud live music. Wasnt German music. I just assumed they would play German things not American music. Good atmosphere if your looking for a loud rowdy bunch. Food consisted of many forms of sausage and sauerkraut . Just not my thing. Although the food did come really fast for my table mates who actually ordered food. You get spanked if you order shots. Ouch.
(3)
Karl M.
Excellent spot for a sausage and Hofbrau beer if you have 200 people in your party and don't mind paying a premium price. It's tricky to find and parking is iffy but it did satisfy my craving for a 14" brat. Big wooden benches and tables can seat 200,000,000 people each... my kids laid out and took naps in between beers. They only have Hofbrau, Hofbrau Lite, A Dunkel, and a wit. But they have sizes to fit every thirst... extra small, regular, double regular, and f-that-I-aint-leaving. The beer is fresh and they are brewing (or acting like it) all the time. There are two gigantic brewing vessels showcased above the bar. Germans love to watch. On the other end of the hall is a stage for a live band. Empty when we were there but I'm sure it would make this joint jump. TV's everywhere advertising Hofbrauhaus. Embarrassing outfits for the waitresses make it a completely korny place and the gift shop was perfect for any of your frat party shopping needs.
(4)
Sumara K.
Finally got around to visiting this place, and was so beyond disappointed. Since this place opened I had been impatiently waiting to check it out. Now I wish I never did, and instead kept it in my memory box as a great place to go to. First off, to echo everyone else's sentiments, the wait staff is extremely inattentive. Our waitress took down our order wrong and after trying to catch her attention for ten minutes, finally gave up. I guess it's more important to paddle a bunch of drunken frat boy types than to worry about the quality of your service. I can't comment on much of the food as I only ordered the mini pretzel bites, but they were extremely stale and the cheese it was served with was chilly. It was like being served a piteous handful of salted deer turd. Not a place worth revisiting in my eyes. I'd rather get a pretzel from a Wal-Mart snack bar than the ones served here.
(2)
Elizabeth R.
Wow! I was really impressed by this beer hall! I have been to the original in Munich and it felt like I was back in Germany. It was great that they did not try to change up the feel of the Hofbrauhaus. It is huge! And they have a small beer garden in warm weather. I have been to other Hofbraus and they are tiny. This one was made to impress! It is a little pricey but considering its location in a very touristy Rosemont area, this is not a bad deal. They have specials. The great part is PARKING!!! Validate before you leave. Then it is free and it is worth a few minutes to save $13. My husband had the sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes (with gravy). He had the same thing in Munich and said he could not taste the difference. I had the sauerbraten special. It was a slow cooked beef sandwich. It was cooked in red wine and served in a Dunkel BBQ sauce. Definitely fabulous. It was not a first date type of sandwich because it was big, messy and delicious. The portions were generous. The beer was spot on. Though a bit pricey. They know you want to come for the beer so they jack up the prices. I would definitely stop in and enjoy the fair but if you are looking to get a bit tipsy, the prices might keep you at bay.
(4)
Ryan B.
Went here before a movie last week. Had 2 liters of beer. It was a good time. We ordered dinner. The waitress didn't bring the food I ordered. I didn't really care, we had a pretty big group, but it's irksome. Be careful with how much you drink! I had 2 one liter beers. That's the equivalent of five and a half beers. The dollars rack up quickly when you're ordering by the liter!
(4)
Jillian E.
Had a blast with my family here on a Saturday night. Made a reservation and was seated at the exact time of my reservation. The beer was great, the food was excellent, and our server, Michelle, was attentive and friendly. The band playing was great and got almost every table involved in singing and dancing. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Pack C.
I want to love the place. The vibe & atmosphere reminded us of how it is in Europe BUT it's so pricey with mediocre food! We had 2 beers (one 1 ltr and one 0.5 ltr) and an entree, the bill came to ~$65 excluding tips! The beer was good but can i find something better & cheaper in chicago? definitely, yes given all the microbreweries in town these days. we had crispy pork shank entree to share (pork knuckle dish). The meat was on the dry side. We went there Friday night. The place was really busy. Service was ok, very slow (kinda expected). We may go back there again just to hit the bar. No food there.
(3)
John W.
I love the Hofbrauhaus. It's a lively place, with authentic experience of Munich. Food is average, but consistent. beer is good. The main reason I come here is the pretzel, which I'm a fan of so it's hard to find fault in it. I recommend this place if you want to get your Oktoberfest on, or if you want regular German style cuisine and bier.
(4)
Robert P.
Love this place. Came here on a whim when our group had a terrible experience at Toby Keith's. We are already making plans to bring other friends here. We, and hopefully Toby Keith, thank you for turning our night into a memorable one
(5)
Matt S.
The perfect place to go if you want to drink beer with a ton of other people who want to drink beer. Hofbrauhaus has 4 house selections as well as a couple of seasonal ones. Each is good but my go to is the classic lager. Get the dunkel if you like a bit more flavor and full body feel. Anyway, this place is gigantic. There is a gift shop and host stand as soon as you walk in. Past that is the main hall which probably seats hundreds of people. Throughout the hall are picnic style benches grouped together. This is especially cool if your party, and the ones around you, are feeling sociable as this fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst total strangers. The live band plays traditional German songs as well as classic sing/dance-alongs. Every once in a while the band leads the beer hall toast where everyone raises their stein and shares a drink. People often get up and dance and even stand on the solid wood tables to get rowdy. There is a separate dining area on the side if you wanted a more classic restaurant experience. Everything about the ambiance is great but unfortunately the price for food and drinks are not. An entree will cost you ~$18, cocktails ~$10, and the 1 liter beer stein ~$12. Food isn't bad but I personally don't think the quality to price can be justified. If you had no clue what this place was and wanted to get a bite to eat, you would look at the menu and be surprised with the prices. Since the place is so large, it can definitely get crowded. During these times the service can get exceptionally slow. Hofbrau can certainly be a fun place but be prepared to spend some money.
(3)
Krunal P.
Great place for beer but im not a fan of German food so I will stick to 4 stars. Love going to this place.
(4)
Ben F.
For a NW guy, there is nothing like this back home. Was a ton o fun and great food!
(4)
Howard L.
This is a fun and festive place for having an authentic Bavarian meal experience. I'd go with about 4.5 stars for the total meal/entertainment package. They have communal bench seating and there is live music all the time. The place is huge with two dining halls, and I'm told it fills up on Saturday evenings, which would be a sight to behold. There were several families with kids there on a Friday evening, and I noted most of the parents were enjoying beers. The food and beer were pretty good, but I can't say great. I had a sausage wurstplatte for $16.99 and wife had a beef and pork roast dish with spatzle for $18.99. She said the beef was quite salty. I knocked back 1/2 star on value side as the place is on the slightly pricey side, like $7.50 for a 17 oz stein. Get your parking validated or else it's $13 to park there, otherwise free. This MB Financial center is a great entertainment center for the area.
(4)
JamelnOscar C.
So I received a call from the GM Jim. We talked for about 10 mins. Basically never once apologized for anything. He just called me to get details on what exactly happened. Said "I wasn't there so I can't answer your question on what happened." ok. Well, I guess that's that. As GM - no matter what happens, the customer is always right. Especially considering I took 10 mins of my time to give him feedback. Go somewhere else.
(1)
Gerry H.
Quite a Friday night I had; 1) Attended the Progressive International Motorcycle show at The Stevens Convention Center. It was quite interesting. There are a lot of new bikes, gadgets, gizmos out for 2014. I especially liked the powered tank bags, and the 2014 Ducati Monster. 2) Followed up with an impromptu visit to Hofbrauhaus, and I'm extremely pleased that I did. There was five dudes in our group, and we were seated immediately (7:00 on Friday night, mind you), and immediately proximate to the stage. If you like German Beer Hall Music, the HBH has the real deal. The fraulien's voice is heavenly, and the old german dudes are entertaining. But it's the food and beer and the party atmosphere that will inhibit your serotonin from being re-uptaken. It's all fantastic, from the pretzels to the schnitzel to the sausage to the sauerkraut. It's hardy and delicious. And the beer is vastly better than most places that brew on site... Try the Dunkel! Finally, while our waiter happened to be Spanish (a little odd I thought), he also happened to be prompt, friendly, and efficient.
(5)
Vodka Sauce C.
Possibly the WORST experience ever! A nightmare of a time dealing with the GM and the waitress. We will NEVER be back
(1)
Tai T.
I never heard of this place, but I saw the brewery vats outside and I was in the mood for a beer. It's an incredibly loud environment with in a cafeteria kind of setting and live german music. My wife said it was kind if like a Disney-ish kind of vibe. It was fun atmosphere though. With the cafeteria kind of setup, you may have to share a table with other groups, but that's no big deal, cuz everyone in there is having a gr8 time...that may be because they serve you 1.0 liter (32 oz) beers. The beers are good. I had the salmon medallions and they were very good. My wife had the vegetarian schnitzel. I tasted it and it was delicious. In fact it was so good & tasted just like a country-fried steak. So much so that my wife thought it was real meat & had to check with the waiter to verify it wasn't. He said that happens all the time. Very fun environment, swell food and worthy beers. Try it out.
(3)
Levent T.
Do not go for the food. *Do* go for average beer served by Frauleins that may be willing to spank you with a large paddle. Not kidding! Food is overpriced and flavorless but the live music with no cover makes it understandable. And the spanking...oh yes...it happens...and done with force if that is what one likes. Did not partake in the S&M but got to witness it first hand. Great place to go with a full belly and let loose with a group. Our server was less than average but if you get one willing to rock your bottom make sure to tip well!
(2)
The Decide R.
Okay, I was excited about this place since I have been passing it on 294 for the last few months. Unfortunately the servers were able to suck out every last ounce of curiosity and enchantment once we were seated. Don't get me wrong, I love the outfits, but the lack of enthusiasm and basic server skills scoured my outlook on the establishment. When I have to ask another server where our server is in order to acquire a glass of water or to ask for the check there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Food was ok, I had the veal sausages, which were light and tasty. Our table also ordered the pork shank, while it was crispy, the meat was dry and lacking flavor. If your looking for true German food take a little time and make the trip to Milwaukee....'Karl Ratzsch's'... Pork shank will blow your mind
(3)
Jeff E.
My experience at Hofbrauhaus was decent. The food was okay. It was the service that made the experience very good. We were taken care of from the time we arrived and until we left. The only complaint I have would be the awful music.
(4)
Raghav C.
I haven't been to Germany, but all my friends I went with have visited a/the Hofbrauhaus in Germany and had complimentary things to say about this one in Rosemont. According to them, it was very comparative. although the beer selection here was apparently limited, i.e. the Light, Lager, Dunjel and Hefe Weizen all available in different sizes. Band/Music - The live German Band was very entertaining and fun. They played some cool instruments, German songs and celebrated many birthdays. Food - We didn't eat, though seeing and smelling what people got, it looked really good. Did seem fairly pricey though, hence the minus 1 star.
(4)
Eric S.
"Ist Das Hofbrauhaus Chicago die besten Deutscher Gaststätte im ganzen Land?" "Vielleicht." For those who don't sprechen-sie-Deutsch, I basically asked "is HBH Chicago the best German restaurant around?", to which I answered "maybe." The review: **FOOD** -We (parents and I) ordered a big 'soft' pretzel to start; included were spicy mustard, cheese, and another dipping sauce. Pretzel was cold and hard, which was off-putting. Potato pancakes followed, and while the salmon served as an accompaniment was nice, the PP's themselves were almost shameful. I've had the real deal so many times before, and from a venue like HBH Chicago I'd expect nothing short of the best. Unfortunately, these tasted/looked like frozen-then-reheated (mashed taters?) patties. Sad day. However, my chicken schnitzel was good, and my parents enjoyed what they had as a main course. The Apfelstrudel for dessert was terrific! And thank god the end of the meal was tasty, because the beginning was just pathetic. OVERALL: 3/5 for dining. Could use some improvement in areas. **AMBIANCE** -Held in a very large, expansive building reminiscent of the original HBH in Munich (yes, I've actually been). Main hall has people standing on benches singing Bavarian tunes and drinking anthems. It's quite a riot if you're in the right mindset (why wouldn't you be?) To be fair, we sat in the connected semi-perm tent so our meal was much quieter, but we could still hear the goings-on in the main room. Bathrooms were clean, and during warmer weather the outdoor patio is open. I can only imagine downing a stein of beer come May..... OVERALL: 5/5 for atmosphere. ziggy zaggy ziggy zaggy OY OY OY! **MISC** -Service was good, not great nor horrendous. The good news: wait staff are mostly cute girls in traditional dirndls (read: cleavage) that bring your sizable beers and entrees to you. Ours was not particularly enthralled with her job (think Janine Garafolo as the Medieval Times waitress in 'The Cable Guy'). Oh well. Next time I'll come back with my guy friends and shamelessly flirt with our waitress. They also have tons of merch and HBH stuff for purchase up front, and a roasted/candied nuts booth inside--a nice touch. OVERALL: 4/5 for service and other factors. Lasting impression: I consider myself a pretty hardcore German-man-man-man when it comes to dining, and HBH Chicago didn't disappoint, but it didn't exactly wow me either. The camaraderie is a great time for sure, but the food missed its mark on more than one occasion. My suggestion is to come for the beer, stay for the bewbs (there are a lot of them). In conclusion, I'd like to ment-- OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT THE BEER! Because let's be honest, that's your main reason for coming here. Selection of brew is good--the Hefeweizen is wonderful, especially in a 1L stein. Have a couple of those bad boys and someone'll be taking your car keys away. I'll be back to try the other brews and get even drunker, but for now, I'll sing 'Ein Prosit' and call it a day. I'll be back, HBH Chicago! Jawohl!
(4)
Jam I.
Different menu from other Hofbrauhaus that I've visited. Food and service was below my experiences visiting the Pittsburgh location (which I enjoy).
(3)
Jayson J.
very good time here for an Octoberfest celebration. During normal times of the year I enjoy the microbrews and German food. The live music could be described as "German." I say that because I have never heard German music besides here.
(4)
Dave V.
I am a definite fan so far. I have only been here twice and they were both for Oktoberfest. Liters of Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest made in house??!?! uh, fuck yes please! The atmosphere here is so far that of your typical fun bar. This place is nothing but fun and smiles and every stranger is ready to be a friend. Didn't see any dumbass college kids acting disrespectful and shameful, just loads of young and old folks dancing and interacting on their table tops. The prices are not super cheap for food, but the beer is fairly priced. The liters of oktoberfest i was drinking i think were $13. The only food we tried was the soft pretzel from munich which was good, the ides it comes with (for an extra charge) were freaking amazing. We had an issue once with one of the waitresses but i think it was a language barrier. The only other issue we had was a cold pretzel the second time we went but they were quick to heat it up for us. This place is very large and should be able to accommodate any size party, basically anyday anytime but just in case make reservations for a large party Seriously, check them out, i know i will again when oktoberfest is over so i can compare and contrast
(4)
Cristie F.
There are two words that a restaurant can print that will instantly rub me the wrong way. No Substitutions. Those two words instantly get me fired up. Personally, I think it's a terrible business model (not to mention wasteful) to not allow for substitutions when it comes to sides - especially if they're the same price. What it basically says is "we're telling you what you want to eat, like it or not. And if you don't like it, eat somewhere else or buy more food". That's pretty much what Hofbrauhaus put on their menu "NO SUBSTITUTIONS! WE HAVE SIDE DISHES!" I'll end my rant there. As for my overall experience, it was extremely lackluster. Let us review.... The positives: + The menu has a large variety of German dishes (duh, it's a German restaurant) + Gorgeous venue with top of line equipment + Live music! + Great outdoor patio for summertime boozing + Awesome mustard dips and Obazter cheese + Very friendly staff, minus our server... + Juicy and tender chicken snitzel + Private rooms for larger private events + Fun & festive German atmosphere The negs: - No substitutions - I don't feel the need to elaborate more at this point - Bland (and I mean BLAND) food. The spaetzle was over buttered and had absolutely no flavor. - Sausages were equally as bland. - Although they dishes were brought out with fancy pants silver covers, my food was borderline warm. - Soft pretzels were not served hot - nor did they seem fresh. (I know this since I saw the back of the kitchen and they're all sitting in a bin waiting to be ordered...just sayin...) Not to mention the price, which I will get to momentarily. - Our waitress had a major 'tude. Not cool. Unacceptable. - Outrageous prices. $14 for a giant plate sized soft pretzel is ridiculous. As is a $14 schnitzel sandwich - My order was screwed up. (Shocking) Needless to say, Hofbrauhaus was a total disappointment. Lower those prices and/or step up the quality of food and remove the "no substitutions" policy. Maybe just then you'd earn back a previously excited customer. Until then, stay classy Hofbrauhaus.
(2)
Vince V.
Right across the way from Toby Keith's (another frequent stop for my crew), the Hofbrauhaus looms large and welcoming. The first step into the main hall draws you in to the live performers onstage, singing one easy listening cover after another, always looking for a way to work in a tasty beverage tie-in. Yes, I'm okay listening to Margaritaville from dudes in lederhosen. I'm sure they'll be singing an outfit-appropriate "Ein prosit" soon enough. Half-restaurant, half-beer garden and about 100% biergarten theme park. Prepare to be a tourist in your own backyard. The crowd looks very suburban. I see a lot of families here, bigger parties. The surrounding establishments tend to cater to more nightlife-y, over 21 customers. Here, there are eight year old kids having dinner while grandpa and dad raise their steins. The pretzels are delicious, though ultimately unspectacular. I've been favoring the sausage plate, it's just the right serving size, enough to get me fueled for a late night without weighing me down. I've tried their brews and they're very drinkable. The Dunkel is my favorite so far. I've been here a couple of times and the experience has been consistent both times, once during a slower weeknight and on a very busy Saturday. Both times, I was there for birthday dinners. It seems that a lot of folks come by and bring the family for a birthday dinner because the live band gets plenty of opportunities to sing the birthday song through the evening. Overall, the Hofbrauhaus, is lively, loud and merry, Oktoberfest year-round. A bit pricey for what it is but when we're all having fun, it's a relative bargain for good times.
(4)
Kristy S.
Besides the service not being the best and finding our own server, I have spoken to the GM Jim and He has taken care of the tip that the server gave himself on my sisters card. I was reassured that the server will be documented and possibly not have his job anymore. The server was Brent so be careful if you do go in there and he is your server. We came in just for the round of shots and a beer and were in and out in 30 mins or so. We still probably will not go back. After looking at the receipt the server turned in it was very clear that this was not a mistake on his part and they he wrote it in himself, we cant go to a place we cant trust. I hope other have a better experience here as each experience it different for everyone.
(1)
Jeff E.
Always a great time. Great food even better beer. Live entertainment is engaging and fun. Come here for a great night out that will not disappoint
(5)
Ned B.
I love the German dining experience and this place has it! The place is cool! The beer is great! The food is... Well subpar. If it wasn't for the great experience I would probably skip this.
(3)
Jaime G.
4 stars for the beer. 3 for the food. Try the hlffenwiesen and the double wheat. Pretzel and chicken is just ok.
(4)
Lochin S.
my beer was nice and cold, and really enjoyed the large stein. the other 5 folks enjoyed their beers. One even had a bottle of Riesling. food was surprisingly good. i had traditional beef with sour gravy, hubby had salmon. others had the veal (ok), chicken, and finally sausage. service was good, food came out in good time, and we were checked on for drinks often. Music was good, spanking was good. we will be back.
(4)
Aja G.
Sigh. Be clear they are using "Chicago" figuratively because this behemoth bar is not in Chicago, does not adhere to Chicago pricing, but it does have Chicago style service. The Good: Parking and the look of the bar. That is it. The bad: Our waitress,Nikk, forgot to bring silverware, offered no refills and was generally absent. I can forgive her because at their prices you couldn't have persuaded me to order anything else. The Ugly: This place either needs to change suppliers or stop assuming people are stupid. Now before you cry the price of "importing" i can assure the food here is as generic as anything you will find at your neighborhood bar except it cost about 5 dollars more. Currywurst was 14 dollars. For 14 dollars you will get 2 pieces of small, dry sausage accompanied by what I will generously call a dollop of ketchup with curry powder. they are also kind enough to give you luke warm fries thawed and reheated. Also if you look online for their menu or beer list you will notice a suspicious lack of pricing. That is because their beer prices are absurd. 7-8 dollars for a half liter? Maybe they missed the memo, but this is a suburban bar located in a sea of parking with no quality or authenticity. 15 dollar cocktails? 6.50 for shots? Their prices are ridiculous!! Final Thoughts: Take it from a girl that has been to germany three times and every German bar in the city --this place is trash garbage. Want a real German pour? Skip this bar a couple of times and you will have enough for a plane ticket.
(1)
Rob B.
We went here on December 23rd and what a great time. Although Hofbrau Chicago is different than Munich it still has some German charm. The beer is better than anything in the US IMHO. The food was very good. Our party of four had schnitzel, schweinbraten, saurbraten, and jagerschnitzel respectively and all were delicious. I recommend getting a side of gravy with your schnitzel and I do to make it that much more delicious. Let me make something clear, the food at Hofbrau Munich is beer hall food not gourmet food as is the food at Hofbrau Chicago. The food at both places is super delicious traditional German working class food. Expect a simple, hearty, tasty meal to wash down with an exceptional beer. If you expect this you will not be disappointed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, but did not hound us, just like in Germany. The band that was there was excellent! They played good beer hall music and worked really hard to keep the energy level up and get everyone involved in the festive atmosphere. The entertainment is the best part of the restaurant and is part of the price. I had a great time with my wife and parents. It was a little pricier than I expected at $17 to $22 a plate and $8 per half liter of beer, but I was not disappointed with the overall experience at all and in fact I was pleasantly surprised how great it was. I spent four years in Bavaria in Germany, I am married to a German, and have I been to Munich and southern Bavaria many times.
(4)
Kevin M.
I have never written a Yelp review before, but after reading all the idiotic bashing, I feel compelled to let the record straight. 1. Priced appropriate...can you get Usinger sausage cheaper at Jewel...yes. Does it come with an authentic German band flown in for you entertainment?...no. So shut up! 2. $7 beer...yes and worth it. Can you get MGD cheaper?...sure but does it taste as good and follow the Reinheitsgebot? No! So shut up! 3. Cold Pretzels...yep and that's the way they are supposed to be...flown in from Munich. So shut up! 4. Shots expensive? Does the cheap shot down the way come with a paddle spanking photo op for you to take as a timeless memory...no? So shut up! This is beyond restaurant, it's an experience with good food and beer on the side. The food is great and the atmosphere is memory making. If you want cheap try making good german food at home. Good luck making Schweinshaxe (pork shank) as crispy and delicious as they make it here - with Semmelknodel (bread dumplings)!!!! Also, having been to Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Newport, and Miami...this is the best by far!
(5)
Jim K.
Fun atmosphere. I really liked the band. I would recommend stopping by and hanging out at the bar. The food was below average relative to other German food I have had. Service wasn't great either. I happened to see the manager interacting with some other patrons and wow was he rude and condescending. I wouldn't make this a destination but if you're visiting some of the nearby restaurants, it's probably worth stopping in and checking out the band.
(1)
Daniel S.
The food was good tho a bit pricy, I got the weiner wurst, which is essentially just boiled hot dogs, and then spatezel and potato salad as sides which were both very good, the german rye bread was just ok, as was the pretzel we got as an app, which was kinda hard, but i got the dunkel beer which was the dark beer and very good, and the overall atmosphere is pretty fun, they had live music, and you can have waitresses slap you on the ass with a paddle, service was fast too, i wouldn't mind coming back and trying some of the other meats
(4)
Connie Z.
Fourth time here. Fun atmosphere, they validate parking too. Lady seat in people today was unusually unfriendly, red hair and just angry demeanor, hence 3 stars. Rest of the time easily a four star spot
(3)
Robin F.
I'd beware of any reviews of this place. On every table in the restaurant, they offer patrons a $10 discount for a favorable Yelp review. (See my photo in my tip). They don't deserve a good review and I find this practice unethical.
(1)
Mark S.
I am more of an expert on beer then Germann food. The beer was very good. The food was little more than overpriced hotdogs.
(3)
M-J W.
Good Beer Food - not so good. Fast food versions of German food. You get served super fast. But the place is loud. It is fun. The little oompah band was cute. They play the beer drinking song every time they are thirsty. So I now know the lyrics and I don't speak German! I would come here for the party atmosphere and beer. I would skip the food. It was pricy as well.
(3)
Kristin L.
Using a credit card...BEWARE!!!!! Shady waiters await you at Hofbrahaus. After hearing a few horror stories about waiters / bartenders pocketing money, I experienced this first hand. Our waiter, a not too overly friendly gentleman, was slow and inattentive. (Not exceptable being that our party was there on a weekday and the restaurant was not even a quarter full.) Now with that said, I let this slide being that there was fun music and liters of beer at our table. The food is alright and the beer is good. My problem lies with the staff. After waiting way too long for our bill, we noticed that there were extra drinks on our tab. After correcting this, we left thinking that our expericance at Hofbrau was just alright...maybe we'd go back...maybe not. But nothing over extraordinary. Let's fast forward a few days when we check our credit card statement and notice that our tip was changed from $50 to $78. Um...that's a pretty large increase. So we call our credit card company and they confirm that the gratuity was entered as $78. Interesting being that we left him an even $50 and on our invoice it shows that we wrote $50. Hmmm maybe this is just a mistake...let's call the restaurant and talk to the manager. (HA! that's a joke) The hostess who answers the phone puts us on hold (for 15 min!!) then comes back with an attitude only to inform us that there are no available managers and we can leave a message. (Which we do, but no one calls back.) Miraculously after leaving this voicemail, explaining what happened, our tip amount charged has been changed to the correct amount. Refund credits have been issued from Hofbrau. Hmmm is this because you got caught and were informed that the Rosemont police have been contacted? Something seems fishy about this place. Why am I hearing from more than one person and now reading some of the reviews, sharing similar stories? Sounds to me that management should keep an eye on these waiters with sticky fingers...or maybe the management is in on it. BEWARE OF STICKY FINGERS AND QUESTIONABLE MANAGEMENT!!!
(1)
Ted H.
This place really went downhill. My tab for dinner for two and beer for one was around $75. For that amount of money, I received food that might have been sitting around and small portions. Let me explain. We ordered two dinners and soup. Within one minute the dinners were brought out. Yes, you read that right. WITHIN A MINUTE. Our soup came 10-15 minutes after that. Now, I ask you this: how did those two dinner plates get cooked that fast if it was made fresh? For the amount of money this place sets me back (usually around $100 with tip for two people), I expect not to be hungry when I leave and for the food to be fresh. I used to love this place. Now, forget about it. I'll leave it to the tourists and head over to Edelweiss on Addison for my German fix.
(1)
Jeremy C.
So apparently my math was incredibly off. One liter of beer does not equal 12 ounces in a standard American beer. Therefore if you're going to drink as many beers as you normally drink, you're in for quite an adventure. Damn metric system.. haha Anyway.. It's exactly as you've heard and as you'd expect. Live music, gigantic beers, go get some of the toasted nuts and have the pretzel. I was fairly inebriated before ordering the pretzel and I even recall it being cold when it came out; you'll still enjoy. Plenty of TV's here for games, etc. So as you read other reviews you need to ask yourself.. Are the germans known for their food? And am I coming here for culinary delights? The answer to both of those is no. You're coming here to guzzle beer and listen to German music. Ihr willkommen!
(3)
Nichole C.
SPOILER: This review is ONLY for the beer. I don't care about German food, I don't care about atmosphere, I don't care about authenticity, etc. What I DO care about is beer. I don't really go for German beers, typically, because they are pretty bland. I prefer my beers to have strong dark malt or coffee/espresso flavors OR strong hoppy notes. German beers usually have neither. They are solid, and smooth, but lack serious bite. That said, the Hefe here is pretty damn good. I went in to get a sampler, but after seeing that the smallest pour they offer is a 10 oz., I just picked the one I knew I would enjoy. And a 10 oz. pour I got. After grasping my baby sized beer and scanning the restaurant and seeing huge mugs and boots of beer I felt a little ridiculous, but you've got to start somewhere, right? RIGHT? The Hefe here is really good, actually. It's got great citrusy and spicey notes and a nice cloudy appearance. It is VERY easy drinking and I can no doubt put a boot of this down in no time. (Challenge accepted, by the way...) I will definitely be back to chug a boot and enjoy some live German music and food. Got to wash the beer down with something, yes?
(4)
Paul F.
Went with about 11 others. The food was good. The band was excellent! Their rendition of the star spangled banned brought a tear to my eye. I cannot pronounce the dish I had but it was very good!
(4)
Kelly C.
Teetering on a three vs. four star review - in brief, food is three stars and ambiance/experience is four. First, the food: Some traditional German options such as schnitzel, sausage, spaetzle, pretzels, and Bavarian potato salad - although missing veal schnitzel. I echo another reviewer's comment on the "no substitutions" - it's annoying that you can't opt for spaetzle or potato salad for example. Food portions are right-sized: you won't go hungry with just a main dish, but you won't feel overstuffed if you order appetizers to share. Generally, menu is low on greens (as are most German menus) but food is good. Second, the ambiance: Long tables in authentic beer hall setting with a rotating german band. Our group found it to be a lot of fun - dancing up on the benches, singing along. I was impressed at the atmosphere created, on a Tuesday night no less. Third, the service: Food comes out fast ... almost too fast. Servers were effective. In response to a few who said it is "overpriced" you need to factor in the entertainment - Given the experience and live music, I think it's close to on target.
(3)
Stacy O.
We were so eager to try this place, we showed up months before it opened. Their signage is effective. ;) We stopped in again (they were open this time) for a beer while waiting for my brother-in-law's flight to land. It was everything I hoped for - and more. My husband had a Dunkel; I had a Hefeweizen. We were both happy with our beers. We only split a pretzel, as we were on our way to dinner after our airport pick up. The pretzel wasn't anything to write home about, but the sweet mustard and spicy mustard were both fantastic with the right amount of kick. I'm a pushover for any mustard that isn't yellow and doesn't come out of a squeeze bottle; being able to see the actual mustard grains makes my heart sing. Service was good if not a bit slow. It took awhile to get our check picked up after we put our credit card in the folder. But this place is much more than beer. With live German music and authentic decor, it's easy to get swept up in feeling like you're in Munich. Enjoy the experience.
(4)
Rob W.
I have been eager to check this place out as I have been to the HBH in Las Vegas and wanted to see how this one compared. Facility-wise, this place is a LOT different - dark woods vs light in LV, this place is huge compared to that one - which is also quite large - the one in LV has an indoor biergarten, this one has a large area for outdoor seating. I like the visible brewery here - interesting look. I visited on a Friday around 2PM and it wasn't too busy. My server was Teri and she was the highlight of my visit - pleasant, attentive and outstanding service. But here's the thing - it's not cheap. I had a soda, pretzel (normal sized) and the Jagerschnitzel and it came to $23.87 (pre-tip). The entree was just "ok" - spaetzle awash in mushroom sauce with a fair portioned, but somewhat dry schnitzel topped with bacon. I'll stick with the "neighborhood" German places like Edelweiss or the ones in Milwaukee when I'm looking for truly authentic German food. This was passable - but nothing special. I do plan to return to check out the beers - and I will do the food on occasion. It's another "something else" that's different in the Chicago area, which makes our city and the metro area a special place to be.
(3)
Reed N.
Let me save you a lot of time. Fresh beer is good beer... and fresh beer hand crafted and served in the same building is even better. The wheat beer here is deeeeeelicious. The other selections are good, but the wheat just rocks the suds. The service was excellent. The ladies in the cute Lederhosen outfits are everywhere carrying growlers of beer. Other places should take note... women can be fully clothed and still be sexy as all hell. The pretzels are not so good and get cold fast. And they are WAY overpriced. The band and "bell man" travel the dining hall playing and having fun. The noise is quite a racket, but this is a beer hall. This place closed at 11pm on a Monday... so come early! In short, I'd say eat elsewhere. Come here to drink and enjoy yourself.
(3)
Heather J.
PROS -German food -Looks cool from the outside -Easy parking (and free as long as you validate your ticket) -Good beer CONS -Long wait for mediocre, insanely-overpriced-for-what-it-is, food -Long wait to sit at community tables where you have to watch your purse and make sure the stranger next to you on the bench doesn't take anything -Same polka music playing over and over and over again.. You will hear the same music every 5 minutes. -Noisy and loud, but not in a good way. -It reminded me of Disney World, but not in a good way. -No substitutions for anything on the menu -So costumey, I feel like they are making fun of the German heritage I was originally excited that there was a cool German restaurant just a few minutes away... But I'd rather drive 40 minutes, sit through horrid Chicago traffic, and pay to park somewhere in Lincoln Square where the food is better, the wait is less, and the food is authentic and homemade.
(2)
Rosanna L.
This place is huge and loud with live entertainment! It definitely takes you into a spin of German culture, they even serve their beer in steins, which gives it a nice cultural touch. The servers dress up in uniforms and we're seated at wooden benches (picture a high school cafeteria, but with wooden benches vs metal). We were told they can seat 850 people, holy cow, how do they maintain business on the weekdays? Because Friday night it was jamming packed! They definitely have the German thang going that's for sure. We were doing a pub crawl so only opted for some huge pretzels and beer. Our server constantly checked up on us and the music kept playing. We cheers a lot and the place was very entertaining, oh and they had the Blackhawks game on! Kudos! I definitely want to come back to try their food, possibly on a less busy day.
(4)
Rashad M.
Top 10 Reasons why this Restaurant Deserves a 1 Star Review: 1) their German speciality beer is served within the general acceptable limits of room temperature 2) their kitchen crew is so eager to get out of there that they closes the kitchen half an hour before the scheduled time (after tasting the food I don't blame them ) 3) they have more Bavarian dressed waitresses than customers and they all are NOT very eager to serve you 4) and they all posses exactly what I imagine German hospitality to be 5) their freshly baked pretzel has been freshly waiting for you to order it under a heat lamp all day 6) they are worried that their customers drink to slow and so refuse to provide them the large beer size just incase they don't finish in time for closing in 30 minutes (actually happened to a group next to me ) 7) they make fun of that group after they leave clearly disappointed 8) their sausage would actually be a contender to win best sausage ( in the world renowned canned food category) 9) u very quickly start to realize that their three star average reviews on yelp is generous 10) after taking the first bite of the dinner u just ordered, u start to seriously consider other dinner options in the area... for tonight! To be fair if I couldn't come up with 10 I would have given them 2 stars! But what do u know, it want that hard !
(1)
Jason A.
while I am a fan of the food and drinks, I have mixed reviews about the staff. I have been twice. Once the server was amazing and extremely friendly, but the second time I went, it was as if there was no server even assigned to our table. we waited and waited after being seated but no one came by until I had to flag someone down and ask who our server would be. Even after someone came to take our order, we only saw him one other time to leave the bill.
(4)
Jen R.
Ok do yourself a favor & call before you come. If you have a group a reservation is best. If you park in the garage get your ticket validated. We all came never been & this "Entertainment Area" is wow, almost Vegas like. Bier, can cost you... Food is pretty good but for the price you can have better. They have live entertainment & yes they will be having Oktobor Fest... I'd bring people to have a visit, at least once. I don't understand why a large pretzel w/ a few things with it is $14.00? Unfortunately the beer of the month & some others were not available because of OctoberFest, so it should have been in the menu. Jägersnitzel was tasty & I took it home. Prost
(3)
Vina O.
Portions are EXTREMELY SMALL for the price. I ordered the Bavarian Style pot roast, which was delicious but for $20, I'd expect more than 4 small thin strips of beef! My husband ordered the wurst plate which was a steal at $14, but it's really just 4 different types of sausages on a plate. Like I stated, food is delicious, albeit SMALL. My husband enjoyed his Hefeweizen beer with the meal. Our server was friendly, but it was super busy so I would constantly have to flag her down for a refill on my water. Overall, I don't think this place is worth the bang for the buck. I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas, and the portions were waaaay bigger. I'll stick to German when I'm on the west coast or other German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)
B R Hungry X.
Loud....like a large dancehall. Communal seating. Large portions of food, avg cost per person with 1-2 drinks is roughly $35. If you like loud accordion music and hearing people get paddled when they take shots, it's for you. Not much on the menu for anyone health conscious. It was okay, had to experience it? Won't be my first choice though.
(2)
Joe M.
Delicious and great place, best beer in town. Brewed on site, cant beat the freshness. Awesome place to have a great time
(5)
Ashley A.
This place really works for their ambiance as a German restaurant. You get a LOUD atmosphere with a band, waiters that spank people with a paddle when they order shots, and contests for patrons. The staff even wear German style clothes. They only have a handful of beers to choose from and very limited drink list otherwise. Food is ok, but super expensive. (Actually, the drinks are expensive too) I wouldn't say the food is authentic either. A sausage plate that consists of 4 sausages, 2 of which are hot dogs. I think once you've gone, the novelty wears off. There isn't much that makes me want me to head back anytime soon. But definitely fun place to try out.
(3)
Jon B.
Great beer, great food and an entertaining environment.
(4)
Reid F.
I think it's funny when people go to a place like this and complain that it is loud. Of course it's loud...it's a huge warehouse filled with people and German music. If you want quiet conversation, go to Starbucks. If you want a fun place with good (although not great) German food and beer, this is an excellent option.
(4)
Daphne L.
After 2 visits to this place, the best I can say is that the beer is good and the servers are very nice. Other than that..I got nothin'. It's a huge, loud, cold, warehouse of a place, that is so loud I can't even hear the voices in my head. The Las Vegas location is much nicer, as is the Cincinnati spot. This place is nothing but tourists and noise.
(2)
Ryan M.
The beer flight is fun and the food is okay. Pricey for sausages. Love the atmosphere
(3)
Jeanne C.
Beautiful place but way overpriced. Feel like a tourist trap especially with the big gift store, right as you walk in. My uncle and I walked in for lunch on a Saturday about 130. We were thinkin a nice brat and a stein of beer. I look at the menu and it says dinner menu with not one item, besides appetizer or salad, that was less than 14 bucks. I ask for a lunch menu and waitress says that on weekends there is only dinner menu. This smacks of tourist trap. I told her that I was looking for just a brat and she points to a 14 sandwich but qualifies it by saying it was huge with lots of fries and sauerkraut. So we decide to split it. It arrives and yes the brat was long but I laughed as it was about one inch in diameter. Fries were minimum at a handful and the sauerkraut, hhmmmm, where are you hiding...... Oh found you!!! About two tablespoon worth were in each bun under that poor skinny brat. I ordered a small Bavarian pretzel to see if they could screw that up and....... Stale. Almost no salt....save your money....maybe have a beer but then eat elsewhere. As an odd update, I was contacted by the manager of the Hofbrauhaus and we had a chat for about 10 minutes on my review (which I totally stand by) The odd thing about it was that he was trying to convince me why the prices are so high (Las Vegas Restaurant group requested it....huh?) We also discussed that ridiculous bratwurst and small serving sides. The even odder thing was he never offered to have me come back. He finished with, "Well I'll understand if you don't come back." Very strange as it is the first time in my 40 years of talking to a manager about a poor visit and not have the manager even try to get me to come back in. He picked my brain for ten minutes on some of my ideas where they could improve and then it ended. Really a nice guy but......
(2)
Daniela R.
The atmosphere at this place is great, but the food not so much. Fries were cold, and the "chicken sandwich" seems very very old.. maybe it sat there for a while (We were a BIG group) Anyway, our waiter Michael was the best!!! he was very sweet and really did everything to make us comfortable. Kudos, Mike.
(3)
O.M. R.
Cannot complain about atmosphere. Really intense and fun:p Food = i grew up with german food and the food here doesn't come close to german traditional food. Beer = has barely any alcohol in it :( Deserts and the pretzel= iiiiuuu!! Dont try it.
(3)
Carlos R.
COME HERE TO DRINK, NOT EAT. I came here for a friend's birthday and I was really excited because I have been wanting to come here since it opened. My expectations of drinking in a German beer hall were definitely met. The beers were great and decently priced. The big downside to my visit was the food. I am always willing to try new things, but I did not like the food at all. It felt like they already had the food prepared in the kitchen and they just took a while to give the illusion that they cooked it. Maybe I am just not a german food guy, but either way the food prices were pretty high for the quality food we received.
(3)
Dan N.
I get the so so reviews for Hofbräuhaus i do, but I think you have to understand what it is and what it is not. First off its a really fun place and you have to understand thats its about the atmosphere and location and the look as much as anything. Yes its touristy and a bit expensive, but the Beer is excellent and the food is better than I expected. I was a bit surprised on a Friday night it was only moderately crowded when we got there about 7:30. I took my wife here for her birthday and she enjoyed it. We would definitely return for a special occasion or a night out with a group but just the 2 of us craving German fare I'll pass. The portions are not very large (enough but small for the price) and it is expensive. We paid over $120 for 2 Beers (liters yes!) 2 Appetizers and 2 entrees and we split dessert. My wife had the Wiener Schnitzel which I thought was a very small portion and I had the combination of Sauerbraten and Roast pork. I enjoyed it allot I like their spaetzle and the red cabbage is to die for. I did take a little home but my wife did not and she usually never finishes her meal. She was a bit unhappy that you don't get to choose your sides, she was stuck with potato salad (not her favorite) Both appetizers we had were excellent and I would order both again in a heartbeat. We had the Potato pancakes (some of the best I have ever had) and the Pretzel with Brie dip. They advertize the strudel comes from Germany so we split one, it was ok at best. It had way too much sauce and was all just wet and mushy no texture whatsoever. But the atmosphere is loud and fun and interactive, the band is fun, and the service was very good. Again a fun place to hangout and eat some good food, carving a great german restaurant I would look else where.
(3)
Marshall P.
After being to München at the OG Hofbräuhaus I soon realized I needed another lager. Hofbräu is so damn good. I was lucky enough to have a layover at O'hare and find myself here. Much like the Munich Hofbräuhaus, people welcomed me to their table to raise a stein. A must visit; sure to make you laugh!
(5)
Frank S.
The attraction at this place is the atmosphere. It is loud and the tables are communal but that is the point! I'm not really sure why people are complaining about that aspect. You can see what it looks like from outside and once you walk in you get a feel for the noise level. If you aren't into the vibe then walk out. The food is mediocre. My food actually came out on the cold side. I was given the impression that it was sitting for quite a while before it was served to me. The beer wasn't great but I enjoyed it. My favorite part of this place was the live entertainment. Take away the entertainment and this place would be two stars. I didn't like the way you walked in and had to stand in a gift shop while waiting to be seated. Gives off a planet hollywood/hard rock feel.
(3)
Kat D.
Staff was friendly and the beer was good. I had the beef goulash and my boyfriend had the Wiener schnitzel. Both were good. I tried my friends chicken sausage and that was also good. They validate your parking when you park in the garage across the street which is a plus.
(4)
Todd G.
Not going to write a long review on this one. It was ok, not bad not great. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Live music was ok, they played the same 4 songs over and over again.. Beer was excellent, as close as you are going to get an authentic Munich Dunkel in the states... Food was ok, and it came out of the kitchen really quickly.. Potatoes and gravy were a little salty.. Sausages were pretty good, roast pork was a little mushy, dumplings a little dry, spetzel was ok (I like mine crisped up a little.).. Seemed a little expensive for what it is.. We felt a little "nickel and dimed", bread was extra and the price for sides was pretty steep. Strudel was good, not sure why it needs to be imported, the $12 price tag would make me think twice about it.. There are better places for german food but for something near the airport / Rosemont entertainment area, it would be a decent option. Parking is $15, so have the hostess validate it..
(3)
Justyna K.
Nice please and good German food super nice customer service ! Great to bring kids too ! Can get loud with the music and very packed but still great service , the pork shank is awesome and great beer !
(5)
Dee W.
I came here for a Mommys' Night Out and we had a blast. First of all, I did get horrible lost because my GPS wouldn't recognize the address and you have to park in the huge parking structure (but at least the Hofbrauhaus validated our parking). Entertainment is loud so don't expect to have a meaningful conversation without yelling at each other. I split a Schnitzel Wiener Art which was t heir pork served cirsp with cranberries and homemade potato salad - yum! Portions are definitely large and their beer is amazing and HUGE. Looking forward to another fun night out here again!
(4)
Brandon Z.
Went here to meet some friends and catch up over dinner...nice change of pace, among other things. It's a high-energy German-themed establishment, so not an ideal place to go for a quiet chat over some high-end food. We liked the food and beer. Having eaten authentic German food, I can say that this food is somewhat Americanized, but it's still good. The pretzel was huge, the Bavarian Potato soup was very good, and all of the dishes we had were more than passable. Good size portions - we left full. I especially thought their sauerkraut was good. Beer wasn't the best, but it did the job. Where they lost two stars, as far as I'm concerned, is that the music was really loud - overly loud and obnoxious. Being a musician myself, it was annoying that they were constantly off-key, too. It was a relief when they occasionally would take a break. Secondly, parking was awful. It was freezing cold outside, and while the restaurant has a great big lot outside, it's completely for valet. So....unless you want to freeze your a** off walking from the garage on the other side of the ice rink on a sub-zero degree night like when we went, you're gonna have no choice to eat the $7 valet fee. Couldn't you leave half the lot open for public parking, and still keep the valet as an option for those who'd prefer that? Wasn't happy about that. Oh.....and they have a huge gift shop if you're into that.
(3)
Tom K.
Big, noisy and fun bier drinking hall ein chicago. Our group of four had reservations on a busy Saturday night for 630. We arrived at 5:30 and decided to try to have a beer in the bar to wait out our time. it was expectedly crowded, and we asked the bartender if we could sit at a tall table right next to the bar while we waited. She she said sure, Portis are four beers and we sit down. Shortly there after the service waitress in that area showed her bitchy side. She growled passed us a number of times mumbling comments about how this was a service table. I'm sure she was pissed she didn't get her tip that I gave the bartender. Either way it's bad for the Haus to have a nasty waitress. It makes you feel uncomfortable and not want to come back. Beachy waitresses side, the place is just what you would expect. A big n loud. It's nice to see the place where families can come and watch dads (and moms !) drink bier and sing. We had a sausage platter appetizer, a pretzel, and The sliced radishes. This ain't fine dining. It's beer drinking food and it covers that adequately. The beer taste the same as at the house in Munich. I think the pretzels were a little off compared to the ones in Germany, but who freaking cares.Bring your lederhosen, bring your partay hat and do some yodeling. Das ist gut.
(4)
Justin L.
Always have a great time here. It's a fun atmosphere and I always receive great service
(5)
Joni M.
Let me preface this by saying I'm of German descent, but I don't love German food. But we decided to go to a 'real' German place to get bratwurst that should be better than the johnsonville variety we are used to. We made a very costly mistake. We sat in the main hall it was early on a Saturday evening. Our waitress came by and we had a real communication issue since it was loud and she had a heavy accent. Hey at least she's authentic. Except I think it was a Polish accent, but whatever. We started with a soft pretzel and I asked for a medium beer. I got the tiniest beer ever and a cold and very not so soft pretzel. It would be good if it were fresh but it wasn't. And I'm not sure how hard it can be to have fresh pretzels. But Whatever? Oh and my teensy weensy beer? 13 bucks. We ordered the bratwurst hoping they would redeem everything. They came and they looked like the bulli sticks I had bought for my dogs the day before. Very long and skinny. We had asked to swap the fries for potato salad, but were told that no substitutions were allowed, which I've only heard before at.... No actually I've never had a restaurant or waitress say that. The bratwurst were so gross. Horrible texture, smooth like a hotdog. If this is authentic German, give me Johnsonville everyday. We left $85 dollars lighter and still hungry. Seriously. It was $85 for a tiny beer, cold pretzel and 3 bratwurst that we didn't eat. The dogs got three more very expensive bulli sticks. Never, ever, ever again. It was literally the worst dining experience I have had in probably 10 years.
(1)
Arlene G.
this place is HUGE! i felt like i was in germany/medieval times! there was 4 of us in our party & we sat outside since it was a nice day. i dont think ive ever had german food b4 or if i have i cant remember. i ordered the sausage with curry sauce & fries. it was AWESOME!! its not a curry like thai or indian. in fact it didnt even taste like curry 2 me but mayb its a german curry that i dont know about. it was like a sweeter tastin ketchup & not as thick. whatever it was i didnt care cuz it was super yummy! i was a bit disappointed with their cocktail selection tho. i know its a german place but not everybody drinks beer. im 1 of those people & i ordered 2 different drinks which they couldnt make - ciroc peach & 7up and a mojito. what!?! oh well, maybe that was a sign 2 not drink that nite. but the food was great so i wont hold it against them.
(4)
Vic M.
If you don't mind the overwhelming smell of sauerkraut, this place is for you! Was carded at the door an then cared again by the waitress. I asked her for a sample of one of their brewed beers and she said they didn't offer samples...they pride themselves on brewing their own beers and it's a take on a German beer house and I can't get someone to pour me a taste of beer? Not very crowded on a Friday night at 1030pm...beer is average. And waitresses have no problem smacking guys in the butt with a paddle.
(2)
Al R.
Great bartenders. Lisa and Jessica were friendly and attentive. Give them a raise. Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy oye oye oye
(5)
B K.
Come here to have a good liter of beer, eat a pretzel, clap and sing. The venue is fun, but expensive. Don't expect a great German meal here. Go to the smaller, family owned German restaurants in the Chicago area for good German entrees.
(3)
Anna M.
The upside of this restaurant is the ambience. You are transported to a theme-park style version of a German pub. It is high energy, the band is energetic and fun, and the servers are dressed to the part. I enjoyed the experience. Is it an experience that I would seek out in the future? Not really...I left feeling like I had my fill. It is a little too touristy feeling for me (but that is just personal preference). Ambience aside, the food was mediocre at best and way over-priced for the quality. I had a brat and pretzel appetizer. There was nothing really wrong with the taste, it was just mediocre. Again, it was reminiscent of a theme park, in quality and price. If you are looking for a fun night with a touristy flair and German style beer in the burbs, try this place. I would recommend framing the price in terms of paying for the experience and it will be easier to swallow.
(2)
Linsey J.
Schmaltzy atmosphere, mediocre service, overpriced for the product. Reminded me of a restaurant in an amusement park (and I don't mean Disney). We went for my wife's and daughter's birthdays and all they had to offer were spankings; I don't think so! There are plenty of other far better German restaurants in the Chicago area. Don't waste your time and money I did not leave this review, not sure who did??? But I don't know how to delete it...
(2)
Kevin R.
The overall rating is dead on for this taste of Germany in the Chicago Suburbs. The oom-pah-pah band (made up of 3 guys) provides an entertainment set that runs an hour. I loved hearing the traditional German beer drinking songs that I last heard in Germany. One of the band members can play the traditional alpenhorn, the very long horn played in the Alps. And he plays it very well. The music was fun and tailored for us Americans. John Denver, Neil Diamond and other classic tunes are in their extensive repertoire as well. Let's talk food and service next. The menu was varied and offered lots of German food. I had the Jaegerschnitzel with mushroom gravy and spaetzel. My friend had the kartoffelpuffer, otherwise known as potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream. All of our food was good but not great. Which is OK given the setting and entertainment. Their apple strudel was quite good and my only complaint there was there wasn't enough. We split the serving, and considering how good it was I wish I'd ordered 3 of them, lol. Delicate and flaky, layers upon layers of slightly sweet goodness. Service was good given the large hall and noise. Though we did have to ask for help from someone other than our server. For my friend and I it was our annual catch-up. So we stayed for about 3 hours. It was packed when we first arrived with our reservations around 6:15, and nearly deserted when we left after 9pm, lol. Oh yes! I almost forgot about the BEER! My first choice the Dunkel (dark) was not available, as they ran out. The beer they had was of course good, their tap lager. I've been to the original in Munich at Octoberfest, like millions of others. You can find better German food elsewhere if that's what you want. But if you want an authentic German Beer Hall experience, you can't beat the Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Your alternative is to book a flight to Munich, lol.
(3)
mono b.
Went there on a recommendation of a friend to celebrate a birthday of a girlfriend. The place is huge. Sorta cool warehouse sized space decorated like a german beer pib. The beer I had was a summer special, very good, light.perfect for a summer night. I got the liter which was ridiculously big. Cost $14 which was a bit much. We also had the giant pretzel with cheese spread which was tasty. My chicken sandwich was a bit dry, large size portion but not much flavor in terms of seasoning. Wait staff was nice. We will probably go back but skip the food.
(3)
Chris A.
Great atmosphere to sit and have a bier with friends..however when the highlight of our dinner the other night was...THE MUSTARD?!? Great place for drinks but i would go to another place for food
(3)
Jeremy J.
As close to as authentic German cuisine you can get in the US. The restaurant and atmosphere is very similar to the original Houfbräuhas in Munich.
(5)
Mike G.
I've been here twice now. I love the new Downtown Rosemont and there is a ton of fun to be had here. I am a big fan of the beers, and the atmosphere and the energy here with the live music and performers is great. The performers and musicians are great. I got to witness them play music on a 20 foot long Ricola Horn, a bunch of different size bells to ring, a lute or some kind of flute, etc. Couldn't understand a word of German but still had a great experience with the entertainment. Everyone seemed very happy to share a drink with everyone. The beer is great, they have light and heavier options and you can get one great big beer stein too. The food is good. I'm actually not the biggest fan of German food, but liked what I ordered, and the big pretzels were very good. The service was ok, we went both times when it was busy, so it was a little slow, but ok. The parking wasn't the easiest either. But I did have a great time there as did my group. I would definitely recommend checking out this place.
(4)
Maritza S.
Walk in to 5 staff "working" the hostess area about 830pm on a Friday. Had to interrupt one to ask if party of 2 can walk in & sit at bar area. Seating at bar area opens up fairly quickly. Staff at bar are friendly & attentive: why review gets 2 stars, not 1. Place is loud, live band, men getting paddled in butt. Noise not an issue if band was halfway decent. They have competitions on stage to get crowd cheering. Band MC dude talks way too much!! Get on with the drinking competitions your boring people!! Food is overpriced and ohhh so wrong. Chili was bland, pretzel stale, & Currywurst tasted like BBQ sauce on a weiner- shared by 2 & both with same opinion. Place seems to gear to those that live in faraway "suburbs" and don't know better places. It was time to walk out when band unfortunately played and butchered 'hey Jude'
(2)
Jack W.
Good spot to let loose. There is a lot of people here on a Saturday but if you are a beer lover and staying near rosemont I recommend you try it out its very packed on a saturday night like 600 people or more easily. The beer is awesome I had the giant wheat definitely worth it. But the food is subpar due to the sheer amount of people I'm sure it's a lot better when there isn't so many people but I was there on a Saturday night. I was with 13 people and we had pretzels sausage and kraut and our tab ended up being $650 I wouldn't go there trying to save money lol but it was a good time with live music and people in a generally good mood if you want to experience the chi without going out anywhere sketchy I recommend staying In Rosemont and enjoying the bar scene then going back to a hotel where you don't have to drive. It's a overall nice place with the exception of being too drunk and not understanding the band that interacts with the crowd highly recommended for a good time especially if waiting for a plane at ohare lol check it out and tell me what you think. I think it's a solid spot for locals and travelers. I really think it's a nice place to kick back and get smashed.
(3)
Meg R.
Disappointing if you want anything other than beer. I have been to the one in Pittsburgh several times and it is amazing. Since I had such a great experience thought I would make the hike from Midway to Rosemont. Staff is friendly but the music, unlike Pittsburgh's German songs, was music from the 80s food was luke warm. I ordered a 9.00 pretzel fresh baked so the menu stated but instead it was cold and had been made sometime today but was not great. Cheese blend with pretzel was a complete disappointment compared to the yummiest warmed bier cheese they serve with the pretzel in Pittsburgh. Schweinebraten was very good, but not worth returning just for that alone.
(2)
Taylor D.
I had high hopes for this place and it was just eh. The atmosphere is a lot of fun with the live music and beer hall style tables. The waitresses dress in traditional German clothing. The food is not very good and it is incredibly over priced. The jumbo pretzel was pretty dry, and the bratwurst are thinner than a hot dog. It's unfortunate. Come here to drink with friends but do not eat here.
(2)
Stacy S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a very AMERICANIZED version of the german beer hall, but a fun atmosphere overall. My fiance, cousin, and I had the opportunity to go to the ACTUAL Oktoberfest in Munich this past year, so we had much to compare it to. After a few days of realizing Oktoberfest was not what I thought it would be, less "let's get wasted" and more of a camaraderie type of event. I really came to appreciate this German tradition. So when it came down to review Haufbrauhaus Chicago, my standards were set pretty high. - Long benches and tables, just like the beer tents at Oktoberfest. CHECK. - The beer comes in liters. CHECK. - They even offered the "radler" which is a lemonade shandy. CHECK. - Band decked out in lederhosen singing "Ein Prosit" (drinking songs) CHECK. - Waitresses decked out in dirndls. CHECK. - Getting up on the table and dancing like a fool. CHECK. LOVE IT. So far, so good. We came here for one of my friends' birthdays and had a lot of fun. For a group of 20 people, this is the place to go. They have a bunch of drinking games for both guys and ladies. Guys are asked to hold out a liter of beer and see who can last the longest and girls of course are asked who can chug their liter the fastest. If it's your birthday, tell your waitress and you'll get a special surprise......... and it is hilarious. And if you can't get enough, the entrance of the bar/restaurant, you'll notice a souvenir shop that sells t-shirts, beer mugs, and lederhosen. It's like a little bit of Oktoberfest has come to Chicago and never left.
(4)
Courtney W.
Maybe it's because I'm German but I love this place! It's huge and has a huge patio. It's almost like a cavern or a cafeteria. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They will spank you with paddles if you ask, they have stein drinking and holding competitions, and they have a gift shop. Did I mention they also have awesome beer that they brew in house? The Hefe weizen (pardon my spelling please!). I've never had to wait for a table (most tables are huge and communal except for a few in the bar). We've never eaten here but the menu looks impressive for a German place and I wouldn't mind a few drunk pretzels or schnitzel. They normally have a German band on stage either playing traditional tunes or their own version of American music (Journey, anyone?) I'm such a fan and I try to bring my more stubborn fans, I'm working on it!
(4)
Sheri L.
For a theme tourist trap, Hofbrauhaus is a good start. The restaurant is HUGE, long tables as far as the eye can see. First impress was a bit offputting. We were meeting a large group that had a reservation. The group had already been seated when we got there. So when we let the hostess know we were there for a group... she checked the reservation log and then stated "yes, they're here and seated, but we don't keep track of the seating's so just go in and find them".... Ok, did I mention this place is HUGE? Yes, so in we walk in search of our group after dodging several servers with large trays (stay out of their way or they will yell at you), about 4 minutes later we found our group. October fest beer, yes please and it was a fine marzen. The rest of the food was decent. I'm not a fan of being served potatos and potato dumplings from an ice-cream scoop - you just cheapened my food to cafeteria quality. The pork loin I had was cooked well, was tender and very tasty. The pretzels were cold as so many others on yelp have mentioned. While I only saw them once in our 2 hours here, there are bell guys who go around to tables and give quick little shows. However, I heard Sweet Caroline about 3 times from the band and HAPPY BIRTHDAY so many times that I was ready to puke. Word to the wise, limit to singing the song once an hour and include all the names you need to in that one rendition. It would also be nice to actually be able to understand the names when they sing the song... as we listened closely to the 30 times looking for our friends name... not once could we recognize the names! It was like being stuck in a chucky cheese birthday party... "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you"... ah, make it stop! For more authentic German food without the frills, I will still go to Bavarian Lodge. However, the Hofbrauhaus is a fun place to go to if your entertaining out of town guests.
(3)
Jasi R.
My friends and I are big fans of German food and beer, especially during Oktoberfest. Our "go-to" spot has always been Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights, but we decided to try this place out since it's fairly new. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning anytime in the near future. First, no matter where you go in Rosemont's entertainment district, you're most likely stuck parking in the massive parking garage. It's not THAT long of a walk away, but still...kinda annoying. Once we trekked to the restaurant, I was quite disappointed when I looked at the menu. There weren't as many options as other German restaurants I've been to. And although they have a ton of sides to choose from, they don't allow any substitutions...which is ridiculously annoying because their sauerkraut is probably the best side on the menu and it's not really offered with many entrees. They obviously do that on purpose. I will say, on a good note, the service is pretty decent. Our waitress was attentive and quick to bring anything we asked for. So we order our food, and it comes shortly afterwards. And honestly, it wasn't that great. My friends and I have pretty big appetites, and not one of us finished our meal. It was edible, and decent tasting...but I've had much much better. Lastly, the entertainment (the German band) was REALLY cheesy. Sure they dress up in their German outfits, but they play Johnnie Cash and other American classics. Way too corny for me. If you're looking for German food and beer and a fun German experience, I urge you to try out Schnitzel Platz instead. They have their own parking lot (yay!), better tasting beer, better quality food, more menu options, and authentic German bands playing.
(2)
John P.
I really wanted to like this place. Beer was good. Ambiance fun. Even the pretzel was worthwhile - and that is where we should have stopped. They ended up closing the kitchen after we were served - yet continued to seat people / families on Father's Day!!. It took us 2 hours to get warm salads and cold entrees. Even the chicken sandwich with fries sucked. Reordered the fries and they were only luke warm!!! Even McD can get a chicken sandwich to you hot, under 2 hours and for significantly less $$. But alas, my local McD comes without an oompah band!! Managers apologized profusely - and yet, she ended up discounting 50% on the food only portion of the bill (25% overall) for meals she agreed were pathetic. Really? You overseat. Understaff. Completely crash your kitchen - and then shrug your shoulders and say "Oops. Sorry. We took too many Fathers Day reservations!" And this is my fault, how??? This was not a wait staff issue - even though this was it for him. Tonight was our server 's last shift. Too many times apologizing for crap out of his control. This is a management issue !! STEP UP AND GET IT FIXED!! We should have stayed at Toby Keith's. Beer was cheaper. Food could not have been worse - but no oompah band! You cant be unhappy with an oompah band. Unless of course the overpriced food you've waited two hours for is AWFUL!! Yet, if they don't turn around the Kitchen here it will be Tchüs and auf wiedersehen to Hoffbrau House. Even good bier can't make up for a totally screwed up restaurant!! Gordon Ramsay - here is a true Kitchen Nightmare!!!
(1)
Robert B.
IT'S SAD THEY CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR! Tried to have dinner and some drinks there but because I'm use a wheelchair I did not fit under the table so the hostess just walked away leaving me looking at a table I couldn't fit under. So I go back to the hostess letting her know the situation and there was nothing they could do for me, hell put a couple of books under the legs it's not that hard. We called to let them know the next day and was told we would be hearing back from the GM but NOTHING! So I comment on there FB post they respond saying give me your email so the GM can address this and NOTHING!
(1)
Dennis B.
The 20 million hostesses they have standing at the door to greet you acted real ditsy and uninterested in my patronage. This place is huge and I'm sure its packed at peak restaurant hours. All they had on the menu was German food of course, but everything was some type of sausage which I wasn't in the mood for. I ordered the potato pancakes with smoked Salmon and one of their house beers which was very good. I may stop by in the future for a beer, but I doubt I'd go again for the food.
(3)
Mike C.
Perhaps not the place to go when dining alone. Beer was good. Perhaps best part of experience. thought I'd enjoy the assorted sausage entree but found it heavy and kind of lacking in creativity. Yeah I'm not quite expecting creativity in a biergarten I guess. Let's just say I was fed and my thirst was quenched. Nuff said.
(2)
Michael M.
Fool me once, shame on me! Overpriced, loud, small portions, foam of beer counted toward drink size. No coat check. If you want a real German experience try Eidelweis or Brauhaus. This place is the definition of corporate greed! STAY AWAY. TOURIST TRAP!
(1)
Susan P.
If it weren't for a particular incident yesterday at the Hofbrauhaus, I would have given the restaurant a 4-star rating. Although I was enjoying the experience overall, the busboy at our table was very strange and unprofessional. Three times he argued with me and pressured me to give him my glass even though I was not finished with my beer or my water. At first, it seemed like a joke, but by the second and third time he came to our table, he pursed his lips and stared me down for several seconds in an effort to intimidate me to give him my glass, but I ignored him. My friend twice told him to go bus other tables or motioned for him to go away. After he would leave, she and I complained to each other that he was annoying us. When I went to purchase the cinnamon nuts at the concession stand in the restaurant, I asked my friends to watch my drinks to make sure that the busboy will not take them. My friend hid my drink behind his beer and a menu. Although I really appreciated my friends' support, it was ridiculous that I had to protect my drinks from an obnoxious, arrogant, and downright creepy busboy. I have never had this sort of experience with a busser before. Nearly always, if you are not done with your food or beverage and let the busser know, the busser will respect your decision. Fortunately, I spoke with the manager of Hofbrauhaus. He was understanding and he found the name of the busser who treated me poorly. The manager promised to speak with the busser personally regarding his behavior. Given that the manager was sympathetic and willing to take care of this issue, I would be willing to visit Hofbrauhaus again. The music and ambience are great!
(3)
David H.
Don't think of coming here if you're looking for a quiet night of dining. They do make some excellent German beers and some of their cuisine is authentic. Our waitress talked us out of ordering the potato pancakes with salmon so instead we ordered the pretzel. I ate the Veggie Schnitzel while my colleague ordered the smoked variety of chicken brat, veal sausage and pork dog. The food was pretty good. The entertainment was even better. While the waitresses are dressed like a German version of Hooters, the Oompah band reminded me of a ChuckECheese for adults. Some of the songs were in the Octoberfest style. We did pause for the National Anthem. Other song choices were quite random.
(3)
Cloresa N.
I love the food and the atmosphere but my complaint comes from my experience with the jerseys offered when you join the stein club. My husband and I joined and were really excited about ordering the jerseys even though they were expensive. We were told that it would take 3 weeks to complete, when that didn't happen we were told it would be another 3 weeks,when that didn't happen we spoke to a Manager who said that the jerseys did not come from Michigan as we were told but Las Vegas. We were then told it would be 2 months and we would get a call when they came in. We still have not gotten a call, I don't know if they wait until they get enough orders before they send them in but how long does it take to embroider a shirt. If they had told the truth up front we probably would not have ordered them, but why would they when money is involved. We are very disappointed and at this point I am not sure if we even want them. I like this place but this is not cool.
(3)
Janet N.
Bad service! Our waitress was the worst. We had a large party and she was very unorganized. She took everyone's order except for my husband and I. We set there with our food orders on our tip of our dry mouths because we set there for 45mins without a refill of Pepsi. After an hour the manager was informed, but never sent her any help. The manager did locate her because she kept disappearing. We order our food with a beer. We got our food 15 mins after ordering. No Beer and still no refill. Food was great! And fast! When every one at the party realized that we had gotten our food, we asked how long for the rest to get there food? they had been waiting for about an hour. She replied "you got your food, so don't worry about them" WoW! So we asked again could we get a refill since you never brought our beers out. She said "oh you finished them" and wrote it down and walked away. Comes back about 30mins later says "how's the beer ?" We reply "we don't know you never brought them." We finally said forget the beers by then it was 2 1/2 hours later. Good thing we never had a Beer, we had two $20's dinners with 3 Pepsi's a pretzel and someone else had gotten 2 small $6.99 beers when we asked for our check our total was $165 she had charged us 4 $12.99 beers and 3 Jameson shots and a bunch of Sierra mist along with waters. When we approach her we informed her that our check was way off. She replied " well someone is going to pay for that" and walked away. She finally agree to fixed it our total was $90. We told everyone in our party to check there's and of courses everyone got over charged. She fixed everyone's check but did take 1hour of her punching numbers in her computer. Good thing that everyone was sober enough to notice and remember there orders.
(1)
Jeremy T.
Come for the beer. Stay for the minimal amount of time. First, this place really blows. I came across this place on Yelp and was excited that Hofbrauhaus had a beer hall in Chicago. Then I clicked it and realized that it was not in Chicago, but in Rosemont. So that was my first mistake. I love beer German beer with all my heart and have been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. That place was amazing. However, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a mockery of the original. German food is notoriously expensive for some reason. I usually don't mind paying more for quality, but my food didn't qualify. I ordered my favorite German dish, currywurst, and felt like I was ripped off. It was $14 for two small lukewarm sausages and cold fries with tasteless curry ketchup. I expected more for that price. Booooo. I've gotten currywurst from other places for a lot cheaper and that were better tasting. The prices are absurd for the amount and quality of the food. The beer was $7 and was just ok. I've gotten better Hofbrau beer at bars for $6. Why does it cost more seeing how you guys make the beer there? No need to factor in transporting the beer out. The waitress was ok, but very spacey. Completely forgot to bring us silverware and napkins. So we just grabbed our own from an empty table. After doing some easy interwebs research, I came to the conclusion that this place is a tourist trap. I put it in the same category as Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe. They have a silly gift shop and that sells bottled beer that's more expensive than the same ones they sell at Jewel. I don't recommend this place at all. If you like German beer just go to an independently owned German bar in Chicago. If you're already headed up there just keep going north to Milwaukee. The only good thing is that its a nice looking space.
(2)
R B.
Sadly, there's a lot of whiners. Would you like some beer with that whine? Here's the thing... you don't go into this establishment and say "oh it's only 4 beers!! Where's the bud? Miller? Heiniken?? C'mon there has to be Pabst???!! I'm doing a pub crawl for god sakes!!" Do a pub crawl on a liquor store. You come to places like these for the experience and for their house made brews which means it's not gonna be like the cheap beers you know :) Our server was Val, and I beg to differ. She wasn't a lunatic. She was a "bitch" and she got stuff done (bitches get stuff done) and she was pleasant. My beer, my dad's beer and my sister's beer took about 5 mins too long to serve (which we didn't mind because) but it was on the house. I liked the food, the band was fun. So what if they sang the same 5 german songs and pelted you with country and 80's classics. If a drunk german band plays YMCA on the accordion, you get up and do the motherfuckin' YMCA. Don't be that wet towel whiner going "oh my god!! How many times do I have to yell Hoi Hoi Hoi!!!". So in closing (my apologies if I went off tangent, I have 2 liters of beer in me. I can hold my liquor unlike some), I like this place. It's loud and fun and there's beer. Don't be a snooty little whiner.
(5)
Helen L.
If you want to go to a nice, quiet restaurant, don't come here. It's loud, it's wild and it's FUN! The band does a great job of interacting with people and getting everyone to stand on their benches and join in singing Das Fliegerlied and raising their glasses to Ein Prosit. Make the most of it - join in the fun! The food is good - not the best, but then again, I compare it to my mother's and sister's cooking, which is true, authentic German cooking! But, for a restaurant, it's not bad. I had the Schnitzel Wiener Art, which was a lot of food - and tasty! My husband had the sausages and must have liked them because he ate the whole plate. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and we never had to wait for her. And the phone came out less than 15 minutes after our order was put in. It actually surprised us. If you get the chance to visit this restaurant - do it. But only do it if you like to have a lot of fun!
(4)
Edward L.
If you find yourself exhausted, thirsty, and hungry from all that outlet shopping...head over to Hofbrauhaus. Fantastic patio area to enjoy a nice summer evening with a Hefe Weizen & Jagerschnitzel!! The planes are super loud as they fly over...but if you can tolerate them, go for the nice patio! Unless the live band is playing inside, which is always a great time. 1. Beers will be around $7-$10 2. Entrees will be around $15-$25 We tried the red and white radish app which was excellent with a nice dusting of salt. This option is definitely geared for the vegetarian so watch out, its a lot of radish! The jagerschnitzel was well cooked with delicious, creamy, mushroom sauce and crispy bacon on top. Great area, great location, great spot to get some beers and enjoy some German food!
(4)
Mike H.
Parking is a bit of a pain, as you need to be in the Rosemont garage instead of in the lot next to the building. We were warned that if we stayed in that lot we would be ticketed. The good news is that they do validate. The beer is very good, as you would expect from a beer hall with a brewery on site, and is just like the beer at the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. We enjoyed the live entertainment, and the band was trying, but the crowd was just not very into it, and singing along is half the fun at a beer hall. The food was good, but I think you can get better German food at the Chicago Brauhaus, Mirabel, Laschet's and Eidelweis. I'd go back if invited, but not sure if I'd make the trip on my own dime.
(3)
Margaret S.
The atmosphere is good and I liked the kitschy band, but the food and beer was a dissapointment. They only have 4 beers...at a beer hall. Of course the day we were there, they were OUT of one of the beers...and then there were three. The sauerbraten and spaetzel was okay, not great, kinda buried in the sauce. It would have been fine for 12.95, but disapointing for 18.95. $18.95...had to purchase the soup (the best thing I had, liver dumpling for $5.95) and when I asked the waiter for some bread (a nice rye, anyone?) it was an additional cost. Really? I may try it again, and just hang in the bar and have one of the four beers and a pretzel, but I belie
(3)
andre L.
Cafeteria hall feel. Food good not great. Had pork medallions. From the moment you walk in staff is a bit aloof; not warm as I expected a German restaurant to be.
(3)
Emily S.
Great that you could make reservations on open table. We had no issues with them finding out reservation when we got there. We ate in the beer hall, if you come after 5pm on a week night there is a band. Try the beer, it is excellent and is made there. We shared the pretzel appetizer, the cheese is amazing. We both got the Worstplatte and loved it. There was so much food I took it home. We also got the Black Forest Cake which I highly recommend. Seating is bench seating in the beer hall, which would be nice for groups. There is also outdoor seating and a more private dining hall. Waitress was attentive and very polite. Make sure to have parking validated before leaving. Very nice place, we would return.
(4)
MK W.
The food is good, but the waiter (Charlie) was an arrogant jerk. He didn't even ask us what size beer we wanted and brought these enormous steins. I told him we didn't want such large beers and he argued with us that he thought that is what we ordered. We didn't even make a dent in our beers and it was not a very pleasant experience. Portions are large and it is expensive. I guess you're paying for the atmosphere. Save your money and go to Germany.
(3)
Matthew L.
Good recreation of the real thing in Munich minus the history. The scale is really what it's all about. This place would be awesome on a summer afternoon with the doors open, the oom-pah band blaring, and all the tables full. On a Thursday night in February, it's a little lame. Go with a group of friends, buy a few litres of bier and you'll have a good time regardless. Not gonna be as cheap as the local sports bar but it's worth a trip for the experience!
(4)
Julie W.
I'm instantly a fan of Hofbrauhaus. Came here on a Thursday night with my husband for a little date night. We started at another place in The Park but after hearing he wasn't hungry, and I was, we made our way over around 10pm (he's not a schnitzel or sausage kinda guy). Upon arriving there were tons of seating all around, we decided to sit at the bar. The bartenders were both very friendly and took our order immediately. I had a bahama breeze (sorry, not a beer girl!) and he had a big ole' liter of the lager. Plus it was $8.99 liter night! Definitely cannot beat that price at The Park!! We had a little issue with our food taking a bit longer than expected but once we asked our bartender about our food, he immediately ran to the back and brought out a piping hot plate. Great service is always appreciated! Now the main reason I wanted to come was not only for the giant imported pretzel but for the CURRYWURST! When I traveled to Berlin several years ago, I practically lived off of currywurst. I haven't found a place in the city that does it better than Hofbrahaus did, it was like I was walking along the Ku'damm all over again. I was definitely a happy gal. The pretzel was delicious as well. Chewy, warm, just enough salt. The liver mousse was really good as well as the rest of the dips. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but why not? The atmosphere on a Thursday was kind of bland, but from the looks of the place it seems like a Friday or Saturday night must be a riot. The German band played a mix of traditional songs and very bad cover songs..just like being in Germany! Haha. But besides that it was a great night. Only gripe is that they closed down the gift shop before they actually closed, around 11:30. I understand that people want to go home but I definitely wanted to take a look around! Also, a little FYI...if you are going to have your ladies wear dirndls with their boobies hanging out, make sure that: A) these ladies have boobies to hang out and B) that they are attractive enough to have their boobies hang out. Saw some waitresses who looked like they just rolled out of bed. Not a cute look, girls. Overall if you want a good time with friends, wonderful, authentic German food and bier, Hofbrauhaus is the place! Sure, it's not the cheapest place to eat or drink but then again is any place at The Park cheap?? I'm definitely a fan and I will be back!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Love this place! My new favorite hangout, just wish I were closer to it. Amazing food & atmosphere! Beer contests are fun to watch and keeps it lively. People getting shots are quite funny too! Definitely a fun place to go! You'll love it:)
(5)
Smita D.
This is a very disappointing German establishment and a total tourist trap! I lived in Germany and speak fluent German and found this place to be absolutely inaccurate and awful. The food was very unimpressive too. Also, the hall is not constructed well. The live music permeates everywhere and you can't hold a conversation with friends over a meal, which is disappointing and frustrating. However, if you love beer, this place is great and you'll get some tasty drinks.
(2)
Prashant C.
Yesterday night was my second time at Hofbrauhaus... if you love having beer then this place is definitely worth a visit .. last time I had the large of Weiss and yesterday had the Octoberfest starting with 1L... My beer thirst was satiated after doing the second round of .5L. Giant pretzel with musturd.. yes plz ! Pork Sausage with onion mustard.. bring it on..!! loved the food & the whole beer hall set up. It had a live band last night and the whole place was very alive, people were getting paddle spanked by the waitress.. few folks after their 2nd or 3rd Liter of beer were standing on tables... loved the atmosphere ... ideal place to spend time with friend and on weekend.. Place was not cheap, pretzel was $13 with cheese and musturd and Beer 1L was also about the same... but then you get what you pay. Don't worry about parking as they validate parking . Will I visit again? Absolutely! Just make sure to pick a night when there is lot of action happening and bring your friends.. everyone will enjoy
(4)
Elizabeth T.
Dinner for four on a weeknight: THE GOOD: + Fun atmosphere! (Very comparable to the one in Germany) + A++++++ service! Wait staff, servers, and bus boys were awesome! THE SO-SO: +/- Food was so so. Just as you'd expect: Your average German eats THE BAD: - Spacey/airhead hostesses. Probably need to work more on greeting customers promptly instead staring into space - Parking was a pain. This is in Rosemont's entertainment district so expect a parking lot maze. - EXPENSIVE! We ordered a "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 dips: sweet mustard, onion mustard, and cheese) for our appetizer. It was $13+!!!! For a pretzel? I thought Auntie Anne's pretzel in the shopping malls were already expensive! That just blew my mind. Wow! Shnitzel sandwich (fried chicken breast on a kaiser roll) $13+ I forgot what our other 2 companions ordered but each were $17+ each dish Beer (Premium Lager) was $13 - Food was super salty BOTTOM LINE: It was a fun place to be in but would probably not come back unless someone paid for me. I'm still not over the sticker shock on that pretzel appetizer.
(3)
Alma C.
The smell of mash as you enter tells you everything you need to know about this place: go. for. the. beer. The hefeweizen in particular was very refreshing, I liked the pretzels and dipping mustards, but the brats...not so much (uniform hot dog-like texture, no thanks). Bonus point for the festive and friendly atmosphere with live entertainment (3 person band with a certifiable cow bell genius on staff). Fun little stop in an odd area convenient to the highways and O'Hare.
(3)
Jill A.
Loud.....very loud. So loud that our server couldn't hear our order. I have been to the location in Munich. This is a weird approximation. I ordered a salad and two drinks and my share of the bill was $40. Very expensive.
(2)
Joel P.
Really fun place. Great German band and mess hall atmosphere. Prices pretty steep for mediocre food. A lot of rules which was kind of annoying. ie no side subs no bill splitting no beer samples... Make sure you valet at the restaurant bc it's $7 as apposed to the garage which is $13 and a further walk.
(3)
Mike N.
How disappointing! My ginger and I ran past here recently to try it out, since we've been watching it being built for a while now, and what a tremendous disappointment. The only thing I disliked more than the food was the service. We sat at the bar and not once did I see any of the 4 bartenders interact with any guest. They only seemed to break up the conversation with themselves when someone waved for their attention. Two of the bartenders were obviously more concerned with getting each other naked (which I'm always a proponent for!) than refilling a beer or taking an order. The beer was good, but don't expect the bartenders to give you any help deciding what to drink. The food was a disappointment. Obviously mass produced, everything we touched was lukewarm. And nothing is made in house! The people sitting next to me asked the bartender if they made the sausage in house, and was told that a distributor makes in and then sends it to them. Seriously? Maybe its just opening issues, but just a real disappointment.
(1)
Michael R.
I love this place. German beer, german food, german decor. Yes the band is cheesy but the atmosphere is great! They spank you if you order a shot and they have a great selection of merchandise and beer!
(5)
Josan K.
I want to really like this place but.... 1 litre of bier will cost you $17 (with tax and small tip). Food portions are soooo small, no substitutions what-so-ever! oh, and pricey. Service was slow. There were about ten of us at a bench and we got three beers at a time in 10-15 minute increments! And the food took forever. It's a shame, I guess your paying for the acts from Germany. The entertainment band is usually fun. And i would suggest at least making one visit to see the live music cause it's straight out of Munich fun! I'm in a traditional German band and the music fits right in. This is one quality your really not going to find this at the other German bars. Other bars in the area have local acts but the Hofbrau gets the real acts from overseas. It's good to go for a beer and watch the music but just get ready to unload your wallet! As for alternatives, I would highly suggest laschet's Inn, then Mirabells and then Edelweiss and Brauhaus. The only reason why i say that is those to places feel more like a neighborhood bar rather then going to one of the "big" chicago german places. Prost!
(2)
Dan P.
Fun, Loud, and Tasty. we 32 people in our group for my wife and a friends birthdays, Our waitress Ashley was AWESOME, she got everyones order correct, she had a great attitude, she was very helpful in answering question about the bill and the food. It is hard to find good people like that. we will be back and always request ASHLEY. there was a 18% tip added to our bill, we also gave her 50$ on top of that. thank you for a awesome time!!!!!
(4)
Victoria M.
Went there last sunday. OMG Beer was great, food was great, Strudel was great! Not a cheap place to go, we spent 100 for two people,but had two beers, an app, two dinners, and a dessert. I had sausage to take home! The sourkraut reminded me of my grams. It was a fun time!
(5)
David K.
Exciting experience very crowded and loud - not my choice - met friends there for dinner and beer. Excellent entertainment during October Fest.
(3)
Nikki M.
I thought this place was mediocre. The atmosphere is very loud. It's kind of like eating in a cafeteria with a bunch of sloppy drunks. Women dancing on tables people yelling with their beers in the air. The food was just ok. I had the schnitzel with potato salad and a side red cabbage. I also tried some of their sausage and mashed potatoes and their potato soup. The potato soup was really thick maybe a little too thick. Kind of slop-ish. They really overdo it with the mustard that they put in anything involving potatoes. The sausage was good smaller than expected but tasty to say the least. I chose going here over the bavarian lodge in Lisle which I will never do again. This place IS not good for dates but rather for friends to party with. I also am disappointed in their lack of beer selection. Their beer is ok but lacks in flavor. I won't be going here again, most likely.
(2)
Ron S.
We visited Hofbrauhaus at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was at least 3/4 full. A German two-piece band was in full song and everyone was in good spirits. The decor is very German beer hall style and I think they do a good job of creating the appropriate Gemutlichkeit. I enjoyed both the Original Lager and Dunkel. The Lager was very good and the Dunkel was just average. My wife ordered a liter stein of light. I sampled it and it tasted OK but, lets face it, its still light beer. I ordered Gulasch soup and Jaeger Schnitzel and my wife ordered the Leberkaese. Sadly, food is where Hofbrauhaus drops the ball. The Gulasch soup was tasteful although mildly seasoned. For $5.95, the portion was small. It was adorned with salad croutons. I've ordered many bowls of Gulasch soup and never had croutons. OK - easily fished out and tossed to the side. My Jaeger Schnitzel arrived and I could easily tell that it was pre-prepared. It was dry and even the mushroom gravy couldn't save it. It came with spaetzels that were OK. Again, a weird adornment for my schnitzel - bacon! Yeah, I know everyone is on the bacon kick but it doesn't belong on Jaeger Schnitzel. At $18, they need to do better. My wife's Leberkaese was a poor, tasteless rendition of what can be a nice change of pace. Neither entree came with a vegetable. The best part of both of our meals was the potato salad that came with my wife's meal. Although I really enjoyed the beer and atmosphere, I felt the quality of the food for the price paid was not up to par. There is no doubt that Hofbrauhaus Chicago will be wildly successful owing to their great location and the proximity of ample tourists and convention business. For me, there are still a small handful of German restaurants in the area that offer a much better value and food product. Beer & Gemutlichkeit = 4 stars, Food = 1 star.
(2)
James K.
Came here to grab a drink after watching a movie, and I was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere of this place is amazing. It has the festive mood of Oktoberfest and a live band and Liter sized mugs. The micro-brewed beer was smooth. I tried the Dunkel as well as the Heffeweizen, and both were great. We came back here the following week with friends and once again had a great time. shots + spanks = hilarious fun time
(5)
Rachael P.
Take a deep breath and as soon as you walk into the place you smell HOPS!! Lots of HOPS! The establishment is great. Very big restaurant, awesome beer, and live entertainment. I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany and it doesn't compare to the original, but considering it's in Rosemont, IL it's not a bad comparison. I give it 3 stars and not 4 or 5 stars because the food is standard. Nothing extraordinary about it. It's not bad. It's just not memorable. The prices are a bit high for what you get in taste. Also, the wait to be seated is ridiculous!! A group of us stopped by on a Saturday night to find out that there was a 2 hour wait. We went back on a Wednesday afternoon and the place was almost empty. Therefore, service was superb! I have to mention that the beer is AMAZING! TIP: If you go on a Friday, call ahead for reservations. They make reservations for non-peak times. They do NOT take reservations on Saturdays.
(3)
Jennifer N.
I have been here twice in the past week to celebrate my dad's birthday and I have no plans on going back. I liked how big the space is and the decor. It does feel like a German beer hall, but that's about all I liked. I'm not really a beer drinker so I can't comment on that (although my dad said that it isn't the same as the real stuff...he would know, he had been stationed in Germany). The food tasted fine but they must do something weird to it. Typically I can eat German food (a brat or chicken with sauerkraut and red cabbage) and not gain weight, but the next day I was three pounds heavier (that's with no cake and hardly eating during the day) and felt totally gross for the next two days. Both times I went I ordered something different and each time it was the same. The service was mixed. On one trip it was decent but slow. The other trip our waitress was a little spacey. Orders kept getting mixed up and nothing showed up together. I asked for water and she said they were out. My brother and I each ordered a side of German rye bread and she didn't bring him anything and she gave me kaiser rolls. Finally she brought the bread for me but then tried to give my brother the kaiser rolls. (To her credit, when I was there before I had ordered bread and they brought American rye because there was a computer glitch...I'm assuming the glitch has not been fixed). She did not know the menu (for example, my brother ordered the seasonal beer and she tried to tell him it didn't exist when it is on the menu). It could be that some of the problems are due to the fact that it is a new restaurant. Maybe I'll give it another chance in 6 months, but for now, when I want German food, I will be going into the city.
(1)
Johnny R.
Deets.... Seats 1000, supposedly 2 hour place wait on the weekends, we went Wednesday night and it was maybe 20% busy. Our validated parking was free (instead of $13). Food was solid, beers were good, and the band was entertaining. I'd go again, though it has a sleek business feel, I felt like I could have been in Orlando or other touristy places. But don't get me wrong, the food was solid. If I was a non-local traveler and had a trade show at the Stevenson center, I'd eat here again.
(3)
Dave F.
I have been to this location many times since it opened. I feel like the food is over priced for what it is. I don't think its bad or they give you small portions. It is just simply over priced. I literally (not figuratively) think everything on the menu could be 2-4 dollars cheaper and they could still make there profit. I have ventured all over the menu and enjoyed the food, but I did not enjoy the price at all. My favorite thing on the menu is Schnitzel Wiener Art, crazy German names! The beers... I have really enjoyed the different beers I have had here. I enjoy the Hefe Weizen the most but have had the Lager and Light and enjoyed them both. Again I think they are slightly over priced. I think they could knock off 2 dollars per size and then they would be priced appropriately. The atmosphere varies depending on the day and time you visit. If you go for lunch or dinner early or mid week this place is a bit tame compared to Friday or Saturday nights. Those nights have a lot of entertainment and it is super loud, almost to the point where you are watching a show rather than enjoying your groups company. None the less, if you come on Friday or Saturday and have some drinks you should have a good time. I do like that while they make you wait for a table they do have some seating and a huge lobby with a gift shop. I appreciate not being stuffed in to a tiny vestibule with 20 other people. As with all restaurants in MB Park the parking can be difficult but it is to be expected. All in all I will be back because it is a fun atmosphere but I will probably only drink or eat because the cost is to damn high.
(3)
Greg H.
I went there earlier in the week with some friends from "Hey Der" Wisconsin, the land of beer and brats. The place was outstanding on all counts, ambiance felt like I was in Munich Germany. Excellent food, most enjoyable German music and the service was outstanding. Felt like I should have been wearing my - lederhosen, german word for leather breeches. Lastly the beer was fabulous, just like what would be served in Germany in the 1 liter mugs, smaller glasses are also available. All good, I would suggest you add this to your must go list with friends and family. Great fun and great laughs had by all.
(5)
Capaytano H.
Place is overrated probably would not go back. Food ok music loud. Would not make this a place to frequent that often
(3)
Liz A.
A fun experience that's probably worth trying at least once. The food is not as good as the one in Munich, but it's still pretty good and the choices are more German than you'll be able to find most other places. The downside, I think the American twist on the clothes, accessories and gift shop is kind of ruining the authenticity of this location. Also, it seems a little pricey.
(3)
Kristina K.
Excellent food, vibe, music and staff!!
(5)
Brian P.
Awesome place to enjoy some great German beer and traditional foods, all in a rowdy German atmostphere. The food is good but a little expensive and overpriced. Fast service and live entertainment were the best parts and you can get beers in 1 liter mugs. Music is a little loud though so this isn't the best place to have a business meeting or important conversation
(4)
vytas b.
I've been to Oktoberfest on the 'weisen a couple of times. I love the HBH, and I'd love to give higher marks to this place. It's an absolutely beautiful place - a very nice beer hall. But the beer is awful. You could buy 12 month old half liters of HB beer from Binnys and it would be better. The beer, instead of finishing with a sweet note, finishes with a seltzer water like taste. And that is their Premium lager(they were out of the light). The fest beer had the same symptoms. Maybe they are using a 'localized' recipe to compete with Miller lite, but the beer doesn't live up to the reputation, nor does it approach the real thing. Is it the lake Michigan water? I don't know. But I hope the HBH figures it out and fixes its beer I had the jaeger schnitzel several times (served with fried onions for some mystifying reason), and its ok. Better than the beer. In all fairness, I've visited several times since the opening, hoping it'd get better, but it hasn't; and I've asked some friends who've also been to the real HBH, and they've said the same thing ab. Waitresses in their dierndelslook fantastic, but it doesn't make the beer taste any better. Ok, maybe a little bit. Service is pretty good too, in my opinion.
(3)
Pham D.
This place is huge, but make sure you're ok with sitting at a communal table with another group of people. Even though we saw lots of empty tables, we were seated with a party of 6. I'm sure if you ask, you could sit somewhere else, but we were gung-ho for anything, so we just shrugged it off and sat down.. but...AWKWARD!!! We shared the crispy pork plate which was humongous. The piece of pork was the size of my head, and it came with 2 sides of dumplings and a bowl of coleslaw. The sides were bland, but that skin on the pork was so fatty and delicious. Apparently, it taste just like in Germany. They skimp on the gravy and we had to ask for more. A live band also came on at the end of the meal, and the place literally woke up. Stars were deducted for service though. We had a hard to tracking down our server. We were halfway done with our meal before our extra gravy arrived. The place also need a better system of table-numbering. I witnessed 2 separate servers/food runner standing there counting the tables with their head and getting lost about who's food is whom. It was really funny to see... Be sure to check out the gift shop on the way out. I would have love to check out the distillery though. Maybe next time.
(3)
J. Chuck K.
Be prepared to spend a few bucks.... Based on the prices, it's clear this place is catering to tourists and business people patronizing the hotels, conference center and concert venues. Although I came here with this expectation, I just didn't know how bad it was going to be. I know now why they don't post a menu with prices on their website. In contrast to previous reviews, our service was great. The beers were about as good as expected, but I was disappointed they didn't offer more HB beers. There wasn't even a seasonal beer. The negative reviews about the food are spot on. The food is not cooked to order and does taste like it's prepackaged. After ordering the jumbo pretzel appetizer, the waitress was back in literally under 2min with a cold one. Overall, the place has a nice authentic feel, and the band puts on a good show, but the food and prices are really unreasonable. It may be a good place to go with friends for a few beers and listen to the music, but due to the pricing it's not family friendly.
(2)
Andi C.
We went to Hofbrauhaus on a Friday early- about 5:30 pm. We made a reservation but when we got there we realized we didn't really need one. I was so excited because we went to original in Munich Germany and I thought for sure it would be reminiscent of that. The Good. 1. Atmosphere was light. 2. Band was fun. 3. Beer was good. 4. Bathroom was clean. 5. The look is very much like the original The Bad. 1. Very expensive 2. We had a server- Warren- who was more interested with flirting with with the other waitresses than doing his job. We had to have bus boys find him - twice-. He was never apologetic and other people in his section were complaining about him as well. 3.Food was so expensive and not quality. Nothing is made to order. The food comes out so fast- you know it's sitting under a heat lamp in the back. "No substitutions" obviously because they can't take the time to prepare a new plate for each dish. Overall: A great place to get a beer and listen to music but if you are looking for a nice dinner and good service this would not be the place for you.
(2)
Ricky M.
This place is awesome! Food is authentic, beers by the liter, the attire the staff wears, the bands that play whats not to like. This place does get loud so if your looking for a romantic night out this isn't the place to go!
(5)
R.g. C.
Atmosphere was fun but the servers did not know a damn thing about the menu nor did they know anything about Germany. Why the hell would you hire people that know nothing about weisswurst, pork knuckle, etc. and you are trying to up sell me by selling me the seasonal brew, which you brew in house yet I cannot have a sample? BOOM one star. I've been to Munchen and Bayern on multiple times, during Oktoberfest and not and the only thing this place resembles is their tent at Oktoberfest. I think the food was def pre packaged, as it tasted microwaved. 2 stars for the waitress jumping on the table with us as we sang hoy hoy hoy
(2)
Binni S.
I must say, this place is not for everyone. If you are looking for a new experience and trying different types of cuisine, experience, culture-- this may be worth a place to try out! The atmosphere is loud, but also very fun. The Beer hall is traditional with long tables and benches. They have a stage with musicians, and a small bar area too. My favorite part on friday/saturday nights when full-- people standing up on the benches and singing the drinking song along with the band (Cheers to you)! The food is not for vegetarians. Lots of Meat and sausage. The Half roasted chicken with rosemary is pretty good and the sweet mustard sauce with the pretzel is good.. One suggestion, I wish the pretzel was warm. I still enjoyed the pretzel as a snack even though it is served cold. LOVE THE BEER. If you are a beer person, this is a great place! They do only have 4 choices, but it is a microbrewery. I usually do not drink dark beers, and I absolutely loved it. Very smooth. The wheat and premium lager are also delicious. I love going to this place for the atmosphere and the beer but had to give one star off for the food. Happy Exploring!
(4)
Mike B.
I think every new place goes through growing pains, and some of the early reviews here seem to suggest that. This place is very new and the staff must be getting better because we experienced none of the issues some of the other reviewers encountered. Our hostess was charming, and we were checked in right away. While we've never been to this Hofbrauhaus, we have been to the original in Germany on several occasions, and our hostess was very interested in how this one compares with the original. Our server was very attentive and prompt. The beer was fabulous. The food was great. If you come here for a quiet meal, you've come to the wrong place - this is very much a German beer hall with loud music and lots of noise! It's all part of the experience. I downgraded the stars to 4 because of price. It is expensive. The food is good, but I still like the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle for their food. But for the total German experience, this place is great. I felt after leaving that the staff does read these reviews and is improving. Given the investment in this area, I'm sure they want to succeed. We will come back! P.S. make sure you ask to get parking validated!
(4)
Kristine N.
We came here for a birthday party and we were seated right away even though not all 20 people were there. Service is really friendly. It's a huge restaurant with a stage with a small band. It's not excruciatingly loud though, which I liked. Plenty of beer options and the boot is a must do. Although you must pay for the boot to take home, which I thought was stupid, not everyone wants to take a boot home. We ordered plenty of pretzels which were soft, salty, and huge. Came with 3 dips. The cheese and the mustard were good. For dinner we pretty much got a good variety of things and everyone seemed satisfied. The birthday girl had a burger which is apparently ground beef and ground pork which gives it that extra flavor. I ordered the jäger schnitzel which was sooooooo good. Came with an interesting noodle that I thought were potatoes. The cranberries give the chicken a good kick. My boyfriend ordered the Weiner schnitzel art which was fried crispy and was pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the potato salad. Very sour and had a weird mashed potato consistency. We'd like to come back and try a few other items sometimes soon.
(4)
Rick N.
We went to the Haufbrauhaus on Sunday for dinner with a party of 7. It was an awesome experience with singing and beer. Great food and beer, a great server Rae Rae ( Raeanna ). If you love German Food, bold beer, a party atmosphere, music and a Octoberfest environment. This is for you. Get the valet parking. Its only 7 dollars and worth it in winter. If you are a party of 4 or less you may share a table. Its Loud so its hard to talk so not intimate. Were going back with new other friends in two weeks. Rae Rae works weekends. I woud and always will ask for her section!
(5)
John G.
Hofbrauhaus was a blast last night. If you want a quiet little place to enjoy German cuisine, this is NOT the place to go. It's big, it's loud, the fresh brewed German beer is great and they have pretty good German food; it also seems to be everyone's birthday (the band announced one every 20 minutes). It was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but we enjoyed GIANT beers near the bar while we waited. We were entertained by the interactive band and the waitress that couldn't keep up with the line of people waiting for a spanking with the wooden stick (who knows, but it was funny). At least on a busy weekend night, it's a great place to go with a group to get loud, sing along with the band, stand on your chair and shout german toasts and have a good time. They also validate your parking ticket, so it's free. Or you can pay $7 to valet. Some say it's overpriced, but we didn't think so. The beers are huge and it's no more expensive than any downtown spot. As long as you know what you're in for, then it will be fun. Loud (did I say it was loud? lol), crowded, raucous, a little pricey and fun. The other upside is you can always meander to any of the other spots in the Rosemont Entertainment district.
(4)
Janet N.
Beer was good. Food is ok but pretty overpriced. $90 for and app, 2 beers a piece and 2 lunch entrees.
(3)
Pete L.
Nothing German about it. Beer is good, not even close to German Potato salad. Sausages are good. German band was a cover band. They were terrible. Very Disappointed. Not a German Experience at all. Over priced food and no German atmosphere at all. Go some place else for German food and music and beer for that matter.
(2)
Eric A.
I was ready to leave a bad review due to their no substitution policy. What restaurant in this day and age doesn't allow substitutions? Some people have diet restrictions and there are way to many restaurant options out there to not accommodate your guests. Luckily, we had a great waiter who sympathized with my anger of no substitutions and accommodated. Now that my rant is over, I will say the food was delicious. I ordered some roasted chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The beer, even though they are limited in options, is great. They brew their own beer, so it actually tastes better than hofbrau beer I've had before. If you want selection go to park tavern next door, if you want a great German beer in a beer hall atmosphere, this is your place. Even though their substitution policy sucks, this place is solid. Definitely, a great place to stop after work and grab a few beers.
(4)
Kalyn H.
I really dislike this place. Been here a handful of times because I love German beer and food and try to give them a "last chance" but I've been disappointed every time always due to the service. Even when sitting at the bar the beer is slow, the servers are awkward, and sometimes the just disappear. One time we weren't even noticed sitting in a section and had to wait over fifteen minutes before walking out and going next door. We tried to order the pretzel (small version under apps, $4-5 or so) and the waitress didn't even clarify and brought us the completely wrong, jumbo $15 one, what the...?!?
(1)
Susan C.
I won a hefty gift card to this restaurant and decided to use it to celebrate my October birthday. Big mistake. Huge. First, we made reservations and the gal who made them told us NOT to use the address on the website if using GPS and gave us a Bryn Mawr Ave. location to put it. Our GPS guided us on a roundabout trip to a back lot somewhere and it was already time to meet my son...We were frantic and tried to call the restaurant many times but they hung up on us. We finally found it and spot my son and his wife. The noise was deafening. Here's my advice: never visit during Oktoberfest! I couldn't hear myself talk much less hear my son across the table. I could barely hear the waitress. I felt the food was pricey for what you actually got. I wanted to substitute cabbage for potato salad but was told there were NO substitutions. There was no bread on the table and the tables were shared, no less, with others....People were going crazy, standing on the benches and singing and clapping. Okay, if you like this kind of thing but not for a special birthday. This is in a huge new entertainment complex. It's very hard to find and parking can be difficult. We valet parked for $7 & were the last car to be allowed to do so. Will NOT be returning.......
(2)
Geoff N.
Better than Edelweiss! Almost as fum as Munich! Great beer, great atmosphere, Fantastic food! The only thing that we didn't like was one of our two orders of potato pancakes. But seriously great food, and dinner show! If you can put up with a loud atmosphere, this is the place to go. Weiner Schnitzel and Jäger Schnitzel out of this world... probably one of the top German places outside of München(Munich).. a must try IMO, warning you may be waiting a bit for a table on Fridays or Saturdays they don't take reservations...
(5)
Jonathan N.
Okay service, good beer(brewed in house), and okay food. If you wanted German beer and food, I'd definitely come here because its hard to find a good combo of both. If you only want some good beer, I'd suggest park tavern across the street. It's more of a place you go to feel like you're back in Germany (I think they tried mimicking the old one) the food was not amazing or fresh and came out cafeteria style. It's priced a little high for what seems to be frozen food. I don't think I'd come back but that's because I'd rather eat other things in the area that is not German.
(3)
Cindy S.
Love the fun atmosphere! Food is wonderful and served quickly. Beer is so good hefeweizen is my favorite. If you get the pretzel be sure and get the Brie. Drinking games, fun band, people doing shots followed by a paddling all done in great fun. Party place!!!
(5)
Ken P.
I've read a few negative reviews of the Hofbrauhaus so I kept my expectations relatively low, and when I left I was pleasantly surprised. My family of four enjoyed everything from the jumbo pretzel through vegetable soup, curry wurst, and pork shank. While not a five star dining experience, the Hofbrauhaus hit all the marks for large, energetic dining/beer hall. Service was very attentive, live music lent a nice background without bring overly loud and the food was good. We had a fun time! I would recommend this restaurant to friends looking for a fun, dining experience and I will be returning myself.
(4)
Yunnis S.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere but overall 3 stars for the service and food. My husband and I took his friend and girlfriend here about 3 weeks ago. We made reservations as it was a Saturday night around 8pm. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated which was great because they were packed. We ordered the pretzel which was amazing. It came with 3 different dips and so we either loved all 3 or got to choose 1 that we really liked. The pretzels are flown in from Munich, Germany everyday which is fantastic. You can definitely taste the difference. When we looked at the menu, we didn't notice the price It's not something my husband and I really do when we go out to eat. We ordered our drinks and meals and just enjoyed the Munich-like atmosphere. The bench seating is great because if you've ever been to Germany, that's what it's like. The second time we went, we sat by some idiots and my husband calmed me down so I wouldn't make a scene. As soon as I sat down, the one lady said that it was awkward that we were sitting next to them, and they were also saying that they felt like they were at Medieval Times for adults. First of all, I LOVE Medieval Times and saying rude things like that is just disrespectful. Ignorant comments like that upset me because if you're not willing to immerse yourself in the culture completely, you shouldn't bother coming at all. Anyways, the food took some time to come out but we didn't mind. We enjoyed listening to the music and watching people dancing and just having a great time. My pork dish came with gravy and it was very salty. I couldn't even eat it. My husband loved his schnitzel and even loved mine, so he finished my entire plate as well. The potato dumplings were good and so were the spaetzle and red cabbage. My husband's friend and girl friend said the food was mediocre at best as we've been to other German restaurants together where the food is MUCH, MUCH better. When we received the bill, that's where the surprise came. The bill was REALLY high and we only had 3 beers at our table. The second time we went, we made reservations again for 8pm on a Saturday. This time, it wasn't as packed and we were seated right away. This will boggle your mind. The waitress who seated us came up to us about 30 minutes later and accused us of seating ourselves. We looked at her like she was crazy and told her, "YOU SAT US." It is really loud in there so I'm not sure if she was aware of the things we were telling her, but how do you not remember seating people that YOU sat? I mean, there are a lot of people in there but I would hope you're not that much out of your mind that you'd go up to paying customers and obnoxiously accuse them of sitting down without being asked to. Our jaws literally dropped and that left a bad taste in our mouths. I thought about complaining to a manager but as we were leaving, my husband asked to see a manager for a quick second and the hostess said, "It's gonna have to be awhile. It's really busy." Yes, it was busy so here I am writing this Yelp review which I don't mind doing (= This time, I ordered a different pork dish and asked for the gravy on the side. It was dry without the gravy but at least it wasn't salty. Again, the food was mediocre at best and the bill was pretty high. Overall, I'd recommend this place for the atmosphere. Other than that, do not expect stellar service or great tasting/priced food. There are definitely better places in the city and the suburbs for German restaurants that have great service, food, and prices. Oh and PLEASE do not write or complain about how you don't like sitting with others or about the atmosphere or some place. I will just tell you that you shouldn't try new things then because you clearly can't handle being open-minded.
(3)
ALFREDO M.
The beer is awfully good and so is the food. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what I had to eat which should be a good indicator of just how good the beer is. I'm not kidding - 4 liters is basically a 12 pack of beer... did you know that? I know that now. In my haze, I remembered we ordered some soft pretzels - and I think I had some sausage with some potato on the side... there was some cutlet that was pounded flat and breaded and fried... jeezus - we had a lot of beer and I assure you it was good. I feel like we were kind of hard on our waiter - we brought him a group of 12 and it somehow morphed into a group of 17-18. He split our check as well as he could - we were kind of sloppy by that point in the evening but he was a good sport.
(5)
AJ M.
Always wondered what it would be like to be at a bar in Germany, and according to a friend this is the closet thing to it without leaving the country. This place is great because it is so unique. The environment is like non i have ever experienced. The waitresses wear traditional attire and will spank you with a paddle after u order a round of shots. There's live music, and TVs everywhere (although there could be more). Now the beer is so so. Nothing special. The Hefe weizen which was my fav, it tasted like a Hoegarden. The Premium and light lagers had a really watered down taste like a bud light. I haven't tasted the food. Although I am definitely gonna comeback and try it along with the dunkel. If your up to do the boot deff do it!!
(4)
Jason F.
Hofbräu beer has always been my favorite and when I heard this place was opening in Rosemont I was really excited. Hofbräuhaus has 4 different types of regularly offered beer plus a seasonal and they brew it right there since it's a brewery. Hofbräuhaus is the only place I know that offers German beer in a 1 liter mug and it always tastes deliciously fresh and full of flavor till the very last sip. The "bands" on stage are usually older men dressed in German attire singing German songs in German but occasionally they'll sing American songs IE: Happy Birthday, Christmas songs, Thanksgiving songs and Easter songs.
(5)
Reena M.
Just had dinner here with my sweetie last night.. We had such a Wonderful Experience! The Staff was friendly and courteous, the atmosphere was FUN, and the food was Delicious!!! I can't wait to try the one in Munich, Germany! Definitely try the bread dumpling!
(5)
Ken And Laura M.
We were here April 9, 2013 for lunch. The beers were better then I expected. Three sizes to choose from. I wanted to taste one of the selections however, the waitress informed me that everything is metered so no tasting allowed.(???) Never-the-less I would have ordered what I tasted anyway it was that good! Laura liked it too. She normally doesn't like the darker type beer. The food was very good. Although for lunch is was a little pricey $72 with 15% tip (because we sat at the bar). We always tip less when sitting at the bar.
(4)
William B.
Rachel K's review is spot on. I really couldn't have said it better, so I won't try. I'll keep it brief. I have had the good fortune to visit the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. This is a mighty good experience of a German beer hall. sitting at long bench style tables, drinking large, liter beers, loud German polka music in the background, eating typically bland, German food- potatoes & sausages. Its a party, people. I do agree that it does seem a bit of a tourist trap, and can be pricey. As far as the food goes, it is very tasty for German food. It's not fine dining. No table cloths here. If you know to expect to have a good, casual time, then I think you will really enjoy Hofbrauhaus.
(5)
Christine B.
We, a party of four, went Saturday, 2-1-2014, at 8:00pm. We ordered the Jagerschnitzels and the Kalbschnitzels and Bratwurst dinners. The Jagerschnitzels, with the mushroom sauce, were excellent The Veal Schnitzel consisted of an extremely thin piece of veal, and mostly breading. It wasn't worth $26.99, and we wouldn't order that again. We had the Apfelstrudel for dessert. It was the worst strudel we have ever had, and we would never order that again. Our waitress, Tori, was the best ! Everything was delivered on time, and she kept checking with us if everything was ok.
(4)
Luis H.
Best beer ever
(5)
Sue H.
Well I wish I could give Hofbrauhaus a better rating but I have to be honest . We had reservations and were seated promptly in long bench type table we had to share with another family. Wasn't crazy about this, but ok whatever. The guys ordered beers and were pretty happy, and we also ordered potato pancakes and a giant pretzel to share. So far so good. When we placed our orders we asked that we substitute the german potato salad for mashed potatoes. We all wanted to do this - that is the only request we made. Nope there are no substitutions. Oh come on...we pleaded with the waitress and asked her to please ask the manager, but nope she was steadfast and coldly told us absolutely not. They are busy and it would be confusing !? So a side order of mashed potatoes was ordered at $4.50 for a small bowl for one person. Where is the rye bread? Any german restaurant should give you a basket of rye bread and butter while you wait - we have to pay additional for that too. Was starting to feel a bit screwed. The band was energetic and played lots of music and at one point everyone stood on their chairs and sang and acted along (if they knew the routine). We tried to join in but everything was loud and chaotic and we ended up just clapping along. It was also hard to have any conversations because of all the noise. When the food came we expected a lot of food for the price of the dinners and I am pretty sure we were all disappointed. My pork tenderloin was good, but served with the German potato salad which I had no luck in substituting. Everyone else also left the potato salad untouched on their plates. So my dinner consisted only of the breaded pork tenderloin and the previous appetizers and ice tea. We also had to pay additional for gravy ! My husband said the sausages were good but nothing special and not worth the price. For dessert we ordered a couple of slices of apple strudel with vanilla sauce for ten bucks each and we split it. It was good. When the bill came it was over two hundred bucks. Ouch ! We paid, tipped 15% reluctantly and all agreed we would not be coming back.
(2)
Anastasia S.
This is a novelty place.. It might be just me but wasn't a fan of the food
(2)
Julie D.
They used to have a parking lot on the north side of the building that is gone and we didn't know where to park except in the parking garage, which is $13. There is a parking lot on the south side of the building that we didn't see until we got to the building. They will validate the parking ticket for you so it costs you nothing. Food has always been good and the beer is good as well. We always sit at the bar and have had no problems with service. The guys who play the music make it very entertaining by getting the guests to join in! And yes, it can be loud so if you are in the mood for a quiet evening out, this isn't the place! Will definitely return!
(4)
Madison M.
This place was the nastiest place I've ever eaten. Gray meat, stale pretzel, bland mashed potatoes with every gross schnitzel inbetweeen. Unless you're getting blown by Gerda in the back id keep the sausage away from the mouth... DRUNK FOOD ONLY.
(1)
Sarah S.
We went here on a Friday night around 7:30pm. Had absolutely no wait. Got seated outside on the patio- very nice. The inside has beer-hall style tables that were totally packed. They had a live band playing a mix of german drinking songs and old pop classics. Also did silly games like stein holding contest- totally cheesy but actually quite entertaining. Beer prices are fair, comes in multiple sizes. Saw a bunch of people with the totally ridiculous 1L size mugs, if that is your game. The area around is well developed with many restaurants and a movie theater. There is also the outlet mall recently opened. Parking was a little confusing, but not too bad. I took off 1 star because the food was just mediocre for the price. My husband had the Jagerschnitzel on recommendation of our server. It was very good. My dinner (can't remember the name) was mediocre at best. Meat was on the dry side, sides were bland. The "dark beer sauce" was oppressively salty. Would definitely expect much more out of a $17 entree. The server was attentive, food and beer came out in a timely manner. It seems totally acceptable to hang out for a while and just have beer. All in all it was a fun experience. I plan to go back. Might stick just to beer and maybe some appetizers instead of a full meal.
(4)
John v.
It's got the oom pah pah band and all. Bring your skates in the Winter...there's an outdoor skating rink too!
(4)
Rick C.
This was my first time at the Hofbrauhaus, my friend went to the one in Munich regularly when he worked for BMW. Fred had the Weisswuerst grilled (two links, med at best) with spatzle, I had the Schnitzel with dumplings, we each had the potato soup (best part of the meal), gravy and I had a diet pepsi while Fred had a .5 (Small) beer. The total was $70.12 before tip. I'm sorry I expect a lot more for $70! If you like German food go to the bavarian-lodge.com in Lisle, IL. Service was also poor. Very disappointing.
(1)
Kyle E.
Had an amazing time as always! The band really makes the experience. The dunkel is my favorite, but try all the beers. Will keep coming back again and again!
(5)
Ashley P.
POSITIVES: Fun & lively atmosphere, good selection of German food & tasty beer, large restaurant, live music, lively crowd, good location (the new MB Financial park in Rosemont), validated parking in parking garage. NEGATIVES: Pricy & extremely loud (to the point where you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you). I've visited this establishment twice- the first time was for a work party with 40 of my coworkers. We had a more private seating area off the main dining room, so I didn't realize how loud this place really is. The group sales rep helped us pre-order a menu and set it all up for us buffet-style, which worked really well for a group that size. The second time was with a group of about 20 to celebrate a birthday. We ordered from the menu; dishes range in price from around $15-$30 each (and beers from $5-$15 each), so it's certainly not an inexpensive evening. We were in the main dining area this time- the long communal-type tables are comfortable and fun. The live music is extremely loud, and the band had all the patrons standing on the benches of their tables at one point in the evening. It makes for a fun party, but nearly impossible to hold a conversation. Hofbrauhaus is certainly worth a visit, especially since there are so many cool new places to check out in the area.
(3)
Ricky R.
Three couples go out together several times a year for dinner and this time it wasn't our turn to pick the restaurant. Therefore the little misses and I had no choice in the matter and drove out to Disneyla.............no wait a minute, I mean Rosemont and met up with our friends at Hofbrauhaus. I was told this was as authentic as you can get. Almost exactly like the real Hofbrauhaus in Germany. Well if you say so I will not argue with you because I have never been. However I have been to Epcot Center when my children were young and this is what they do. Make up fake replicas of restaurants from foreign countries and make the employees dress in costumes. That is fine if you are trying to entertain children but this is an adult destination. The whole area is a fairly newly build entertainment center with a very touristy feel. Sorry folks, just not for me. Oh yeah the food was just average, the beer was good, and you couldn't hold a conversation with anyone more than one seat away from you because of the noise, I mean entertainment.
(2)
Anna W.
I've been here twice now once late on a Saturday and the other time for dinner on Father's Day. I was hoping that the second experience would be better but sadly it wasn't. The first time we had a horrible waitress who couldn't get the order right and brought out our food really late. She also messed up our bill and refused to fix it. When we asked to speak with a manager she rolled her eyes and walked away. The manager wasn't much better she asked us over and over again why we didn't ask to see a manager when the food took so long. They fixed the bill but we left with a bad taste about the place. I came back for Father's Day (my dad loves German food) but the waiter wasn't much better. He barely spoke with us and acted like he didn't want to be there. The food was good (but over priced) and the band was fun. So sad that the waitstaff makes me not want to come back again.
(2)
Cindy S.
Fun, easy going. A bit too loud for conversation when music is playing
(4)
Charles B.
Big disappointment! There's no old world charm here folks! It's new world cookie-cutter. The parking is a nightmare. I went to Hofbrauhaus with the hope of ordering a brat and a beer for lunch. Pretty simple, it's a German restaurant/beer hall right? Wrong! At the so-called "Chicago" Hofbrauhaus I had to order an entire plate of 3 brats/sausages for $16.99. That was another of many bad signs. What made it worse is that I was just at Gene's Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square and could have had a fantastic brat for $6 on the lovely rooftop beer garden and real Old World charm. Worse yet, last weekend I had a delicious single brat for a mere $6 at the Milwaukee Hofbrauhaus, which is in an Old World Germanic building constructed in the 1800's. Better yet, the brat was made by Usinger's across the street and it was the best I ever had. The Rosemont Hofbrauhaus is more a scheme to get into your wallet or pocketbook. Needless to say I will never be returning to the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont (not Chicago) and I suggest you avoid it too because you will surely be disappointed as I was and I am sure countless others were.
(2)
Simma Down Na H.
Miserable looking waitresses and hostesses (although mine was very friendly from the rest) and overpriced entrees and beer. My meal was good but not worth $14. Yes, the band was entertaining. But overall I will not return.
(2)
L Y.
I was really excited to go here. I was starving and love German food. Unfortunately, the food here is mostly bad. I had the schnitzel wiener art. Very tough and tasteless. Even a little salt would have helped. One friend had the wurstplatte that had tasteless sausage and really bad hot dogs. The Jagerschnitzel was ok but not great. Obatzer was ok as was the salads, but how can you mess up salad. The kid's pretzels were really hard to eat. They tasted like they were frozen with freezer burn and defrosted and put on plate. They were cold. Potato pancake bland and greasy as well. The giant pretzel was salty but soft . The food is nowhere near being good food. There are so many really good German restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that this is a place to avoid if you are looking for good German food. The service started out bad but got better. That said, the atmosphere can be fun. It is large and loud with a band. A little surreal to see a German band wearing Lederhosen play Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Journey. This is not a place to catch up with friends. You can't have a meaningful conversation but you can laugh at the odd choice of songs the band plays and just enjoy the company of friends. The giftshop was cute according to my daughter. Bottom line is if you are looking to have good food, don't even think of this place as an option. If you want to drink beer in a really big stein, listen to Johnny Cash songs being played by a bunch of guys in Lederhosen and just laugh with friends, this is an option.
(1)
Russell D.
The food was absolutely awful. Party of 3 was over $80 and only 1 beer was ordered. Sane your money and grill some sausages in your own backyard!
(1)
Michael R.
Not a bad place, not bad at all. I was going thru Germany withdrawals and wanted to check out the scene. Fun atmosphere. They love singing. Reminded me of my time out there. Good beer too. Would recommend.
(4)
Einstein F.
Sorry but this place a lil weird ... But never been to Germany ~ supposedly the taps don't give out samples and computerized *cheap* waitress first clueless we were her table and too giddy - Chicken dance !? If its your thing - I'll be at Toby Keith's :)
(3)
Joern H.
$$ good food, good entertainment (German/Bavarian traditional) I liked it, let's hope they stay like this! Live music is quite loud, just to mention it. Lunch specials just for 10$ had a big nice piece of Schnitzel with potato salad - was pretty good, Apfelstrudel for dessert - also very nice
(4)
Nicole S.
This place is sooo much fun!!! Went in with a group of 8 for dinner so we got a table to ourselves in the main dining hall right up front near the band. Walked in got seated and within minutes we found ourselves standing on our benches dancing and cheering! The atmosphere really makes the dining experience memorable. Our table enjoyed a few pretzels and the seasonal beer for July was really good. I ordered the Sauerbraten for my entree and I thought it was a good portion size, the meat was very tender and I love spaetzle and red cabbage although I wasn't too crazy about the cabbage and the dish had a little too much gravy for my tastes but I know that's a personal preference. Not sure if I would have had the same experience had I not gone with a larger group but we all enjoyed it!
(4)
J H.
The hostess (all 6) were rude and snappy. They seemed to very upset that we interrupted there gossiping of the other employes. Once we were seated it became obvious that staff main priority was flirting with each other. There were more staff then customers yet all of us seemed to have trouble getting any of the staffs attention. The nicest people we encounter while at hofbrauhaus were the other customers we bonded with over the bad service.
(1)
Elena G.
Overpriced loud mediocre food and drinks.
(1)
John T.
80 Bucks for 2 beers and 1 cheeseburger is a joke!!! Once is enough for this place. I love Hofbrau beer but I'll stick to buying it at Binny's. If you want good German Atmosphere check out Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln square. same amount of fun for a third of the price of Hofbrauhaus.Thanks HB but no thanks Won't be going back anytime soon, maybe, if they reprice the outrageously overpriced menu. Auf wiedersehen.
(2)
Matry P.
I am a German flight attendant and go to the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich often. I was impressed with this place. Similar to the original, but friendlier staff. Food tasted great, (but the red cabbage was probably sweeter than it should have been).
(5)
Davide P.
Excellent food! Actually as close as possible as the authentic bavarian counterpart. I don't know the reason of the 3 starts, but imho it deserves much more. We've had Swiss cheese, Kaesespaetzle and a bretzel. We'll definitely come back!
(5)
Sai P.
Their service sucks...I would rather spend my time at Five roses Pub next to this place. Was put off by being asked to sit in another area after a rude group of snobs claimed their table was reserved...it's a "Beer Garden"...part of the atmosphere is to sit with others..they were being served their main course so they were not in a position to have others attending their snob fest.. The group should have been told to go with the flow or move themselves.
(1)
Al R.
Where to start? I'll begin with MY experience and then do the food. First, they take no reservations on weekends. Kinda crazy IMO but, that's just the way it is. We had a party of 15. That's a lot. The place ought to have a party/banquest area for large crowds. Since the dinner time starts at 6 PM, we figured to get there before and place our names in at the front seating stand/desk(?). For 15 people, it would be at least an hour wait. Forget about getting a drink. It's a near impossibility. So they finally call our number after milling around a super-crowded lobby. Turns out they have a large table with bench seating. Should seat about 10. If we wanted actual tables, it would be an extra hour! Mind you it is 30 degrees out and everyone has coats. Guess what? No place to hang them up so they must go on the bench, taking up valuable space. Ok, women, children and elderly first. The few men will stand for the time being. 10 minutes before we get our waiter. (On a side note: the place is filled with pretty, bosomy staff, and WE get a dude!) He'll see if he can help get better seating, but he'll take drink orders first. Great. He goes around quickly and comes to me last. I ordered a gin and seltzer. WAIT! Better make that two....I have a bad feeling about this. I see him write it down. Meanwhile, we are standing around the table, other customers and staff scurrying all over. Standing room only for sure. Did I mention that this place is probably bigger than the Park West? HUGE. (I'll get to that shortly.). So, 10,15 minutes pass and nothing. I've worked in the industry all my life--I GET IT. I get the delays and unforeseen problems. But our waiter hasn't even been SEEN in that time. Another 5 minutes and I mosey up to the bar, but there are no open spots. I stand next to the empty waitress station and am asked to move. Finally someone gets up and I ask the surrounding bar people if I can get an order in quickly. No problem. It seems that there were 4-6 bartenders and 3 or 4 waitresses behind the bar and they are all talking leisurely to the people sitting. No acknowledgement. No putting the index finger up to imply "One second". Standing and waiting. The seat filler comes back and pushes me out of the way, but I let it slide- he's about 80. Then I go back to stand at my table. 5 minutes later our waiter arrives with a tray full of drinks, including a couple of those big-ass steins that hold a barrel of beer. I understand that he can't make it all on one trip. He then comes back with the remainder of the drinks.....except for mine. I told him that I had the two gin and seltzers. Okay, he says, he'll go get them. GONE. After 10 minutes, he returns. WHEW! Relief is here. Now I can look at the menu. Not so fast tubby. He gave you gin and TONIC. Anyone that hates tonic can sympathize with me that I can't just grin and bare it on this. The invisible man has disappeared again. I grab a passing waitress and BEG if there is anyway for me to get a drink. I tell her the story and she apologizes and says she'll get them. Comes back about 5 minutes later and says that she found our waiter and he'll bring them because they are already on the tab and she doesn't want it getting double charged. OK. Finally my correct drinks are hand delivered after 5 more minutes. Okay. The waiter then starts taking food orders and I haven't even seen a menu, now scattered across the giant table. Give me 3 minutes to look, I ask. He goes off again, probably to the same dimension that missing socks go to and is gone for at least another ten minutes. And the music is blaring.TOO loud. A patron next to us tells me to cheer up. Ha! Says the one seated and with her food. I muster an odd grimace that probably resembles the look of a man getting his colonoscopy. 10 minutes later, a party member finds the waiter and tells him I haven't ordered yet. He comes over and I simply tell him "360". Simple enough. Why did it take 20+ minutes? After that they found a table that the kids were placed in. Finally a place to sit. Things are looking up! The odd thing is that at 8-830PM, the place starts to actually surrender more tables. I would have thought that it would be their busiest time. Meh. Now the food: The food arrived in good time when compared to the seating and drink waits. It was very warm, but not hot. Immediately edible but not steaming. The sauerbraten was good. It was ADEQUATE. Small meat portions and mostly spaetzle. Others had fish, burgers, steak, sausages, and salads. No complaints, but everyone was kind of unenthused. Beer was good. Large ones cost $13. Mixed top shelf were $8.50 + for short cocktail glasses. Our bill for 15 was over $700, which included the auto-gratuity of 18%. He didn't get any extra. Over all, the place is too much. Too big, too sterile. One member said it was like Great America without rides. I am guessing that there are 150 tables AT LEAST, and most are about 4 feet apart, at best. The place is too big for management .
(1)
Rachel K.
I am writing this review not for what this place is but what it is not. I have had some harsh reviews in the past. I tend to be harsher on independent businesses because they have complete control over everything that happens where as corporate places do not. And make no mistake, this IS a corporate place. It IS a place for tourists, business men, suburban dwellers and people who would never be adventurous enough to eat in an ethnic neighborhood or be outside their comfort zone in general. DO I think HBH Chicago (or more accurately Rosemont) is the greatest culinary experience in the world? NO, hell no but it's not supposed to be. It's supposed to be a place where you go, get a little tanked up, let your hair down and have fun and it is exactly that. I think the criticisms range from odd to down right hilarious especially considering you can tell these are not worldly fine diners but small towners and suburbanites who are attracted to places like these, which may be a problem for HBH. First off it IS a bit hard to find because it's not visible from the entrance. This is not so much of the fault of HBH but the owner of the complex who has neglected to put up signage. Same with the parking garage, who would be a separate owner entirely, not the restaurant. You do get your parking validated and if you don't want to walk the few feet to the place. consider yourself a lazy ass. The place is not a cozy intimate dining experience, it's a loud, kitschy place designed for over-stimulation and drinking, great for letting off steam and celebrations. Not so great for 90 year-old grandmas and dates, unless power drinking is your idea of a fun date. As for the food, I think it's funny that people who've "been to Germany" complain about the food and people who are actually German love the place. In my opinion, German food is extremely basic and bland, there's only so much you can do with sausage, potatoes, and cabbage no matter if you get your food here or in Germany. I will say the sausages and pretzels were of good quality and they do have a great black forest cake. There was one complaint about nothing being healthy which I hope they never go to a French place. They do have salads but why would you come here for salad? And yes, it IS communal dining, which me, me, me Americans have a problem with. My suggestion is...Have a few beers and unplug yourself. Maybe you'll have fun and an interesting conversation with someone outside your narrow circle. Now comes the price. People complain about prices, which are no different than in other corporate chain type restaurants, about 13-30 dollars for an entree. What IS different is that it is European portion sizes and I think most people are expecting the giant chain restaurant fat ass style portioning. Also JUST LIKE IN EUROPE, for all those travelers, who clearly only ate in McDonalds and their American hotel chain restaurants, there is a charge for extra condiments and bread so no unlimited breadsticks here. What they do not do, like in Europe, is instantly add gratuity for small parties, SO TIP YOUR SERVERS WELL! Yes I'm in the industry so I know people will take out any problems on their server. Your server does not cook your food, brew your beer, build the parking garage, seat you, control the volume of the band, or not direct to to the restaurant properly. They only take your orders and help deliver food. So long as they are nice and attentive, you have no excuse to not tip well, any other issues should be taken up with management. Speaking of service, ours was great. Our server was named Max and was friendly, polite, attentive without being intrusive or cheezy. Plus a cute accent and some good eye candy to boot! Now for the beer. I think people are expecting more of a micro-brew because it's also a brewery and guess what, this IS what beer from Munich tastes like. In fact, it's what most German beers taste like which the taste most American beers are based on (Hello, Budwieser). I think as long as you have realistic expectations of HBH Chicago, you'll have a great time. So go with a fun group, drink beer, eat pretzels, sing songs, chat with your neighbors, and get SPANKED!
(4)
Ashley S.
This was an interesting night to say the least. Ready to go for a 5:15am flight at 11:30pm...what to do, what to do. We were headed to Mexico Sunday morning, so we thought, well it is Saturday night, let's go out and get a drink or two and then head to the airport. With Rosemont being just a hop, skip and a jump away, it seemed foolish not to check it out. IT WAS PACKED. I've never seen so many people stuffed into such a small area. You couldn't even walk through on the sidewalks, it was so crammed full of drunks! We made our way to HB and luckily, it wasn't quite as crowded there. We had a seat at the bar, ordered a couple brews and were chased away by some weird guy that was either really intoxicated, or mentally challenged. It was ok though, we moved to the patio, where we got a free show! There must have been a wedding celebration going on and well I'm not sure who was mad at who and why, but there was definitely some tension! There was a guy in cuffs, an ambulance and a whole mess of cops. Even with all that, people still continued to drink, act a fool and get in their cars and drive away. I just hope everyone made it home safely that night. We finished our beers and made our way to O'Hare....it was a great way to start our vacation!! haha
(5)
Carrie R.
I had been to this place for a birthday in the past and had a great experience. So much so that I decided to hold my husband's 30th birthday here. I made the reservation a month and a half in advance and when I called them to confirm they claimed to have lost the reservation. I understand that accidents can happen, bit the manager I spoke with was extremely rude and condescending. He offered me a reservation two hours before the original time I had planned but insisted we would have to be out in two hours. I've never heard or a restaurant kicking out a party of 20+ people who are actively ordering food and drinks. I am very disappointed in the customer service.
(2)
A S.
THEY DO NOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS. For me this is a huge problem; this is a brand new restaurant there should be absolutely no reason why they can't do separate checks. I came with a group of 9 people and we had to puzzle out who owed how much at the end of the meal. Having to individually calculate what each person owes is a huge mood breaker and a terrible end to an otherwise ok meal. The Good -I liked the food, it's not groundbreaking, but its not bad, esp the spetzel and saurbraten. -large place -good atmosphere -live music -beer that pretty much anyone can drink. The Bad -doesn't take reservations -doesn't split check -no substitutions with your meal -expensive (and no prices listed on their website) -beer is not exciting, a beer snob like me has no reason to drink their beer ever again.
(3)
Kevin B.
Where do I start? Parking: Very small adjacent lot which should only be a handicap lot considering the place seats over 500. The garage for the whole entertainment center is a complete mystery, signage takes you in circles, lighting is dim and spaces are meant for subcompact cars but everyone in the lot has trucks and SUVs. If you're there when a movie at the adjacnet Muvico lets out, be prepared to sit -even when your're trying to park. Facility: It is a barn. Not a bit of cozziness to it and not warm (as best I can decipher) like the HB in Germany. TV sets are tuned primarily to the "HB Channel". There is a smaller dining room with tables for 4 but it wasn't being used this afternoon. Several brewing vats were unenclosed in the dining room and when the brewmaster opened them, steam and foul brewing smells spill out into the restaurant. While some kettles were behind closed doors, these were not and might be a problem for folks with allergies. Beer: I was expecting a lot because it is a brewpub. Unfortunately, it has nothing of the taste of HB beer brewed in Germany. I was at the HB (Old German Beer Hall) in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago and had German-brewed HB on tap which was way more flavorful and satisfying. Price is $12 per liter which would be fine for import beer but not for this stuff. Menu: Food was WAY overpriced. My wife and I had two entrees (lebercase for me and she had veal sausages) including potatoes, 1 red cabbage and 1 liter of beer for $51 including tax and tip. The only thing with any taste were the veal sausages while the potatoes were totally bland and the red cabbage was over-cooked. I had asked for a side of rye bread for $1 which turned out to be ONE slice of bread - after laughing, I asked them to take it back. Music: Nice feature but I think that the entertainment cost must be built into the menu. Overall: Not worth the time and effort to get there. I won't be back. If you want a real treat, go to the outdoor HB beer garden in Glendale/Milwaukee when it re-opens in the spring. If you want a local German restaurant with lower prices, Kuhn's in Des Plaines is not the greatest but a much better value and more authentic.
(1)
Rob L.
Tried the happy hour plates the onion sausage was good and came with onion crisps. The pretzel was cut up and served with a nacho cheese and the pulled pork sliders were good and not dry. For drinks i tried the darker dunkel beer its a light beer for being dark with nutty fruity flavor.
(5)
Jae K.
I've been to this establishment twice. The first time, it was almost empty. The second time, it was very busy. The band is always a pleasure - they actually play some really nice songs, though a bit "old". I haven't eaten much German food, but I thought the food was pretty good. The portions are pretty big, in my opinion bit I can't eat much. I had the schnitzel platter which was pretty good, and it came with a standard German potato salad. I forgot the name of what my brother ordered but it was tasty too. (3 types of meat on a bed of sauerkraut). The service was really great. We didn't have to wait long and the waitress periodically checked up on us. Though I have to say that the boisterous nature isn't for me. I understand it's supposed to be loud and such , but just not something I enjoy. I would come back though. Also, we didn't pay for parking. If you park in the non movie theater parking, it's 13 bucks but you can get it validated at the gift shop. Woo!
(4)
Matthew F.
Great tradition and what you would expect for an offshoot of the famous brewery. Great beer.
(5)
Corey S.
German birthday song is a nice touch & getting paddled by the shot drink paddle. Should play a variety of German songs, especially party songs. Not Brazillian songs. Beer is decent. The decor is really good. Service is good. Food should be Americanized, & the music Germanized. Then more stars.
(3)
Kristina K.
Despite the fact that the life size chess game is not there anymore, I am still a big fan of the entertainment district in Rosemont. So many different places to visit. There is a Greek restaurant, a bowling alley, Adobe gila, TKs, park tavern and iFly Chicago. Since I had never been to HB I literally pushed my husband and his friend to go and try this place out. Sure I can be selfish but I like trying new places and I don't see why they cant be like me. We entered and we were told there was going to be a wait since there was only one hostess working. (A hostess told us that by the way) Strange how we weren't allowed to sit down ourselves since there were a million and one tables open outside. The establishment is massive, clean and fun. The decor is not that impressive but it is cool looking. Nothing like its fellow restaurants in the area. The server came right away. She was nice, relatable and very effienct. They didnt have the July beer but she offered the June one and after her description, I was sold. It was good. The issue with the place was the food. I have never been a fan of German food. Its bland, boring and unhealthy. Nothing about it entices me. And I was right again. We had the sausage plate and the potato pancake and salmon platter. The pancakes were bland and tasteless. I am trying really hard to find something synonymously boring to compare it and I can't. Paper may have more taste than the pancakes they offer there. If I am going to have carbs they better be delicious, otherwise what is the point of my sacrifice? Whatever! I came, I tried it out and I am staying away.
(2)
Pam D.
Not my cup of tea (or beer). It is too big, too noisy and too much the tourist trap. The food was hit and miss. Some things were good, but most things we tried I have had better at other German places around Chicago. We won't be returning any time soon.
(2)
Ed A.
came here expecting lots of sausage and beer on the menu. We were not disappointed. The also poor a decent glass of wine. The ambience is pretty cool and music different enough to abuse and enjoy. Never thought I'd hear 70s music in a German beer hall in 2014. Don't get the connection, but whatever. The waitresses/servers were friendly and efficient, and always ready to keep the alcohol coming. One wonders whether the same German band plays every night (God help them. If that's the case). Not a bad place to stop by for beer and a bite, probably appetizers. A good time, sure. But definitely not a destination restaurant, especially for German food
(3)
Kevin C.
Gone down hill since my last visit. Food was less than good, did not come out hot and a bar staff that seemed less than accommodating! I'll try it again, maybe just the night that was less than what I expected.
(2)
Jim K.
What a disappointment! This place was built to take advantage of conventioneers. Poor beer, bad service and mediocre food. I came in for lunch and tried the dark lager, which was too warm and flat, and the hefe which was too hoppy. My sandwich came out late and cold after 25 minutes. They only brought it out after I asked about it so they just forgot about it. When I told the server that our took way too long, her response was "I can only do what I can do". At least you can save some money by not leaving a tip here. Awful. If you're visiting Chicago, go to the Countryside Tap in Niles or any of the German places on Lincoln Avenue. Your money will be much better spent.
(1)
Jeff S.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and was really looking forward to visiting their sister restaurant in Chicago. The decor and everything was well done, but it really paled in contrast to the experience in Munich. The food was good, but not outstanding. Their pretzels they billed as being from Munich were honestly too dry and didn't seem as fresh as they should be. It wasn't a bad experience and everything was ok, but I found myself feeling compelled to apologize to the rest of my group for being so insistent to go here, only to have an "OK" experience, particularly when there were so many other choices in the immediate area where it's located.
(3)
Richard H.
Found the beer just as bland as the food. It's a loud place even before the music starts playing. It may be good for a beer drinking party but.... It's to costly.
(2)
Michelle K.
I'm not really a fan of this restaurant but my German husband enjoys going here. This restaurant is way too touristy for me! The place is so loud you can not have a conversation with the person next to you and the food is way over priced. I would not recommend this restaurant there are way better German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)
Zach Z.
I dont know what all these bummer reviews are about, I liked this place. The first Hofbrauhaus my wife and I ever went to was the original in Munich so needless to say our expectations were high. Now dont get me wrong this place doesnt compare to Munich, but I wasnt really let down. It has more of a modern vibe than i would have liked for such a historic brand, but they did capture some of the stylings of the original which I thought was cool. The seating is classic benches like the original, but then they throw in bar height tables and regular tables as well to appeal to all. The entertainment was awesome as they had a traditional German style band that would interact with the families that were there. All the kids in the place loved it as they got to hold the instruments and interact. Also, they played the traditional Prosting song which was cool. It also looked like they had a private room that could be rented for parties and what not. Not to mention they did have a couple HUGE TVs there. Lastly, there is a gift shop so you can get some overpriced, almost authentic gear. :) Check this place out, I will certainly be back.
(5)
Meghan C.
I love this place! :) I was there this past weekend with a group of 20 to celebrate my birthday. Making a reservation was so easy which is unusual for a group of 20 on a Saturday night especially because I made the reservation on Thursday!! The service was great, the beer was great, and the atmosphere is awesome! My butt still hurts from being spanked but it was all in good fun! :) I have been to the original in Munich and it lives up to that atmosphere 100%. We are already planning on coming back for another visit.
(5)
Shelly D.
Excellent food very entertaining fun evening! If you don't like loud go some where else. Great celebration place.
(4)
P K.
Great follow up by General Manager, Jim Olson. Things don't always go smooth in any business but it's how the business responds that makes all the difference in the world. Jim Olson understands that. Very impressed with his follow up.
(3)
Yvonne O.
I'm just not impressed anymore by this place. Perhaps it is the high price tag? Maybe it is my inability to drink their beer right now? It could be the excessive amount of children running around the place during weekend lunches. Either way, I think there are better places to get your schnitzel on and for less money. We got the special fondue with pretzel bites to start and I had the schnitzel sandwich with fries and husband went with the half chicken again - with potato salad that was WAAAAY too oniony. He ended-up eating half my fries, dipping them in the fondue. The schnitzel needs a sauce - whether it is a cranberry-type or some kind of mayo - it is too dry to eat without it. The fries are very good - we ate them all. He liked the chicken just like last time, but wouldn't rave about it. The band is also getting old - it is the same stuff every time you are here (on repeat) and it's just loud and annoying after a while.
(3)
Vishal B.
An authentic German experience! Big beer hall, communal tables with a band playing. A loud raucous place. Lets talk about the brew, made here on site.. is delicious! The big pretzel is a must have with a stein of beer. I personally think the Hefeweizen here was the best wheat beer I have tried in a long time. Oh.. lets not forget you can bring your buddy here on his birthday and get him paddled by a waitress! I am sure this is a true German tradition.. so come make memories with your friends!
(5)
Robin T.
This place is a blast! Service was fun, attentive - Roxy was the best. We had "appetizers". The sausage tower and potato pancakes. Fabulous to share. We sat in the bar, but the long dining tables and traditional German band really built the atmosphere. The one puzzling "activity" was the "paddling" of patrons. Thank you sir, may I have another.
(5)
Dave W.
Heard about this place from a couple of co workers. The host seated us promptly and we were quickly greeted by our server Anthony. Anthony should be a trainer for all of the new employees who join this awesome establishment... Anthony quickly introduced himself, took our beer order.. kept up with our silliness, offered up suggestions.. which we took on his word. We were all pleased and satisfied with our meals and beer suggestions . Needless to say Anthony made flight delay on Sunday the 25th an exceptional experience. We will return and make sure we get seated in Anthonys area.
(5)
Rayna L.
I have stopped by for happy hour and loved the currywurst. It was speedy and their Hefeweizen is one of my favorite beers. I returned for a drink on a Saturday evening and the place was packed with families that had just come from the theatre across the street. It was fun but the live polka music was a little loud for me and I am not a fan of sharing the long bench tables with strangers. Still, I will definitely go back and I will get the gluhwein again. It was nicely spiced and perfect to warm you up on a chilly evening.
(3)
Brian B.
This is a loud, festive, German beer hall with oompah music and that is what makes it great. That should be understood before going. Of course, the mothership Hofbräuhaus in Munich is better, but if you only have a few hours this one is great. The big negatives in my view are the parking (not the fault of HB) and the difficulty getting to the place. Otherwise, once you get there order a nice liter of real beer get some roast pork and kick back, adjust your attitude and enjoy the gemütlichkeit. Yes, this is not a cheap place, you pay for quality here.
(5)
Andreas K.
After visiting Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont, I've come to the conclusion that it's one of those places you either love or hate. I'm sure you can tell how I feel about it based on my rating. I kind of knew what to expect when I went in, but I wasn't expecting the atmosphere to be as celebratory as it was. That's not a bad thing. My buddies and I arrived and were seated really quickly, despite the place being jam-packed on a Saturday night. We promptly received our beers and ordered the food. Took a bit for the food to arrive, but I'm not too fussed over that given the sheer number of people in there.
(4)
g d.
Went with a small group. I had the Schnitzel. Very good. Never had it with cranberries before. But that was good. Also had a side of Red Cabbage. Never had it before. But very good. Had a flight of beer. I thought they were weak tasting. Could use some improvement. The oompah music was fun.
(4)
John T.
Authentic german beer hall. Huge place - beautifully kept. Long tables, huge TV's and a lot of cool rooms set up. Beer served in huge mugs - and they sell the boot shaped one's as well. I had a dark which was OK - that is my only gripe, although really nto a gripe, I like a bigger beer selection - but that would be less authentic as well. Food was good, staff was friendly. It is right on The Park - so plenty of parking and other choices of places to go for round 2 (or 3 or 4).
(4)
Kristine R.
"Meh" is a great word to describe this place. It's not bad, but it just doesn't knock my socks off. It's a great tourist attraction, so if you're from out of town or you've got family coming to visit you in the suburbs, and the city is just too scary to visit, then this is a great place for a fun night out. I've had better German food before though, and at half the price. Even the lunch menu is way overpriced for what you're getting. Do yourself a favor and get some brats at a hot dog stand first, and then go here for the atmosphere and blow your money on beer instead. You'll be much happier for it.
(2)
Jessica G.
So this is an interesting place. Big, loud, full of people and beer. And sausage. Can't forget that. Parking is weird - there is valet and there is also apparently free parking but after 10 minutes of driving around and trying to figure out where to go, my head was going to explode so we just paid to valet. The interior is enormous. The furniture is dark wood - long benches and long tables. There's a stage at the front and there is also a gift shop. The food is pretty standard - if you want gourmet, this is not it, but for sausage and sauerkraut, this is decent. Portions are fairly generous, too. If you like beer, they have it, a lot of it. I believe they come in bucket-sized mugs, and the dunkel is very tasty. They only have a few different types of beer and one monthly special so don't go in, expecting a multitude of choices. And for the size of the place and the number of people, we found service to be pretty good. Our server handled our large, loud table quite nicely and in a very timely fashion. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich recently, this is a pretty good copy of the original. Worth visiting once or twice but probably not an all the time place.
(4)
Jeff B.
So much food! The portions were huge! I simply could not eat all the meal they brought to me. it was very tasty and after a long day on my feet, it was welcomed. The drinks were nice as well. The atmosphere is infectious with the music and fun. bring a big group, or just a few and you're assured to have a good time. The staff was as friendly as could be and made the evening more enjoyable.
(4)
Peter B.
Great beer, food and big pretzels! Came here for my birthday a couple of weeks ago with a big group and reserving a table for 13 was not a big deal even a week ahead of time. They spank anyone who takes a shot here, so it being my birthday I had to partake in these activities, a couple of times :) Very busy and packed on a Saturday night so reservations are strongly recommended. Will definitely come back for lunch sometime!
(5)
Marta S.
If you want beer and a fun atmosphere in a loud and large place this is it. Food overall was not so good and we tried a bunch off things there, you safest choice is to stick with beer and the large pretzel. The other dishes we tried were not good at all.
(2)
Dougie M.
Anyone who has been to Germany will know the Germans for their perfection when it comes to efficiency. Ok, so yes the wait system to get a table was an absolute mess and the servers looked pretty miserable however this place is a lot of fun. Live bands and entertainers keep the atmosphere going whilst you enjoy some authentic foods - not the best German cuisine I've had but still good. Definitely enjoy the atmosphere and have several beers - which are great! But don't pretend it's "real" - having been to Germany several times I've never known them to perform the Star Spangled Banner! But a good fun place!
(3)
Tom O.
Very disappointing. I had the sauerbraten and it was way over cooked and really lacked flavor. I tried to sub more spatzel for the red cabbage and they refused. Daughter's pork schnitzel also had zero flavor. Very over priced. The ONLY reason I give this two stars is that I loved the music!!! Maybe I would go for an appetizer with friends, a beer as long as they had music. But this isn't the place for a meal.
(2)
Blake N.
It was a cool place. I did not have any of the food. Just went for a drink and the entertainment with some friends. The live music was very entertaining and fun. They had a little bit of comedy in them as well. Would definitely go back for another fun experience.
(4)
David K.
I had the crispy pork shank which is a weekend special .It was absolutely perfectly cooked. The skin was a crispy and added a textual element to the melt in your mouth pork. It was paired with a potato and bread dumplings with a side of a cabbage salad topped with bacon. This was a pork fest better than most BBQ that I have had. The skin was so crispy that i thought "pork skin chips" yum!
(5)
Sean P.
This was my second time going here and the only reason I went back was because it was a group outing. They lost our reservation end ended up sticking our group in a side room with no one else and away from the entertainment (which is half the reason you go here in the first place) even though it was 2 in the afternoon and the place was otherwise pretty empty. The service was mediocre although the servers were friendly. The food was also mediocre and not really worth the high prices (why I wouldn't have gone back after the first time had it not been for a group outing). It's a good place to grab a beer but don't expect to get a great meal.
(1)
Pari S.
Went here Friday night. Of course its Octoberfest, but strangely when we first arrived, the hostess in the front was almost hesitant to seat us. We showed up at 4 pm and was told most tables were reserved already for 7 pm. There were only 3 in our party. Which we got seated, and noticed the whole entire restaurant is huge. It can probably seat over 400 to 500 people. It was still empty. We ordered a few beers, which were half pints around $7.50 each. I got the hauffbraus platt, my other parties got a fried tilapia plate, and the other was the crispy shank plate. Food was average. Maybe a lil bit pricey. My plate was 23... the crispy pork shank was 25, and the fish plate was 19. Good thing was, we didn't wait too long for food to come out. Maybe about 15 minutes. I tasted a lil bit of everybody's food. My fav was the crispy pork shank. Portion was huge and worth the price. The other dishes were just alright. We ended up ordering a pretzel at the end, to finish off our beers. But was not to crazy bout it. Kinda hard, and dry... overly salted. It came with a cheese, and 2 kinds of mustards. Was around 9 bucks. I do recommend this place, if you are a beer drinker. But not a food place. Was kinda cute to see everyone in costumes. Saw a live band setting up. But weirdest thing was seeing the waiter with a paddle. He paddled 2 women, who bent over on the table. I heard a loud smack and a loud yelp from these women. I Don't recommend bringing your kids. Atmosphere is really loud and everyone is drinking. Would I go again... maybe, if I wanted a crazy fun loud drunk night out. But no, I wouldn't bring my family there. Would just be to hard to try and explain why grown women were getting paddled at a restaurant to my mom and dad, or my kids.
(3)
Tellsplatte ..
Three stars! $7.50 for a dunkel. Worthy of 3 stars. I had this footlong sausage with sauerkraut and the sausage tasted much like a breakfast sausage!
(3)
John K.
Made reservations two weeks ago. I asked to be seated near the door as we had an elderly party with us. Upon arriving the host started to take us to the back seating area at which time I reminded them of our request the host sought out help from a manager. With a two tabels open near the door I figured it was just an oversight but no the manager informed me those tables were for parties of twenty or more. We were seated one table off the stage. At a table for ten with another party. So if we could sit at a table for ten why not the one for twenty. The waitress and food were excellent as was the entertainment. It's a shame that management can't take a hint from their workers. By the way Mr Manager have you heard of being ADA compliant
(3)
Amber K.
We made reservations on a Sunday night during Oktoberfest.... The place was full. Fun energy and live music and dancing. The waitress told us they fly a new band in every month from Germany to perform all month. The menu had a ton of different options. Pricey but good. The food tasted pretty authentic my German grandparents and mom would have been impressed. If you're in the mood for German, check this place out.
(4)
Jessica S.
Beer: 5 stars. Hefeweizen. Atmosphere: 4 stars. It's a German Beer Hall, it's supposed to be loud and your supposed to share tables. Outside seating is a cool option though. The band was fun but I wish they would have sung Ein Zwei Suppe! Food Quality: 3 stars. I've spent a lot of time in Germany so my expectations are likely unrealistic. It's good but I've had better. Food Cost: 1 star. Was ist das?! The prices weren't this high in Munich and the dollar is practically worthless in Europe! Way overpriced for quality. Notice that last word, quality. I will pay a lot for amazing food, but not for 3 star. Would I go back? For beer and pretzels with friends sure. But if I want authentic German, there are other spots in the Chicago Suburbs and even downstate where I live. If your travels bring you near Gibson City you MUST try Bayern Stube. Seriously authentic and worth the drive and price!
(3)
Meredith A.
The food was a bit bland not a lot of flavor. The October fest live music and show was worth the price of food which is way over priced for the flavor. The server was nice...it was just so loud it was hard to order with her. Otherwise cool experience...but I don't know if I'll go back.
(3)
Austin G.
GREAT FOOD! Good service even when packed. The one in Munich is by far the best buy off you want a great experience the Chicago one of next best. I've been here a few time now and never been disappointed.
(5)
Jolynn K.
Went here when it first opened my boyfriend lives in the area. Ordered the Wienerschnitzel it was huge and delicious. Went back last Saturday and ordered the same thing but this time the piece of meat was so small and fatty. Very disappointed and it was $23.00 but the service and beer were great. Won't be back.
(3)
Donatas D.
Thumbs up to the Austrian entertainers. 5 of us visited this place and we had a great time. They had a couple of contests Friday. The beer was awesome as well as the food. We will definitely come back. Also, a great place for a girls night out.
(5)
Nan T.
Schnitzel is pretty good & huge portion..... Very noisy. It's worth it to go there once if you're in the area... We've been there a few times...and not worth the price & noise after first visit. Can be fun for a birthday.
(3)
Nicole W.
Fun for entire family! Music playing, people clapping, you can't help but smile and clap along! Kids menu is affordable @ $5.95 and the chicken tenders and fries are tasty, portion large enough for two small children to share. German style menu, large portions and everything is good! My vegetarian mother in law completely enjoyed her salmon dish. The light beer on tap tastes like a heavy Miller Light so go with that selection if you are unsure about the other german beer. Adult meals are all about $19.95 a dish. Validate your parking ticket at hostess desk so you get free parking ($17!).
(5)
Jay L.
The place to go if you want to be able to order some large portions of meat, in a raucous, but very entertaining atmosphere. Went with a large part of a 10 on a Saturday night. The service was not as bad as previously reviewed. Our server came by just enough, and had a Top 5 of platters he enjoyed most. The most entertaining part of the evening was watching other patrons, some of whom had a little much to drink, and the stein holding contest. If you hit the gym frequently and work out your shoulder muscles, you have a shot at taking home a stein of your own. The food was okay. Nothing to rave about, but not bad either. The cold cut platter (Hofbrauhaus Brotzeitteller) and the pretzels (Obazter Classic Bavarian Appetizer) were just that. The Friday/Saturday night special of Pork Shanks was pretty good. It is a large quantity of meat, but pretty tasty. I would recommend giving it a shot. Overall, I would recommend coming here first for the entertainment, and second for the food.
(3)
Kate D.
This place is only open due to drunk college guys and families with small children (found this odd). The food is bland and mediocre at best. I had a pretzel ($14) and it wasn't even fresh. Warm but stale. I split a half chicken with a friend and it came with potato salad... We had been starving and we couldn't even finish it.
(2)
Jordan M.
Fun place to eat. During my time there I stood on a bench and danced, participated in a beer stein holding competition, and got paddled for my birthday. Food was decent too.
(5)
Jason G.
A great atmosphere and really make you feel like you back in Germany. The food is delicious and the beer is even better. The Hofbräuhaus was our favorite place to eat while stationed in Germany and this is a close second to the original. Will eat here again.
(4)
Judy L.
Dear Hofbrauhaus, What you need is a $10 beer sampler with all 4 of your beers in 4 oz sample sizes! I am an IPA girl and I had no clue what to order and without being able to taste a beer sample, it was tough to decide. Even harder to decide considering your menu does not list any prices for the 4 beers that you do offer in various size mugs. Didn't want to be stuck with something I really didn't like. 5 stars for your Lager! It was really good. The German band with their German beer chant was also excellent. A little loud for a Thursday happy hour, but good. The reason I can only give you 2 stars is due to your lack of beer samples, lack of published prices on the beer menu and the cost of food being WAY too high for the actual quality of the product. I had a room temperature pretzel with cold condiments for $13.95! Are you kidding?! There was no cooking involved, serving it was a breeze and the cost of ingredients could not have possibly exceeded $2. So why is a pretzel $13.95?? It really wasn't even remotely delicious and I certainly would not order it again. The special cheese spread...meh. It was okay. Overall the place is spacious and it has a cool vibe. The servers in authentic German outfits look great. The store with all kinds of cool German candy and knick knacks is fun. Your downfall is your actual food/restaurant experience. I would consider coming back for a beer during Oktoberfest, but otherwise I would not be a repeat customer. Disappointed, Judy
(2)
Mark T.
Visited last nite, wanted a beer after a show downtown, closer to home. A bit loud, problem is that we were there 45 minutes and the "live" band played the same 3 songs over and over, roll out the barrel, happy birthday, and a german drinking song, and not the whole song. Got annoying so we left. After reading some of the other reviews it looks like we got out in the nick of time. (p.s. to the management: why would you ask if the music was too loud on the comment card? manage your establishment! It isn't too loud, its too monotonous!) This place will make a lot of money, a few loyal customers, it is clean, the waitresses are nice...but Chicago deserves better. Oh, and by the way, if you build a beer hall, you need to make the bathroom big enough, reminds me of Soldier Field, Chicago's biggest beer hall.
(2)
Eric E.
A fun place to meet friends for a whimsical time out. Fourteen of us crammed into one of the table along the wall, and though it makes a difference where you sit, it was a very loud location! We would recommend the closer tables if you're going to dance with the band, and the farther back ones if you want to catch up with friends in between "Prosit!" ;-) The entertainment factor was fun - a German band playing music (we had authentic songs sung while we were there, unlike some who reviewed with American music), getting people involved in dancing and singing, and even walking around with a 14' long Alpenhorn. The variety of music was good, though the quality was mediocre, at best. The food was decent. Not the best, but pretty good. Many German favorites were missing from the menu, however. No Suelze, Zigeunerschnitzel or Eisbein (though this last one isn't so common), but fair representation of traditional German favorites. The food was prepared fresh, and served hot. Jaegerschnitzel was good, potato pancakes fair, pretzel very good (reminding me of the enormous one we had when traveling through Bavaria), and spaetzle good. The beer is decent, though the selection is limited. If you like the standards, it's just fine. Service is where HB shines! Our server, Jess, was fantastic. She did a great job of being patient with our mix & match group (7 couples), arriving at different times and trying to keep the orders straight. We opted to forgo the separate checks about 10 minutes in since the couples weren't even all sitting together. The meals came out accurately, at one time, and hot. Now, about my rating. ;) My family is German, and I grew up with this kind of party atmosphere celebrated for most major events - my parents birthdays, anniversary, and our weddings. In that, and having attended many German events from the Milwaukee German Fests with thousands of attendees to the local restaurant where the Germans actually eat, this was definitely the 'tourist version' of German celebrations. As with any culture, it's very difficult to simply visit and get a feel. One really needs to share the experience with those who identify with it. I would swear that the three of us at our table with German heritage were it for the restaurant, as no one we talked to, from our server to those at the front desk, knew or were German. Not a big deal, just a point of interest from someone who has been privileged to see the culture from the inside. The food is decent, but not great. The entertainment, a fair approximation of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, but lacking the energy of those who actually celebrate this way. The servers are excellent, though the front staff seems to just be there and take a paycheck. Very detached in front. :( Come and enjoy, and see if you can find some Germans with whom you can join arms and sway with the music - schunkeln!
(3)
Bob S.
Would not recommend overpriced and not family friendly. Table next to ours was receiving a "paddling" from servers and then these grown men began to do it to one another in full view of the restaurant and families. When I saw this I was appalled, this place is not for anyone who wants a wholesome good time. If you are interested in man on man paddling well then this is the place for you, but others who prefer not to see this disgusting behavior stay far far away. I generally don't write reviews but I really had to say something after spending quite a bit of money and then having to leave in disgust.
(1)
Ken G.
I love Germany and this brings a bit of it to Chicago. Great change to the traditional steaks and burger joints. Just recently opened and we are watching food fly out of the kitchen. Our server is great and entertaining. Now bring on the German Polkas and we will have a party! Tschüs!
(5)
Albert W.
We had a great time! My family is from Munich, so my Mom really enjoyed herself!
(5)
Bill M.
Fun time. Band and good beer. Can't hear the person next to you. Expensive. The Food is not the reason to come.
(3)
Amy G.
I went to the opening party and had a great time. Food was good, beer is great, and the place is fun. It was also free. We went back last night and I am pretty disappointed. It was still the same fun place with great beer, but the food is REALLY expensive. $14 for a brat? That was the cheapest thing! Also I asked for dumplings instead of fries and the waitress said "no substitutions". That is one of the worst things for a restaurant to do. The food was okay this time, and I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)
Slim H.
Good beer. Food, ok. Service-good and bad. Sat outside (patio is very nice), forgot I was near ORD so the planes overhead became annoying while trying to converse. However, that beats sitting inside with the loud bands and constant singing of Happy Birthday over and over again the Friday night I was there. Probably a good place to go have a beer and an appetizer. Black Forest desert was yummy. I did make a reservation on Open Table before hand, that helped.
(2)
Josh G.
An authentic German feel throughout the entire building. The workers were just as authentic! The only problems were with the food, which was over priced. Portion size was rather small for the cost and my dishes seemed to be more focused on the side dish instead of the actual main course. I had more fries on my plate than I could count, but I was more interested in the meat on the plate which was lacking. The place itself is wonderful and full of fun for any occasion so it's still a good time, especially with the band playing traditional tunes!
(3)
Bluto T.
More cons than pros: Pros: the atmosphere is pretty cool; large venue, packed, upbeat, clean (obviously it's new), overall pretty fun. Cons: The hiring manager should be tar'd and feathered. They purposely pack the front of the house and the host area with the few younger/pretty women on the staff, but as you work your way to your table you will likely be getting served by a dude or and old lady wearing an uniform designed for a twenty-something. WTF?!? This is a bar right?? I realize this is not Tilted Kilt, but for God sakes have an attractive and primarily young staff, that's service industry 101 standards! Our server (a guy, which went over well considering we were a large party of guys) gave us a incorrect bill twice! He added a neighboring tables drinks ($13 each mind you) to our bill the first time, and then someone elses dinner the second...wtf? Not accommodating: You better hope you like the side that comes with you dish, because unless you claim your deathly allergic, they will not make ANY substitutes for you. After several minutes of ball busting I had to claim I was allergic to potatoes to sub veggies for my fries. Overpriced: The quality of the food (or lack there of) does not justify the prices. As you eat you have the "ehh" look on your face, yet you're paying $17 for a burger?!? Overall I wanted to like this place because your initial impression when you walk in is excellent, unfortunately the staff chipped away at that excitement rather quickly.
(2)
Erika B.
I love love love the Hofbrauhaus. My favorite is the one in Munich but Chicago and Cincinnati are pretty awesome too. We were staying out by the ohare airport and realized there was a Hofbrauhaus next door. Was so excited. Food and beers were delicious as always. Love the schnitzel and the lager. The performers were much fun and the wait staff very friendly. I'll be going back the next time I am in Chicago.
(5)
Georg T.
Good, but overpriced. And why should I pay $7 to have someone park my car for me, instead of allowing me to park it for myself in the great big lot right next to the restaurant? I can get better German food for less money, with cheaper, more accessible parking, in lots of other places. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)
Candice-Marie B.
NOT impressed. The first time we went there we liked the beer and the atmosphere but we did NOT care for the bartender. He was not friendly at all and we were not sure why he choose to be in the service industry. The second time we went back we sat at one of the hightops in the bar area. We are not sure why the waitress is in the service industry either. She was very haughty right from the beginning. We were hoping to have some kind of sausage plate appetizer for Oktoberfest but they only offered a dinner and we didn't want a dinner, the other appetizers looked unappetizing so we settled for a "Freshly Baked Pretzel". I was looking forward to a hot, steamy, salty big pretzel but it was COLD, just like our waitress. When we told her it was cold she told us that if she wamed it up we would not be experiencing a true Bavarian pretzel. Then she said something about the high volume of the place and they don't put pretzels under lights and some other BS so she took the pretzel away and brought us a new one and told us that as a favor to us she put it in the microwave..... Gee, thanks. We saw a rather large table being served and it reminded me of room service with the silver lids on the plates, made us wonder if their food was sitting under some lights while they microwaved the potatoes or something. Also, we asked for a sample of the Oktoberfest beer and were told by the bartender that everything is measured so they don't give samples. This bar/restaurant is very impersonal, it left us with the feeling that their staff is scared out of their wits to do anything to make the customer feel at home, AND the whole place is totally fake. If you want a good Oktoberfest Sausage Platter go to Stonewood Ale House in Schaumburg, they have a nice German beer that I call Frankensteiner but it's really named something like Franzischaner or something like that. Hof Brau Haus is just not worth it.
(1)
Fiona C.
Food and beer are so-so. "No substitutions" policy should have been my first hint to just go. They flat out refused a simple request to substitute a vegetable instead of potatoes to accommodate a special diet. Hardly asking for anything that would have changed their product costs. Atmosphere seems "Disney" and contrived. Much better German fare around Chicago.
This place can be a lot of fun but probably isn't for everyone. I've been here twice: once with several friends and another time with my parents. On both visits the food was good and fairly priced - the portions of both the beer and dishes are massive so you do get your money's worth - but the ambiance can be hit-or-miss depending on when you go, how crowded it is, and which one of the rotating bands is playing. The wait to get a table on a Saturday can be fairly lengthy - around an hour since they don't take reservations - but I'd still recommend going on a Saturday to get the best atmosphere. Going to a place like the Hofbrahaus when it's half empty and when no one is in the communal, German partying, beer-guzzling spirit is a waste of a time and, really, a waste of money. Far as recommendations, the sampler entree is a good place to a start if you haven't had much experience with German food and the Wiener Schnitzel is probably the largest cut of meat I've ever seen (it's as big as the over-sized plate that it's served on). The Half-wiesen is in my opinion superior to their Dunkel and is a better compliment to most German foods, the Potato pancakes with salmon are over-priced and underwhelming, the salads not worth ordering, and the various Pretzels are delicious and a fantastic complement to the rounds of beers you're bound to consume over a lengthy dinner. Oh, and finally, the Apfel-strudel is divine. The most authentic I've seen in the States. A must order
Came in over the lunch hour on a Friday with a buddy a bit worried because of a seeming abundance of negative Yelp reviews on this joint. We were greeted by a very polite, friendly hostess and seated very quickly. The place is absolutely huge and was rocking with all kinds of people during the lunch hour. We were a bit confused by the parking situation here but don't fret fellow Yelpers - there is a decent sized surface lot located right next door and if you park in the multi-tiered parking deck, this joint will validate your ticket...and yes, the parking ends up being free. Yeah, baby... Now for the grub. My buddy who joined me for lunch is a German and has been to the original Hobrauhaus in Munich and to several other beer halls in his homeland so he was a legit judge, in my humble opinion, for the authenticity and quality of this place. We started with the pretzel: nice crispy crust and a soft, pillowy very light inside. Not at all like the Superpretzels you get at the store or at ballgames. It came with a sweet mustard, a spicy mustard and some kind of cheese sauce as well. All very tasty. Next, I ordered the pork cutlet schnitzel: It was as big a frisbee and was almost bigger than the plate. Cooked perfectly - crisply fried on the outside (and not oily or soggy at all) and beautifully tender on the inside. I read some of my Yelp brethren complain that this was frozen food. I must respectfully disagree. This tasted fresh and did not have a frozen taste at all. The dish came with a delicate, fresh cranberry sauce and some yummy Bavarian potato salad which was delicious- not too much mayo and the potatoes and red onion were very good. My German buddy told me this Schnitzel was right on the mark and did not seem to be a frozen patty like some folks had said. My buddy had the veal and pork sausage in the poached form. They were delicate in taste and texture. Kinda cool that they come in a little kettle so that you can grab one while the other sausage waits in some nice hot broth and stays warm. The Beer: We had multiple glasses of the lager, the hefweizen and the dark beer they serve here. The lager was crisp, golden and refreshing. No bitterness whatsoever. I think it helps that all of these beers are brewed on site and are fresh. The dark beer was also tasty as was the spicy hefweizen. You can't go wrong with the brew here follks. Our server was attentive and they seem to have a search and destroy team of busboys that don't let finished plates sit too long. One thing we missed was the music. A nice sized stage sits in the front of the cavernous beer hall and we were informed that bands from Germany play nearly every night. Our server also shared with us that after 11PM the place turns into a pseudo-nightclub with a DJ spinning tunes. Give this joint a try with some friends. I agree with other Yelpers that this is not the spot for a romantic dinner or quiet conversation but why the hell would you want to do that here anyway. Give this joint a try, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Chris B.
I was really happy with my recent trip to Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Dancing on the tables, liters of beer, and all around great atmosphere. Our waiter was a little green but he took care of things. We went with a party of 6 and had to share a table with strangers of course. People were dressed up in laderhosen and the music was excellent. By the end of the night we were on the tables singing the plane song. We all wondered how American restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Applebees and Chilis became the standard since they are so boring. I would love to see more locations and I hope this location does well.
(5)
Michael-Colin R.
I've been waiting for this place to open and after giving them a couple of weeks to work the kinks out my other half and I went to have a late lunch after a matinee of Hansel and Gretel at the Muvico across the street. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!!! I will say first that I was disappointed in the decor as I was expecting SO much more than just a plain, cold, industrial looking cafeteria with uncomfortable wooden benches and long tables. I clearly understand what they were going for here but there was a great opportunity to successfully marry that traditional Munich beer hall atmosphere with a modern, hip, warm and cozy sensibility that was completely missed out on here. The space is vacuous and once the band gets going conversation is almost impossible and we were there from 4 - 5:30 pm when they were hardly busy except for the bar. I can only imagine how impossibly loud this airplane hangar of a place gets when it's REALLY full of people having a good time. Our hostesses were friendly, our server was friendly, attentive and did a nice job of explaining the menu and making recommendations. We started out with the jumbo pretzel for our appetizer which despite not being served warm and chewy as expected was still very good especially when dipped in one of the three accompanying sauces, cheese, sweet mustard or onion mustard, all of which were quite good. (So good in fact that the onion mustard made a great dip for my partner's fries later on.) He ordered the chicken schnitzel which was light, crispy and perfectly delicious as were the accompanying battered fries and the sauce which was similar to a light, thin, thousand island dressing. I had the traditional Sauerbraten (Bavarian style red wine marinated pot roast) served with vegetable strips, potato dumplings and a side of their famous" red cabbage. The post roast was beautifully tender, the gravy, delicious as were the sides including the cabbage which I must admit I am generally NOT a fan of in any way and I almost finished it all. We had already ordered when our nephew texted us to let us know he would be joining us. We ordered him a cheeseburger and fries which our server timed perfectly with his arrival. He devoured it loving every bite but I noticed that it came with a much thinner, different style of fries that were not as good as the battered dinner fries that came with the schnitzel so if you're ordering a burger be sure and ask for the better fries! We finished up with the dessert tower which came with cheesecake, a mini frosted cake, ice cream and hot raspberry sauce and Black Forest cake. All were awesome but the Black Forest cake is ridiculously light, delicious and not overly sweet. The portions are small but still enough for 2-3 people to share. ( I have no clue what "Jonathan N." was eating but absolutely nothing we ate was even remotely close to frozen cafeteria food quality. "Juniper N's" problem of gaining 3 lbs. each time she ate there and then "feeling gross for the next two days"... yeah that didn't happen either so clearly her one star review is derived from some other issue of a very personal nature.) With a name like Hofbrauhaus, it pretty much goes without saying that the beer is awesome. I won't go into their history here but to learn more about their over 400 years of brewing experience that went into that glass of suds you're drinking you can read all about it here: hofbrauhauschicago.com , You can swill it down like a frat boy if you want to, but this stuff deserves a little more respect than that. Concept A+ Execution D+ Menu A+ Service A+ Quality A Value B Grade B+
(4)
Juan A.
I LOVE BEER!!! just that simple!! just look at the yelp ratings! I The live band entertainment is awesome!! just get in your car and get here!!!
(5)
Hans L.
I like German beer. I like Hofbauhaus beer. I drank it and enjoyed it immensely. Prost! I like German food. I ate Hofbauhaus food. I'm not sure what I ordered now. So, I guess that would be neither good nor bad. (On the other hand, I can tell you exactly what I had at the Berghoff last time I was there, and that was fabulous.) That was the trip before last. The last time we were there we stopped by on a whim für ein Bier und eine Wurst. You know, a beer and a bite. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the patio...and waited. Server after server crossed in front of us, but no one stopped. We folded our menus and placed them on the corner of our table, usually a sign that we would like to have a conversation about ordering something. 10 minutes later and we were still watching servers cross back and forth. Aw, c'mon, just a beer for crying out loud. Oh well. There's an Irish pub knockoff just across the way. A half and half sounds good, too. And have to tell you, it was good. Sláinte! By the way, they also have a patio. I will go back to Hofbrauhaus, yes indeed: I like their beer too much. Maybe I will update this at that point.
(4)
Kyle W.
It's an experience. Yes, it's overpriced, loud, tacky and far from an authentic German environment, but it's a great escape from the boredom of every other ho hum restaurant. The food is decent and even includes quite a few options for vegetarians like me. Obviously get the JUMBO PRETZEL and a stein of beer so you can toast with the band and the rest of the crowd. Try the spaetzle! It's like your classic mac n cheese but with Swiss cheese and fried onions. The servers are friendly and always enjoying themselves. Where else will you find yourself standing on top of a bench with a liter of beer and doing the chicken dance with a hall full of people? Do it!
(3)
Mark C.
Went last night. Food was good, I had the Schweinebraten. Enjoyed the flavor of the pork roast with the beer sauce. If anything, wish the portion size was a little larger (3 slices of pork instead of 2, or increase the potato portion), but did not find the price unreasonable based upon what was provided. Would have paid $1 or $2 more for a larger portion. Fun atmosphere and enjoyed the live band. As it was a Tuesday, it was not horribly crowded, but I could see how the noise level could be high if the place was relatively full. Thought our server was attentive to our needs, and service was fairly prompt. If there was one negative about the experience, it would be associated to the bill. Not an overly large issue, more of an annoyance, that I hope is inexperience as opposed to deliberate. The server was kind enough to calculate the gratuity at both an 18% and 20% rate and wrote those figures on the bill. I appreciate the gesture, but I do wish they would make the calculations on the pre-tax figure as opposed to the post-tax figure. While it is only a few dollars difference, and certainly is not the first place I have seen do this, it is a pet peeve of mine. What I believed was a 20% tip was actually a 22% tip left to the server.
(4)
Matt P.
I wanted to like this place, but I just couldn't. First, we call and ask if we can make a reservation for later in the evening. They tell us that they aren't accepting reservations. We get to the place, which is a madhouse, and are asked by a busty hostess if we have a reservation. We say we don't, but that we tried to make one. We wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, not terrible for a party of 3 on a Saturday night around 6. On our way back to the table, we walk past a LOT of open tables. I suppose these were all reserved? The interior reminds me of a large open cafeteria. Very touristy and all about getting as many people in and out the door as possible. We each started with a beer, which were fine. Nothing too special. The "fresh baked" pretzel was hard as a rock, but the mustards were good. We all liked the darker brown one, which had a nice sweetness to it. We also got the liver mousse to dip the pretzel in, which tasted a bit like whipped Spam. We ordered and our food came out surprisingly quickly. We soon discovered why... I imagine the kitchen has large trays of ingredients prepared ahead of time in bulk, and are just thrown on a plate when ordered. I had the grilled chicken with spätzle. The chicken was mushy, the sauce was ok, but the spätzle was really bland. As I suppose it should be. My partner got the pork schnitzel, I think, but it came out looking exactly like mine: same mushroom sauce and spätzle. The chicken sandwich our friend ordered looked okay, but the fries seemed very run of the mill. Maybe this dish is geared towards kids or the less adventurous. The bill was $120 after tip, which seemed crazy for the experience. A live band was playing the chicken dance on our way out (*shudder*), and occasionally shouting "Ziggy zoggy, ziggy zoggy, OY OY OY!" I would recommend this place for kids and families, but adults looking for a place with good food and a more private, relaxed atmosphere (suitable for conversation) should look elsewhere.
(2)
Thomas M.
Awful high school cafeteria food, ridiculously hard to find, Pepsi was WAAAAY over sweetened, music WAAAAY too loud. Almost a creepy carnival atmosphere. Prices were WAAAY over the top. $16 for a chef salad? REALLY?? Lettuce was low grade and tasteless. If you want to feel like you're dining in your old high school gymnasium this is the place for you. Lukewarm Italian sausage (dark blue in color--yuck!) with greasy fries. Food is just plain terrible. The ceiling is very high so you feel like you're eating in an airport hangar. Anyone rating this place higher than 1 star really needs to get out more often. Never ever, ever again.
(1)
Rick F.
Atmosphere is awesome, beer is great, I love the entertainment lot's of fun. Service fantastic. The place was jammed and everyone was having a great time. Including our party. I've been here 4 times and the food is just not that good or flavorful. Bland is the word to describe virtually every dish. Today I ordered the sausage platter, bland no flavor, mashed potatoes bland no flavor, gravy no flavor, sauerkraut no flavor. I'll be back cause everything else is great and good for parties but just for drinks!
(3)
Juan B.
The American franchises are good enough to remind me of my time in Germany. Maes's of beer, schnitzel, wurst, gluewein, and struedel. All the classics under one big roomy enclosure.
(4)
Michal F.
Coolest restaurant in Rosemont. Authentic, cavernous and fun. You feel as if you stepped into Bavaria. Atmosphere - the best part You're greeted by waitresses as you would imagine they look in Munich with traditional beer hall garb. You walk in to find a massive high ceilinged place that could likely hold 1000 people. Seating is on long communal tables. If you come at night they have a German band playing that really adds to the experience. Every few minutes they toast their steins with the whole restaurant. Beer Selection is limited to the five beers they brew in house. Nothing experimental just the German favorites of lager, hefeweizen and dunkel. Hefeweizen is EXCELLENT. Citrusy refreshing flavor with a cloudy visage. Holding a full liter stein is pretty badA. Pricing A stein is $13, pretty steep. No matter what size you get it's more about the novelty and less the value. Food is not as rough but still a bit more than you expect. Food Delivers as advertised. Good beer hall food of pretzels, fish and other German favorites. German food is pretty bland though so you're best off spending your chips on the beer. This is a perfect place for a late night with some friends. The atmosphere and good beer is bound to deliver good times.
(4)
david m.
An awesome place! Great food, service and beer! Had a great time with a live band that gets everyone into a good mood! Having a bad day? Come here! It will lift your spirits!
(5)
Bill B.
Came to Hofbräuhaus for third time here. First two times were alright but this time really sealed the deal. I was sat quickly and food was average like normal, the beer and atmosphere are good. Our server came by and told us they had a special where you buy a boot which is 2 liters and its $20. Come to find out, it was actually $20 for a flimsy plastic boot plus normal price for the beer. I was shocked so I asked the server and he told us he clearly stated that was the case( which he did not). So I asked a manager who showed up with a very bad attitude and told me I must be lying because all servers are very clear about the deal. I told her this was not the case and asked for the top manager. This is where it gets even worse... He was very rude and when I told him his manager told me I was lying he said she did not and she would never say that. Then he continued arguing and insulting me and eventually told me I have to pay and leave. I was appalled.. I was not rude to him. I DO NOT recommend going there. The experience is nice, but it does not compare at all the one in Munich and there are much better options in Rosemont.
(1)
John A.
Overall: Clean. Huge. A little gimmicky (it's supposed to be). Staff was very nice. Very fast service. Food: Had a bowl of goulash which was very good. I recommend it. I also had the Friday fish special which was average at best. 3 good sized pieces of fish but I would settle for 2 if it were something a little better. Beer: Had a small Dunkel. Very good beer. Wish I could have finished it. Live music: left before it started. Maybe I'll be back.
(3)
Theron P.
The first mistake I made was going to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. It basically ruined all beer garden experiences (aside from Delerium Cafe in Belgium) that I will ever have till I return to Germany. That being said, the Hofbrauhaus beer was extremely good and the wienerschnitzel with potato salad was as close to authentic that you're going to get for a foreign chain brought to America. All in all, everything was very good but not superb. My only complaint was the band playing music inside was so loud that we weren't able to sit inside because we couldn't hear ourselves talk. PS: I love that they serve their beer by the liter, in my opinion the only true quantity beer should be served in.
(3)
Anthony C.
After a couple of more visits I must downgrade my original review by a star. This place is by no means terrible but I'm afraid my original impressions were swayed by the prospect of a new German restaurant to frequent in the area. Having been a part of the German bar and restaurant scene on Chicago's north side since the early 80s I was hoping for a new place to open up and take the place of old standbys like Zum Duetschen Eck and the Golden Ox that closed their doors long ago. Part of the problem is being located in the Rosemont entertainment district that's like a little Las Vegas with lots of pretty facades but not much substance - and horrible parking. We again went on an early Saturday afternoon to avoid the rush and hope for decent service and fairly good food. Even though the place was maybe a quarter full the hostess tried to sit us at the end of a full table. Lot's of reservations she said - this was 3:30 in the afternoon and when we left an hour and a half later it was still no more than half full. The food was not terrible but also not good either. The meat and cheese plate was not good, the rye bread was cold and stale. Their soup that day was good but very salty. I had the sauerbraten which was OK but the sides of red cabbage and spaetzle were almost unedible - the cabbage being too sweet and the spaetzle boiled with no flavor or texture at all. The beer was OK - the lager was a little off but the seasonal dunkel was very good. Since our first visit the prices have gone up to $7.50 or $8.00 for a half liter - which is really outrageous for beer brewed on-site. The entertainment is still entertaining but the food and beer is not worth the prices being charged. In their defense I understand that it's very hard to cook good quality meals for hundreds of people at a time - but their prices should then reflect this cafeteria grade food, and they don't. If looking for good German food and beer, venture to the Lincoln Square area or Irving Park off Lincoln to enjoy authentic food and imported beers of the very highest quality.
(3)
Sara J.
Yes its loud. Yes it is a little rowdy. That is half of the fun. I have been missing German food for three years and this place hit the spot. Food was excellent. Lots of fun for casual dinner and beer drinking.
(4)
Eric R.
Fun place, good food, good beer, what's the problem?? The band was playing during lunch hour and did a great job. Our waitress was cool and easy to chat with. Place is good for groups; it was just two of us and we had fun!! Check it out.
(5)
Dan P.
I went here for my graduation, first time coming here. Not bad with seating us, even though we had reservations. My dad is a big fan of the German Oktoberfest, having been there himself, he thought of this place a good replica for us 'Mericans. I had a liter of the Hefeweizen, not being a big fan of them to begin with, I found theirs to be very good! My gf had the summer bier which wasn't bad and my dad had the Hefeweizen as well. Now onto the food...I ordered the Hofbrauhaus Sausage Platter (sorry forgot the real German name for it), came with 4 sausages onto of mashed potatoes and gravy with saurkraut, really good! My dad has steak tar-tar, which is usually an appetizer but he wanted it since he never can find it in the states (he liked it as well). My girlfriend got the bavarian burger which was good and my mom got some combo which came with smoked pork shank. She grew up with pork shank so I understood where she came from by saying it was really dry and over-cooked. She made a comment to the waitress which ended up with the manager coming in and comping the plate and replacing with the sausage platter I had, where she was satisfied. I'm not one to complain over food and felt awkward during the time, but I do give props to management for doing that, giving you guys a good rating. I'd come back again.
(4)
Joe S.
A bad experience all around. Our beers were never filled properly, the appetizers had to be sent back, and the main dishes were just ok. Would not recommend or return to this place.
(1)
Po B.
We had a lot of fun at this restaurant! The food is delicious and the beer is amazing. The place is loud, so make sure you don't get a table next to the stage if you want to have a nice conversation, and not find yourself yelling at the person sitting next to you.
(4)
Suzanne Z.
Was here for the first time for their 1 year anniversary party. It was an interesting experience to say the least! It was very crowded, with a boisterous (and very loud- for someone with a quiet voice like me, I'm pretty sure no one heard anything that I said) energy. They encourage you to stand up on your bench seat and join in on the German songs, which really got a lot of people involved. They had a marching band and ceremonial beer tapping for the event which was cool, and the beer stein holding competition was funny to see! I ordered a half liter of their January beer- a roasty Dunkel which was a little heavy but really good! Had been dreaming of a pretzel all day long, and when I got it, was a little disappointed to find it fresh, but not hot, just room temperature. Their sweet mustard was awesome, the spicy mustard was a little too sour for me. For dinner I got the chicken schnitzel salad- fried chicken with spinach on their potato salad with bacon dressing. Sounded amazing, but I was disappointed. The potato salad again, was so sour tasting to me, and the chicken was very dry. For the price- 15.99, it wasn't worth it, had a little bit for left overs today and threw the rest out. Service was so-so, I get that they were busy, but the waitress would only ask half the table if they needed something. My water cup was long empty before we found an extra from someone else at the table for me to share. The retail counter will validate your ticket so parking is free, nice perk! Otherwise its $13.
(3)
Gisela M.
Good beer, Good fun, but the food - so-so. I have been here twice and I have to say the food left me unimpressed. The first time I had the Sauerbraten and I very disappointed. But in all fairness not many placed have made a Sauerbraten that I would say is great. The second time I had the Bratenteller which has a variety of meats including the sauerbraten. And yes, I did not like it again but the hunter style pork roast was better. The red cabbage was fine and so was the spazle. But, if it's a good time and beer you want, then this is the place. You must have the traditional pretzles with mustard. They were very good. I am not a big beer drinker but there is something about having a beer in a traditional beer hall with the music, laughter and friendliness that is worth it.
(3)
Marisa V.
What a fun place!!! I had the chicken breast with mushroom sauce and snitzels. It was delicious. Huge glasses of beer, great entertainment and waitress. My hubby was happy, reminds me him of his time in Germany. I'd go back. Went there for birthday.
(5)
Mel M.
Great German beer. Love the jumbo pretzel with mustard, cheese and apple butter. Always a fun atmosphere! Service at bar could be better. I hate to be ignored!
(4)
Jenny C.
Very loud, great atmosphere, great music/performers but drinks took 30 minutes and food took over an hour. Server only came by like 3 times. Food was bland. I got jäger schnitzel that was soggy instead of crispy because it sat for so long, mushroom gravy was bland. Spatzle wasn't good either. I tried my friend's curry wurst which was awesome though.
(2)
J J.
Great space, food, service, and all around good time. Parking situation robbed them of 5 stars.
(4)
Renee S.
This place is awesome especially on weekends. We came here for the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest beer was good. Order some shots and you get a complementary on the house spanking with a wooden paddle. Come with a group n u'll have some good fun! I'm comin here for my birthday spanking for sure lol
(5)
Angela H.
Went today an I have been anticipating this for a while now. I was disappointed. The atmosphere was neat. We sat in the bar are (seat yourself) we waited about 10 min before anyone came over. We ordered beers (my glass smelt like dirty cleaning solution) and then ordered a pretzel (8.99) with mustard (.99). I went the bathroom to wash my hands and the pretzel was already there, hard, and cold. we asked the waitress about this and she touched the pretzel the said "oh we serve them cold here, if we were to serve them hot then the yeast would expand in your stomach and there wouldn't be any room for beer" I must have looked like a deer in headlights, she then said "it's a German thing" and walked away. hmmm ok, not!!! we sent the pretzel back, got our bill and left. Based on that little experience, I will NOT return.
(2)
Janine K.
I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard this is one of two locations in the country, the other in Las Vegas. I've been wanting to visit this place, but wanted the hype to die down as well before visiting this particular location. Referring back to my reviews about this area in Rosemont...the parking is a pain, the parking garage just makes no sense, there are cars going everywhere in every direction, people, etc. I purposely chose to visit this place with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I made reservations for us at 3:00. The reservation process on the website was easy peasy. I got there exactly at 3 and we got right in and got seated. The place was pretty crowded for a late afternoon. Of course we had to order the BIG beers....I mean, go big or go home, right?! Along with our big pretzel for an appetizer. I cant' even recall what my friends ordered for their meals but I had the chicken brat that came with sides and it was very good. We shared black forest cake for dessert. I was very satisfied with my experience here...service, food, beer, entertainment, everything! There was a little while that the place wasn't as crowded after we got there but started to get busy again for the dinner rush. Definitely make reservations...and enjoy the rest!
(4)
Samantha J.
I came in here this past Tuesday with a group of about 20 coworkers. we had already been to most of the bars in the Entertainment District as our office is just across the street, so we decided to try Hofbrauhaus out. what a mistake. 1) everything is overpriced. a mixed drink is $15. A pretzel is $13. the 4 beers (yes, they only have 4) are also expensive. 2) service is HORRIBLE. offensive even. Val was our server and she added items on our bill that we didn't order because she assumed (admittedly) that our CFO was paying for it. She also complained about the tips she received from other patrons. We think she was drunk or on something else, because she was acting like a lunatic. I don't like to leave bad reviews unless is completely necessary. the band was fun, it's very spacious, but they really need to work on their food/drink offerings and wait staff. we will not be coming back. there are way better options in this area.
(1)
Elisha T.
I came here on a Tuesday night for a group of 10. Half of the hall was filled. POSITIVES * It's a nice place for groups to get together. * The starter pretzel was great * Cool decor and beer hall architecture * The live band and waiters in costume were very cool! * Friendly waiters NEGATIVES * It was really loud, even though the restaurant was only half-full. I couldn't hear the conversation 2 persons away. * The food was ok. FOOD I got the Allgäuer Käsespätzle - It reminded me of macaroni and cheese. The taste became monotonous very quickly.
(3)
Lana C.
I am rating this a four because I did not eat here. I could have given it a lower or higher star rating if I had tasted the food. This place is gigantic. Lots of space and looks very German on the inside. Everyone is dressed in German barmaid outfits and extremely friendly. The owner is German and lived in Germany. As we sipped out drinks we met the owner or manger ... Not sure who but he did speak German. and he was very friendly and also very intelligent. It was not busy at all during the time we were there so I can't complain :)
(4)
Anna L.
We decided to try this place on a Saturday night. Ehh.. maybe we should have tried another night. The new Rosemont entertainment district is ridiculously crowded on the weekends. I was annoyed when I called because they don't take reservations and they wont let you put your name on the list. What exactly is the reason for this? It would do nothing but make patrons happy. I rarely go to a place that does this because it is EXTREMELY inconvenient. After being told our wait would be 2 hours we wanted to leave but were waiting for one of our friends to arrive and decided to go to the bar. The bar was soo crowded with people waiting (for what I guess was 2 hours also) that we couldn't get anywhere close to it for a drink. Once our friend arrived we decided to wait it out and fought our way to the bar. The Bar: Its insane. It was extremely busy and there were only about 4 bartenders. On a night like that, you really need a bartender for every foot of the bar. It took about 15 minutes to get the attention of a bartender then we finally got our beers. I mean.. its good.. and kind of fun cause they have big beer steins. I believe they are about $13 per stein. You can also order appetizers at the bar. We ordered a giant pretzel with the different dipping sauces. It was definitely enough for the 3 of us. The cheese dip was pretty good. The Entertainment: Its pretty loud in there. They have a German band playing and they are pretty good. They entertain the crowd well and have "sing-a-long" type songs. The later it got.. the crazier the patrons. The beer wenches even spank people (by request) with shot paddles. This is no joke. They spank HARD. 3 steins, and 2 hours later or number still wasn't called. I had to complain and then we finally got seated. I hate to do that.. but we had waited soo long. Food: They have a lot of options. Weve been to a lot of German places and I have to admit, the food here was near the top of them. It was kind of expensive, but good. I had schnitzel, my husband a steak and our friend, one of the sausage plates. We ordered potato pancakes to start with. Our waiter knew there were 3 of us and didn't say anything about us ordering it. When it came it was 2, silver dollar size, potato pancakes. The rest of the plate had sour cream, 2 cucumber chunks, 2 cherry tomatoes and the rest of the plate was FILLED with smoked salmon. Um.. we ordered potato pancakes. None of us eat fish.. so this was a waste. Our waiter didn't give us napkins or forks.. it was weird. I guess he wasn't that good. Overall.. Id go back but never on a Saturday.
(3)
Robert W.
The only reason it gets 4-stars is because the band WAS SO INSANELY LOUD. I like going to rock concerts and seeing good DJs mind you, but this Oompa band thought they were KISS by the way they ran the PA. Ironically on the comment cards, they have a check if the band was too loud, check. But at the end of the day, if you can't have fun at a place like this, then you don't like balloons and kittens. Let's get on to the food and drink. Beer? Top notch. Shots? Asbach, Bärenjäger, Jäger, Obstler and Apfelkorn? Yes please. But be careful, they are $7 a shot and they add up. Food? The giant pretzel is a must have. The leberkäse topped with a fried egg is phenomenal and I had the weisswurst the next night and it was done perfect. The food came out insanely fast, so a couple microwave jokes went around, but the food was better than good. Would I go back? Absolutely.
(4)
Tim S.
Five stars for the 1860 jersey on the wall #münchenistblau #einmallöweimmerlöwe. Really, its pretty good. Like the one in Germany. I'm just adding words here to get it to the review stage. So like, its a beer hall. Expect beer hall atmosphere and you'll be good..
(5)
Jim P.
I always enjoy a trip here, and especially the Heffeweisen beer in the Ein Liter glass. The food is fair- not great. Maybe two and a half stars for the food- I had the Jaeger Schnitzel. The Schnitzel was ok, but the mushroom sauce was poor, and the bacon and onions were not how I remember while living in Germany. The service was superior- so that pushed me up to four stars. The price was reasonable, but I wish they would add fresh baked broectchen rolls with dinner, and maybe a variety of vegetables. Chicken noodle soup would be good too. Be sure to get your parking validated- that's worth $13. Friendly people. Come hungry, leave happy. Aufedesein!
(4)
Relic K.
Great time on the weekends! Out of all the places at the rosemont entertainment district this is the place for a more mature fun time. Foods great, beer is great, entertainment great....
(5)
Nancy C.
I took my husband and son here for my husband's birthday and to revisit our trip to Munich for Oktoberfest last year. First of all, getting to the restaurant from the road had me annoyed before I even got through the door. The Hofbrauhaus is in an entertainment complex that is completely obscured by the parking structure. There's a little teeny sign at the entrance that is unreadable that says what establishments are there. Once in this maze of a parking structure there are only two choices: self park or valet parking. You still can't see the entertainment complex and there are no signs for the Hofbrauhaus anywhere. I ended up in the valet parking-which was empty on a Sunday night and still had to pay $10 for parking even though it was empty and I parked the car myself. The restaurant itself is a small version of the beer hall in Munich with long tables and benches and a live band. They really need to adjust the volume of the band based on the number of guests in the restaurant. The place was about 1/4 full and the band was so loud that we had to shout at each other to talk. In Munich, the music is pleasant background noise until the band starts playing drinking songs or old favorites when everyone joins in. For the American audience they might include a song book so that people can join in. At the very least they could cut out "Roll out the barrel" and "Edelweiss"-neither of which are German. The best thing about the experience was the food and beer. The food was authentic, delicious and the portions were large. The beer was also great-the same as in Munich. i was disappointed that they didn't serve Radler-a mix of beer and lemon soda-which I grew very fond of when I was in Munich. I was driving and would have ordered one, but stuck to water instead. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and efficient. The bathrooms are hard to find. The big sign on the wall is hidden by the beer kettles. Overall, this was an interesting "destination restaurant" but I'm pretty sure that we won't be going back there any time soon. It's too "dummied down," too loud and too hard to get to. That being said, we won't be patronizing any of the other places there either.
(3)
Candace B.
Really LOUD AND MISERABLE.... Way too loud for conversation!! We had headaches just waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Parking is expensive and not easy to find and then a long walk to the restaurant... We will find a 100 other places today before we come back... And I love German food!! So, we did stay, outside. Tatiana was diligent in making the smokers leave the patio and she was excellent in courtesy, promptness, and service. As for the food, everything was very mediocre. I was really hoping for better for the price. The apple strudel was good and the ice cream was fantastic. Still not a place where we will return.
(1)
Amanda D.
I had the sausage and pretzel tower appetizer. My husband and I split it and it was a meal in itself. Very yummy! He had the potato soup. He said it was delicious. We both had the hefeweisen, which they brew themselves. Their August beer was a light red malty brew. It was flavorful yet lightweight. The apple strudel a la mode was awesome! My only gripe was the price. I think the items could be a few dollars less, but hey it's a big place with a large staff. I guess they upcharge due to the operating costs. That's my guess.
(4)
Nicole J.
This place takes all the best of what Germany has to offer and puts it in a nice little package for us Americans. The food is really good with all your traditional German fare. Wursts, schnitzels, and of course beer! I got the wurst plate which had four different sausages, and sour kraut and mashed potatoes. Very hearty meal. Also they had agree guys playing live music and leading a few chants thought our meal. Then they would come around to each table and play a horn and accordion, as well as some bells. Very talented and makes for an enjoyable atmosphere that makes u think u are in Munich for Oktoberfest. Also right outside are a bunch of other restaurants and bars and a big lawn which you can go relax on. Definitely go here if you are hungry and want to wash it down with German beer.
(5)
Nicholas V.
I thought that this place was an excellent introduction to a German Brewhaus. I felt like I flew into Munich for a quick meal and beer. All of the beers were everything that I expected. I had the pretzel and sausage sampler. They both tasted great and accompanied the beer perfectly. The only thing that I didn't like, was the potato dumplings. They were very gelatinous which wasn't what I expected. I know that I probably could've done more research on what they were though. The German performers were excellent with two guitars and an accordion. At one point, they sang happy birthday to a seven-year-old girl, and brought her on stage to do the chicken dance. I think that everyone in the place got up to participate.
(5)
Karen C.
Here's the thing. If you are trapped in Rosemont, then this is probably the best place in the world. If you're into that whole let's-get-down-with-German-food-beer-music-etc.-Âin-a-weird-suburban-"entertainment-district"-Âthing, then yes. This is a win! I'm for the most part neither of those things, so this is just A-Ok on my list. When in Rome, right? Or Düsseldorf. Or Rosemont. To be up-front: I'm German, and I strongly dislike German food for the most part... so I am NOT the one to look to for guidance on the menu here. My grandma would not be proud. Sauerkraut? Nope. Sausage? No thanks. German potato salad? Ew. It's warm. Beer? Good. I like beer. Spaetzle? Hells yes. That's about my limit. So, the menu here isn't the best for me... but I'm not holding that against it. I'm just not into this whole weird "we're not in Germany, but let's pretend we are!" thing. I had the Chicken Schnitzel sandwich... I have to say, it was good, but it was a deep-fried chicken breast. Of course it was good. Our waitress was sweet, but almost too sweet... over-the-top sugary sweet to where it seemed way faked. This place is enormous inside... so if there aren't a lot of patrons, the sounds of the band & the Alphorn & all that are just insane. Do not expect to carry on a conversation. I honestly felt like I was at a wedding in Southern Illinois, accordion & all! I end up in Rosemont on rare occasions when trying to meet up with friends from the suburbs, and I'm always left feeling "meh" when I leave this "entertainment district." Good thing is, the company is always great, I love my friends! I just wish there were better options that were this easy to get to. And honestly, I can't help but think about everyone is driving here for the most part, right? And you're drinking these giant beers? And then getting in your cars? Yeah, that freaks me out a bit.
(3)
Doug G.
I've been here a few times while visiting Chicago. Always a fun time with the live music and the giant Alphorn blasting. We get the not-on-the-menu appetizer giant sausage platter, so we can sample a crap load of beef and pork products stuffed into intestinal linings. Delicious. I've had both the jagerschniztel and weinerschniztel, as well as the sauerbraten. I found each to be quite tasty. If I had a complaint, it would be that sometimes the service is a little slow, and they don't really have that many draft beers (but I guess that's because they're German and not craft...but still they also run out of the seasonals often and you're just stuck with whatever). A good entertaining spot, worth a visit if you've got a hunger for German cuisine.
(3)
Jean Y.
My favorite Hofbrauhaus is in Munchen, though this one had a good beer and schnitzel. It's huge place with long tables and benches and all. This one located near Ohara, didn't have much time to enjoy. It's pricy, though worth it for those people who has Sehnsucht nach Deutschland.
(4)
Donnie G.
Great atmosphere and booze. The food is OK. Bavarian pretzels are overrated. The best dish is the jagerschnitzel. We did not find the spaetzle to be as good as traditional German spaetzle.
(4)
Odranre B.
pretzel for $14 (but worth about $3)...very overpriced mediocre food...loud and touristy restaurant...the musicians/entertainers were an extra treat for the dining experience, but then they left the stage and rang some bells from table-to-table...then to my table...i did not like that i felt pressured to tip (especially since i just paid $17 for couple of hot dogs that they gave some fancy german names)...now for the pros - the beer selection was great, they will validate your $13 garage parking ticket, we all watched "ein betrunkener mann" bent over the table, getting his buttocks paddled hard by olga, on several occasions...and from the look in his eyes, he seemed to enjoy it...alot
(2)
Mallory L.
I will start with a positive and that is the food was delicious and it is a great atmosphere! Our waiter was very nice. He got our order mixed up and he offered to take it back, we declined because it was not a huge deal. Our soup was never brought out. It took almost 30 min for our check and we were on our way to a show. After we had figured out our bill and paid he came back and had added stuff he forgot to put on the bill! It was off putting to have not been given items we ordered and then once we paid to have to pay more for things the waiter forgot.
(2)
Beth C.
Great selection of Germany food if you can handle the loud noise and don't plan on talking to each other! Eleven of us from all over the world enjoyed the German dishes and selection of versa.
(4)
Bridget A.
The downside is this place is pricey as is everything else located near the casinos and convention hall. For the entrees you do get a lot of food for what you order and the drinks are on par in price with what's being served at Toby Keith's across the street. The upside though is that this place has a great atmosphere and the live show is a lot of fun. I had the chance to visit here this weekend with several German colleagues. Like me, they were entertained by the show and by how familiar some of the customs were for them. I actually thought they were joking when they mentioned dancing on the benches but that is indeed a thing that happens. If you're in Rosemont, it's a nice place to visit.
(3)
Nick R.
Lots of fun with a unique environment. This place feels like you are eating at a festival or a party. Live entertainment throughout the night with fun German themed drinking contests. I had the fried chicken schnitzel sandwich was pretty good and my friend had a burger which was decent. Id say you come here more for the environment but the food was still very good. Only downfall is that it's very loud and it starts to get annoying. It's a wide open room and the acoustics aren't very good so there is a lot of echo. May consider coming back if I'm looking for a lively dinner.
(3)
John G.
We were very excited to try this place out. My wife's family is from Germany and her father was a regular at the original Hofbrauhaus. Great atmosphere with the band playing and the communal seating. Service was abysmal. Orders were wrong, it took ages for the drinks/food to arrive. Kids meals came after everyone else was eating. Pretzels, along with everything else was not hot. Food did not appear made to order and was extremely bland. Not at all worth the price. The beer was very good and was the saving grace. I may take a client here for a drink in the future, but will not be eating here. The Pork Shank was very bland, the chicken shnitzel tasted like a frozen chicken sandwich
(1)
Bill M.
I recently dined at Hofbräuhaus in Rosemont. What, German food in Rosemont? Yes, this huge establishment not too far from O'Hare is styled after the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich, and you are delivered a reasonable facsimile of a real Bavarian experience. The Hofbräu dunkel beer is tasty and refreshing, and the experience of drinking German beer is enhanced with the clinking of large beer mugs. There was a band playing boisterous German drinking music, though I recall they also mixed in a Johnny Cash song. Our group ordered a massive amount of food, so I basically tried a buffet of German food. Appetizers and side items included large baked pretzels with different mustards, smoked salmon and potato pancakes (I did not try the salmon, but the potato pancakes were solid), baseball-sized potato dumplings, red cabbage, spinach and spatzle. The wiener schnitzel was my favorite meat choice and tastiest food item of the evening, with the hahnchen (chicken breast) with mushroom sauce a close second. The beef rouladen dish was surprisingly mediocre. The apple strudel was fine. I'd say I have had better German food elsewhere, but Hofbräuhaus is more about the overall German / Bavarian experience.
(3)
Louise M.
*singing* Edelweiß, Edelweiß, Du grüßt mich jeden Morgen, Sehe ich dich, Freue ich mich, Und vergess' meine Sorgen..... The oompah band or whatever it is called for a group of men playing traditional German music is super fun!! It put me in a singing mood as they urged the patrons to sing along and raise their beer stein. Prost! Hofbräuhaus is definitely winning in the atmosphere. It is so inviting the minute you walked in and heard that distinctive polka beat. My friend and I stopped by here for early dinner after our annual christmas shopping outing. We were a bit tired from walking around and dealing with some serious crowd at the Fashion Outlet and a beer just sounded good. We perked up hearing the Edelweiss song and other German drinking songs. The place was huge with tons of communal type table. The Bavarian flags were everywhere and it definitely felt it could be München in there! I have a soft spot for Munich and people who knew me know it's obvious why. In short, I love it in there! The waitresses wore a Hofbräuhaus theme dirndl clothing. Our waitress was a middle age blond lady wearing the costume and her boobs were half out!! It reminded me of Heidi about to milk a goat. I know it made no sense but just milk, udder, goat milking, nips came to my mind. I guess the mammal in me went that way. That's what happened when a hetero girl saw boobs. Just put that shit away! The beer selection was limited to lager, hefe weizen or wheat and the darker beer all brewed and had the Hofbräu brand. I got the wheat and my friend got the lager. I loved my beer! It came in a tall skinny glass while the lager came in a stein. We also ordered the pretzel to share and it was lecker! Yum. The mustard though... Having just dined at the Winzer Stube, one of the top German restaurants in the country, their mustard wasn't as tasty as Winzer Stube. I got the Nürnberger Rostbratwürstl, Bavarian style pork sausage, came in three and roasted to perfection. It came with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes but I changed it to potato salad. It was good!! Real good! The sausages are skinny and long, only good for eating. Hetero girl couldn't think dirty thoughts looking at these sausage fest either. I put it away in a heartbeat. Gulped. Gone. My friend got chicken and spaetzle with mushroom sauce. He's such a picky eater and it drove me crazy. However, this is better than his regular pepperoni pizza. Well, just a tad. He had about 5 things he would consider eating. Again I can't help comparing to Winzer Stube, and I think the spaetzle and the potato salad also lost out to Winzer Stube. It wasn't bad but you could differentiate between a mom and pop and a commercialized establishment. The strudel was a perfect ending. It was super delicate, creamy, and tasted heavenly. It was holy scheise pricy though! $13 for the strudel. Our check was over $80! Nuts! I was shocked actually. This place is definitely wicked fun though. It is more fun with a big group. I was at the one in Vegas as I was there with a bunch of people, and things just went a bit crazy, in a fashion of liter beer stein clanking and grown men dancing like they were in Drew Carey show .. I mean "Who's Line Is It Anyway"...doing the drinking song. I still love this place no matter what! It's a must stop and hope I get to the one in Munich sometime soon.
(4)
Michael F.
Love hofbrauhaus in general, been to all, even in Munich. This location is nice but odd, all seems management related. Bartenders can pour beers until they register the drink to a identified customer, which is designed to avoid potential theft of a beer, but adds in needed time. Got my dinner bill for $88, which was bit surprising a pretzel was over $14. More shocking they charged my card $106 before I even got the receipt. They automatically charged me a preset tip. The manager tried to claim it was a Amex issue, I explained I eat out 5 times a week, across 14 states, with the same card. This is the only restaurant doing it. This was a crap management/credit card processor setting, tacky. A manager trying to tell me something I know is not factual is annoying. They don't seem to respect their employees or customers.
(1)
Emily J.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus Chicago twice. It's fun, kitschy and has delicious German food. It's located in a weird place in Rosemont - behind the MuviCo where there's a little hotspot for traveling businesses people. Who knew?! You can always hear an Oompah band (or at least I did on both occasions) when dining. The first time, the Oompah band was great and played traditional German music. The second time was strange as the Oompah band played Jimmy Buffett with a traditional German music twist. My recommendation if you do visit is to eat VERY light the day you dine here as you will eat and drink a lot at the Hofbrauhaus Chicago!
(3)
Abhishek M.
Over rated beer house. I haven't been to the original in Germany but I think this place is over rated. Sure they have great beer and some authentic food but it's way over priced for Roselle, IL!!! And I am sorry, but the food was MEH! I mean I would have been so much happier had I eaten a 5 guys burger, Subway footlong or a Pita sandwich instead of my veal whatever dish that was with cabbage and potato salad.
(2)
Margaret B.
Hofbrauhaus is definitely an experience. This place is huge, and noisy, and raucous, in a good way. Unfortunately, if you have had good German food anywhere else, you will show up here disappointed. I split the Pretzel with Obazter cheese with my friend and had the Chicken Bratwurst. Both were of the quality that you'd find at a ballpark. Neither the best representation of its kind or the worst. Portion-wise the plates were disappointing as well, serving meager portions of the spatzle and mashed potatoes. I've been to better German places in Fort Worth and Indianapolis but you would come here to drink pricey beer and shout at the top of your lungs, so there's always that.
(2)
Jigna S.
Ambience - 4.5 of 5 Food - 2.5/3 of 5 (so disappointing)!!! Service - 4 of 5 They had a live band who were awesome! Played all kinds of music, from traditional German to 80's to 90's. Would go back if in the area, but it is definitely too far out of the way from the city!
(3)
Linda H.
My brother and his wife love coming to the burbs for dinner and took my husband and I here to celebrate our birthdays. We've been here before and weren't thrilled, but my brother wanted to try the Hofbrauhaus again. If possible, it's even worse than it was a year ago. Our server was very good, very attentive. We started with the pretzel, which is OK. Don't really care that it's supposedly imported from Germany. It's flour, water and salt. The mustard accompaniments were nothing special. I can buy the same thing somewhere else for a lot less than $8.95. My sister in law and I ordered the Jägerschitzel. The presentation was impressive, until we moved the mountain of fried onion strings to reveal a lot of very little. Maybe 3 ounces of meat with a huge pile of späetzel covered in an unpleasant mushroom sauce. My brother had the loaded brat, which was just meh. My husband had the #300, assorted sausages, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. The sausages were nothing special, the sauerkraut was bitter and the potatoes tasted old. My husband is a Master Chef who was trained in Germany, so he knows about great German food. This definitely isn't it. Get your beer somewhere else. Go elsewhere for dinner because there are lots of nice places in Rosemont. The Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is a big showy place, but the quality of the food is very poor. As I stated in the beginning, it's even worse than it was just a year ago. I don't think this place will be around for very long, because it's overpriced, and not worth the trouble to visit. In fact, thinking that maybe a sous chef missed something during our visit, my husband asked if Chef Klaus was in the kitchen and our server said he was there. Oooops.
(1)
Carol K.
While German food is not my first choice (funny as that is my heritage so you think it'd be in the blood!) Hofbrauhaus was a fun choice the other night with it's friendly staff huge portions of German food and even live music to liven up this giant beer hall. Located in Rosemont in the MB Financial Park (basically at the corner of 294 and Balmoral by the airport) this place is cavernous. And if you go to eat, you will be sitting at long communal tables just like in the old country. The servers are dressed in their Germanic wear and can carry a fistful of beer mugs quickly to your table. They brew their beer right there and just be sure to ask what size they are giving you as the one they poured me was more like a pitcher! I went for the schnitzel and my friend had some kind of pork that was also quite good Food portions are so big that my schnitzel was falling off the edges of the plate! It came with German potato salad which was also quite tasty And don't forget to have the strudel for dessert. It was calorie worthy. There is a band up front that plays everything from polkas to Johnny Cash. And if that isn't entertaining enough, the three guys in the band will walk around the beer hall singing and playing at your table. I think I still have "I fell down in the burning ring of fire" echoing in my head! Parking, if you go, is still a miss at this place. The signs will direct you to the garage but you have to circle around if you want to valet park by the restaurant. Also- if you park in the garage, take your ticket to be validated as the $13 fee is waived. Doubt this will be a regular stop for me, but if you are looking for something fun and a little different, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is your place!
(4)
Matthew K.
Had lunch here one day and it was barely ok. Place is huge and we ordered fish and chips. It was bland and not worth going back.
(2)
Azhar S.
Pretty good place with tasty food. I ordered the chicken bratwurst with vegetables and sauerkraut. I also had spicy mustard on the side. Wow what an excellent combination and a good size portion. My first time actually eating German food. Music and decor is very festive and the wait staff was very kind and informative about their menu. They have a huge beer selection which is obvious for being a German place. Some friends ordered the beers and said it was very good and reasonably priced for the amount they give you which is a TON. Would recommend this place.
(4)
Jon P.
Firstly, I want to address the bad reviews. You obviousely didn't do your homework before you went to the Hofbrauhaus.... It is supposed to be a large cafeteria environment, it is supposed to be loud and obnoxious and it is supposed to be a fun experience. If you don't want that.... stay home or go to the Melting Pot and eat in a dark (private) closet! Now, we went for our fourth family outing to the H-house and it was far and away the most fun and entertaining dining experience I've had in years. The food was good, it wasn't the absolute best German food I've ever had, but they serve like 2,000 people a night and I am always amazed that the food is as hot and fresh as it is. Really the only reason I can't give a full five stars. Now, I've posted a video of the madness that is Hofbrauhaus. But I will share with you a bit of what you can expect. It is the only restaurant that the waitresses carry a large paddle and they aren't afraid to use it! If you order a round of shots (and I recommend that you do) you will want every member to bend over at the end of the table, take their shot and prepare for the paddle. I think I still have a bruise on my ass from three weeks ago!! The next thing you know you will have tables around you ordering shots and subsequent paddlings one after another. Really a great atmosphere!! Also, the music and the "OY OY OY" makes the whole experience very celebratory. Take my advice, bring a big group, be prepared for it to be controlled chaos, drink, and if you're not a stick in the mud.... HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Jesus G.
This place was fun and the service was great however I was not impressed with their food! I felt like it was pricey and probably not the best quality since I was burping those sausages I tried for the following 2 days! Beer was good and it seems like they have seasonal beers throughout the year. I would go back but just for the beer and the ambiance however I will just eat elsewhere in that Rosemont area.
(3)
Liz G.
This is one of my new, favorite restaurants! I went there last night for dinner for the first time. The atmosphere was fun, energetic and awesome! The beer was delicious and the food was even better. Top Tip: It was my boyfriend's birthday, and I asked if they can do anything for him as a surprise. The waitress recommended I purchase a shot and she would spank him with the shot paddle afterwards. This was the funniest and most entertaining experience I had at a restaurant! Thank you, Hofbraughaus, for a wonderful experience! I will definitely be returning shortly. #GermanFood #LiveEntertainment #BestTime
(5)
Amy D.
The mediocre beer is overpriced. There are so many better places to go for beer in the area. But the worst part was the band. I understand their theme is Oktoberfest, but when the bar is nearly empty on a Wednesday afternoon, they could turn down the volume when there aren't enough bodies to absorb the sound. I was just finishing up and getting ready to leave to go to a quieter bar when one of the band members sneaked up behind me to blow a loud horn in my ear to startle me. When he succeeded in scaring me, the band and the rest of the bar laughed. I called the next day to give the manager John feedback on this incident and he made excuses before hanging up on me. I would recommend avoiding this place and going next door to the Park Tavern or to Toby Keith's or to Adobe Gilas - you'll get better food, better drinks and have better atmosphere. UPDATE - The manager lied to you. That is not what happened when I called. He was defensive and rude to me and making excuses and did NOT apologize. I told him the band should have some more training on who they can F- with and who they shouldn't. Your restaurant is certainly NOT a place for families.
Music inside is way too loud and the songs we're sang horribly. We had to move outside because I got a headache. The service was good. Our waitress was very understanding. The bread we had to order in order to get was stale and even though we order a new one that was stale too. The food was overall delicious and filling though it was more than I would pay for a plate. I suggest sharing with someone for one plate considering they have a lot of food for one person. Another thing is that since it's so close to the airport your conversations would be cut off randomly. All together it wasn't the worse meal I've ever had.
(3)
Chris E.
I've been to the original in Munich and I can say this is obviously an Americanized version. The food is good and is German in at least spirit if not perfect in authenticity. The beer selection is limited which is pretty much like the original but I can appreciate wanting to have influence on the entire experience. The price tag might be on the higher side for what was offered in quality and quantity. But those small flaws are more than made up for in the presentation and entertainment which makes for a fun atmosphere best enjoyed by a group for a special occasion.
(4)
Valerie J.
My husband and I have been wanting to try this place for some time now, but the desire grew much stronger after having gone to the original Hofbräuhaus München (er, in Munich, Germany ;) this past April. Off the bat - we knew it would be Americanized and different... However I did not at all expect an extremely loud cover band playing pretty crappy American music inside. We literally couldn't hear the person sitting right next to us. Apparently, since this is in a pretty impressive entertainment complex, and it was a Thursday, there was an equally loud (but much better) 90's cover band outside. Thankfully, we found an outside spot around the corner from the stage where we could actually converse a little and enjoy ourselves. First off - the beer. They had Hofbrauhaus original, and my husband ordered a liter, of course. You know, the correct, European style liter. It was good, they did well on that, so kudos. The wine list was crap and the bottles were like what you get on an airplane. Oh well, like I said, I didn't expect it to be like Germany. My husband, the smart man that he is, ordered the Wienerschnitzel. While they make it with pork and not veal, and it was a bit thinner than in Germany, it was still really well-done and I think the best meat of the evening. Even better? The German style potato salad was super on-point! (I did steal a lot of his Wienerschnitzel, but that was OK as the portion was huge!) (Want to see our attempt at making said Wienerschnitzel when we'd come home from our trip? Check out the video blog here: kumocafe.com/2014/04/coo… ) I sadly (so, so sadly) ordered the Jagerschnitzel as we'd had it in Frankfurt and it was delicious. Here? Oh, no... It just tasted like bad Italian food. Really, really bad Italian food. To make matters worse - it came with the most terrible, clearly frozen and reheated spaetzl that I have *ever* had. My father-in-law was horrified after tasting it. C'mon Hofbrau Chi-town, play hard or go home! My mother-in-law got the curry wurst and said it was good. I didn't try it. My father-in-law didn't even *remember* what he'd ordered but he seemed happy with it. My brother in law ate both of his sausage links and seemed pleased. I have no clue what his girlfriend ordered, but I think it was some kind of chicken. Our waitress was decent, but didn't really check on us once we had our food and beer. Still, she was nice and accommodating as we moved around to find a suitable table. The highlight of the night, aside from my husband's food and beer, was our happy chitchat and the spontaneous fireworks show at the end of our meal. This apparently happens every other Thursday in the summer, and every Thursday in August. Did we pick a perfect night to go or what? And it turned out great that we sat outside! We left feeling cheerful and happy, and I think that's the best tribute to a restaurant, even if some of their dishes need quite a bit of tweaking. My mother-in-law even insisted on trying to country dance with me to the terrible cover-band as we left. Fun right? All this, mixed with the fact you know you're going to a quirky restaurant in an entertainment complex (with extremely frustrating parking) makes me say this place is A-OK, though not great. I was really blown away by all the different eateries, bars, and other things to do in this spot. Seems like it'd make for many a fun time.
(3)
Avni S.
Wow this place is huge! Walked in and noticed how open it was. There was a live band playing and it was early afternoon! Of course as it got closer to dinner the place started filling up. My friend was already seated at the huge 10 person table. Tables are well spread out and there is definite potential to be seated by strangers when it gets busy but I really like that idea! Right away our waiter took our drink order although I wasn't ready so my friend placed his order and I promised to be ready when he returned with his beer. To my surprise he not only brought my friends beer but a sample of one he thought I would like. Of I liked it so I ordered it. He took our giant pretzel order and off he went. For the record that was truly a giant pretzel and the mustard sweet and savory served with it was soooo good! I asked for a spoon! We also order the fish and potato salad to split, every bite was delicious! I the fish was lightly breaded and the potato salad was amazing! Thanks for the great service, great food, and great atmosphere! I am a return customer for sure!
(4)
Lauren P.
The band that was playing was way too loud we ended up sitting out side so we could hear the server. It also gave me a headache do to the awful band. The bread was stale and it costed extra as well. Even when we order a new batch of bread it was still very stale. The potato soup was very good. The service was nice and our server was very understanding. The main courses were good, but not for the price. The beer was well crafted .
(3)
Yanja B.
This is a fun place and a great atmosphere but the bartenders and the bills were very SKETCHY!! The music was entertaining, and fun. My boyfriend and I came here late at 11:30pm to meet up with a few friends. There was plenty of seating at that time. Why its sketchy and I will be hestiant to return back: First, the bartender behind the bar was so rude, I don't need to see you cringe your face and roll your eyes when you take my order. Plus the bar was not busy at all. Another reason I am appalled by the unprofessionalism and poor business practice of the bartender was when my boyfriend and I ordered two rounds of drinks.. The first time we ordered a mixed drink and a specialty drink= bill was about $28? (Mind you the specialty drink was $13 and the mixed drink was $9.) Next round, we both ordered mix drinks and it did not contain any premium alcohol but it ended up costing more than the first time, bill was $32!! And I know the bartender is not stupid and fully competent person so this must've been done on purpose. It's insulting and infuriating. Other than that its a fun place...
(1)
JohnDoe 7.
If your into drinking and really loud places then this is the place for you. The service was good and the food was outstanding. But it was really loud for my likening.
(3)
Terry R.
Never actually been to a German restaurant but when I came to the Hofbrau House really love the food and the beer and the service
(3)
Valerie W.
So, I've been wanting to go to the Hofbrauhaus since it opened... mostly because I've been to the one in Munich. Also, I get a mad hankering for spaetzle every once in awhile. While I make my own, it's a messy undertaking. So, it's been open about a year or so, and I just got to go for the first time a few weeks ago. Not gonna lie, I'm going back tonight. For beer. And Spaetzle. And Wienerschnitzel. My heart has a soft spot for all three. We went for dinner on a Friday night, and my only complaint was the NOISE. It's a beer hall, so I know it's loud. Maybe if the rain holds off we can sit on the patio tonight. So, anyway, it was loud. I was having trouble hearing our server, but we made do. I think she was having trouble hearing us also, because she brought an extra liter of beer. She took it back no problem, but yeah, noise. We ordered a jumbo Bavarian pretzel to share with mustard. It wasn't as JUMBO as I thought it would be, but tasted fresh and both the sweet and spicy mustard went nicely. I ordered the jagerschnitzel, which is a pork Wienerschnitzel topped with mushroom sauce, onions and bacon, served with spaetzle. It was tasty and very rich. I think tonight I'll be getting just regular old schnitzel, and ordering a side of spaetzle. Oh, that brings me to another point. NO SUBSTITUTIONS! You may not substitute one side dish for another. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal and the fun that comes along with a trip to Hofbrau. Live music, standing on tables, singing, cheering, drinking. PROST!
(4)
Clifford S.
I really like German food but this was just OK German food. I had wiener schnitzel which paled by comparison to what I get in my home town at the Bier Stube. The man I was with had never had German food before and he was very impressed. That's cool that he began his German food experiences here. Service was good and ambiance was similar to a huge Beer Garden with communal tables. Sounds better in Germany than here. If you've never had German food, you will love it. If you already a big fan of German food you might just find it OK.
(3)
Minh-An C.
After a long week of studying and working, my classmates and I wanted to celebrate and release some stress so we met up at Hofbrauhaus on a Thursday night. The reason we went on a Thursday was because every Thursday during the summer at 9:45 PM, the courtyard in front of the restaurant (MB Financial Park) puts on a themed concert and an awesome firework show. This past Thursday (8/28/14) was the last Thursday event for the summer season. We arrived and took over a long table with almost 20 people. Almost all of us started the night with the 1 L mug of beer and continue with some food and shots. NOTE: it is a German tradition for you to get spanked if you take a shot. It is a great show to see your drunk friends get spanked. Level of spanking by the workers will range but if you're "lucky", you will get spanked by THE PUNISHER (my class dubbed her this name) and you might not be able to sit down right away after the spanking. This place is a great place to bring a big party and enjoy German beer and German food. It is definitely not a cheap place so be ready to spend at LEAST $20-30 for beer and even more if you want food. Food is mediocre and the only highlight was the garlic potato salad that came with my chicken bratswrust. Parking in the structure is free with validation.
(3)
Julie Y.
Came here because the wait at park tavern was too long. Actually had a blast! Ate tons of sausages and got to listen to mexican music.. Which was kinda weird but entertaining. Even though it was extremely packed the service was pretty fast which I wasn't expecting. It's extremely loud and you will be sitting next to a lot of people when it's busy so would not recommend this place for a first date. It's fun to come with a group of people tho. The drink list wasn't that great but they have beer and average wine. The sausages were salty but when aren't they?! Defiantly recommend this place if you're looking for somewhere to go with a group of friends that are not vegetarians.
(4)
Joe P.
Wow! I really enjoyed this place for my birthday get together. We had a group of 6 meet here on a Thursday and everyone had a blast. I have been wanting to come here for a long time, but Hofbrauhaus just sat collecting dust in my bookmarks. When I was asked what I wanted to do for my birthday this place popped into my head and stuck. The main goal: to get a liter of beer. I'll echo the other reviews and say the inside is huge! I would love to go back in the summer and enjoy a nice cold beer outside. They brew their own beer and you get to walk by their beautiful stainless steel brewing equipment. The Thursday night that we went was not very busy. There was no problem getting a table and our server promptly got our drink orders. The liter of beer was acquired-mission accomplished. We were all a little preoccupied chatting and catching up but our server very kindly came by to see if we had decided on food. The beer was awesome! We ordered some food, enjoyed the love music, and enjoyed the beer. We started out with the giant pretzel (spoiler alert! It was so good we ordered a second after dinner and dessert!) The pretzel was delicous, the 2 mustards went perfectly, and the cheese dip was good. I had the wurstplate next. The sausage was great, the mashed potatoes were stellar, and I even ate the sauerkraut which I don't normally like. There was more mustard which went well with the sausage. I loved the Hofbrauhaus! It was a fun time with great beer and food. PS-yes I did get paddled by the lady server after my apple schnapps birthday shot
(5)
K Y.
It took me a while to get here and I can see what the fuss is about. Great beer selection, fun beer garden and fabulous schnitzel and spaetzle. Seriously though the beer garden rocked. Even at 11:30 at night it came to life! Ok, be warmed that there is paddling that goes on and shots. And drinking. But there is this life that you cannot find at park avenue or Toby Keith's in the square. BTW, I loved the beer!
(5)
Hannah P.
Bad service, tasteless food and expensive for what it is. I wouldn't come back to eat. If you want beer then come. 1 liter $13.50 .5 L $7.50 .3 L $5.50
(1)
Andrew T.
I figured this place would just be a food factory, but I was pleasantly surprised. I also should point out that we showed up as a big group, and they even managed to seat us early, which was great. Part of that was a function of the huge venue, but also, it was Saturday and the place was jammed, so I was also pleasantly surprised with that. They have a huge menu, almost tough to pick which item to go with, but I eventually ended up with jägerschnitzel, which was quite good. The pork was tender and reasonably flavorful, the gravy wasn't overwhelming, and the spätzle was buttery and tender. Really no complaints. The service was reasonably quick, again, especially given size and volume of customers, and the prices were reasonable. Do be prepared for it to be quite loud though, as the high ceilings and hard surfaces make for an echo chamber...especially when the band kicks in. That aside, I guess I expected to fall in to a bit of a cheesy tourist trap, but it really wasn't. So way to go, Hofbräuhaus!
(3)
Victoria W.
I went for my first visit just yesterday. I guess I have been spoiled with the local German spots in Chicago, but this place seemed very commercialized. The food was good, but expensive. The waitress was nice. When the band started playing Margaritaville is when I became confused. What I like about German restaurants is the authentic atmosphere and family vibe. Maybe I made the mistake going on a Saturday, so they were trying to play to the crowd. I would have loved some real German music! This is probably just my personal taste, but I'll be sticking to my local spots.
(3)
Francesca L.
Yikes. Ok, I may be biased since I much prefer the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. But seriously...yikes! I was here for probably a solid 20 minutes and couldn't get a beer. For that alone, I want to give this place 0 stars. It wasn't even that busy! I was flagging people down, chasing waiters with trays of beer, and nothing. Also, we paid a ticket price for a buffet, and when we got up to the front of the line all that was left was cabbage and carrots..?! Waste of time and money. Don't go here, it's an affront to the Germans.
(1)
Liz T.
Good German fun. My husband I settled in here on accident during Octoberfest and had a nice evening. The ambience was fun and there were plenty of people even on a Wednesday night. You come here for the entertainment. Keep that in mind. There was a live band, the waitresses/waiters were in full costume, and they stick with the theme. The place is huge and extremely loud. You sit at large picnic tables and can meet other people at your table. The beer is all Hofbrauhaus and overpriced. The food is all overpriced. BUT you're paying for the atmosphere and the entertainment. Which was fun. We split the special and were not able to switch out a chicken brat for the regular. We were charged for an extra plate and split an overly expensive but delicious beer. The food was good but the service was somewhat terrible. The waitress was nice, but we waited almost a half and hour to get our check once our plate was cleared. We were considering ordering another beer but our gal didn't come by. The food was good, but not $23 dollars good. If you're entertaining guests from out of town and want a loud German bar, this is it. I think this place is a lot of fun, but I wouldn't come back for dinner again.
(3)
J H.
Went there last night for dinner. There was a band playing outside (Atomic Punks) so, this was a good way to catch the show and eat a decent dinner. We were surprised that we showed up right at 7 and got a fabulous table outside! Our server was very nice though she did let our drinks go empty ( we took care of it by calling her over). But, she had a good personality and was happy to help out. The busser was a bit aggressive - trying to take plates before we finished food - but he backed off when we said we were still eating. I got the Hefeweizen with lemonade added - made a very good shandy. It was refreshing and went down quickly! My husband got the beer of the month. He ordered more than one so, must have been good! We started with a pretzel with all the trimmings. I love pretzels and this did not disappoint. I liked the cheese but really liked the mustard - sort of sweet and tangy - perfect! My husband had the sauerbraten - he has been to Germany several times and said it was comparable to what he experienced. Since I am a vegetarian, I had the noodles. Normally this comes with a salad but i asked if I could substitute the veggies of the day. Oddly, I was told this is NOT normally fine but the kitchen must have been in a good mood- they made it happen! I have to say, it was worth it. It was a great medley of mushrooms, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. I ate those all and ended up taking my noodles home. I think for the price, they should give more veggies and also allow the substitution of veggie instead of salad without any concern. We did share the strudel for dessert which, though we did not finish it, we enjoyed. The dough was very thin and the apples had the right seasoning. Being of German / Eastern European descent , I've had a lot of strudel in my life. This was good. I think this is a solidly above average spot. It's fun and the people are nice. I wish they had more veggies / vegetarian options but I also know that's really not part of German cuisine. It is a little pricey for what you get but it was an enjoyable date night.
(4)
Jiyoun B.
I liked this place. Mind you, I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich/Munchen. What could you not like about sausage and beer? Well, the price is kinda steep and there are better options in Chicago proper but for Rosemont? C'mon! You go to places like this for the experience. I guess the music really depends on the night/day. My baby really liked the music, haha.
(4)
Andrew D.
Appreciate Hofbrau bringing their delicious beer to Chicago, but this place is very much chain and very much commercialized. The food is mediocre, at best, and costs WAY too much. The beer is also overpriced. The place gets loud and rowdy and it is full of rude, drunk Polish people. The table near us was throwing food and paper at people, as well as trying to break their steins, and should have been kicked out WAY earlier and security is lacking. Not surprising that a few of the dudes were passed out by 11 p.m. At their table. Still didn't get kicked out. Service is also slow, as the place often reaches capacity. For better food, beer, value, and an all around authentic German experience, head to Lincoln Square and eat at Brauhaus, drink at Huettenbar or the Hansa Clipper, and attend Maifest. I would recommend avoiding this chain. You can have Hofbrau beer at most of those places. It's a shame they opened this and closed Uberstein in Wrigley, because Uberstein was a lot more intimate and authentic, considering it was also a Hofbrau place. The beer gives the place a second star.
(2)
Ban Y.
Really solid beer, quite tasty food. The portions are not overly large but they're satisfying anyway, probably because you're drinking beer with it. Really on-point with the hefeweizen! Their patio is great in patio season. Imagine Disney put together a German beer hall themed restaurant (and for all I know EPCOT probably has one). There's kind of a carnival atmosphere, with the ever present ommpahpah band. In fact, the band and their insistence on audience participation is one minor detraction, and yet it's fun all the same. It really sets the theme. You're not just there, you're participating in something. Sometimes I'll avoid a bar with a band unless I'm particularly going to see the band. Let's admit it, no one is likely to seek out an oompahpah band. However it's part of the package. The place wouldn't be the same without it. It may not be a good place to go if you want specifically to interact with the people you came with. In that case the choruses of "Ein Prosit" you're asked to join would be an interruption. In that case, the patio might work better. Or, you know, somewhere more low key. The beer: never had a bad one there yet. The list is short, though: there's the heff, a Pilsen, and a rotating seasonal. Drop in if you can, it's worth doing up at least once!
(4)
Natalie D.
I have been here twice and each time was great. The pretzel was better the second time (smaller size was better). I'm not sure exactly what I ate as it came out as a tower but it was all very tasty. I recommend the potato salad: it's mustard based not mayo based which I really liked. Their Spetzel has been accused of tasting watery but I think the spetzel here is perfect and not watery at all! I like this food a lot and the bands are fun. It's a challenge to have a conversation bc it's so loud but it's a fun time. I plan to go back and I recommend it for people to try. I realize that it won't be up everyone's ally. The food is good, the atmosphere is good, and the service is very good. Also, their beer is pretty much all lager style which is popular but not my thing.
(4)
Kymberly J.
Major disappointment. I may be ignorant to the whole German Beer House thing but I expected more beers than their house brew. I was trying to keep my drinking cost low this particular day since I was there for a very long pub crawl. There were NO beer specials so I ended up paying $8 for a beer I thought was only OK. We also got this giant pretzel for over $13...wtf? I could have gotten something better at Auntie Annies in the mall. The pretzel was cold and blah. We ran into our server later outside who told us the dough is shipped in from Germany. Ewwww. The atmosphere was cool. Tall ceilings, communal dining like a German beer hall. It was a big rip off that seemed aimed at taking tourists money.
(2)
Don J.
The environment is nice but the prices are unreal. 80 bucks for a few beers and a snack. The women are not great and we waited far too long for service.
(1)
Mike M.
Great restaurant if you like to pay to park and need to eat bland food due to dietary restrictions. $10 to valet park. Other option was to park in garage for $13. Jumbo hot pretzel came out cold. Wurst platter was taste-free. Could be a fun place to have a few beers, assuming you're on a layover or staying at the hotel across the street.
(2)
Toni F.
Beer - large Food - better than I expected Music - loud Service - good Lots of fun and noise - not the kind of place you'd visit weekly but you have to try it at least once. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised like I was.
(3)
Coll F.
I studied a semester in Munich so this is a fantastic reminder of the German "gemütlichkeit". Sausages & kraut are great as is the beer. Come when a oompah loompah band is playing for even more fun. Reserve early for Oktoberfest as they fill up fast!
(4)
JD A.
This past Monday was my first visit. I was greeted right away, our server was extremely nice and attentive and offered recommendations on what to order. The lager beer is amazing, nice flavor and love the litre size mugs! I was very impress that a live band was playing on a Monday night and not only playing but interacting with the crowd. Such a fun place, I can't wait to go back. I bet on the weekends this place is even more fun!
(5)
Kali M.
I'm a sucker for the Hofbrauhaus; we always go when we're in Vegas and even managed to visit the original in Munich. So when I saw this one from the highway outside ORD, I practically plowed through every lane to the exit so I could get my beer-and-pretzel fix. If all you're after is the food & drink (minus the party), stop in at lunch. The place is HUGE, though, and was empty while we were there midday, so I don't know how it might be during dinner hours.
(5)
Amanda B.
Come here for the beer and atmosphere, skip the food. I've been here many, many times. After the first visit, I proclaimed that it was the most fun I've had in a bar. You get to stand on tables! With strangers! And sing! And drink out of gigantic beer mugs! The music is not my favorite but it suits the establishment of course. It's a loud place, especially in the evenings on the weekends. I've never been too impressed with the food and I'm further disappointed when the bill comes. I've tried the pretzel (Pretty good), salmon medallions, and the vegetarian schnitzel. If you must eat, I suggest sharing the pretzel with friends. If you order a shot, it is delivered to you on a special paddle board. After you take your shot, you are told to bend over your chair, and you are subsequently paddled. But, "paddle" makes it sound less painful than it actually is. All in good fun! The beer is delicious and comes in many sizes, but the liter seems to be the most popular.
(3)
Diana K.
The food and service was incredible. Traci our sever was awesome and friendly. The food was outstanding. The music was great to listen to while eating. The view we had outside was awesome. I would definitely eat here again for sure.
(5)
Sam P.
We had good service until the shift change. We each had one beer and then a member of our party came late. When he got his beer the band was encouraging to cheers...we had already done it a few time that night and thought nothing of it. One of the girls in our party cheers with the new comer and the glass broke on inpact. Out of the 5 people who came to check the progress of the mess only 2, the bus boys, were more worried about us. The rest of the time we were blamed when it was a total fluke. We have been here before and have always been encouraged to cheers one another without any problem.
(3)
Michele S.
Been here several times. I've never been disappointed in the food or the beer. Service seems to be hit or miss, and the same goes for the music. The last time we went was on a crowded Saturday night. The band played a bunch of American music cover songs, which I did not care for. The only "German" music that was played was a modern German song I had never heard. Outside of that, the crowd participation is always fun. We ordered the "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 mustards), "gurken salat" (cucumber salad), "Hofbrauhaus wurstplatte" (sausage plate), and "munchner schweinebraten" (pork roast). We loved all of it, and completely cleaned the plates.
(3)
Matt R.
Beer: 5/5 Food: 3/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 After shortly arriving in Chicago via O'Hare I opted not for the deep dish pizza, but for fresh German beer and schnitzel at the franchised Hofbrauhaus. Very close to ORD, it is accessible by train or cab. I took the blue line one stop, got off at rosemont and walked about 15 min before arriving at my foodie destination. Immediately upon entering this megaplex the rush of aromatic hops filled my nose, and I felt like Peter from family guy at the Pawtucket brewery (or Charlie in the chocolate factory). The friendly staff is dressed in leiderhosen and the massive space filled with bench style tables. If I didn't have an exam later in the day I would have went for a tall mug but opted for a sample size of the Oktoberfest for $1.75 (I couldn't resist at least trying!). As I drank my beer enjoying its smooth taste I marveled at the giant vats of brew behind the bar, with every variable controlled by the beer-meister at the center console. For food, the jägerschnitzel arrived prompt and was different than what I had previously at my local German restaurant. The pork was not breaded and came smothered in a rich mushroom sauce topped with two long strips of bacon and fried onions. Although I questioned the authenticity of this dish, the side of spaztle was a bit salty and did not have the brown buttery taste as it should. Nevertheless, it was a tasty meal overall enriched by the polka music playing in the background. I imagine this place gets crazy during the late hours and I would bring some drinking pals. I'll have to wait until the buffalo location opens before coming back to try the schnitzel and drink out of the boot.
(4)
Gwen E.
We just had our company Christmas dinner here and it was a blast. ...we had so much fun! The atmosphere was great...the waitress was friendly and the food was really good..we ended up singing and just having a great time! I'm not a beer drinker so I settled on a nice cocktail which was yummy....I had the sauerbraten which was very flavorful and tender..I could cut it with a fork..delicious! It does get loud so this isn't the spot for a romantic date but with a group of ppl who want to have a good time..this is the place.
(4)
Allison C.
Blandest overpriced food and more obnoxious than Disneyland. Their food cost way too much and tasted like it had been sitting out all day. Yes, I know, it's standard for German places with live music to play "Happy Birthday," and "OI OI OI! (song name?) over and over. But this place did more than that. It played the SAME German and American songs multiple times within less than an hour. The Simpson's Itchy and Scratchy Land episode came to mind. "How wonderful to ring in the new year over and over!" "PLEASE KILL ME!" With all the great places in Lincoln Square, there's no need to go here.
(2)
Gaby C.
This place is a hoot! The food is okay but the live music and crowd participation is fun! We saw people get smacked on the tushy with a wooden paddle..and we couldn't pass the opportunity to do the same for our nephew. Buy a shot, get smacked in the read by a true German.
(3)
Jennifer Q.
I'm kinda on the fence here. I wanted to love this place. It was my first time. The atmosphere and server was really nice. However, I wasn't super impressed. Shame on me for not knowing much about German food. It just seemed really plain. Plus, from what I understood, there were only 4 beers on tap. I guess I was expecting something a little more. -Like some really interesting, flavorful food and a bunch of unique and strong German craft beers. While the sausage on a bun was rather boring, I did really like the potato salad. Plus, my friend ordered a curry sausage and that was really interesting. It almost tasted like BBQ sauce rather than traditional curry. To be fair, this was the day of the German World Cup game. At first, it was CRAZY inside (again, that might be your thing depending on your get together). However, I was reuniting with some old friends so we wanted to catch up. That said, once the game was over, it calmed down and I quite liked the outdoor seating. It might be a case of a really fun venue but not the right venue for our particular occasion. I would be willing to come back to learn more about their menu and update if I have a better experience. Maybe I will bring a few rowdy friends and get into the spirit a little more!
(3)
David O.
I never said Craig or Greg was the bartender, in fact I never got the bartender's name. Perhaps it was your bartender who was inebriated or misidentified him purposely? Sorry but I don't get drunk on 2 beers, nor do I allow myself to get into that state in public and put myself in danger of all sorts of issues while ALONE. I was targeted by your thief employee and I have called him out. I stand by my comments and my review and you are not going to intimidate me nor will I allow you to distort the truth. I am well aware this is a dangerous metropolitan area and have been told a while back that Rosemont is not a safe place either. Threatening me with park police or charges is a pretty strong statement. I take my safety seriously as well. This is why I will not be bullied nor threatened directly or indirectly. I don't go out of my way to post on here without a good reason. Truth is truth and I stand by my account. I assure you that you'll never see me at Hofbrauhaus Chicago again. PS this restaurant is likely owned by a rich Turk, because a real German would kill themselves before allowing such behavior at his restaurant.
(1)
Frank S.
This place has great food and great vibe. Truly A great family place. I don't know how someone can even think to rate this 3 stars or lower.
(5)
Toni B.
I would actually give this restaurant 3.5 stars...the hubby would give it 4 because he LOVED his meal when he came here with friends. I have come here two times on a girls night out. The service is pretty decent but my only issue is the pricing! Holy cow! Their jumbo pretzel with cheese is almost the same price as a meal, and the pretzel isn't even that jumbo! My girlfriends and I thought they brought us the wrong pretzel...yikes! The band that plays is definitely entertaining and on the weekends they have contests, which is fun! They do have valet parking as well if you don't want to deal with the parking garage!
(3)
Blr R.
I was very happy with the Jagerschnitzel lunch. Perfectly sized portion. The Creamy Bavarian Potato Soup was delicious. Service was prompt and friendly.
(5)
Taylor M.
When we first arrived, I thought I was going to hate this place. It was loud and crowded. There was a thirty minute wait and you have to share a table with other people. Our wait ended up being closer to 15 minutes, it was kind of fun to sit at a table with random people, and the live music and entertainment was, well... Entertaining! The pretzel with the works was yummy and filling we couldn't finish it. The entrees all looked so big that in ordered the potato pancake with salmon appetizer for my meal and it was great too. I wasn't able to finish it because it was huge as well. The entertainment was amusing. I liked standing on my chair doing the chicken dance and watching people have various competitions on the stage. I would highly recommend checking this place out for an out of the ordinary experience!
(4)
Jessica S.
Atmosphere gets a 5. Food is a 3. Ordered the chicken special with spaetzle. Not great. But the music and service made it a great experience
(3)
Cindy S.
Fun, easy going. A bit too loud for conversation when music is playing
(4)
Ed A.
came here expecting lots of sausage and beer on the menu. We were not disappointed. The also poor a decent glass of wine. The ambience is pretty cool and music different enough to abuse and enjoy. Never thought I'd hear 70s music in a German beer hall in 2014. Don't get the connection, but whatever. The waitresses/servers were friendly and efficient, and always ready to keep the alcohol coming. One wonders whether the same German band plays every night (God help them. If that's the case). Not a bad place to stop by for beer and a bite, probably appetizers. A good time, sure. But definitely not a destination restaurant, especially for German food
(3)
Rob L.
Tried the happy hour plates the onion sausage was good and came with onion crisps. The pretzel was cut up and served with a nacho cheese and the pulled pork sliders were good and not dry. For drinks i tried the darker dunkel beer its a light beer for being dark with nutty fruity flavor.
(5)
Jae K.
I've been to this establishment twice. The first time, it was almost empty. The second time, it was very busy. The band is always a pleasure - they actually play some really nice songs, though a bit "old". I haven't eaten much German food, but I thought the food was pretty good. The portions are pretty big, in my opinion bit I can't eat much. I had the schnitzel platter which was pretty good, and it came with a standard German potato salad. I forgot the name of what my brother ordered but it was tasty too. (3 types of meat on a bed of sauerkraut). The service was really great. We didn't have to wait long and the waitress periodically checked up on us. Though I have to say that the boisterous nature isn't for me. I understand it's supposed to be loud and such , but just not something I enjoy. I would come back though. Also, we didn't pay for parking. If you park in the non movie theater parking, it's 13 bucks but you can get it validated at the gift shop. Woo!
(4)
Matthew F.
Great tradition and what you would expect for an offshoot of the famous brewery. Great beer.
(5)
Corey S.
German birthday song is a nice touch & getting paddled by the shot drink paddle. Should play a variety of German songs, especially party songs. Not Brazillian songs. Beer is decent. The decor is really good. Service is good. Food should be Americanized, & the music Germanized. Then more stars.
(3)
Kristina K.
Despite the fact that the life size chess game is not there anymore, I am still a big fan of the entertainment district in Rosemont. So many different places to visit. There is a Greek restaurant, a bowling alley, Adobe gila, TKs, park tavern and iFly Chicago. Since I had never been to HB I literally pushed my husband and his friend to go and try this place out. Sure I can be selfish but I like trying new places and I don't see why they cant be like me. We entered and we were told there was going to be a wait since there was only one hostess working. (A hostess told us that by the way) Strange how we weren't allowed to sit down ourselves since there were a million and one tables open outside. The establishment is massive, clean and fun. The decor is not that impressive but it is cool looking. Nothing like its fellow restaurants in the area. The server came right away. She was nice, relatable and very effienct. They didnt have the July beer but she offered the June one and after her description, I was sold. It was good. The issue with the place was the food. I have never been a fan of German food. Its bland, boring and unhealthy. Nothing about it entices me. And I was right again. We had the sausage plate and the potato pancake and salmon platter. The pancakes were bland and tasteless. I am trying really hard to find something synonymously boring to compare it and I can't. Paper may have more taste than the pancakes they offer there. If I am going to have carbs they better be delicious, otherwise what is the point of my sacrifice? Whatever! I came, I tried it out and I am staying away.
(2)
Pam D.
Not my cup of tea (or beer). It is too big, too noisy and too much the tourist trap. The food was hit and miss. Some things were good, but most things we tried I have had better at other German places around Chicago. We won't be returning any time soon.
(2)
Kevin C.
Gone down hill since my last visit. Food was less than good, did not come out hot and a bar staff that seemed less than accommodating! I'll try it again, maybe just the night that was less than what I expected.
(2)
Jim K.
What a disappointment! This place was built to take advantage of conventioneers. Poor beer, bad service and mediocre food. I came in for lunch and tried the dark lager, which was too warm and flat, and the hefe which was too hoppy. My sandwich came out late and cold after 25 minutes. They only brought it out after I asked about it so they just forgot about it. When I told the server that our took way too long, her response was "I can only do what I can do". At least you can save some money by not leaving a tip here. Awful. If you're visiting Chicago, go to the Countryside Tap in Niles or any of the German places on Lincoln Avenue. Your money will be much better spent.
(1)
Jeff S.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and was really looking forward to visiting their sister restaurant in Chicago. The decor and everything was well done, but it really paled in contrast to the experience in Munich. The food was good, but not outstanding. Their pretzels they billed as being from Munich were honestly too dry and didn't seem as fresh as they should be. It wasn't a bad experience and everything was ok, but I found myself feeling compelled to apologize to the rest of my group for being so insistent to go here, only to have an "OK" experience, particularly when there were so many other choices in the immediate area where it's located.
(3)
Richard H.
Found the beer just as bland as the food. It's a loud place even before the music starts playing. It may be good for a beer drinking party but.... It's to costly.
(2)
Michelle K.
I'm not really a fan of this restaurant but my German husband enjoys going here. This restaurant is way too touristy for me! The place is so loud you can not have a conversation with the person next to you and the food is way over priced. I would not recommend this restaurant there are way better German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)
Zach Z.
I dont know what all these bummer reviews are about, I liked this place. The first Hofbrauhaus my wife and I ever went to was the original in Munich so needless to say our expectations were high. Now dont get me wrong this place doesnt compare to Munich, but I wasnt really let down. It has more of a modern vibe than i would have liked for such a historic brand, but they did capture some of the stylings of the original which I thought was cool. The seating is classic benches like the original, but then they throw in bar height tables and regular tables as well to appeal to all. The entertainment was awesome as they had a traditional German style band that would interact with the families that were there. All the kids in the place loved it as they got to hold the instruments and interact. Also, they played the traditional Prosting song which was cool. It also looked like they had a private room that could be rented for parties and what not. Not to mention they did have a couple HUGE TVs there. Lastly, there is a gift shop so you can get some overpriced, almost authentic gear. :) Check this place out, I will certainly be back.
(5)
Meghan C.
I love this place! :) I was there this past weekend with a group of 20 to celebrate my birthday. Making a reservation was so easy which is unusual for a group of 20 on a Saturday night especially because I made the reservation on Thursday!! The service was great, the beer was great, and the atmosphere is awesome! My butt still hurts from being spanked but it was all in good fun! :) I have been to the original in Munich and it lives up to that atmosphere 100%. We are already planning on coming back for another visit.
(5)
Shelly D.
Excellent food very entertaining fun evening! If you don't like loud go some where else. Great celebration place.
(4)
P K.
Great follow up by General Manager, Jim Olson. Things don't always go smooth in any business but it's how the business responds that makes all the difference in the world. Jim Olson understands that. Very impressed with his follow up.
(3)
Yvonne O.
I'm just not impressed anymore by this place. Perhaps it is the high price tag? Maybe it is my inability to drink their beer right now? It could be the excessive amount of children running around the place during weekend lunches. Either way, I think there are better places to get your schnitzel on and for less money. We got the special fondue with pretzel bites to start and I had the schnitzel sandwich with fries and husband went with the half chicken again - with potato salad that was WAAAAY too oniony. He ended-up eating half my fries, dipping them in the fondue. The schnitzel needs a sauce - whether it is a cranberry-type or some kind of mayo - it is too dry to eat without it. The fries are very good - we ate them all. He liked the chicken just like last time, but wouldn't rave about it. The band is also getting old - it is the same stuff every time you are here (on repeat) and it's just loud and annoying after a while.
(3)
Vishal B.
An authentic German experience! Big beer hall, communal tables with a band playing. A loud raucous place. Lets talk about the brew, made here on site.. is delicious! The big pretzel is a must have with a stein of beer. I personally think the Hefeweizen here was the best wheat beer I have tried in a long time. Oh.. lets not forget you can bring your buddy here on his birthday and get him paddled by a waitress! I am sure this is a true German tradition.. so come make memories with your friends!
(5)
Robin T.
This place is a blast! Service was fun, attentive - Roxy was the best. We had "appetizers". The sausage tower and potato pancakes. Fabulous to share. We sat in the bar, but the long dining tables and traditional German band really built the atmosphere. The one puzzling "activity" was the "paddling" of patrons. Thank you sir, may I have another.
(5)
Dave W.
Heard about this place from a couple of co workers. The host seated us promptly and we were quickly greeted by our server Anthony. Anthony should be a trainer for all of the new employees who join this awesome establishment... Anthony quickly introduced himself, took our beer order.. kept up with our silliness, offered up suggestions.. which we took on his word. We were all pleased and satisfied with our meals and beer suggestions . Needless to say Anthony made flight delay on Sunday the 25th an exceptional experience. We will return and make sure we get seated in Anthonys area.
(5)
Rayna L.
I have stopped by for happy hour and loved the currywurst. It was speedy and their Hefeweizen is one of my favorite beers. I returned for a drink on a Saturday evening and the place was packed with families that had just come from the theatre across the street. It was fun but the live polka music was a little loud for me and I am not a fan of sharing the long bench tables with strangers. Still, I will definitely go back and I will get the gluhwein again. It was nicely spiced and perfect to warm you up on a chilly evening.
(3)
Brian B.
This is a loud, festive, German beer hall with oompah music and that is what makes it great. That should be understood before going. Of course, the mothership Hofbräuhaus in Munich is better, but if you only have a few hours this one is great. The big negatives in my view are the parking (not the fault of HB) and the difficulty getting to the place. Otherwise, once you get there order a nice liter of real beer get some roast pork and kick back, adjust your attitude and enjoy the gemütlichkeit. Yes, this is not a cheap place, you pay for quality here.
(5)
Andreas K.
After visiting Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont, I've come to the conclusion that it's one of those places you either love or hate. I'm sure you can tell how I feel about it based on my rating. I kind of knew what to expect when I went in, but I wasn't expecting the atmosphere to be as celebratory as it was. That's not a bad thing. My buddies and I arrived and were seated really quickly, despite the place being jam-packed on a Saturday night. We promptly received our beers and ordered the food. Took a bit for the food to arrive, but I'm not too fussed over that given the sheer number of people in there.
(4)
g d.
Went with a small group. I had the Schnitzel. Very good. Never had it with cranberries before. But that was good. Also had a side of Red Cabbage. Never had it before. But very good. Had a flight of beer. I thought they were weak tasting. Could use some improvement. The oompah music was fun.
(4)
John T.
Authentic german beer hall. Huge place - beautifully kept. Long tables, huge TV's and a lot of cool rooms set up. Beer served in huge mugs - and they sell the boot shaped one's as well. I had a dark which was OK - that is my only gripe, although really nto a gripe, I like a bigger beer selection - but that would be less authentic as well. Food was good, staff was friendly. It is right on The Park - so plenty of parking and other choices of places to go for round 2 (or 3 or 4).
(4)
Kristine R.
"Meh" is a great word to describe this place. It's not bad, but it just doesn't knock my socks off. It's a great tourist attraction, so if you're from out of town or you've got family coming to visit you in the suburbs, and the city is just too scary to visit, then this is a great place for a fun night out. I've had better German food before though, and at half the price. Even the lunch menu is way overpriced for what you're getting. Do yourself a favor and get some brats at a hot dog stand first, and then go here for the atmosphere and blow your money on beer instead. You'll be much happier for it.
(2)
Jessica G.
So this is an interesting place. Big, loud, full of people and beer. And sausage. Can't forget that. Parking is weird - there is valet and there is also apparently free parking but after 10 minutes of driving around and trying to figure out where to go, my head was going to explode so we just paid to valet. The interior is enormous. The furniture is dark wood - long benches and long tables. There's a stage at the front and there is also a gift shop. The food is pretty standard - if you want gourmet, this is not it, but for sausage and sauerkraut, this is decent. Portions are fairly generous, too. If you like beer, they have it, a lot of it. I believe they come in bucket-sized mugs, and the dunkel is very tasty. They only have a few different types of beer and one monthly special so don't go in, expecting a multitude of choices. And for the size of the place and the number of people, we found service to be pretty good. Our server handled our large, loud table quite nicely and in a very timely fashion. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich recently, this is a pretty good copy of the original. Worth visiting once or twice but probably not an all the time place.
(4)
Jeff B.
So much food! The portions were huge! I simply could not eat all the meal they brought to me. it was very tasty and after a long day on my feet, it was welcomed. The drinks were nice as well. The atmosphere is infectious with the music and fun. bring a big group, or just a few and you're assured to have a good time. The staff was as friendly as could be and made the evening more enjoyable.
(4)
Peter B.
Great beer, food and big pretzels! Came here for my birthday a couple of weeks ago with a big group and reserving a table for 13 was not a big deal even a week ahead of time. They spank anyone who takes a shot here, so it being my birthday I had to partake in these activities, a couple of times :) Very busy and packed on a Saturday night so reservations are strongly recommended. Will definitely come back for lunch sometime!
(5)
Marta S.
If you want beer and a fun atmosphere in a loud and large place this is it. Food overall was not so good and we tried a bunch off things there, you safest choice is to stick with beer and the large pretzel. The other dishes we tried were not good at all.
(2)
Dougie M.
Anyone who has been to Germany will know the Germans for their perfection when it comes to efficiency. Ok, so yes the wait system to get a table was an absolute mess and the servers looked pretty miserable however this place is a lot of fun. Live bands and entertainers keep the atmosphere going whilst you enjoy some authentic foods - not the best German cuisine I've had but still good. Definitely enjoy the atmosphere and have several beers - which are great! But don't pretend it's "real" - having been to Germany several times I've never known them to perform the Star Spangled Banner! But a good fun place!
(3)
Tom O.
Very disappointing. I had the sauerbraten and it was way over cooked and really lacked flavor. I tried to sub more spatzel for the red cabbage and they refused. Daughter's pork schnitzel also had zero flavor. Very over priced. The ONLY reason I give this two stars is that I loved the music!!! Maybe I would go for an appetizer with friends, a beer as long as they had music. But this isn't the place for a meal.
(2)
Pari S.
Went here Friday night. Of course its Octoberfest, but strangely when we first arrived, the hostess in the front was almost hesitant to seat us. We showed up at 4 pm and was told most tables were reserved already for 7 pm. There were only 3 in our party. Which we got seated, and noticed the whole entire restaurant is huge. It can probably seat over 400 to 500 people. It was still empty. We ordered a few beers, which were half pints around $7.50 each. I got the hauffbraus platt, my other parties got a fried tilapia plate, and the other was the crispy shank plate. Food was average. Maybe a lil bit pricey. My plate was 23... the crispy pork shank was 25, and the fish plate was 19. Good thing was, we didn't wait too long for food to come out. Maybe about 15 minutes. I tasted a lil bit of everybody's food. My fav was the crispy pork shank. Portion was huge and worth the price. The other dishes were just alright. We ended up ordering a pretzel at the end, to finish off our beers. But was not to crazy bout it. Kinda hard, and dry... overly salted. It came with a cheese, and 2 kinds of mustards. Was around 9 bucks. I do recommend this place, if you are a beer drinker. But not a food place. Was kinda cute to see everyone in costumes. Saw a live band setting up. But weirdest thing was seeing the waiter with a paddle. He paddled 2 women, who bent over on the table. I heard a loud smack and a loud yelp from these women. I Don't recommend bringing your kids. Atmosphere is really loud and everyone is drinking. Would I go again... maybe, if I wanted a crazy fun loud drunk night out. But no, I wouldn't bring my family there. Would just be to hard to try and explain why grown women were getting paddled at a restaurant to my mom and dad, or my kids.
(3)
Tellsplatte ..
Three stars! $7.50 for a dunkel. Worthy of 3 stars. I had this footlong sausage with sauerkraut and the sausage tasted much like a breakfast sausage!
(3)
John K.
Made reservations two weeks ago. I asked to be seated near the door as we had an elderly party with us. Upon arriving the host started to take us to the back seating area at which time I reminded them of our request the host sought out help from a manager. With a two tabels open near the door I figured it was just an oversight but no the manager informed me those tables were for parties of twenty or more. We were seated one table off the stage. At a table for ten with another party. So if we could sit at a table for ten why not the one for twenty. The waitress and food were excellent as was the entertainment. It's a shame that management can't take a hint from their workers. By the way Mr Manager have you heard of being ADA compliant
(3)
Amber K.
We made reservations on a Sunday night during Oktoberfest.... The place was full. Fun energy and live music and dancing. The waitress told us they fly a new band in every month from Germany to perform all month. The menu had a ton of different options. Pricey but good. The food tasted pretty authentic my German grandparents and mom would have been impressed. If you're in the mood for German, check this place out.
(4)
Jessica S.
Beer: 5 stars. Hefeweizen. Atmosphere: 4 stars. It's a German Beer Hall, it's supposed to be loud and your supposed to share tables. Outside seating is a cool option though. The band was fun but I wish they would have sung Ein Zwei Suppe! Food Quality: 3 stars. I've spent a lot of time in Germany so my expectations are likely unrealistic. It's good but I've had better. Food Cost: 1 star. Was ist das?! The prices weren't this high in Munich and the dollar is practically worthless in Europe! Way overpriced for quality. Notice that last word, quality. I will pay a lot for amazing food, but not for 3 star. Would I go back? For beer and pretzels with friends sure. But if I want authentic German, there are other spots in the Chicago Suburbs and even downstate where I live. If your travels bring you near Gibson City you MUST try Bayern Stube. Seriously authentic and worth the drive and price!
(3)
Meredith A.
The food was a bit bland not a lot of flavor. The October fest live music and show was worth the price of food which is way over priced for the flavor. The server was nice...it was just so loud it was hard to order with her. Otherwise cool experience...but I don't know if I'll go back.
(3)
Austin G.
GREAT FOOD! Good service even when packed. The one in Munich is by far the best buy off you want a great experience the Chicago one of next best. I've been here a few time now and never been disappointed.
(5)
Jolynn K.
Went here when it first opened my boyfriend lives in the area. Ordered the Wienerschnitzel it was huge and delicious. Went back last Saturday and ordered the same thing but this time the piece of meat was so small and fatty. Very disappointed and it was $23.00 but the service and beer were great. Won't be back.
(3)
Donatas D.
Thumbs up to the Austrian entertainers. 5 of us visited this place and we had a great time. They had a couple of contests Friday. The beer was awesome as well as the food. We will definitely come back. Also, a great place for a girls night out.
(5)
Nan T.
Schnitzel is pretty good & huge portion..... Very noisy. It's worth it to go there once if you're in the area... We've been there a few times...and not worth the price & noise after first visit. Can be fun for a birthday.
(3)
Nicole W.
Fun for entire family! Music playing, people clapping, you can't help but smile and clap along! Kids menu is affordable @ $5.95 and the chicken tenders and fries are tasty, portion large enough for two small children to share. German style menu, large portions and everything is good! My vegetarian mother in law completely enjoyed her salmon dish. The light beer on tap tastes like a heavy Miller Light so go with that selection if you are unsure about the other german beer. Adult meals are all about $19.95 a dish. Validate your parking ticket at hostess desk so you get free parking ($17!).
(5)
Jay L.
The place to go if you want to be able to order some large portions of meat, in a raucous, but very entertaining atmosphere. Went with a large part of a 10 on a Saturday night. The service was not as bad as previously reviewed. Our server came by just enough, and had a Top 5 of platters he enjoyed most. The most entertaining part of the evening was watching other patrons, some of whom had a little much to drink, and the stein holding contest. If you hit the gym frequently and work out your shoulder muscles, you have a shot at taking home a stein of your own. The food was okay. Nothing to rave about, but not bad either. The cold cut platter (Hofbrauhaus Brotzeitteller) and the pretzels (Obazter Classic Bavarian Appetizer) were just that. The Friday/Saturday night special of Pork Shanks was pretty good. It is a large quantity of meat, but pretty tasty. I would recommend giving it a shot. Overall, I would recommend coming here first for the entertainment, and second for the food.
(3)
Kate D.
This place is only open due to drunk college guys and families with small children (found this odd). The food is bland and mediocre at best. I had a pretzel ($14) and it wasn't even fresh. Warm but stale. I split a half chicken with a friend and it came with potato salad... We had been starving and we couldn't even finish it.
(2)
Jordan M.
Fun place to eat. During my time there I stood on a bench and danced, participated in a beer stein holding competition, and got paddled for my birthday. Food was decent too.
(5)
Jason G.
A great atmosphere and really make you feel like you back in Germany. The food is delicious and the beer is even better. The Hofbräuhaus was our favorite place to eat while stationed in Germany and this is a close second to the original. Will eat here again.
(4)
Judy L.
Dear Hofbrauhaus, What you need is a $10 beer sampler with all 4 of your beers in 4 oz sample sizes! I am an IPA girl and I had no clue what to order and without being able to taste a beer sample, it was tough to decide. Even harder to decide considering your menu does not list any prices for the 4 beers that you do offer in various size mugs. Didn't want to be stuck with something I really didn't like. 5 stars for your Lager! It was really good. The German band with their German beer chant was also excellent. A little loud for a Thursday happy hour, but good. The reason I can only give you 2 stars is due to your lack of beer samples, lack of published prices on the beer menu and the cost of food being WAY too high for the actual quality of the product. I had a room temperature pretzel with cold condiments for $13.95! Are you kidding?! There was no cooking involved, serving it was a breeze and the cost of ingredients could not have possibly exceeded $2. So why is a pretzel $13.95?? It really wasn't even remotely delicious and I certainly would not order it again. The special cheese spread...meh. It was okay. Overall the place is spacious and it has a cool vibe. The servers in authentic German outfits look great. The store with all kinds of cool German candy and knick knacks is fun. Your downfall is your actual food/restaurant experience. I would consider coming back for a beer during Oktoberfest, but otherwise I would not be a repeat customer. Disappointed, Judy
(2)
Hans L.
I like German beer. I like Hofbauhaus beer. I drank it and enjoyed it immensely. Prost! I like German food. I ate Hofbauhaus food. I'm not sure what I ordered now. So, I guess that would be neither good nor bad. (On the other hand, I can tell you exactly what I had at the Berghoff last time I was there, and that was fabulous.) That was the trip before last. The last time we were there we stopped by on a whim für ein Bier und eine Wurst. You know, a beer and a bite. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the patio...and waited. Server after server crossed in front of us, but no one stopped. We folded our menus and placed them on the corner of our table, usually a sign that we would like to have a conversation about ordering something. 10 minutes later and we were still watching servers cross back and forth. Aw, c'mon, just a beer for crying out loud. Oh well. There's an Irish pub knockoff just across the way. A half and half sounds good, too. And have to tell you, it was good. Sláinte! By the way, they also have a patio. I will go back to Hofbrauhaus, yes indeed: I like their beer too much. Maybe I will update this at that point.
(4)
Sara J.
Yes its loud. Yes it is a little rowdy. That is half of the fun. I have been missing German food for three years and this place hit the spot. Food was excellent. Lots of fun for casual dinner and beer drinking.
(4)
Eric R.
Fun place, good food, good beer, what's the problem?? The band was playing during lunch hour and did a great job. Our waitress was cool and easy to chat with. Place is good for groups; it was just two of us and we had fun!! Check it out.
(5)
Blake N.
It was a cool place. I did not have any of the food. Just went for a drink and the entertainment with some friends. The live music was very entertaining and fun. They had a little bit of comedy in them as well. Would definitely go back for another fun experience.
(4)
Dan P.
I went here for my graduation, first time coming here. Not bad with seating us, even though we had reservations. My dad is a big fan of the German Oktoberfest, having been there himself, he thought of this place a good replica for us 'Mericans. I had a liter of the Hefeweizen, not being a big fan of them to begin with, I found theirs to be very good! My gf had the summer bier which wasn't bad and my dad had the Hefeweizen as well. Now onto the food...I ordered the Hofbrauhaus Sausage Platter (sorry forgot the real German name for it), came with 4 sausages onto of mashed potatoes and gravy with saurkraut, really good! My dad has steak tar-tar, which is usually an appetizer but he wanted it since he never can find it in the states (he liked it as well). My girlfriend got the bavarian burger which was good and my mom got some combo which came with smoked pork shank. She grew up with pork shank so I understood where she came from by saying it was really dry and over-cooked. She made a comment to the waitress which ended up with the manager coming in and comping the plate and replacing with the sausage platter I had, where she was satisfied. I'm not one to complain over food and felt awkward during the time, but I do give props to management for doing that, giving you guys a good rating. I'd come back again.
(4)
Joe S.
A bad experience all around. Our beers were never filled properly, the appetizers had to be sent back, and the main dishes were just ok. Would not recommend or return to this place.
(1)
Po B.
We had a lot of fun at this restaurant! The food is delicious and the beer is amazing. The place is loud, so make sure you don't get a table next to the stage if you want to have a nice conversation, and not find yourself yelling at the person sitting next to you.
(4)
Suzanne Z.
Was here for the first time for their 1 year anniversary party. It was an interesting experience to say the least! It was very crowded, with a boisterous (and very loud- for someone with a quiet voice like me, I'm pretty sure no one heard anything that I said) energy. They encourage you to stand up on your bench seat and join in on the German songs, which really got a lot of people involved. They had a marching band and ceremonial beer tapping for the event which was cool, and the beer stein holding competition was funny to see! I ordered a half liter of their January beer- a roasty Dunkel which was a little heavy but really good! Had been dreaming of a pretzel all day long, and when I got it, was a little disappointed to find it fresh, but not hot, just room temperature. Their sweet mustard was awesome, the spicy mustard was a little too sour for me. For dinner I got the chicken schnitzel salad- fried chicken with spinach on their potato salad with bacon dressing. Sounded amazing, but I was disappointed. The potato salad again, was so sour tasting to me, and the chicken was very dry. For the price- 15.99, it wasn't worth it, had a little bit for left overs today and threw the rest out. Service was so-so, I get that they were busy, but the waitress would only ask half the table if they needed something. My water cup was long empty before we found an extra from someone else at the table for me to share. The retail counter will validate your ticket so parking is free, nice perk! Otherwise its $13.
(3)
David K.
I had the crispy pork shank which is a weekend special .It was absolutely perfectly cooked. The skin was a crispy and added a textual element to the melt in your mouth pork. It was paired with a potato and bread dumplings with a side of a cabbage salad topped with bacon. This was a pork fest better than most BBQ that I have had. The skin was so crispy that i thought "pork skin chips" yum!
(5)
Gisela M.
Good beer, Good fun, but the food - so-so. I have been here twice and I have to say the food left me unimpressed. The first time I had the Sauerbraten and I very disappointed. But in all fairness not many placed have made a Sauerbraten that I would say is great. The second time I had the Bratenteller which has a variety of meats including the sauerbraten. And yes, I did not like it again but the hunter style pork roast was better. The red cabbage was fine and so was the spazle. But, if it's a good time and beer you want, then this is the place. You must have the traditional pretzles with mustard. They were very good. I am not a big beer drinker but there is something about having a beer in a traditional beer hall with the music, laughter and friendliness that is worth it.
(3)
Marisa V.
What a fun place!!! I had the chicken breast with mushroom sauce and snitzels. It was delicious. Huge glasses of beer, great entertainment and waitress. My hubby was happy, reminds me him of his time in Germany. I'd go back. Went there for birthday.
(5)
Mel M.
Great German beer. Love the jumbo pretzel with mustard, cheese and apple butter. Always a fun atmosphere! Service at bar could be better. I hate to be ignored!
(4)
Jenny C.
Very loud, great atmosphere, great music/performers but drinks took 30 minutes and food took over an hour. Server only came by like 3 times. Food was bland. I got jäger schnitzel that was soggy instead of crispy because it sat for so long, mushroom gravy was bland. Spatzle wasn't good either. I tried my friend's curry wurst which was awesome though.
(2)
J J.
Great space, food, service, and all around good time. Parking situation robbed them of 5 stars.
(4)
Renee S.
This place is awesome especially on weekends. We came here for the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest beer was good. Order some shots and you get a complementary on the house spanking with a wooden paddle. Come with a group n u'll have some good fun! I'm comin here for my birthday spanking for sure lol
(5)
Elisha T.
I came here on a Tuesday night for a group of 10. Half of the hall was filled. POSITIVES * It's a nice place for groups to get together. * The starter pretzel was great * Cool decor and beer hall architecture * The live band and waiters in costume were very cool! * Friendly waiters NEGATIVES * It was really loud, even though the restaurant was only half-full. I couldn't hear the conversation 2 persons away. * The food was ok. FOOD I got the Allgäuer Käsespätzle - It reminded me of macaroni and cheese. The taste became monotonous very quickly.
(3)
Angela H.
Went today an I have been anticipating this for a while now. I was disappointed. The atmosphere was neat. We sat in the bar are (seat yourself) we waited about 10 min before anyone came over. We ordered beers (my glass smelt like dirty cleaning solution) and then ordered a pretzel (8.99) with mustard (.99). I went the bathroom to wash my hands and the pretzel was already there, hard, and cold. we asked the waitress about this and she touched the pretzel the said "oh we serve them cold here, if we were to serve them hot then the yeast would expand in your stomach and there wouldn't be any room for beer" I must have looked like a deer in headlights, she then said "it's a German thing" and walked away. hmmm ok, not!!! we sent the pretzel back, got our bill and left. Based on that little experience, I will NOT return.
(2)
Janine K.
I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard this is one of two locations in the country, the other in Las Vegas. I've been wanting to visit this place, but wanted the hype to die down as well before visiting this particular location. Referring back to my reviews about this area in Rosemont...the parking is a pain, the parking garage just makes no sense, there are cars going everywhere in every direction, people, etc. I purposely chose to visit this place with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I made reservations for us at 3:00. The reservation process on the website was easy peasy. I got there exactly at 3 and we got right in and got seated. The place was pretty crowded for a late afternoon. Of course we had to order the BIG beers....I mean, go big or go home, right?! Along with our big pretzel for an appetizer. I cant' even recall what my friends ordered for their meals but I had the chicken brat that came with sides and it was very good. We shared black forest cake for dessert. I was very satisfied with my experience here...service, food, beer, entertainment, everything! There was a little while that the place wasn't as crowded after we got there but started to get busy again for the dinner rush. Definitely make reservations...and enjoy the rest!
(4)
Samantha J.
I came in here this past Tuesday with a group of about 20 coworkers. we had already been to most of the bars in the Entertainment District as our office is just across the street, so we decided to try Hofbrauhaus out. what a mistake. 1) everything is overpriced. a mixed drink is $15. A pretzel is $13. the 4 beers (yes, they only have 4) are also expensive. 2) service is HORRIBLE. offensive even. Val was our server and she added items on our bill that we didn't order because she assumed (admittedly) that our CFO was paying for it. She also complained about the tips she received from other patrons. We think she was drunk or on something else, because she was acting like a lunatic. I don't like to leave bad reviews unless is completely necessary. the band was fun, it's very spacious, but they really need to work on their food/drink offerings and wait staff. we will not be coming back. there are way better options in this area.
(1)
Anna L.
We decided to try this place on a Saturday night. Ehh.. maybe we should have tried another night. The new Rosemont entertainment district is ridiculously crowded on the weekends. I was annoyed when I called because they don't take reservations and they wont let you put your name on the list. What exactly is the reason for this? It would do nothing but make patrons happy. I rarely go to a place that does this because it is EXTREMELY inconvenient. After being told our wait would be 2 hours we wanted to leave but were waiting for one of our friends to arrive and decided to go to the bar. The bar was soo crowded with people waiting (for what I guess was 2 hours also) that we couldn't get anywhere close to it for a drink. Once our friend arrived we decided to wait it out and fought our way to the bar. The Bar: Its insane. It was extremely busy and there were only about 4 bartenders. On a night like that, you really need a bartender for every foot of the bar. It took about 15 minutes to get the attention of a bartender then we finally got our beers. I mean.. its good.. and kind of fun cause they have big beer steins. I believe they are about $13 per stein. You can also order appetizers at the bar. We ordered a giant pretzel with the different dipping sauces. It was definitely enough for the 3 of us. The cheese dip was pretty good. The Entertainment: Its pretty loud in there. They have a German band playing and they are pretty good. They entertain the crowd well and have "sing-a-long" type songs. The later it got.. the crazier the patrons. The beer wenches even spank people (by request) with shot paddles. This is no joke. They spank HARD. 3 steins, and 2 hours later or number still wasn't called. I had to complain and then we finally got seated. I hate to do that.. but we had waited soo long. Food: They have a lot of options. Weve been to a lot of German places and I have to admit, the food here was near the top of them. It was kind of expensive, but good. I had schnitzel, my husband a steak and our friend, one of the sausage plates. We ordered potato pancakes to start with. Our waiter knew there were 3 of us and didn't say anything about us ordering it. When it came it was 2, silver dollar size, potato pancakes. The rest of the plate had sour cream, 2 cucumber chunks, 2 cherry tomatoes and the rest of the plate was FILLED with smoked salmon. Um.. we ordered potato pancakes. None of us eat fish.. so this was a waste. Our waiter didn't give us napkins or forks.. it was weird. I guess he wasn't that good. Overall.. Id go back but never on a Saturday.
(3)
Robert W.
The only reason it gets 4-stars is because the band WAS SO INSANELY LOUD. I like going to rock concerts and seeing good DJs mind you, but this Oompa band thought they were KISS by the way they ran the PA. Ironically on the comment cards, they have a check if the band was too loud, check. But at the end of the day, if you can't have fun at a place like this, then you don't like balloons and kittens. Let's get on to the food and drink. Beer? Top notch. Shots? Asbach, Bärenjäger, Jäger, Obstler and Apfelkorn? Yes please. But be careful, they are $7 a shot and they add up. Food? The giant pretzel is a must have. The leberkäse topped with a fried egg is phenomenal and I had the weisswurst the next night and it was done perfect. The food came out insanely fast, so a couple microwave jokes went around, but the food was better than good. Would I go back? Absolutely.
(4)
Al D.
I came here for my first time recently, and although I'm a sucker for "German" things in a city that isn't very German anymore, it was downright embarrassing walking in here. I feel sorry for the staff and the musicians. From "Sweet Caroline" to other odd songs, the band tried. Including playing Alpine horns. I imagine they have to do this all night, every night. There was even a male fashion show going on during our dinner. Why? Beer prices are (as expected) too high for plain old HB. Food is of an abysmal quality, with sky-high prices that don't compensate for anything. If you want to sing "Ein Prosit" every 5 minutes (or hear dreadful renditions of "Happy Birthday" every 10 minutes) and pretend to be European with lots of tipsy middle-aged people staying at the hotels, you may not have a problem plunking down half a paycheck here. Like another reviewer said - skip several rounds here and you may be able to buy a Lufthansa ticket instead. There's little resemblance to the real Hofbrauhaus here (which in its own nature is a tourist trap, too. But at least it's the real thing.) A population which allowed Zum Deutschen Eck (probably no one remembers that place now) to be knocked down is now flocking to the most warped (spankings) and watered-down interpretation of Bavarian culture that can be built.
(2)
Leah C.
fun with a large group and for a cheesy time... my family party of 12 had a great time celebrating my nephew's graduation at the HB. sure, it's cheesy with its dancing on the tables, beer mug contests and traveling band (tips please!) but if you are in the right mindset, it really is entertaining. i had a huge lunch before having dinner here for fear that my din would consist of pretzels and beer but i was pleased to find vegetarian schnitzel! haha - not the most delicious thing in the world but welcomed over a carb-fest of cheesy pasta or starchy potatoes. the apple strudel is yum!
(3)
Amanda C.
We had so much fun eating here! We have eaten both lunch and dinner now, and can say that the service is very consistent. At lunch time, the group of patrons is smaller, and on the weekends, the band is rowdy and playful. Go here for a fun time!
(5)
Jim G.
This is a great beer hall. Good food, great beer and fun atmosphere. It's crowded, it's loud, it's beer drinking, it's singing. Brezel is good, obatzda, gurkinsalat (cucumber salad), wurst, all authentic and tasty. Beer... all varieties are good. Stood next to a guy when he ordered a bud light. So sad. I live 100 miles away, and this is a destination 3-5 times a year. Get a room at a walking distance and enjoy the fun!
(4)
Jamie T.
Potato soup was Amazing! Wish they sold it by the gallon. Had the sausage platter all were flavorful. Sauerkraut and red cabbage were on point. Not too sweet and not too sour. And I love soft pretzles so it was a big win for me. It is a large place and it is loud. Not they type of place if your going to catch up with old friends but it had a fun atmosphere and the kids thought it was lot of fun.
(4)
G.j. N.
Decided to take my girlfriend there for her first time yesterday night. Paid 29 dollars for two 34 oz beers. The beers were the only highlight this evening at Hofbrauhaus. Was greeted by a good server, but was upset that the previous table had walked out on her without paying the bill and expressed it to us as if it was our problem. We decided to move away from the bar area and on to the main floor, where picnic tables, Oktoberfest style tables, were set up for the general public. We were rudely informed by a server that we had to check in with the hostess to sit at these tables even though approximately 15 tables were vacant at that time and shooed away like riff raff. We reluctantly went back to a bar table. I'm German....and I brought my girlfriend there expecting German polka music, but was dumbfounded when the song "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was played for about 14 minutes straight...Its an American classic, sure. But NO ONE CAME TO HEAR THAT SHIT. PLAY GERMAN MUSIC. All this before a 20 minute "women only" half beer stein chugging contest. The contest itself took about 30 seconds, the explanation of the rules took about 19 minutes and 40 seconds. I don't remember much else but being entirely disappointed and leaving half of my $14 beer behind ad we went to a real bar, Toby Keith's. HAD A BLAST AT TOBYS. Get your shit together, Hofbrauhaus. I won't return.
(1)
Renee J.
The beer is watered down, but the price is not. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely not good enough to be worth what they charge for it. Forget it if you want to be able to hear your neighbor, much less the person across the table. The service is reasonable, but the uniforms look like they come from a second-rate costume shop - at least, the ones they make the female servers wear look that way. This seems like it would be a great place to go as a middle-aged yuppie who regrets not having "really lived" and wants to be cajoled into standing on one's chair and singing. The sort of person who prefers to make their own fun will probably not find anything worthwhile here.
(1)
Mary Locke M.
This place is beyond cheesy, and not in the good cheesy like Medieval Times. It's absolutely huge. They have a polka band. The polka band plays "Sweet Caroline." One of the waitresses had a visible tattoo on her boob. That would be okay if this were an adult entertainment establishment, but it was a little offputting at a dinner with my boss. I think you're starting to get the picture and it's not pretty. I was here tonight for a work event. We had the whole back room set up with a buffet. The spread made German Thanksgiving come to mind. The food was mediocre at best. Everything tasted like it was straight off the German Sisco truck. Hofbrauhaus immediately makes me think of Beerfest. Maybe if I had been Beerfest drunk from das boot this would have been fun, I left full, but I would never choose to come back. Strike out.
(2)
Kïrsten M.
Terrible food for the money. $29 for a appetizer that had a few pieces of cold sausage and a pretzel. Will not be back!
(1)
Lana C.
I am rating this a four because I did not eat here. I could have given it a lower or higher star rating if I had tasted the food. This place is gigantic. Lots of space and looks very German on the inside. Everyone is dressed in German barmaid outfits and extremely friendly. The owner is German and lived in Germany. As we sipped out drinks we met the owner or manger ... Not sure who but he did speak German. and he was very friendly and also very intelligent. It was not busy at all during the time we were there so I can't complain :)
(4)
Jon O.
I visited the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont on a Friday evening with a group of friends who are frequent visitors. A little context is required for this review. I actually lived in Bavaria for 13 years (7 years in Munich), so it's safe to say that I am familiar with German culture and traditions. This restaurant's interpretation of Bavarian/German culture is almost insulting; I have never heard of, or witness anybody being spanked by a waitress in Germany. Why is this happening here? Where does this bizarre practice come from? Secondly, the beer is not that good. I am a huge fan of German beers, and have spent a considerable amount of time in the beerhalls of Munich (as recently as two weeks ago). The beer served at this place is not imported from Germany; it is brewed on site, which is fine, but unfortunately it is not as good as the real thing. Granted, in Germany, Hofbrau is known to be a second-rate beer to begin with. As a matter of fact, the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich is known by locals as an overrated tourist trap rarely visited by actual Germans. Third, the prices where ridiculous. $8.50 for a half liter wheat beer? We ordered a few pretzels (they were pretty good), yet very expensive again. Looking over the dinner menu made my head spin. Fourth, the music was too loud, and very repetitive. How any times did I have to hear "zike zake hoi hoi hoi"? The noise level made conversation very difficult. Lastly, please do not believe the Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is an authentic German restaurant. It's nothing but a very flawed, and almost disturbing, interpretation of German food and culture. If you are looking for great German beer and food, there are several options that are considerably better in Chicago.
(2)
Bill S.
I agree with most reviewers , it's loud, it's a fun place, the beer is pretty good. The food is mediocre at best , the service was good. But it's way over priced for what you get , I felt like I was in a touristy restaurant it's really tacky with the tee shirt/ trinket sale right there when you walk in. Not great for a first impression. Been here done it. Probably won't be coming back
(2)
Karla Q.
So this place is one of those places you enjoy solely for the atmosphere. It is not a place where you can catch up with a friend and have a conversation. Unless... It's summer and you sit outside. The music level is high but lively. The food is actually kind of hit or miss. I've been here at least four times and the food has been either amazing or unreasonably bland. I had the Bavarian steak and the gravy was super bland. I could still taste the roux. (Ew.). Anyway, the sausages and pretzels are phenomenal and the Heffenweizen is still my favorite. Watching other patrons getting paddled is always fun. Oi oi oi. This place is great for big groups and is usually super packed on the weekends in the evenings. Parking is available in the giant parking complex and you can get it validated. :)
(4)
Greg Z.
Akward place. I felt as if i was in a mess hall in the army . Loud live music. Wasnt German music. I just assumed they would play German things not American music. Good atmosphere if your looking for a loud rowdy bunch. Food consisted of many forms of sausage and sauerkraut . Just not my thing. Although the food did come really fast for my table mates who actually ordered food. You get spanked if you order shots. Ouch.
(3)
Sean P.
This was my second time going here and the only reason I went back was because it was a group outing. They lost our reservation end ended up sticking our group in a side room with no one else and away from the entertainment (which is half the reason you go here in the first place) even though it was 2 in the afternoon and the place was otherwise pretty empty. The service was mediocre although the servers were friendly. The food was also mediocre and not really worth the high prices (why I wouldn't have gone back after the first time had it not been for a group outing). It's a good place to grab a beer but don't expect to get a great meal.
(1)
Karl M.
Excellent spot for a sausage and Hofbrau beer if you have 200 people in your party and don't mind paying a premium price. It's tricky to find and parking is iffy but it did satisfy my craving for a 14" brat. Big wooden benches and tables can seat 200,000,000 people each... my kids laid out and took naps in between beers. They only have Hofbrau, Hofbrau Lite, A Dunkel, and a wit. But they have sizes to fit every thirst... extra small, regular, double regular, and f-that-I-aint-leaving. The beer is fresh and they are brewing (or acting like it) all the time. There are two gigantic brewing vessels showcased above the bar. Germans love to watch. On the other end of the hall is a stage for a live band. Empty when we were there but I'm sure it would make this joint jump. TV's everywhere advertising Hofbrauhaus. Embarrassing outfits for the waitresses make it a completely korny place and the gift shop was perfect for any of your frat party shopping needs.
(4)
Sumara K.
Finally got around to visiting this place, and was so beyond disappointed. Since this place opened I had been impatiently waiting to check it out. Now I wish I never did, and instead kept it in my memory box as a great place to go to. First off, to echo everyone else's sentiments, the wait staff is extremely inattentive. Our waitress took down our order wrong and after trying to catch her attention for ten minutes, finally gave up. I guess it's more important to paddle a bunch of drunken frat boy types than to worry about the quality of your service. I can't comment on much of the food as I only ordered the mini pretzel bites, but they were extremely stale and the cheese it was served with was chilly. It was like being served a piteous handful of salted deer turd. Not a place worth revisiting in my eyes. I'd rather get a pretzel from a Wal-Mart snack bar than the ones served here.
(2)
Elizabeth R.
Wow! I was really impressed by this beer hall! I have been to the original in Munich and it felt like I was back in Germany. It was great that they did not try to change up the feel of the Hofbrauhaus. It is huge! And they have a small beer garden in warm weather. I have been to other Hofbraus and they are tiny. This one was made to impress! It is a little pricey but considering its location in a very touristy Rosemont area, this is not a bad deal. They have specials. The great part is PARKING!!! Validate before you leave. Then it is free and it is worth a few minutes to save $13. My husband had the sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes (with gravy). He had the same thing in Munich and said he could not taste the difference. I had the sauerbraten special. It was a slow cooked beef sandwich. It was cooked in red wine and served in a Dunkel BBQ sauce. Definitely fabulous. It was not a first date type of sandwich because it was big, messy and delicious. The portions were generous. The beer was spot on. Though a bit pricey. They know you want to come for the beer so they jack up the prices. I would definitely stop in and enjoy the fair but if you are looking to get a bit tipsy, the prices might keep you at bay.
(4)
Ryan B.
Went here before a movie last week. Had 2 liters of beer. It was a good time. We ordered dinner. The waitress didn't bring the food I ordered. I didn't really care, we had a pretty big group, but it's irksome. Be careful with how much you drink! I had 2 one liter beers. That's the equivalent of five and a half beers. The dollars rack up quickly when you're ordering by the liter!
(4)
Rick F.
Atmosphere is awesome, beer is great, I love the entertainment lot's of fun. Service fantastic. The place was jammed and everyone was having a great time. Including our party. I've been here 4 times and the food is just not that good or flavorful. Bland is the word to describe virtually every dish. Today I ordered the sausage platter, bland no flavor, mashed potatoes bland no flavor, gravy no flavor, sauerkraut no flavor. I'll be back cause everything else is great and good for parties but just for drinks!
(3)
Juan B.
The American franchises are good enough to remind me of my time in Germany. Maes's of beer, schnitzel, wurst, gluewein, and struedel. All the classics under one big roomy enclosure.
(4)
Jillian E.
Had a blast with my family here on a Saturday night. Made a reservation and was seated at the exact time of my reservation. The beer was great, the food was excellent, and our server, Michelle, was attentive and friendly. The band playing was great and got almost every table involved in singing and dancing. Would definitely go again.
(4)
Pack C.
I want to love the place. The vibe & atmosphere reminded us of how it is in Europe BUT it's so pricey with mediocre food! We had 2 beers (one 1 ltr and one 0.5 ltr) and an entree, the bill came to ~$65 excluding tips! The beer was good but can i find something better & cheaper in chicago? definitely, yes given all the microbreweries in town these days. we had crispy pork shank entree to share (pork knuckle dish). The meat was on the dry side. We went there Friday night. The place was really busy. Service was ok, very slow (kinda expected). We may go back there again just to hit the bar. No food there.
(3)
John W.
I love the Hofbrauhaus. It's a lively place, with authentic experience of Munich. Food is average, but consistent. beer is good. The main reason I come here is the pretzel, which I'm a fan of so it's hard to find fault in it. I recommend this place if you want to get your Oktoberfest on, or if you want regular German style cuisine and bier.
(4)
Robert P.
Love this place. Came here on a whim when our group had a terrible experience at Toby Keith's. We are already making plans to bring other friends here. We, and hopefully Toby Keith, thank you for turning our night into a memorable one
(5)
Matt S.
The perfect place to go if you want to drink beer with a ton of other people who want to drink beer. Hofbrauhaus has 4 house selections as well as a couple of seasonal ones. Each is good but my go to is the classic lager. Get the dunkel if you like a bit more flavor and full body feel. Anyway, this place is gigantic. There is a gift shop and host stand as soon as you walk in. Past that is the main hall which probably seats hundreds of people. Throughout the hall are picnic style benches grouped together. This is especially cool if your party, and the ones around you, are feeling sociable as this fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst total strangers. The live band plays traditional German songs as well as classic sing/dance-alongs. Every once in a while the band leads the beer hall toast where everyone raises their stein and shares a drink. People often get up and dance and even stand on the solid wood tables to get rowdy. There is a separate dining area on the side if you wanted a more classic restaurant experience. Everything about the ambiance is great but unfortunately the price for food and drinks are not. An entree will cost you ~$18, cocktails ~$10, and the 1 liter beer stein ~$12. Food isn't bad but I personally don't think the quality to price can be justified. If you had no clue what this place was and wanted to get a bite to eat, you would look at the menu and be surprised with the prices. Since the place is so large, it can definitely get crowded. During these times the service can get exceptionally slow. Hofbrau can certainly be a fun place but be prepared to spend some money.
(3)
Krunal P.
Great place for beer but im not a fan of German food so I will stick to 4 stars. Love going to this place.
(4)
Ben F.
For a NW guy, there is nothing like this back home. Was a ton o fun and great food!
(4)
Raghav C.
I haven't been to Germany, but all my friends I went with have visited a/the Hofbrauhaus in Germany and had complimentary things to say about this one in Rosemont. According to them, it was very comparative. although the beer selection here was apparently limited, i.e. the Light, Lager, Dunjel and Hefe Weizen all available in different sizes. Band/Music - The live German Band was very entertaining and fun. They played some cool instruments, German songs and celebrated many birthdays. Food - We didn't eat, though seeing and smelling what people got, it looked really good. Did seem fairly pricey though, hence the minus 1 star.
(4)
Howard L.
This is a fun and festive place for having an authentic Bavarian meal experience. I'd go with about 4.5 stars for the total meal/entertainment package. They have communal bench seating and there is live music all the time. The place is huge with two dining halls, and I'm told it fills up on Saturday evenings, which would be a sight to behold. There were several families with kids there on a Friday evening, and I noted most of the parents were enjoying beers. The food and beer were pretty good, but I can't say great. I had a sausage wurstplatte for $16.99 and wife had a beef and pork roast dish with spatzle for $18.99. She said the beef was quite salty. I knocked back 1/2 star on value side as the place is on the slightly pricey side, like $7.50 for a 17 oz stein. Get your parking validated or else it's $13 to park there, otherwise free. This MB Financial center is a great entertainment center for the area.
(4)
JamelnOscar C.
So I received a call from the GM Jim. We talked for about 10 mins. Basically never once apologized for anything. He just called me to get details on what exactly happened. Said "I wasn't there so I can't answer your question on what happened." ok. Well, I guess that's that. As GM - no matter what happens, the customer is always right. Especially considering I took 10 mins of my time to give him feedback. Go somewhere else.
(1)
Kyle W.
It's an experience. Yes, it's overpriced, loud, tacky and far from an authentic German environment, but it's a great escape from the boredom of every other ho hum restaurant. The food is decent and even includes quite a few options for vegetarians like me. Obviously get the JUMBO PRETZEL and a stein of beer so you can toast with the band and the rest of the crowd. Try the spaetzle! It's like your classic mac n cheese but with Swiss cheese and fried onions. The servers are friendly and always enjoying themselves. Where else will you find yourself standing on top of a bench with a liter of beer and doing the chicken dance with a hall full of people? Do it!
(3)
Mark C.
Went last night. Food was good, I had the Schweinebraten. Enjoyed the flavor of the pork roast with the beer sauce. If anything, wish the portion size was a little larger (3 slices of pork instead of 2, or increase the potato portion), but did not find the price unreasonable based upon what was provided. Would have paid $1 or $2 more for a larger portion. Fun atmosphere and enjoyed the live band. As it was a Tuesday, it was not horribly crowded, but I could see how the noise level could be high if the place was relatively full. Thought our server was attentive to our needs, and service was fairly prompt. If there was one negative about the experience, it would be associated to the bill. Not an overly large issue, more of an annoyance, that I hope is inexperience as opposed to deliberate. The server was kind enough to calculate the gratuity at both an 18% and 20% rate and wrote those figures on the bill. I appreciate the gesture, but I do wish they would make the calculations on the pre-tax figure as opposed to the post-tax figure. While it is only a few dollars difference, and certainly is not the first place I have seen do this, it is a pet peeve of mine. What I believed was a 20% tip was actually a 22% tip left to the server.
(4)
Matt P.
I wanted to like this place, but I just couldn't. First, we call and ask if we can make a reservation for later in the evening. They tell us that they aren't accepting reservations. We get to the place, which is a madhouse, and are asked by a busty hostess if we have a reservation. We say we don't, but that we tried to make one. We wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, not terrible for a party of 3 on a Saturday night around 6. On our way back to the table, we walk past a LOT of open tables. I suppose these were all reserved? The interior reminds me of a large open cafeteria. Very touristy and all about getting as many people in and out the door as possible. We each started with a beer, which were fine. Nothing too special. The "fresh baked" pretzel was hard as a rock, but the mustards were good. We all liked the darker brown one, which had a nice sweetness to it. We also got the liver mousse to dip the pretzel in, which tasted a bit like whipped Spam. We ordered and our food came out surprisingly quickly. We soon discovered why... I imagine the kitchen has large trays of ingredients prepared ahead of time in bulk, and are just thrown on a plate when ordered. I had the grilled chicken with spätzle. The chicken was mushy, the sauce was ok, but the spätzle was really bland. As I suppose it should be. My partner got the pork schnitzel, I think, but it came out looking exactly like mine: same mushroom sauce and spätzle. The chicken sandwich our friend ordered looked okay, but the fries seemed very run of the mill. Maybe this dish is geared towards kids or the less adventurous. The bill was $120 after tip, which seemed crazy for the experience. A live band was playing the chicken dance on our way out (*shudder*), and occasionally shouting "Ziggy zoggy, ziggy zoggy, OY OY OY!" I would recommend this place for kids and families, but adults looking for a place with good food and a more private, relaxed atmosphere (suitable for conversation) should look elsewhere.
(2)
Thomas M.
Awful high school cafeteria food, ridiculously hard to find, Pepsi was WAAAAY over sweetened, music WAAAAY too loud. Almost a creepy carnival atmosphere. Prices were WAAAY over the top. $16 for a chef salad? REALLY?? Lettuce was low grade and tasteless. If you want to feel like you're dining in your old high school gymnasium this is the place for you. Lukewarm Italian sausage (dark blue in color--yuck!) with greasy fries. Food is just plain terrible. The ceiling is very high so you feel like you're eating in an airport hangar. Anyone rating this place higher than 1 star really needs to get out more often. Never ever, ever again.
(1)
Vodka Sauce C.
Possibly the WORST experience ever! A nightmare of a time dealing with the GM and the waitress. We will NEVER be back
(1)
B R Hungry X.
Loud....like a large dancehall. Communal seating. Large portions of food, avg cost per person with 1-2 drinks is roughly $35. If you like loud accordion music and hearing people get paddled when they take shots, it's for you. Not much on the menu for anyone health conscious. It was okay, had to experience it? Won't be my first choice though.
(2)
Joe M.
Delicious and great place, best beer in town. Brewed on site, cant beat the freshness. Awesome place to have a great time
(5)
Michal F.
Coolest restaurant in Rosemont. Authentic, cavernous and fun. You feel as if you stepped into Bavaria. Atmosphere - the best part You're greeted by waitresses as you would imagine they look in Munich with traditional beer hall garb. You walk in to find a massive high ceilinged place that could likely hold 1000 people. Seating is on long communal tables. If you come at night they have a German band playing that really adds to the experience. Every few minutes they toast their steins with the whole restaurant. Beer Selection is limited to the five beers they brew in house. Nothing experimental just the German favorites of lager, hefeweizen and dunkel. Hefeweizen is EXCELLENT. Citrusy refreshing flavor with a cloudy visage. Holding a full liter stein is pretty badA. Pricing A stein is $13, pretty steep. No matter what size you get it's more about the novelty and less the value. Food is not as rough but still a bit more than you expect. Food Delivers as advertised. Good beer hall food of pretzels, fish and other German favorites. German food is pretty bland though so you're best off spending your chips on the beer. This is a perfect place for a late night with some friends. The atmosphere and good beer is bound to deliver good times.
(4)
david m.
An awesome place! Great food, service and beer! Had a great time with a live band that gets everyone into a good mood! Having a bad day? Come here! It will lift your spirits!
(5)
Bill B.
Came to Hofbräuhaus for third time here. First two times were alright but this time really sealed the deal. I was sat quickly and food was average like normal, the beer and atmosphere are good. Our server came by and told us they had a special where you buy a boot which is 2 liters and its $20. Come to find out, it was actually $20 for a flimsy plastic boot plus normal price for the beer. I was shocked so I asked the server and he told us he clearly stated that was the case( which he did not). So I asked a manager who showed up with a very bad attitude and told me I must be lying because all servers are very clear about the deal. I told her this was not the case and asked for the top manager. This is where it gets even worse... He was very rude and when I told him his manager told me I was lying he said she did not and she would never say that. Then he continued arguing and insulting me and eventually told me I have to pay and leave. I was appalled.. I was not rude to him. I DO NOT recommend going there. The experience is nice, but it does not compare at all the one in Munich and there are much better options in Rosemont.
(1)
John A.
Overall: Clean. Huge. A little gimmicky (it's supposed to be). Staff was very nice. Very fast service. Food: Had a bowl of goulash which was very good. I recommend it. I also had the Friday fish special which was average at best. 3 good sized pieces of fish but I would settle for 2 if it were something a little better. Beer: Had a small Dunkel. Very good beer. Wish I could have finished it. Live music: left before it started. Maybe I'll be back.
(3)
Theron P.
The first mistake I made was going to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. It basically ruined all beer garden experiences (aside from Delerium Cafe in Belgium) that I will ever have till I return to Germany. That being said, the Hofbrauhaus beer was extremely good and the wienerschnitzel with potato salad was as close to authentic that you're going to get for a foreign chain brought to America. All in all, everything was very good but not superb. My only complaint was the band playing music inside was so loud that we weren't able to sit inside because we couldn't hear ourselves talk. PS: I love that they serve their beer by the liter, in my opinion the only true quantity beer should be served in.
(3)
Anthony C.
After a couple of more visits I must downgrade my original review by a star. This place is by no means terrible but I'm afraid my original impressions were swayed by the prospect of a new German restaurant to frequent in the area. Having been a part of the German bar and restaurant scene on Chicago's north side since the early 80s I was hoping for a new place to open up and take the place of old standbys like Zum Duetschen Eck and the Golden Ox that closed their doors long ago. Part of the problem is being located in the Rosemont entertainment district that's like a little Las Vegas with lots of pretty facades but not much substance - and horrible parking. We again went on an early Saturday afternoon to avoid the rush and hope for decent service and fairly good food. Even though the place was maybe a quarter full the hostess tried to sit us at the end of a full table. Lot's of reservations she said - this was 3:30 in the afternoon and when we left an hour and a half later it was still no more than half full. The food was not terrible but also not good either. The meat and cheese plate was not good, the rye bread was cold and stale. Their soup that day was good but very salty. I had the sauerbraten which was OK but the sides of red cabbage and spaetzle were almost unedible - the cabbage being too sweet and the spaetzle boiled with no flavor or texture at all. The beer was OK - the lager was a little off but the seasonal dunkel was very good. Since our first visit the prices have gone up to $7.50 or $8.00 for a half liter - which is really outrageous for beer brewed on-site. The entertainment is still entertaining but the food and beer is not worth the prices being charged. In their defense I understand that it's very hard to cook good quality meals for hundreds of people at a time - but their prices should then reflect this cafeteria grade food, and they don't. If looking for good German food and beer, venture to the Lincoln Square area or Irving Park off Lincoln to enjoy authentic food and imported beers of the very highest quality.
(3)
Kristy S.
Besides the service not being the best and finding our own server, I have spoken to the GM Jim and He has taken care of the tip that the server gave himself on my sisters card. I was reassured that the server will be documented and possibly not have his job anymore. The server was Brent so be careful if you do go in there and he is your server. We came in just for the round of shots and a beer and were in and out in 30 mins or so. We still probably will not go back. After looking at the receipt the server turned in it was very clear that this was not a mistake on his part and they he wrote it in himself, we cant go to a place we cant trust. I hope other have a better experience here as each experience it different for everyone.
(1)
Aja G.
Sigh. Be clear they are using "Chicago" figuratively because this behemoth bar is not in Chicago, does not adhere to Chicago pricing, but it does have Chicago style service. The Good: Parking and the look of the bar. That is it. The bad: Our waitress,Nikk, forgot to bring silverware, offered no refills and was generally absent. I can forgive her because at their prices you couldn't have persuaded me to order anything else. The Ugly: This place either needs to change suppliers or stop assuming people are stupid. Now before you cry the price of "importing" i can assure the food here is as generic as anything you will find at your neighborhood bar except it cost about 5 dollars more. Currywurst was 14 dollars. For 14 dollars you will get 2 pieces of small, dry sausage accompanied by what I will generously call a dollop of ketchup with curry powder. they are also kind enough to give you luke warm fries thawed and reheated. Also if you look online for their menu or beer list you will notice a suspicious lack of pricing. That is because their beer prices are absurd. 7-8 dollars for a half liter? Maybe they missed the memo, but this is a suburban bar located in a sea of parking with no quality or authenticity. 15 dollar cocktails? 6.50 for shots? Their prices are ridiculous!! Final Thoughts: Take it from a girl that has been to germany three times and every German bar in the city --this place is trash garbage. Want a real German pour? Skip this bar a couple of times and you will have enough for a plane ticket.
(1)
Rob B.
We went here on December 23rd and what a great time. Although Hofbrau Chicago is different than Munich it still has some German charm. The beer is better than anything in the US IMHO. The food was very good. Our party of four had schnitzel, schweinbraten, saurbraten, and jagerschnitzel respectively and all were delicious. I recommend getting a side of gravy with your schnitzel and I do to make it that much more delicious. Let me make something clear, the food at Hofbrau Munich is beer hall food not gourmet food as is the food at Hofbrau Chicago. The food at both places is super delicious traditional German working class food. Expect a simple, hearty, tasty meal to wash down with an exceptional beer. If you expect this you will not be disappointed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, but did not hound us, just like in Germany. The band that was there was excellent! They played good beer hall music and worked really hard to keep the energy level up and get everyone involved in the festive atmosphere. The entertainment is the best part of the restaurant and is part of the price. I had a great time with my wife and parents. It was a little pricier than I expected at $17 to $22 a plate and $8 per half liter of beer, but I was not disappointed with the overall experience at all and in fact I was pleasantly surprised how great it was. I spent four years in Bavaria in Germany, I am married to a German, and have I been to Munich and southern Bavaria many times.
(4)
Kevin M.
I have never written a Yelp review before, but after reading all the idiotic bashing, I feel compelled to let the record straight. 1. Priced appropriate...can you get Usinger sausage cheaper at Jewel...yes. Does it come with an authentic German band flown in for you entertainment?...no. So shut up! 2. $7 beer...yes and worth it. Can you get MGD cheaper?...sure but does it taste as good and follow the Reinheitsgebot? No! So shut up! 3. Cold Pretzels...yep and that's the way they are supposed to be...flown in from Munich. So shut up! 4. Shots expensive? Does the cheap shot down the way come with a paddle spanking photo op for you to take as a timeless memory...no? So shut up! This is beyond restaurant, it's an experience with good food and beer on the side. The food is great and the atmosphere is memory making. If you want cheap try making good german food at home. Good luck making Schweinshaxe (pork shank) as crispy and delicious as they make it here - with Semmelknodel (bread dumplings)!!!! Also, having been to Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Newport, and Miami...this is the best by far!
(5)
Jim K.
Fun atmosphere. I really liked the band. I would recommend stopping by and hanging out at the bar. The food was below average relative to other German food I have had. Service wasn't great either. I happened to see the manager interacting with some other patrons and wow was he rude and condescending. I wouldn't make this a destination but if you're visiting some of the nearby restaurants, it's probably worth stopping in and checking out the band.
(1)
Daniel S.
The food was good tho a bit pricy, I got the weiner wurst, which is essentially just boiled hot dogs, and then spatezel and potato salad as sides which were both very good, the german rye bread was just ok, as was the pretzel we got as an app, which was kinda hard, but i got the dunkel beer which was the dark beer and very good, and the overall atmosphere is pretty fun, they had live music, and you can have waitresses slap you on the ass with a paddle, service was fast too, i wouldn't mind coming back and trying some of the other meats
(4)
Ashley A.
This place really works for their ambiance as a German restaurant. You get a LOUD atmosphere with a band, waiters that spank people with a paddle when they order shots, and contests for patrons. The staff even wear German style clothes. They only have a handful of beers to choose from and very limited drink list otherwise. Food is ok, but super expensive. (Actually, the drinks are expensive too) I wouldn't say the food is authentic either. A sausage plate that consists of 4 sausages, 2 of which are hot dogs. I think once you've gone, the novelty wears off. There isn't much that makes me want me to head back anytime soon. But definitely fun place to try out.
(3)
Jon B.
Great beer, great food and an entertaining environment.
(4)
Reid F.
I think it's funny when people go to a place like this and complain that it is loud. Of course it's loud...it's a huge warehouse filled with people and German music. If you want quiet conversation, go to Starbucks. If you want a fun place with good (although not great) German food and beer, this is an excellent option.
(4)
Kristin L.
Using a credit card...BEWARE!!!!! Shady waiters await you at Hofbrahaus. After hearing a few horror stories about waiters / bartenders pocketing money, I experienced this first hand. Our waiter, a not too overly friendly gentleman, was slow and inattentive. (Not exceptable being that our party was there on a weekday and the restaurant was not even a quarter full.) Now with that said, I let this slide being that there was fun music and liters of beer at our table. The food is alright and the beer is good. My problem lies with the staff. After waiting way too long for our bill, we noticed that there were extra drinks on our tab. After correcting this, we left thinking that our expericance at Hofbrau was just alright...maybe we'd go back...maybe not. But nothing over extraordinary. Let's fast forward a few days when we check our credit card statement and notice that our tip was changed from $50 to $78. Um...that's a pretty large increase. So we call our credit card company and they confirm that the gratuity was entered as $78. Interesting being that we left him an even $50 and on our invoice it shows that we wrote $50. Hmmm maybe this is just a mistake...let's call the restaurant and talk to the manager. (HA! that's a joke) The hostess who answers the phone puts us on hold (for 15 min!!) then comes back with an attitude only to inform us that there are no available managers and we can leave a message. (Which we do, but no one calls back.) Miraculously after leaving this voicemail, explaining what happened, our tip amount charged has been changed to the correct amount. Refund credits have been issued from Hofbrau. Hmmm is this because you got caught and were informed that the Rosemont police have been contacted? Something seems fishy about this place. Why am I hearing from more than one person and now reading some of the reviews, sharing similar stories? Sounds to me that management should keep an eye on these waiters with sticky fingers...or maybe the management is in on it. BEWARE OF STICKY FINGERS AND QUESTIONABLE MANAGEMENT!!!
(1)
Ted H.
This place really went downhill. My tab for dinner for two and beer for one was around $75. For that amount of money, I received food that might have been sitting around and small portions. Let me explain. We ordered two dinners and soup. Within one minute the dinners were brought out. Yes, you read that right. WITHIN A MINUTE. Our soup came 10-15 minutes after that. Now, I ask you this: how did those two dinner plates get cooked that fast if it was made fresh? For the amount of money this place sets me back (usually around $100 with tip for two people), I expect not to be hungry when I leave and for the food to be fresh. I used to love this place. Now, forget about it. I'll leave it to the tourists and head over to Edelweiss on Addison for my German fix.
(1)
Jeremy C.
So apparently my math was incredibly off. One liter of beer does not equal 12 ounces in a standard American beer. Therefore if you're going to drink as many beers as you normally drink, you're in for quite an adventure. Damn metric system.. haha Anyway.. It's exactly as you've heard and as you'd expect. Live music, gigantic beers, go get some of the toasted nuts and have the pretzel. I was fairly inebriated before ordering the pretzel and I even recall it being cold when it came out; you'll still enjoy. Plenty of TV's here for games, etc. So as you read other reviews you need to ask yourself.. Are the germans known for their food? And am I coming here for culinary delights? The answer to both of those is no. You're coming here to guzzle beer and listen to German music. Ihr willkommen!
(3)
Gerry H.
Quite a Friday night I had; 1) Attended the Progressive International Motorcycle show at The Stevens Convention Center. It was quite interesting. There are a lot of new bikes, gadgets, gizmos out for 2014. I especially liked the powered tank bags, and the 2014 Ducati Monster. 2) Followed up with an impromptu visit to Hofbrauhaus, and I'm extremely pleased that I did. There was five dudes in our group, and we were seated immediately (7:00 on Friday night, mind you), and immediately proximate to the stage. If you like German Beer Hall Music, the HBH has the real deal. The fraulien's voice is heavenly, and the old german dudes are entertaining. But it's the food and beer and the party atmosphere that will inhibit your serotonin from being re-uptaken. It's all fantastic, from the pretzels to the schnitzel to the sausage to the sauerkraut. It's hardy and delicious. And the beer is vastly better than most places that brew on site... Try the Dunkel! Finally, while our waiter happened to be Spanish (a little odd I thought), he also happened to be prompt, friendly, and efficient.
(5)
Tai T.
I never heard of this place, but I saw the brewery vats outside and I was in the mood for a beer. It's an incredibly loud environment with in a cafeteria kind of setting and live german music. My wife said it was kind if like a Disney-ish kind of vibe. It was fun atmosphere though. With the cafeteria kind of setup, you may have to share a table with other groups, but that's no big deal, cuz everyone in there is having a gr8 time...that may be because they serve you 1.0 liter (32 oz) beers. The beers are good. I had the salmon medallions and they were very good. My wife had the vegetarian schnitzel. I tasted it and it was delicious. In fact it was so good & tasted just like a country-fried steak. So much so that my wife thought it was real meat & had to check with the waiter to verify it wasn't. He said that happens all the time. Very fun environment, swell food and worthy beers. Try it out.
(3)
Levent T.
Do not go for the food. *Do* go for average beer served by Frauleins that may be willing to spank you with a large paddle. Not kidding! Food is overpriced and flavorless but the live music with no cover makes it understandable. And the spanking...oh yes...it happens...and done with force if that is what one likes. Did not partake in the S&M but got to witness it first hand. Great place to go with a full belly and let loose with a group. Our server was less than average but if you get one willing to rock your bottom make sure to tip well!
(2)
The Decide R.
Okay, I was excited about this place since I have been passing it on 294 for the last few months. Unfortunately the servers were able to suck out every last ounce of curiosity and enchantment once we were seated. Don't get me wrong, I love the outfits, but the lack of enthusiasm and basic server skills scoured my outlook on the establishment. When I have to ask another server where our server is in order to acquire a glass of water or to ask for the check there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Food was ok, I had the veal sausages, which were light and tasty. Our table also ordered the pork shank, while it was crispy, the meat was dry and lacking flavor. If your looking for true German food take a little time and make the trip to Milwaukee....'Karl Ratzsch's'... Pork shank will blow your mind
(3)
Eric S.
"Ist Das Hofbrauhaus Chicago die besten Deutscher Gaststätte im ganzen Land?" "Vielleicht." For those who don't sprechen-sie-Deutsch, I basically asked "is HBH Chicago the best German restaurant around?", to which I answered "maybe." The review: **FOOD** -We (parents and I) ordered a big 'soft' pretzel to start; included were spicy mustard, cheese, and another dipping sauce. Pretzel was cold and hard, which was off-putting. Potato pancakes followed, and while the salmon served as an accompaniment was nice, the PP's themselves were almost shameful. I've had the real deal so many times before, and from a venue like HBH Chicago I'd expect nothing short of the best. Unfortunately, these tasted/looked like frozen-then-reheated (mashed taters?) patties. Sad day. However, my chicken schnitzel was good, and my parents enjoyed what they had as a main course. The Apfelstrudel for dessert was terrific! And thank god the end of the meal was tasty, because the beginning was just pathetic. OVERALL: 3/5 for dining. Could use some improvement in areas. **AMBIANCE** -Held in a very large, expansive building reminiscent of the original HBH in Munich (yes, I've actually been). Main hall has people standing on benches singing Bavarian tunes and drinking anthems. It's quite a riot if you're in the right mindset (why wouldn't you be?) To be fair, we sat in the connected semi-perm tent so our meal was much quieter, but we could still hear the goings-on in the main room. Bathrooms were clean, and during warmer weather the outdoor patio is open. I can only imagine downing a stein of beer come May..... OVERALL: 5/5 for atmosphere. ziggy zaggy ziggy zaggy OY OY OY! **MISC** -Service was good, not great nor horrendous. The good news: wait staff are mostly cute girls in traditional dirndls (read: cleavage) that bring your sizable beers and entrees to you. Ours was not particularly enthralled with her job (think Janine Garafolo as the Medieval Times waitress in 'The Cable Guy'). Oh well. Next time I'll come back with my guy friends and shamelessly flirt with our waitress. They also have tons of merch and HBH stuff for purchase up front, and a roasted/candied nuts booth inside--a nice touch. OVERALL: 4/5 for service and other factors. Lasting impression: I consider myself a pretty hardcore German-man-man-man when it comes to dining, and HBH Chicago didn't disappoint, but it didn't exactly wow me either. The camaraderie is a great time for sure, but the food missed its mark on more than one occasion. My suggestion is to come for the beer, stay for the bewbs (there are a lot of them). In conclusion, I'd like to ment-- OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT THE BEER! Because let's be honest, that's your main reason for coming here. Selection of brew is good--the Hefeweizen is wonderful, especially in a 1L stein. Have a couple of those bad boys and someone'll be taking your car keys away. I'll be back to try the other brews and get even drunker, but for now, I'll sing 'Ein Prosit' and call it a day. I'll be back, HBH Chicago! Jawohl!
(4)
Jam I.
Different menu from other Hofbrauhaus that I've visited. Food and service was below my experiences visiting the Pittsburgh location (which I enjoy).
(3)
Jayson J.
very good time here for an Octoberfest celebration. During normal times of the year I enjoy the microbrews and German food. The live music could be described as "German." I say that because I have never heard German music besides here.
(4)
Dave V.
I am a definite fan so far. I have only been here twice and they were both for Oktoberfest. Liters of Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest made in house??!?! uh, fuck yes please! The atmosphere here is so far that of your typical fun bar. This place is nothing but fun and smiles and every stranger is ready to be a friend. Didn't see any dumbass college kids acting disrespectful and shameful, just loads of young and old folks dancing and interacting on their table tops. The prices are not super cheap for food, but the beer is fairly priced. The liters of oktoberfest i was drinking i think were $13. The only food we tried was the soft pretzel from munich which was good, the ides it comes with (for an extra charge) were freaking amazing. We had an issue once with one of the waitresses but i think it was a language barrier. The only other issue we had was a cold pretzel the second time we went but they were quick to heat it up for us. This place is very large and should be able to accommodate any size party, basically anyday anytime but just in case make reservations for a large party Seriously, check them out, i know i will again when oktoberfest is over so i can compare and contrast
(4)
Cristie F.
There are two words that a restaurant can print that will instantly rub me the wrong way. No Substitutions. Those two words instantly get me fired up. Personally, I think it's a terrible business model (not to mention wasteful) to not allow for substitutions when it comes to sides - especially if they're the same price. What it basically says is "we're telling you what you want to eat, like it or not. And if you don't like it, eat somewhere else or buy more food". That's pretty much what Hofbrauhaus put on their menu "NO SUBSTITUTIONS! WE HAVE SIDE DISHES!" I'll end my rant there. As for my overall experience, it was extremely lackluster. Let us review.... The positives: + The menu has a large variety of German dishes (duh, it's a German restaurant) + Gorgeous venue with top of line equipment + Live music! + Great outdoor patio for summertime boozing + Awesome mustard dips and Obazter cheese + Very friendly staff, minus our server... + Juicy and tender chicken snitzel + Private rooms for larger private events + Fun & festive German atmosphere The negs: - No substitutions - I don't feel the need to elaborate more at this point - Bland (and I mean BLAND) food. The spaetzle was over buttered and had absolutely no flavor. - Sausages were equally as bland. - Although they dishes were brought out with fancy pants silver covers, my food was borderline warm. - Soft pretzels were not served hot - nor did they seem fresh. (I know this since I saw the back of the kitchen and they're all sitting in a bin waiting to be ordered...just sayin...) Not to mention the price, which I will get to momentarily. - Our waitress had a major 'tude. Not cool. Unacceptable. - Outrageous prices. $14 for a giant plate sized soft pretzel is ridiculous. As is a $14 schnitzel sandwich - My order was screwed up. (Shocking) Needless to say, Hofbrauhaus was a total disappointment. Lower those prices and/or step up the quality of food and remove the "no substitutions" policy. Maybe just then you'd earn back a previously excited customer. Until then, stay classy Hofbrauhaus.
(2)
Vince V.
Right across the way from Toby Keith's (another frequent stop for my crew), the Hofbrauhaus looms large and welcoming. The first step into the main hall draws you in to the live performers onstage, singing one easy listening cover after another, always looking for a way to work in a tasty beverage tie-in. Yes, I'm okay listening to Margaritaville from dudes in lederhosen. I'm sure they'll be singing an outfit-appropriate "Ein prosit" soon enough. Half-restaurant, half-beer garden and about 100% biergarten theme park. Prepare to be a tourist in your own backyard. The crowd looks very suburban. I see a lot of families here, bigger parties. The surrounding establishments tend to cater to more nightlife-y, over 21 customers. Here, there are eight year old kids having dinner while grandpa and dad raise their steins. The pretzels are delicious, though ultimately unspectacular. I've been favoring the sausage plate, it's just the right serving size, enough to get me fueled for a late night without weighing me down. I've tried their brews and they're very drinkable. The Dunkel is my favorite so far. I've been here a couple of times and the experience has been consistent both times, once during a slower weeknight and on a very busy Saturday. Both times, I was there for birthday dinners. It seems that a lot of folks come by and bring the family for a birthday dinner because the live band gets plenty of opportunities to sing the birthday song through the evening. Overall, the Hofbrauhaus, is lively, loud and merry, Oktoberfest year-round. A bit pricey for what it is but when we're all having fun, it's a relative bargain for good times.
(4)
Heather J.
PROS -German food -Looks cool from the outside -Easy parking (and free as long as you validate your ticket) -Good beer CONS -Long wait for mediocre, insanely-overpriced-for-what-it-is, food -Long wait to sit at community tables where you have to watch your purse and make sure the stranger next to you on the bench doesn't take anything -Same polka music playing over and over and over again.. You will hear the same music every 5 minutes. -Noisy and loud, but not in a good way. -It reminded me of Disney World, but not in a good way. -No substitutions for anything on the menu -So costumey, I feel like they are making fun of the German heritage I was originally excited that there was a cool German restaurant just a few minutes away... But I'd rather drive 40 minutes, sit through horrid Chicago traffic, and pay to park somewhere in Lincoln Square where the food is better, the wait is less, and the food is authentic and homemade.
(2)
Rosanna L.
This place is huge and loud with live entertainment! It definitely takes you into a spin of German culture, they even serve their beer in steins, which gives it a nice cultural touch. The servers dress up in uniforms and we're seated at wooden benches (picture a high school cafeteria, but with wooden benches vs metal). We were told they can seat 850 people, holy cow, how do they maintain business on the weekdays? Because Friday night it was jamming packed! They definitely have the German thang going that's for sure. We were doing a pub crawl so only opted for some huge pretzels and beer. Our server constantly checked up on us and the music kept playing. We cheers a lot and the place was very entertaining, oh and they had the Blackhawks game on! Kudos! I definitely want to come back to try their food, possibly on a less busy day.
(4)
Rashad M.
Top 10 Reasons why this Restaurant Deserves a 1 Star Review: 1) their German speciality beer is served within the general acceptable limits of room temperature 2) their kitchen crew is so eager to get out of there that they closes the kitchen half an hour before the scheduled time (after tasting the food I don't blame them ) 3) they have more Bavarian dressed waitresses than customers and they all are NOT very eager to serve you 4) and they all posses exactly what I imagine German hospitality to be 5) their freshly baked pretzel has been freshly waiting for you to order it under a heat lamp all day 6) they are worried that their customers drink to slow and so refuse to provide them the large beer size just incase they don't finish in time for closing in 30 minutes (actually happened to a group next to me ) 7) they make fun of that group after they leave clearly disappointed 8) their sausage would actually be a contender to win best sausage ( in the world renowned canned food category) 9) u very quickly start to realize that their three star average reviews on yelp is generous 10) after taking the first bite of the dinner u just ordered, u start to seriously consider other dinner options in the area... for tonight! To be fair if I couldn't come up with 10 I would have given them 2 stars! But what do u know, it want that hard !
(1)
Jason A.
while I am a fan of the food and drinks, I have mixed reviews about the staff. I have been twice. Once the server was amazing and extremely friendly, but the second time I went, it was as if there was no server even assigned to our table. we waited and waited after being seated but no one came by until I had to flag someone down and ask who our server would be. Even after someone came to take our order, we only saw him one other time to leave the bill.
(4)
Jen R.
Ok do yourself a favor & call before you come. If you have a group a reservation is best. If you park in the garage get your ticket validated. We all came never been & this "Entertainment Area" is wow, almost Vegas like. Bier, can cost you... Food is pretty good but for the price you can have better. They have live entertainment & yes they will be having Oktobor Fest... I'd bring people to have a visit, at least once. I don't understand why a large pretzel w/ a few things with it is $14.00? Unfortunately the beer of the month & some others were not available because of OctoberFest, so it should have been in the menu. Jägersnitzel was tasty & I took it home. Prost
(3)
Vina O.
Portions are EXTREMELY SMALL for the price. I ordered the Bavarian Style pot roast, which was delicious but for $20, I'd expect more than 4 small thin strips of beef! My husband ordered the wurst plate which was a steal at $14, but it's really just 4 different types of sausages on a plate. Like I stated, food is delicious, albeit SMALL. My husband enjoyed his Hefeweizen beer with the meal. Our server was friendly, but it was super busy so I would constantly have to flag her down for a refill on my water. Overall, I don't think this place is worth the bang for the buck. I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas, and the portions were waaaay bigger. I'll stick to German when I'm on the west coast or other German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)
Jeanne C.
Beautiful place but way overpriced. Feel like a tourist trap especially with the big gift store, right as you walk in. My uncle and I walked in for lunch on a Saturday about 130. We were thinkin a nice brat and a stein of beer. I look at the menu and it says dinner menu with not one item, besides appetizer or salad, that was less than 14 bucks. I ask for a lunch menu and waitress says that on weekends there is only dinner menu. This smacks of tourist trap. I told her that I was looking for just a brat and she points to a 14 sandwich but qualifies it by saying it was huge with lots of fries and sauerkraut. So we decide to split it. It arrives and yes the brat was long but I laughed as it was about one inch in diameter. Fries were minimum at a handful and the sauerkraut, hhmmmm, where are you hiding...... Oh found you!!! About two tablespoon worth were in each bun under that poor skinny brat. I ordered a small Bavarian pretzel to see if they could screw that up and....... Stale. Almost no salt....save your money....maybe have a beer but then eat elsewhere. As an odd update, I was contacted by the manager of the Hofbrauhaus and we had a chat for about 10 minutes on my review (which I totally stand by) The odd thing about it was that he was trying to convince me why the prices are so high (Las Vegas Restaurant group requested it....huh?) We also discussed that ridiculous bratwurst and small serving sides. The even odder thing was he never offered to have me come back. He finished with, "Well I'll understand if you don't come back." Very strange as it is the first time in my 40 years of talking to a manager about a poor visit and not have the manager even try to get me to come back in. He picked my brain for ten minutes on some of my ideas where they could improve and then it ended. Really a nice guy but......
(2)
Daniela R.
The atmosphere at this place is great, but the food not so much. Fries were cold, and the "chicken sandwich" seems very very old.. maybe it sat there for a while (We were a BIG group) Anyway, our waiter Michael was the best!!! he was very sweet and really did everything to make us comfortable. Kudos, Mike.
(3)
Daphne L.
After 2 visits to this place, the best I can say is that the beer is good and the servers are very nice. Other than that..I got nothin'. It's a huge, loud, cold, warehouse of a place, that is so loud I can't even hear the voices in my head. The Las Vegas location is much nicer, as is the Cincinnati spot. This place is nothing but tourists and noise.
(2)
Ryan M.
The beer flight is fun and the food is okay. Pricey for sausages. Love the atmosphere
(3)
Jeff E.
My experience at Hofbrauhaus was decent. The food was okay. It was the service that made the experience very good. We were taken care of from the time we arrived and until we left. The only complaint I have would be the awful music.
(4)
Dan N.
I get the so so reviews for Hofbräuhaus i do, but I think you have to understand what it is and what it is not. First off its a really fun place and you have to understand thats its about the atmosphere and location and the look as much as anything. Yes its touristy and a bit expensive, but the Beer is excellent and the food is better than I expected. I was a bit surprised on a Friday night it was only moderately crowded when we got there about 7:30. I took my wife here for her birthday and she enjoyed it. We would definitely return for a special occasion or a night out with a group but just the 2 of us craving German fare I'll pass. The portions are not very large (enough but small for the price) and it is expensive. We paid over $120 for 2 Beers (liters yes!) 2 Appetizers and 2 entrees and we split dessert. My wife had the Wiener Schnitzel which I thought was a very small portion and I had the combination of Sauerbraten and Roast pork. I enjoyed it allot I like their spaetzle and the red cabbage is to die for. I did take a little home but my wife did not and she usually never finishes her meal. She was a bit unhappy that you don't get to choose your sides, she was stuck with potato salad (not her favorite) Both appetizers we had were excellent and I would order both again in a heartbeat. We had the Potato pancakes (some of the best I have ever had) and the Pretzel with Brie dip. They advertize the strudel comes from Germany so we split one, it was ok at best. It had way too much sauce and was all just wet and mushy no texture whatsoever. But the atmosphere is loud and fun and interactive, the band is fun, and the service was very good. Again a fun place to hangout and eat some good food, carving a great german restaurant I would look else where.
(3)
Marshall P.
After being to München at the OG Hofbräuhaus I soon realized I needed another lager. Hofbräu is so damn good. I was lucky enough to have a layover at O'hare and find myself here. Much like the Munich Hofbräuhaus, people welcomed me to their table to raise a stein. A must visit; sure to make you laugh!
(5)
Frank S.
The attraction at this place is the atmosphere. It is loud and the tables are communal but that is the point! I'm not really sure why people are complaining about that aspect. You can see what it looks like from outside and once you walk in you get a feel for the noise level. If you aren't into the vibe then walk out. The food is mediocre. My food actually came out on the cold side. I was given the impression that it was sitting for quite a while before it was served to me. The beer wasn't great but I enjoyed it. My favorite part of this place was the live entertainment. Take away the entertainment and this place would be two stars. I didn't like the way you walked in and had to stand in a gift shop while waiting to be seated. Gives off a planet hollywood/hard rock feel.
(3)
Kat D.
Staff was friendly and the beer was good. I had the beef goulash and my boyfriend had the Wiener schnitzel. Both were good. I tried my friends chicken sausage and that was also good. They validate your parking when you park in the garage across the street which is a plus.
(4)
Todd G.
Not going to write a long review on this one. It was ok, not bad not great. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Live music was ok, they played the same 4 songs over and over again.. Beer was excellent, as close as you are going to get an authentic Munich Dunkel in the states... Food was ok, and it came out of the kitchen really quickly.. Potatoes and gravy were a little salty.. Sausages were pretty good, roast pork was a little mushy, dumplings a little dry, spetzel was ok (I like mine crisped up a little.).. Seemed a little expensive for what it is.. We felt a little "nickel and dimed", bread was extra and the price for sides was pretty steep. Strudel was good, not sure why it needs to be imported, the $12 price tag would make me think twice about it.. There are better places for german food but for something near the airport / Rosemont entertainment area, it would be a decent option. Parking is $15, so have the hostess validate it..
(3)
Justyna K.
Nice please and good German food super nice customer service ! Great to bring kids too ! Can get loud with the music and very packed but still great service , the pork shank is awesome and great beer !
(5)
Dee W.
I came here for a Mommys' Night Out and we had a blast. First of all, I did get horrible lost because my GPS wouldn't recognize the address and you have to park in the huge parking structure (but at least the Hofbrauhaus validated our parking). Entertainment is loud so don't expect to have a meaningful conversation without yelling at each other. I split a Schnitzel Wiener Art which was t heir pork served cirsp with cranberries and homemade potato salad - yum! Portions are definitely large and their beer is amazing and HUGE. Looking forward to another fun night out here again!
(4)
Brandon Z.
Went here to meet some friends and catch up over dinner...nice change of pace, among other things. It's a high-energy German-themed establishment, so not an ideal place to go for a quiet chat over some high-end food. We liked the food and beer. Having eaten authentic German food, I can say that this food is somewhat Americanized, but it's still good. The pretzel was huge, the Bavarian Potato soup was very good, and all of the dishes we had were more than passable. Good size portions - we left full. I especially thought their sauerkraut was good. Beer wasn't the best, but it did the job. Where they lost two stars, as far as I'm concerned, is that the music was really loud - overly loud and obnoxious. Being a musician myself, it was annoying that they were constantly off-key, too. It was a relief when they occasionally would take a break. Secondly, parking was awful. It was freezing cold outside, and while the restaurant has a great big lot outside, it's completely for valet. So....unless you want to freeze your a** off walking from the garage on the other side of the ice rink on a sub-zero degree night like when we went, you're gonna have no choice to eat the $7 valet fee. Couldn't you leave half the lot open for public parking, and still keep the valet as an option for those who'd prefer that? Wasn't happy about that. Oh.....and they have a huge gift shop if you're into that.
(3)
O.M. R.
Cannot complain about atmosphere. Really intense and fun:p Food = i grew up with german food and the food here doesn't come close to german traditional food. Beer = has barely any alcohol in it :( Deserts and the pretzel= iiiiuuu!! Dont try it.
(3)
Tom K.
Big, noisy and fun bier drinking hall ein chicago. Our group of four had reservations on a busy Saturday night for 630. We arrived at 5:30 and decided to try to have a beer in the bar to wait out our time. it was expectedly crowded, and we asked the bartender if we could sit at a tall table right next to the bar while we waited. She she said sure, Portis are four beers and we sit down. Shortly there after the service waitress in that area showed her bitchy side. She growled passed us a number of times mumbling comments about how this was a service table. I'm sure she was pissed she didn't get her tip that I gave the bartender. Either way it's bad for the Haus to have a nasty waitress. It makes you feel uncomfortable and not want to come back. Beachy waitresses side, the place is just what you would expect. A big n loud. It's nice to see the place where families can come and watch dads (and moms !) drink bier and sing. We had a sausage platter appetizer, a pretzel, and The sliced radishes. This ain't fine dining. It's beer drinking food and it covers that adequately. The beer taste the same as at the house in Munich. I think the pretzels were a little off compared to the ones in Germany, but who freaking cares.Bring your lederhosen, bring your partay hat and do some yodeling. Das ist gut.
(4)
Justin L.
Always have a great time here. It's a fun atmosphere and I always receive great service
(5)
Joni M.
Let me preface this by saying I'm of German descent, but I don't love German food. But we decided to go to a 'real' German place to get bratwurst that should be better than the johnsonville variety we are used to. We made a very costly mistake. We sat in the main hall it was early on a Saturday evening. Our waitress came by and we had a real communication issue since it was loud and she had a heavy accent. Hey at least she's authentic. Except I think it was a Polish accent, but whatever. We started with a soft pretzel and I asked for a medium beer. I got the tiniest beer ever and a cold and very not so soft pretzel. It would be good if it were fresh but it wasn't. And I'm not sure how hard it can be to have fresh pretzels. But Whatever? Oh and my teensy weensy beer? 13 bucks. We ordered the bratwurst hoping they would redeem everything. They came and they looked like the bulli sticks I had bought for my dogs the day before. Very long and skinny. We had asked to swap the fries for potato salad, but were told that no substitutions were allowed, which I've only heard before at.... No actually I've never had a restaurant or waitress say that. The bratwurst were so gross. Horrible texture, smooth like a hotdog. If this is authentic German, give me Johnsonville everyday. We left $85 dollars lighter and still hungry. Seriously. It was $85 for a tiny beer, cold pretzel and 3 bratwurst that we didn't eat. The dogs got three more very expensive bulli sticks. Never, ever, ever again. It was literally the worst dining experience I have had in probably 10 years.
(1)
Carlos R.
COME HERE TO DRINK, NOT EAT. I came here for a friend's birthday and I was really excited because I have been wanting to come here since it opened. My expectations of drinking in a German beer hall were definitely met. The beers were great and decently priced. The big downside to my visit was the food. I am always willing to try new things, but I did not like the food at all. It felt like they already had the food prepared in the kitchen and they just took a while to give the illusion that they cooked it. Maybe I am just not a german food guy, but either way the food prices were pretty high for the quality food we received.
(3)
Arlene G.
this place is HUGE! i felt like i was in germany/medieval times! there was 4 of us in our party & we sat outside since it was a nice day. i dont think ive ever had german food b4 or if i have i cant remember. i ordered the sausage with curry sauce & fries. it was AWESOME!! its not a curry like thai or indian. in fact it didnt even taste like curry 2 me but mayb its a german curry that i dont know about. it was like a sweeter tastin ketchup & not as thick. whatever it was i didnt care cuz it was super yummy! i was a bit disappointed with their cocktail selection tho. i know its a german place but not everybody drinks beer. im 1 of those people & i ordered 2 different drinks which they couldnt make - ciroc peach & 7up and a mojito. what!?! oh well, maybe that was a sign 2 not drink that nite. but the food was great so i wont hold it against them.
(4)
Vic M.
If you don't mind the overwhelming smell of sauerkraut, this place is for you! Was carded at the door an then cared again by the waitress. I asked her for a sample of one of their brewed beers and she said they didn't offer samples...they pride themselves on brewing their own beers and it's a take on a German beer house and I can't get someone to pour me a taste of beer? Not very crowded on a Friday night at 1030pm...beer is average. And waitresses have no problem smacking guys in the butt with a paddle.
(2)
Al R.
Great bartenders. Lisa and Jessica were friendly and attentive. Give them a raise. Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy oye oye oye
(5)
B K.
Come here to have a good liter of beer, eat a pretzel, clap and sing. The venue is fun, but expensive. Don't expect a great German meal here. Go to the smaller, family owned German restaurants in the Chicago area for good German entrees.
(3)
Anna M.
The upside of this restaurant is the ambience. You are transported to a theme-park style version of a German pub. It is high energy, the band is energetic and fun, and the servers are dressed to the part. I enjoyed the experience. Is it an experience that I would seek out in the future? Not really...I left feeling like I had my fill. It is a little too touristy feeling for me (but that is just personal preference). Ambience aside, the food was mediocre at best and way over-priced for the quality. I had a brat and pretzel appetizer. There was nothing really wrong with the taste, it was just mediocre. Again, it was reminiscent of a theme park, in quality and price. If you are looking for a fun night with a touristy flair and German style beer in the burbs, try this place. I would recommend framing the price in terms of paying for the experience and it will be easier to swallow.
(2)
Kevin R.
The overall rating is dead on for this taste of Germany in the Chicago Suburbs. The oom-pah-pah band (made up of 3 guys) provides an entertainment set that runs an hour. I loved hearing the traditional German beer drinking songs that I last heard in Germany. One of the band members can play the traditional alpenhorn, the very long horn played in the Alps. And he plays it very well. The music was fun and tailored for us Americans. John Denver, Neil Diamond and other classic tunes are in their extensive repertoire as well. Let's talk food and service next. The menu was varied and offered lots of German food. I had the Jaegerschnitzel with mushroom gravy and spaetzel. My friend had the kartoffelpuffer, otherwise known as potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream. All of our food was good but not great. Which is OK given the setting and entertainment. Their apple strudel was quite good and my only complaint there was there wasn't enough. We split the serving, and considering how good it was I wish I'd ordered 3 of them, lol. Delicate and flaky, layers upon layers of slightly sweet goodness. Service was good given the large hall and noise. Though we did have to ask for help from someone other than our server. For my friend and I it was our annual catch-up. So we stayed for about 3 hours. It was packed when we first arrived with our reservations around 6:15, and nearly deserted when we left after 9pm, lol. Oh yes! I almost forgot about the BEER! My first choice the Dunkel (dark) was not available, as they ran out. The beer they had was of course good, their tap lager. I've been to the original in Munich at Octoberfest, like millions of others. You can find better German food elsewhere if that's what you want. But if you want an authentic German Beer Hall experience, you can't beat the Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Your alternative is to book a flight to Munich, lol.
(3)
mono b.
Went there on a recommendation of a friend to celebrate a birthday of a girlfriend. The place is huge. Sorta cool warehouse sized space decorated like a german beer pib. The beer I had was a summer special, very good, light.perfect for a summer night. I got the liter which was ridiculously big. Cost $14 which was a bit much. We also had the giant pretzel with cheese spread which was tasty. My chicken sandwich was a bit dry, large size portion but not much flavor in terms of seasoning. Wait staff was nice. We will probably go back but skip the food.
(3)
Chris A.
Great atmosphere to sit and have a bier with friends..however when the highlight of our dinner the other night was...THE MUSTARD?!? Great place for drinks but i would go to another place for food
(3)
Linsey J.
Schmaltzy atmosphere, mediocre service, overpriced for the product. Reminded me of a restaurant in an amusement park (and I don't mean Disney). We went for my wife's and daughter's birthdays and all they had to offer were spankings; I don't think so! There are plenty of other far better German restaurants in the Chicago area. Don't waste your time and money I did not leave this review, not sure who did??? But I don't know how to delete it...
(2)
Jeremy J.
As close to as authentic German cuisine you can get in the US. The restaurant and atmosphere is very similar to the original Houfbräuhas in Munich.
(5)
Mike G.
I've been here twice now. I love the new Downtown Rosemont and there is a ton of fun to be had here. I am a big fan of the beers, and the atmosphere and the energy here with the live music and performers is great. The performers and musicians are great. I got to witness them play music on a 20 foot long Ricola Horn, a bunch of different size bells to ring, a lute or some kind of flute, etc. Couldn't understand a word of German but still had a great experience with the entertainment. Everyone seemed very happy to share a drink with everyone. The beer is great, they have light and heavier options and you can get one great big beer stein too. The food is good. I'm actually not the biggest fan of German food, but liked what I ordered, and the big pretzels were very good. The service was ok, we went both times when it was busy, so it was a little slow, but ok. The parking wasn't the easiest either. But I did have a great time there as did my group. I would definitely recommend checking out this place.
(4)
Maritza S.
Walk in to 5 staff "working" the hostess area about 830pm on a Friday. Had to interrupt one to ask if party of 2 can walk in & sit at bar area. Seating at bar area opens up fairly quickly. Staff at bar are friendly & attentive: why review gets 2 stars, not 1. Place is loud, live band, men getting paddled in butt. Noise not an issue if band was halfway decent. They have competitions on stage to get crowd cheering. Band MC dude talks way too much!! Get on with the drinking competitions your boring people!! Food is overpriced and ohhh so wrong. Chili was bland, pretzel stale, & Currywurst tasted like BBQ sauce on a weiner- shared by 2 & both with same opinion. Place seems to gear to those that live in faraway "suburbs" and don't know better places. It was time to walk out when band unfortunately played and butchered 'hey Jude'
(2)
Jack W.
Good spot to let loose. There is a lot of people here on a Saturday but if you are a beer lover and staying near rosemont I recommend you try it out its very packed on a saturday night like 600 people or more easily. The beer is awesome I had the giant wheat definitely worth it. But the food is subpar due to the sheer amount of people I'm sure it's a lot better when there isn't so many people but I was there on a Saturday night. I was with 13 people and we had pretzels sausage and kraut and our tab ended up being $650 I wouldn't go there trying to save money lol but it was a good time with live music and people in a generally good mood if you want to experience the chi without going out anywhere sketchy I recommend staying In Rosemont and enjoying the bar scene then going back to a hotel where you don't have to drive. It's a overall nice place with the exception of being too drunk and not understanding the band that interacts with the crowd highly recommended for a good time especially if waiting for a plane at ohare lol check it out and tell me what you think. I think it's a solid spot for locals and travelers. I really think it's a nice place to kick back and get smashed.
(3)
Meg R.
Disappointing if you want anything other than beer. I have been to the one in Pittsburgh several times and it is amazing. Since I had such a great experience thought I would make the hike from Midway to Rosemont. Staff is friendly but the music, unlike Pittsburgh's German songs, was music from the 80s food was luke warm. I ordered a 9.00 pretzel fresh baked so the menu stated but instead it was cold and had been made sometime today but was not great. Cheese blend with pretzel was a complete disappointment compared to the yummiest warmed bier cheese they serve with the pretzel in Pittsburgh. Schweinebraten was very good, but not worth returning just for that alone.
(2)
Taylor D.
I had high hopes for this place and it was just eh. The atmosphere is a lot of fun with the live music and beer hall style tables. The waitresses dress in traditional German clothing. The food is not very good and it is incredibly over priced. The jumbo pretzel was pretty dry, and the bratwurst are thinner than a hot dog. It's unfortunate. Come here to drink with friends but do not eat here.
(2)
Stacy S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a very AMERICANIZED version of the german beer hall, but a fun atmosphere overall. My fiance, cousin, and I had the opportunity to go to the ACTUAL Oktoberfest in Munich this past year, so we had much to compare it to. After a few days of realizing Oktoberfest was not what I thought it would be, less "let's get wasted" and more of a camaraderie type of event. I really came to appreciate this German tradition. So when it came down to review Haufbrauhaus Chicago, my standards were set pretty high. - Long benches and tables, just like the beer tents at Oktoberfest. CHECK. - The beer comes in liters. CHECK. - They even offered the "radler" which is a lemonade shandy. CHECK. - Band decked out in lederhosen singing "Ein Prosit" (drinking songs) CHECK. - Waitresses decked out in dirndls. CHECK. - Getting up on the table and dancing like a fool. CHECK. LOVE IT. So far, so good. We came here for one of my friends' birthdays and had a lot of fun. For a group of 20 people, this is the place to go. They have a bunch of drinking games for both guys and ladies. Guys are asked to hold out a liter of beer and see who can last the longest and girls of course are asked who can chug their liter the fastest. If it's your birthday, tell your waitress and you'll get a special surprise......... and it is hilarious. And if you can't get enough, the entrance of the bar/restaurant, you'll notice a souvenir shop that sells t-shirts, beer mugs, and lederhosen. It's like a little bit of Oktoberfest has come to Chicago and never left.
(4)
Courtney W.
Maybe it's because I'm German but I love this place! It's huge and has a huge patio. It's almost like a cavern or a cafeteria. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They will spank you with paddles if you ask, they have stein drinking and holding competitions, and they have a gift shop. Did I mention they also have awesome beer that they brew in house? The Hefe weizen (pardon my spelling please!). I've never had to wait for a table (most tables are huge and communal except for a few in the bar). We've never eaten here but the menu looks impressive for a German place and I wouldn't mind a few drunk pretzels or schnitzel. They normally have a German band on stage either playing traditional tunes or their own version of American music (Journey, anyone?) I'm such a fan and I try to bring my more stubborn fans, I'm working on it!
(4)
Sheri L.
For a theme tourist trap, Hofbrauhaus is a good start. The restaurant is HUGE, long tables as far as the eye can see. First impress was a bit offputting. We were meeting a large group that had a reservation. The group had already been seated when we got there. So when we let the hostess know we were there for a group... she checked the reservation log and then stated "yes, they're here and seated, but we don't keep track of the seating's so just go in and find them".... Ok, did I mention this place is HUGE? Yes, so in we walk in search of our group after dodging several servers with large trays (stay out of their way or they will yell at you), about 4 minutes later we found our group. October fest beer, yes please and it was a fine marzen. The rest of the food was decent. I'm not a fan of being served potatos and potato dumplings from an ice-cream scoop - you just cheapened my food to cafeteria quality. The pork loin I had was cooked well, was tender and very tasty. The pretzels were cold as so many others on yelp have mentioned. While I only saw them once in our 2 hours here, there are bell guys who go around to tables and give quick little shows. However, I heard Sweet Caroline about 3 times from the band and HAPPY BIRTHDAY so many times that I was ready to puke. Word to the wise, limit to singing the song once an hour and include all the names you need to in that one rendition. It would also be nice to actually be able to understand the names when they sing the song... as we listened closely to the 30 times looking for our friends name... not once could we recognize the names! It was like being stuck in a chucky cheese birthday party... "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you"... ah, make it stop! For more authentic German food without the frills, I will still go to Bavarian Lodge. However, the Hofbrauhaus is a fun place to go to if your entertaining out of town guests.
(3)
Jasi R.
My friends and I are big fans of German food and beer, especially during Oktoberfest. Our "go-to" spot has always been Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights, but we decided to try this place out since it's fairly new. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning anytime in the near future. First, no matter where you go in Rosemont's entertainment district, you're most likely stuck parking in the massive parking garage. It's not THAT long of a walk away, but still...kinda annoying. Once we trekked to the restaurant, I was quite disappointed when I looked at the menu. There weren't as many options as other German restaurants I've been to. And although they have a ton of sides to choose from, they don't allow any substitutions...which is ridiculously annoying because their sauerkraut is probably the best side on the menu and it's not really offered with many entrees. They obviously do that on purpose. I will say, on a good note, the service is pretty decent. Our waitress was attentive and quick to bring anything we asked for. So we order our food, and it comes shortly afterwards. And honestly, it wasn't that great. My friends and I have pretty big appetites, and not one of us finished our meal. It was edible, and decent tasting...but I've had much much better. Lastly, the entertainment (the German band) was REALLY cheesy. Sure they dress up in their German outfits, but they play Johnnie Cash and other American classics. Way too corny for me. If you're looking for German food and beer and a fun German experience, I urge you to try out Schnitzel Platz instead. They have their own parking lot (yay!), better tasting beer, better quality food, more menu options, and authentic German bands playing.
(2)
Connie Z.
Fourth time here. Fun atmosphere, they validate parking too. Lady seat in people today was unusually unfriendly, red hair and just angry demeanor, hence 3 stars. Rest of the time easily a four star spot
(3)
Nichole C.
SPOILER: This review is ONLY for the beer. I don't care about German food, I don't care about atmosphere, I don't care about authenticity, etc. What I DO care about is beer. I don't really go for German beers, typically, because they are pretty bland. I prefer my beers to have strong dark malt or coffee/espresso flavors OR strong hoppy notes. German beers usually have neither. They are solid, and smooth, but lack serious bite. That said, the Hefe here is pretty damn good. I went in to get a sampler, but after seeing that the smallest pour they offer is a 10 oz., I just picked the one I knew I would enjoy. And a 10 oz. pour I got. After grasping my baby sized beer and scanning the restaurant and seeing huge mugs and boots of beer I felt a little ridiculous, but you've got to start somewhere, right? RIGHT? The Hefe here is really good, actually. It's got great citrusy and spicey notes and a nice cloudy appearance. It is VERY easy drinking and I can no doubt put a boot of this down in no time. (Challenge accepted, by the way...) I will definitely be back to chug a boot and enjoy some live German music and food. Got to wash the beer down with something, yes?
(4)
Paul F.
Went with about 11 others. The food was good. The band was excellent! Their rendition of the star spangled banned brought a tear to my eye. I cannot pronounce the dish I had but it was very good!
(4)
Kelly C.
Teetering on a three vs. four star review - in brief, food is three stars and ambiance/experience is four. First, the food: Some traditional German options such as schnitzel, sausage, spaetzle, pretzels, and Bavarian potato salad - although missing veal schnitzel. I echo another reviewer's comment on the "no substitutions" - it's annoying that you can't opt for spaetzle or potato salad for example. Food portions are right-sized: you won't go hungry with just a main dish, but you won't feel overstuffed if you order appetizers to share. Generally, menu is low on greens (as are most German menus) but food is good. Second, the ambiance: Long tables in authentic beer hall setting with a rotating german band. Our group found it to be a lot of fun - dancing up on the benches, singing along. I was impressed at the atmosphere created, on a Tuesday night no less. Third, the service: Food comes out fast ... almost too fast. Servers were effective. In response to a few who said it is "overpriced" you need to factor in the entertainment - Given the experience and live music, I think it's close to on target.
(3)
Dennis B.
The 20 million hostesses they have standing at the door to greet you acted real ditsy and uninterested in my patronage. This place is huge and I'm sure its packed at peak restaurant hours. All they had on the menu was German food of course, but everything was some type of sausage which I wasn't in the mood for. I ordered the potato pancakes with smoked Salmon and one of their house beers which was very good. I may stop by in the future for a beer, but I doubt I'd go again for the food.
(3)
Stacy O.
We were so eager to try this place, we showed up months before it opened. Their signage is effective. ;) We stopped in again (they were open this time) for a beer while waiting for my brother-in-law's flight to land. It was everything I hoped for - and more. My husband had a Dunkel; I had a Hefeweizen. We were both happy with our beers. We only split a pretzel, as we were on our way to dinner after our airport pick up. The pretzel wasn't anything to write home about, but the sweet mustard and spicy mustard were both fantastic with the right amount of kick. I'm a pushover for any mustard that isn't yellow and doesn't come out of a squeeze bottle; being able to see the actual mustard grains makes my heart sing. Service was good if not a bit slow. It took awhile to get our check picked up after we put our credit card in the folder. But this place is much more than beer. With live German music and authentic decor, it's easy to get swept up in feeling like you're in Munich. Enjoy the experience.
(4)
Jeff E.
Always a great time. Great food even better beer. Live entertainment is engaging and fun. Come here for a great night out that will not disappoint
(5)
Ned B.
I love the German dining experience and this place has it! The place is cool! The beer is great! The food is... Well subpar. If it wasn't for the great experience I would probably skip this.
(3)
Jaime G.
4 stars for the beer. 3 for the food. Try the hlffenwiesen and the double wheat. Pretzel and chicken is just ok.
(4)
Lochin S.
my beer was nice and cold, and really enjoyed the large stein. the other 5 folks enjoyed their beers. One even had a bottle of Riesling. food was surprisingly good. i had traditional beef with sour gravy, hubby had salmon. others had the veal (ok), chicken, and finally sausage. service was good, food came out in good time, and we were checked on for drinks often. Music was good, spanking was good. we will be back.
(4)
Rob W.
I have been eager to check this place out as I have been to the HBH in Las Vegas and wanted to see how this one compared. Facility-wise, this place is a LOT different - dark woods vs light in LV, this place is huge compared to that one - which is also quite large - the one in LV has an indoor biergarten, this one has a large area for outdoor seating. I like the visible brewery here - interesting look. I visited on a Friday around 2PM and it wasn't too busy. My server was Teri and she was the highlight of my visit - pleasant, attentive and outstanding service. But here's the thing - it's not cheap. I had a soda, pretzel (normal sized) and the Jagerschnitzel and it came to $23.87 (pre-tip). The entree was just "ok" - spaetzle awash in mushroom sauce with a fair portioned, but somewhat dry schnitzel topped with bacon. I'll stick with the "neighborhood" German places like Edelweiss or the ones in Milwaukee when I'm looking for truly authentic German food. This was passable - but nothing special. I do plan to return to check out the beers - and I will do the food on occasion. It's another "something else" that's different in the Chicago area, which makes our city and the metro area a special place to be.
(3)
Reed N.
Let me save you a lot of time. Fresh beer is good beer... and fresh beer hand crafted and served in the same building is even better. The wheat beer here is deeeeeelicious. The other selections are good, but the wheat just rocks the suds. The service was excellent. The ladies in the cute Lederhosen outfits are everywhere carrying growlers of beer. Other places should take note... women can be fully clothed and still be sexy as all hell. The pretzels are not so good and get cold fast. And they are WAY overpriced. The band and "bell man" travel the dining hall playing and having fun. The noise is quite a racket, but this is a beer hall. This place closed at 11pm on a Monday... so come early! In short, I'd say eat elsewhere. Come here to drink and enjoy yourself.
(3)
Edward L.
If you find yourself exhausted, thirsty, and hungry from all that outlet shopping...head over to Hofbrauhaus. Fantastic patio area to enjoy a nice summer evening with a Hefe Weizen & Jagerschnitzel!! The planes are super loud as they fly over...but if you can tolerate them, go for the nice patio! Unless the live band is playing inside, which is always a great time. 1. Beers will be around $7-$10 2. Entrees will be around $15-$25 We tried the red and white radish app which was excellent with a nice dusting of salt. This option is definitely geared for the vegetarian so watch out, its a lot of radish! The jagerschnitzel was well cooked with delicious, creamy, mushroom sauce and crispy bacon on top. Great area, great location, great spot to get some beers and enjoy some German food!
(4)
Mike H.
Parking is a bit of a pain, as you need to be in the Rosemont garage instead of in the lot next to the building. We were warned that if we stayed in that lot we would be ticketed. The good news is that they do validate. The beer is very good, as you would expect from a beer hall with a brewery on site, and is just like the beer at the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. We enjoyed the live entertainment, and the band was trying, but the crowd was just not very into it, and singing along is half the fun at a beer hall. The food was good, but I think you can get better German food at the Chicago Brauhaus, Mirabel, Laschet's and Eidelweis. I'd go back if invited, but not sure if I'd make the trip on my own dime.
(3)
Margaret S.
The atmosphere is good and I liked the kitschy band, but the food and beer was a dissapointment. They only have 4 beers...at a beer hall. Of course the day we were there, they were OUT of one of the beers...and then there were three. The sauerbraten and spaetzel was okay, not great, kinda buried in the sauce. It would have been fine for 12.95, but disapointing for 18.95. $18.95...had to purchase the soup (the best thing I had, liver dumpling for $5.95) and when I asked the waiter for some bread (a nice rye, anyone?) it was an additional cost. Really? I may try it again, and just hang in the bar and have one of the four beers and a pretzel, but I belie
(3)
andre L.
Cafeteria hall feel. Food good not great. Had pork medallions. From the moment you walk in staff is a bit aloof; not warm as I expected a German restaurant to be.
(3)
Emily S.
Great that you could make reservations on open table. We had no issues with them finding out reservation when we got there. We ate in the beer hall, if you come after 5pm on a week night there is a band. Try the beer, it is excellent and is made there. We shared the pretzel appetizer, the cheese is amazing. We both got the Worstplatte and loved it. There was so much food I took it home. We also got the Black Forest Cake which I highly recommend. Seating is bench seating in the beer hall, which would be nice for groups. There is also outdoor seating and a more private dining hall. Waitress was attentive and very polite. Make sure to have parking validated before leaving. Very nice place, we would return.
(4)
MK W.
The food is good, but the waiter (Charlie) was an arrogant jerk. He didn't even ask us what size beer we wanted and brought these enormous steins. I told him we didn't want such large beers and he argued with us that he thought that is what we ordered. We didn't even make a dent in our beers and it was not a very pleasant experience. Portions are large and it is expensive. I guess you're paying for the atmosphere. Save your money and go to Germany.
(3)
Matthew L.
Good recreation of the real thing in Munich minus the history. The scale is really what it's all about. This place would be awesome on a summer afternoon with the doors open, the oom-pah band blaring, and all the tables full. On a Thursday night in February, it's a little lame. Go with a group of friends, buy a few litres of bier and you'll have a good time regardless. Not gonna be as cheap as the local sports bar but it's worth a trip for the experience!
(4)
Mike C.
Perhaps not the place to go when dining alone. Beer was good. Perhaps best part of experience. thought I'd enjoy the assorted sausage entree but found it heavy and kind of lacking in creativity. Yeah I'm not quite expecting creativity in a biergarten I guess. Let's just say I was fed and my thirst was quenched. Nuff said.
(2)
Michael M.
Fool me once, shame on me! Overpriced, loud, small portions, foam of beer counted toward drink size. No coat check. If you want a real German experience try Eidelweis or Brauhaus. This place is the definition of corporate greed! STAY AWAY. TOURIST TRAP!
(1)
Robert B.
IT'S SAD THEY CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR! Tried to have dinner and some drinks there but because I'm use a wheelchair I did not fit under the table so the hostess just walked away leaving me looking at a table I couldn't fit under. So I go back to the hostess letting her know the situation and there was nothing they could do for me, hell put a couple of books under the legs it's not that hard. We called to let them know the next day and was told we would be hearing back from the GM but NOTHING! So I comment on there FB post they respond saying give me your email so the GM can address this and NOTHING!
(1)
Julie W.
I'm instantly a fan of Hofbrauhaus. Came here on a Thursday night with my husband for a little date night. We started at another place in The Park but after hearing he wasn't hungry, and I was, we made our way over around 10pm (he's not a schnitzel or sausage kinda guy). Upon arriving there were tons of seating all around, we decided to sit at the bar. The bartenders were both very friendly and took our order immediately. I had a bahama breeze (sorry, not a beer girl!) and he had a big ole' liter of the lager. Plus it was $8.99 liter night! Definitely cannot beat that price at The Park!! We had a little issue with our food taking a bit longer than expected but once we asked our bartender about our food, he immediately ran to the back and brought out a piping hot plate. Great service is always appreciated! Now the main reason I wanted to come was not only for the giant imported pretzel but for the CURRYWURST! When I traveled to Berlin several years ago, I practically lived off of currywurst. I haven't found a place in the city that does it better than Hofbrahaus did, it was like I was walking along the Ku'damm all over again. I was definitely a happy gal. The pretzel was delicious as well. Chewy, warm, just enough salt. The liver mousse was really good as well as the rest of the dips. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but why not? The atmosphere on a Thursday was kind of bland, but from the looks of the place it seems like a Friday or Saturday night must be a riot. The German band played a mix of traditional songs and very bad cover songs..just like being in Germany! Haha. But besides that it was a great night. Only gripe is that they closed down the gift shop before they actually closed, around 11:30. I understand that people want to go home but I definitely wanted to take a look around! Also, a little FYI...if you are going to have your ladies wear dirndls with their boobies hanging out, make sure that: A) these ladies have boobies to hang out and B) that they are attractive enough to have their boobies hang out. Saw some waitresses who looked like they just rolled out of bed. Not a cute look, girls. Overall if you want a good time with friends, wonderful, authentic German food and bier, Hofbrauhaus is the place! Sure, it's not the cheapest place to eat or drink but then again is any place at The Park cheap?? I'm definitely a fan and I will be back!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Love this place! My new favorite hangout, just wish I were closer to it. Amazing food & atmosphere! Beer contests are fun to watch and keeps it lively. People getting shots are quite funny too! Definitely a fun place to go! You'll love it:)
(5)
Jill A.
Loud.....very loud. So loud that our server couldn't hear our order. I have been to the location in Munich. This is a weird approximation. I ordered a salad and two drinks and my share of the bill was $40. Very expensive.
(2)
Joel P.
Really fun place. Great German band and mess hall atmosphere. Prices pretty steep for mediocre food. A lot of rules which was kind of annoying. ie no side subs no bill splitting no beer samples... Make sure you valet at the restaurant bc it's $7 as apposed to the garage which is $13 and a further walk.
(3)
Prashant C.
Yesterday night was my second time at Hofbrauhaus... if you love having beer then this place is definitely worth a visit .. last time I had the large of Weiss and yesterday had the Octoberfest starting with 1L... My beer thirst was satiated after doing the second round of .5L. Giant pretzel with musturd.. yes plz ! Pork Sausage with onion mustard.. bring it on..!! loved the food & the whole beer hall set up. It had a live band last night and the whole place was very alive, people were getting paddle spanked by the waitress.. few folks after their 2nd or 3rd Liter of beer were standing on tables... loved the atmosphere ... ideal place to spend time with friend and on weekend.. Place was not cheap, pretzel was $13 with cheese and musturd and Beer 1L was also about the same... but then you get what you pay. Don't worry about parking as they validate parking . Will I visit again? Absolutely! Just make sure to pick a night when there is lot of action happening and bring your friends.. everyone will enjoy
(4)
Elizabeth T.
Dinner for four on a weeknight: THE GOOD: + Fun atmosphere! (Very comparable to the one in Germany) + A++++++ service! Wait staff, servers, and bus boys were awesome! THE SO-SO: +/- Food was so so. Just as you'd expect: Your average German eats THE BAD: - Spacey/airhead hostesses. Probably need to work more on greeting customers promptly instead staring into space - Parking was a pain. This is in Rosemont's entertainment district so expect a parking lot maze. - EXPENSIVE! We ordered a "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 dips: sweet mustard, onion mustard, and cheese) for our appetizer. It was $13+!!!! For a pretzel? I thought Auntie Anne's pretzel in the shopping malls were already expensive! That just blew my mind. Wow! Shnitzel sandwich (fried chicken breast on a kaiser roll) $13+ I forgot what our other 2 companions ordered but each were $17+ each dish Beer (Premium Lager) was $13 - Food was super salty BOTTOM LINE: It was a fun place to be in but would probably not come back unless someone paid for me. I'm still not over the sticker shock on that pretzel appetizer.
(3)
Alma C.
The smell of mash as you enter tells you everything you need to know about this place: go. for. the. beer. The hefeweizen in particular was very refreshing, I liked the pretzels and dipping mustards, but the brats...not so much (uniform hot dog-like texture, no thanks). Bonus point for the festive and friendly atmosphere with live entertainment (3 person band with a certifiable cow bell genius on staff). Fun little stop in an odd area convenient to the highways and O'Hare.
(3)
Smita D.
This is a very disappointing German establishment and a total tourist trap! I lived in Germany and speak fluent German and found this place to be absolutely inaccurate and awful. The food was very unimpressive too. Also, the hall is not constructed well. The live music permeates everywhere and you can't hold a conversation with friends over a meal, which is disappointing and frustrating. However, if you love beer, this place is great and you'll get some tasty drinks.
(2)
Mike N.
How disappointing! My ginger and I ran past here recently to try it out, since we've been watching it being built for a while now, and what a tremendous disappointment. The only thing I disliked more than the food was the service. We sat at the bar and not once did I see any of the 4 bartenders interact with any guest. They only seemed to break up the conversation with themselves when someone waved for their attention. Two of the bartenders were obviously more concerned with getting each other naked (which I'm always a proponent for!) than refilling a beer or taking an order. The beer was good, but don't expect the bartenders to give you any help deciding what to drink. The food was a disappointment. Obviously mass produced, everything we touched was lukewarm. And nothing is made in house! The people sitting next to me asked the bartender if they made the sausage in house, and was told that a distributor makes in and then sends it to them. Seriously? Maybe its just opening issues, but just a real disappointment.
(1)
Michael R.
I love this place. German beer, german food, german decor. Yes the band is cheesy but the atmosphere is great! They spank you if you order a shot and they have a great selection of merchandise and beer!
(5)
Josan K.
I want to really like this place but.... 1 litre of bier will cost you $17 (with tax and small tip). Food portions are soooo small, no substitutions what-so-ever! oh, and pricey. Service was slow. There were about ten of us at a bench and we got three beers at a time in 10-15 minute increments! And the food took forever. It's a shame, I guess your paying for the acts from Germany. The entertainment band is usually fun. And i would suggest at least making one visit to see the live music cause it's straight out of Munich fun! I'm in a traditional German band and the music fits right in. This is one quality your really not going to find this at the other German bars. Other bars in the area have local acts but the Hofbrau gets the real acts from overseas. It's good to go for a beer and watch the music but just get ready to unload your wallet! As for alternatives, I would highly suggest laschet's Inn, then Mirabells and then Edelweiss and Brauhaus. The only reason why i say that is those to places feel more like a neighborhood bar rather then going to one of the "big" chicago german places. Prost!
(2)
Dan P.
Fun, Loud, and Tasty. we 32 people in our group for my wife and a friends birthdays, Our waitress Ashley was AWESOME, she got everyones order correct, she had a great attitude, she was very helpful in answering question about the bill and the food. It is hard to find good people like that. we will be back and always request ASHLEY. there was a 18% tip added to our bill, we also gave her 50$ on top of that. thank you for a awesome time!!!!!
(4)
Victoria M.
Went there last sunday. OMG Beer was great, food was great, Strudel was great! Not a cheap place to go, we spent 100 for two people,but had two beers, an app, two dinners, and a dessert. I had sausage to take home! The sourkraut reminded me of my grams. It was a fun time!
(5)
David K.
Exciting experience very crowded and loud - not my choice - met friends there for dinner and beer. Excellent entertainment during October Fest.
(3)
Nikki M.
I thought this place was mediocre. The atmosphere is very loud. It's kind of like eating in a cafeteria with a bunch of sloppy drunks. Women dancing on tables people yelling with their beers in the air. The food was just ok. I had the schnitzel with potato salad and a side red cabbage. I also tried some of their sausage and mashed potatoes and their potato soup. The potato soup was really thick maybe a little too thick. Kind of slop-ish. They really overdo it with the mustard that they put in anything involving potatoes. The sausage was good smaller than expected but tasty to say the least. I chose going here over the bavarian lodge in Lisle which I will never do again. This place IS not good for dates but rather for friends to party with. I also am disappointed in their lack of beer selection. Their beer is ok but lacks in flavor. I won't be going here again, most likely.
(2)
Ron S.
We visited Hofbrauhaus at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was at least 3/4 full. A German two-piece band was in full song and everyone was in good spirits. The decor is very German beer hall style and I think they do a good job of creating the appropriate Gemutlichkeit. I enjoyed both the Original Lager and Dunkel. The Lager was very good and the Dunkel was just average. My wife ordered a liter stein of light. I sampled it and it tasted OK but, lets face it, its still light beer. I ordered Gulasch soup and Jaeger Schnitzel and my wife ordered the Leberkaese. Sadly, food is where Hofbrauhaus drops the ball. The Gulasch soup was tasteful although mildly seasoned. For $5.95, the portion was small. It was adorned with salad croutons. I've ordered many bowls of Gulasch soup and never had croutons. OK - easily fished out and tossed to the side. My Jaeger Schnitzel arrived and I could easily tell that it was pre-prepared. It was dry and even the mushroom gravy couldn't save it. It came with spaetzels that were OK. Again, a weird adornment for my schnitzel - bacon! Yeah, I know everyone is on the bacon kick but it doesn't belong on Jaeger Schnitzel. At $18, they need to do better. My wife's Leberkaese was a poor, tasteless rendition of what can be a nice change of pace. Neither entree came with a vegetable. The best part of both of our meals was the potato salad that came with my wife's meal. Although I really enjoyed the beer and atmosphere, I felt the quality of the food for the price paid was not up to par. There is no doubt that Hofbrauhaus Chicago will be wildly successful owing to their great location and the proximity of ample tourists and convention business. For me, there are still a small handful of German restaurants in the area that offer a much better value and food product. Beer & Gemutlichkeit = 4 stars, Food = 1 star.
(2)
James K.
Came here to grab a drink after watching a movie, and I was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere of this place is amazing. It has the festive mood of Oktoberfest and a live band and Liter sized mugs. The micro-brewed beer was smooth. I tried the Dunkel as well as the Heffeweizen, and both were great. We came back here the following week with friends and once again had a great time. shots + spanks = hilarious fun time
(5)
Rachael P.
Take a deep breath and as soon as you walk into the place you smell HOPS!! Lots of HOPS! The establishment is great. Very big restaurant, awesome beer, and live entertainment. I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany and it doesn't compare to the original, but considering it's in Rosemont, IL it's not a bad comparison. I give it 3 stars and not 4 or 5 stars because the food is standard. Nothing extraordinary about it. It's not bad. It's just not memorable. The prices are a bit high for what you get in taste. Also, the wait to be seated is ridiculous!! A group of us stopped by on a Saturday night to find out that there was a 2 hour wait. We went back on a Wednesday afternoon and the place was almost empty. Therefore, service was superb! I have to mention that the beer is AMAZING! TIP: If you go on a Friday, call ahead for reservations. They make reservations for non-peak times. They do NOT take reservations on Saturdays.
(3)
Jennifer N.
I have been here twice in the past week to celebrate my dad's birthday and I have no plans on going back. I liked how big the space is and the decor. It does feel like a German beer hall, but that's about all I liked. I'm not really a beer drinker so I can't comment on that (although my dad said that it isn't the same as the real stuff...he would know, he had been stationed in Germany). The food tasted fine but they must do something weird to it. Typically I can eat German food (a brat or chicken with sauerkraut and red cabbage) and not gain weight, but the next day I was three pounds heavier (that's with no cake and hardly eating during the day) and felt totally gross for the next two days. Both times I went I ordered something different and each time it was the same. The service was mixed. On one trip it was decent but slow. The other trip our waitress was a little spacey. Orders kept getting mixed up and nothing showed up together. I asked for water and she said they were out. My brother and I each ordered a side of German rye bread and she didn't bring him anything and she gave me kaiser rolls. Finally she brought the bread for me but then tried to give my brother the kaiser rolls. (To her credit, when I was there before I had ordered bread and they brought American rye because there was a computer glitch...I'm assuming the glitch has not been fixed). She did not know the menu (for example, my brother ordered the seasonal beer and she tried to tell him it didn't exist when it is on the menu). It could be that some of the problems are due to the fact that it is a new restaurant. Maybe I'll give it another chance in 6 months, but for now, when I want German food, I will be going into the city.
(1)
Johnny R.
Deets.... Seats 1000, supposedly 2 hour place wait on the weekends, we went Wednesday night and it was maybe 20% busy. Our validated parking was free (instead of $13). Food was solid, beers were good, and the band was entertaining. I'd go again, though it has a sleek business feel, I felt like I could have been in Orlando or other touristy places. But don't get me wrong, the food was solid. If I was a non-local traveler and had a trade show at the Stevenson center, I'd eat here again.
(3)
Dave F.
I have been to this location many times since it opened. I feel like the food is over priced for what it is. I don't think its bad or they give you small portions. It is just simply over priced. I literally (not figuratively) think everything on the menu could be 2-4 dollars cheaper and they could still make there profit. I have ventured all over the menu and enjoyed the food, but I did not enjoy the price at all. My favorite thing on the menu is Schnitzel Wiener Art, crazy German names! The beers... I have really enjoyed the different beers I have had here. I enjoy the Hefe Weizen the most but have had the Lager and Light and enjoyed them both. Again I think they are slightly over priced. I think they could knock off 2 dollars per size and then they would be priced appropriately. The atmosphere varies depending on the day and time you visit. If you go for lunch or dinner early or mid week this place is a bit tame compared to Friday or Saturday nights. Those nights have a lot of entertainment and it is super loud, almost to the point where you are watching a show rather than enjoying your groups company. None the less, if you come on Friday or Saturday and have some drinks you should have a good time. I do like that while they make you wait for a table they do have some seating and a huge lobby with a gift shop. I appreciate not being stuffed in to a tiny vestibule with 20 other people. As with all restaurants in MB Park the parking can be difficult but it is to be expected. All in all I will be back because it is a fun atmosphere but I will probably only drink or eat because the cost is to damn high.
(3)
Greg H.
I went there earlier in the week with some friends from "Hey Der" Wisconsin, the land of beer and brats. The place was outstanding on all counts, ambiance felt like I was in Munich Germany. Excellent food, most enjoyable German music and the service was outstanding. Felt like I should have been wearing my - lederhosen, german word for leather breeches. Lastly the beer was fabulous, just like what would be served in Germany in the 1 liter mugs, smaller glasses are also available. All good, I would suggest you add this to your must go list with friends and family. Great fun and great laughs had by all.
(5)
Capaytano H.
Place is overrated probably would not go back. Food ok music loud. Would not make this a place to frequent that often
(3)
Liz A.
A fun experience that's probably worth trying at least once. The food is not as good as the one in Munich, but it's still pretty good and the choices are more German than you'll be able to find most other places. The downside, I think the American twist on the clothes, accessories and gift shop is kind of ruining the authenticity of this location. Also, it seems a little pricey.
(3)
Kristina K.
Excellent food, vibe, music and staff!!
(5)
Brian P.
Awesome place to enjoy some great German beer and traditional foods, all in a rowdy German atmostphere. The food is good but a little expensive and overpriced. Fast service and live entertainment were the best parts and you can get beers in 1 liter mugs. Music is a little loud though so this isn't the best place to have a business meeting or important conversation
(4)
vytas b.
I've been to Oktoberfest on the 'weisen a couple of times. I love the HBH, and I'd love to give higher marks to this place. It's an absolutely beautiful place - a very nice beer hall. But the beer is awful. You could buy 12 month old half liters of HB beer from Binnys and it would be better. The beer, instead of finishing with a sweet note, finishes with a seltzer water like taste. And that is their Premium lager(they were out of the light). The fest beer had the same symptoms. Maybe they are using a 'localized' recipe to compete with Miller lite, but the beer doesn't live up to the reputation, nor does it approach the real thing. Is it the lake Michigan water? I don't know. But I hope the HBH figures it out and fixes its beer I had the jaeger schnitzel several times (served with fried onions for some mystifying reason), and its ok. Better than the beer. In all fairness, I've visited several times since the opening, hoping it'd get better, but it hasn't; and I've asked some friends who've also been to the real HBH, and they've said the same thing ab. Waitresses in their dierndelslook fantastic, but it doesn't make the beer taste any better. Ok, maybe a little bit. Service is pretty good too, in my opinion.
(3)
Pham D.
This place is huge, but make sure you're ok with sitting at a communal table with another group of people. Even though we saw lots of empty tables, we were seated with a party of 6. I'm sure if you ask, you could sit somewhere else, but we were gung-ho for anything, so we just shrugged it off and sat down.. but...AWKWARD!!! We shared the crispy pork plate which was humongous. The piece of pork was the size of my head, and it came with 2 sides of dumplings and a bowl of coleslaw. The sides were bland, but that skin on the pork was so fatty and delicious. Apparently, it taste just like in Germany. They skimp on the gravy and we had to ask for more. A live band also came on at the end of the meal, and the place literally woke up. Stars were deducted for service though. We had a hard to tracking down our server. We were halfway done with our meal before our extra gravy arrived. The place also need a better system of table-numbering. I witnessed 2 separate servers/food runner standing there counting the tables with their head and getting lost about who's food is whom. It was really funny to see... Be sure to check out the gift shop on the way out. I would have love to check out the distillery though. Maybe next time.
(3)
J. Chuck K.
Be prepared to spend a few bucks.... Based on the prices, it's clear this place is catering to tourists and business people patronizing the hotels, conference center and concert venues. Although I came here with this expectation, I just didn't know how bad it was going to be. I know now why they don't post a menu with prices on their website. In contrast to previous reviews, our service was great. The beers were about as good as expected, but I was disappointed they didn't offer more HB beers. There wasn't even a seasonal beer. The negative reviews about the food are spot on. The food is not cooked to order and does taste like it's prepackaged. After ordering the jumbo pretzel appetizer, the waitress was back in literally under 2min with a cold one. Overall, the place has a nice authentic feel, and the band puts on a good show, but the food and prices are really unreasonable. It may be a good place to go with friends for a few beers and listen to the music, but due to the pricing it's not family friendly.
(2)
Andi C.
We went to Hofbrauhaus on a Friday early- about 5:30 pm. We made a reservation but when we got there we realized we didn't really need one. I was so excited because we went to original in Munich Germany and I thought for sure it would be reminiscent of that. The Good. 1. Atmosphere was light. 2. Band was fun. 3. Beer was good. 4. Bathroom was clean. 5. The look is very much like the original The Bad. 1. Very expensive 2. We had a server- Warren- who was more interested with flirting with with the other waitresses than doing his job. We had to have bus boys find him - twice-. He was never apologetic and other people in his section were complaining about him as well. 3.Food was so expensive and not quality. Nothing is made to order. The food comes out so fast- you know it's sitting under a heat lamp in the back. "No substitutions" obviously because they can't take the time to prepare a new plate for each dish. Overall: A great place to get a beer and listen to music but if you are looking for a nice dinner and good service this would not be the place for you.
(2)
Ricky M.
This place is awesome! Food is authentic, beers by the liter, the attire the staff wears, the bands that play whats not to like. This place does get loud so if your looking for a romantic night out this isn't the place to go!
(5)
R.g. C.
Atmosphere was fun but the servers did not know a damn thing about the menu nor did they know anything about Germany. Why the hell would you hire people that know nothing about weisswurst, pork knuckle, etc. and you are trying to up sell me by selling me the seasonal brew, which you brew in house yet I cannot have a sample? BOOM one star. I've been to Munchen and Bayern on multiple times, during Oktoberfest and not and the only thing this place resembles is their tent at Oktoberfest. I think the food was def pre packaged, as it tasted microwaved. 2 stars for the waitress jumping on the table with us as we sang hoy hoy hoy
(2)
John P.
I really wanted to like this place. Beer was good. Ambiance fun. Even the pretzel was worthwhile - and that is where we should have stopped. They ended up closing the kitchen after we were served - yet continued to seat people / families on Father's Day!!. It took us 2 hours to get warm salads and cold entrees. Even the chicken sandwich with fries sucked. Reordered the fries and they were only luke warm!!! Even McD can get a chicken sandwich to you hot, under 2 hours and for significantly less $$. But alas, my local McD comes without an oompah band!! Managers apologized profusely - and yet, she ended up discounting 50% on the food only portion of the bill (25% overall) for meals she agreed were pathetic. Really? You overseat. Understaff. Completely crash your kitchen - and then shrug your shoulders and say "Oops. Sorry. We took too many Fathers Day reservations!" And this is my fault, how??? This was not a wait staff issue - even though this was it for him. Tonight was our server 's last shift. Too many times apologizing for crap out of his control. This is a management issue !! STEP UP AND GET IT FIXED!! We should have stayed at Toby Keith's. Beer was cheaper. Food could not have been worse - but no oompah band! You cant be unhappy with an oompah band. Unless of course the overpriced food you've waited two hours for is AWFUL!! Yet, if they don't turn around the Kitchen here it will be Tchüs and auf wiedersehen to Hoffbrau House. Even good bier can't make up for a totally screwed up restaurant!! Gordon Ramsay - here is a true Kitchen Nightmare!!!
(1)
Susan P.
If it weren't for a particular incident yesterday at the Hofbrauhaus, I would have given the restaurant a 4-star rating. Although I was enjoying the experience overall, the busboy at our table was very strange and unprofessional. Three times he argued with me and pressured me to give him my glass even though I was not finished with my beer or my water. At first, it seemed like a joke, but by the second and third time he came to our table, he pursed his lips and stared me down for several seconds in an effort to intimidate me to give him my glass, but I ignored him. My friend twice told him to go bus other tables or motioned for him to go away. After he would leave, she and I complained to each other that he was annoying us. When I went to purchase the cinnamon nuts at the concession stand in the restaurant, I asked my friends to watch my drinks to make sure that the busboy will not take them. My friend hid my drink behind his beer and a menu. Although I really appreciated my friends' support, it was ridiculous that I had to protect my drinks from an obnoxious, arrogant, and downright creepy busboy. I have never had this sort of experience with a busser before. Nearly always, if you are not done with your food or beverage and let the busser know, the busser will respect your decision. Fortunately, I spoke with the manager of Hofbrauhaus. He was understanding and he found the name of the busser who treated me poorly. The manager promised to speak with the busser personally regarding his behavior. Given that the manager was sympathetic and willing to take care of this issue, I would be willing to visit Hofbrauhaus again. The music and ambience are great!
(3)
David H.
Don't think of coming here if you're looking for a quiet night of dining. They do make some excellent German beers and some of their cuisine is authentic. Our waitress talked us out of ordering the potato pancakes with salmon so instead we ordered the pretzel. I ate the Veggie Schnitzel while my colleague ordered the smoked variety of chicken brat, veal sausage and pork dog. The food was pretty good. The entertainment was even better. While the waitresses are dressed like a German version of Hooters, the Oompah band reminded me of a ChuckECheese for adults. Some of the songs were in the Octoberfest style. We did pause for the National Anthem. Other song choices were quite random.
(3)
Cloresa N.
I love the food and the atmosphere but my complaint comes from my experience with the jerseys offered when you join the stein club. My husband and I joined and were really excited about ordering the jerseys even though they were expensive. We were told that it would take 3 weeks to complete, when that didn't happen we were told it would be another 3 weeks,when that didn't happen we spoke to a Manager who said that the jerseys did not come from Michigan as we were told but Las Vegas. We were then told it would be 2 months and we would get a call when they came in. We still have not gotten a call, I don't know if they wait until they get enough orders before they send them in but how long does it take to embroider a shirt. If they had told the truth up front we probably would not have ordered them, but why would they when money is involved. We are very disappointed and at this point I am not sure if we even want them. I like this place but this is not cool.
(3)
Janet N.
Bad service! Our waitress was the worst. We had a large party and she was very unorganized. She took everyone's order except for my husband and I. We set there with our food orders on our tip of our dry mouths because we set there for 45mins without a refill of Pepsi. After an hour the manager was informed, but never sent her any help. The manager did locate her because she kept disappearing. We order our food with a beer. We got our food 15 mins after ordering. No Beer and still no refill. Food was great! And fast! When every one at the party realized that we had gotten our food, we asked how long for the rest to get there food? they had been waiting for about an hour. She replied "you got your food, so don't worry about them" WoW! So we asked again could we get a refill since you never brought our beers out. She said "oh you finished them" and wrote it down and walked away. Comes back about 30mins later says "how's the beer ?" We reply "we don't know you never brought them." We finally said forget the beers by then it was 2 1/2 hours later. Good thing we never had a Beer, we had two $20's dinners with 3 Pepsi's a pretzel and someone else had gotten 2 small $6.99 beers when we asked for our check our total was $165 she had charged us 4 $12.99 beers and 3 Jameson shots and a bunch of Sierra mist along with waters. When we approach her we informed her that our check was way off. She replied " well someone is going to pay for that" and walked away. She finally agree to fixed it our total was $90. We told everyone in our party to check there's and of courses everyone got over charged. She fixed everyone's check but did take 1hour of her punching numbers in her computer. Good thing that everyone was sober enough to notice and remember there orders.
(1)
Jeremy T.
Come for the beer. Stay for the minimal amount of time. First, this place really blows. I came across this place on Yelp and was excited that Hofbrauhaus had a beer hall in Chicago. Then I clicked it and realized that it was not in Chicago, but in Rosemont. So that was my first mistake. I love beer German beer with all my heart and have been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. That place was amazing. However, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a mockery of the original. German food is notoriously expensive for some reason. I usually don't mind paying more for quality, but my food didn't qualify. I ordered my favorite German dish, currywurst, and felt like I was ripped off. It was $14 for two small lukewarm sausages and cold fries with tasteless curry ketchup. I expected more for that price. Booooo. I've gotten currywurst from other places for a lot cheaper and that were better tasting. The prices are absurd for the amount and quality of the food. The beer was $7 and was just ok. I've gotten better Hofbrau beer at bars for $6. Why does it cost more seeing how you guys make the beer there? No need to factor in transporting the beer out. The waitress was ok, but very spacey. Completely forgot to bring us silverware and napkins. So we just grabbed our own from an empty table. After doing some easy interwebs research, I came to the conclusion that this place is a tourist trap. I put it in the same category as Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe. They have a silly gift shop and that sells bottled beer that's more expensive than the same ones they sell at Jewel. I don't recommend this place at all. If you like German beer just go to an independently owned German bar in Chicago. If you're already headed up there just keep going north to Milwaukee. The only good thing is that its a nice looking space.
(2)
R B.
Sadly, there's a lot of whiners. Would you like some beer with that whine? Here's the thing... you don't go into this establishment and say "oh it's only 4 beers!! Where's the bud? Miller? Heiniken?? C'mon there has to be Pabst???!! I'm doing a pub crawl for god sakes!!" Do a pub crawl on a liquor store. You come to places like these for the experience and for their house made brews which means it's not gonna be like the cheap beers you know :) Our server was Val, and I beg to differ. She wasn't a lunatic. She was a "bitch" and she got stuff done (bitches get stuff done) and she was pleasant. My beer, my dad's beer and my sister's beer took about 5 mins too long to serve (which we didn't mind because) but it was on the house. I liked the food, the band was fun. So what if they sang the same 5 german songs and pelted you with country and 80's classics. If a drunk german band plays YMCA on the accordion, you get up and do the motherfuckin' YMCA. Don't be that wet towel whiner going "oh my god!! How many times do I have to yell Hoi Hoi Hoi!!!". So in closing (my apologies if I went off tangent, I have 2 liters of beer in me. I can hold my liquor unlike some), I like this place. It's loud and fun and there's beer. Don't be a snooty little whiner.
(5)
Helen L.
If you want to go to a nice, quiet restaurant, don't come here. It's loud, it's wild and it's FUN! The band does a great job of interacting with people and getting everyone to stand on their benches and join in singing Das Fliegerlied and raising their glasses to Ein Prosit. Make the most of it - join in the fun! The food is good - not the best, but then again, I compare it to my mother's and sister's cooking, which is true, authentic German cooking! But, for a restaurant, it's not bad. I had the Schnitzel Wiener Art, which was a lot of food - and tasty! My husband had the sausages and must have liked them because he ate the whole plate. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and we never had to wait for her. And the phone came out less than 15 minutes after our order was put in. It actually surprised us. If you get the chance to visit this restaurant - do it. But only do it if you like to have a lot of fun!
(4)
Binni S.
I must say, this place is not for everyone. If you are looking for a new experience and trying different types of cuisine, experience, culture-- this may be worth a place to try out! The atmosphere is loud, but also very fun. The Beer hall is traditional with long tables and benches. They have a stage with musicians, and a small bar area too. My favorite part on friday/saturday nights when full-- people standing up on the benches and singing the drinking song along with the band (Cheers to you)! The food is not for vegetarians. Lots of Meat and sausage. The Half roasted chicken with rosemary is pretty good and the sweet mustard sauce with the pretzel is good.. One suggestion, I wish the pretzel was warm. I still enjoyed the pretzel as a snack even though it is served cold. LOVE THE BEER. If you are a beer person, this is a great place! They do only have 4 choices, but it is a microbrewery. I usually do not drink dark beers, and I absolutely loved it. Very smooth. The wheat and premium lager are also delicious. I love going to this place for the atmosphere and the beer but had to give one star off for the food. Happy Exploring!
(4)
Mike B.
I think every new place goes through growing pains, and some of the early reviews here seem to suggest that. This place is very new and the staff must be getting better because we experienced none of the issues some of the other reviewers encountered. Our hostess was charming, and we were checked in right away. While we've never been to this Hofbrauhaus, we have been to the original in Germany on several occasions, and our hostess was very interested in how this one compares with the original. Our server was very attentive and prompt. The beer was fabulous. The food was great. If you come here for a quiet meal, you've come to the wrong place - this is very much a German beer hall with loud music and lots of noise! It's all part of the experience. I downgraded the stars to 4 because of price. It is expensive. The food is good, but I still like the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle for their food. But for the total German experience, this place is great. I felt after leaving that the staff does read these reviews and is improving. Given the investment in this area, I'm sure they want to succeed. We will come back! P.S. make sure you ask to get parking validated!
(4)
Kristine N.
We came here for a birthday party and we were seated right away even though not all 20 people were there. Service is really friendly. It's a huge restaurant with a stage with a small band. It's not excruciatingly loud though, which I liked. Plenty of beer options and the boot is a must do. Although you must pay for the boot to take home, which I thought was stupid, not everyone wants to take a boot home. We ordered plenty of pretzels which were soft, salty, and huge. Came with 3 dips. The cheese and the mustard were good. For dinner we pretty much got a good variety of things and everyone seemed satisfied. The birthday girl had a burger which is apparently ground beef and ground pork which gives it that extra flavor. I ordered the jäger schnitzel which was sooooooo good. Came with an interesting noodle that I thought were potatoes. The cranberries give the chicken a good kick. My boyfriend ordered the Weiner schnitzel art which was fried crispy and was pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the potato salad. Very sour and had a weird mashed potato consistency. We'd like to come back and try a few other items sometimes soon.
(4)
Rick N.
We went to the Haufbrauhaus on Sunday for dinner with a party of 7. It was an awesome experience with singing and beer. Great food and beer, a great server Rae Rae ( Raeanna ). If you love German Food, bold beer, a party atmosphere, music and a Octoberfest environment. This is for you. Get the valet parking. Its only 7 dollars and worth it in winter. If you are a party of 4 or less you may share a table. Its Loud so its hard to talk so not intimate. Were going back with new other friends in two weeks. Rae Rae works weekends. I woud and always will ask for her section!
(5)
John G.
Hofbrauhaus was a blast last night. If you want a quiet little place to enjoy German cuisine, this is NOT the place to go. It's big, it's loud, the fresh brewed German beer is great and they have pretty good German food; it also seems to be everyone's birthday (the band announced one every 20 minutes). It was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but we enjoyed GIANT beers near the bar while we waited. We were entertained by the interactive band and the waitress that couldn't keep up with the line of people waiting for a spanking with the wooden stick (who knows, but it was funny). At least on a busy weekend night, it's a great place to go with a group to get loud, sing along with the band, stand on your chair and shout german toasts and have a good time. They also validate your parking ticket, so it's free. Or you can pay $7 to valet. Some say it's overpriced, but we didn't think so. The beers are huge and it's no more expensive than any downtown spot. As long as you know what you're in for, then it will be fun. Loud (did I say it was loud? lol), crowded, raucous, a little pricey and fun. The other upside is you can always meander to any of the other spots in the Rosemont Entertainment district.
(4)
Janet N.
Beer was good. Food is ok but pretty overpriced. $90 for and app, 2 beers a piece and 2 lunch entrees.
(3)
Pete L.
Nothing German about it. Beer is good, not even close to German Potato salad. Sausages are good. German band was a cover band. They were terrible. Very Disappointed. Not a German Experience at all. Over priced food and no German atmosphere at all. Go some place else for German food and music and beer for that matter.
(2)
Eric A.
I was ready to leave a bad review due to their no substitution policy. What restaurant in this day and age doesn't allow substitutions? Some people have diet restrictions and there are way to many restaurant options out there to not accommodate your guests. Luckily, we had a great waiter who sympathized with my anger of no substitutions and accommodated. Now that my rant is over, I will say the food was delicious. I ordered some roasted chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The beer, even though they are limited in options, is great. They brew their own beer, so it actually tastes better than hofbrau beer I've had before. If you want selection go to park tavern next door, if you want a great German beer in a beer hall atmosphere, this is your place. Even though their substitution policy sucks, this place is solid. Definitely, a great place to stop after work and grab a few beers.
(4)
Ken P.
I've read a few negative reviews of the Hofbrauhaus so I kept my expectations relatively low, and when I left I was pleasantly surprised. My family of four enjoyed everything from the jumbo pretzel through vegetable soup, curry wurst, and pork shank. While not a five star dining experience, the Hofbrauhaus hit all the marks for large, energetic dining/beer hall. Service was very attentive, live music lent a nice background without bring overly loud and the food was good. We had a fun time! I would recommend this restaurant to friends looking for a fun, dining experience and I will be returning myself.
(4)
Susan C.
I won a hefty gift card to this restaurant and decided to use it to celebrate my October birthday. Big mistake. Huge. First, we made reservations and the gal who made them told us NOT to use the address on the website if using GPS and gave us a Bryn Mawr Ave. location to put it. Our GPS guided us on a roundabout trip to a back lot somewhere and it was already time to meet my son...We were frantic and tried to call the restaurant many times but they hung up on us. We finally found it and spot my son and his wife. The noise was deafening. Here's my advice: never visit during Oktoberfest! I couldn't hear myself talk much less hear my son across the table. I could barely hear the waitress. I felt the food was pricey for what you actually got. I wanted to substitute cabbage for potato salad but was told there were NO substitutions. There was no bread on the table and the tables were shared, no less, with others....People were going crazy, standing on the benches and singing and clapping. Okay, if you like this kind of thing but not for a special birthday. This is in a huge new entertainment complex. It's very hard to find and parking can be difficult. We valet parked for $7 & were the last car to be allowed to do so. Will NOT be returning.......
(2)
Geoff N.
Better than Edelweiss! Almost as fum as Munich! Great beer, great atmosphere, Fantastic food! The only thing that we didn't like was one of our two orders of potato pancakes. But seriously great food, and dinner show! If you can put up with a loud atmosphere, this is the place to go. Weiner Schnitzel and Jäger Schnitzel out of this world... probably one of the top German places outside of München(Munich).. a must try IMO, warning you may be waiting a bit for a table on Fridays or Saturdays they don't take reservations...
(5)
Jonathan N.
Okay service, good beer(brewed in house), and okay food. If you wanted German beer and food, I'd definitely come here because its hard to find a good combo of both. If you only want some good beer, I'd suggest park tavern across the street. It's more of a place you go to feel like you're back in Germany (I think they tried mimicking the old one) the food was not amazing or fresh and came out cafeteria style. It's priced a little high for what seems to be frozen food. I don't think I'd come back but that's because I'd rather eat other things in the area that is not German.
(3)
Cindy S.
Love the fun atmosphere! Food is wonderful and served quickly. Beer is so good hefeweizen is my favorite. If you get the pretzel be sure and get the Brie. Drinking games, fun band, people doing shots followed by a paddling all done in great fun. Party place!!!
(5)
Kalyn H.
I really dislike this place. Been here a handful of times because I love German beer and food and try to give them a "last chance" but I've been disappointed every time always due to the service. Even when sitting at the bar the beer is slow, the servers are awkward, and sometimes the just disappear. One time we weren't even noticed sitting in a section and had to wait over fifteen minutes before walking out and going next door. We tried to order the pretzel (small version under apps, $4-5 or so) and the waitress didn't even clarify and brought us the completely wrong, jumbo $15 one, what the...?!?
(1)
Yunnis S.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere but overall 3 stars for the service and food. My husband and I took his friend and girlfriend here about 3 weeks ago. We made reservations as it was a Saturday night around 8pm. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated which was great because they were packed. We ordered the pretzel which was amazing. It came with 3 different dips and so we either loved all 3 or got to choose 1 that we really liked. The pretzels are flown in from Munich, Germany everyday which is fantastic. You can definitely taste the difference. When we looked at the menu, we didn't notice the price It's not something my husband and I really do when we go out to eat. We ordered our drinks and meals and just enjoyed the Munich-like atmosphere. The bench seating is great because if you've ever been to Germany, that's what it's like. The second time we went, we sat by some idiots and my husband calmed me down so I wouldn't make a scene. As soon as I sat down, the one lady said that it was awkward that we were sitting next to them, and they were also saying that they felt like they were at Medieval Times for adults. First of all, I LOVE Medieval Times and saying rude things like that is just disrespectful. Ignorant comments like that upset me because if you're not willing to immerse yourself in the culture completely, you shouldn't bother coming at all. Anyways, the food took some time to come out but we didn't mind. We enjoyed listening to the music and watching people dancing and just having a great time. My pork dish came with gravy and it was very salty. I couldn't even eat it. My husband loved his schnitzel and even loved mine, so he finished my entire plate as well. The potato dumplings were good and so were the spaetzle and red cabbage. My husband's friend and girl friend said the food was mediocre at best as we've been to other German restaurants together where the food is MUCH, MUCH better. When we received the bill, that's where the surprise came. The bill was REALLY high and we only had 3 beers at our table. The second time we went, we made reservations again for 8pm on a Saturday. This time, it wasn't as packed and we were seated right away. This will boggle your mind. The waitress who seated us came up to us about 30 minutes later and accused us of seating ourselves. We looked at her like she was crazy and told her, "YOU SAT US." It is really loud in there so I'm not sure if she was aware of the things we were telling her, but how do you not remember seating people that YOU sat? I mean, there are a lot of people in there but I would hope you're not that much out of your mind that you'd go up to paying customers and obnoxiously accuse them of sitting down without being asked to. Our jaws literally dropped and that left a bad taste in our mouths. I thought about complaining to a manager but as we were leaving, my husband asked to see a manager for a quick second and the hostess said, "It's gonna have to be awhile. It's really busy." Yes, it was busy so here I am writing this Yelp review which I don't mind doing (= This time, I ordered a different pork dish and asked for the gravy on the side. It was dry without the gravy but at least it wasn't salty. Again, the food was mediocre at best and the bill was pretty high. Overall, I'd recommend this place for the atmosphere. Other than that, do not expect stellar service or great tasting/priced food. There are definitely better places in the city and the suburbs for German restaurants that have great service, food, and prices. Oh and PLEASE do not write or complain about how you don't like sitting with others or about the atmosphere or some place. I will just tell you that you shouldn't try new things then because you clearly can't handle being open-minded.
(3)
ALFREDO M.
The beer is awfully good and so is the food. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what I had to eat which should be a good indicator of just how good the beer is. I'm not kidding - 4 liters is basically a 12 pack of beer... did you know that? I know that now. In my haze, I remembered we ordered some soft pretzels - and I think I had some sausage with some potato on the side... there was some cutlet that was pounded flat and breaded and fried... jeezus - we had a lot of beer and I assure you it was good. I feel like we were kind of hard on our waiter - we brought him a group of 12 and it somehow morphed into a group of 17-18. He split our check as well as he could - we were kind of sloppy by that point in the evening but he was a good sport.
(5)
AJ M.
Always wondered what it would be like to be at a bar in Germany, and according to a friend this is the closet thing to it without leaving the country. This place is great because it is so unique. The environment is like non i have ever experienced. The waitresses wear traditional attire and will spank you with a paddle after u order a round of shots. There's live music, and TVs everywhere (although there could be more). Now the beer is so so. Nothing special. The Hefe weizen which was my fav, it tasted like a Hoegarden. The Premium and light lagers had a really watered down taste like a bud light. I haven't tasted the food. Although I am definitely gonna comeback and try it along with the dunkel. If your up to do the boot deff do it!!
(4)
Jason F.
Hofbräu beer has always been my favorite and when I heard this place was opening in Rosemont I was really excited. Hofbräuhaus has 4 different types of regularly offered beer plus a seasonal and they brew it right there since it's a brewery. Hofbräuhaus is the only place I know that offers German beer in a 1 liter mug and it always tastes deliciously fresh and full of flavor till the very last sip. The "bands" on stage are usually older men dressed in German attire singing German songs in German but occasionally they'll sing American songs IE: Happy Birthday, Christmas songs, Thanksgiving songs and Easter songs.
(5)
Reena M.
Just had dinner here with my sweetie last night.. We had such a Wonderful Experience! The Staff was friendly and courteous, the atmosphere was FUN, and the food was Delicious!!! I can't wait to try the one in Munich, Germany! Definitely try the bread dumpling!
(5)
Ken And Laura M.
We were here April 9, 2013 for lunch. The beers were better then I expected. Three sizes to choose from. I wanted to taste one of the selections however, the waitress informed me that everything is metered so no tasting allowed.(???) Never-the-less I would have ordered what I tasted anyway it was that good! Laura liked it too. She normally doesn't like the darker type beer. The food was very good. Although for lunch is was a little pricey $72 with 15% tip (because we sat at the bar). We always tip less when sitting at the bar.
(4)
William B.
Rachel K's review is spot on. I really couldn't have said it better, so I won't try. I'll keep it brief. I have had the good fortune to visit the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. This is a mighty good experience of a German beer hall. sitting at long bench style tables, drinking large, liter beers, loud German polka music in the background, eating typically bland, German food- potatoes & sausages. Its a party, people. I do agree that it does seem a bit of a tourist trap, and can be pricey. As far as the food goes, it is very tasty for German food. It's not fine dining. No table cloths here. If you know to expect to have a good, casual time, then I think you will really enjoy Hofbrauhaus.
(5)
Christine B.
We, a party of four, went Saturday, 2-1-2014, at 8:00pm. We ordered the Jagerschnitzels and the Kalbschnitzels and Bratwurst dinners. The Jagerschnitzels, with the mushroom sauce, were excellent The Veal Schnitzel consisted of an extremely thin piece of veal, and mostly breading. It wasn't worth $26.99, and we wouldn't order that again. We had the Apfelstrudel for dessert. It was the worst strudel we have ever had, and we would never order that again. Our waitress, Tori, was the best ! Everything was delivered on time, and she kept checking with us if everything was ok.
(4)
Luis H.
Best beer ever
(5)
Sue H.
Well I wish I could give Hofbrauhaus a better rating but I have to be honest . We had reservations and were seated promptly in long bench type table we had to share with another family. Wasn't crazy about this, but ok whatever. The guys ordered beers and were pretty happy, and we also ordered potato pancakes and a giant pretzel to share. So far so good. When we placed our orders we asked that we substitute the german potato salad for mashed potatoes. We all wanted to do this - that is the only request we made. Nope there are no substitutions. Oh come on...we pleaded with the waitress and asked her to please ask the manager, but nope she was steadfast and coldly told us absolutely not. They are busy and it would be confusing !? So a side order of mashed potatoes was ordered at $4.50 for a small bowl for one person. Where is the rye bread? Any german restaurant should give you a basket of rye bread and butter while you wait - we have to pay additional for that too. Was starting to feel a bit screwed. The band was energetic and played lots of music and at one point everyone stood on their chairs and sang and acted along (if they knew the routine). We tried to join in but everything was loud and chaotic and we ended up just clapping along. It was also hard to have any conversations because of all the noise. When the food came we expected a lot of food for the price of the dinners and I am pretty sure we were all disappointed. My pork tenderloin was good, but served with the German potato salad which I had no luck in substituting. Everyone else also left the potato salad untouched on their plates. So my dinner consisted only of the breaded pork tenderloin and the previous appetizers and ice tea. We also had to pay additional for gravy ! My husband said the sausages were good but nothing special and not worth the price. For dessert we ordered a couple of slices of apple strudel with vanilla sauce for ten bucks each and we split it. It was good. When the bill came it was over two hundred bucks. Ouch ! We paid, tipped 15% reluctantly and all agreed we would not be coming back.
(2)
Robin F.
I'd beware of any reviews of this place. On every table in the restaurant, they offer patrons a $10 discount for a favorable Yelp review. (See my photo in my tip). They don't deserve a good review and I find this practice unethical.
(1)
Mark S.
I am more of an expert on beer then Germann food. The beer was very good. The food was little more than overpriced hotdogs.
(3)
M-J W.
Good Beer Food - not so good. Fast food versions of German food. You get served super fast. But the place is loud. It is fun. The little oompah band was cute. They play the beer drinking song every time they are thirsty. So I now know the lyrics and I don't speak German! I would come here for the party atmosphere and beer. I would skip the food. It was pricy as well.
(3)
Anastasia S.
This is a novelty place.. It might be just me but wasn't a fan of the food
(2)
Julie D.
They used to have a parking lot on the north side of the building that is gone and we didn't know where to park except in the parking garage, which is $13. There is a parking lot on the south side of the building that we didn't see until we got to the building. They will validate the parking ticket for you so it costs you nothing. Food has always been good and the beer is good as well. We always sit at the bar and have had no problems with service. The guys who play the music make it very entertaining by getting the guests to join in! And yes, it can be loud so if you are in the mood for a quiet evening out, this isn't the place! Will definitely return!
(4)
Madison M.
This place was the nastiest place I've ever eaten. Gray meat, stale pretzel, bland mashed potatoes with every gross schnitzel inbetweeen. Unless you're getting blown by Gerda in the back id keep the sausage away from the mouth... DRUNK FOOD ONLY.
(1)
Sarah S.
We went here on a Friday night around 7:30pm. Had absolutely no wait. Got seated outside on the patio- very nice. The inside has beer-hall style tables that were totally packed. They had a live band playing a mix of german drinking songs and old pop classics. Also did silly games like stein holding contest- totally cheesy but actually quite entertaining. Beer prices are fair, comes in multiple sizes. Saw a bunch of people with the totally ridiculous 1L size mugs, if that is your game. The area around is well developed with many restaurants and a movie theater. There is also the outlet mall recently opened. Parking was a little confusing, but not too bad. I took off 1 star because the food was just mediocre for the price. My husband had the Jagerschnitzel on recommendation of our server. It was very good. My dinner (can't remember the name) was mediocre at best. Meat was on the dry side, sides were bland. The "dark beer sauce" was oppressively salty. Would definitely expect much more out of a $17 entree. The server was attentive, food and beer came out in a timely manner. It seems totally acceptable to hang out for a while and just have beer. All in all it was a fun experience. I plan to go back. Might stick just to beer and maybe some appetizers instead of a full meal.
(4)
John v.
It's got the oom pah pah band and all. Bring your skates in the Winter...there's an outdoor skating rink too!
(4)
Ashley P.
POSITIVES: Fun & lively atmosphere, good selection of German food & tasty beer, large restaurant, live music, lively crowd, good location (the new MB Financial park in Rosemont), validated parking in parking garage. NEGATIVES: Pricy & extremely loud (to the point where you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you). I've visited this establishment twice- the first time was for a work party with 40 of my coworkers. We had a more private seating area off the main dining room, so I didn't realize how loud this place really is. The group sales rep helped us pre-order a menu and set it all up for us buffet-style, which worked really well for a group that size. The second time was with a group of about 20 to celebrate a birthday. We ordered from the menu; dishes range in price from around $15-$30 each (and beers from $5-$15 each), so it's certainly not an inexpensive evening. We were in the main dining area this time- the long communal-type tables are comfortable and fun. The live music is extremely loud, and the band had all the patrons standing on the benches of their tables at one point in the evening. It makes for a fun party, but nearly impossible to hold a conversation. Hofbrauhaus is certainly worth a visit, especially since there are so many cool new places to check out in the area.
(3)
Ricky R.
Three couples go out together several times a year for dinner and this time it wasn't our turn to pick the restaurant. Therefore the little misses and I had no choice in the matter and drove out to Disneyla.............no wait a minute, I mean Rosemont and met up with our friends at Hofbrauhaus. I was told this was as authentic as you can get. Almost exactly like the real Hofbrauhaus in Germany. Well if you say so I will not argue with you because I have never been. However I have been to Epcot Center when my children were young and this is what they do. Make up fake replicas of restaurants from foreign countries and make the employees dress in costumes. That is fine if you are trying to entertain children but this is an adult destination. The whole area is a fairly newly build entertainment center with a very touristy feel. Sorry folks, just not for me. Oh yeah the food was just average, the beer was good, and you couldn't hold a conversation with anyone more than one seat away from you because of the noise, I mean entertainment.
(2)
Anna W.
I've been here twice now once late on a Saturday and the other time for dinner on Father's Day. I was hoping that the second experience would be better but sadly it wasn't. The first time we had a horrible waitress who couldn't get the order right and brought out our food really late. She also messed up our bill and refused to fix it. When we asked to speak with a manager she rolled her eyes and walked away. The manager wasn't much better she asked us over and over again why we didn't ask to see a manager when the food took so long. They fixed the bill but we left with a bad taste about the place. I came back for Father's Day (my dad loves German food) but the waiter wasn't much better. He barely spoke with us and acted like he didn't want to be there. The food was good (but over priced) and the band was fun. So sad that the waitstaff makes me not want to come back again.
(2)
Charles B.
Big disappointment! There's no old world charm here folks! It's new world cookie-cutter. The parking is a nightmare. I went to Hofbrauhaus with the hope of ordering a brat and a beer for lunch. Pretty simple, it's a German restaurant/beer hall right? Wrong! At the so-called "Chicago" Hofbrauhaus I had to order an entire plate of 3 brats/sausages for $16.99. That was another of many bad signs. What made it worse is that I was just at Gene's Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square and could have had a fantastic brat for $6 on the lovely rooftop beer garden and real Old World charm. Worse yet, last weekend I had a delicious single brat for a mere $6 at the Milwaukee Hofbrauhaus, which is in an Old World Germanic building constructed in the 1800's. Better yet, the brat was made by Usinger's across the street and it was the best I ever had. The Rosemont Hofbrauhaus is more a scheme to get into your wallet or pocketbook. Needless to say I will never be returning to the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont (not Chicago) and I suggest you avoid it too because you will surely be disappointed as I was and I am sure countless others were.
(2)
Simma Down Na H.
Miserable looking waitresses and hostesses (although mine was very friendly from the rest) and overpriced entrees and beer. My meal was good but not worth $14. Yes, the band was entertaining. But overall I will not return.
(2)
L Y.
I was really excited to go here. I was starving and love German food. Unfortunately, the food here is mostly bad. I had the schnitzel wiener art. Very tough and tasteless. Even a little salt would have helped. One friend had the wurstplatte that had tasteless sausage and really bad hot dogs. The Jagerschnitzel was ok but not great. Obatzer was ok as was the salads, but how can you mess up salad. The kid's pretzels were really hard to eat. They tasted like they were frozen with freezer burn and defrosted and put on plate. They were cold. Potato pancake bland and greasy as well. The giant pretzel was salty but soft . The food is nowhere near being good food. There are so many really good German restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that this is a place to avoid if you are looking for good German food. The service started out bad but got better. That said, the atmosphere can be fun. It is large and loud with a band. A little surreal to see a German band wearing Lederhosen play Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Journey. This is not a place to catch up with friends. You can't have a meaningful conversation but you can laugh at the odd choice of songs the band plays and just enjoy the company of friends. The giftshop was cute according to my daughter. Bottom line is if you are looking to have good food, don't even think of this place as an option. If you want to drink beer in a really big stein, listen to Johnny Cash songs being played by a bunch of guys in Lederhosen and just laugh with friends, this is an option.
(1)
Russell D.
The food was absolutely awful. Party of 3 was over $80 and only 1 beer was ordered. Sane your money and grill some sausages in your own backyard!
(1)
Rick C.
This was my first time at the Hofbrauhaus, my friend went to the one in Munich regularly when he worked for BMW. Fred had the Weisswuerst grilled (two links, med at best) with spatzle, I had the Schnitzel with dumplings, we each had the potato soup (best part of the meal), gravy and I had a diet pepsi while Fred had a .5 (Small) beer. The total was $70.12 before tip. I'm sorry I expect a lot more for $70! If you like German food go to the bavarian-lodge.com in Lisle, IL. Service was also poor. Very disappointing.
(1)
Kyle E.
Had an amazing time as always! The band really makes the experience. The dunkel is my favorite, but try all the beers. Will keep coming back again and again!
(5)
Michael R.
Not a bad place, not bad at all. I was going thru Germany withdrawals and wanted to check out the scene. Fun atmosphere. They love singing. Reminded me of my time out there. Good beer too. Would recommend.
(4)
Einstein F.
Sorry but this place a lil weird ... But never been to Germany ~ supposedly the taps don't give out samples and computerized *cheap* waitress first clueless we were her table and too giddy - Chicken dance !? If its your thing - I'll be at Toby Keith's :)
(3)
Joern H.
$$ good food, good entertainment (German/Bavarian traditional) I liked it, let's hope they stay like this! Live music is quite loud, just to mention it. Lunch specials just for 10$ had a big nice piece of Schnitzel with potato salad - was pretty good, Apfelstrudel for dessert - also very nice
(4)
Nicole S.
This place is sooo much fun!!! Went in with a group of 8 for dinner so we got a table to ourselves in the main dining hall right up front near the band. Walked in got seated and within minutes we found ourselves standing on our benches dancing and cheering! The atmosphere really makes the dining experience memorable. Our table enjoyed a few pretzels and the seasonal beer for July was really good. I ordered the Sauerbraten for my entree and I thought it was a good portion size, the meat was very tender and I love spaetzle and red cabbage although I wasn't too crazy about the cabbage and the dish had a little too much gravy for my tastes but I know that's a personal preference. Not sure if I would have had the same experience had I not gone with a larger group but we all enjoyed it!
(4)
J H.
The hostess (all 6) were rude and snappy. They seemed to very upset that we interrupted there gossiping of the other employes. Once we were seated it became obvious that staff main priority was flirting with each other. There were more staff then customers yet all of us seemed to have trouble getting any of the staffs attention. The nicest people we encounter while at hofbrauhaus were the other customers we bonded with over the bad service.
(1)
Elena G.
Overpriced loud mediocre food and drinks.
(1)
John T.
80 Bucks for 2 beers and 1 cheeseburger is a joke!!! Once is enough for this place. I love Hofbrau beer but I'll stick to buying it at Binny's. If you want good German Atmosphere check out Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln square. same amount of fun for a third of the price of Hofbrauhaus.Thanks HB but no thanks Won't be going back anytime soon, maybe, if they reprice the outrageously overpriced menu. Auf wiedersehen.
(2)
Matry P.
I am a German flight attendant and go to the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich often. I was impressed with this place. Similar to the original, but friendlier staff. Food tasted great, (but the red cabbage was probably sweeter than it should have been).
(5)
Davide P.
Excellent food! Actually as close as possible as the authentic bavarian counterpart. I don't know the reason of the 3 starts, but imho it deserves much more. We've had Swiss cheese, Kaesespaetzle and a bretzel. We'll definitely come back!
(5)
Sai P.
Their service sucks...I would rather spend my time at Five roses Pub next to this place. Was put off by being asked to sit in another area after a rude group of snobs claimed their table was reserved...it's a "Beer Garden"...part of the atmosphere is to sit with others..they were being served their main course so they were not in a position to have others attending their snob fest.. The group should have been told to go with the flow or move themselves.
(1)
Al R.
Where to start? I'll begin with MY experience and then do the food. First, they take no reservations on weekends. Kinda crazy IMO but, that's just the way it is. We had a party of 15. That's a lot. The place ought to have a party/banquest area for large crowds. Since the dinner time starts at 6 PM, we figured to get there before and place our names in at the front seating stand/desk(?). For 15 people, it would be at least an hour wait. Forget about getting a drink. It's a near impossibility. So they finally call our number after milling around a super-crowded lobby. Turns out they have a large table with bench seating. Should seat about 10. If we wanted actual tables, it would be an extra hour! Mind you it is 30 degrees out and everyone has coats. Guess what? No place to hang them up so they must go on the bench, taking up valuable space. Ok, women, children and elderly first. The few men will stand for the time being. 10 minutes before we get our waiter. (On a side note: the place is filled with pretty, bosomy staff, and WE get a dude!) He'll see if he can help get better seating, but he'll take drink orders first. Great. He goes around quickly and comes to me last. I ordered a gin and seltzer. WAIT! Better make that two....I have a bad feeling about this. I see him write it down. Meanwhile, we are standing around the table, other customers and staff scurrying all over. Standing room only for sure. Did I mention that this place is probably bigger than the Park West? HUGE. (I'll get to that shortly.). So, 10,15 minutes pass and nothing. I've worked in the industry all my life--I GET IT. I get the delays and unforeseen problems. But our waiter hasn't even been SEEN in that time. Another 5 minutes and I mosey up to the bar, but there are no open spots. I stand next to the empty waitress station and am asked to move. Finally someone gets up and I ask the surrounding bar people if I can get an order in quickly. No problem. It seems that there were 4-6 bartenders and 3 or 4 waitresses behind the bar and they are all talking leisurely to the people sitting. No acknowledgement. No putting the index finger up to imply "One second". Standing and waiting. The seat filler comes back and pushes me out of the way, but I let it slide- he's about 80. Then I go back to stand at my table. 5 minutes later our waiter arrives with a tray full of drinks, including a couple of those big-ass steins that hold a barrel of beer. I understand that he can't make it all on one trip. He then comes back with the remainder of the drinks.....except for mine. I told him that I had the two gin and seltzers. Okay, he says, he'll go get them. GONE. After 10 minutes, he returns. WHEW! Relief is here. Now I can look at the menu. Not so fast tubby. He gave you gin and TONIC. Anyone that hates tonic can sympathize with me that I can't just grin and bare it on this. The invisible man has disappeared again. I grab a passing waitress and BEG if there is anyway for me to get a drink. I tell her the story and she apologizes and says she'll get them. Comes back about 5 minutes later and says that she found our waiter and he'll bring them because they are already on the tab and she doesn't want it getting double charged. OK. Finally my correct drinks are hand delivered after 5 more minutes. Okay. The waiter then starts taking food orders and I haven't even seen a menu, now scattered across the giant table. Give me 3 minutes to look, I ask. He goes off again, probably to the same dimension that missing socks go to and is gone for at least another ten minutes. And the music is blaring.TOO loud. A patron next to us tells me to cheer up. Ha! Says the one seated and with her food. I muster an odd grimace that probably resembles the look of a man getting his colonoscopy. 10 minutes later, a party member finds the waiter and tells him I haven't ordered yet. He comes over and I simply tell him "360". Simple enough. Why did it take 20+ minutes? After that they found a table that the kids were placed in. Finally a place to sit. Things are looking up! The odd thing is that at 8-830PM, the place starts to actually surrender more tables. I would have thought that it would be their busiest time. Meh. Now the food: The food arrived in good time when compared to the seating and drink waits. It was very warm, but not hot. Immediately edible but not steaming. The sauerbraten was good. It was ADEQUATE. Small meat portions and mostly spaetzle. Others had fish, burgers, steak, sausages, and salads. No complaints, but everyone was kind of unenthused. Beer was good. Large ones cost $13. Mixed top shelf were $8.50 + for short cocktail glasses. Our bill for 15 was over $700, which included the auto-gratuity of 18%. He didn't get any extra. Over all, the place is too much. Too big, too sterile. One member said it was like Great America without rides. I am guessing that there are 150 tables AT LEAST, and most are about 4 feet apart, at best. The place is too big for management .
(1)
Rachel K.
I am writing this review not for what this place is but what it is not. I have had some harsh reviews in the past. I tend to be harsher on independent businesses because they have complete control over everything that happens where as corporate places do not. And make no mistake, this IS a corporate place. It IS a place for tourists, business men, suburban dwellers and people who would never be adventurous enough to eat in an ethnic neighborhood or be outside their comfort zone in general. DO I think HBH Chicago (or more accurately Rosemont) is the greatest culinary experience in the world? NO, hell no but it's not supposed to be. It's supposed to be a place where you go, get a little tanked up, let your hair down and have fun and it is exactly that. I think the criticisms range from odd to down right hilarious especially considering you can tell these are not worldly fine diners but small towners and suburbanites who are attracted to places like these, which may be a problem for HBH. First off it IS a bit hard to find because it's not visible from the entrance. This is not so much of the fault of HBH but the owner of the complex who has neglected to put up signage. Same with the parking garage, who would be a separate owner entirely, not the restaurant. You do get your parking validated and if you don't want to walk the few feet to the place. consider yourself a lazy ass. The place is not a cozy intimate dining experience, it's a loud, kitschy place designed for over-stimulation and drinking, great for letting off steam and celebrations. Not so great for 90 year-old grandmas and dates, unless power drinking is your idea of a fun date. As for the food, I think it's funny that people who've "been to Germany" complain about the food and people who are actually German love the place. In my opinion, German food is extremely basic and bland, there's only so much you can do with sausage, potatoes, and cabbage no matter if you get your food here or in Germany. I will say the sausages and pretzels were of good quality and they do have a great black forest cake. There was one complaint about nothing being healthy which I hope they never go to a French place. They do have salads but why would you come here for salad? And yes, it IS communal dining, which me, me, me Americans have a problem with. My suggestion is...Have a few beers and unplug yourself. Maybe you'll have fun and an interesting conversation with someone outside your narrow circle. Now comes the price. People complain about prices, which are no different than in other corporate chain type restaurants, about 13-30 dollars for an entree. What IS different is that it is European portion sizes and I think most people are expecting the giant chain restaurant fat ass style portioning. Also JUST LIKE IN EUROPE, for all those travelers, who clearly only ate in McDonalds and their American hotel chain restaurants, there is a charge for extra condiments and bread so no unlimited breadsticks here. What they do not do, like in Europe, is instantly add gratuity for small parties, SO TIP YOUR SERVERS WELL! Yes I'm in the industry so I know people will take out any problems on their server. Your server does not cook your food, brew your beer, build the parking garage, seat you, control the volume of the band, or not direct to to the restaurant properly. They only take your orders and help deliver food. So long as they are nice and attentive, you have no excuse to not tip well, any other issues should be taken up with management. Speaking of service, ours was great. Our server was named Max and was friendly, polite, attentive without being intrusive or cheezy. Plus a cute accent and some good eye candy to boot! Now for the beer. I think people are expecting more of a micro-brew because it's also a brewery and guess what, this IS what beer from Munich tastes like. In fact, it's what most German beers taste like which the taste most American beers are based on (Hello, Budwieser). I think as long as you have realistic expectations of HBH Chicago, you'll have a great time. So go with a fun group, drink beer, eat pretzels, sing songs, chat with your neighbors, and get SPANKED!
(4)
Ashley S.
This was an interesting night to say the least. Ready to go for a 5:15am flight at 11:30pm...what to do, what to do. We were headed to Mexico Sunday morning, so we thought, well it is Saturday night, let's go out and get a drink or two and then head to the airport. With Rosemont being just a hop, skip and a jump away, it seemed foolish not to check it out. IT WAS PACKED. I've never seen so many people stuffed into such a small area. You couldn't even walk through on the sidewalks, it was so crammed full of drunks! We made our way to HB and luckily, it wasn't quite as crowded there. We had a seat at the bar, ordered a couple brews and were chased away by some weird guy that was either really intoxicated, or mentally challenged. It was ok though, we moved to the patio, where we got a free show! There must have been a wedding celebration going on and well I'm not sure who was mad at who and why, but there was definitely some tension! There was a guy in cuffs, an ambulance and a whole mess of cops. Even with all that, people still continued to drink, act a fool and get in their cars and drive away. I just hope everyone made it home safely that night. We finished our beers and made our way to O'Hare....it was a great way to start our vacation!! haha
(5)
Carrie R.
I had been to this place for a birthday in the past and had a great experience. So much so that I decided to hold my husband's 30th birthday here. I made the reservation a month and a half in advance and when I called them to confirm they claimed to have lost the reservation. I understand that accidents can happen, bit the manager I spoke with was extremely rude and condescending. He offered me a reservation two hours before the original time I had planned but insisted we would have to be out in two hours. I've never heard or a restaurant kicking out a party of 20+ people who are actively ordering food and drinks. I am very disappointed in the customer service.
(2)
A S.
THEY DO NOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS. For me this is a huge problem; this is a brand new restaurant there should be absolutely no reason why they can't do separate checks. I came with a group of 9 people and we had to puzzle out who owed how much at the end of the meal. Having to individually calculate what each person owes is a huge mood breaker and a terrible end to an otherwise ok meal. The Good -I liked the food, it's not groundbreaking, but its not bad, esp the spetzel and saurbraten. -large place -good atmosphere -live music -beer that pretty much anyone can drink. The Bad -doesn't take reservations -doesn't split check -no substitutions with your meal -expensive (and no prices listed on their website) -beer is not exciting, a beer snob like me has no reason to drink their beer ever again.
(3)
Ken G.
I love Germany and this brings a bit of it to Chicago. Great change to the traditional steaks and burger joints. Just recently opened and we are watching food fly out of the kitchen. Our server is great and entertaining. Now bring on the German Polkas and we will have a party! Tschüs!
(5)
Albert W.
We had a great time! My family is from Munich, so my Mom really enjoyed herself!
(5)
Bill M.
Fun time. Band and good beer. Can't hear the person next to you. Expensive. The Food is not the reason to come.
(3)
Amy G.
I went to the opening party and had a great time. Food was good, beer is great, and the place is fun. It was also free. We went back last night and I am pretty disappointed. It was still the same fun place with great beer, but the food is REALLY expensive. $14 for a brat? That was the cheapest thing! Also I asked for dumplings instead of fries and the waitress said "no substitutions". That is one of the worst things for a restaurant to do. The food was okay this time, and I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)
Slim H.
Good beer. Food, ok. Service-good and bad. Sat outside (patio is very nice), forgot I was near ORD so the planes overhead became annoying while trying to converse. However, that beats sitting inside with the loud bands and constant singing of Happy Birthday over and over again the Friday night I was there. Probably a good place to go have a beer and an appetizer. Black Forest desert was yummy. I did make a reservation on Open Table before hand, that helped.
(2)
Kevin B.
Where do I start? Parking: Very small adjacent lot which should only be a handicap lot considering the place seats over 500. The garage for the whole entertainment center is a complete mystery, signage takes you in circles, lighting is dim and spaces are meant for subcompact cars but everyone in the lot has trucks and SUVs. If you're there when a movie at the adjacnet Muvico lets out, be prepared to sit -even when your're trying to park. Facility: It is a barn. Not a bit of cozziness to it and not warm (as best I can decipher) like the HB in Germany. TV sets are tuned primarily to the "HB Channel". There is a smaller dining room with tables for 4 but it wasn't being used this afternoon. Several brewing vats were unenclosed in the dining room and when the brewmaster opened them, steam and foul brewing smells spill out into the restaurant. While some kettles were behind closed doors, these were not and might be a problem for folks with allergies. Beer: I was expecting a lot because it is a brewpub. Unfortunately, it has nothing of the taste of HB beer brewed in Germany. I was at the HB (Old German Beer Hall) in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago and had German-brewed HB on tap which was way more flavorful and satisfying. Price is $12 per liter which would be fine for import beer but not for this stuff. Menu: Food was WAY overpriced. My wife and I had two entrees (lebercase for me and she had veal sausages) including potatoes, 1 red cabbage and 1 liter of beer for $51 including tax and tip. The only thing with any taste were the veal sausages while the potatoes were totally bland and the red cabbage was over-cooked. I had asked for a side of rye bread for $1 which turned out to be ONE slice of bread - after laughing, I asked them to take it back. Music: Nice feature but I think that the entertainment cost must be built into the menu. Overall: Not worth the time and effort to get there. I won't be back. If you want a real treat, go to the outdoor HB beer garden in Glendale/Milwaukee when it re-opens in the spring. If you want a local German restaurant with lower prices, Kuhn's in Des Plaines is not the greatest but a much better value and more authentic.
(1)
Mark T.
Visited last nite, wanted a beer after a show downtown, closer to home. A bit loud, problem is that we were there 45 minutes and the "live" band played the same 3 songs over and over, roll out the barrel, happy birthday, and a german drinking song, and not the whole song. Got annoying so we left. After reading some of the other reviews it looks like we got out in the nick of time. (p.s. to the management: why would you ask if the music was too loud on the comment card? manage your establishment! It isn't too loud, its too monotonous!) This place will make a lot of money, a few loyal customers, it is clean, the waitresses are nice...but Chicago deserves better. Oh, and by the way, if you build a beer hall, you need to make the bathroom big enough, reminds me of Soldier Field, Chicago's biggest beer hall.
(2)
Eric E.
A fun place to meet friends for a whimsical time out. Fourteen of us crammed into one of the table along the wall, and though it makes a difference where you sit, it was a very loud location! We would recommend the closer tables if you're going to dance with the band, and the farther back ones if you want to catch up with friends in between "Prosit!" ;-) The entertainment factor was fun - a German band playing music (we had authentic songs sung while we were there, unlike some who reviewed with American music), getting people involved in dancing and singing, and even walking around with a 14' long Alpenhorn. The variety of music was good, though the quality was mediocre, at best. The food was decent. Not the best, but pretty good. Many German favorites were missing from the menu, however. No Suelze, Zigeunerschnitzel or Eisbein (though this last one isn't so common), but fair representation of traditional German favorites. The food was prepared fresh, and served hot. Jaegerschnitzel was good, potato pancakes fair, pretzel very good (reminding me of the enormous one we had when traveling through Bavaria), and spaetzle good. The beer is decent, though the selection is limited. If you like the standards, it's just fine. Service is where HB shines! Our server, Jess, was fantastic. She did a great job of being patient with our mix & match group (7 couples), arriving at different times and trying to keep the orders straight. We opted to forgo the separate checks about 10 minutes in since the couples weren't even all sitting together. The meals came out accurately, at one time, and hot. Now, about my rating. ;) My family is German, and I grew up with this kind of party atmosphere celebrated for most major events - my parents birthdays, anniversary, and our weddings. In that, and having attended many German events from the Milwaukee German Fests with thousands of attendees to the local restaurant where the Germans actually eat, this was definitely the 'tourist version' of German celebrations. As with any culture, it's very difficult to simply visit and get a feel. One really needs to share the experience with those who identify with it. I would swear that the three of us at our table with German heritage were it for the restaurant, as no one we talked to, from our server to those at the front desk, knew or were German. Not a big deal, just a point of interest from someone who has been privileged to see the culture from the inside. The food is decent, but not great. The entertainment, a fair approximation of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, but lacking the energy of those who actually celebrate this way. The servers are excellent, though the front staff seems to just be there and take a paycheck. Very detached in front. :( Come and enjoy, and see if you can find some Germans with whom you can join arms and sway with the music - schunkeln!
(3)
Bob S.
Would not recommend overpriced and not family friendly. Table next to ours was receiving a "paddling" from servers and then these grown men began to do it to one another in full view of the restaurant and families. When I saw this I was appalled, this place is not for anyone who wants a wholesome good time. If you are interested in man on man paddling well then this is the place for you, but others who prefer not to see this disgusting behavior stay far far away. I generally don't write reviews but I really had to say something after spending quite a bit of money and then having to leave in disgust.
(1)
Bluto T.
More cons than pros: Pros: the atmosphere is pretty cool; large venue, packed, upbeat, clean (obviously it's new), overall pretty fun. Cons: The hiring manager should be tar'd and feathered. They purposely pack the front of the house and the host area with the few younger/pretty women on the staff, but as you work your way to your table you will likely be getting served by a dude or and old lady wearing an uniform designed for a twenty-something. WTF?!? This is a bar right?? I realize this is not Tilted Kilt, but for God sakes have an attractive and primarily young staff, that's service industry 101 standards! Our server (a guy, which went over well considering we were a large party of guys) gave us a incorrect bill twice! He added a neighboring tables drinks ($13 each mind you) to our bill the first time, and then someone elses dinner the second...wtf? Not accommodating: You better hope you like the side that comes with you dish, because unless you claim your deathly allergic, they will not make ANY substitutes for you. After several minutes of ball busting I had to claim I was allergic to potatoes to sub veggies for my fries. Overpriced: The quality of the food (or lack there of) does not justify the prices. As you eat you have the "ehh" look on your face, yet you're paying $17 for a burger?!? Overall I wanted to like this place because your initial impression when you walk in is excellent, unfortunately the staff chipped away at that excitement rather quickly.
(2)
Erika B.
I love love love the Hofbrauhaus. My favorite is the one in Munich but Chicago and Cincinnati are pretty awesome too. We were staying out by the ohare airport and realized there was a Hofbrauhaus next door. Was so excited. Food and beers were delicious as always. Love the schnitzel and the lager. The performers were much fun and the wait staff very friendly. I'll be going back the next time I am in Chicago.
(5)
Georg T.
Good, but overpriced. And why should I pay $7 to have someone park my car for me, instead of allowing me to park it for myself in the great big lot right next to the restaurant? I can get better German food for less money, with cheaper, more accessible parking, in lots of other places. I don't think I'll be back.
NOT impressed. The first time we went there we liked the beer and the atmosphere but we did NOT care for the bartender. He was not friendly at all and we were not sure why he choose to be in the service industry. The second time we went back we sat at one of the hightops in the bar area. We are not sure why the waitress is in the service industry either. She was very haughty right from the beginning. We were hoping to have some kind of sausage plate appetizer for Oktoberfest but they only offered a dinner and we didn't want a dinner, the other appetizers looked unappetizing so we settled for a "Freshly Baked Pretzel". I was looking forward to a hot, steamy, salty big pretzel but it was COLD, just like our waitress. When we told her it was cold she told us that if she wamed it up we would not be experiencing a true Bavarian pretzel. Then she said something about the high volume of the place and they don't put pretzels under lights and some other BS so she took the pretzel away and brought us a new one and told us that as a favor to us she put it in the microwave..... Gee, thanks. We saw a rather large table being served and it reminded me of room service with the silver lids on the plates, made us wonder if their food was sitting under some lights while they microwaved the potatoes or something. Also, we asked for a sample of the Oktoberfest beer and were told by the bartender that everything is measured so they don't give samples. This bar/restaurant is very impersonal, it left us with the feeling that their staff is scared out of their wits to do anything to make the customer feel at home, AND the whole place is totally fake. If you want a good Oktoberfest Sausage Platter go to Stonewood Ale House in Schaumburg, they have a nice German beer that I call Frankensteiner but it's really named something like Franzischaner or something like that. Hof Brau Haus is just not worth it.
(1)
Fiona C.
Food and beer are so-so. "No substitutions" policy should have been my first hint to just go. They flat out refused a simple request to substitute a vegetable instead of potatoes to accommodate a special diet. Hardly asking for anything that would have changed their product costs. Atmosphere seems "Disney" and contrived. Much better German fare around Chicago.
(2)
Josh G.
An authentic German feel throughout the entire building. The workers were just as authentic! The only problems were with the food, which was over priced. Portion size was rather small for the cost and my dishes seemed to be more focused on the side dish instead of the actual main course. I had more fries on my plate than I could count, but I was more interested in the meat on the plate which was lacking. The place itself is wonderful and full of fun for any occasion so it's still a good time, especially with the band playing traditional tunes!
(3)
Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)
Stefan D.
This place can be a lot of fun but probably isn't for everyone. I've been here twice: once with several friends and another time with my parents. On both visits the food was good and fairly priced - the portions of both the beer and dishes are massive so you do get your money's worth - but the ambiance can be hit-or-miss depending on when you go, how crowded it is, and which one of the rotating bands is playing. The wait to get a table on a Saturday can be fairly lengthy - around an hour since they don't take reservations - but I'd still recommend going on a Saturday to get the best atmosphere. Going to a place like the Hofbrahaus when it's half empty and when no one is in the communal, German partying, beer-guzzling spirit is a waste of a time and, really, a waste of money. Far as recommendations, the sampler entree is a good place to a start if you haven't had much experience with German food and the Wiener Schnitzel is probably the largest cut of meat I've ever seen (it's as big as the over-sized plate that it's served on). The Half-wiesen is in my opinion superior to their Dunkel and is a better compliment to most German foods, the Potato pancakes with salmon are over-priced and underwhelming, the salads not worth ordering, and the various Pretzels are delicious and a fantastic complement to the rounds of beers you're bound to consume over a lengthy dinner. Oh, and finally, the Apfel-strudel is divine. The most authentic I've seen in the States. A must order
Came in over the lunch hour on a Friday with a buddy a bit worried because of a seeming abundance of negative Yelp reviews on this joint. We were greeted by a very polite, friendly hostess and seated very quickly. The place is absolutely huge and was rocking with all kinds of people during the lunch hour. We were a bit confused by the parking situation here but don't fret fellow Yelpers - there is a decent sized surface lot located right next door and if you park in the multi-tiered parking deck, this joint will validate your ticket...and yes, the parking ends up being free. Yeah, baby... Now for the grub. My buddy who joined me for lunch is a German and has been to the original Hobrauhaus in Munich and to several other beer halls in his homeland so he was a legit judge, in my humble opinion, for the authenticity and quality of this place. We started with the pretzel: nice crispy crust and a soft, pillowy very light inside. Not at all like the Superpretzels you get at the store or at ballgames. It came with a sweet mustard, a spicy mustard and some kind of cheese sauce as well. All very tasty. Next, I ordered the pork cutlet schnitzel: It was as big a frisbee and was almost bigger than the plate. Cooked perfectly - crisply fried on the outside (and not oily or soggy at all) and beautifully tender on the inside. I read some of my Yelp brethren complain that this was frozen food. I must respectfully disagree. This tasted fresh and did not have a frozen taste at all. The dish came with a delicate, fresh cranberry sauce and some yummy Bavarian potato salad which was delicious- not too much mayo and the potatoes and red onion were very good. My German buddy told me this Schnitzel was right on the mark and did not seem to be a frozen patty like some folks had said. My buddy had the veal and pork sausage in the poached form. They were delicate in taste and texture. Kinda cool that they come in a little kettle so that you can grab one while the other sausage waits in some nice hot broth and stays warm. The Beer: We had multiple glasses of the lager, the hefweizen and the dark beer they serve here. The lager was crisp, golden and refreshing. No bitterness whatsoever. I think it helps that all of these beers are brewed on site and are fresh. The dark beer was also tasty as was the spicy hefweizen. You can't go wrong with the brew here follks. Our server was attentive and they seem to have a search and destroy team of busboys that don't let finished plates sit too long. One thing we missed was the music. A nice sized stage sits in the front of the cavernous beer hall and we were informed that bands from Germany play nearly every night. Our server also shared with us that after 11PM the place turns into a pseudo-nightclub with a DJ spinning tunes. Give this joint a try with some friends. I agree with other Yelpers that this is not the spot for a romantic dinner or quiet conversation but why the hell would you want to do that here anyway. Give this joint a try, you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Chris B.
I was really happy with my recent trip to Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Dancing on the tables, liters of beer, and all around great atmosphere. Our waiter was a little green but he took care of things. We went with a party of 6 and had to share a table with strangers of course. People were dressed up in laderhosen and the music was excellent. By the end of the night we were on the tables singing the plane song. We all wondered how American restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Applebees and Chilis became the standard since they are so boring. I would love to see more locations and I hope this location does well.
(5)
Michael-Colin R.
I've been waiting for this place to open and after giving them a couple of weeks to work the kinks out my other half and I went to have a late lunch after a matinee of Hansel and Gretel at the Muvico across the street. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!!! I will say first that I was disappointed in the decor as I was expecting SO much more than just a plain, cold, industrial looking cafeteria with uncomfortable wooden benches and long tables. I clearly understand what they were going for here but there was a great opportunity to successfully marry that traditional Munich beer hall atmosphere with a modern, hip, warm and cozy sensibility that was completely missed out on here. The space is vacuous and once the band gets going conversation is almost impossible and we were there from 4 - 5:30 pm when they were hardly busy except for the bar. I can only imagine how impossibly loud this airplane hangar of a place gets when it's REALLY full of people having a good time. Our hostesses were friendly, our server was friendly, attentive and did a nice job of explaining the menu and making recommendations. We started out with the jumbo pretzel for our appetizer which despite not being served warm and chewy as expected was still very good especially when dipped in one of the three accompanying sauces, cheese, sweet mustard or onion mustard, all of which were quite good. (So good in fact that the onion mustard made a great dip for my partner's fries later on.) He ordered the chicken schnitzel which was light, crispy and perfectly delicious as were the accompanying battered fries and the sauce which was similar to a light, thin, thousand island dressing. I had the traditional Sauerbraten (Bavarian style red wine marinated pot roast) served with vegetable strips, potato dumplings and a side of their famous" red cabbage. The post roast was beautifully tender, the gravy, delicious as were the sides including the cabbage which I must admit I am generally NOT a fan of in any way and I almost finished it all. We had already ordered when our nephew texted us to let us know he would be joining us. We ordered him a cheeseburger and fries which our server timed perfectly with his arrival. He devoured it loving every bite but I noticed that it came with a much thinner, different style of fries that were not as good as the battered dinner fries that came with the schnitzel so if you're ordering a burger be sure and ask for the better fries! We finished up with the dessert tower which came with cheesecake, a mini frosted cake, ice cream and hot raspberry sauce and Black Forest cake. All were awesome but the Black Forest cake is ridiculously light, delicious and not overly sweet. The portions are small but still enough for 2-3 people to share. ( I have no clue what "Jonathan N." was eating but absolutely nothing we ate was even remotely close to frozen cafeteria food quality. "Juniper N's" problem of gaining 3 lbs. each time she ate there and then "feeling gross for the next two days"... yeah that didn't happen either so clearly her one star review is derived from some other issue of a very personal nature.) With a name like Hofbrauhaus, it pretty much goes without saying that the beer is awesome. I won't go into their history here but to learn more about their over 400 years of brewing experience that went into that glass of suds you're drinking you can read all about it here: hofbrauhauschicago.com , You can swill it down like a frat boy if you want to, but this stuff deserves a little more respect than that. Concept A+ Execution D+ Menu A+ Service A+ Quality A Value B Grade B+
(4)
Juan A.
I LOVE BEER!!! just that simple!! just look at the yelp ratings! I The live band entertainment is awesome!! just get in your car and get here!!!
(5)
Kelly W.
We planned to visit Hofbrauhaus with our children on Saturday. We consulted the website a week prior to our visit to make a reservation which stated that reservations were not accepted for Saturdays. We showed up for dinner on Saturday around 5:30pm and were told that because we did not have a reservation that we would have to be seated in the tent. It was then that we were advised that they didn't take online reservations but must call instead. It would have been nice if that bit of information was on their website. We were less than pleased but agreed. We were shown our table, which was essentially patio furniture, in the back end of this freezing tent. We couldn't hear the music and the 'heaters' they promised were not turned on in our area and we were freezing. We ordered drinks and our dinner and then asked to speak to a manager. The smarmy manager strolled over to our table and a conversation ensued. The manager was less than interested in anything that had transpired up until that point and rudely offered to cash us out so we could leave the premises. We informed him that we had already ordered our food and our kids were hungry and we would be staying. For the rest of our visit the management team would stroll by our patio table and watch us condescendingly while we finished our meal and then promptly charged us $150 for this experience. What was once a favorite on our list of places to eat was quickly dropped. We will NEVER visit this establishment again and will encourage all of our friends to do the same. Shame on you Hofbrauhaus, your customer service is lacking.
(1)
Michelle Y.
We went with our 3 kids and 5 adults for lunch. I called a few days before and asked if it was kid friendly. I was told yes and that there was a dance floor so I made reservations. We arrived on a sat at noon, the place was almost empty when we got there. The hostess was not friendly and refused to accommodate our request to be seated away from the kitchen entrance. She sat us right next to the busy kitchen entrance knowing we had toddlers with us. We got many dirty looks and rude comments from the servers when our kids were up dancing. There was not a dance floor so the kids danced next to our table and we kept them out of the aisle as much as possible. The entertainment was great. There was one server named Jules who was very sweet to our kids and smiling, but she wasn't our server. Her smile stood out because the other servers appeared miserable. Our server was ditzy and rude. The pretzels were stale and the meat was dry. None of the 5 different entrees we ordered were good. We won't go back.
(1)
Uli J.
I was happy to be part of the grand opening of the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont yesterday. The Hofbrauhaus Chicago is only one of 4 Hofbrauhauses in the U.S. modelled after the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The menu features traditional bavarian cuisine such as pretzels (imported from Germany), different sausages, schnitzel etc. The Hofbrauhaus Chicago also brews 4 different beers onsite following the original recipes and the purity law: Premium Lager, Light, Dunkel and Hefeweizen. The restaurant seats up to 700 people inside and 300 people in the outdoor beergarden. Live entertainment is provided by a german band - great entertainment for the whole family. Definitely can recommend the Hofbrauhaus if you like to get a piece of the german/bavarian culture.
(4)
Sarah W.
I love this place! It is like nothing else you will find in the Chicagoland area. Very reminiscent of the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly, which is a big plus in my book. I was even able to meet with the brew master, who walked me through the whole brewery process. I was informed that the brew master of the original Hofbrauhaus had a big part in setting up the brewing process here in Chicago. It was obvious, the beer was delicious and unlike anything else you would find in the area. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, I must say the decor is spot on. Definitely feels like a German beer hall. The walls are still a little bare in comparison to the orignal, but I'd assume that would change over time. The live band was a ton of fun. The food is authentic and delicious. It's not light, but that's not the point of German food. The pretzel and mustard was one of my favorites. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area!!
(5)
A. M.
My family is German and this place is ok but kind of pricey. Beers in our opinion weren't that great and the service was so-so. We did go during a soccer match which was our main reason for being there since they were German teams. The pretzels were good for a starter but that's about it. Not sure we'll be back. Seemed a little too much money and we weren't that satisfied with our meals. It is in a good area though with other restaurants, bars around and a movie theatre you can walk to.
(2)
John A.
If you want to eat average food in a barn with no atmosphere, here it is. It was day 2 and mistakes will always happen early in a restaurant's life...........but. We arrived soon after 7, eventually got check at 9.15 and in between had 2 mistakes in 5 orders. The food was, to quote one of the group, "German cafeteria". It was sleepy on arrival and dead and emptying when we left. To try and see the bright side, with a really full room (500?), lots of people determined to have a good time and better food it would have been better. It wasn't and it wasn't. $50 for a main course and 2 beers in a barn. If it is here in a year it will be because there were a lot of conventions and no-one had transportation. Several other choices in the same square which are much better.
(2)
Jet L.
Beer was Good, Soup was good, the PRETZEL is $14!!!! We ordered it without the menu and a beer as had been to the real one in Germany... where the Pretzels are around 90 cents at the REAL one..... $14 for a PRETZEL ?! . I totally think a place should charge what they think they can get but making your customers feel SCAMMED won't have them returning at all... so we won't be returning. - $14 pretzel. ah
(3)
Richard P.
Fantastic atmosphere with authentic Bayern beer and food. Waitress was super friendly and catering to everything we asked. This place is a bit pricy but it is expected for authentic German food. I will definitely be back again this week.
(5)
Tim B.
Very nice place with great food and of course GIANT mugs of beer. The bar is huge and they play live music nightly. I would of gave 5 stars but the price it like a tourist trap.
(4)
Stephanie M.
There are only 4 beers to choose from, Lite Original, Original, Dunkel, and Hefeweizen. There is a German bar in WRIGLEYVILLE that has a better selection! How sad!! When we arrived, we were carded at the door (though, there were young children everywhere), and we waited at the host stand as the host, I assume, as she wasn't dressed like all of the servers, stood there until I approached her. I asked if we we had to wait to be seated, to which she responded, " that depends, are you waiting for a table?" I'll let it slide, I know this place is new, though that was a stupid question; a host should approach you if you are waiting at the front.. that is her job. As for the food, my mom and I ordered one salad between us because we could see that our irritated waitress wasn't going to waist another minute on us if we were only getting a drink each. We got some kind of house salad, and added tilapia to it for an up-charge. My stomach is turning as I think about it, because the fish that was served atop our salad was *NOT* tilapia. It was some over-cooked, oily, rubbery, nasty bargain fish. I cannot believe I even ate it. I am so disgusted that the menu LIED. And at a place that should really not spare any cost. This is supposed to be a replica of the one in Munich! How could you misrepresent such a celebrated cultural experience this way?!! I did have a half liter of the Hefeweizen, which was fine. The live music was great, though a bit loud, but my mom said it best: "The people at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich were just happier." It's a pretty space, but I do not see it surviving.
(2)
Keith S.
Dont waste your time. Food is not cooked to order. Mass produced and cold. My wife tried ordering just potato pancakes and the waiter told her that she was paying for the salmon that comes with the pancakes anyway, might as well take it. My flipped out when they served the platter with the Salmon laying next to her sourcream. It comes with two potato pancakes the size of hock pucks. I lived in Germany for two years....this is not German Cuisine. Food is bland and lackes taste. Very, Very expensive ...I .don't mind paying for something in return....Although, if you just want beer...great place. German pretzels are serviced cold--yuk.
(1)
Jay G.
Ahhhh Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont.... I have a fond memory of you. I'm from California and went to Chicago in March for St. Patty's weekend. My friends and I came here on a Sunday, the day before our flight back home, pretty early in the day, just to have a beer and some good sausage lol. Needless to say, after some HUGE beers, we stayed pretty late, and rang up two separate bills, got spanked after taking shots, and I fell in love with a wench. I can't remember her name, but I know we were kindrede spirits... with our black flame glasses lol. Actually, I ended up running into a bunch of the wenches at some restaurant a few spaces down when they were off their shift... oh and we went figure skating in the ice rink before the cops told us to get out... Thank you Hofbrauhaus... you'll forever be in my heart :) lol
(4)
Marissa A.
This place is absolutely atrocious. I went here with 6 people, including myself. We walked in and were able to be seated within seconds... which is anticipated because the place is enormous. We sat down and a Irish cover band began to sing. It was highly entertaining and fun... for a bit. The waitress, who was very sweet but definitely needed to be more high energy for a place like this, took our orders about 5-10 minutes after we were seated. I ordered from their "late night" menu and my boyfriend and I both grabbed 2 orders of the potato pancakes. Two other friends ordered the giant pretzels. Let's start with the food. The pretzels were brought out first and were served without the beer cheese. By the time my friends had flagged down a server who wasn't even ours (because she was nowhere to be found) and received the cheese, their pretzels were mostly cold. The potato pancakes left a bit to be desired. While they were mediocre (and I say this because I was starving so anything would have been good right then), they were simply *glorified hash brown patties* served with apple sauce. We proceeded to order drinks. I ordered the Electric Lemonade, which was insanely pricey. *$14.95* for a drink? I can go next door and order the same thing for $7 less... but I figured it was worth it since it said it came in a 15 OZ glass. Wrong. The drink was probably 8-10 OZ, but I didn't feel like complaining so I just ignored it. All of our drinks took absolutely forever. I was the only one with a mixed drink. My friends all ordered beer. How long does it take to simply put beer in a mug and bring it over? Between the time for the food and the drinks, it was already frustrating, but we were still fine with it because the band was entertaining. Fast forward a bit and my boyfriend ordered a 2 liter glass boot which they charged $80 for and another $20 to fill it with beer. The server comes up and hands my boyfriend a small sheet of paper, telling him to sign it. It was basically a "contract" saying that if something happened to the glass boot, he would still pay for it. Took them a ridiculous amount of time to bring the boot to the table, which was carried by a manager (maybe? who the f--- knows, there were a bunch of people in various uniforms essentially standing around in the kitchen, which we had a clear view of). The boot was pretty neat. My boyfriend took one small sip of it and set it down on the table. Next thing I know, I look over at him the thing is *leaking EVERYWHERE*. The tip of the boot had broken and spilled all over the place. No big deal, we just expected them to replace the boot since it was obviously faulty in some way. Did they? No. They said he signed that tiny piece of paper so he didn't get a refund nor did he get the beer that spilled all over the place, nor did he get any sort of reimbursement. The manager (I believe his name was Miguel, a tall man with dark hair) said he'd buy my boyfriend a drink... like that was going to make up for the $100+ he had just lost. Everything went downhill. We tried to be civil and plainly asked for some kind of compensation, or even just a small credit. Maybe take some of the food off the bill. Miguel was *very rude*, saying "that's policy". If the owners saw him do that he would be "fired tomorrow". Yeah, alright, give me a freaking break. If the owners saw how he treated his costumers then they should unquestionably fire him. The table next to us ordered the exact same thing; 3 minutes later the boot broke in the SAME SPOT and that poor person had to deal with the same thing we had to deal with. Coincidence? After a LONG time of arguing back and forth we simply paid the bill because all of the staff and management was simply pussy footing around. Avoiding us and being very non-confrontational. JUST my boyfriend and my bill was $161 dollars of absolute f-cking garbage. The manager claimed that things like this happen all the time, that's why they make people sign the paper. You mean to tell me this happens ALL the time and you're sitting here telling me it's the fault of the customer every single f-ing time? I highly doubt that. I personally think they have a lovely way of scamming people who have been drinking. When their poorly made boots break, they simply blame the person drinking it, insisting they were drunk and slammed it down. With that said, *NEVER GO HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO HAVE A HORRIBLE TIME*. This place is a joke. The management is a joke and any company associated with this place is a joke. Think twice before going here. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had at an establishment.
(1)
Rob A.
Lots of fun with a group. Tikitakitikitaki, oy, oy, oy. Beer drinking at its best.
(5)
Sami D.
I had to organize our company's party, so I called hofbrauhaus to make a reservation as it was an event for over 30 people. To get them to agree to arrange the events itself was a challenge. First the girl that picked up the phone was rude and flat out told me no reservations, after that we need to do something about it I was given the phone number of the manager. I spoke with her and we had a $1200 minimum and we had to select certain dishes in advance. With other words everything had to be the same for everyone so that was kind of lame. The food itself was just bad. The pretzels had some cheese, which I assume is just traditional german cheese, but man it stinks like feet and that was the opinion of the whole group. The main dish, nothing special either i would even say very tasteless for the amount of money we spent. The beer was ok, but I must say the Tavern right across has a lot better beers and a lot more options.Probably the only fun thing is that you get spanked when you drink a shot which was funny. Overall we spent $2000 for bad food, average beer, and headache to book the whole thing on top of that. I wouldn't recommend this place.
(1)
B K.
i like this place. Didn't understand a thing on the menu, but after talking to the waitress, i took her recommendation. I'm glad i did, it was delicious. the beer was good too.
(4)
Lorelei C.
We were so excited to try this place out but left never wanting to come back. Good beer, bad service, and expensive! We waited 45 minutes for our main course and it never arrived. Told our waiter and he blamed it on the other food server and just gave us the check for our apps. Spent $40 on 1 beer, 2 potatoe pancakes and a pretzel. When we left we heard other people complaining that they never received their food either. Fine place to grab a beer but that's it!
(1)
Kellie D.
Good food, good beer, good music, good times! May not be the most authentic German food in town but the loud and lively atmosphere is a fun reminder if Oktoberfest in Munich! Fun family time and they're welcoming to kids.
(4)
Mike B.
This place was awesome. Food rocked! National anthem at 8 sharp..and party until the wee hours. Great service, great beer. Awesome bartenders last Saturday night!
(5)
Michael P.
This place could easily get 5 stars. There are 2 things that were disappointing. 1 star for the food. Though my Pork Shank was a 4 my kids food were easily 1 star. $16 "german" cheese burger??? Worth $10 tops. $13 for wiener wurstl. Call it three hot dogs in a tureen of water. Again $10 at best but 1 star because "no substitutions". My daughter wanted mashed potatoes with the hot dogs instead of potato salad. Nein, nein, nein substitutions. My wife got the fried fish and said it was "fine". The second big issue I have is with their beer. Which is great! But... the liters were always foamy. The head counted towards the liter. It would take up 1-2 inches of the liter. At $14 per liter it should be at or above the mark. So if you want great food and HB beer at fair prices, look at the Schnitzel Platz, Bier Stube or Bavarian House(Palatine). BUT THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS AWESOME! The service was great. The music was great. The building it self was great. It felt like a German festival.
(3)
Jim R.
We went here for the first time on a Sunday. It was about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Our waitress was pleasant, but we only see her a couple of times. Nice atmosphere. The food and beer was overpriced. The kids menu is very limited. I assumed the kids meal came with a drink, like most restaurants. But it was extra. Guess how much a glass of chocolate milk is for a small child? Give up? $3.95!?! Its not published on their menu. You could buy a gallon of organic milk from whole foods for that price. I was disappointed in the Hofbrauhaus Management Team, for not only setting the prices so high, but not publishing them. Even though it has an expansive hall with long tables and is designed for large groups. I would only recommend it for smaller groups and ordering appetizers and a couple of beers. Anything over that, and you will probably walk away a bit disappointed, feeling that you paid too much.
(3)
John D.
Fantastic experience! HB is a very large beer hall, the night we went a band was playing traditional German tunes... the food was very good. I was a bit leery after reading some reviews, but our food was absolutely fantastic. The prices were VERY REASONABLE (pretzel excluded) considering what you get- Portions were large. Same for the beer. Yeah, its like 15 bucks, but for that you get a top flight, world renowned LITER of beer. Yes. A LIter. So that averages out to 5 bucks a beer, which is not bad. And I'll be frank. HB beer is legendary German beer. Just like a lot of other breweries, you get what they make in house, not a bucket of Lite. I had the pretzel, jagerschnitzle, tried some apple strudel and a few bites of chocolate cake, and a cup of coffee. ALL of it was fantastic. Is there comparable, perhaps better german food out there? Probably. Who knows. I'm not making time to drive into the city, parallel park, and pay similar prices with like twice the tax, plus pay meter parking. I think that HB is the perfect location for a tasty, fun evening. Only gripe is the parking garage. NO signs anywhere that indicate anything. First garage I've seen with dead ends. And, no, parking is not 13 bucks... take the ticket to the greeter at HB and they validate for free... HB is 5 stars all the way. I will be back for sure.
(5)
Lisa K.
We sat in the main dining hall. The place is SUPER loud!! I can't believe this place is recommended for families. The waitress we had didn't know anything about the food that she was serving (e.g., I was asking about all the different kinds of sausages that they served and she just kept on repeating the names as if they mean something to me). You can't substitute any items on the entrees which tells me that they have a conveyor belt system in the back which just simply scoops food onto the plates. The entrees were delivered cold, but we couldn't even complain because our waitress was so seldom seen. If you're not drinking, forget about getting any kind of refills. I also don't want to see the cleavages of aging waitresses. The imported pretzels were good. For good German meal, I would recommend that you find another place. Equate this to Hard Rock Cafe experience.
(1)
Sam B.
Was very impressed with the service and the food was very fresh.. Very fun atmosphere for a little bit of an older crowd or for families .. Lemmin was our server and he was very kind and professional.
(5)
Mark W.
Having eaten at the 3 other houfbraue houses in pittsburgh, Las Vegas, and Cincinnati, this is by far the worst. First, their prices are almost double what the other houfbraue houses charge and the food is of smaller proportions. Having been to the other locals makes me sure I will not go back to this location at all even though I stay next to it quite often. It's a typical tourist trap for those who never have been to one!
(1)
Bill B.
I was at the Hofbrauhaus last week and had a great time. The beer selection is not extensive, but how can you not like a Liter mug of beer? Oy Oy Oy. Atmosphere counts for something and the Hofbrauhaus is fun. The band was entertaining, and the food includes the essentials ... meat, potatoes, and kraut.
(4)
Jillian R.
I went here for dinner on a Friday night with my boyfriend. If you want a fun and care free atmosphere, this is the place for you. The band toasts with beer every 20 minutes, demanding you get drunk with them. They scream out, "BEER BEER BEER! Prooooossssstttt!" And expect you to raise your glass, pound it on the table, and drink. I thought it was fun -- but I'm also 22. Downsides: The food is expensive. For the 2 of us, our total was just over $50. We both ordered the schnitzel sandwich at $13.95 a piece. It was tasty but definitely overpriced and nothing special. We also ordered a side pretzel which was reasonably priced at $2.95. The homemade mustard was an extra $0.60 which was off putting, considering how expensive everything else was. You can include mustard? The pretzels are imported from Munich and the BEER was amazing. I am not a beer drinker at all--like, not at all--and I absolutely loved it. I'd recommend the Hefe Weizen. It was incredibly smooth and refreshing. Perfect with the German food. Don't expect to come here for a quick, quiet dinner. You're seated at long tables with other people outside your party and the service is slow since the place seats 700. I didn't mind because the band was fun and we weren't in a hurry - but don't come here if you're in a time crunch. Expect to hang out for awhile. This place would have received a higher rating if the hostesses at the front of the restaurant weren't so rude and obnoxious. When my boyfriend and I walked in, there were 4 hostesses standing at the podium. We walked right up and stood there, ignored, for 4-5 minutes. The underaged girls in slutty German outfits looked up and saw us, made eye contact, but chose not to acknowledge our presence. As a line began to form behind us, one of them finally got the clue to take our name and tell us the wait would be 20 minutes. This would have been a deal breaker for us, but we were saved by the manager minutes later. I think she could see the dissatisfaction on our faces, because she came over to where we were waiting and asked if it was just the 2 of us. She went to the podium, crossed our name off the list, and immediately seated us. Thank God, because the 17 year old hostesses were CLEARLY incompetent. It's a horrible way to welcome people to your establishment, being shunned at the door. Apparently they don't teach manners in high school. All in all, we had a great time. Though expensive, you pay for the experience. I would recommend this place - just be prepared to open up your wallet at stay for at least 2 hours.
(3)
Bryan O.
First visit to this place, second time to Rosemont's Park Place Entertainment Center. Had a large group together for dinner after work and completely enjoyed the beer hall atmosphere. Tasted/drank all 5 beers offered. Beer was tasty. Food was good too, although portions are small. Service was good at our table, and servers were friendly. One comment about this area of Rosemont. If you walk into this entertainment complex expecting dollar beers and 1.99 burgers, you're a fool. It's a tourist destination so don't complain about the prices being high.
(4)
Barbara W.
The only reason my husband and I went there on Friday, August 23, was to pick up free tickets the mayor of Rosemont was offering there, for the National Fast pitch Professional league playoffs that evening. It was close to 5pm when we arrived, parking in the garage across the "lawn". There were only a few tables seated inside (looked to be all long, biergarten-like tables), and we opted for outside on the patio, which was pleasant once one ignored the plane traffic noise. I had read the Yelp reviews beforehand (thanks, reviewers!) and wasn't expecting too much. Background; my parents are both German immigrants, and my mom is a fantastic cook, so any time I go to a "German" restaurant, I am doubtful their food will live up to my mom's. We have been trying to be more conscious of not ordering too much food, so we've been splitting orders. We started with the soup of the day, a white cream based sausage and potato that was medium thickness, nicely spiced and still pleasantly hot when it got to our table. Then we shared a combination plate that included spaetzle, sauerbraten, creamy chicken, red cabbage, fried onion rings (very thinly sliced onions) and roasted potatoes. It was one of the few times I raced my husband to make sure I got several bites of everything. I'm sure I am forgetting some other food item, but maybe not. We were pleasantly full. So, we saved a lot of money by splitting our meal, and I drank water and my husband drank iced tea. Our waitress was delightful, even though it was her first day. She is from Bosnia, and spent 2 years in Germany, so she may be more "authentic" than some of the other staff. My overall experience was good there. For a beer drinker, I think it would be worth the trip to get the Hofbrauhaus experience at least once. (By the way, everyone should get the women's fast pitch softball game experience, too! We had a blast, the Chicago Bandits won that night).
(4)
K B.
Was there for lunch over the weekend. Beer was fine, prices were high. Live polka duo was entertaining. Huge space and assume the summer patio will be nice enough. Had the large pretzel, which was served cold and not nearly as large as I expected it to be ... but the liver mousse add on was superb. All in all, I wasn't super impressed ... but I'd head back again for another shot.
(3)
Mary J.
Had a lot of fun. Dissapointed with food and service. Had iced tea never refilled. Beer kept coming for the others. Potato Pancakes tasted worse than the boxed mixes you can get at the store. Potato dumplings were ok. Bread dumplings were ok. Pork Shank was great. I ran out of gravy for the dumplings. When I asked for a little more gravy she brought me a 2oz container and charged me $3.00. I paid $26.00 for the plate. I don't mind paying but she should have informed me.I took half my meal home. The atmosphere was fantastic. Live music was great.
(2)
Kat T.
I got the dish that was a popular German dish on the menu. the food was too salty in my opinion. the red cabbage was strange. it might just be something I am not use to. the atmosphere is fun though. There is lots of entertainment, but it was hard to hear from where we were sitting. nice place to hang with friends but I think the food was good. do order a shot though. I didn't drink.
(2)
B. S.
Wow, this place is huge! Fun, fun, fun time!
(4)
Victoria R.
Jorie the manager has hospitality down pat! It's just plain FUN...the beer was good, appetizers were really different as we're the entrees. Our waitress was Jackie and she totally took care of us....can't wait to go back with a bigger crowd so we can taste more stuff
(4)
Matt P.
Love the beer... Dunkel Weisse!
(3)
Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)
Michael B.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus Chicago on several occasions mostly when my brother who spends a great deal of time in Germany on business comes in. He loves the place and feels that it is a very reasonable representation of Munich beer halls; that is large open space, noisy conversation, loud bands, patron participation, and good German food. I was not surprised that the waitstaff may not know a great deal about German food as I suspect most of them are from Chicago rather than Berlin but that did not interfere with our enjoyment of the restaurant. The food was quite good and varied as far as German food goes so no complaints there and service there was very personable and attentive during our 4 visits. I think it's a really fun place for a family and I believe the prices are quite reasonable.
(5)
Scott M.
this is a one star review for service and 4 stars for having live entertainment, en costume ta boot! So, motif ? terrific, IF they fill the place with a bunch of thirsty patron's I can see it being fun, but for now I guess I should have waited til it got more of a following. I'll try back and give it another go in 6 months. Oh yeah, why the one star for service? I've haven't had a more rude, obviously pissed we were her last table of the night, service person over the last 10 years. After we shared several entrees among friends as appetizers, we were promptly handed a check before we could order a second round of drinks. She said if we wanted more we could walk up to the bar.... and we were sitting in one of the bar hi-top tables already. Anyway, take my two stars as a please do better. I'll always like beer, and your silly music, I hope to go back.
(2)
Laura P.
I was so excited to try the Hofbrauhaus, regardless of the reviews, and it did not disappoint. We came with another couple ona Saturday night and caught the tail end of the live band while waiting for a table outside. I had the Heiffeweizen, and my table mates had the Dunkel and the lager, and all were tasty and very clean tasting. We split a pretzel complete amongst 4 people and it was unbelievable - chewy and salty and the onion mustard and the Brie/cream cheese spread were so tasty. For my main course, I had the sauerbraten, which although a little dry, was really tasty. The gravy had just the right amount of sourness. The spaetle easily rivaled my dad's (but don't tell him I said that), and the red cabbage was deliciously sweet and sour with a lot of apple. Yum. I really wanted to try the Black Forest cake, but at 9:50, I really needed my friends to agree to share and we were all full. In fact, I wound up bringing a little less than half my dinner home, which was even better the second day when the favors had more time to develop. I'm so excited that I can satisfy my German food cravings within 10 minutes of my house. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Brian B.
All I can say about the Hofbrauhaus is the beer, pretzels and staff are good. I would recommend that you do not eat here. I ordered the Wiener schnitzel which came with German potato salad. They were both horrible. Had a hard time cutting into and then eating the schnitzel. Potato salad was nasty. Maybe my standards were set to high since I was expecting to be close to Germany's food. Really a disappointment. Can't wait to get to Germany in a few weeks to have the real food.
(1)
David B.
Good food and fun
(4)
Revelina L.
7:30 pm reservations (for wheelchair accessible) and after trying to seat us at 2 tables we realized their tables do not fit a wheelchair. they didn't seem to care, HORRIBLE customer facing hostess very rude did not want to deal with us we asked to speak to a manager no one came so we finally left at 8:20 did not expect that at all!
(1)
Benjamin S.
Wasn't sure what to think when first saw a sea of tables where I think they wouldn't mind you sitting with people you didn't necessarily come with. Ok, I can embrace that. Also it was lunch so didn't have to share. Ordered the wheat beer and it was truly fantastic. I forgot how good a Germen Hefe Weizen (sp?) is. Received great service, liked the traditional waiter/waitress outfit and the food was very tasty. Got veal and pork sausage plate with awesome pretzel w/ mustard dip. Look forward to going back again and at night time and even sharing one of those tables!!
(4)
Dirk M.
Not terrible but didn't impress. Good atmosphere of a hofbrau but don't expect to have a conversation, very noisy.
(2)
Roseanne P.
My husband and I were dying to try Hofbrauhaus since seeing it on Triple D on the Food Network. We both love German food so we went on our 20th anniversary. I was sooo disappointed! Although the beer was excellent (we both had the Heffiweisen), they didn't bring out any bread or rolls to have with the beer, in fact they charged for bread by the slice! We ordered the large soft pretzel & cheese as an appetizer thinking we could share---forget that. Not enough there for a small child. Our meals: I ordered the Bavarian pot roast with potato and bread dumpling and my spouse ordered the wurst sample platter) both were just the most boring, tasteless skimpy meals we ever ate. Nothing, especially the gravy served over the pot roast tasted like authentic German food. The did redeem themselves with the desserts. The cheesecake with strawberry sauce was excellent as was the black forest cake). Otherwise, there is NOTHING special about this restaurant unless you're going for the beer and Oompha band. I can't recommend spending over $100.00 for dinner for two at this place---EVER. If you want the real deal German, Go to Chef Klaus's in Frankfort, IL
(2)
Judy G.
Beer was very good. Cool looking place. Both pork dishes my partner and I ordered were very salty.
(2)
Brent A.
They did a great job re-creating the atmosphere of the Hofbrau tent in Munich from Oktoberfest, down to the picnic style tables for seating. Hofbraus beer is good, but not exactly the same as Oktoberfest - I am not sure what the do different, but something is just a little off. The food was OK - we had a giant pretzel which was very tasty, a Brat and a half chicken, but of everything (atmosphere, beer and food) the food is the least exciting - maybe need to try something different on the menu. The service was OK as well - nothing exceptional but she took care of us. Definitely will return and try more things, or at least to get another pretzel
(4)
Brian J.
The Dunkel is where it's at!
(4)
Joel G.
Well like my other review you have to take this place with a grain of salt. There are some positives and negatives to every establishment. I find the German theme fun and different. Used to be a place in the city called Prost but it closed which was a small German beer hall on Lincoln. This places is a warehouse turned into a German beer hall. Supposedly like one in Munich. You basically have 4 beer choices all of which are average in quality. Large German menu of sausages and pork dishes. If you want authentic and very good German food hit Irving Park rd in Chicago and try Luechettes or one of the other places all centralized right there. Much better food and much better beer. This is a place we went to to meet in a middle ground area with our suburban friends. Right in Rosemont so everyone didn't have to go way out of their way. Food is average as is the beer, it's a bit pricey for what it is but you end up having a darn good time. I would designate a driver or if you live in the city take the Blue line and then cab it. Hard not to drink to much. The whole area is the IL version of Vegas. There's a casino, huge movie theater, bowling alley, a bunch of theme restaurants surrounding an ice rink. I think you have an Irish Bar, a western bar/restaurant, German beer hall, Greek place, and a Mexican restaurant. I'm sure they are all slightly over priced and underwhelming when it comes to food. However again this kinds works for us when we want to get together with some folks that do not want to go all the way downtown.
(3)
Sonja S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a must. I just dined there last night and walked out smiling and singing! The atmosphere is just as I expected....fantastic! When we arrived we were told there was a to hour wait. This made a few people in our group unhappy. I was just excited for the experience and ready for some good German food and beer. We ended up only waiting for a little over thirty minutes. My only complaint here is that we should have been told a "real" wait time. I'm sure many others left when they heard there was a two hour wait. We were seated at a table with others. It was a little bit cramped and our server noticed this right away and moved us to a table with more room. Once seated we each ordered a half liter of various brews. I went with the lager and enjoyed it. We ordered our meals and enjoyed singing along and raising our glasses with the band. Our meals came quickly, I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel. It was absolutely delicious and a very generous serving. I had the second half today. We ordered one Apfel Strudel for the table and shared. Tasted good but but not as traditional as I would have liked. I read some of the previous bad reviews and did not experience anything negative. Honestly, I can't imagine having a bad time at this place. I'm looking forward to my next visit! Great atmosphere, delicious beer, tasty food...what more could you ask for?!?!! YOU MUST GO!!! All
(5)
Phil W.
loved it , go with a group. sing the songs with the band
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Touristy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Al D.
I came here for my first time recently, and although I'm a sucker for "German" things in a city that isn't very German anymore, it was downright embarrassing walking in here. I feel sorry for the staff and the musicians. From "Sweet Caroline" to other odd songs, the band tried. Including playing Alpine horns. I imagine they have to do this all night, every night. There was even a male fashion show going on during our dinner. Why? Beer prices are (as expected) too high for plain old HB. Food is of an abysmal quality, with sky-high prices that don't compensate for anything. If you want to sing "Ein Prosit" every 5 minutes (or hear dreadful renditions of "Happy Birthday" every 10 minutes) and pretend to be European with lots of tipsy middle-aged people staying at the hotels, you may not have a problem plunking down half a paycheck here. Like another reviewer said - skip several rounds here and you may be able to buy a Lufthansa ticket instead. There's little resemblance to the real Hofbrauhaus here (which in its own nature is a tourist trap, too. But at least it's the real thing.) A population which allowed Zum Deutschen Eck (probably no one remembers that place now) to be knocked down is now flocking to the most warped (spankings) and watered-down interpretation of Bavarian culture that can be built.
(2)Leah C.
fun with a large group and for a cheesy time... my family party of 12 had a great time celebrating my nephew's graduation at the HB. sure, it's cheesy with its dancing on the tables, beer mug contests and traveling band (tips please!) but if you are in the right mindset, it really is entertaining. i had a huge lunch before having dinner here for fear that my din would consist of pretzels and beer but i was pleased to find vegetarian schnitzel! haha - not the most delicious thing in the world but welcomed over a carb-fest of cheesy pasta or starchy potatoes. the apple strudel is yum!
(3)Amanda C.
We had so much fun eating here! We have eaten both lunch and dinner now, and can say that the service is very consistent. At lunch time, the group of patrons is smaller, and on the weekends, the band is rowdy and playful. Go here for a fun time!
(5)Jim G.
This is a great beer hall. Good food, great beer and fun atmosphere. It's crowded, it's loud, it's beer drinking, it's singing. Brezel is good, obatzda, gurkinsalat (cucumber salad), wurst, all authentic and tasty. Beer... all varieties are good. Stood next to a guy when he ordered a bud light. So sad. I live 100 miles away, and this is a destination 3-5 times a year. Get a room at a walking distance and enjoy the fun!
(4)Jamie T.
Potato soup was Amazing! Wish they sold it by the gallon. Had the sausage platter all were flavorful. Sauerkraut and red cabbage were on point. Not too sweet and not too sour. And I love soft pretzles so it was a big win for me. It is a large place and it is loud. Not they type of place if your going to catch up with old friends but it had a fun atmosphere and the kids thought it was lot of fun.
(4)G.j. N.
Decided to take my girlfriend there for her first time yesterday night. Paid 29 dollars for two 34 oz beers. The beers were the only highlight this evening at Hofbrauhaus. Was greeted by a good server, but was upset that the previous table had walked out on her without paying the bill and expressed it to us as if it was our problem. We decided to move away from the bar area and on to the main floor, where picnic tables, Oktoberfest style tables, were set up for the general public. We were rudely informed by a server that we had to check in with the hostess to sit at these tables even though approximately 15 tables were vacant at that time and shooed away like riff raff. We reluctantly went back to a bar table. I'm German....and I brought my girlfriend there expecting German polka music, but was dumbfounded when the song "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was played for about 14 minutes straight...Its an American classic, sure. But NO ONE CAME TO HEAR THAT SHIT. PLAY GERMAN MUSIC. All this before a 20 minute "women only" half beer stein chugging contest. The contest itself took about 30 seconds, the explanation of the rules took about 19 minutes and 40 seconds. I don't remember much else but being entirely disappointed and leaving half of my $14 beer behind ad we went to a real bar, Toby Keith's. HAD A BLAST AT TOBYS. Get your shit together, Hofbrauhaus. I won't return.
(1)Renee J.
The beer is watered down, but the price is not. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely not good enough to be worth what they charge for it. Forget it if you want to be able to hear your neighbor, much less the person across the table. The service is reasonable, but the uniforms look like they come from a second-rate costume shop - at least, the ones they make the female servers wear look that way. This seems like it would be a great place to go as a middle-aged yuppie who regrets not having "really lived" and wants to be cajoled into standing on one's chair and singing. The sort of person who prefers to make their own fun will probably not find anything worthwhile here.
(1)Mary Locke M.
This place is beyond cheesy, and not in the good cheesy like Medieval Times. It's absolutely huge. They have a polka band. The polka band plays "Sweet Caroline." One of the waitresses had a visible tattoo on her boob. That would be okay if this were an adult entertainment establishment, but it was a little offputting at a dinner with my boss. I think you're starting to get the picture and it's not pretty. I was here tonight for a work event. We had the whole back room set up with a buffet. The spread made German Thanksgiving come to mind. The food was mediocre at best. Everything tasted like it was straight off the German Sisco truck. Hofbrauhaus immediately makes me think of Beerfest. Maybe if I had been Beerfest drunk from das boot this would have been fun, I left full, but I would never choose to come back. Strike out.
(2)Kïrsten M.
Terrible food for the money. $29 for a appetizer that had a few pieces of cold sausage and a pretzel. Will not be back!
(1)Jon O.
I visited the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont on a Friday evening with a group of friends who are frequent visitors. A little context is required for this review. I actually lived in Bavaria for 13 years (7 years in Munich), so it's safe to say that I am familiar with German culture and traditions. This restaurant's interpretation of Bavarian/German culture is almost insulting; I have never heard of, or witness anybody being spanked by a waitress in Germany. Why is this happening here? Where does this bizarre practice come from? Secondly, the beer is not that good. I am a huge fan of German beers, and have spent a considerable amount of time in the beerhalls of Munich (as recently as two weeks ago). The beer served at this place is not imported from Germany; it is brewed on site, which is fine, but unfortunately it is not as good as the real thing. Granted, in Germany, Hofbrau is known to be a second-rate beer to begin with. As a matter of fact, the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich is known by locals as an overrated tourist trap rarely visited by actual Germans. Third, the prices where ridiculous. $8.50 for a half liter wheat beer? We ordered a few pretzels (they were pretty good), yet very expensive again. Looking over the dinner menu made my head spin. Fourth, the music was too loud, and very repetitive. How any times did I have to hear "zike zake hoi hoi hoi"? The noise level made conversation very difficult. Lastly, please do not believe the Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is an authentic German restaurant. It's nothing but a very flawed, and almost disturbing, interpretation of German food and culture. If you are looking for great German beer and food, there are several options that are considerably better in Chicago.
(2)Bill S.
I agree with most reviewers , it's loud, it's a fun place, the beer is pretty good. The food is mediocre at best , the service was good. But it's way over priced for what you get , I felt like I was in a touristy restaurant it's really tacky with the tee shirt/ trinket sale right there when you walk in. Not great for a first impression. Been here done it. Probably won't be coming back
(2)Karla Q.
So this place is one of those places you enjoy solely for the atmosphere. It is not a place where you can catch up with a friend and have a conversation. Unless... It's summer and you sit outside. The music level is high but lively. The food is actually kind of hit or miss. I've been here at least four times and the food has been either amazing or unreasonably bland. I had the Bavarian steak and the gravy was super bland. I could still taste the roux. (Ew.). Anyway, the sausages and pretzels are phenomenal and the Heffenweizen is still my favorite. Watching other patrons getting paddled is always fun. Oi oi oi. This place is great for big groups and is usually super packed on the weekends in the evenings. Parking is available in the giant parking complex and you can get it validated. :)
(4)Greg Z.
Akward place. I felt as if i was in a mess hall in the army . Loud live music. Wasnt German music. I just assumed they would play German things not American music. Good atmosphere if your looking for a loud rowdy bunch. Food consisted of many forms of sausage and sauerkraut . Just not my thing. Although the food did come really fast for my table mates who actually ordered food. You get spanked if you order shots. Ouch.
(3)Karl M.
Excellent spot for a sausage and Hofbrau beer if you have 200 people in your party and don't mind paying a premium price. It's tricky to find and parking is iffy but it did satisfy my craving for a 14" brat. Big wooden benches and tables can seat 200,000,000 people each... my kids laid out and took naps in between beers. They only have Hofbrau, Hofbrau Lite, A Dunkel, and a wit. But they have sizes to fit every thirst... extra small, regular, double regular, and f-that-I-aint-leaving. The beer is fresh and they are brewing (or acting like it) all the time. There are two gigantic brewing vessels showcased above the bar. Germans love to watch. On the other end of the hall is a stage for a live band. Empty when we were there but I'm sure it would make this joint jump. TV's everywhere advertising Hofbrauhaus. Embarrassing outfits for the waitresses make it a completely korny place and the gift shop was perfect for any of your frat party shopping needs.
(4)Sumara K.
Finally got around to visiting this place, and was so beyond disappointed. Since this place opened I had been impatiently waiting to check it out. Now I wish I never did, and instead kept it in my memory box as a great place to go to. First off, to echo everyone else's sentiments, the wait staff is extremely inattentive. Our waitress took down our order wrong and after trying to catch her attention for ten minutes, finally gave up. I guess it's more important to paddle a bunch of drunken frat boy types than to worry about the quality of your service. I can't comment on much of the food as I only ordered the mini pretzel bites, but they were extremely stale and the cheese it was served with was chilly. It was like being served a piteous handful of salted deer turd. Not a place worth revisiting in my eyes. I'd rather get a pretzel from a Wal-Mart snack bar than the ones served here.
(2)Elizabeth R.
Wow! I was really impressed by this beer hall! I have been to the original in Munich and it felt like I was back in Germany. It was great that they did not try to change up the feel of the Hofbrauhaus. It is huge! And they have a small beer garden in warm weather. I have been to other Hofbraus and they are tiny. This one was made to impress! It is a little pricey but considering its location in a very touristy Rosemont area, this is not a bad deal. They have specials. The great part is PARKING!!! Validate before you leave. Then it is free and it is worth a few minutes to save $13. My husband had the sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes (with gravy). He had the same thing in Munich and said he could not taste the difference. I had the sauerbraten special. It was a slow cooked beef sandwich. It was cooked in red wine and served in a Dunkel BBQ sauce. Definitely fabulous. It was not a first date type of sandwich because it was big, messy and delicious. The portions were generous. The beer was spot on. Though a bit pricey. They know you want to come for the beer so they jack up the prices. I would definitely stop in and enjoy the fair but if you are looking to get a bit tipsy, the prices might keep you at bay.
(4)Ryan B.
Went here before a movie last week. Had 2 liters of beer. It was a good time. We ordered dinner. The waitress didn't bring the food I ordered. I didn't really care, we had a pretty big group, but it's irksome. Be careful with how much you drink! I had 2 one liter beers. That's the equivalent of five and a half beers. The dollars rack up quickly when you're ordering by the liter!
(4)Jillian E.
Had a blast with my family here on a Saturday night. Made a reservation and was seated at the exact time of my reservation. The beer was great, the food was excellent, and our server, Michelle, was attentive and friendly. The band playing was great and got almost every table involved in singing and dancing. Would definitely go again.
(4)Pack C.
I want to love the place. The vibe & atmosphere reminded us of how it is in Europe BUT it's so pricey with mediocre food! We had 2 beers (one 1 ltr and one 0.5 ltr) and an entree, the bill came to ~$65 excluding tips! The beer was good but can i find something better & cheaper in chicago? definitely, yes given all the microbreweries in town these days. we had crispy pork shank entree to share (pork knuckle dish). The meat was on the dry side. We went there Friday night. The place was really busy. Service was ok, very slow (kinda expected). We may go back there again just to hit the bar. No food there.
(3)John W.
I love the Hofbrauhaus. It's a lively place, with authentic experience of Munich. Food is average, but consistent. beer is good. The main reason I come here is the pretzel, which I'm a fan of so it's hard to find fault in it. I recommend this place if you want to get your Oktoberfest on, or if you want regular German style cuisine and bier.
(4)Robert P.
Love this place. Came here on a whim when our group had a terrible experience at Toby Keith's. We are already making plans to bring other friends here. We, and hopefully Toby Keith, thank you for turning our night into a memorable one
(5)Matt S.
The perfect place to go if you want to drink beer with a ton of other people who want to drink beer. Hofbrauhaus has 4 house selections as well as a couple of seasonal ones. Each is good but my go to is the classic lager. Get the dunkel if you like a bit more flavor and full body feel. Anyway, this place is gigantic. There is a gift shop and host stand as soon as you walk in. Past that is the main hall which probably seats hundreds of people. Throughout the hall are picnic style benches grouped together. This is especially cool if your party, and the ones around you, are feeling sociable as this fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst total strangers. The live band plays traditional German songs as well as classic sing/dance-alongs. Every once in a while the band leads the beer hall toast where everyone raises their stein and shares a drink. People often get up and dance and even stand on the solid wood tables to get rowdy. There is a separate dining area on the side if you wanted a more classic restaurant experience. Everything about the ambiance is great but unfortunately the price for food and drinks are not. An entree will cost you ~$18, cocktails ~$10, and the 1 liter beer stein ~$12. Food isn't bad but I personally don't think the quality to price can be justified. If you had no clue what this place was and wanted to get a bite to eat, you would look at the menu and be surprised with the prices. Since the place is so large, it can definitely get crowded. During these times the service can get exceptionally slow. Hofbrau can certainly be a fun place but be prepared to spend some money.
(3)Krunal P.
Great place for beer but im not a fan of German food so I will stick to 4 stars. Love going to this place.
(4)Ben F.
For a NW guy, there is nothing like this back home. Was a ton o fun and great food!
(4)Howard L.
This is a fun and festive place for having an authentic Bavarian meal experience. I'd go with about 4.5 stars for the total meal/entertainment package. They have communal bench seating and there is live music all the time. The place is huge with two dining halls, and I'm told it fills up on Saturday evenings, which would be a sight to behold. There were several families with kids there on a Friday evening, and I noted most of the parents were enjoying beers. The food and beer were pretty good, but I can't say great. I had a sausage wurstplatte for $16.99 and wife had a beef and pork roast dish with spatzle for $18.99. She said the beef was quite salty. I knocked back 1/2 star on value side as the place is on the slightly pricey side, like $7.50 for a 17 oz stein. Get your parking validated or else it's $13 to park there, otherwise free. This MB Financial center is a great entertainment center for the area.
(4)JamelnOscar C.
So I received a call from the GM Jim. We talked for about 10 mins. Basically never once apologized for anything. He just called me to get details on what exactly happened. Said "I wasn't there so I can't answer your question on what happened." ok. Well, I guess that's that. As GM - no matter what happens, the customer is always right. Especially considering I took 10 mins of my time to give him feedback. Go somewhere else.
(1)Gerry H.
Quite a Friday night I had; 1) Attended the Progressive International Motorcycle show at The Stevens Convention Center. It was quite interesting. There are a lot of new bikes, gadgets, gizmos out for 2014. I especially liked the powered tank bags, and the 2014 Ducati Monster. 2) Followed up with an impromptu visit to Hofbrauhaus, and I'm extremely pleased that I did. There was five dudes in our group, and we were seated immediately (7:00 on Friday night, mind you), and immediately proximate to the stage. If you like German Beer Hall Music, the HBH has the real deal. The fraulien's voice is heavenly, and the old german dudes are entertaining. But it's the food and beer and the party atmosphere that will inhibit your serotonin from being re-uptaken. It's all fantastic, from the pretzels to the schnitzel to the sausage to the sauerkraut. It's hardy and delicious. And the beer is vastly better than most places that brew on site... Try the Dunkel! Finally, while our waiter happened to be Spanish (a little odd I thought), he also happened to be prompt, friendly, and efficient.
(5)Vodka Sauce C.
Possibly the WORST experience ever! A nightmare of a time dealing with the GM and the waitress. We will NEVER be back
(1)Tai T.
I never heard of this place, but I saw the brewery vats outside and I was in the mood for a beer. It's an incredibly loud environment with in a cafeteria kind of setting and live german music. My wife said it was kind if like a Disney-ish kind of vibe. It was fun atmosphere though. With the cafeteria kind of setup, you may have to share a table with other groups, but that's no big deal, cuz everyone in there is having a gr8 time...that may be because they serve you 1.0 liter (32 oz) beers. The beers are good. I had the salmon medallions and they were very good. My wife had the vegetarian schnitzel. I tasted it and it was delicious. In fact it was so good & tasted just like a country-fried steak. So much so that my wife thought it was real meat & had to check with the waiter to verify it wasn't. He said that happens all the time. Very fun environment, swell food and worthy beers. Try it out.
(3)Levent T.
Do not go for the food. *Do* go for average beer served by Frauleins that may be willing to spank you with a large paddle. Not kidding! Food is overpriced and flavorless but the live music with no cover makes it understandable. And the spanking...oh yes...it happens...and done with force if that is what one likes. Did not partake in the S&M but got to witness it first hand. Great place to go with a full belly and let loose with a group. Our server was less than average but if you get one willing to rock your bottom make sure to tip well!
(2)The Decide R.
Okay, I was excited about this place since I have been passing it on 294 for the last few months. Unfortunately the servers were able to suck out every last ounce of curiosity and enchantment once we were seated. Don't get me wrong, I love the outfits, but the lack of enthusiasm and basic server skills scoured my outlook on the establishment. When I have to ask another server where our server is in order to acquire a glass of water or to ask for the check there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Food was ok, I had the veal sausages, which were light and tasty. Our table also ordered the pork shank, while it was crispy, the meat was dry and lacking flavor. If your looking for true German food take a little time and make the trip to Milwaukee....'Karl Ratzsch's'... Pork shank will blow your mind
(3)Jeff E.
My experience at Hofbrauhaus was decent. The food was okay. It was the service that made the experience very good. We were taken care of from the time we arrived and until we left. The only complaint I have would be the awful music.
(4)Raghav C.
I haven't been to Germany, but all my friends I went with have visited a/the Hofbrauhaus in Germany and had complimentary things to say about this one in Rosemont. According to them, it was very comparative. although the beer selection here was apparently limited, i.e. the Light, Lager, Dunjel and Hefe Weizen all available in different sizes. Band/Music - The live German Band was very entertaining and fun. They played some cool instruments, German songs and celebrated many birthdays. Food - We didn't eat, though seeing and smelling what people got, it looked really good. Did seem fairly pricey though, hence the minus 1 star.
(4)Eric S.
"Ist Das Hofbrauhaus Chicago die besten Deutscher Gaststätte im ganzen Land?" "Vielleicht." For those who don't sprechen-sie-Deutsch, I basically asked "is HBH Chicago the best German restaurant around?", to which I answered "maybe." The review: **FOOD** -We (parents and I) ordered a big 'soft' pretzel to start; included were spicy mustard, cheese, and another dipping sauce. Pretzel was cold and hard, which was off-putting. Potato pancakes followed, and while the salmon served as an accompaniment was nice, the PP's themselves were almost shameful. I've had the real deal so many times before, and from a venue like HBH Chicago I'd expect nothing short of the best. Unfortunately, these tasted/looked like frozen-then-reheated (mashed taters?) patties. Sad day. However, my chicken schnitzel was good, and my parents enjoyed what they had as a main course. The Apfelstrudel for dessert was terrific! And thank god the end of the meal was tasty, because the beginning was just pathetic. OVERALL: 3/5 for dining. Could use some improvement in areas. **AMBIANCE** -Held in a very large, expansive building reminiscent of the original HBH in Munich (yes, I've actually been). Main hall has people standing on benches singing Bavarian tunes and drinking anthems. It's quite a riot if you're in the right mindset (why wouldn't you be?) To be fair, we sat in the connected semi-perm tent so our meal was much quieter, but we could still hear the goings-on in the main room. Bathrooms were clean, and during warmer weather the outdoor patio is open. I can only imagine downing a stein of beer come May..... OVERALL: 5/5 for atmosphere. ziggy zaggy ziggy zaggy OY OY OY! **MISC** -Service was good, not great nor horrendous. The good news: wait staff are mostly cute girls in traditional dirndls (read: cleavage) that bring your sizable beers and entrees to you. Ours was not particularly enthralled with her job (think Janine Garafolo as the Medieval Times waitress in 'The Cable Guy'). Oh well. Next time I'll come back with my guy friends and shamelessly flirt with our waitress. They also have tons of merch and HBH stuff for purchase up front, and a roasted/candied nuts booth inside--a nice touch. OVERALL: 4/5 for service and other factors. Lasting impression: I consider myself a pretty hardcore German-man-man-man when it comes to dining, and HBH Chicago didn't disappoint, but it didn't exactly wow me either. The camaraderie is a great time for sure, but the food missed its mark on more than one occasion. My suggestion is to come for the beer, stay for the bewbs (there are a lot of them). In conclusion, I'd like to ment-- OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT THE BEER! Because let's be honest, that's your main reason for coming here. Selection of brew is good--the Hefeweizen is wonderful, especially in a 1L stein. Have a couple of those bad boys and someone'll be taking your car keys away. I'll be back to try the other brews and get even drunker, but for now, I'll sing 'Ein Prosit' and call it a day. I'll be back, HBH Chicago! Jawohl!
(4)Jam I.
Different menu from other Hofbrauhaus that I've visited. Food and service was below my experiences visiting the Pittsburgh location (which I enjoy).
(3)Jayson J.
very good time here for an Octoberfest celebration. During normal times of the year I enjoy the microbrews and German food. The live music could be described as "German." I say that because I have never heard German music besides here.
(4)Dave V.
I am a definite fan so far. I have only been here twice and they were both for Oktoberfest. Liters of Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest made in house??!?! uh, fuck yes please! The atmosphere here is so far that of your typical fun bar. This place is nothing but fun and smiles and every stranger is ready to be a friend. Didn't see any dumbass college kids acting disrespectful and shameful, just loads of young and old folks dancing and interacting on their table tops. The prices are not super cheap for food, but the beer is fairly priced. The liters of oktoberfest i was drinking i think were $13. The only food we tried was the soft pretzel from munich which was good, the ides it comes with (for an extra charge) were freaking amazing. We had an issue once with one of the waitresses but i think it was a language barrier. The only other issue we had was a cold pretzel the second time we went but they were quick to heat it up for us. This place is very large and should be able to accommodate any size party, basically anyday anytime but just in case make reservations for a large party Seriously, check them out, i know i will again when oktoberfest is over so i can compare and contrast
(4)Cristie F.
There are two words that a restaurant can print that will instantly rub me the wrong way. No Substitutions. Those two words instantly get me fired up. Personally, I think it's a terrible business model (not to mention wasteful) to not allow for substitutions when it comes to sides - especially if they're the same price. What it basically says is "we're telling you what you want to eat, like it or not. And if you don't like it, eat somewhere else or buy more food". That's pretty much what Hofbrauhaus put on their menu "NO SUBSTITUTIONS! WE HAVE SIDE DISHES!" I'll end my rant there. As for my overall experience, it was extremely lackluster. Let us review.... The positives: + The menu has a large variety of German dishes (duh, it's a German restaurant) + Gorgeous venue with top of line equipment + Live music! + Great outdoor patio for summertime boozing + Awesome mustard dips and Obazter cheese + Very friendly staff, minus our server... + Juicy and tender chicken snitzel + Private rooms for larger private events + Fun & festive German atmosphere The negs: - No substitutions - I don't feel the need to elaborate more at this point - Bland (and I mean BLAND) food. The spaetzle was over buttered and had absolutely no flavor. - Sausages were equally as bland. - Although they dishes were brought out with fancy pants silver covers, my food was borderline warm. - Soft pretzels were not served hot - nor did they seem fresh. (I know this since I saw the back of the kitchen and they're all sitting in a bin waiting to be ordered...just sayin...) Not to mention the price, which I will get to momentarily. - Our waitress had a major 'tude. Not cool. Unacceptable. - Outrageous prices. $14 for a giant plate sized soft pretzel is ridiculous. As is a $14 schnitzel sandwich - My order was screwed up. (Shocking) Needless to say, Hofbrauhaus was a total disappointment. Lower those prices and/or step up the quality of food and remove the "no substitutions" policy. Maybe just then you'd earn back a previously excited customer. Until then, stay classy Hofbrauhaus.
(2)Vince V.
Right across the way from Toby Keith's (another frequent stop for my crew), the Hofbrauhaus looms large and welcoming. The first step into the main hall draws you in to the live performers onstage, singing one easy listening cover after another, always looking for a way to work in a tasty beverage tie-in. Yes, I'm okay listening to Margaritaville from dudes in lederhosen. I'm sure they'll be singing an outfit-appropriate "Ein prosit" soon enough. Half-restaurant, half-beer garden and about 100% biergarten theme park. Prepare to be a tourist in your own backyard. The crowd looks very suburban. I see a lot of families here, bigger parties. The surrounding establishments tend to cater to more nightlife-y, over 21 customers. Here, there are eight year old kids having dinner while grandpa and dad raise their steins. The pretzels are delicious, though ultimately unspectacular. I've been favoring the sausage plate, it's just the right serving size, enough to get me fueled for a late night without weighing me down. I've tried their brews and they're very drinkable. The Dunkel is my favorite so far. I've been here a couple of times and the experience has been consistent both times, once during a slower weeknight and on a very busy Saturday. Both times, I was there for birthday dinners. It seems that a lot of folks come by and bring the family for a birthday dinner because the live band gets plenty of opportunities to sing the birthday song through the evening. Overall, the Hofbrauhaus, is lively, loud and merry, Oktoberfest year-round. A bit pricey for what it is but when we're all having fun, it's a relative bargain for good times.
(4)Kristy S.
Besides the service not being the best and finding our own server, I have spoken to the GM Jim and He has taken care of the tip that the server gave himself on my sisters card. I was reassured that the server will be documented and possibly not have his job anymore. The server was Brent so be careful if you do go in there and he is your server. We came in just for the round of shots and a beer and were in and out in 30 mins or so. We still probably will not go back. After looking at the receipt the server turned in it was very clear that this was not a mistake on his part and they he wrote it in himself, we cant go to a place we cant trust. I hope other have a better experience here as each experience it different for everyone.
(1)Jeff E.
Always a great time. Great food even better beer. Live entertainment is engaging and fun. Come here for a great night out that will not disappoint
(5)Ned B.
I love the German dining experience and this place has it! The place is cool! The beer is great! The food is... Well subpar. If it wasn't for the great experience I would probably skip this.
(3)Jaime G.
4 stars for the beer. 3 for the food. Try the hlffenwiesen and the double wheat. Pretzel and chicken is just ok.
(4)Lochin S.
my beer was nice and cold, and really enjoyed the large stein. the other 5 folks enjoyed their beers. One even had a bottle of Riesling. food was surprisingly good. i had traditional beef with sour gravy, hubby had salmon. others had the veal (ok), chicken, and finally sausage. service was good, food came out in good time, and we were checked on for drinks often. Music was good, spanking was good. we will be back.
(4)Aja G.
Sigh. Be clear they are using "Chicago" figuratively because this behemoth bar is not in Chicago, does not adhere to Chicago pricing, but it does have Chicago style service. The Good: Parking and the look of the bar. That is it. The bad: Our waitress,Nikk, forgot to bring silverware, offered no refills and was generally absent. I can forgive her because at their prices you couldn't have persuaded me to order anything else. The Ugly: This place either needs to change suppliers or stop assuming people are stupid. Now before you cry the price of "importing" i can assure the food here is as generic as anything you will find at your neighborhood bar except it cost about 5 dollars more. Currywurst was 14 dollars. For 14 dollars you will get 2 pieces of small, dry sausage accompanied by what I will generously call a dollop of ketchup with curry powder. they are also kind enough to give you luke warm fries thawed and reheated. Also if you look online for their menu or beer list you will notice a suspicious lack of pricing. That is because their beer prices are absurd. 7-8 dollars for a half liter? Maybe they missed the memo, but this is a suburban bar located in a sea of parking with no quality or authenticity. 15 dollar cocktails? 6.50 for shots? Their prices are ridiculous!! Final Thoughts: Take it from a girl that has been to germany three times and every German bar in the city --this place is trash garbage. Want a real German pour? Skip this bar a couple of times and you will have enough for a plane ticket.
(1)Rob B.
We went here on December 23rd and what a great time. Although Hofbrau Chicago is different than Munich it still has some German charm. The beer is better than anything in the US IMHO. The food was very good. Our party of four had schnitzel, schweinbraten, saurbraten, and jagerschnitzel respectively and all were delicious. I recommend getting a side of gravy with your schnitzel and I do to make it that much more delicious. Let me make something clear, the food at Hofbrau Munich is beer hall food not gourmet food as is the food at Hofbrau Chicago. The food at both places is super delicious traditional German working class food. Expect a simple, hearty, tasty meal to wash down with an exceptional beer. If you expect this you will not be disappointed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, but did not hound us, just like in Germany. The band that was there was excellent! They played good beer hall music and worked really hard to keep the energy level up and get everyone involved in the festive atmosphere. The entertainment is the best part of the restaurant and is part of the price. I had a great time with my wife and parents. It was a little pricier than I expected at $17 to $22 a plate and $8 per half liter of beer, but I was not disappointed with the overall experience at all and in fact I was pleasantly surprised how great it was. I spent four years in Bavaria in Germany, I am married to a German, and have I been to Munich and southern Bavaria many times.
(4)Kevin M.
I have never written a Yelp review before, but after reading all the idiotic bashing, I feel compelled to let the record straight. 1. Priced appropriate...can you get Usinger sausage cheaper at Jewel...yes. Does it come with an authentic German band flown in for you entertainment?...no. So shut up! 2. $7 beer...yes and worth it. Can you get MGD cheaper?...sure but does it taste as good and follow the Reinheitsgebot? No! So shut up! 3. Cold Pretzels...yep and that's the way they are supposed to be...flown in from Munich. So shut up! 4. Shots expensive? Does the cheap shot down the way come with a paddle spanking photo op for you to take as a timeless memory...no? So shut up! This is beyond restaurant, it's an experience with good food and beer on the side. The food is great and the atmosphere is memory making. If you want cheap try making good german food at home. Good luck making Schweinshaxe (pork shank) as crispy and delicious as they make it here - with Semmelknodel (bread dumplings)!!!! Also, having been to Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Newport, and Miami...this is the best by far!
(5)Jim K.
Fun atmosphere. I really liked the band. I would recommend stopping by and hanging out at the bar. The food was below average relative to other German food I have had. Service wasn't great either. I happened to see the manager interacting with some other patrons and wow was he rude and condescending. I wouldn't make this a destination but if you're visiting some of the nearby restaurants, it's probably worth stopping in and checking out the band.
(1)Daniel S.
The food was good tho a bit pricy, I got the weiner wurst, which is essentially just boiled hot dogs, and then spatezel and potato salad as sides which were both very good, the german rye bread was just ok, as was the pretzel we got as an app, which was kinda hard, but i got the dunkel beer which was the dark beer and very good, and the overall atmosphere is pretty fun, they had live music, and you can have waitresses slap you on the ass with a paddle, service was fast too, i wouldn't mind coming back and trying some of the other meats
(4)Connie Z.
Fourth time here. Fun atmosphere, they validate parking too. Lady seat in people today was unusually unfriendly, red hair and just angry demeanor, hence 3 stars. Rest of the time easily a four star spot
(3)Robin F.
I'd beware of any reviews of this place. On every table in the restaurant, they offer patrons a $10 discount for a favorable Yelp review. (See my photo in my tip). They don't deserve a good review and I find this practice unethical.
(1)Mark S.
I am more of an expert on beer then Germann food. The beer was very good. The food was little more than overpriced hotdogs.
(3)M-J W.
Good Beer Food - not so good. Fast food versions of German food. You get served super fast. But the place is loud. It is fun. The little oompah band was cute. They play the beer drinking song every time they are thirsty. So I now know the lyrics and I don't speak German! I would come here for the party atmosphere and beer. I would skip the food. It was pricy as well.
(3)Kristin L.
Using a credit card...BEWARE!!!!! Shady waiters await you at Hofbrahaus. After hearing a few horror stories about waiters / bartenders pocketing money, I experienced this first hand. Our waiter, a not too overly friendly gentleman, was slow and inattentive. (Not exceptable being that our party was there on a weekday and the restaurant was not even a quarter full.) Now with that said, I let this slide being that there was fun music and liters of beer at our table. The food is alright and the beer is good. My problem lies with the staff. After waiting way too long for our bill, we noticed that there were extra drinks on our tab. After correcting this, we left thinking that our expericance at Hofbrau was just alright...maybe we'd go back...maybe not. But nothing over extraordinary. Let's fast forward a few days when we check our credit card statement and notice that our tip was changed from $50 to $78. Um...that's a pretty large increase. So we call our credit card company and they confirm that the gratuity was entered as $78. Interesting being that we left him an even $50 and on our invoice it shows that we wrote $50. Hmmm maybe this is just a mistake...let's call the restaurant and talk to the manager. (HA! that's a joke) The hostess who answers the phone puts us on hold (for 15 min!!) then comes back with an attitude only to inform us that there are no available managers and we can leave a message. (Which we do, but no one calls back.) Miraculously after leaving this voicemail, explaining what happened, our tip amount charged has been changed to the correct amount. Refund credits have been issued from Hofbrau. Hmmm is this because you got caught and were informed that the Rosemont police have been contacted? Something seems fishy about this place. Why am I hearing from more than one person and now reading some of the reviews, sharing similar stories? Sounds to me that management should keep an eye on these waiters with sticky fingers...or maybe the management is in on it. BEWARE OF STICKY FINGERS AND QUESTIONABLE MANAGEMENT!!!
(1)Ted H.
This place really went downhill. My tab for dinner for two and beer for one was around $75. For that amount of money, I received food that might have been sitting around and small portions. Let me explain. We ordered two dinners and soup. Within one minute the dinners were brought out. Yes, you read that right. WITHIN A MINUTE. Our soup came 10-15 minutes after that. Now, I ask you this: how did those two dinner plates get cooked that fast if it was made fresh? For the amount of money this place sets me back (usually around $100 with tip for two people), I expect not to be hungry when I leave and for the food to be fresh. I used to love this place. Now, forget about it. I'll leave it to the tourists and head over to Edelweiss on Addison for my German fix.
(1)Jeremy C.
So apparently my math was incredibly off. One liter of beer does not equal 12 ounces in a standard American beer. Therefore if you're going to drink as many beers as you normally drink, you're in for quite an adventure. Damn metric system.. haha Anyway.. It's exactly as you've heard and as you'd expect. Live music, gigantic beers, go get some of the toasted nuts and have the pretzel. I was fairly inebriated before ordering the pretzel and I even recall it being cold when it came out; you'll still enjoy. Plenty of TV's here for games, etc. So as you read other reviews you need to ask yourself.. Are the germans known for their food? And am I coming here for culinary delights? The answer to both of those is no. You're coming here to guzzle beer and listen to German music. Ihr willkommen!
(3)Nichole C.
SPOILER: This review is ONLY for the beer. I don't care about German food, I don't care about atmosphere, I don't care about authenticity, etc. What I DO care about is beer. I don't really go for German beers, typically, because they are pretty bland. I prefer my beers to have strong dark malt or coffee/espresso flavors OR strong hoppy notes. German beers usually have neither. They are solid, and smooth, but lack serious bite. That said, the Hefe here is pretty damn good. I went in to get a sampler, but after seeing that the smallest pour they offer is a 10 oz., I just picked the one I knew I would enjoy. And a 10 oz. pour I got. After grasping my baby sized beer and scanning the restaurant and seeing huge mugs and boots of beer I felt a little ridiculous, but you've got to start somewhere, right? RIGHT? The Hefe here is really good, actually. It's got great citrusy and spicey notes and a nice cloudy appearance. It is VERY easy drinking and I can no doubt put a boot of this down in no time. (Challenge accepted, by the way...) I will definitely be back to chug a boot and enjoy some live German music and food. Got to wash the beer down with something, yes?
(4)Paul F.
Went with about 11 others. The food was good. The band was excellent! Their rendition of the star spangled banned brought a tear to my eye. I cannot pronounce the dish I had but it was very good!
(4)Kelly C.
Teetering on a three vs. four star review - in brief, food is three stars and ambiance/experience is four. First, the food: Some traditional German options such as schnitzel, sausage, spaetzle, pretzels, and Bavarian potato salad - although missing veal schnitzel. I echo another reviewer's comment on the "no substitutions" - it's annoying that you can't opt for spaetzle or potato salad for example. Food portions are right-sized: you won't go hungry with just a main dish, but you won't feel overstuffed if you order appetizers to share. Generally, menu is low on greens (as are most German menus) but food is good. Second, the ambiance: Long tables in authentic beer hall setting with a rotating german band. Our group found it to be a lot of fun - dancing up on the benches, singing along. I was impressed at the atmosphere created, on a Tuesday night no less. Third, the service: Food comes out fast ... almost too fast. Servers were effective. In response to a few who said it is "overpriced" you need to factor in the entertainment - Given the experience and live music, I think it's close to on target.
(3)Stacy O.
We were so eager to try this place, we showed up months before it opened. Their signage is effective. ;) We stopped in again (they were open this time) for a beer while waiting for my brother-in-law's flight to land. It was everything I hoped for - and more. My husband had a Dunkel; I had a Hefeweizen. We were both happy with our beers. We only split a pretzel, as we were on our way to dinner after our airport pick up. The pretzel wasn't anything to write home about, but the sweet mustard and spicy mustard were both fantastic with the right amount of kick. I'm a pushover for any mustard that isn't yellow and doesn't come out of a squeeze bottle; being able to see the actual mustard grains makes my heart sing. Service was good if not a bit slow. It took awhile to get our check picked up after we put our credit card in the folder. But this place is much more than beer. With live German music and authentic decor, it's easy to get swept up in feeling like you're in Munich. Enjoy the experience.
(4)Rob W.
I have been eager to check this place out as I have been to the HBH in Las Vegas and wanted to see how this one compared. Facility-wise, this place is a LOT different - dark woods vs light in LV, this place is huge compared to that one - which is also quite large - the one in LV has an indoor biergarten, this one has a large area for outdoor seating. I like the visible brewery here - interesting look. I visited on a Friday around 2PM and it wasn't too busy. My server was Teri and she was the highlight of my visit - pleasant, attentive and outstanding service. But here's the thing - it's not cheap. I had a soda, pretzel (normal sized) and the Jagerschnitzel and it came to $23.87 (pre-tip). The entree was just "ok" - spaetzle awash in mushroom sauce with a fair portioned, but somewhat dry schnitzel topped with bacon. I'll stick with the "neighborhood" German places like Edelweiss or the ones in Milwaukee when I'm looking for truly authentic German food. This was passable - but nothing special. I do plan to return to check out the beers - and I will do the food on occasion. It's another "something else" that's different in the Chicago area, which makes our city and the metro area a special place to be.
(3)Reed N.
Let me save you a lot of time. Fresh beer is good beer... and fresh beer hand crafted and served in the same building is even better. The wheat beer here is deeeeeelicious. The other selections are good, but the wheat just rocks the suds. The service was excellent. The ladies in the cute Lederhosen outfits are everywhere carrying growlers of beer. Other places should take note... women can be fully clothed and still be sexy as all hell. The pretzels are not so good and get cold fast. And they are WAY overpriced. The band and "bell man" travel the dining hall playing and having fun. The noise is quite a racket, but this is a beer hall. This place closed at 11pm on a Monday... so come early! In short, I'd say eat elsewhere. Come here to drink and enjoy yourself.
(3)Heather J.
PROS -German food -Looks cool from the outside -Easy parking (and free as long as you validate your ticket) -Good beer CONS -Long wait for mediocre, insanely-overpriced-for-what-it-is, food -Long wait to sit at community tables where you have to watch your purse and make sure the stranger next to you on the bench doesn't take anything -Same polka music playing over and over and over again.. You will hear the same music every 5 minutes. -Noisy and loud, but not in a good way. -It reminded me of Disney World, but not in a good way. -No substitutions for anything on the menu -So costumey, I feel like they are making fun of the German heritage I was originally excited that there was a cool German restaurant just a few minutes away... But I'd rather drive 40 minutes, sit through horrid Chicago traffic, and pay to park somewhere in Lincoln Square where the food is better, the wait is less, and the food is authentic and homemade.
(2)Rosanna L.
This place is huge and loud with live entertainment! It definitely takes you into a spin of German culture, they even serve their beer in steins, which gives it a nice cultural touch. The servers dress up in uniforms and we're seated at wooden benches (picture a high school cafeteria, but with wooden benches vs metal). We were told they can seat 850 people, holy cow, how do they maintain business on the weekdays? Because Friday night it was jamming packed! They definitely have the German thang going that's for sure. We were doing a pub crawl so only opted for some huge pretzels and beer. Our server constantly checked up on us and the music kept playing. We cheers a lot and the place was very entertaining, oh and they had the Blackhawks game on! Kudos! I definitely want to come back to try their food, possibly on a less busy day.
(4)Rashad M.
Top 10 Reasons why this Restaurant Deserves a 1 Star Review: 1) their German speciality beer is served within the general acceptable limits of room temperature 2) their kitchen crew is so eager to get out of there that they closes the kitchen half an hour before the scheduled time (after tasting the food I don't blame them ) 3) they have more Bavarian dressed waitresses than customers and they all are NOT very eager to serve you 4) and they all posses exactly what I imagine German hospitality to be 5) their freshly baked pretzel has been freshly waiting for you to order it under a heat lamp all day 6) they are worried that their customers drink to slow and so refuse to provide them the large beer size just incase they don't finish in time for closing in 30 minutes (actually happened to a group next to me ) 7) they make fun of that group after they leave clearly disappointed 8) their sausage would actually be a contender to win best sausage ( in the world renowned canned food category) 9) u very quickly start to realize that their three star average reviews on yelp is generous 10) after taking the first bite of the dinner u just ordered, u start to seriously consider other dinner options in the area... for tonight! To be fair if I couldn't come up with 10 I would have given them 2 stars! But what do u know, it want that hard !
(1)Jason A.
while I am a fan of the food and drinks, I have mixed reviews about the staff. I have been twice. Once the server was amazing and extremely friendly, but the second time I went, it was as if there was no server even assigned to our table. we waited and waited after being seated but no one came by until I had to flag someone down and ask who our server would be. Even after someone came to take our order, we only saw him one other time to leave the bill.
(4)Jen R.
Ok do yourself a favor & call before you come. If you have a group a reservation is best. If you park in the garage get your ticket validated. We all came never been & this "Entertainment Area" is wow, almost Vegas like. Bier, can cost you... Food is pretty good but for the price you can have better. They have live entertainment & yes they will be having Oktobor Fest... I'd bring people to have a visit, at least once. I don't understand why a large pretzel w/ a few things with it is $14.00? Unfortunately the beer of the month & some others were not available because of OctoberFest, so it should have been in the menu. Jägersnitzel was tasty & I took it home. Prost
(3)Vina O.
Portions are EXTREMELY SMALL for the price. I ordered the Bavarian Style pot roast, which was delicious but for $20, I'd expect more than 4 small thin strips of beef! My husband ordered the wurst plate which was a steal at $14, but it's really just 4 different types of sausages on a plate. Like I stated, food is delicious, albeit SMALL. My husband enjoyed his Hefeweizen beer with the meal. Our server was friendly, but it was super busy so I would constantly have to flag her down for a refill on my water. Overall, I don't think this place is worth the bang for the buck. I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas, and the portions were waaaay bigger. I'll stick to German when I'm on the west coast or other German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)B R Hungry X.
Loud....like a large dancehall. Communal seating. Large portions of food, avg cost per person with 1-2 drinks is roughly $35. If you like loud accordion music and hearing people get paddled when they take shots, it's for you. Not much on the menu for anyone health conscious. It was okay, had to experience it? Won't be my first choice though.
(2)Joe M.
Delicious and great place, best beer in town. Brewed on site, cant beat the freshness. Awesome place to have a great time
(5)Ashley A.
This place really works for their ambiance as a German restaurant. You get a LOUD atmosphere with a band, waiters that spank people with a paddle when they order shots, and contests for patrons. The staff even wear German style clothes. They only have a handful of beers to choose from and very limited drink list otherwise. Food is ok, but super expensive. (Actually, the drinks are expensive too) I wouldn't say the food is authentic either. A sausage plate that consists of 4 sausages, 2 of which are hot dogs. I think once you've gone, the novelty wears off. There isn't much that makes me want me to head back anytime soon. But definitely fun place to try out.
(3)Jon B.
Great beer, great food and an entertaining environment.
(4)Reid F.
I think it's funny when people go to a place like this and complain that it is loud. Of course it's loud...it's a huge warehouse filled with people and German music. If you want quiet conversation, go to Starbucks. If you want a fun place with good (although not great) German food and beer, this is an excellent option.
(4)Daphne L.
After 2 visits to this place, the best I can say is that the beer is good and the servers are very nice. Other than that..I got nothin'. It's a huge, loud, cold, warehouse of a place, that is so loud I can't even hear the voices in my head. The Las Vegas location is much nicer, as is the Cincinnati spot. This place is nothing but tourists and noise.
(2)Ryan M.
The beer flight is fun and the food is okay. Pricey for sausages. Love the atmosphere
(3)Jeanne C.
Beautiful place but way overpriced. Feel like a tourist trap especially with the big gift store, right as you walk in. My uncle and I walked in for lunch on a Saturday about 130. We were thinkin a nice brat and a stein of beer. I look at the menu and it says dinner menu with not one item, besides appetizer or salad, that was less than 14 bucks. I ask for a lunch menu and waitress says that on weekends there is only dinner menu. This smacks of tourist trap. I told her that I was looking for just a brat and she points to a 14 sandwich but qualifies it by saying it was huge with lots of fries and sauerkraut. So we decide to split it. It arrives and yes the brat was long but I laughed as it was about one inch in diameter. Fries were minimum at a handful and the sauerkraut, hhmmmm, where are you hiding...... Oh found you!!! About two tablespoon worth were in each bun under that poor skinny brat. I ordered a small Bavarian pretzel to see if they could screw that up and....... Stale. Almost no salt....save your money....maybe have a beer but then eat elsewhere. As an odd update, I was contacted by the manager of the Hofbrauhaus and we had a chat for about 10 minutes on my review (which I totally stand by) The odd thing about it was that he was trying to convince me why the prices are so high (Las Vegas Restaurant group requested it....huh?) We also discussed that ridiculous bratwurst and small serving sides. The even odder thing was he never offered to have me come back. He finished with, "Well I'll understand if you don't come back." Very strange as it is the first time in my 40 years of talking to a manager about a poor visit and not have the manager even try to get me to come back in. He picked my brain for ten minutes on some of my ideas where they could improve and then it ended. Really a nice guy but......
(2)Daniela R.
The atmosphere at this place is great, but the food not so much. Fries were cold, and the "chicken sandwich" seems very very old.. maybe it sat there for a while (We were a BIG group) Anyway, our waiter Michael was the best!!! he was very sweet and really did everything to make us comfortable. Kudos, Mike.
(3)O.M. R.
Cannot complain about atmosphere. Really intense and fun:p Food = i grew up with german food and the food here doesn't come close to german traditional food. Beer = has barely any alcohol in it :( Deserts and the pretzel= iiiiuuu!! Dont try it.
(3)Carlos R.
COME HERE TO DRINK, NOT EAT. I came here for a friend's birthday and I was really excited because I have been wanting to come here since it opened. My expectations of drinking in a German beer hall were definitely met. The beers were great and decently priced. The big downside to my visit was the food. I am always willing to try new things, but I did not like the food at all. It felt like they already had the food prepared in the kitchen and they just took a while to give the illusion that they cooked it. Maybe I am just not a german food guy, but either way the food prices were pretty high for the quality food we received.
(3)Dan N.
I get the so so reviews for Hofbräuhaus i do, but I think you have to understand what it is and what it is not. First off its a really fun place and you have to understand thats its about the atmosphere and location and the look as much as anything. Yes its touristy and a bit expensive, but the Beer is excellent and the food is better than I expected. I was a bit surprised on a Friday night it was only moderately crowded when we got there about 7:30. I took my wife here for her birthday and she enjoyed it. We would definitely return for a special occasion or a night out with a group but just the 2 of us craving German fare I'll pass. The portions are not very large (enough but small for the price) and it is expensive. We paid over $120 for 2 Beers (liters yes!) 2 Appetizers and 2 entrees and we split dessert. My wife had the Wiener Schnitzel which I thought was a very small portion and I had the combination of Sauerbraten and Roast pork. I enjoyed it allot I like their spaetzle and the red cabbage is to die for. I did take a little home but my wife did not and she usually never finishes her meal. She was a bit unhappy that you don't get to choose your sides, she was stuck with potato salad (not her favorite) Both appetizers we had were excellent and I would order both again in a heartbeat. We had the Potato pancakes (some of the best I have ever had) and the Pretzel with Brie dip. They advertize the strudel comes from Germany so we split one, it was ok at best. It had way too much sauce and was all just wet and mushy no texture whatsoever. But the atmosphere is loud and fun and interactive, the band is fun, and the service was very good. Again a fun place to hangout and eat some good food, carving a great german restaurant I would look else where.
(3)Marshall P.
After being to München at the OG Hofbräuhaus I soon realized I needed another lager. Hofbräu is so damn good. I was lucky enough to have a layover at O'hare and find myself here. Much like the Munich Hofbräuhaus, people welcomed me to their table to raise a stein. A must visit; sure to make you laugh!
(5)Frank S.
The attraction at this place is the atmosphere. It is loud and the tables are communal but that is the point! I'm not really sure why people are complaining about that aspect. You can see what it looks like from outside and once you walk in you get a feel for the noise level. If you aren't into the vibe then walk out. The food is mediocre. My food actually came out on the cold side. I was given the impression that it was sitting for quite a while before it was served to me. The beer wasn't great but I enjoyed it. My favorite part of this place was the live entertainment. Take away the entertainment and this place would be two stars. I didn't like the way you walked in and had to stand in a gift shop while waiting to be seated. Gives off a planet hollywood/hard rock feel.
(3)Kat D.
Staff was friendly and the beer was good. I had the beef goulash and my boyfriend had the Wiener schnitzel. Both were good. I tried my friends chicken sausage and that was also good. They validate your parking when you park in the garage across the street which is a plus.
(4)Todd G.
Not going to write a long review on this one. It was ok, not bad not great. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Live music was ok, they played the same 4 songs over and over again.. Beer was excellent, as close as you are going to get an authentic Munich Dunkel in the states... Food was ok, and it came out of the kitchen really quickly.. Potatoes and gravy were a little salty.. Sausages were pretty good, roast pork was a little mushy, dumplings a little dry, spetzel was ok (I like mine crisped up a little.).. Seemed a little expensive for what it is.. We felt a little "nickel and dimed", bread was extra and the price for sides was pretty steep. Strudel was good, not sure why it needs to be imported, the $12 price tag would make me think twice about it.. There are better places for german food but for something near the airport / Rosemont entertainment area, it would be a decent option. Parking is $15, so have the hostess validate it..
(3)Justyna K.
Nice please and good German food super nice customer service ! Great to bring kids too ! Can get loud with the music and very packed but still great service , the pork shank is awesome and great beer !
(5)Dee W.
I came here for a Mommys' Night Out and we had a blast. First of all, I did get horrible lost because my GPS wouldn't recognize the address and you have to park in the huge parking structure (but at least the Hofbrauhaus validated our parking). Entertainment is loud so don't expect to have a meaningful conversation without yelling at each other. I split a Schnitzel Wiener Art which was t heir pork served cirsp with cranberries and homemade potato salad - yum! Portions are definitely large and their beer is amazing and HUGE. Looking forward to another fun night out here again!
(4)Brandon Z.
Went here to meet some friends and catch up over dinner...nice change of pace, among other things. It's a high-energy German-themed establishment, so not an ideal place to go for a quiet chat over some high-end food. We liked the food and beer. Having eaten authentic German food, I can say that this food is somewhat Americanized, but it's still good. The pretzel was huge, the Bavarian Potato soup was very good, and all of the dishes we had were more than passable. Good size portions - we left full. I especially thought their sauerkraut was good. Beer wasn't the best, but it did the job. Where they lost two stars, as far as I'm concerned, is that the music was really loud - overly loud and obnoxious. Being a musician myself, it was annoying that they were constantly off-key, too. It was a relief when they occasionally would take a break. Secondly, parking was awful. It was freezing cold outside, and while the restaurant has a great big lot outside, it's completely for valet. So....unless you want to freeze your a** off walking from the garage on the other side of the ice rink on a sub-zero degree night like when we went, you're gonna have no choice to eat the $7 valet fee. Couldn't you leave half the lot open for public parking, and still keep the valet as an option for those who'd prefer that? Wasn't happy about that. Oh.....and they have a huge gift shop if you're into that.
(3)Tom K.
Big, noisy and fun bier drinking hall ein chicago. Our group of four had reservations on a busy Saturday night for 630. We arrived at 5:30 and decided to try to have a beer in the bar to wait out our time. it was expectedly crowded, and we asked the bartender if we could sit at a tall table right next to the bar while we waited. She she said sure, Portis are four beers and we sit down. Shortly there after the service waitress in that area showed her bitchy side. She growled passed us a number of times mumbling comments about how this was a service table. I'm sure she was pissed she didn't get her tip that I gave the bartender. Either way it's bad for the Haus to have a nasty waitress. It makes you feel uncomfortable and not want to come back. Beachy waitresses side, the place is just what you would expect. A big n loud. It's nice to see the place where families can come and watch dads (and moms !) drink bier and sing. We had a sausage platter appetizer, a pretzel, and The sliced radishes. This ain't fine dining. It's beer drinking food and it covers that adequately. The beer taste the same as at the house in Munich. I think the pretzels were a little off compared to the ones in Germany, but who freaking cares.Bring your lederhosen, bring your partay hat and do some yodeling. Das ist gut.
(4)Justin L.
Always have a great time here. It's a fun atmosphere and I always receive great service
(5)Joni M.
Let me preface this by saying I'm of German descent, but I don't love German food. But we decided to go to a 'real' German place to get bratwurst that should be better than the johnsonville variety we are used to. We made a very costly mistake. We sat in the main hall it was early on a Saturday evening. Our waitress came by and we had a real communication issue since it was loud and she had a heavy accent. Hey at least she's authentic. Except I think it was a Polish accent, but whatever. We started with a soft pretzel and I asked for a medium beer. I got the tiniest beer ever and a cold and very not so soft pretzel. It would be good if it were fresh but it wasn't. And I'm not sure how hard it can be to have fresh pretzels. But Whatever? Oh and my teensy weensy beer? 13 bucks. We ordered the bratwurst hoping they would redeem everything. They came and they looked like the bulli sticks I had bought for my dogs the day before. Very long and skinny. We had asked to swap the fries for potato salad, but were told that no substitutions were allowed, which I've only heard before at.... No actually I've never had a restaurant or waitress say that. The bratwurst were so gross. Horrible texture, smooth like a hotdog. If this is authentic German, give me Johnsonville everyday. We left $85 dollars lighter and still hungry. Seriously. It was $85 for a tiny beer, cold pretzel and 3 bratwurst that we didn't eat. The dogs got three more very expensive bulli sticks. Never, ever, ever again. It was literally the worst dining experience I have had in probably 10 years.
(1)Arlene G.
this place is HUGE! i felt like i was in germany/medieval times! there was 4 of us in our party & we sat outside since it was a nice day. i dont think ive ever had german food b4 or if i have i cant remember. i ordered the sausage with curry sauce & fries. it was AWESOME!! its not a curry like thai or indian. in fact it didnt even taste like curry 2 me but mayb its a german curry that i dont know about. it was like a sweeter tastin ketchup & not as thick. whatever it was i didnt care cuz it was super yummy! i was a bit disappointed with their cocktail selection tho. i know its a german place but not everybody drinks beer. im 1 of those people & i ordered 2 different drinks which they couldnt make - ciroc peach & 7up and a mojito. what!?! oh well, maybe that was a sign 2 not drink that nite. but the food was great so i wont hold it against them.
(4)Vic M.
If you don't mind the overwhelming smell of sauerkraut, this place is for you! Was carded at the door an then cared again by the waitress. I asked her for a sample of one of their brewed beers and she said they didn't offer samples...they pride themselves on brewing their own beers and it's a take on a German beer house and I can't get someone to pour me a taste of beer? Not very crowded on a Friday night at 1030pm...beer is average. And waitresses have no problem smacking guys in the butt with a paddle.
(2)Al R.
Great bartenders. Lisa and Jessica were friendly and attentive. Give them a raise. Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy oye oye oye
(5)B K.
Come here to have a good liter of beer, eat a pretzel, clap and sing. The venue is fun, but expensive. Don't expect a great German meal here. Go to the smaller, family owned German restaurants in the Chicago area for good German entrees.
(3)Anna M.
The upside of this restaurant is the ambience. You are transported to a theme-park style version of a German pub. It is high energy, the band is energetic and fun, and the servers are dressed to the part. I enjoyed the experience. Is it an experience that I would seek out in the future? Not really...I left feeling like I had my fill. It is a little too touristy feeling for me (but that is just personal preference). Ambience aside, the food was mediocre at best and way over-priced for the quality. I had a brat and pretzel appetizer. There was nothing really wrong with the taste, it was just mediocre. Again, it was reminiscent of a theme park, in quality and price. If you are looking for a fun night with a touristy flair and German style beer in the burbs, try this place. I would recommend framing the price in terms of paying for the experience and it will be easier to swallow.
(2)Linsey J.
Schmaltzy atmosphere, mediocre service, overpriced for the product. Reminded me of a restaurant in an amusement park (and I don't mean Disney). We went for my wife's and daughter's birthdays and all they had to offer were spankings; I don't think so! There are plenty of other far better German restaurants in the Chicago area. Don't waste your time and money I did not leave this review, not sure who did??? But I don't know how to delete it...
(2)Kevin R.
The overall rating is dead on for this taste of Germany in the Chicago Suburbs. The oom-pah-pah band (made up of 3 guys) provides an entertainment set that runs an hour. I loved hearing the traditional German beer drinking songs that I last heard in Germany. One of the band members can play the traditional alpenhorn, the very long horn played in the Alps. And he plays it very well. The music was fun and tailored for us Americans. John Denver, Neil Diamond and other classic tunes are in their extensive repertoire as well. Let's talk food and service next. The menu was varied and offered lots of German food. I had the Jaegerschnitzel with mushroom gravy and spaetzel. My friend had the kartoffelpuffer, otherwise known as potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream. All of our food was good but not great. Which is OK given the setting and entertainment. Their apple strudel was quite good and my only complaint there was there wasn't enough. We split the serving, and considering how good it was I wish I'd ordered 3 of them, lol. Delicate and flaky, layers upon layers of slightly sweet goodness. Service was good given the large hall and noise. Though we did have to ask for help from someone other than our server. For my friend and I it was our annual catch-up. So we stayed for about 3 hours. It was packed when we first arrived with our reservations around 6:15, and nearly deserted when we left after 9pm, lol. Oh yes! I almost forgot about the BEER! My first choice the Dunkel (dark) was not available, as they ran out. The beer they had was of course good, their tap lager. I've been to the original in Munich at Octoberfest, like millions of others. You can find better German food elsewhere if that's what you want. But if you want an authentic German Beer Hall experience, you can't beat the Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Your alternative is to book a flight to Munich, lol.
(3)mono b.
Went there on a recommendation of a friend to celebrate a birthday of a girlfriend. The place is huge. Sorta cool warehouse sized space decorated like a german beer pib. The beer I had was a summer special, very good, light.perfect for a summer night. I got the liter which was ridiculously big. Cost $14 which was a bit much. We also had the giant pretzel with cheese spread which was tasty. My chicken sandwich was a bit dry, large size portion but not much flavor in terms of seasoning. Wait staff was nice. We will probably go back but skip the food.
(3)Chris A.
Great atmosphere to sit and have a bier with friends..however when the highlight of our dinner the other night was...THE MUSTARD?!? Great place for drinks but i would go to another place for food
(3)Jeremy J.
As close to as authentic German cuisine you can get in the US. The restaurant and atmosphere is very similar to the original Houfbräuhas in Munich.
(5)Mike G.
I've been here twice now. I love the new Downtown Rosemont and there is a ton of fun to be had here. I am a big fan of the beers, and the atmosphere and the energy here with the live music and performers is great. The performers and musicians are great. I got to witness them play music on a 20 foot long Ricola Horn, a bunch of different size bells to ring, a lute or some kind of flute, etc. Couldn't understand a word of German but still had a great experience with the entertainment. Everyone seemed very happy to share a drink with everyone. The beer is great, they have light and heavier options and you can get one great big beer stein too. The food is good. I'm actually not the biggest fan of German food, but liked what I ordered, and the big pretzels were very good. The service was ok, we went both times when it was busy, so it was a little slow, but ok. The parking wasn't the easiest either. But I did have a great time there as did my group. I would definitely recommend checking out this place.
(4)Maritza S.
Walk in to 5 staff "working" the hostess area about 830pm on a Friday. Had to interrupt one to ask if party of 2 can walk in & sit at bar area. Seating at bar area opens up fairly quickly. Staff at bar are friendly & attentive: why review gets 2 stars, not 1. Place is loud, live band, men getting paddled in butt. Noise not an issue if band was halfway decent. They have competitions on stage to get crowd cheering. Band MC dude talks way too much!! Get on with the drinking competitions your boring people!! Food is overpriced and ohhh so wrong. Chili was bland, pretzel stale, & Currywurst tasted like BBQ sauce on a weiner- shared by 2 & both with same opinion. Place seems to gear to those that live in faraway "suburbs" and don't know better places. It was time to walk out when band unfortunately played and butchered 'hey Jude'
(2)Jack W.
Good spot to let loose. There is a lot of people here on a Saturday but if you are a beer lover and staying near rosemont I recommend you try it out its very packed on a saturday night like 600 people or more easily. The beer is awesome I had the giant wheat definitely worth it. But the food is subpar due to the sheer amount of people I'm sure it's a lot better when there isn't so many people but I was there on a Saturday night. I was with 13 people and we had pretzels sausage and kraut and our tab ended up being $650 I wouldn't go there trying to save money lol but it was a good time with live music and people in a generally good mood if you want to experience the chi without going out anywhere sketchy I recommend staying In Rosemont and enjoying the bar scene then going back to a hotel where you don't have to drive. It's a overall nice place with the exception of being too drunk and not understanding the band that interacts with the crowd highly recommended for a good time especially if waiting for a plane at ohare lol check it out and tell me what you think. I think it's a solid spot for locals and travelers. I really think it's a nice place to kick back and get smashed.
(3)Meg R.
Disappointing if you want anything other than beer. I have been to the one in Pittsburgh several times and it is amazing. Since I had such a great experience thought I would make the hike from Midway to Rosemont. Staff is friendly but the music, unlike Pittsburgh's German songs, was music from the 80s food was luke warm. I ordered a 9.00 pretzel fresh baked so the menu stated but instead it was cold and had been made sometime today but was not great. Cheese blend with pretzel was a complete disappointment compared to the yummiest warmed bier cheese they serve with the pretzel in Pittsburgh. Schweinebraten was very good, but not worth returning just for that alone.
(2)Taylor D.
I had high hopes for this place and it was just eh. The atmosphere is a lot of fun with the live music and beer hall style tables. The waitresses dress in traditional German clothing. The food is not very good and it is incredibly over priced. The jumbo pretzel was pretty dry, and the bratwurst are thinner than a hot dog. It's unfortunate. Come here to drink with friends but do not eat here.
(2)Stacy S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a very AMERICANIZED version of the german beer hall, but a fun atmosphere overall. My fiance, cousin, and I had the opportunity to go to the ACTUAL Oktoberfest in Munich this past year, so we had much to compare it to. After a few days of realizing Oktoberfest was not what I thought it would be, less "let's get wasted" and more of a camaraderie type of event. I really came to appreciate this German tradition. So when it came down to review Haufbrauhaus Chicago, my standards were set pretty high. - Long benches and tables, just like the beer tents at Oktoberfest. CHECK. - The beer comes in liters. CHECK. - They even offered the "radler" which is a lemonade shandy. CHECK. - Band decked out in lederhosen singing "Ein Prosit" (drinking songs) CHECK. - Waitresses decked out in dirndls. CHECK. - Getting up on the table and dancing like a fool. CHECK. LOVE IT. So far, so good. We came here for one of my friends' birthdays and had a lot of fun. For a group of 20 people, this is the place to go. They have a bunch of drinking games for both guys and ladies. Guys are asked to hold out a liter of beer and see who can last the longest and girls of course are asked who can chug their liter the fastest. If it's your birthday, tell your waitress and you'll get a special surprise......... and it is hilarious. And if you can't get enough, the entrance of the bar/restaurant, you'll notice a souvenir shop that sells t-shirts, beer mugs, and lederhosen. It's like a little bit of Oktoberfest has come to Chicago and never left.
(4)Courtney W.
Maybe it's because I'm German but I love this place! It's huge and has a huge patio. It's almost like a cavern or a cafeteria. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They will spank you with paddles if you ask, they have stein drinking and holding competitions, and they have a gift shop. Did I mention they also have awesome beer that they brew in house? The Hefe weizen (pardon my spelling please!). I've never had to wait for a table (most tables are huge and communal except for a few in the bar). We've never eaten here but the menu looks impressive for a German place and I wouldn't mind a few drunk pretzels or schnitzel. They normally have a German band on stage either playing traditional tunes or their own version of American music (Journey, anyone?) I'm such a fan and I try to bring my more stubborn fans, I'm working on it!
(4)Sheri L.
For a theme tourist trap, Hofbrauhaus is a good start. The restaurant is HUGE, long tables as far as the eye can see. First impress was a bit offputting. We were meeting a large group that had a reservation. The group had already been seated when we got there. So when we let the hostess know we were there for a group... she checked the reservation log and then stated "yes, they're here and seated, but we don't keep track of the seating's so just go in and find them".... Ok, did I mention this place is HUGE? Yes, so in we walk in search of our group after dodging several servers with large trays (stay out of their way or they will yell at you), about 4 minutes later we found our group. October fest beer, yes please and it was a fine marzen. The rest of the food was decent. I'm not a fan of being served potatos and potato dumplings from an ice-cream scoop - you just cheapened my food to cafeteria quality. The pork loin I had was cooked well, was tender and very tasty. The pretzels were cold as so many others on yelp have mentioned. While I only saw them once in our 2 hours here, there are bell guys who go around to tables and give quick little shows. However, I heard Sweet Caroline about 3 times from the band and HAPPY BIRTHDAY so many times that I was ready to puke. Word to the wise, limit to singing the song once an hour and include all the names you need to in that one rendition. It would also be nice to actually be able to understand the names when they sing the song... as we listened closely to the 30 times looking for our friends name... not once could we recognize the names! It was like being stuck in a chucky cheese birthday party... "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you"... ah, make it stop! For more authentic German food without the frills, I will still go to Bavarian Lodge. However, the Hofbrauhaus is a fun place to go to if your entertaining out of town guests.
(3)Jasi R.
My friends and I are big fans of German food and beer, especially during Oktoberfest. Our "go-to" spot has always been Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights, but we decided to try this place out since it's fairly new. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning anytime in the near future. First, no matter where you go in Rosemont's entertainment district, you're most likely stuck parking in the massive parking garage. It's not THAT long of a walk away, but still...kinda annoying. Once we trekked to the restaurant, I was quite disappointed when I looked at the menu. There weren't as many options as other German restaurants I've been to. And although they have a ton of sides to choose from, they don't allow any substitutions...which is ridiculously annoying because their sauerkraut is probably the best side on the menu and it's not really offered with many entrees. They obviously do that on purpose. I will say, on a good note, the service is pretty decent. Our waitress was attentive and quick to bring anything we asked for. So we order our food, and it comes shortly afterwards. And honestly, it wasn't that great. My friends and I have pretty big appetites, and not one of us finished our meal. It was edible, and decent tasting...but I've had much much better. Lastly, the entertainment (the German band) was REALLY cheesy. Sure they dress up in their German outfits, but they play Johnnie Cash and other American classics. Way too corny for me. If you're looking for German food and beer and a fun German experience, I urge you to try out Schnitzel Platz instead. They have their own parking lot (yay!), better tasting beer, better quality food, more menu options, and authentic German bands playing.
(2)John P.
I really wanted to like this place. Beer was good. Ambiance fun. Even the pretzel was worthwhile - and that is where we should have stopped. They ended up closing the kitchen after we were served - yet continued to seat people / families on Father's Day!!. It took us 2 hours to get warm salads and cold entrees. Even the chicken sandwich with fries sucked. Reordered the fries and they were only luke warm!!! Even McD can get a chicken sandwich to you hot, under 2 hours and for significantly less $$. But alas, my local McD comes without an oompah band!! Managers apologized profusely - and yet, she ended up discounting 50% on the food only portion of the bill (25% overall) for meals she agreed were pathetic. Really? You overseat. Understaff. Completely crash your kitchen - and then shrug your shoulders and say "Oops. Sorry. We took too many Fathers Day reservations!" And this is my fault, how??? This was not a wait staff issue - even though this was it for him. Tonight was our server 's last shift. Too many times apologizing for crap out of his control. This is a management issue !! STEP UP AND GET IT FIXED!! We should have stayed at Toby Keith's. Beer was cheaper. Food could not have been worse - but no oompah band! You cant be unhappy with an oompah band. Unless of course the overpriced food you've waited two hours for is AWFUL!! Yet, if they don't turn around the Kitchen here it will be Tchüs and auf wiedersehen to Hoffbrau House. Even good bier can't make up for a totally screwed up restaurant!! Gordon Ramsay - here is a true Kitchen Nightmare!!!
(1)Robert B.
IT'S SAD THEY CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR! Tried to have dinner and some drinks there but because I'm use a wheelchair I did not fit under the table so the hostess just walked away leaving me looking at a table I couldn't fit under. So I go back to the hostess letting her know the situation and there was nothing they could do for me, hell put a couple of books under the legs it's not that hard. We called to let them know the next day and was told we would be hearing back from the GM but NOTHING! So I comment on there FB post they respond saying give me your email so the GM can address this and NOTHING!
(1)Dennis B.
The 20 million hostesses they have standing at the door to greet you acted real ditsy and uninterested in my patronage. This place is huge and I'm sure its packed at peak restaurant hours. All they had on the menu was German food of course, but everything was some type of sausage which I wasn't in the mood for. I ordered the potato pancakes with smoked Salmon and one of their house beers which was very good. I may stop by in the future for a beer, but I doubt I'd go again for the food.
(3)Mike C.
Perhaps not the place to go when dining alone. Beer was good. Perhaps best part of experience. thought I'd enjoy the assorted sausage entree but found it heavy and kind of lacking in creativity. Yeah I'm not quite expecting creativity in a biergarten I guess. Let's just say I was fed and my thirst was quenched. Nuff said.
(2)Michael M.
Fool me once, shame on me! Overpriced, loud, small portions, foam of beer counted toward drink size. No coat check. If you want a real German experience try Eidelweis or Brauhaus. This place is the definition of corporate greed! STAY AWAY. TOURIST TRAP!
(1)Susan P.
If it weren't for a particular incident yesterday at the Hofbrauhaus, I would have given the restaurant a 4-star rating. Although I was enjoying the experience overall, the busboy at our table was very strange and unprofessional. Three times he argued with me and pressured me to give him my glass even though I was not finished with my beer or my water. At first, it seemed like a joke, but by the second and third time he came to our table, he pursed his lips and stared me down for several seconds in an effort to intimidate me to give him my glass, but I ignored him. My friend twice told him to go bus other tables or motioned for him to go away. After he would leave, she and I complained to each other that he was annoying us. When I went to purchase the cinnamon nuts at the concession stand in the restaurant, I asked my friends to watch my drinks to make sure that the busboy will not take them. My friend hid my drink behind his beer and a menu. Although I really appreciated my friends' support, it was ridiculous that I had to protect my drinks from an obnoxious, arrogant, and downright creepy busboy. I have never had this sort of experience with a busser before. Nearly always, if you are not done with your food or beverage and let the busser know, the busser will respect your decision. Fortunately, I spoke with the manager of Hofbrauhaus. He was understanding and he found the name of the busser who treated me poorly. The manager promised to speak with the busser personally regarding his behavior. Given that the manager was sympathetic and willing to take care of this issue, I would be willing to visit Hofbrauhaus again. The music and ambience are great!
(3)David H.
Don't think of coming here if you're looking for a quiet night of dining. They do make some excellent German beers and some of their cuisine is authentic. Our waitress talked us out of ordering the potato pancakes with salmon so instead we ordered the pretzel. I ate the Veggie Schnitzel while my colleague ordered the smoked variety of chicken brat, veal sausage and pork dog. The food was pretty good. The entertainment was even better. While the waitresses are dressed like a German version of Hooters, the Oompah band reminded me of a ChuckECheese for adults. Some of the songs were in the Octoberfest style. We did pause for the National Anthem. Other song choices were quite random.
(3)Cloresa N.
I love the food and the atmosphere but my complaint comes from my experience with the jerseys offered when you join the stein club. My husband and I joined and were really excited about ordering the jerseys even though they were expensive. We were told that it would take 3 weeks to complete, when that didn't happen we were told it would be another 3 weeks,when that didn't happen we spoke to a Manager who said that the jerseys did not come from Michigan as we were told but Las Vegas. We were then told it would be 2 months and we would get a call when they came in. We still have not gotten a call, I don't know if they wait until they get enough orders before they send them in but how long does it take to embroider a shirt. If they had told the truth up front we probably would not have ordered them, but why would they when money is involved. We are very disappointed and at this point I am not sure if we even want them. I like this place but this is not cool.
(3)Janet N.
Bad service! Our waitress was the worst. We had a large party and she was very unorganized. She took everyone's order except for my husband and I. We set there with our food orders on our tip of our dry mouths because we set there for 45mins without a refill of Pepsi. After an hour the manager was informed, but never sent her any help. The manager did locate her because she kept disappearing. We order our food with a beer. We got our food 15 mins after ordering. No Beer and still no refill. Food was great! And fast! When every one at the party realized that we had gotten our food, we asked how long for the rest to get there food? they had been waiting for about an hour. She replied "you got your food, so don't worry about them" WoW! So we asked again could we get a refill since you never brought our beers out. She said "oh you finished them" and wrote it down and walked away. Comes back about 30mins later says "how's the beer ?" We reply "we don't know you never brought them." We finally said forget the beers by then it was 2 1/2 hours later. Good thing we never had a Beer, we had two $20's dinners with 3 Pepsi's a pretzel and someone else had gotten 2 small $6.99 beers when we asked for our check our total was $165 she had charged us 4 $12.99 beers and 3 Jameson shots and a bunch of Sierra mist along with waters. When we approach her we informed her that our check was way off. She replied " well someone is going to pay for that" and walked away. She finally agree to fixed it our total was $90. We told everyone in our party to check there's and of courses everyone got over charged. She fixed everyone's check but did take 1hour of her punching numbers in her computer. Good thing that everyone was sober enough to notice and remember there orders.
(1)Jeremy T.
Come for the beer. Stay for the minimal amount of time. First, this place really blows. I came across this place on Yelp and was excited that Hofbrauhaus had a beer hall in Chicago. Then I clicked it and realized that it was not in Chicago, but in Rosemont. So that was my first mistake. I love beer German beer with all my heart and have been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. That place was amazing. However, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a mockery of the original. German food is notoriously expensive for some reason. I usually don't mind paying more for quality, but my food didn't qualify. I ordered my favorite German dish, currywurst, and felt like I was ripped off. It was $14 for two small lukewarm sausages and cold fries with tasteless curry ketchup. I expected more for that price. Booooo. I've gotten currywurst from other places for a lot cheaper and that were better tasting. The prices are absurd for the amount and quality of the food. The beer was $7 and was just ok. I've gotten better Hofbrau beer at bars for $6. Why does it cost more seeing how you guys make the beer there? No need to factor in transporting the beer out. The waitress was ok, but very spacey. Completely forgot to bring us silverware and napkins. So we just grabbed our own from an empty table. After doing some easy interwebs research, I came to the conclusion that this place is a tourist trap. I put it in the same category as Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe. They have a silly gift shop and that sells bottled beer that's more expensive than the same ones they sell at Jewel. I don't recommend this place at all. If you like German beer just go to an independently owned German bar in Chicago. If you're already headed up there just keep going north to Milwaukee. The only good thing is that its a nice looking space.
(2)R B.
Sadly, there's a lot of whiners. Would you like some beer with that whine? Here's the thing... you don't go into this establishment and say "oh it's only 4 beers!! Where's the bud? Miller? Heiniken?? C'mon there has to be Pabst???!! I'm doing a pub crawl for god sakes!!" Do a pub crawl on a liquor store. You come to places like these for the experience and for their house made brews which means it's not gonna be like the cheap beers you know :) Our server was Val, and I beg to differ. She wasn't a lunatic. She was a "bitch" and she got stuff done (bitches get stuff done) and she was pleasant. My beer, my dad's beer and my sister's beer took about 5 mins too long to serve (which we didn't mind because) but it was on the house. I liked the food, the band was fun. So what if they sang the same 5 german songs and pelted you with country and 80's classics. If a drunk german band plays YMCA on the accordion, you get up and do the motherfuckin' YMCA. Don't be that wet towel whiner going "oh my god!! How many times do I have to yell Hoi Hoi Hoi!!!". So in closing (my apologies if I went off tangent, I have 2 liters of beer in me. I can hold my liquor unlike some), I like this place. It's loud and fun and there's beer. Don't be a snooty little whiner.
(5)Helen L.
If you want to go to a nice, quiet restaurant, don't come here. It's loud, it's wild and it's FUN! The band does a great job of interacting with people and getting everyone to stand on their benches and join in singing Das Fliegerlied and raising their glasses to Ein Prosit. Make the most of it - join in the fun! The food is good - not the best, but then again, I compare it to my mother's and sister's cooking, which is true, authentic German cooking! But, for a restaurant, it's not bad. I had the Schnitzel Wiener Art, which was a lot of food - and tasty! My husband had the sausages and must have liked them because he ate the whole plate. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and we never had to wait for her. And the phone came out less than 15 minutes after our order was put in. It actually surprised us. If you get the chance to visit this restaurant - do it. But only do it if you like to have a lot of fun!
(4)Edward L.
If you find yourself exhausted, thirsty, and hungry from all that outlet shopping...head over to Hofbrauhaus. Fantastic patio area to enjoy a nice summer evening with a Hefe Weizen & Jagerschnitzel!! The planes are super loud as they fly over...but if you can tolerate them, go for the nice patio! Unless the live band is playing inside, which is always a great time. 1. Beers will be around $7-$10 2. Entrees will be around $15-$25 We tried the red and white radish app which was excellent with a nice dusting of salt. This option is definitely geared for the vegetarian so watch out, its a lot of radish! The jagerschnitzel was well cooked with delicious, creamy, mushroom sauce and crispy bacon on top. Great area, great location, great spot to get some beers and enjoy some German food!
(4)Mike H.
Parking is a bit of a pain, as you need to be in the Rosemont garage instead of in the lot next to the building. We were warned that if we stayed in that lot we would be ticketed. The good news is that they do validate. The beer is very good, as you would expect from a beer hall with a brewery on site, and is just like the beer at the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. We enjoyed the live entertainment, and the band was trying, but the crowd was just not very into it, and singing along is half the fun at a beer hall. The food was good, but I think you can get better German food at the Chicago Brauhaus, Mirabel, Laschet's and Eidelweis. I'd go back if invited, but not sure if I'd make the trip on my own dime.
(3)Margaret S.
The atmosphere is good and I liked the kitschy band, but the food and beer was a dissapointment. They only have 4 beers...at a beer hall. Of course the day we were there, they were OUT of one of the beers...and then there were three. The sauerbraten and spaetzel was okay, not great, kinda buried in the sauce. It would have been fine for 12.95, but disapointing for 18.95. $18.95...had to purchase the soup (the best thing I had, liver dumpling for $5.95) and when I asked the waiter for some bread (a nice rye, anyone?) it was an additional cost. Really? I may try it again, and just hang in the bar and have one of the four beers and a pretzel, but I belie
(3)andre L.
Cafeteria hall feel. Food good not great. Had pork medallions. From the moment you walk in staff is a bit aloof; not warm as I expected a German restaurant to be.
(3)Emily S.
Great that you could make reservations on open table. We had no issues with them finding out reservation when we got there. We ate in the beer hall, if you come after 5pm on a week night there is a band. Try the beer, it is excellent and is made there. We shared the pretzel appetizer, the cheese is amazing. We both got the Worstplatte and loved it. There was so much food I took it home. We also got the Black Forest Cake which I highly recommend. Seating is bench seating in the beer hall, which would be nice for groups. There is also outdoor seating and a more private dining hall. Waitress was attentive and very polite. Make sure to have parking validated before leaving. Very nice place, we would return.
(4)MK W.
The food is good, but the waiter (Charlie) was an arrogant jerk. He didn't even ask us what size beer we wanted and brought these enormous steins. I told him we didn't want such large beers and he argued with us that he thought that is what we ordered. We didn't even make a dent in our beers and it was not a very pleasant experience. Portions are large and it is expensive. I guess you're paying for the atmosphere. Save your money and go to Germany.
(3)Matthew L.
Good recreation of the real thing in Munich minus the history. The scale is really what it's all about. This place would be awesome on a summer afternoon with the doors open, the oom-pah band blaring, and all the tables full. On a Thursday night in February, it's a little lame. Go with a group of friends, buy a few litres of bier and you'll have a good time regardless. Not gonna be as cheap as the local sports bar but it's worth a trip for the experience!
(4)Julie W.
I'm instantly a fan of Hofbrauhaus. Came here on a Thursday night with my husband for a little date night. We started at another place in The Park but after hearing he wasn't hungry, and I was, we made our way over around 10pm (he's not a schnitzel or sausage kinda guy). Upon arriving there were tons of seating all around, we decided to sit at the bar. The bartenders were both very friendly and took our order immediately. I had a bahama breeze (sorry, not a beer girl!) and he had a big ole' liter of the lager. Plus it was $8.99 liter night! Definitely cannot beat that price at The Park!! We had a little issue with our food taking a bit longer than expected but once we asked our bartender about our food, he immediately ran to the back and brought out a piping hot plate. Great service is always appreciated! Now the main reason I wanted to come was not only for the giant imported pretzel but for the CURRYWURST! When I traveled to Berlin several years ago, I practically lived off of currywurst. I haven't found a place in the city that does it better than Hofbrahaus did, it was like I was walking along the Ku'damm all over again. I was definitely a happy gal. The pretzel was delicious as well. Chewy, warm, just enough salt. The liver mousse was really good as well as the rest of the dips. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but why not? The atmosphere on a Thursday was kind of bland, but from the looks of the place it seems like a Friday or Saturday night must be a riot. The German band played a mix of traditional songs and very bad cover songs..just like being in Germany! Haha. But besides that it was a great night. Only gripe is that they closed down the gift shop before they actually closed, around 11:30. I understand that people want to go home but I definitely wanted to take a look around! Also, a little FYI...if you are going to have your ladies wear dirndls with their boobies hanging out, make sure that: A) these ladies have boobies to hang out and B) that they are attractive enough to have their boobies hang out. Saw some waitresses who looked like they just rolled out of bed. Not a cute look, girls. Overall if you want a good time with friends, wonderful, authentic German food and bier, Hofbrauhaus is the place! Sure, it's not the cheapest place to eat or drink but then again is any place at The Park cheap?? I'm definitely a fan and I will be back!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Love this place! My new favorite hangout, just wish I were closer to it. Amazing food & atmosphere! Beer contests are fun to watch and keeps it lively. People getting shots are quite funny too! Definitely a fun place to go! You'll love it:)
(5)Smita D.
This is a very disappointing German establishment and a total tourist trap! I lived in Germany and speak fluent German and found this place to be absolutely inaccurate and awful. The food was very unimpressive too. Also, the hall is not constructed well. The live music permeates everywhere and you can't hold a conversation with friends over a meal, which is disappointing and frustrating. However, if you love beer, this place is great and you'll get some tasty drinks.
(2)Prashant C.
Yesterday night was my second time at Hofbrauhaus... if you love having beer then this place is definitely worth a visit .. last time I had the large of Weiss and yesterday had the Octoberfest starting with 1L... My beer thirst was satiated after doing the second round of .5L. Giant pretzel with musturd.. yes plz ! Pork Sausage with onion mustard.. bring it on..!! loved the food & the whole beer hall set up. It had a live band last night and the whole place was very alive, people were getting paddle spanked by the waitress.. few folks after their 2nd or 3rd Liter of beer were standing on tables... loved the atmosphere ... ideal place to spend time with friend and on weekend.. Place was not cheap, pretzel was $13 with cheese and musturd and Beer 1L was also about the same... but then you get what you pay. Don't worry about parking as they validate parking . Will I visit again? Absolutely! Just make sure to pick a night when there is lot of action happening and bring your friends.. everyone will enjoy
(4)Elizabeth T.
Dinner for four on a weeknight: THE GOOD: + Fun atmosphere! (Very comparable to the one in Germany) + A++++++ service! Wait staff, servers, and bus boys were awesome! THE SO-SO: +/- Food was so so. Just as you'd expect: Your average German eats THE BAD: - Spacey/airhead hostesses. Probably need to work more on greeting customers promptly instead staring into space - Parking was a pain. This is in Rosemont's entertainment district so expect a parking lot maze. - EXPENSIVE! We ordered a "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 dips: sweet mustard, onion mustard, and cheese) for our appetizer. It was $13+!!!! For a pretzel? I thought Auntie Anne's pretzel in the shopping malls were already expensive! That just blew my mind. Wow! Shnitzel sandwich (fried chicken breast on a kaiser roll) $13+ I forgot what our other 2 companions ordered but each were $17+ each dish Beer (Premium Lager) was $13 - Food was super salty BOTTOM LINE: It was a fun place to be in but would probably not come back unless someone paid for me. I'm still not over the sticker shock on that pretzel appetizer.
(3)Alma C.
The smell of mash as you enter tells you everything you need to know about this place: go. for. the. beer. The hefeweizen in particular was very refreshing, I liked the pretzels and dipping mustards, but the brats...not so much (uniform hot dog-like texture, no thanks). Bonus point for the festive and friendly atmosphere with live entertainment (3 person band with a certifiable cow bell genius on staff). Fun little stop in an odd area convenient to the highways and O'Hare.
(3)Jill A.
Loud.....very loud. So loud that our server couldn't hear our order. I have been to the location in Munich. This is a weird approximation. I ordered a salad and two drinks and my share of the bill was $40. Very expensive.
(2)Joel P.
Really fun place. Great German band and mess hall atmosphere. Prices pretty steep for mediocre food. A lot of rules which was kind of annoying. ie no side subs no bill splitting no beer samples... Make sure you valet at the restaurant bc it's $7 as apposed to the garage which is $13 and a further walk.
(3)Mike N.
How disappointing! My ginger and I ran past here recently to try it out, since we've been watching it being built for a while now, and what a tremendous disappointment. The only thing I disliked more than the food was the service. We sat at the bar and not once did I see any of the 4 bartenders interact with any guest. They only seemed to break up the conversation with themselves when someone waved for their attention. Two of the bartenders were obviously more concerned with getting each other naked (which I'm always a proponent for!) than refilling a beer or taking an order. The beer was good, but don't expect the bartenders to give you any help deciding what to drink. The food was a disappointment. Obviously mass produced, everything we touched was lukewarm. And nothing is made in house! The people sitting next to me asked the bartender if they made the sausage in house, and was told that a distributor makes in and then sends it to them. Seriously? Maybe its just opening issues, but just a real disappointment.
(1)Michael R.
I love this place. German beer, german food, german decor. Yes the band is cheesy but the atmosphere is great! They spank you if you order a shot and they have a great selection of merchandise and beer!
(5)Josan K.
I want to really like this place but.... 1 litre of bier will cost you $17 (with tax and small tip). Food portions are soooo small, no substitutions what-so-ever! oh, and pricey. Service was slow. There were about ten of us at a bench and we got three beers at a time in 10-15 minute increments! And the food took forever. It's a shame, I guess your paying for the acts from Germany. The entertainment band is usually fun. And i would suggest at least making one visit to see the live music cause it's straight out of Munich fun! I'm in a traditional German band and the music fits right in. This is one quality your really not going to find this at the other German bars. Other bars in the area have local acts but the Hofbrau gets the real acts from overseas. It's good to go for a beer and watch the music but just get ready to unload your wallet! As for alternatives, I would highly suggest laschet's Inn, then Mirabells and then Edelweiss and Brauhaus. The only reason why i say that is those to places feel more like a neighborhood bar rather then going to one of the "big" chicago german places. Prost!
(2)Dan P.
Fun, Loud, and Tasty. we 32 people in our group for my wife and a friends birthdays, Our waitress Ashley was AWESOME, she got everyones order correct, she had a great attitude, she was very helpful in answering question about the bill and the food. It is hard to find good people like that. we will be back and always request ASHLEY. there was a 18% tip added to our bill, we also gave her 50$ on top of that. thank you for a awesome time!!!!!
(4)Victoria M.
Went there last sunday. OMG Beer was great, food was great, Strudel was great! Not a cheap place to go, we spent 100 for two people,but had two beers, an app, two dinners, and a dessert. I had sausage to take home! The sourkraut reminded me of my grams. It was a fun time!
(5)David K.
Exciting experience very crowded and loud - not my choice - met friends there for dinner and beer. Excellent entertainment during October Fest.
(3)Nikki M.
I thought this place was mediocre. The atmosphere is very loud. It's kind of like eating in a cafeteria with a bunch of sloppy drunks. Women dancing on tables people yelling with their beers in the air. The food was just ok. I had the schnitzel with potato salad and a side red cabbage. I also tried some of their sausage and mashed potatoes and their potato soup. The potato soup was really thick maybe a little too thick. Kind of slop-ish. They really overdo it with the mustard that they put in anything involving potatoes. The sausage was good smaller than expected but tasty to say the least. I chose going here over the bavarian lodge in Lisle which I will never do again. This place IS not good for dates but rather for friends to party with. I also am disappointed in their lack of beer selection. Their beer is ok but lacks in flavor. I won't be going here again, most likely.
(2)Ron S.
We visited Hofbrauhaus at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was at least 3/4 full. A German two-piece band was in full song and everyone was in good spirits. The decor is very German beer hall style and I think they do a good job of creating the appropriate Gemutlichkeit. I enjoyed both the Original Lager and Dunkel. The Lager was very good and the Dunkel was just average. My wife ordered a liter stein of light. I sampled it and it tasted OK but, lets face it, its still light beer. I ordered Gulasch soup and Jaeger Schnitzel and my wife ordered the Leberkaese. Sadly, food is where Hofbrauhaus drops the ball. The Gulasch soup was tasteful although mildly seasoned. For $5.95, the portion was small. It was adorned with salad croutons. I've ordered many bowls of Gulasch soup and never had croutons. OK - easily fished out and tossed to the side. My Jaeger Schnitzel arrived and I could easily tell that it was pre-prepared. It was dry and even the mushroom gravy couldn't save it. It came with spaetzels that were OK. Again, a weird adornment for my schnitzel - bacon! Yeah, I know everyone is on the bacon kick but it doesn't belong on Jaeger Schnitzel. At $18, they need to do better. My wife's Leberkaese was a poor, tasteless rendition of what can be a nice change of pace. Neither entree came with a vegetable. The best part of both of our meals was the potato salad that came with my wife's meal. Although I really enjoyed the beer and atmosphere, I felt the quality of the food for the price paid was not up to par. There is no doubt that Hofbrauhaus Chicago will be wildly successful owing to their great location and the proximity of ample tourists and convention business. For me, there are still a small handful of German restaurants in the area that offer a much better value and food product. Beer & Gemutlichkeit = 4 stars, Food = 1 star.
(2)James K.
Came here to grab a drink after watching a movie, and I was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere of this place is amazing. It has the festive mood of Oktoberfest and a live band and Liter sized mugs. The micro-brewed beer was smooth. I tried the Dunkel as well as the Heffeweizen, and both were great. We came back here the following week with friends and once again had a great time. shots + spanks = hilarious fun time
(5)Rachael P.
Take a deep breath and as soon as you walk into the place you smell HOPS!! Lots of HOPS! The establishment is great. Very big restaurant, awesome beer, and live entertainment. I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany and it doesn't compare to the original, but considering it's in Rosemont, IL it's not a bad comparison. I give it 3 stars and not 4 or 5 stars because the food is standard. Nothing extraordinary about it. It's not bad. It's just not memorable. The prices are a bit high for what you get in taste. Also, the wait to be seated is ridiculous!! A group of us stopped by on a Saturday night to find out that there was a 2 hour wait. We went back on a Wednesday afternoon and the place was almost empty. Therefore, service was superb! I have to mention that the beer is AMAZING! TIP: If you go on a Friday, call ahead for reservations. They make reservations for non-peak times. They do NOT take reservations on Saturdays.
(3)Jennifer N.
I have been here twice in the past week to celebrate my dad's birthday and I have no plans on going back. I liked how big the space is and the decor. It does feel like a German beer hall, but that's about all I liked. I'm not really a beer drinker so I can't comment on that (although my dad said that it isn't the same as the real stuff...he would know, he had been stationed in Germany). The food tasted fine but they must do something weird to it. Typically I can eat German food (a brat or chicken with sauerkraut and red cabbage) and not gain weight, but the next day I was three pounds heavier (that's with no cake and hardly eating during the day) and felt totally gross for the next two days. Both times I went I ordered something different and each time it was the same. The service was mixed. On one trip it was decent but slow. The other trip our waitress was a little spacey. Orders kept getting mixed up and nothing showed up together. I asked for water and she said they were out. My brother and I each ordered a side of German rye bread and she didn't bring him anything and she gave me kaiser rolls. Finally she brought the bread for me but then tried to give my brother the kaiser rolls. (To her credit, when I was there before I had ordered bread and they brought American rye because there was a computer glitch...I'm assuming the glitch has not been fixed). She did not know the menu (for example, my brother ordered the seasonal beer and she tried to tell him it didn't exist when it is on the menu). It could be that some of the problems are due to the fact that it is a new restaurant. Maybe I'll give it another chance in 6 months, but for now, when I want German food, I will be going into the city.
(1)Johnny R.
Deets.... Seats 1000, supposedly 2 hour place wait on the weekends, we went Wednesday night and it was maybe 20% busy. Our validated parking was free (instead of $13). Food was solid, beers were good, and the band was entertaining. I'd go again, though it has a sleek business feel, I felt like I could have been in Orlando or other touristy places. But don't get me wrong, the food was solid. If I was a non-local traveler and had a trade show at the Stevenson center, I'd eat here again.
(3)Dave F.
I have been to this location many times since it opened. I feel like the food is over priced for what it is. I don't think its bad or they give you small portions. It is just simply over priced. I literally (not figuratively) think everything on the menu could be 2-4 dollars cheaper and they could still make there profit. I have ventured all over the menu and enjoyed the food, but I did not enjoy the price at all. My favorite thing on the menu is Schnitzel Wiener Art, crazy German names! The beers... I have really enjoyed the different beers I have had here. I enjoy the Hefe Weizen the most but have had the Lager and Light and enjoyed them both. Again I think they are slightly over priced. I think they could knock off 2 dollars per size and then they would be priced appropriately. The atmosphere varies depending on the day and time you visit. If you go for lunch or dinner early or mid week this place is a bit tame compared to Friday or Saturday nights. Those nights have a lot of entertainment and it is super loud, almost to the point where you are watching a show rather than enjoying your groups company. None the less, if you come on Friday or Saturday and have some drinks you should have a good time. I do like that while they make you wait for a table they do have some seating and a huge lobby with a gift shop. I appreciate not being stuffed in to a tiny vestibule with 20 other people. As with all restaurants in MB Park the parking can be difficult but it is to be expected. All in all I will be back because it is a fun atmosphere but I will probably only drink or eat because the cost is to damn high.
(3)Greg H.
I went there earlier in the week with some friends from "Hey Der" Wisconsin, the land of beer and brats. The place was outstanding on all counts, ambiance felt like I was in Munich Germany. Excellent food, most enjoyable German music and the service was outstanding. Felt like I should have been wearing my - lederhosen, german word for leather breeches. Lastly the beer was fabulous, just like what would be served in Germany in the 1 liter mugs, smaller glasses are also available. All good, I would suggest you add this to your must go list with friends and family. Great fun and great laughs had by all.
(5)Capaytano H.
Place is overrated probably would not go back. Food ok music loud. Would not make this a place to frequent that often
(3)Liz A.
A fun experience that's probably worth trying at least once. The food is not as good as the one in Munich, but it's still pretty good and the choices are more German than you'll be able to find most other places. The downside, I think the American twist on the clothes, accessories and gift shop is kind of ruining the authenticity of this location. Also, it seems a little pricey.
(3)Kristina K.
Excellent food, vibe, music and staff!!
(5)Brian P.
Awesome place to enjoy some great German beer and traditional foods, all in a rowdy German atmostphere. The food is good but a little expensive and overpriced. Fast service and live entertainment were the best parts and you can get beers in 1 liter mugs. Music is a little loud though so this isn't the best place to have a business meeting or important conversation
(4)vytas b.
I've been to Oktoberfest on the 'weisen a couple of times. I love the HBH, and I'd love to give higher marks to this place. It's an absolutely beautiful place - a very nice beer hall. But the beer is awful. You could buy 12 month old half liters of HB beer from Binnys and it would be better. The beer, instead of finishing with a sweet note, finishes with a seltzer water like taste. And that is their Premium lager(they were out of the light). The fest beer had the same symptoms. Maybe they are using a 'localized' recipe to compete with Miller lite, but the beer doesn't live up to the reputation, nor does it approach the real thing. Is it the lake Michigan water? I don't know. But I hope the HBH figures it out and fixes its beer I had the jaeger schnitzel several times (served with fried onions for some mystifying reason), and its ok. Better than the beer. In all fairness, I've visited several times since the opening, hoping it'd get better, but it hasn't; and I've asked some friends who've also been to the real HBH, and they've said the same thing ab. Waitresses in their dierndelslook fantastic, but it doesn't make the beer taste any better. Ok, maybe a little bit. Service is pretty good too, in my opinion.
(3)Pham D.
This place is huge, but make sure you're ok with sitting at a communal table with another group of people. Even though we saw lots of empty tables, we were seated with a party of 6. I'm sure if you ask, you could sit somewhere else, but we were gung-ho for anything, so we just shrugged it off and sat down.. but...AWKWARD!!! We shared the crispy pork plate which was humongous. The piece of pork was the size of my head, and it came with 2 sides of dumplings and a bowl of coleslaw. The sides were bland, but that skin on the pork was so fatty and delicious. Apparently, it taste just like in Germany. They skimp on the gravy and we had to ask for more. A live band also came on at the end of the meal, and the place literally woke up. Stars were deducted for service though. We had a hard to tracking down our server. We were halfway done with our meal before our extra gravy arrived. The place also need a better system of table-numbering. I witnessed 2 separate servers/food runner standing there counting the tables with their head and getting lost about who's food is whom. It was really funny to see... Be sure to check out the gift shop on the way out. I would have love to check out the distillery though. Maybe next time.
(3)J. Chuck K.
Be prepared to spend a few bucks.... Based on the prices, it's clear this place is catering to tourists and business people patronizing the hotels, conference center and concert venues. Although I came here with this expectation, I just didn't know how bad it was going to be. I know now why they don't post a menu with prices on their website. In contrast to previous reviews, our service was great. The beers were about as good as expected, but I was disappointed they didn't offer more HB beers. There wasn't even a seasonal beer. The negative reviews about the food are spot on. The food is not cooked to order and does taste like it's prepackaged. After ordering the jumbo pretzel appetizer, the waitress was back in literally under 2min with a cold one. Overall, the place has a nice authentic feel, and the band puts on a good show, but the food and prices are really unreasonable. It may be a good place to go with friends for a few beers and listen to the music, but due to the pricing it's not family friendly.
(2)Andi C.
We went to Hofbrauhaus on a Friday early- about 5:30 pm. We made a reservation but when we got there we realized we didn't really need one. I was so excited because we went to original in Munich Germany and I thought for sure it would be reminiscent of that. The Good. 1. Atmosphere was light. 2. Band was fun. 3. Beer was good. 4. Bathroom was clean. 5. The look is very much like the original The Bad. 1. Very expensive 2. We had a server- Warren- who was more interested with flirting with with the other waitresses than doing his job. We had to have bus boys find him - twice-. He was never apologetic and other people in his section were complaining about him as well. 3.Food was so expensive and not quality. Nothing is made to order. The food comes out so fast- you know it's sitting under a heat lamp in the back. "No substitutions" obviously because they can't take the time to prepare a new plate for each dish. Overall: A great place to get a beer and listen to music but if you are looking for a nice dinner and good service this would not be the place for you.
(2)Ricky M.
This place is awesome! Food is authentic, beers by the liter, the attire the staff wears, the bands that play whats not to like. This place does get loud so if your looking for a romantic night out this isn't the place to go!
(5)R.g. C.
Atmosphere was fun but the servers did not know a damn thing about the menu nor did they know anything about Germany. Why the hell would you hire people that know nothing about weisswurst, pork knuckle, etc. and you are trying to up sell me by selling me the seasonal brew, which you brew in house yet I cannot have a sample? BOOM one star. I've been to Munchen and Bayern on multiple times, during Oktoberfest and not and the only thing this place resembles is their tent at Oktoberfest. I think the food was def pre packaged, as it tasted microwaved. 2 stars for the waitress jumping on the table with us as we sang hoy hoy hoy
(2)Binni S.
I must say, this place is not for everyone. If you are looking for a new experience and trying different types of cuisine, experience, culture-- this may be worth a place to try out! The atmosphere is loud, but also very fun. The Beer hall is traditional with long tables and benches. They have a stage with musicians, and a small bar area too. My favorite part on friday/saturday nights when full-- people standing up on the benches and singing the drinking song along with the band (Cheers to you)! The food is not for vegetarians. Lots of Meat and sausage. The Half roasted chicken with rosemary is pretty good and the sweet mustard sauce with the pretzel is good.. One suggestion, I wish the pretzel was warm. I still enjoyed the pretzel as a snack even though it is served cold. LOVE THE BEER. If you are a beer person, this is a great place! They do only have 4 choices, but it is a microbrewery. I usually do not drink dark beers, and I absolutely loved it. Very smooth. The wheat and premium lager are also delicious. I love going to this place for the atmosphere and the beer but had to give one star off for the food. Happy Exploring!
(4)Mike B.
I think every new place goes through growing pains, and some of the early reviews here seem to suggest that. This place is very new and the staff must be getting better because we experienced none of the issues some of the other reviewers encountered. Our hostess was charming, and we were checked in right away. While we've never been to this Hofbrauhaus, we have been to the original in Germany on several occasions, and our hostess was very interested in how this one compares with the original. Our server was very attentive and prompt. The beer was fabulous. The food was great. If you come here for a quiet meal, you've come to the wrong place - this is very much a German beer hall with loud music and lots of noise! It's all part of the experience. I downgraded the stars to 4 because of price. It is expensive. The food is good, but I still like the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle for their food. But for the total German experience, this place is great. I felt after leaving that the staff does read these reviews and is improving. Given the investment in this area, I'm sure they want to succeed. We will come back! P.S. make sure you ask to get parking validated!
(4)Kristine N.
We came here for a birthday party and we were seated right away even though not all 20 people were there. Service is really friendly. It's a huge restaurant with a stage with a small band. It's not excruciatingly loud though, which I liked. Plenty of beer options and the boot is a must do. Although you must pay for the boot to take home, which I thought was stupid, not everyone wants to take a boot home. We ordered plenty of pretzels which were soft, salty, and huge. Came with 3 dips. The cheese and the mustard were good. For dinner we pretty much got a good variety of things and everyone seemed satisfied. The birthday girl had a burger which is apparently ground beef and ground pork which gives it that extra flavor. I ordered the jäger schnitzel which was sooooooo good. Came with an interesting noodle that I thought were potatoes. The cranberries give the chicken a good kick. My boyfriend ordered the Weiner schnitzel art which was fried crispy and was pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the potato salad. Very sour and had a weird mashed potato consistency. We'd like to come back and try a few other items sometimes soon.
(4)Rick N.
We went to the Haufbrauhaus on Sunday for dinner with a party of 7. It was an awesome experience with singing and beer. Great food and beer, a great server Rae Rae ( Raeanna ). If you love German Food, bold beer, a party atmosphere, music and a Octoberfest environment. This is for you. Get the valet parking. Its only 7 dollars and worth it in winter. If you are a party of 4 or less you may share a table. Its Loud so its hard to talk so not intimate. Were going back with new other friends in two weeks. Rae Rae works weekends. I woud and always will ask for her section!
(5)John G.
Hofbrauhaus was a blast last night. If you want a quiet little place to enjoy German cuisine, this is NOT the place to go. It's big, it's loud, the fresh brewed German beer is great and they have pretty good German food; it also seems to be everyone's birthday (the band announced one every 20 minutes). It was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but we enjoyed GIANT beers near the bar while we waited. We were entertained by the interactive band and the waitress that couldn't keep up with the line of people waiting for a spanking with the wooden stick (who knows, but it was funny). At least on a busy weekend night, it's a great place to go with a group to get loud, sing along with the band, stand on your chair and shout german toasts and have a good time. They also validate your parking ticket, so it's free. Or you can pay $7 to valet. Some say it's overpriced, but we didn't think so. The beers are huge and it's no more expensive than any downtown spot. As long as you know what you're in for, then it will be fun. Loud (did I say it was loud? lol), crowded, raucous, a little pricey and fun. The other upside is you can always meander to any of the other spots in the Rosemont Entertainment district.
(4)Janet N.
Beer was good. Food is ok but pretty overpriced. $90 for and app, 2 beers a piece and 2 lunch entrees.
(3)Pete L.
Nothing German about it. Beer is good, not even close to German Potato salad. Sausages are good. German band was a cover band. They were terrible. Very Disappointed. Not a German Experience at all. Over priced food and no German atmosphere at all. Go some place else for German food and music and beer for that matter.
(2)Eric A.
I was ready to leave a bad review due to their no substitution policy. What restaurant in this day and age doesn't allow substitutions? Some people have diet restrictions and there are way to many restaurant options out there to not accommodate your guests. Luckily, we had a great waiter who sympathized with my anger of no substitutions and accommodated. Now that my rant is over, I will say the food was delicious. I ordered some roasted chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The beer, even though they are limited in options, is great. They brew their own beer, so it actually tastes better than hofbrau beer I've had before. If you want selection go to park tavern next door, if you want a great German beer in a beer hall atmosphere, this is your place. Even though their substitution policy sucks, this place is solid. Definitely, a great place to stop after work and grab a few beers.
(4)Kalyn H.
I really dislike this place. Been here a handful of times because I love German beer and food and try to give them a "last chance" but I've been disappointed every time always due to the service. Even when sitting at the bar the beer is slow, the servers are awkward, and sometimes the just disappear. One time we weren't even noticed sitting in a section and had to wait over fifteen minutes before walking out and going next door. We tried to order the pretzel (small version under apps, $4-5 or so) and the waitress didn't even clarify and brought us the completely wrong, jumbo $15 one, what the...?!?
(1)Susan C.
I won a hefty gift card to this restaurant and decided to use it to celebrate my October birthday. Big mistake. Huge. First, we made reservations and the gal who made them told us NOT to use the address on the website if using GPS and gave us a Bryn Mawr Ave. location to put it. Our GPS guided us on a roundabout trip to a back lot somewhere and it was already time to meet my son...We were frantic and tried to call the restaurant many times but they hung up on us. We finally found it and spot my son and his wife. The noise was deafening. Here's my advice: never visit during Oktoberfest! I couldn't hear myself talk much less hear my son across the table. I could barely hear the waitress. I felt the food was pricey for what you actually got. I wanted to substitute cabbage for potato salad but was told there were NO substitutions. There was no bread on the table and the tables were shared, no less, with others....People were going crazy, standing on the benches and singing and clapping. Okay, if you like this kind of thing but not for a special birthday. This is in a huge new entertainment complex. It's very hard to find and parking can be difficult. We valet parked for $7 & were the last car to be allowed to do so. Will NOT be returning.......
(2)Geoff N.
Better than Edelweiss! Almost as fum as Munich! Great beer, great atmosphere, Fantastic food! The only thing that we didn't like was one of our two orders of potato pancakes. But seriously great food, and dinner show! If you can put up with a loud atmosphere, this is the place to go. Weiner Schnitzel and Jäger Schnitzel out of this world... probably one of the top German places outside of München(Munich).. a must try IMO, warning you may be waiting a bit for a table on Fridays or Saturdays they don't take reservations...
(5)Jonathan N.
Okay service, good beer(brewed in house), and okay food. If you wanted German beer and food, I'd definitely come here because its hard to find a good combo of both. If you only want some good beer, I'd suggest park tavern across the street. It's more of a place you go to feel like you're back in Germany (I think they tried mimicking the old one) the food was not amazing or fresh and came out cafeteria style. It's priced a little high for what seems to be frozen food. I don't think I'd come back but that's because I'd rather eat other things in the area that is not German.
(3)Cindy S.
Love the fun atmosphere! Food is wonderful and served quickly. Beer is so good hefeweizen is my favorite. If you get the pretzel be sure and get the Brie. Drinking games, fun band, people doing shots followed by a paddling all done in great fun. Party place!!!
(5)Ken P.
I've read a few negative reviews of the Hofbrauhaus so I kept my expectations relatively low, and when I left I was pleasantly surprised. My family of four enjoyed everything from the jumbo pretzel through vegetable soup, curry wurst, and pork shank. While not a five star dining experience, the Hofbrauhaus hit all the marks for large, energetic dining/beer hall. Service was very attentive, live music lent a nice background without bring overly loud and the food was good. We had a fun time! I would recommend this restaurant to friends looking for a fun, dining experience and I will be returning myself.
(4)Yunnis S.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere but overall 3 stars for the service and food. My husband and I took his friend and girlfriend here about 3 weeks ago. We made reservations as it was a Saturday night around 8pm. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated which was great because they were packed. We ordered the pretzel which was amazing. It came with 3 different dips and so we either loved all 3 or got to choose 1 that we really liked. The pretzels are flown in from Munich, Germany everyday which is fantastic. You can definitely taste the difference. When we looked at the menu, we didn't notice the price It's not something my husband and I really do when we go out to eat. We ordered our drinks and meals and just enjoyed the Munich-like atmosphere. The bench seating is great because if you've ever been to Germany, that's what it's like. The second time we went, we sat by some idiots and my husband calmed me down so I wouldn't make a scene. As soon as I sat down, the one lady said that it was awkward that we were sitting next to them, and they were also saying that they felt like they were at Medieval Times for adults. First of all, I LOVE Medieval Times and saying rude things like that is just disrespectful. Ignorant comments like that upset me because if you're not willing to immerse yourself in the culture completely, you shouldn't bother coming at all. Anyways, the food took some time to come out but we didn't mind. We enjoyed listening to the music and watching people dancing and just having a great time. My pork dish came with gravy and it was very salty. I couldn't even eat it. My husband loved his schnitzel and even loved mine, so he finished my entire plate as well. The potato dumplings were good and so were the spaetzle and red cabbage. My husband's friend and girl friend said the food was mediocre at best as we've been to other German restaurants together where the food is MUCH, MUCH better. When we received the bill, that's where the surprise came. The bill was REALLY high and we only had 3 beers at our table. The second time we went, we made reservations again for 8pm on a Saturday. This time, it wasn't as packed and we were seated right away. This will boggle your mind. The waitress who seated us came up to us about 30 minutes later and accused us of seating ourselves. We looked at her like she was crazy and told her, "YOU SAT US." It is really loud in there so I'm not sure if she was aware of the things we were telling her, but how do you not remember seating people that YOU sat? I mean, there are a lot of people in there but I would hope you're not that much out of your mind that you'd go up to paying customers and obnoxiously accuse them of sitting down without being asked to. Our jaws literally dropped and that left a bad taste in our mouths. I thought about complaining to a manager but as we were leaving, my husband asked to see a manager for a quick second and the hostess said, "It's gonna have to be awhile. It's really busy." Yes, it was busy so here I am writing this Yelp review which I don't mind doing (= This time, I ordered a different pork dish and asked for the gravy on the side. It was dry without the gravy but at least it wasn't salty. Again, the food was mediocre at best and the bill was pretty high. Overall, I'd recommend this place for the atmosphere. Other than that, do not expect stellar service or great tasting/priced food. There are definitely better places in the city and the suburbs for German restaurants that have great service, food, and prices. Oh and PLEASE do not write or complain about how you don't like sitting with others or about the atmosphere or some place. I will just tell you that you shouldn't try new things then because you clearly can't handle being open-minded.
(3)ALFREDO M.
The beer is awfully good and so is the food. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what I had to eat which should be a good indicator of just how good the beer is. I'm not kidding - 4 liters is basically a 12 pack of beer... did you know that? I know that now. In my haze, I remembered we ordered some soft pretzels - and I think I had some sausage with some potato on the side... there was some cutlet that was pounded flat and breaded and fried... jeezus - we had a lot of beer and I assure you it was good. I feel like we were kind of hard on our waiter - we brought him a group of 12 and it somehow morphed into a group of 17-18. He split our check as well as he could - we were kind of sloppy by that point in the evening but he was a good sport.
(5)AJ M.
Always wondered what it would be like to be at a bar in Germany, and according to a friend this is the closet thing to it without leaving the country. This place is great because it is so unique. The environment is like non i have ever experienced. The waitresses wear traditional attire and will spank you with a paddle after u order a round of shots. There's live music, and TVs everywhere (although there could be more). Now the beer is so so. Nothing special. The Hefe weizen which was my fav, it tasted like a Hoegarden. The Premium and light lagers had a really watered down taste like a bud light. I haven't tasted the food. Although I am definitely gonna comeback and try it along with the dunkel. If your up to do the boot deff do it!!
(4)Jason F.
Hofbräu beer has always been my favorite and when I heard this place was opening in Rosemont I was really excited. Hofbräuhaus has 4 different types of regularly offered beer plus a seasonal and they brew it right there since it's a brewery. Hofbräuhaus is the only place I know that offers German beer in a 1 liter mug and it always tastes deliciously fresh and full of flavor till the very last sip. The "bands" on stage are usually older men dressed in German attire singing German songs in German but occasionally they'll sing American songs IE: Happy Birthday, Christmas songs, Thanksgiving songs and Easter songs.
(5)Reena M.
Just had dinner here with my sweetie last night.. We had such a Wonderful Experience! The Staff was friendly and courteous, the atmosphere was FUN, and the food was Delicious!!! I can't wait to try the one in Munich, Germany! Definitely try the bread dumpling!
(5)Ken And Laura M.
We were here April 9, 2013 for lunch. The beers were better then I expected. Three sizes to choose from. I wanted to taste one of the selections however, the waitress informed me that everything is metered so no tasting allowed.(???) Never-the-less I would have ordered what I tasted anyway it was that good! Laura liked it too. She normally doesn't like the darker type beer. The food was very good. Although for lunch is was a little pricey $72 with 15% tip (because we sat at the bar). We always tip less when sitting at the bar.
(4)William B.
Rachel K's review is spot on. I really couldn't have said it better, so I won't try. I'll keep it brief. I have had the good fortune to visit the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. This is a mighty good experience of a German beer hall. sitting at long bench style tables, drinking large, liter beers, loud German polka music in the background, eating typically bland, German food- potatoes & sausages. Its a party, people. I do agree that it does seem a bit of a tourist trap, and can be pricey. As far as the food goes, it is very tasty for German food. It's not fine dining. No table cloths here. If you know to expect to have a good, casual time, then I think you will really enjoy Hofbrauhaus.
(5)Christine B.
We, a party of four, went Saturday, 2-1-2014, at 8:00pm. We ordered the Jagerschnitzels and the Kalbschnitzels and Bratwurst dinners. The Jagerschnitzels, with the mushroom sauce, were excellent The Veal Schnitzel consisted of an extremely thin piece of veal, and mostly breading. It wasn't worth $26.99, and we wouldn't order that again. We had the Apfelstrudel for dessert. It was the worst strudel we have ever had, and we would never order that again. Our waitress, Tori, was the best ! Everything was delivered on time, and she kept checking with us if everything was ok.
(4)Luis H.
Best beer ever
(5)Sue H.
Well I wish I could give Hofbrauhaus a better rating but I have to be honest . We had reservations and were seated promptly in long bench type table we had to share with another family. Wasn't crazy about this, but ok whatever. The guys ordered beers and were pretty happy, and we also ordered potato pancakes and a giant pretzel to share. So far so good. When we placed our orders we asked that we substitute the german potato salad for mashed potatoes. We all wanted to do this - that is the only request we made. Nope there are no substitutions. Oh come on...we pleaded with the waitress and asked her to please ask the manager, but nope she was steadfast and coldly told us absolutely not. They are busy and it would be confusing !? So a side order of mashed potatoes was ordered at $4.50 for a small bowl for one person. Where is the rye bread? Any german restaurant should give you a basket of rye bread and butter while you wait - we have to pay additional for that too. Was starting to feel a bit screwed. The band was energetic and played lots of music and at one point everyone stood on their chairs and sang and acted along (if they knew the routine). We tried to join in but everything was loud and chaotic and we ended up just clapping along. It was also hard to have any conversations because of all the noise. When the food came we expected a lot of food for the price of the dinners and I am pretty sure we were all disappointed. My pork tenderloin was good, but served with the German potato salad which I had no luck in substituting. Everyone else also left the potato salad untouched on their plates. So my dinner consisted only of the breaded pork tenderloin and the previous appetizers and ice tea. We also had to pay additional for gravy ! My husband said the sausages were good but nothing special and not worth the price. For dessert we ordered a couple of slices of apple strudel with vanilla sauce for ten bucks each and we split it. It was good. When the bill came it was over two hundred bucks. Ouch ! We paid, tipped 15% reluctantly and all agreed we would not be coming back.
(2)Anastasia S.
This is a novelty place.. It might be just me but wasn't a fan of the food
(2)Julie D.
They used to have a parking lot on the north side of the building that is gone and we didn't know where to park except in the parking garage, which is $13. There is a parking lot on the south side of the building that we didn't see until we got to the building. They will validate the parking ticket for you so it costs you nothing. Food has always been good and the beer is good as well. We always sit at the bar and have had no problems with service. The guys who play the music make it very entertaining by getting the guests to join in! And yes, it can be loud so if you are in the mood for a quiet evening out, this isn't the place! Will definitely return!
(4)Madison M.
This place was the nastiest place I've ever eaten. Gray meat, stale pretzel, bland mashed potatoes with every gross schnitzel inbetweeen. Unless you're getting blown by Gerda in the back id keep the sausage away from the mouth... DRUNK FOOD ONLY.
(1)Sarah S.
We went here on a Friday night around 7:30pm. Had absolutely no wait. Got seated outside on the patio- very nice. The inside has beer-hall style tables that were totally packed. They had a live band playing a mix of german drinking songs and old pop classics. Also did silly games like stein holding contest- totally cheesy but actually quite entertaining. Beer prices are fair, comes in multiple sizes. Saw a bunch of people with the totally ridiculous 1L size mugs, if that is your game. The area around is well developed with many restaurants and a movie theater. There is also the outlet mall recently opened. Parking was a little confusing, but not too bad. I took off 1 star because the food was just mediocre for the price. My husband had the Jagerschnitzel on recommendation of our server. It was very good. My dinner (can't remember the name) was mediocre at best. Meat was on the dry side, sides were bland. The "dark beer sauce" was oppressively salty. Would definitely expect much more out of a $17 entree. The server was attentive, food and beer came out in a timely manner. It seems totally acceptable to hang out for a while and just have beer. All in all it was a fun experience. I plan to go back. Might stick just to beer and maybe some appetizers instead of a full meal.
(4)John v.
It's got the oom pah pah band and all. Bring your skates in the Winter...there's an outdoor skating rink too!
(4)Rick C.
This was my first time at the Hofbrauhaus, my friend went to the one in Munich regularly when he worked for BMW. Fred had the Weisswuerst grilled (two links, med at best) with spatzle, I had the Schnitzel with dumplings, we each had the potato soup (best part of the meal), gravy and I had a diet pepsi while Fred had a .5 (Small) beer. The total was $70.12 before tip. I'm sorry I expect a lot more for $70! If you like German food go to the bavarian-lodge.com in Lisle, IL. Service was also poor. Very disappointing.
(1)Kyle E.
Had an amazing time as always! The band really makes the experience. The dunkel is my favorite, but try all the beers. Will keep coming back again and again!
(5)Ashley P.
POSITIVES: Fun & lively atmosphere, good selection of German food & tasty beer, large restaurant, live music, lively crowd, good location (the new MB Financial park in Rosemont), validated parking in parking garage. NEGATIVES: Pricy & extremely loud (to the point where you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you). I've visited this establishment twice- the first time was for a work party with 40 of my coworkers. We had a more private seating area off the main dining room, so I didn't realize how loud this place really is. The group sales rep helped us pre-order a menu and set it all up for us buffet-style, which worked really well for a group that size. The second time was with a group of about 20 to celebrate a birthday. We ordered from the menu; dishes range in price from around $15-$30 each (and beers from $5-$15 each), so it's certainly not an inexpensive evening. We were in the main dining area this time- the long communal-type tables are comfortable and fun. The live music is extremely loud, and the band had all the patrons standing on the benches of their tables at one point in the evening. It makes for a fun party, but nearly impossible to hold a conversation. Hofbrauhaus is certainly worth a visit, especially since there are so many cool new places to check out in the area.
(3)Ricky R.
Three couples go out together several times a year for dinner and this time it wasn't our turn to pick the restaurant. Therefore the little misses and I had no choice in the matter and drove out to Disneyla.............no wait a minute, I mean Rosemont and met up with our friends at Hofbrauhaus. I was told this was as authentic as you can get. Almost exactly like the real Hofbrauhaus in Germany. Well if you say so I will not argue with you because I have never been. However I have been to Epcot Center when my children were young and this is what they do. Make up fake replicas of restaurants from foreign countries and make the employees dress in costumes. That is fine if you are trying to entertain children but this is an adult destination. The whole area is a fairly newly build entertainment center with a very touristy feel. Sorry folks, just not for me. Oh yeah the food was just average, the beer was good, and you couldn't hold a conversation with anyone more than one seat away from you because of the noise, I mean entertainment.
(2)Anna W.
I've been here twice now once late on a Saturday and the other time for dinner on Father's Day. I was hoping that the second experience would be better but sadly it wasn't. The first time we had a horrible waitress who couldn't get the order right and brought out our food really late. She also messed up our bill and refused to fix it. When we asked to speak with a manager she rolled her eyes and walked away. The manager wasn't much better she asked us over and over again why we didn't ask to see a manager when the food took so long. They fixed the bill but we left with a bad taste about the place. I came back for Father's Day (my dad loves German food) but the waiter wasn't much better. He barely spoke with us and acted like he didn't want to be there. The food was good (but over priced) and the band was fun. So sad that the waitstaff makes me not want to come back again.
(2)Cindy S.
Fun, easy going. A bit too loud for conversation when music is playing
(4)Charles B.
Big disappointment! There's no old world charm here folks! It's new world cookie-cutter. The parking is a nightmare. I went to Hofbrauhaus with the hope of ordering a brat and a beer for lunch. Pretty simple, it's a German restaurant/beer hall right? Wrong! At the so-called "Chicago" Hofbrauhaus I had to order an entire plate of 3 brats/sausages for $16.99. That was another of many bad signs. What made it worse is that I was just at Gene's Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square and could have had a fantastic brat for $6 on the lovely rooftop beer garden and real Old World charm. Worse yet, last weekend I had a delicious single brat for a mere $6 at the Milwaukee Hofbrauhaus, which is in an Old World Germanic building constructed in the 1800's. Better yet, the brat was made by Usinger's across the street and it was the best I ever had. The Rosemont Hofbrauhaus is more a scheme to get into your wallet or pocketbook. Needless to say I will never be returning to the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont (not Chicago) and I suggest you avoid it too because you will surely be disappointed as I was and I am sure countless others were.
(2)Simma Down Na H.
Miserable looking waitresses and hostesses (although mine was very friendly from the rest) and overpriced entrees and beer. My meal was good but not worth $14. Yes, the band was entertaining. But overall I will not return.
(2)L Y.
I was really excited to go here. I was starving and love German food. Unfortunately, the food here is mostly bad. I had the schnitzel wiener art. Very tough and tasteless. Even a little salt would have helped. One friend had the wurstplatte that had tasteless sausage and really bad hot dogs. The Jagerschnitzel was ok but not great. Obatzer was ok as was the salads, but how can you mess up salad. The kid's pretzels were really hard to eat. They tasted like they were frozen with freezer burn and defrosted and put on plate. They were cold. Potato pancake bland and greasy as well. The giant pretzel was salty but soft . The food is nowhere near being good food. There are so many really good German restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that this is a place to avoid if you are looking for good German food. The service started out bad but got better. That said, the atmosphere can be fun. It is large and loud with a band. A little surreal to see a German band wearing Lederhosen play Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Journey. This is not a place to catch up with friends. You can't have a meaningful conversation but you can laugh at the odd choice of songs the band plays and just enjoy the company of friends. The giftshop was cute according to my daughter. Bottom line is if you are looking to have good food, don't even think of this place as an option. If you want to drink beer in a really big stein, listen to Johnny Cash songs being played by a bunch of guys in Lederhosen and just laugh with friends, this is an option.
(1)Russell D.
The food was absolutely awful. Party of 3 was over $80 and only 1 beer was ordered. Sane your money and grill some sausages in your own backyard!
(1)Michael R.
Not a bad place, not bad at all. I was going thru Germany withdrawals and wanted to check out the scene. Fun atmosphere. They love singing. Reminded me of my time out there. Good beer too. Would recommend.
(4)Einstein F.
Sorry but this place a lil weird ... But never been to Germany ~ supposedly the taps don't give out samples and computerized *cheap* waitress first clueless we were her table and too giddy - Chicken dance !? If its your thing - I'll be at Toby Keith's :)
(3)Joern H.
$$ good food, good entertainment (German/Bavarian traditional) I liked it, let's hope they stay like this! Live music is quite loud, just to mention it. Lunch specials just for 10$ had a big nice piece of Schnitzel with potato salad - was pretty good, Apfelstrudel for dessert - also very nice
(4)Nicole S.
This place is sooo much fun!!! Went in with a group of 8 for dinner so we got a table to ourselves in the main dining hall right up front near the band. Walked in got seated and within minutes we found ourselves standing on our benches dancing and cheering! The atmosphere really makes the dining experience memorable. Our table enjoyed a few pretzels and the seasonal beer for July was really good. I ordered the Sauerbraten for my entree and I thought it was a good portion size, the meat was very tender and I love spaetzle and red cabbage although I wasn't too crazy about the cabbage and the dish had a little too much gravy for my tastes but I know that's a personal preference. Not sure if I would have had the same experience had I not gone with a larger group but we all enjoyed it!
(4)J H.
The hostess (all 6) were rude and snappy. They seemed to very upset that we interrupted there gossiping of the other employes. Once we were seated it became obvious that staff main priority was flirting with each other. There were more staff then customers yet all of us seemed to have trouble getting any of the staffs attention. The nicest people we encounter while at hofbrauhaus were the other customers we bonded with over the bad service.
(1)Elena G.
Overpriced loud mediocre food and drinks.
(1)John T.
80 Bucks for 2 beers and 1 cheeseburger is a joke!!! Once is enough for this place. I love Hofbrau beer but I'll stick to buying it at Binny's. If you want good German Atmosphere check out Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln square. same amount of fun for a third of the price of Hofbrauhaus.Thanks HB but no thanks Won't be going back anytime soon, maybe, if they reprice the outrageously overpriced menu. Auf wiedersehen.
(2)Matry P.
I am a German flight attendant and go to the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich often. I was impressed with this place. Similar to the original, but friendlier staff. Food tasted great, (but the red cabbage was probably sweeter than it should have been).
(5)Davide P.
Excellent food! Actually as close as possible as the authentic bavarian counterpart. I don't know the reason of the 3 starts, but imho it deserves much more. We've had Swiss cheese, Kaesespaetzle and a bretzel. We'll definitely come back!
(5)Sai P.
Their service sucks...I would rather spend my time at Five roses Pub next to this place. Was put off by being asked to sit in another area after a rude group of snobs claimed their table was reserved...it's a "Beer Garden"...part of the atmosphere is to sit with others..they were being served their main course so they were not in a position to have others attending their snob fest.. The group should have been told to go with the flow or move themselves.
(1)Al R.
Where to start? I'll begin with MY experience and then do the food. First, they take no reservations on weekends. Kinda crazy IMO but, that's just the way it is. We had a party of 15. That's a lot. The place ought to have a party/banquest area for large crowds. Since the dinner time starts at 6 PM, we figured to get there before and place our names in at the front seating stand/desk(?). For 15 people, it would be at least an hour wait. Forget about getting a drink. It's a near impossibility. So they finally call our number after milling around a super-crowded lobby. Turns out they have a large table with bench seating. Should seat about 10. If we wanted actual tables, it would be an extra hour! Mind you it is 30 degrees out and everyone has coats. Guess what? No place to hang them up so they must go on the bench, taking up valuable space. Ok, women, children and elderly first. The few men will stand for the time being. 10 minutes before we get our waiter. (On a side note: the place is filled with pretty, bosomy staff, and WE get a dude!) He'll see if he can help get better seating, but he'll take drink orders first. Great. He goes around quickly and comes to me last. I ordered a gin and seltzer. WAIT! Better make that two....I have a bad feeling about this. I see him write it down. Meanwhile, we are standing around the table, other customers and staff scurrying all over. Standing room only for sure. Did I mention that this place is probably bigger than the Park West? HUGE. (I'll get to that shortly.). So, 10,15 minutes pass and nothing. I've worked in the industry all my life--I GET IT. I get the delays and unforeseen problems. But our waiter hasn't even been SEEN in that time. Another 5 minutes and I mosey up to the bar, but there are no open spots. I stand next to the empty waitress station and am asked to move. Finally someone gets up and I ask the surrounding bar people if I can get an order in quickly. No problem. It seems that there were 4-6 bartenders and 3 or 4 waitresses behind the bar and they are all talking leisurely to the people sitting. No acknowledgement. No putting the index finger up to imply "One second". Standing and waiting. The seat filler comes back and pushes me out of the way, but I let it slide- he's about 80. Then I go back to stand at my table. 5 minutes later our waiter arrives with a tray full of drinks, including a couple of those big-ass steins that hold a barrel of beer. I understand that he can't make it all on one trip. He then comes back with the remainder of the drinks.....except for mine. I told him that I had the two gin and seltzers. Okay, he says, he'll go get them. GONE. After 10 minutes, he returns. WHEW! Relief is here. Now I can look at the menu. Not so fast tubby. He gave you gin and TONIC. Anyone that hates tonic can sympathize with me that I can't just grin and bare it on this. The invisible man has disappeared again. I grab a passing waitress and BEG if there is anyway for me to get a drink. I tell her the story and she apologizes and says she'll get them. Comes back about 5 minutes later and says that she found our waiter and he'll bring them because they are already on the tab and she doesn't want it getting double charged. OK. Finally my correct drinks are hand delivered after 5 more minutes. Okay. The waiter then starts taking food orders and I haven't even seen a menu, now scattered across the giant table. Give me 3 minutes to look, I ask. He goes off again, probably to the same dimension that missing socks go to and is gone for at least another ten minutes. And the music is blaring.TOO loud. A patron next to us tells me to cheer up. Ha! Says the one seated and with her food. I muster an odd grimace that probably resembles the look of a man getting his colonoscopy. 10 minutes later, a party member finds the waiter and tells him I haven't ordered yet. He comes over and I simply tell him "360". Simple enough. Why did it take 20+ minutes? After that they found a table that the kids were placed in. Finally a place to sit. Things are looking up! The odd thing is that at 8-830PM, the place starts to actually surrender more tables. I would have thought that it would be their busiest time. Meh. Now the food: The food arrived in good time when compared to the seating and drink waits. It was very warm, but not hot. Immediately edible but not steaming. The sauerbraten was good. It was ADEQUATE. Small meat portions and mostly spaetzle. Others had fish, burgers, steak, sausages, and salads. No complaints, but everyone was kind of unenthused. Beer was good. Large ones cost $13. Mixed top shelf were $8.50 + for short cocktail glasses. Our bill for 15 was over $700, which included the auto-gratuity of 18%. He didn't get any extra. Over all, the place is too much. Too big, too sterile. One member said it was like Great America without rides. I am guessing that there are 150 tables AT LEAST, and most are about 4 feet apart, at best. The place is too big for management .
(1)Rachel K.
I am writing this review not for what this place is but what it is not. I have had some harsh reviews in the past. I tend to be harsher on independent businesses because they have complete control over everything that happens where as corporate places do not. And make no mistake, this IS a corporate place. It IS a place for tourists, business men, suburban dwellers and people who would never be adventurous enough to eat in an ethnic neighborhood or be outside their comfort zone in general. DO I think HBH Chicago (or more accurately Rosemont) is the greatest culinary experience in the world? NO, hell no but it's not supposed to be. It's supposed to be a place where you go, get a little tanked up, let your hair down and have fun and it is exactly that. I think the criticisms range from odd to down right hilarious especially considering you can tell these are not worldly fine diners but small towners and suburbanites who are attracted to places like these, which may be a problem for HBH. First off it IS a bit hard to find because it's not visible from the entrance. This is not so much of the fault of HBH but the owner of the complex who has neglected to put up signage. Same with the parking garage, who would be a separate owner entirely, not the restaurant. You do get your parking validated and if you don't want to walk the few feet to the place. consider yourself a lazy ass. The place is not a cozy intimate dining experience, it's a loud, kitschy place designed for over-stimulation and drinking, great for letting off steam and celebrations. Not so great for 90 year-old grandmas and dates, unless power drinking is your idea of a fun date. As for the food, I think it's funny that people who've "been to Germany" complain about the food and people who are actually German love the place. In my opinion, German food is extremely basic and bland, there's only so much you can do with sausage, potatoes, and cabbage no matter if you get your food here or in Germany. I will say the sausages and pretzels were of good quality and they do have a great black forest cake. There was one complaint about nothing being healthy which I hope they never go to a French place. They do have salads but why would you come here for salad? And yes, it IS communal dining, which me, me, me Americans have a problem with. My suggestion is...Have a few beers and unplug yourself. Maybe you'll have fun and an interesting conversation with someone outside your narrow circle. Now comes the price. People complain about prices, which are no different than in other corporate chain type restaurants, about 13-30 dollars for an entree. What IS different is that it is European portion sizes and I think most people are expecting the giant chain restaurant fat ass style portioning. Also JUST LIKE IN EUROPE, for all those travelers, who clearly only ate in McDonalds and their American hotel chain restaurants, there is a charge for extra condiments and bread so no unlimited breadsticks here. What they do not do, like in Europe, is instantly add gratuity for small parties, SO TIP YOUR SERVERS WELL! Yes I'm in the industry so I know people will take out any problems on their server. Your server does not cook your food, brew your beer, build the parking garage, seat you, control the volume of the band, or not direct to to the restaurant properly. They only take your orders and help deliver food. So long as they are nice and attentive, you have no excuse to not tip well, any other issues should be taken up with management. Speaking of service, ours was great. Our server was named Max and was friendly, polite, attentive without being intrusive or cheezy. Plus a cute accent and some good eye candy to boot! Now for the beer. I think people are expecting more of a micro-brew because it's also a brewery and guess what, this IS what beer from Munich tastes like. In fact, it's what most German beers taste like which the taste most American beers are based on (Hello, Budwieser). I think as long as you have realistic expectations of HBH Chicago, you'll have a great time. So go with a fun group, drink beer, eat pretzels, sing songs, chat with your neighbors, and get SPANKED!
(4)Ashley S.
This was an interesting night to say the least. Ready to go for a 5:15am flight at 11:30pm...what to do, what to do. We were headed to Mexico Sunday morning, so we thought, well it is Saturday night, let's go out and get a drink or two and then head to the airport. With Rosemont being just a hop, skip and a jump away, it seemed foolish not to check it out. IT WAS PACKED. I've never seen so many people stuffed into such a small area. You couldn't even walk through on the sidewalks, it was so crammed full of drunks! We made our way to HB and luckily, it wasn't quite as crowded there. We had a seat at the bar, ordered a couple brews and were chased away by some weird guy that was either really intoxicated, or mentally challenged. It was ok though, we moved to the patio, where we got a free show! There must have been a wedding celebration going on and well I'm not sure who was mad at who and why, but there was definitely some tension! There was a guy in cuffs, an ambulance and a whole mess of cops. Even with all that, people still continued to drink, act a fool and get in their cars and drive away. I just hope everyone made it home safely that night. We finished our beers and made our way to O'Hare....it was a great way to start our vacation!! haha
(5)Carrie R.
I had been to this place for a birthday in the past and had a great experience. So much so that I decided to hold my husband's 30th birthday here. I made the reservation a month and a half in advance and when I called them to confirm they claimed to have lost the reservation. I understand that accidents can happen, bit the manager I spoke with was extremely rude and condescending. He offered me a reservation two hours before the original time I had planned but insisted we would have to be out in two hours. I've never heard or a restaurant kicking out a party of 20+ people who are actively ordering food and drinks. I am very disappointed in the customer service.
(2)A S.
THEY DO NOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS. For me this is a huge problem; this is a brand new restaurant there should be absolutely no reason why they can't do separate checks. I came with a group of 9 people and we had to puzzle out who owed how much at the end of the meal. Having to individually calculate what each person owes is a huge mood breaker and a terrible end to an otherwise ok meal. The Good -I liked the food, it's not groundbreaking, but its not bad, esp the spetzel and saurbraten. -large place -good atmosphere -live music -beer that pretty much anyone can drink. The Bad -doesn't take reservations -doesn't split check -no substitutions with your meal -expensive (and no prices listed on their website) -beer is not exciting, a beer snob like me has no reason to drink their beer ever again.
(3)Kevin B.
Where do I start? Parking: Very small adjacent lot which should only be a handicap lot considering the place seats over 500. The garage for the whole entertainment center is a complete mystery, signage takes you in circles, lighting is dim and spaces are meant for subcompact cars but everyone in the lot has trucks and SUVs. If you're there when a movie at the adjacnet Muvico lets out, be prepared to sit -even when your're trying to park. Facility: It is a barn. Not a bit of cozziness to it and not warm (as best I can decipher) like the HB in Germany. TV sets are tuned primarily to the "HB Channel". There is a smaller dining room with tables for 4 but it wasn't being used this afternoon. Several brewing vats were unenclosed in the dining room and when the brewmaster opened them, steam and foul brewing smells spill out into the restaurant. While some kettles were behind closed doors, these were not and might be a problem for folks with allergies. Beer: I was expecting a lot because it is a brewpub. Unfortunately, it has nothing of the taste of HB beer brewed in Germany. I was at the HB (Old German Beer Hall) in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago and had German-brewed HB on tap which was way more flavorful and satisfying. Price is $12 per liter which would be fine for import beer but not for this stuff. Menu: Food was WAY overpriced. My wife and I had two entrees (lebercase for me and she had veal sausages) including potatoes, 1 red cabbage and 1 liter of beer for $51 including tax and tip. The only thing with any taste were the veal sausages while the potatoes were totally bland and the red cabbage was over-cooked. I had asked for a side of rye bread for $1 which turned out to be ONE slice of bread - after laughing, I asked them to take it back. Music: Nice feature but I think that the entertainment cost must be built into the menu. Overall: Not worth the time and effort to get there. I won't be back. If you want a real treat, go to the outdoor HB beer garden in Glendale/Milwaukee when it re-opens in the spring. If you want a local German restaurant with lower prices, Kuhn's in Des Plaines is not the greatest but a much better value and more authentic.
(1)Rob L.
Tried the happy hour plates the onion sausage was good and came with onion crisps. The pretzel was cut up and served with a nacho cheese and the pulled pork sliders were good and not dry. For drinks i tried the darker dunkel beer its a light beer for being dark with nutty fruity flavor.
(5)Jae K.
I've been to this establishment twice. The first time, it was almost empty. The second time, it was very busy. The band is always a pleasure - they actually play some really nice songs, though a bit "old". I haven't eaten much German food, but I thought the food was pretty good. The portions are pretty big, in my opinion bit I can't eat much. I had the schnitzel platter which was pretty good, and it came with a standard German potato salad. I forgot the name of what my brother ordered but it was tasty too. (3 types of meat on a bed of sauerkraut). The service was really great. We didn't have to wait long and the waitress periodically checked up on us. Though I have to say that the boisterous nature isn't for me. I understand it's supposed to be loud and such , but just not something I enjoy. I would come back though. Also, we didn't pay for parking. If you park in the non movie theater parking, it's 13 bucks but you can get it validated at the gift shop. Woo!
(4)Matthew F.
Great tradition and what you would expect for an offshoot of the famous brewery. Great beer.
(5)Corey S.
German birthday song is a nice touch & getting paddled by the shot drink paddle. Should play a variety of German songs, especially party songs. Not Brazillian songs. Beer is decent. The decor is really good. Service is good. Food should be Americanized, & the music Germanized. Then more stars.
(3)Kristina K.
Despite the fact that the life size chess game is not there anymore, I am still a big fan of the entertainment district in Rosemont. So many different places to visit. There is a Greek restaurant, a bowling alley, Adobe gila, TKs, park tavern and iFly Chicago. Since I had never been to HB I literally pushed my husband and his friend to go and try this place out. Sure I can be selfish but I like trying new places and I don't see why they cant be like me. We entered and we were told there was going to be a wait since there was only one hostess working. (A hostess told us that by the way) Strange how we weren't allowed to sit down ourselves since there were a million and one tables open outside. The establishment is massive, clean and fun. The decor is not that impressive but it is cool looking. Nothing like its fellow restaurants in the area. The server came right away. She was nice, relatable and very effienct. They didnt have the July beer but she offered the June one and after her description, I was sold. It was good. The issue with the place was the food. I have never been a fan of German food. Its bland, boring and unhealthy. Nothing about it entices me. And I was right again. We had the sausage plate and the potato pancake and salmon platter. The pancakes were bland and tasteless. I am trying really hard to find something synonymously boring to compare it and I can't. Paper may have more taste than the pancakes they offer there. If I am going to have carbs they better be delicious, otherwise what is the point of my sacrifice? Whatever! I came, I tried it out and I am staying away.
(2)Pam D.
Not my cup of tea (or beer). It is too big, too noisy and too much the tourist trap. The food was hit and miss. Some things were good, but most things we tried I have had better at other German places around Chicago. We won't be returning any time soon.
(2)Ed A.
came here expecting lots of sausage and beer on the menu. We were not disappointed. The also poor a decent glass of wine. The ambience is pretty cool and music different enough to abuse and enjoy. Never thought I'd hear 70s music in a German beer hall in 2014. Don't get the connection, but whatever. The waitresses/servers were friendly and efficient, and always ready to keep the alcohol coming. One wonders whether the same German band plays every night (God help them. If that's the case). Not a bad place to stop by for beer and a bite, probably appetizers. A good time, sure. But definitely not a destination restaurant, especially for German food
(3)Kevin C.
Gone down hill since my last visit. Food was less than good, did not come out hot and a bar staff that seemed less than accommodating! I'll try it again, maybe just the night that was less than what I expected.
(2)Jim K.
What a disappointment! This place was built to take advantage of conventioneers. Poor beer, bad service and mediocre food. I came in for lunch and tried the dark lager, which was too warm and flat, and the hefe which was too hoppy. My sandwich came out late and cold after 25 minutes. They only brought it out after I asked about it so they just forgot about it. When I told the server that our took way too long, her response was "I can only do what I can do". At least you can save some money by not leaving a tip here. Awful. If you're visiting Chicago, go to the Countryside Tap in Niles or any of the German places on Lincoln Avenue. Your money will be much better spent.
(1)Jeff S.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and was really looking forward to visiting their sister restaurant in Chicago. The decor and everything was well done, but it really paled in contrast to the experience in Munich. The food was good, but not outstanding. Their pretzels they billed as being from Munich were honestly too dry and didn't seem as fresh as they should be. It wasn't a bad experience and everything was ok, but I found myself feeling compelled to apologize to the rest of my group for being so insistent to go here, only to have an "OK" experience, particularly when there were so many other choices in the immediate area where it's located.
(3)Richard H.
Found the beer just as bland as the food. It's a loud place even before the music starts playing. It may be good for a beer drinking party but.... It's to costly.
(2)Michelle K.
I'm not really a fan of this restaurant but my German husband enjoys going here. This restaurant is way too touristy for me! The place is so loud you can not have a conversation with the person next to you and the food is way over priced. I would not recommend this restaurant there are way better German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)Zach Z.
I dont know what all these bummer reviews are about, I liked this place. The first Hofbrauhaus my wife and I ever went to was the original in Munich so needless to say our expectations were high. Now dont get me wrong this place doesnt compare to Munich, but I wasnt really let down. It has more of a modern vibe than i would have liked for such a historic brand, but they did capture some of the stylings of the original which I thought was cool. The seating is classic benches like the original, but then they throw in bar height tables and regular tables as well to appeal to all. The entertainment was awesome as they had a traditional German style band that would interact with the families that were there. All the kids in the place loved it as they got to hold the instruments and interact. Also, they played the traditional Prosting song which was cool. It also looked like they had a private room that could be rented for parties and what not. Not to mention they did have a couple HUGE TVs there. Lastly, there is a gift shop so you can get some overpriced, almost authentic gear. :) Check this place out, I will certainly be back.
(5)Meghan C.
I love this place! :) I was there this past weekend with a group of 20 to celebrate my birthday. Making a reservation was so easy which is unusual for a group of 20 on a Saturday night especially because I made the reservation on Thursday!! The service was great, the beer was great, and the atmosphere is awesome! My butt still hurts from being spanked but it was all in good fun! :) I have been to the original in Munich and it lives up to that atmosphere 100%. We are already planning on coming back for another visit.
(5)Shelly D.
Excellent food very entertaining fun evening! If you don't like loud go some where else. Great celebration place.
(4)P K.
Great follow up by General Manager, Jim Olson. Things don't always go smooth in any business but it's how the business responds that makes all the difference in the world. Jim Olson understands that. Very impressed with his follow up.
(3)Yvonne O.
I'm just not impressed anymore by this place. Perhaps it is the high price tag? Maybe it is my inability to drink their beer right now? It could be the excessive amount of children running around the place during weekend lunches. Either way, I think there are better places to get your schnitzel on and for less money. We got the special fondue with pretzel bites to start and I had the schnitzel sandwich with fries and husband went with the half chicken again - with potato salad that was WAAAAY too oniony. He ended-up eating half my fries, dipping them in the fondue. The schnitzel needs a sauce - whether it is a cranberry-type or some kind of mayo - it is too dry to eat without it. The fries are very good - we ate them all. He liked the chicken just like last time, but wouldn't rave about it. The band is also getting old - it is the same stuff every time you are here (on repeat) and it's just loud and annoying after a while.
(3)Vishal B.
An authentic German experience! Big beer hall, communal tables with a band playing. A loud raucous place. Lets talk about the brew, made here on site.. is delicious! The big pretzel is a must have with a stein of beer. I personally think the Hefeweizen here was the best wheat beer I have tried in a long time. Oh.. lets not forget you can bring your buddy here on his birthday and get him paddled by a waitress! I am sure this is a true German tradition.. so come make memories with your friends!
(5)Robin T.
This place is a blast! Service was fun, attentive - Roxy was the best. We had "appetizers". The sausage tower and potato pancakes. Fabulous to share. We sat in the bar, but the long dining tables and traditional German band really built the atmosphere. The one puzzling "activity" was the "paddling" of patrons. Thank you sir, may I have another.
(5)Dave W.
Heard about this place from a couple of co workers. The host seated us promptly and we were quickly greeted by our server Anthony. Anthony should be a trainer for all of the new employees who join this awesome establishment... Anthony quickly introduced himself, took our beer order.. kept up with our silliness, offered up suggestions.. which we took on his word. We were all pleased and satisfied with our meals and beer suggestions . Needless to say Anthony made flight delay on Sunday the 25th an exceptional experience. We will return and make sure we get seated in Anthonys area.
(5)Rayna L.
I have stopped by for happy hour and loved the currywurst. It was speedy and their Hefeweizen is one of my favorite beers. I returned for a drink on a Saturday evening and the place was packed with families that had just come from the theatre across the street. It was fun but the live polka music was a little loud for me and I am not a fan of sharing the long bench tables with strangers. Still, I will definitely go back and I will get the gluhwein again. It was nicely spiced and perfect to warm you up on a chilly evening.
(3)Brian B.
This is a loud, festive, German beer hall with oompah music and that is what makes it great. That should be understood before going. Of course, the mothership Hofbräuhaus in Munich is better, but if you only have a few hours this one is great. The big negatives in my view are the parking (not the fault of HB) and the difficulty getting to the place. Otherwise, once you get there order a nice liter of real beer get some roast pork and kick back, adjust your attitude and enjoy the gemütlichkeit. Yes, this is not a cheap place, you pay for quality here.
(5)Andreas K.
After visiting Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont, I've come to the conclusion that it's one of those places you either love or hate. I'm sure you can tell how I feel about it based on my rating. I kind of knew what to expect when I went in, but I wasn't expecting the atmosphere to be as celebratory as it was. That's not a bad thing. My buddies and I arrived and were seated really quickly, despite the place being jam-packed on a Saturday night. We promptly received our beers and ordered the food. Took a bit for the food to arrive, but I'm not too fussed over that given the sheer number of people in there.
(4)g d.
Went with a small group. I had the Schnitzel. Very good. Never had it with cranberries before. But that was good. Also had a side of Red Cabbage. Never had it before. But very good. Had a flight of beer. I thought they were weak tasting. Could use some improvement. The oompah music was fun.
(4)John T.
Authentic german beer hall. Huge place - beautifully kept. Long tables, huge TV's and a lot of cool rooms set up. Beer served in huge mugs - and they sell the boot shaped one's as well. I had a dark which was OK - that is my only gripe, although really nto a gripe, I like a bigger beer selection - but that would be less authentic as well. Food was good, staff was friendly. It is right on The Park - so plenty of parking and other choices of places to go for round 2 (or 3 or 4).
(4)Kristine R.
"Meh" is a great word to describe this place. It's not bad, but it just doesn't knock my socks off. It's a great tourist attraction, so if you're from out of town or you've got family coming to visit you in the suburbs, and the city is just too scary to visit, then this is a great place for a fun night out. I've had better German food before though, and at half the price. Even the lunch menu is way overpriced for what you're getting. Do yourself a favor and get some brats at a hot dog stand first, and then go here for the atmosphere and blow your money on beer instead. You'll be much happier for it.
(2)Jessica G.
So this is an interesting place. Big, loud, full of people and beer. And sausage. Can't forget that. Parking is weird - there is valet and there is also apparently free parking but after 10 minutes of driving around and trying to figure out where to go, my head was going to explode so we just paid to valet. The interior is enormous. The furniture is dark wood - long benches and long tables. There's a stage at the front and there is also a gift shop. The food is pretty standard - if you want gourmet, this is not it, but for sausage and sauerkraut, this is decent. Portions are fairly generous, too. If you like beer, they have it, a lot of it. I believe they come in bucket-sized mugs, and the dunkel is very tasty. They only have a few different types of beer and one monthly special so don't go in, expecting a multitude of choices. And for the size of the place and the number of people, we found service to be pretty good. Our server handled our large, loud table quite nicely and in a very timely fashion. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich recently, this is a pretty good copy of the original. Worth visiting once or twice but probably not an all the time place.
(4)Jeff B.
So much food! The portions were huge! I simply could not eat all the meal they brought to me. it was very tasty and after a long day on my feet, it was welcomed. The drinks were nice as well. The atmosphere is infectious with the music and fun. bring a big group, or just a few and you're assured to have a good time. The staff was as friendly as could be and made the evening more enjoyable.
(4)Peter B.
Great beer, food and big pretzels! Came here for my birthday a couple of weeks ago with a big group and reserving a table for 13 was not a big deal even a week ahead of time. They spank anyone who takes a shot here, so it being my birthday I had to partake in these activities, a couple of times :) Very busy and packed on a Saturday night so reservations are strongly recommended. Will definitely come back for lunch sometime!
(5)Marta S.
If you want beer and a fun atmosphere in a loud and large place this is it. Food overall was not so good and we tried a bunch off things there, you safest choice is to stick with beer and the large pretzel. The other dishes we tried were not good at all.
(2)Dougie M.
Anyone who has been to Germany will know the Germans for their perfection when it comes to efficiency. Ok, so yes the wait system to get a table was an absolute mess and the servers looked pretty miserable however this place is a lot of fun. Live bands and entertainers keep the atmosphere going whilst you enjoy some authentic foods - not the best German cuisine I've had but still good. Definitely enjoy the atmosphere and have several beers - which are great! But don't pretend it's "real" - having been to Germany several times I've never known them to perform the Star Spangled Banner! But a good fun place!
(3)Tom O.
Very disappointing. I had the sauerbraten and it was way over cooked and really lacked flavor. I tried to sub more spatzel for the red cabbage and they refused. Daughter's pork schnitzel also had zero flavor. Very over priced. The ONLY reason I give this two stars is that I loved the music!!! Maybe I would go for an appetizer with friends, a beer as long as they had music. But this isn't the place for a meal.
(2)Blake N.
It was a cool place. I did not have any of the food. Just went for a drink and the entertainment with some friends. The live music was very entertaining and fun. They had a little bit of comedy in them as well. Would definitely go back for another fun experience.
(4)David K.
I had the crispy pork shank which is a weekend special .It was absolutely perfectly cooked. The skin was a crispy and added a textual element to the melt in your mouth pork. It was paired with a potato and bread dumplings with a side of a cabbage salad topped with bacon. This was a pork fest better than most BBQ that I have had. The skin was so crispy that i thought "pork skin chips" yum!
(5)Sean P.
This was my second time going here and the only reason I went back was because it was a group outing. They lost our reservation end ended up sticking our group in a side room with no one else and away from the entertainment (which is half the reason you go here in the first place) even though it was 2 in the afternoon and the place was otherwise pretty empty. The service was mediocre although the servers were friendly. The food was also mediocre and not really worth the high prices (why I wouldn't have gone back after the first time had it not been for a group outing). It's a good place to grab a beer but don't expect to get a great meal.
(1)Pari S.
Went here Friday night. Of course its Octoberfest, but strangely when we first arrived, the hostess in the front was almost hesitant to seat us. We showed up at 4 pm and was told most tables were reserved already for 7 pm. There were only 3 in our party. Which we got seated, and noticed the whole entire restaurant is huge. It can probably seat over 400 to 500 people. It was still empty. We ordered a few beers, which were half pints around $7.50 each. I got the hauffbraus platt, my other parties got a fried tilapia plate, and the other was the crispy shank plate. Food was average. Maybe a lil bit pricey. My plate was 23... the crispy pork shank was 25, and the fish plate was 19. Good thing was, we didn't wait too long for food to come out. Maybe about 15 minutes. I tasted a lil bit of everybody's food. My fav was the crispy pork shank. Portion was huge and worth the price. The other dishes were just alright. We ended up ordering a pretzel at the end, to finish off our beers. But was not to crazy bout it. Kinda hard, and dry... overly salted. It came with a cheese, and 2 kinds of mustards. Was around 9 bucks. I do recommend this place, if you are a beer drinker. But not a food place. Was kinda cute to see everyone in costumes. Saw a live band setting up. But weirdest thing was seeing the waiter with a paddle. He paddled 2 women, who bent over on the table. I heard a loud smack and a loud yelp from these women. I Don't recommend bringing your kids. Atmosphere is really loud and everyone is drinking. Would I go again... maybe, if I wanted a crazy fun loud drunk night out. But no, I wouldn't bring my family there. Would just be to hard to try and explain why grown women were getting paddled at a restaurant to my mom and dad, or my kids.
(3)Tellsplatte ..
Three stars! $7.50 for a dunkel. Worthy of 3 stars. I had this footlong sausage with sauerkraut and the sausage tasted much like a breakfast sausage!
(3)John K.
Made reservations two weeks ago. I asked to be seated near the door as we had an elderly party with us. Upon arriving the host started to take us to the back seating area at which time I reminded them of our request the host sought out help from a manager. With a two tabels open near the door I figured it was just an oversight but no the manager informed me those tables were for parties of twenty or more. We were seated one table off the stage. At a table for ten with another party. So if we could sit at a table for ten why not the one for twenty. The waitress and food were excellent as was the entertainment. It's a shame that management can't take a hint from their workers. By the way Mr Manager have you heard of being ADA compliant
(3)Amber K.
We made reservations on a Sunday night during Oktoberfest.... The place was full. Fun energy and live music and dancing. The waitress told us they fly a new band in every month from Germany to perform all month. The menu had a ton of different options. Pricey but good. The food tasted pretty authentic my German grandparents and mom would have been impressed. If you're in the mood for German, check this place out.
(4)Jessica S.
Beer: 5 stars. Hefeweizen. Atmosphere: 4 stars. It's a German Beer Hall, it's supposed to be loud and your supposed to share tables. Outside seating is a cool option though. The band was fun but I wish they would have sung Ein Zwei Suppe! Food Quality: 3 stars. I've spent a lot of time in Germany so my expectations are likely unrealistic. It's good but I've had better. Food Cost: 1 star. Was ist das?! The prices weren't this high in Munich and the dollar is practically worthless in Europe! Way overpriced for quality. Notice that last word, quality. I will pay a lot for amazing food, but not for 3 star. Would I go back? For beer and pretzels with friends sure. But if I want authentic German, there are other spots in the Chicago Suburbs and even downstate where I live. If your travels bring you near Gibson City you MUST try Bayern Stube. Seriously authentic and worth the drive and price!
(3)Meredith A.
The food was a bit bland not a lot of flavor. The October fest live music and show was worth the price of food which is way over priced for the flavor. The server was nice...it was just so loud it was hard to order with her. Otherwise cool experience...but I don't know if I'll go back.
(3)Austin G.
GREAT FOOD! Good service even when packed. The one in Munich is by far the best buy off you want a great experience the Chicago one of next best. I've been here a few time now and never been disappointed.
(5)Jolynn K.
Went here when it first opened my boyfriend lives in the area. Ordered the Wienerschnitzel it was huge and delicious. Went back last Saturday and ordered the same thing but this time the piece of meat was so small and fatty. Very disappointed and it was $23.00 but the service and beer were great. Won't be back.
(3)Donatas D.
Thumbs up to the Austrian entertainers. 5 of us visited this place and we had a great time. They had a couple of contests Friday. The beer was awesome as well as the food. We will definitely come back. Also, a great place for a girls night out.
(5)Nan T.
Schnitzel is pretty good & huge portion..... Very noisy. It's worth it to go there once if you're in the area... We've been there a few times...and not worth the price & noise after first visit. Can be fun for a birthday.
(3)Nicole W.
Fun for entire family! Music playing, people clapping, you can't help but smile and clap along! Kids menu is affordable @ $5.95 and the chicken tenders and fries are tasty, portion large enough for two small children to share. German style menu, large portions and everything is good! My vegetarian mother in law completely enjoyed her salmon dish. The light beer on tap tastes like a heavy Miller Light so go with that selection if you are unsure about the other german beer. Adult meals are all about $19.95 a dish. Validate your parking ticket at hostess desk so you get free parking ($17!).
(5)Jay L.
The place to go if you want to be able to order some large portions of meat, in a raucous, but very entertaining atmosphere. Went with a large part of a 10 on a Saturday night. The service was not as bad as previously reviewed. Our server came by just enough, and had a Top 5 of platters he enjoyed most. The most entertaining part of the evening was watching other patrons, some of whom had a little much to drink, and the stein holding contest. If you hit the gym frequently and work out your shoulder muscles, you have a shot at taking home a stein of your own. The food was okay. Nothing to rave about, but not bad either. The cold cut platter (Hofbrauhaus Brotzeitteller) and the pretzels (Obazter Classic Bavarian Appetizer) were just that. The Friday/Saturday night special of Pork Shanks was pretty good. It is a large quantity of meat, but pretty tasty. I would recommend giving it a shot. Overall, I would recommend coming here first for the entertainment, and second for the food.
(3)Kate D.
This place is only open due to drunk college guys and families with small children (found this odd). The food is bland and mediocre at best. I had a pretzel ($14) and it wasn't even fresh. Warm but stale. I split a half chicken with a friend and it came with potato salad... We had been starving and we couldn't even finish it.
(2)Jordan M.
Fun place to eat. During my time there I stood on a bench and danced, participated in a beer stein holding competition, and got paddled for my birthday. Food was decent too.
(5)Jason G.
A great atmosphere and really make you feel like you back in Germany. The food is delicious and the beer is even better. The Hofbräuhaus was our favorite place to eat while stationed in Germany and this is a close second to the original. Will eat here again.
(4)Judy L.
Dear Hofbrauhaus, What you need is a $10 beer sampler with all 4 of your beers in 4 oz sample sizes! I am an IPA girl and I had no clue what to order and without being able to taste a beer sample, it was tough to decide. Even harder to decide considering your menu does not list any prices for the 4 beers that you do offer in various size mugs. Didn't want to be stuck with something I really didn't like. 5 stars for your Lager! It was really good. The German band with their German beer chant was also excellent. A little loud for a Thursday happy hour, but good. The reason I can only give you 2 stars is due to your lack of beer samples, lack of published prices on the beer menu and the cost of food being WAY too high for the actual quality of the product. I had a room temperature pretzel with cold condiments for $13.95! Are you kidding?! There was no cooking involved, serving it was a breeze and the cost of ingredients could not have possibly exceeded $2. So why is a pretzel $13.95?? It really wasn't even remotely delicious and I certainly would not order it again. The special cheese spread...meh. It was okay. Overall the place is spacious and it has a cool vibe. The servers in authentic German outfits look great. The store with all kinds of cool German candy and knick knacks is fun. Your downfall is your actual food/restaurant experience. I would consider coming back for a beer during Oktoberfest, but otherwise I would not be a repeat customer. Disappointed, Judy
(2)Mark T.
Visited last nite, wanted a beer after a show downtown, closer to home. A bit loud, problem is that we were there 45 minutes and the "live" band played the same 3 songs over and over, roll out the barrel, happy birthday, and a german drinking song, and not the whole song. Got annoying so we left. After reading some of the other reviews it looks like we got out in the nick of time. (p.s. to the management: why would you ask if the music was too loud on the comment card? manage your establishment! It isn't too loud, its too monotonous!) This place will make a lot of money, a few loyal customers, it is clean, the waitresses are nice...but Chicago deserves better. Oh, and by the way, if you build a beer hall, you need to make the bathroom big enough, reminds me of Soldier Field, Chicago's biggest beer hall.
(2)Eric E.
A fun place to meet friends for a whimsical time out. Fourteen of us crammed into one of the table along the wall, and though it makes a difference where you sit, it was a very loud location! We would recommend the closer tables if you're going to dance with the band, and the farther back ones if you want to catch up with friends in between "Prosit!" ;-) The entertainment factor was fun - a German band playing music (we had authentic songs sung while we were there, unlike some who reviewed with American music), getting people involved in dancing and singing, and even walking around with a 14' long Alpenhorn. The variety of music was good, though the quality was mediocre, at best. The food was decent. Not the best, but pretty good. Many German favorites were missing from the menu, however. No Suelze, Zigeunerschnitzel or Eisbein (though this last one isn't so common), but fair representation of traditional German favorites. The food was prepared fresh, and served hot. Jaegerschnitzel was good, potato pancakes fair, pretzel very good (reminding me of the enormous one we had when traveling through Bavaria), and spaetzle good. The beer is decent, though the selection is limited. If you like the standards, it's just fine. Service is where HB shines! Our server, Jess, was fantastic. She did a great job of being patient with our mix & match group (7 couples), arriving at different times and trying to keep the orders straight. We opted to forgo the separate checks about 10 minutes in since the couples weren't even all sitting together. The meals came out accurately, at one time, and hot. Now, about my rating. ;) My family is German, and I grew up with this kind of party atmosphere celebrated for most major events - my parents birthdays, anniversary, and our weddings. In that, and having attended many German events from the Milwaukee German Fests with thousands of attendees to the local restaurant where the Germans actually eat, this was definitely the 'tourist version' of German celebrations. As with any culture, it's very difficult to simply visit and get a feel. One really needs to share the experience with those who identify with it. I would swear that the three of us at our table with German heritage were it for the restaurant, as no one we talked to, from our server to those at the front desk, knew or were German. Not a big deal, just a point of interest from someone who has been privileged to see the culture from the inside. The food is decent, but not great. The entertainment, a fair approximation of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, but lacking the energy of those who actually celebrate this way. The servers are excellent, though the front staff seems to just be there and take a paycheck. Very detached in front. :( Come and enjoy, and see if you can find some Germans with whom you can join arms and sway with the music - schunkeln!
(3)Bob S.
Would not recommend overpriced and not family friendly. Table next to ours was receiving a "paddling" from servers and then these grown men began to do it to one another in full view of the restaurant and families. When I saw this I was appalled, this place is not for anyone who wants a wholesome good time. If you are interested in man on man paddling well then this is the place for you, but others who prefer not to see this disgusting behavior stay far far away. I generally don't write reviews but I really had to say something after spending quite a bit of money and then having to leave in disgust.
(1)Ken G.
I love Germany and this brings a bit of it to Chicago. Great change to the traditional steaks and burger joints. Just recently opened and we are watching food fly out of the kitchen. Our server is great and entertaining. Now bring on the German Polkas and we will have a party! Tschüs!
(5)Albert W.
We had a great time! My family is from Munich, so my Mom really enjoyed herself!
(5)Bill M.
Fun time. Band and good beer. Can't hear the person next to you. Expensive. The Food is not the reason to come.
(3)Amy G.
I went to the opening party and had a great time. Food was good, beer is great, and the place is fun. It was also free. We went back last night and I am pretty disappointed. It was still the same fun place with great beer, but the food is REALLY expensive. $14 for a brat? That was the cheapest thing! Also I asked for dumplings instead of fries and the waitress said "no substitutions". That is one of the worst things for a restaurant to do. The food was okay this time, and I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)Slim H.
Good beer. Food, ok. Service-good and bad. Sat outside (patio is very nice), forgot I was near ORD so the planes overhead became annoying while trying to converse. However, that beats sitting inside with the loud bands and constant singing of Happy Birthday over and over again the Friday night I was there. Probably a good place to go have a beer and an appetizer. Black Forest desert was yummy. I did make a reservation on Open Table before hand, that helped.
(2)Josh G.
An authentic German feel throughout the entire building. The workers were just as authentic! The only problems were with the food, which was over priced. Portion size was rather small for the cost and my dishes seemed to be more focused on the side dish instead of the actual main course. I had more fries on my plate than I could count, but I was more interested in the meat on the plate which was lacking. The place itself is wonderful and full of fun for any occasion so it's still a good time, especially with the band playing traditional tunes!
(3)Bluto T.
More cons than pros: Pros: the atmosphere is pretty cool; large venue, packed, upbeat, clean (obviously it's new), overall pretty fun. Cons: The hiring manager should be tar'd and feathered. They purposely pack the front of the house and the host area with the few younger/pretty women on the staff, but as you work your way to your table you will likely be getting served by a dude or and old lady wearing an uniform designed for a twenty-something. WTF?!? This is a bar right?? I realize this is not Tilted Kilt, but for God sakes have an attractive and primarily young staff, that's service industry 101 standards! Our server (a guy, which went over well considering we were a large party of guys) gave us a incorrect bill twice! He added a neighboring tables drinks ($13 each mind you) to our bill the first time, and then someone elses dinner the second...wtf? Not accommodating: You better hope you like the side that comes with you dish, because unless you claim your deathly allergic, they will not make ANY substitutes for you. After several minutes of ball busting I had to claim I was allergic to potatoes to sub veggies for my fries. Overpriced: The quality of the food (or lack there of) does not justify the prices. As you eat you have the "ehh" look on your face, yet you're paying $17 for a burger?!? Overall I wanted to like this place because your initial impression when you walk in is excellent, unfortunately the staff chipped away at that excitement rather quickly.
(2)Erika B.
I love love love the Hofbrauhaus. My favorite is the one in Munich but Chicago and Cincinnati are pretty awesome too. We were staying out by the ohare airport and realized there was a Hofbrauhaus next door. Was so excited. Food and beers were delicious as always. Love the schnitzel and the lager. The performers were much fun and the wait staff very friendly. I'll be going back the next time I am in Chicago.
(5)Georg T.
Good, but overpriced. And why should I pay $7 to have someone park my car for me, instead of allowing me to park it for myself in the great big lot right next to the restaurant? I can get better German food for less money, with cheaper, more accessible parking, in lots of other places. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)Candice-Marie B.
NOT impressed. The first time we went there we liked the beer and the atmosphere but we did NOT care for the bartender. He was not friendly at all and we were not sure why he choose to be in the service industry. The second time we went back we sat at one of the hightops in the bar area. We are not sure why the waitress is in the service industry either. She was very haughty right from the beginning. We were hoping to have some kind of sausage plate appetizer for Oktoberfest but they only offered a dinner and we didn't want a dinner, the other appetizers looked unappetizing so we settled for a "Freshly Baked Pretzel". I was looking forward to a hot, steamy, salty big pretzel but it was COLD, just like our waitress. When we told her it was cold she told us that if she wamed it up we would not be experiencing a true Bavarian pretzel. Then she said something about the high volume of the place and they don't put pretzels under lights and some other BS so she took the pretzel away and brought us a new one and told us that as a favor to us she put it in the microwave..... Gee, thanks. We saw a rather large table being served and it reminded me of room service with the silver lids on the plates, made us wonder if their food was sitting under some lights while they microwaved the potatoes or something. Also, we asked for a sample of the Oktoberfest beer and were told by the bartender that everything is measured so they don't give samples. This bar/restaurant is very impersonal, it left us with the feeling that their staff is scared out of their wits to do anything to make the customer feel at home, AND the whole place is totally fake. If you want a good Oktoberfest Sausage Platter go to Stonewood Ale House in Schaumburg, they have a nice German beer that I call Frankensteiner but it's really named something like Franzischaner or something like that. Hof Brau Haus is just not worth it.
(1)Fiona C.
Food and beer are so-so. "No substitutions" policy should have been my first hint to just go. They flat out refused a simple request to substitute a vegetable instead of potatoes to accommodate a special diet. Hardly asking for anything that would have changed their product costs. Atmosphere seems "Disney" and contrived. Much better German fare around Chicago.
(2)Elena S.
My fiancé & I went there in their first month open..... I ordered the chicken dish and he ordered a pork & sausage burger. His burger was so bad that we decided to split my plate. BIG mistake. We both ended up with SEVERE FOOD POISONING!!!!! We were sick within two hours of leaving that hell hole and did not get back to normal until 72 hours later. Since that experience, I have found out that FIVE other people have gotten food poisoning from this place. I will never ever go back there. If it was possible to give negative stars I would.... this place doesn't even deserve half a star.
(1)Stefan D.
This place can be a lot of fun but probably isn't for everyone. I've been here twice: once with several friends and another time with my parents. On both visits the food was good and fairly priced - the portions of both the beer and dishes are massive so you do get your money's worth - but the ambiance can be hit-or-miss depending on when you go, how crowded it is, and which one of the rotating bands is playing. The wait to get a table on a Saturday can be fairly lengthy - around an hour since they don't take reservations - but I'd still recommend going on a Saturday to get the best atmosphere. Going to a place like the Hofbrahaus when it's half empty and when no one is in the communal, German partying, beer-guzzling spirit is a waste of a time and, really, a waste of money. Far as recommendations, the sampler entree is a good place to a start if you haven't had much experience with German food and the Wiener Schnitzel is probably the largest cut of meat I've ever seen (it's as big as the over-sized plate that it's served on). The Half-wiesen is in my opinion superior to their Dunkel and is a better compliment to most German foods, the Potato pancakes with salmon are over-priced and underwhelming, the salads not worth ordering, and the various Pretzels are delicious and a fantastic complement to the rounds of beers you're bound to consume over a lengthy dinner. Oh, and finally, the Apfel-strudel is divine. The most authentic I've seen in the States. A must order
(4)Angie M.
Having been to the one in Newport, KY, I found this experience to be a little underwhelming. The restaurant is beautiful and a lot of fun. There is live music every night and we had a good time, even for a slow Tuesday night. I would love to go back during the weekend as it is probably even more fun! The beer is good, I had a Liter of the Hefeweizen and my husband had the Lager but they are a little on the pricey side. We also had the "award winning" apple liqueur, which was just OK. Service was good. We always had what we needed and the food came up fast. The food was probably the least favorite part of our trip. To be fair, I did grow up in a German house with an Oma who made killer Sauerbraten and other German fare so I have high expectations. We had the Giant pretzel and potato pancakes for appetizers. The Pretzel was really good and enough for all 4 of us. The potato pancakes were not flavorful at all and the portion (2 small cakes) for the price- $9 was not worth it at all. I had the Sauerbraten for my entrée and it was tough. The veggies that came with it were rock hard, not soft and tender like it should be. The sauce was OK but lacking in flavor. My husband had the Braten Teller which was a combo of Sauerbraten and then a Pork Roast with a mushroom sauce. He did not care for the pork and felt the same way I did about the Sauerbraten. The couple we went with had the steak and Jagerschnitzel. They said the schnitzel was good and that would probably be my pick to try if I went back. Overall, I would love to go back for drinks and appetizers but for dinner I think I'll try somewhere else. For really good German food try the Bier Stube in Frankfort. Chef Klaus is awesome. The atmosphere here is good, but it is way overpriced for the quality of what you get.
(2)Louis C.
Came in over the lunch hour on a Friday with a buddy a bit worried because of a seeming abundance of negative Yelp reviews on this joint. We were greeted by a very polite, friendly hostess and seated very quickly. The place is absolutely huge and was rocking with all kinds of people during the lunch hour. We were a bit confused by the parking situation here but don't fret fellow Yelpers - there is a decent sized surface lot located right next door and if you park in the multi-tiered parking deck, this joint will validate your ticket...and yes, the parking ends up being free. Yeah, baby... Now for the grub. My buddy who joined me for lunch is a German and has been to the original Hobrauhaus in Munich and to several other beer halls in his homeland so he was a legit judge, in my humble opinion, for the authenticity and quality of this place. We started with the pretzel: nice crispy crust and a soft, pillowy very light inside. Not at all like the Superpretzels you get at the store or at ballgames. It came with a sweet mustard, a spicy mustard and some kind of cheese sauce as well. All very tasty. Next, I ordered the pork cutlet schnitzel: It was as big a frisbee and was almost bigger than the plate. Cooked perfectly - crisply fried on the outside (and not oily or soggy at all) and beautifully tender on the inside. I read some of my Yelp brethren complain that this was frozen food. I must respectfully disagree. This tasted fresh and did not have a frozen taste at all. The dish came with a delicate, fresh cranberry sauce and some yummy Bavarian potato salad which was delicious- not too much mayo and the potatoes and red onion were very good. My German buddy told me this Schnitzel was right on the mark and did not seem to be a frozen patty like some folks had said. My buddy had the veal and pork sausage in the poached form. They were delicate in taste and texture. Kinda cool that they come in a little kettle so that you can grab one while the other sausage waits in some nice hot broth and stays warm. The Beer: We had multiple glasses of the lager, the hefweizen and the dark beer they serve here. The lager was crisp, golden and refreshing. No bitterness whatsoever. I think it helps that all of these beers are brewed on site and are fresh. The dark beer was also tasty as was the spicy hefweizen. You can't go wrong with the brew here follks. Our server was attentive and they seem to have a search and destroy team of busboys that don't let finished plates sit too long. One thing we missed was the music. A nice sized stage sits in the front of the cavernous beer hall and we were informed that bands from Germany play nearly every night. Our server also shared with us that after 11PM the place turns into a pseudo-nightclub with a DJ spinning tunes. Give this joint a try with some friends. I agree with other Yelpers that this is not the spot for a romantic dinner or quiet conversation but why the hell would you want to do that here anyway. Give this joint a try, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Chris B.
I was really happy with my recent trip to Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Dancing on the tables, liters of beer, and all around great atmosphere. Our waiter was a little green but he took care of things. We went with a party of 6 and had to share a table with strangers of course. People were dressed up in laderhosen and the music was excellent. By the end of the night we were on the tables singing the plane song. We all wondered how American restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Applebees and Chilis became the standard since they are so boring. I would love to see more locations and I hope this location does well.
(5)Michael-Colin R.
I've been waiting for this place to open and after giving them a couple of weeks to work the kinks out my other half and I went to have a late lunch after a matinee of Hansel and Gretel at the Muvico across the street. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!!! I will say first that I was disappointed in the decor as I was expecting SO much more than just a plain, cold, industrial looking cafeteria with uncomfortable wooden benches and long tables. I clearly understand what they were going for here but there was a great opportunity to successfully marry that traditional Munich beer hall atmosphere with a modern, hip, warm and cozy sensibility that was completely missed out on here. The space is vacuous and once the band gets going conversation is almost impossible and we were there from 4 - 5:30 pm when they were hardly busy except for the bar. I can only imagine how impossibly loud this airplane hangar of a place gets when it's REALLY full of people having a good time. Our hostesses were friendly, our server was friendly, attentive and did a nice job of explaining the menu and making recommendations. We started out with the jumbo pretzel for our appetizer which despite not being served warm and chewy as expected was still very good especially when dipped in one of the three accompanying sauces, cheese, sweet mustard or onion mustard, all of which were quite good. (So good in fact that the onion mustard made a great dip for my partner's fries later on.) He ordered the chicken schnitzel which was light, crispy and perfectly delicious as were the accompanying battered fries and the sauce which was similar to a light, thin, thousand island dressing. I had the traditional Sauerbraten (Bavarian style red wine marinated pot roast) served with vegetable strips, potato dumplings and a side of their famous" red cabbage. The post roast was beautifully tender, the gravy, delicious as were the sides including the cabbage which I must admit I am generally NOT a fan of in any way and I almost finished it all. We had already ordered when our nephew texted us to let us know he would be joining us. We ordered him a cheeseburger and fries which our server timed perfectly with his arrival. He devoured it loving every bite but I noticed that it came with a much thinner, different style of fries that were not as good as the battered dinner fries that came with the schnitzel so if you're ordering a burger be sure and ask for the better fries! We finished up with the dessert tower which came with cheesecake, a mini frosted cake, ice cream and hot raspberry sauce and Black Forest cake. All were awesome but the Black Forest cake is ridiculously light, delicious and not overly sweet. The portions are small but still enough for 2-3 people to share. ( I have no clue what "Jonathan N." was eating but absolutely nothing we ate was even remotely close to frozen cafeteria food quality. "Juniper N's" problem of gaining 3 lbs. each time she ate there and then "feeling gross for the next two days"... yeah that didn't happen either so clearly her one star review is derived from some other issue of a very personal nature.) With a name like Hofbrauhaus, it pretty much goes without saying that the beer is awesome. I won't go into their history here but to learn more about their over 400 years of brewing experience that went into that glass of suds you're drinking you can read all about it here: hofbrauhauschicago.com , You can swill it down like a frat boy if you want to, but this stuff deserves a little more respect than that. Concept A+ Execution D+ Menu A+ Service A+ Quality A Value B Grade B+
(4)Juan A.
I LOVE BEER!!! just that simple!! just look at the yelp ratings! I The live band entertainment is awesome!! just get in your car and get here!!!
(5)Hans L.
I like German beer. I like Hofbauhaus beer. I drank it and enjoyed it immensely. Prost! I like German food. I ate Hofbauhaus food. I'm not sure what I ordered now. So, I guess that would be neither good nor bad. (On the other hand, I can tell you exactly what I had at the Berghoff last time I was there, and that was fabulous.) That was the trip before last. The last time we were there we stopped by on a whim für ein Bier und eine Wurst. You know, a beer and a bite. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the patio...and waited. Server after server crossed in front of us, but no one stopped. We folded our menus and placed them on the corner of our table, usually a sign that we would like to have a conversation about ordering something. 10 minutes later and we were still watching servers cross back and forth. Aw, c'mon, just a beer for crying out loud. Oh well. There's an Irish pub knockoff just across the way. A half and half sounds good, too. And have to tell you, it was good. Sláinte! By the way, they also have a patio. I will go back to Hofbrauhaus, yes indeed: I like their beer too much. Maybe I will update this at that point.
(4)Kyle W.
It's an experience. Yes, it's overpriced, loud, tacky and far from an authentic German environment, but it's a great escape from the boredom of every other ho hum restaurant. The food is decent and even includes quite a few options for vegetarians like me. Obviously get the JUMBO PRETZEL and a stein of beer so you can toast with the band and the rest of the crowd. Try the spaetzle! It's like your classic mac n cheese but with Swiss cheese and fried onions. The servers are friendly and always enjoying themselves. Where else will you find yourself standing on top of a bench with a liter of beer and doing the chicken dance with a hall full of people? Do it!
(3)Mark C.
Went last night. Food was good, I had the Schweinebraten. Enjoyed the flavor of the pork roast with the beer sauce. If anything, wish the portion size was a little larger (3 slices of pork instead of 2, or increase the potato portion), but did not find the price unreasonable based upon what was provided. Would have paid $1 or $2 more for a larger portion. Fun atmosphere and enjoyed the live band. As it was a Tuesday, it was not horribly crowded, but I could see how the noise level could be high if the place was relatively full. Thought our server was attentive to our needs, and service was fairly prompt. If there was one negative about the experience, it would be associated to the bill. Not an overly large issue, more of an annoyance, that I hope is inexperience as opposed to deliberate. The server was kind enough to calculate the gratuity at both an 18% and 20% rate and wrote those figures on the bill. I appreciate the gesture, but I do wish they would make the calculations on the pre-tax figure as opposed to the post-tax figure. While it is only a few dollars difference, and certainly is not the first place I have seen do this, it is a pet peeve of mine. What I believed was a 20% tip was actually a 22% tip left to the server.
(4)Matt P.
I wanted to like this place, but I just couldn't. First, we call and ask if we can make a reservation for later in the evening. They tell us that they aren't accepting reservations. We get to the place, which is a madhouse, and are asked by a busty hostess if we have a reservation. We say we don't, but that we tried to make one. We wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, not terrible for a party of 3 on a Saturday night around 6. On our way back to the table, we walk past a LOT of open tables. I suppose these were all reserved? The interior reminds me of a large open cafeteria. Very touristy and all about getting as many people in and out the door as possible. We each started with a beer, which were fine. Nothing too special. The "fresh baked" pretzel was hard as a rock, but the mustards were good. We all liked the darker brown one, which had a nice sweetness to it. We also got the liver mousse to dip the pretzel in, which tasted a bit like whipped Spam. We ordered and our food came out surprisingly quickly. We soon discovered why... I imagine the kitchen has large trays of ingredients prepared ahead of time in bulk, and are just thrown on a plate when ordered. I had the grilled chicken with spätzle. The chicken was mushy, the sauce was ok, but the spätzle was really bland. As I suppose it should be. My partner got the pork schnitzel, I think, but it came out looking exactly like mine: same mushroom sauce and spätzle. The chicken sandwich our friend ordered looked okay, but the fries seemed very run of the mill. Maybe this dish is geared towards kids or the less adventurous. The bill was $120 after tip, which seemed crazy for the experience. A live band was playing the chicken dance on our way out (*shudder*), and occasionally shouting "Ziggy zoggy, ziggy zoggy, OY OY OY!" I would recommend this place for kids and families, but adults looking for a place with good food and a more private, relaxed atmosphere (suitable for conversation) should look elsewhere.
(2)Thomas M.
Awful high school cafeteria food, ridiculously hard to find, Pepsi was WAAAAY over sweetened, music WAAAAY too loud. Almost a creepy carnival atmosphere. Prices were WAAAY over the top. $16 for a chef salad? REALLY?? Lettuce was low grade and tasteless. If you want to feel like you're dining in your old high school gymnasium this is the place for you. Lukewarm Italian sausage (dark blue in color--yuck!) with greasy fries. Food is just plain terrible. The ceiling is very high so you feel like you're eating in an airport hangar. Anyone rating this place higher than 1 star really needs to get out more often. Never ever, ever again.
(1)Rick F.
Atmosphere is awesome, beer is great, I love the entertainment lot's of fun. Service fantastic. The place was jammed and everyone was having a great time. Including our party. I've been here 4 times and the food is just not that good or flavorful. Bland is the word to describe virtually every dish. Today I ordered the sausage platter, bland no flavor, mashed potatoes bland no flavor, gravy no flavor, sauerkraut no flavor. I'll be back cause everything else is great and good for parties but just for drinks!
(3)Juan B.
The American franchises are good enough to remind me of my time in Germany. Maes's of beer, schnitzel, wurst, gluewein, and struedel. All the classics under one big roomy enclosure.
(4)Michal F.
Coolest restaurant in Rosemont. Authentic, cavernous and fun. You feel as if you stepped into Bavaria. Atmosphere - the best part You're greeted by waitresses as you would imagine they look in Munich with traditional beer hall garb. You walk in to find a massive high ceilinged place that could likely hold 1000 people. Seating is on long communal tables. If you come at night they have a German band playing that really adds to the experience. Every few minutes they toast their steins with the whole restaurant. Beer Selection is limited to the five beers they brew in house. Nothing experimental just the German favorites of lager, hefeweizen and dunkel. Hefeweizen is EXCELLENT. Citrusy refreshing flavor with a cloudy visage. Holding a full liter stein is pretty badA. Pricing A stein is $13, pretty steep. No matter what size you get it's more about the novelty and less the value. Food is not as rough but still a bit more than you expect. Food Delivers as advertised. Good beer hall food of pretzels, fish and other German favorites. German food is pretty bland though so you're best off spending your chips on the beer. This is a perfect place for a late night with some friends. The atmosphere and good beer is bound to deliver good times.
(4)david m.
An awesome place! Great food, service and beer! Had a great time with a live band that gets everyone into a good mood! Having a bad day? Come here! It will lift your spirits!
(5)Bill B.
Came to Hofbräuhaus for third time here. First two times were alright but this time really sealed the deal. I was sat quickly and food was average like normal, the beer and atmosphere are good. Our server came by and told us they had a special where you buy a boot which is 2 liters and its $20. Come to find out, it was actually $20 for a flimsy plastic boot plus normal price for the beer. I was shocked so I asked the server and he told us he clearly stated that was the case( which he did not). So I asked a manager who showed up with a very bad attitude and told me I must be lying because all servers are very clear about the deal. I told her this was not the case and asked for the top manager. This is where it gets even worse... He was very rude and when I told him his manager told me I was lying he said she did not and she would never say that. Then he continued arguing and insulting me and eventually told me I have to pay and leave. I was appalled.. I was not rude to him. I DO NOT recommend going there. The experience is nice, but it does not compare at all the one in Munich and there are much better options in Rosemont.
(1)John A.
Overall: Clean. Huge. A little gimmicky (it's supposed to be). Staff was very nice. Very fast service. Food: Had a bowl of goulash which was very good. I recommend it. I also had the Friday fish special which was average at best. 3 good sized pieces of fish but I would settle for 2 if it were something a little better. Beer: Had a small Dunkel. Very good beer. Wish I could have finished it. Live music: left before it started. Maybe I'll be back.
(3)Theron P.
The first mistake I made was going to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. It basically ruined all beer garden experiences (aside from Delerium Cafe in Belgium) that I will ever have till I return to Germany. That being said, the Hofbrauhaus beer was extremely good and the wienerschnitzel with potato salad was as close to authentic that you're going to get for a foreign chain brought to America. All in all, everything was very good but not superb. My only complaint was the band playing music inside was so loud that we weren't able to sit inside because we couldn't hear ourselves talk. PS: I love that they serve their beer by the liter, in my opinion the only true quantity beer should be served in.
(3)Anthony C.
After a couple of more visits I must downgrade my original review by a star. This place is by no means terrible but I'm afraid my original impressions were swayed by the prospect of a new German restaurant to frequent in the area. Having been a part of the German bar and restaurant scene on Chicago's north side since the early 80s I was hoping for a new place to open up and take the place of old standbys like Zum Duetschen Eck and the Golden Ox that closed their doors long ago. Part of the problem is being located in the Rosemont entertainment district that's like a little Las Vegas with lots of pretty facades but not much substance - and horrible parking. We again went on an early Saturday afternoon to avoid the rush and hope for decent service and fairly good food. Even though the place was maybe a quarter full the hostess tried to sit us at the end of a full table. Lot's of reservations she said - this was 3:30 in the afternoon and when we left an hour and a half later it was still no more than half full. The food was not terrible but also not good either. The meat and cheese plate was not good, the rye bread was cold and stale. Their soup that day was good but very salty. I had the sauerbraten which was OK but the sides of red cabbage and spaetzle were almost unedible - the cabbage being too sweet and the spaetzle boiled with no flavor or texture at all. The beer was OK - the lager was a little off but the seasonal dunkel was very good. Since our first visit the prices have gone up to $7.50 or $8.00 for a half liter - which is really outrageous for beer brewed on-site. The entertainment is still entertaining but the food and beer is not worth the prices being charged. In their defense I understand that it's very hard to cook good quality meals for hundreds of people at a time - but their prices should then reflect this cafeteria grade food, and they don't. If looking for good German food and beer, venture to the Lincoln Square area or Irving Park off Lincoln to enjoy authentic food and imported beers of the very highest quality.
(3)Sara J.
Yes its loud. Yes it is a little rowdy. That is half of the fun. I have been missing German food for three years and this place hit the spot. Food was excellent. Lots of fun for casual dinner and beer drinking.
(4)Eric R.
Fun place, good food, good beer, what's the problem?? The band was playing during lunch hour and did a great job. Our waitress was cool and easy to chat with. Place is good for groups; it was just two of us and we had fun!! Check it out.
(5)Dan P.
I went here for my graduation, first time coming here. Not bad with seating us, even though we had reservations. My dad is a big fan of the German Oktoberfest, having been there himself, he thought of this place a good replica for us 'Mericans. I had a liter of the Hefeweizen, not being a big fan of them to begin with, I found theirs to be very good! My gf had the summer bier which wasn't bad and my dad had the Hefeweizen as well. Now onto the food...I ordered the Hofbrauhaus Sausage Platter (sorry forgot the real German name for it), came with 4 sausages onto of mashed potatoes and gravy with saurkraut, really good! My dad has steak tar-tar, which is usually an appetizer but he wanted it since he never can find it in the states (he liked it as well). My girlfriend got the bavarian burger which was good and my mom got some combo which came with smoked pork shank. She grew up with pork shank so I understood where she came from by saying it was really dry and over-cooked. She made a comment to the waitress which ended up with the manager coming in and comping the plate and replacing with the sausage platter I had, where she was satisfied. I'm not one to complain over food and felt awkward during the time, but I do give props to management for doing that, giving you guys a good rating. I'd come back again.
(4)Joe S.
A bad experience all around. Our beers were never filled properly, the appetizers had to be sent back, and the main dishes were just ok. Would not recommend or return to this place.
(1)Po B.
We had a lot of fun at this restaurant! The food is delicious and the beer is amazing. The place is loud, so make sure you don't get a table next to the stage if you want to have a nice conversation, and not find yourself yelling at the person sitting next to you.
(4)Suzanne Z.
Was here for the first time for their 1 year anniversary party. It was an interesting experience to say the least! It was very crowded, with a boisterous (and very loud- for someone with a quiet voice like me, I'm pretty sure no one heard anything that I said) energy. They encourage you to stand up on your bench seat and join in on the German songs, which really got a lot of people involved. They had a marching band and ceremonial beer tapping for the event which was cool, and the beer stein holding competition was funny to see! I ordered a half liter of their January beer- a roasty Dunkel which was a little heavy but really good! Had been dreaming of a pretzel all day long, and when I got it, was a little disappointed to find it fresh, but not hot, just room temperature. Their sweet mustard was awesome, the spicy mustard was a little too sour for me. For dinner I got the chicken schnitzel salad- fried chicken with spinach on their potato salad with bacon dressing. Sounded amazing, but I was disappointed. The potato salad again, was so sour tasting to me, and the chicken was very dry. For the price- 15.99, it wasn't worth it, had a little bit for left overs today and threw the rest out. Service was so-so, I get that they were busy, but the waitress would only ask half the table if they needed something. My water cup was long empty before we found an extra from someone else at the table for me to share. The retail counter will validate your ticket so parking is free, nice perk! Otherwise its $13.
(3)Gisela M.
Good beer, Good fun, but the food - so-so. I have been here twice and I have to say the food left me unimpressed. The first time I had the Sauerbraten and I very disappointed. But in all fairness not many placed have made a Sauerbraten that I would say is great. The second time I had the Bratenteller which has a variety of meats including the sauerbraten. And yes, I did not like it again but the hunter style pork roast was better. The red cabbage was fine and so was the spazle. But, if it's a good time and beer you want, then this is the place. You must have the traditional pretzles with mustard. They were very good. I am not a big beer drinker but there is something about having a beer in a traditional beer hall with the music, laughter and friendliness that is worth it.
(3)Marisa V.
What a fun place!!! I had the chicken breast with mushroom sauce and snitzels. It was delicious. Huge glasses of beer, great entertainment and waitress. My hubby was happy, reminds me him of his time in Germany. I'd go back. Went there for birthday.
(5)Mel M.
Great German beer. Love the jumbo pretzel with mustard, cheese and apple butter. Always a fun atmosphere! Service at bar could be better. I hate to be ignored!
(4)Jenny C.
Very loud, great atmosphere, great music/performers but drinks took 30 minutes and food took over an hour. Server only came by like 3 times. Food was bland. I got jäger schnitzel that was soggy instead of crispy because it sat for so long, mushroom gravy was bland. Spatzle wasn't good either. I tried my friend's curry wurst which was awesome though.
(2)J J.
Great space, food, service, and all around good time. Parking situation robbed them of 5 stars.
(4)Renee S.
This place is awesome especially on weekends. We came here for the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest beer was good. Order some shots and you get a complementary on the house spanking with a wooden paddle. Come with a group n u'll have some good fun! I'm comin here for my birthday spanking for sure lol
(5)Angela H.
Went today an I have been anticipating this for a while now. I was disappointed. The atmosphere was neat. We sat in the bar are (seat yourself) we waited about 10 min before anyone came over. We ordered beers (my glass smelt like dirty cleaning solution) and then ordered a pretzel (8.99) with mustard (.99). I went the bathroom to wash my hands and the pretzel was already there, hard, and cold. we asked the waitress about this and she touched the pretzel the said "oh we serve them cold here, if we were to serve them hot then the yeast would expand in your stomach and there wouldn't be any room for beer" I must have looked like a deer in headlights, she then said "it's a German thing" and walked away. hmmm ok, not!!! we sent the pretzel back, got our bill and left. Based on that little experience, I will NOT return.
(2)Janine K.
I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard this is one of two locations in the country, the other in Las Vegas. I've been wanting to visit this place, but wanted the hype to die down as well before visiting this particular location. Referring back to my reviews about this area in Rosemont...the parking is a pain, the parking garage just makes no sense, there are cars going everywhere in every direction, people, etc. I purposely chose to visit this place with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I made reservations for us at 3:00. The reservation process on the website was easy peasy. I got there exactly at 3 and we got right in and got seated. The place was pretty crowded for a late afternoon. Of course we had to order the BIG beers....I mean, go big or go home, right?! Along with our big pretzel for an appetizer. I cant' even recall what my friends ordered for their meals but I had the chicken brat that came with sides and it was very good. We shared black forest cake for dessert. I was very satisfied with my experience here...service, food, beer, entertainment, everything! There was a little while that the place wasn't as crowded after we got there but started to get busy again for the dinner rush. Definitely make reservations...and enjoy the rest!
(4)Samantha J.
I came in here this past Tuesday with a group of about 20 coworkers. we had already been to most of the bars in the Entertainment District as our office is just across the street, so we decided to try Hofbrauhaus out. what a mistake. 1) everything is overpriced. a mixed drink is $15. A pretzel is $13. the 4 beers (yes, they only have 4) are also expensive. 2) service is HORRIBLE. offensive even. Val was our server and she added items on our bill that we didn't order because she assumed (admittedly) that our CFO was paying for it. She also complained about the tips she received from other patrons. We think she was drunk or on something else, because she was acting like a lunatic. I don't like to leave bad reviews unless is completely necessary. the band was fun, it's very spacious, but they really need to work on their food/drink offerings and wait staff. we will not be coming back. there are way better options in this area.
(1)Elisha T.
I came here on a Tuesday night for a group of 10. Half of the hall was filled. POSITIVES * It's a nice place for groups to get together. * The starter pretzel was great * Cool decor and beer hall architecture * The live band and waiters in costume were very cool! * Friendly waiters NEGATIVES * It was really loud, even though the restaurant was only half-full. I couldn't hear the conversation 2 persons away. * The food was ok. FOOD I got the Allgäuer Käsespätzle - It reminded me of macaroni and cheese. The taste became monotonous very quickly.
(3)Lana C.
I am rating this a four because I did not eat here. I could have given it a lower or higher star rating if I had tasted the food. This place is gigantic. Lots of space and looks very German on the inside. Everyone is dressed in German barmaid outfits and extremely friendly. The owner is German and lived in Germany. As we sipped out drinks we met the owner or manger ... Not sure who but he did speak German. and he was very friendly and also very intelligent. It was not busy at all during the time we were there so I can't complain :)
(4)Anna L.
We decided to try this place on a Saturday night. Ehh.. maybe we should have tried another night. The new Rosemont entertainment district is ridiculously crowded on the weekends. I was annoyed when I called because they don't take reservations and they wont let you put your name on the list. What exactly is the reason for this? It would do nothing but make patrons happy. I rarely go to a place that does this because it is EXTREMELY inconvenient. After being told our wait would be 2 hours we wanted to leave but were waiting for one of our friends to arrive and decided to go to the bar. The bar was soo crowded with people waiting (for what I guess was 2 hours also) that we couldn't get anywhere close to it for a drink. Once our friend arrived we decided to wait it out and fought our way to the bar. The Bar: Its insane. It was extremely busy and there were only about 4 bartenders. On a night like that, you really need a bartender for every foot of the bar. It took about 15 minutes to get the attention of a bartender then we finally got our beers. I mean.. its good.. and kind of fun cause they have big beer steins. I believe they are about $13 per stein. You can also order appetizers at the bar. We ordered a giant pretzel with the different dipping sauces. It was definitely enough for the 3 of us. The cheese dip was pretty good. The Entertainment: Its pretty loud in there. They have a German band playing and they are pretty good. They entertain the crowd well and have "sing-a-long" type songs. The later it got.. the crazier the patrons. The beer wenches even spank people (by request) with shot paddles. This is no joke. They spank HARD. 3 steins, and 2 hours later or number still wasn't called. I had to complain and then we finally got seated. I hate to do that.. but we had waited soo long. Food: They have a lot of options. Weve been to a lot of German places and I have to admit, the food here was near the top of them. It was kind of expensive, but good. I had schnitzel, my husband a steak and our friend, one of the sausage plates. We ordered potato pancakes to start with. Our waiter knew there were 3 of us and didn't say anything about us ordering it. When it came it was 2, silver dollar size, potato pancakes. The rest of the plate had sour cream, 2 cucumber chunks, 2 cherry tomatoes and the rest of the plate was FILLED with smoked salmon. Um.. we ordered potato pancakes. None of us eat fish.. so this was a waste. Our waiter didn't give us napkins or forks.. it was weird. I guess he wasn't that good. Overall.. Id go back but never on a Saturday.
(3)Robert W.
The only reason it gets 4-stars is because the band WAS SO INSANELY LOUD. I like going to rock concerts and seeing good DJs mind you, but this Oompa band thought they were KISS by the way they ran the PA. Ironically on the comment cards, they have a check if the band was too loud, check. But at the end of the day, if you can't have fun at a place like this, then you don't like balloons and kittens. Let's get on to the food and drink. Beer? Top notch. Shots? Asbach, Bärenjäger, Jäger, Obstler and Apfelkorn? Yes please. But be careful, they are $7 a shot and they add up. Food? The giant pretzel is a must have. The leberkäse topped with a fried egg is phenomenal and I had the weisswurst the next night and it was done perfect. The food came out insanely fast, so a couple microwave jokes went around, but the food was better than good. Would I go back? Absolutely.
(4)Tim S.
Five stars for the 1860 jersey on the wall #münchenistblau #einmallöweimmerlöwe. Really, its pretty good. Like the one in Germany. I'm just adding words here to get it to the review stage. So like, its a beer hall. Expect beer hall atmosphere and you'll be good..
(5)Jim P.
I always enjoy a trip here, and especially the Heffeweisen beer in the Ein Liter glass. The food is fair- not great. Maybe two and a half stars for the food- I had the Jaeger Schnitzel. The Schnitzel was ok, but the mushroom sauce was poor, and the bacon and onions were not how I remember while living in Germany. The service was superior- so that pushed me up to four stars. The price was reasonable, but I wish they would add fresh baked broectchen rolls with dinner, and maybe a variety of vegetables. Chicken noodle soup would be good too. Be sure to get your parking validated- that's worth $13. Friendly people. Come hungry, leave happy. Aufedesein!
(4)Relic K.
Great time on the weekends! Out of all the places at the rosemont entertainment district this is the place for a more mature fun time. Foods great, beer is great, entertainment great....
(5)Nancy C.
I took my husband and son here for my husband's birthday and to revisit our trip to Munich for Oktoberfest last year. First of all, getting to the restaurant from the road had me annoyed before I even got through the door. The Hofbrauhaus is in an entertainment complex that is completely obscured by the parking structure. There's a little teeny sign at the entrance that is unreadable that says what establishments are there. Once in this maze of a parking structure there are only two choices: self park or valet parking. You still can't see the entertainment complex and there are no signs for the Hofbrauhaus anywhere. I ended up in the valet parking-which was empty on a Sunday night and still had to pay $10 for parking even though it was empty and I parked the car myself. The restaurant itself is a small version of the beer hall in Munich with long tables and benches and a live band. They really need to adjust the volume of the band based on the number of guests in the restaurant. The place was about 1/4 full and the band was so loud that we had to shout at each other to talk. In Munich, the music is pleasant background noise until the band starts playing drinking songs or old favorites when everyone joins in. For the American audience they might include a song book so that people can join in. At the very least they could cut out "Roll out the barrel" and "Edelweiss"-neither of which are German. The best thing about the experience was the food and beer. The food was authentic, delicious and the portions were large. The beer was also great-the same as in Munich. i was disappointed that they didn't serve Radler-a mix of beer and lemon soda-which I grew very fond of when I was in Munich. I was driving and would have ordered one, but stuck to water instead. The service was great. Our server was very friendly and efficient. The bathrooms are hard to find. The big sign on the wall is hidden by the beer kettles. Overall, this was an interesting "destination restaurant" but I'm pretty sure that we won't be going back there any time soon. It's too "dummied down," too loud and too hard to get to. That being said, we won't be patronizing any of the other places there either.
(3)Candace B.
Really LOUD AND MISERABLE.... Way too loud for conversation!! We had headaches just waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Parking is expensive and not easy to find and then a long walk to the restaurant... We will find a 100 other places today before we come back... And I love German food!! So, we did stay, outside. Tatiana was diligent in making the smokers leave the patio and she was excellent in courtesy, promptness, and service. As for the food, everything was very mediocre. I was really hoping for better for the price. The apple strudel was good and the ice cream was fantastic. Still not a place where we will return.
(1)Amanda D.
I had the sausage and pretzel tower appetizer. My husband and I split it and it was a meal in itself. Very yummy! He had the potato soup. He said it was delicious. We both had the hefeweisen, which they brew themselves. Their August beer was a light red malty brew. It was flavorful yet lightweight. The apple strudel a la mode was awesome! My only gripe was the price. I think the items could be a few dollars less, but hey it's a big place with a large staff. I guess they upcharge due to the operating costs. That's my guess.
(4)Nicole J.
This place takes all the best of what Germany has to offer and puts it in a nice little package for us Americans. The food is really good with all your traditional German fare. Wursts, schnitzels, and of course beer! I got the wurst plate which had four different sausages, and sour kraut and mashed potatoes. Very hearty meal. Also they had agree guys playing live music and leading a few chants thought our meal. Then they would come around to each table and play a horn and accordion, as well as some bells. Very talented and makes for an enjoyable atmosphere that makes u think u are in Munich for Oktoberfest. Also right outside are a bunch of other restaurants and bars and a big lawn which you can go relax on. Definitely go here if you are hungry and want to wash it down with German beer.
(5)Nicholas V.
I thought that this place was an excellent introduction to a German Brewhaus. I felt like I flew into Munich for a quick meal and beer. All of the beers were everything that I expected. I had the pretzel and sausage sampler. They both tasted great and accompanied the beer perfectly. The only thing that I didn't like, was the potato dumplings. They were very gelatinous which wasn't what I expected. I know that I probably could've done more research on what they were though. The German performers were excellent with two guitars and an accordion. At one point, they sang happy birthday to a seven-year-old girl, and brought her on stage to do the chicken dance. I think that everyone in the place got up to participate.
(5)Karen C.
Here's the thing. If you are trapped in Rosemont, then this is probably the best place in the world. If you're into that whole let's-get-down-with-German-food-beer-music-etc.-Âin-a-weird-suburban-"entertainment-district"-Âthing, then yes. This is a win! I'm for the most part neither of those things, so this is just A-Ok on my list. When in Rome, right? Or Düsseldorf. Or Rosemont. To be up-front: I'm German, and I strongly dislike German food for the most part... so I am NOT the one to look to for guidance on the menu here. My grandma would not be proud. Sauerkraut? Nope. Sausage? No thanks. German potato salad? Ew. It's warm. Beer? Good. I like beer. Spaetzle? Hells yes. That's about my limit. So, the menu here isn't the best for me... but I'm not holding that against it. I'm just not into this whole weird "we're not in Germany, but let's pretend we are!" thing. I had the Chicken Schnitzel sandwich... I have to say, it was good, but it was a deep-fried chicken breast. Of course it was good. Our waitress was sweet, but almost too sweet... over-the-top sugary sweet to where it seemed way faked. This place is enormous inside... so if there aren't a lot of patrons, the sounds of the band & the Alphorn & all that are just insane. Do not expect to carry on a conversation. I honestly felt like I was at a wedding in Southern Illinois, accordion & all! I end up in Rosemont on rare occasions when trying to meet up with friends from the suburbs, and I'm always left feeling "meh" when I leave this "entertainment district." Good thing is, the company is always great, I love my friends! I just wish there were better options that were this easy to get to. And honestly, I can't help but think about everyone is driving here for the most part, right? And you're drinking these giant beers? And then getting in your cars? Yeah, that freaks me out a bit.
(3)Doug G.
I've been here a few times while visiting Chicago. Always a fun time with the live music and the giant Alphorn blasting. We get the not-on-the-menu appetizer giant sausage platter, so we can sample a crap load of beef and pork products stuffed into intestinal linings. Delicious. I've had both the jagerschniztel and weinerschniztel, as well as the sauerbraten. I found each to be quite tasty. If I had a complaint, it would be that sometimes the service is a little slow, and they don't really have that many draft beers (but I guess that's because they're German and not craft...but still they also run out of the seasonals often and you're just stuck with whatever). A good entertaining spot, worth a visit if you've got a hunger for German cuisine.
(3)Jean Y.
My favorite Hofbrauhaus is in Munchen, though this one had a good beer and schnitzel. It's huge place with long tables and benches and all. This one located near Ohara, didn't have much time to enjoy. It's pricy, though worth it for those people who has Sehnsucht nach Deutschland.
(4)Donnie G.
Great atmosphere and booze. The food is OK. Bavarian pretzels are overrated. The best dish is the jagerschnitzel. We did not find the spaetzle to be as good as traditional German spaetzle.
(4)Odranre B.
pretzel for $14 (but worth about $3)...very overpriced mediocre food...loud and touristy restaurant...the musicians/entertainers were an extra treat for the dining experience, but then they left the stage and rang some bells from table-to-table...then to my table...i did not like that i felt pressured to tip (especially since i just paid $17 for couple of hot dogs that they gave some fancy german names)...now for the pros - the beer selection was great, they will validate your $13 garage parking ticket, we all watched "ein betrunkener mann" bent over the table, getting his buttocks paddled hard by olga, on several occasions...and from the look in his eyes, he seemed to enjoy it...alot
(2)Mallory L.
I will start with a positive and that is the food was delicious and it is a great atmosphere! Our waiter was very nice. He got our order mixed up and he offered to take it back, we declined because it was not a huge deal. Our soup was never brought out. It took almost 30 min for our check and we were on our way to a show. After we had figured out our bill and paid he came back and had added stuff he forgot to put on the bill! It was off putting to have not been given items we ordered and then once we paid to have to pay more for things the waiter forgot.
(2)Beth C.
Great selection of Germany food if you can handle the loud noise and don't plan on talking to each other! Eleven of us from all over the world enjoyed the German dishes and selection of versa.
(4)Bridget A.
The downside is this place is pricey as is everything else located near the casinos and convention hall. For the entrees you do get a lot of food for what you order and the drinks are on par in price with what's being served at Toby Keith's across the street. The upside though is that this place has a great atmosphere and the live show is a lot of fun. I had the chance to visit here this weekend with several German colleagues. Like me, they were entertained by the show and by how familiar some of the customs were for them. I actually thought they were joking when they mentioned dancing on the benches but that is indeed a thing that happens. If you're in Rosemont, it's a nice place to visit.
(3)Nick R.
Lots of fun with a unique environment. This place feels like you are eating at a festival or a party. Live entertainment throughout the night with fun German themed drinking contests. I had the fried chicken schnitzel sandwich was pretty good and my friend had a burger which was decent. Id say you come here more for the environment but the food was still very good. Only downfall is that it's very loud and it starts to get annoying. It's a wide open room and the acoustics aren't very good so there is a lot of echo. May consider coming back if I'm looking for a lively dinner.
(3)John G.
We were very excited to try this place out. My wife's family is from Germany and her father was a regular at the original Hofbrauhaus. Great atmosphere with the band playing and the communal seating. Service was abysmal. Orders were wrong, it took ages for the drinks/food to arrive. Kids meals came after everyone else was eating. Pretzels, along with everything else was not hot. Food did not appear made to order and was extremely bland. Not at all worth the price. The beer was very good and was the saving grace. I may take a client here for a drink in the future, but will not be eating here. The Pork Shank was very bland, the chicken shnitzel tasted like a frozen chicken sandwich
(1)Bill M.
I recently dined at Hofbräuhaus in Rosemont. What, German food in Rosemont? Yes, this huge establishment not too far from O'Hare is styled after the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich, and you are delivered a reasonable facsimile of a real Bavarian experience. The Hofbräu dunkel beer is tasty and refreshing, and the experience of drinking German beer is enhanced with the clinking of large beer mugs. There was a band playing boisterous German drinking music, though I recall they also mixed in a Johnny Cash song. Our group ordered a massive amount of food, so I basically tried a buffet of German food. Appetizers and side items included large baked pretzels with different mustards, smoked salmon and potato pancakes (I did not try the salmon, but the potato pancakes were solid), baseball-sized potato dumplings, red cabbage, spinach and spatzle. The wiener schnitzel was my favorite meat choice and tastiest food item of the evening, with the hahnchen (chicken breast) with mushroom sauce a close second. The beef rouladen dish was surprisingly mediocre. The apple strudel was fine. I'd say I have had better German food elsewhere, but Hofbräuhaus is more about the overall German / Bavarian experience.
(3)Louise M.
*singing* Edelweiß, Edelweiß, Du grüßt mich jeden Morgen, Sehe ich dich, Freue ich mich, Und vergess' meine Sorgen..... The oompah band or whatever it is called for a group of men playing traditional German music is super fun!! It put me in a singing mood as they urged the patrons to sing along and raise their beer stein. Prost! Hofbräuhaus is definitely winning in the atmosphere. It is so inviting the minute you walked in and heard that distinctive polka beat. My friend and I stopped by here for early dinner after our annual christmas shopping outing. We were a bit tired from walking around and dealing with some serious crowd at the Fashion Outlet and a beer just sounded good. We perked up hearing the Edelweiss song and other German drinking songs. The place was huge with tons of communal type table. The Bavarian flags were everywhere and it definitely felt it could be München in there! I have a soft spot for Munich and people who knew me know it's obvious why. In short, I love it in there! The waitresses wore a Hofbräuhaus theme dirndl clothing. Our waitress was a middle age blond lady wearing the costume and her boobs were half out!! It reminded me of Heidi about to milk a goat. I know it made no sense but just milk, udder, goat milking, nips came to my mind. I guess the mammal in me went that way. That's what happened when a hetero girl saw boobs. Just put that shit away! The beer selection was limited to lager, hefe weizen or wheat and the darker beer all brewed and had the Hofbräu brand. I got the wheat and my friend got the lager. I loved my beer! It came in a tall skinny glass while the lager came in a stein. We also ordered the pretzel to share and it was lecker! Yum. The mustard though... Having just dined at the Winzer Stube, one of the top German restaurants in the country, their mustard wasn't as tasty as Winzer Stube. I got the Nürnberger Rostbratwürstl, Bavarian style pork sausage, came in three and roasted to perfection. It came with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes but I changed it to potato salad. It was good!! Real good! The sausages are skinny and long, only good for eating. Hetero girl couldn't think dirty thoughts looking at these sausage fest either. I put it away in a heartbeat. Gulped. Gone. My friend got chicken and spaetzle with mushroom sauce. He's such a picky eater and it drove me crazy. However, this is better than his regular pepperoni pizza. Well, just a tad. He had about 5 things he would consider eating. Again I can't help comparing to Winzer Stube, and I think the spaetzle and the potato salad also lost out to Winzer Stube. It wasn't bad but you could differentiate between a mom and pop and a commercialized establishment. The strudel was a perfect ending. It was super delicate, creamy, and tasted heavenly. It was holy scheise pricy though! $13 for the strudel. Our check was over $80! Nuts! I was shocked actually. This place is definitely wicked fun though. It is more fun with a big group. I was at the one in Vegas as I was there with a bunch of people, and things just went a bit crazy, in a fashion of liter beer stein clanking and grown men dancing like they were in Drew Carey show .. I mean "Who's Line Is It Anyway"...doing the drinking song. I still love this place no matter what! It's a must stop and hope I get to the one in Munich sometime soon.
(4)Michael F.
Love hofbrauhaus in general, been to all, even in Munich. This location is nice but odd, all seems management related. Bartenders can pour beers until they register the drink to a identified customer, which is designed to avoid potential theft of a beer, but adds in needed time. Got my dinner bill for $88, which was bit surprising a pretzel was over $14. More shocking they charged my card $106 before I even got the receipt. They automatically charged me a preset tip. The manager tried to claim it was a Amex issue, I explained I eat out 5 times a week, across 14 states, with the same card. This is the only restaurant doing it. This was a crap management/credit card processor setting, tacky. A manager trying to tell me something I know is not factual is annoying. They don't seem to respect their employees or customers.
(1)Emily J.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus Chicago twice. It's fun, kitschy and has delicious German food. It's located in a weird place in Rosemont - behind the MuviCo where there's a little hotspot for traveling businesses people. Who knew?! You can always hear an Oompah band (or at least I did on both occasions) when dining. The first time, the Oompah band was great and played traditional German music. The second time was strange as the Oompah band played Jimmy Buffett with a traditional German music twist. My recommendation if you do visit is to eat VERY light the day you dine here as you will eat and drink a lot at the Hofbrauhaus Chicago!
(3)Abhishek M.
Over rated beer house. I haven't been to the original in Germany but I think this place is over rated. Sure they have great beer and some authentic food but it's way over priced for Roselle, IL!!! And I am sorry, but the food was MEH! I mean I would have been so much happier had I eaten a 5 guys burger, Subway footlong or a Pita sandwich instead of my veal whatever dish that was with cabbage and potato salad.
(2)Margaret B.
Hofbrauhaus is definitely an experience. This place is huge, and noisy, and raucous, in a good way. Unfortunately, if you have had good German food anywhere else, you will show up here disappointed. I split the Pretzel with Obazter cheese with my friend and had the Chicken Bratwurst. Both were of the quality that you'd find at a ballpark. Neither the best representation of its kind or the worst. Portion-wise the plates were disappointing as well, serving meager portions of the spatzle and mashed potatoes. I've been to better German places in Fort Worth and Indianapolis but you would come here to drink pricey beer and shout at the top of your lungs, so there's always that.
(2)Jigna S.
Ambience - 4.5 of 5 Food - 2.5/3 of 5 (so disappointing)!!! Service - 4 of 5 They had a live band who were awesome! Played all kinds of music, from traditional German to 80's to 90's. Would go back if in the area, but it is definitely too far out of the way from the city!
(3)Linda H.
My brother and his wife love coming to the burbs for dinner and took my husband and I here to celebrate our birthdays. We've been here before and weren't thrilled, but my brother wanted to try the Hofbrauhaus again. If possible, it's even worse than it was a year ago. Our server was very good, very attentive. We started with the pretzel, which is OK. Don't really care that it's supposedly imported from Germany. It's flour, water and salt. The mustard accompaniments were nothing special. I can buy the same thing somewhere else for a lot less than $8.95. My sister in law and I ordered the Jägerschitzel. The presentation was impressive, until we moved the mountain of fried onion strings to reveal a lot of very little. Maybe 3 ounces of meat with a huge pile of späetzel covered in an unpleasant mushroom sauce. My brother had the loaded brat, which was just meh. My husband had the #300, assorted sausages, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. The sausages were nothing special, the sauerkraut was bitter and the potatoes tasted old. My husband is a Master Chef who was trained in Germany, so he knows about great German food. This definitely isn't it. Get your beer somewhere else. Go elsewhere for dinner because there are lots of nice places in Rosemont. The Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is a big showy place, but the quality of the food is very poor. As I stated in the beginning, it's even worse than it was just a year ago. I don't think this place will be around for very long, because it's overpriced, and not worth the trouble to visit. In fact, thinking that maybe a sous chef missed something during our visit, my husband asked if Chef Klaus was in the kitchen and our server said he was there. Oooops.
(1)Carol K.
While German food is not my first choice (funny as that is my heritage so you think it'd be in the blood!) Hofbrauhaus was a fun choice the other night with it's friendly staff huge portions of German food and even live music to liven up this giant beer hall. Located in Rosemont in the MB Financial Park (basically at the corner of 294 and Balmoral by the airport) this place is cavernous. And if you go to eat, you will be sitting at long communal tables just like in the old country. The servers are dressed in their Germanic wear and can carry a fistful of beer mugs quickly to your table. They brew their beer right there and just be sure to ask what size they are giving you as the one they poured me was more like a pitcher! I went for the schnitzel and my friend had some kind of pork that was also quite good Food portions are so big that my schnitzel was falling off the edges of the plate! It came with German potato salad which was also quite tasty And don't forget to have the strudel for dessert. It was calorie worthy. There is a band up front that plays everything from polkas to Johnny Cash. And if that isn't entertaining enough, the three guys in the band will walk around the beer hall singing and playing at your table. I think I still have "I fell down in the burning ring of fire" echoing in my head! Parking, if you go, is still a miss at this place. The signs will direct you to the garage but you have to circle around if you want to valet park by the restaurant. Also- if you park in the garage, take your ticket to be validated as the $13 fee is waived. Doubt this will be a regular stop for me, but if you are looking for something fun and a little different, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is your place!
(4)Matthew K.
Had lunch here one day and it was barely ok. Place is huge and we ordered fish and chips. It was bland and not worth going back.
(2)Azhar S.
Pretty good place with tasty food. I ordered the chicken bratwurst with vegetables and sauerkraut. I also had spicy mustard on the side. Wow what an excellent combination and a good size portion. My first time actually eating German food. Music and decor is very festive and the wait staff was very kind and informative about their menu. They have a huge beer selection which is obvious for being a German place. Some friends ordered the beers and said it was very good and reasonably priced for the amount they give you which is a TON. Would recommend this place.
(4)Jon P.
Firstly, I want to address the bad reviews. You obviousely didn't do your homework before you went to the Hofbrauhaus.... It is supposed to be a large cafeteria environment, it is supposed to be loud and obnoxious and it is supposed to be a fun experience. If you don't want that.... stay home or go to the Melting Pot and eat in a dark (private) closet! Now, we went for our fourth family outing to the H-house and it was far and away the most fun and entertaining dining experience I've had in years. The food was good, it wasn't the absolute best German food I've ever had, but they serve like 2,000 people a night and I am always amazed that the food is as hot and fresh as it is. Really the only reason I can't give a full five stars. Now, I've posted a video of the madness that is Hofbrauhaus. But I will share with you a bit of what you can expect. It is the only restaurant that the waitresses carry a large paddle and they aren't afraid to use it! If you order a round of shots (and I recommend that you do) you will want every member to bend over at the end of the table, take their shot and prepare for the paddle. I think I still have a bruise on my ass from three weeks ago!! The next thing you know you will have tables around you ordering shots and subsequent paddlings one after another. Really a great atmosphere!! Also, the music and the "OY OY OY" makes the whole experience very celebratory. Take my advice, bring a big group, be prepared for it to be controlled chaos, drink, and if you're not a stick in the mud.... HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)Jesus G.
This place was fun and the service was great however I was not impressed with their food! I felt like it was pricey and probably not the best quality since I was burping those sausages I tried for the following 2 days! Beer was good and it seems like they have seasonal beers throughout the year. I would go back but just for the beer and the ambiance however I will just eat elsewhere in that Rosemont area.
(3)Liz G.
This is one of my new, favorite restaurants! I went there last night for dinner for the first time. The atmosphere was fun, energetic and awesome! The beer was delicious and the food was even better. Top Tip: It was my boyfriend's birthday, and I asked if they can do anything for him as a surprise. The waitress recommended I purchase a shot and she would spank him with the shot paddle afterwards. This was the funniest and most entertaining experience I had at a restaurant! Thank you, Hofbraughaus, for a wonderful experience! I will definitely be returning shortly. #GermanFood #LiveEntertainment #BestTime
(5)Amy D.
The mediocre beer is overpriced. There are so many better places to go for beer in the area. But the worst part was the band. I understand their theme is Oktoberfest, but when the bar is nearly empty on a Wednesday afternoon, they could turn down the volume when there aren't enough bodies to absorb the sound. I was just finishing up and getting ready to leave to go to a quieter bar when one of the band members sneaked up behind me to blow a loud horn in my ear to startle me. When he succeeded in scaring me, the band and the rest of the bar laughed. I called the next day to give the manager John feedback on this incident and he made excuses before hanging up on me. I would recommend avoiding this place and going next door to the Park Tavern or to Toby Keith's or to Adobe Gilas - you'll get better food, better drinks and have better atmosphere. UPDATE - The manager lied to you. That is not what happened when I called. He was defensive and rude to me and making excuses and did NOT apologize. I told him the band should have some more training on who they can F- with and who they shouldn't. Your restaurant is certainly NOT a place for families.
(1)Srita C.
Really really an amazing place!! It was a celebration!!! My first time visit to a German bar and I absolutely loved the atmosphere. Beer was great but food was okay. The starter we ordered the Shaved Emmenthaler Cheeseplate was awesome!!! Two huge dollops of cheese and a small pretzel. I'll give it a 5. It was yummm! I had the Vegetarian Schnitzel and an order of fries. I loved the fries and the cranberry jam but couldn't eat the potato salad. I'll give it a 3 but again I can't complain because I don't eat meat. My fiancé had the Hofbräuhaus Hähnchen which he rates as 2. But no complains - good beer and good cheese! We will definitely come back again!
(4)Claire R.
Music inside is way too loud and the songs we're sang horribly. We had to move outside because I got a headache. The service was good. Our waitress was very understanding. The bread we had to order in order to get was stale and even though we order a new one that was stale too. The food was overall delicious and filling though it was more than I would pay for a plate. I suggest sharing with someone for one plate considering they have a lot of food for one person. Another thing is that since it's so close to the airport your conversations would be cut off randomly. All together it wasn't the worse meal I've ever had.
(3)Chris E.
I've been to the original in Munich and I can say this is obviously an Americanized version. The food is good and is German in at least spirit if not perfect in authenticity. The beer selection is limited which is pretty much like the original but I can appreciate wanting to have influence on the entire experience. The price tag might be on the higher side for what was offered in quality and quantity. But those small flaws are more than made up for in the presentation and entertainment which makes for a fun atmosphere best enjoyed by a group for a special occasion.
(4)Valerie J.
My husband and I have been wanting to try this place for some time now, but the desire grew much stronger after having gone to the original Hofbräuhaus München (er, in Munich, Germany ;) this past April. Off the bat - we knew it would be Americanized and different... However I did not at all expect an extremely loud cover band playing pretty crappy American music inside. We literally couldn't hear the person sitting right next to us. Apparently, since this is in a pretty impressive entertainment complex, and it was a Thursday, there was an equally loud (but much better) 90's cover band outside. Thankfully, we found an outside spot around the corner from the stage where we could actually converse a little and enjoy ourselves. First off - the beer. They had Hofbrauhaus original, and my husband ordered a liter, of course. You know, the correct, European style liter. It was good, they did well on that, so kudos. The wine list was crap and the bottles were like what you get on an airplane. Oh well, like I said, I didn't expect it to be like Germany. My husband, the smart man that he is, ordered the Wienerschnitzel. While they make it with pork and not veal, and it was a bit thinner than in Germany, it was still really well-done and I think the best meat of the evening. Even better? The German style potato salad was super on-point! (I did steal a lot of his Wienerschnitzel, but that was OK as the portion was huge!) (Want to see our attempt at making said Wienerschnitzel when we'd come home from our trip? Check out the video blog here: kumocafe.com/2014/04/coo… ) I sadly (so, so sadly) ordered the Jagerschnitzel as we'd had it in Frankfurt and it was delicious. Here? Oh, no... It just tasted like bad Italian food. Really, really bad Italian food. To make matters worse - it came with the most terrible, clearly frozen and reheated spaetzl that I have *ever* had. My father-in-law was horrified after tasting it. C'mon Hofbrau Chi-town, play hard or go home! My mother-in-law got the curry wurst and said it was good. I didn't try it. My father-in-law didn't even *remember* what he'd ordered but he seemed happy with it. My brother in law ate both of his sausage links and seemed pleased. I have no clue what his girlfriend ordered, but I think it was some kind of chicken. Our waitress was decent, but didn't really check on us once we had our food and beer. Still, she was nice and accommodating as we moved around to find a suitable table. The highlight of the night, aside from my husband's food and beer, was our happy chitchat and the spontaneous fireworks show at the end of our meal. This apparently happens every other Thursday in the summer, and every Thursday in August. Did we pick a perfect night to go or what? And it turned out great that we sat outside! We left feeling cheerful and happy, and I think that's the best tribute to a restaurant, even if some of their dishes need quite a bit of tweaking. My mother-in-law even insisted on trying to country dance with me to the terrible cover-band as we left. Fun right? All this, mixed with the fact you know you're going to a quirky restaurant in an entertainment complex (with extremely frustrating parking) makes me say this place is A-OK, though not great. I was really blown away by all the different eateries, bars, and other things to do in this spot. Seems like it'd make for many a fun time.
(3)Avni S.
Wow this place is huge! Walked in and noticed how open it was. There was a live band playing and it was early afternoon! Of course as it got closer to dinner the place started filling up. My friend was already seated at the huge 10 person table. Tables are well spread out and there is definite potential to be seated by strangers when it gets busy but I really like that idea! Right away our waiter took our drink order although I wasn't ready so my friend placed his order and I promised to be ready when he returned with his beer. To my surprise he not only brought my friends beer but a sample of one he thought I would like. Of I liked it so I ordered it. He took our giant pretzel order and off he went. For the record that was truly a giant pretzel and the mustard sweet and savory served with it was soooo good! I asked for a spoon! We also order the fish and potato salad to split, every bite was delicious! I the fish was lightly breaded and the potato salad was amazing! Thanks for the great service, great food, and great atmosphere! I am a return customer for sure!
(4)Lauren P.
The band that was playing was way too loud we ended up sitting out side so we could hear the server. It also gave me a headache do to the awful band. The bread was stale and it costed extra as well. Even when we order a new batch of bread it was still very stale. The potato soup was very good. The service was nice and our server was very understanding. The main courses were good, but not for the price. The beer was well crafted .
(3)Yanja B.
This is a fun place and a great atmosphere but the bartenders and the bills were very SKETCHY!! The music was entertaining, and fun. My boyfriend and I came here late at 11:30pm to meet up with a few friends. There was plenty of seating at that time. Why its sketchy and I will be hestiant to return back: First, the bartender behind the bar was so rude, I don't need to see you cringe your face and roll your eyes when you take my order. Plus the bar was not busy at all. Another reason I am appalled by the unprofessionalism and poor business practice of the bartender was when my boyfriend and I ordered two rounds of drinks.. The first time we ordered a mixed drink and a specialty drink= bill was about $28? (Mind you the specialty drink was $13 and the mixed drink was $9.) Next round, we both ordered mix drinks and it did not contain any premium alcohol but it ended up costing more than the first time, bill was $32!! And I know the bartender is not stupid and fully competent person so this must've been done on purpose. It's insulting and infuriating. Other than that its a fun place...
(1)JohnDoe 7.
If your into drinking and really loud places then this is the place for you. The service was good and the food was outstanding. But it was really loud for my likening.
(3)Terry R.
Never actually been to a German restaurant but when I came to the Hofbrau House really love the food and the beer and the service
(3)Valerie W.
So, I've been wanting to go to the Hofbrauhaus since it opened... mostly because I've been to the one in Munich. Also, I get a mad hankering for spaetzle every once in awhile. While I make my own, it's a messy undertaking. So, it's been open about a year or so, and I just got to go for the first time a few weeks ago. Not gonna lie, I'm going back tonight. For beer. And Spaetzle. And Wienerschnitzel. My heart has a soft spot for all three. We went for dinner on a Friday night, and my only complaint was the NOISE. It's a beer hall, so I know it's loud. Maybe if the rain holds off we can sit on the patio tonight. So, anyway, it was loud. I was having trouble hearing our server, but we made do. I think she was having trouble hearing us also, because she brought an extra liter of beer. She took it back no problem, but yeah, noise. We ordered a jumbo Bavarian pretzel to share with mustard. It wasn't as JUMBO as I thought it would be, but tasted fresh and both the sweet and spicy mustard went nicely. I ordered the jagerschnitzel, which is a pork Wienerschnitzel topped with mushroom sauce, onions and bacon, served with spaetzle. It was tasty and very rich. I think tonight I'll be getting just regular old schnitzel, and ordering a side of spaetzle. Oh, that brings me to another point. NO SUBSTITUTIONS! You may not substitute one side dish for another. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal and the fun that comes along with a trip to Hofbrau. Live music, standing on tables, singing, cheering, drinking. PROST!
(4)Clifford S.
I really like German food but this was just OK German food. I had wiener schnitzel which paled by comparison to what I get in my home town at the Bier Stube. The man I was with had never had German food before and he was very impressed. That's cool that he began his German food experiences here. Service was good and ambiance was similar to a huge Beer Garden with communal tables. Sounds better in Germany than here. If you've never had German food, you will love it. If you already a big fan of German food you might just find it OK.
(3)Minh-An C.
After a long week of studying and working, my classmates and I wanted to celebrate and release some stress so we met up at Hofbrauhaus on a Thursday night. The reason we went on a Thursday was because every Thursday during the summer at 9:45 PM, the courtyard in front of the restaurant (MB Financial Park) puts on a themed concert and an awesome firework show. This past Thursday (8/28/14) was the last Thursday event for the summer season. We arrived and took over a long table with almost 20 people. Almost all of us started the night with the 1 L mug of beer and continue with some food and shots. NOTE: it is a German tradition for you to get spanked if you take a shot. It is a great show to see your drunk friends get spanked. Level of spanking by the workers will range but if you're "lucky", you will get spanked by THE PUNISHER (my class dubbed her this name) and you might not be able to sit down right away after the spanking. This place is a great place to bring a big party and enjoy German beer and German food. It is definitely not a cheap place so be ready to spend at LEAST $20-30 for beer and even more if you want food. Food is mediocre and the only highlight was the garlic potato salad that came with my chicken bratswrust. Parking in the structure is free with validation.
(3)Julie Y.
Came here because the wait at park tavern was too long. Actually had a blast! Ate tons of sausages and got to listen to mexican music.. Which was kinda weird but entertaining. Even though it was extremely packed the service was pretty fast which I wasn't expecting. It's extremely loud and you will be sitting next to a lot of people when it's busy so would not recommend this place for a first date. It's fun to come with a group of people tho. The drink list wasn't that great but they have beer and average wine. The sausages were salty but when aren't they?! Defiantly recommend this place if you're looking for somewhere to go with a group of friends that are not vegetarians.
(4)Joe P.
Wow! I really enjoyed this place for my birthday get together. We had a group of 6 meet here on a Thursday and everyone had a blast. I have been wanting to come here for a long time, but Hofbrauhaus just sat collecting dust in my bookmarks. When I was asked what I wanted to do for my birthday this place popped into my head and stuck. The main goal: to get a liter of beer. I'll echo the other reviews and say the inside is huge! I would love to go back in the summer and enjoy a nice cold beer outside. They brew their own beer and you get to walk by their beautiful stainless steel brewing equipment. The Thursday night that we went was not very busy. There was no problem getting a table and our server promptly got our drink orders. The liter of beer was acquired-mission accomplished. We were all a little preoccupied chatting and catching up but our server very kindly came by to see if we had decided on food. The beer was awesome! We ordered some food, enjoyed the love music, and enjoyed the beer. We started out with the giant pretzel (spoiler alert! It was so good we ordered a second after dinner and dessert!) The pretzel was delicous, the 2 mustards went perfectly, and the cheese dip was good. I had the wurstplate next. The sausage was great, the mashed potatoes were stellar, and I even ate the sauerkraut which I don't normally like. There was more mustard which went well with the sausage. I loved the Hofbrauhaus! It was a fun time with great beer and food. PS-yes I did get paddled by the lady server after my apple schnapps birthday shot
(5)K Y.
It took me a while to get here and I can see what the fuss is about. Great beer selection, fun beer garden and fabulous schnitzel and spaetzle. Seriously though the beer garden rocked. Even at 11:30 at night it came to life! Ok, be warmed that there is paddling that goes on and shots. And drinking. But there is this life that you cannot find at park avenue or Toby Keith's in the square. BTW, I loved the beer!
(5)Hannah P.
Bad service, tasteless food and expensive for what it is. I wouldn't come back to eat. If you want beer then come. 1 liter $13.50 .5 L $7.50 .3 L $5.50
(1)Andrew T.
I figured this place would just be a food factory, but I was pleasantly surprised. I also should point out that we showed up as a big group, and they even managed to seat us early, which was great. Part of that was a function of the huge venue, but also, it was Saturday and the place was jammed, so I was also pleasantly surprised with that. They have a huge menu, almost tough to pick which item to go with, but I eventually ended up with jägerschnitzel, which was quite good. The pork was tender and reasonably flavorful, the gravy wasn't overwhelming, and the spätzle was buttery and tender. Really no complaints. The service was reasonably quick, again, especially given size and volume of customers, and the prices were reasonable. Do be prepared for it to be quite loud though, as the high ceilings and hard surfaces make for an echo chamber...especially when the band kicks in. That aside, I guess I expected to fall in to a bit of a cheesy tourist trap, but it really wasn't. So way to go, Hofbräuhaus!
(3)Victoria W.
I went for my first visit just yesterday. I guess I have been spoiled with the local German spots in Chicago, but this place seemed very commercialized. The food was good, but expensive. The waitress was nice. When the band started playing Margaritaville is when I became confused. What I like about German restaurants is the authentic atmosphere and family vibe. Maybe I made the mistake going on a Saturday, so they were trying to play to the crowd. I would have loved some real German music! This is probably just my personal taste, but I'll be sticking to my local spots.
(3)Francesca L.
Yikes. Ok, I may be biased since I much prefer the Hofbrauhaus in Munich. But seriously...yikes! I was here for probably a solid 20 minutes and couldn't get a beer. For that alone, I want to give this place 0 stars. It wasn't even that busy! I was flagging people down, chasing waiters with trays of beer, and nothing. Also, we paid a ticket price for a buffet, and when we got up to the front of the line all that was left was cabbage and carrots..?! Waste of time and money. Don't go here, it's an affront to the Germans.
(1)Liz T.
Good German fun. My husband I settled in here on accident during Octoberfest and had a nice evening. The ambience was fun and there were plenty of people even on a Wednesday night. You come here for the entertainment. Keep that in mind. There was a live band, the waitresses/waiters were in full costume, and they stick with the theme. The place is huge and extremely loud. You sit at large picnic tables and can meet other people at your table. The beer is all Hofbrauhaus and overpriced. The food is all overpriced. BUT you're paying for the atmosphere and the entertainment. Which was fun. We split the special and were not able to switch out a chicken brat for the regular. We were charged for an extra plate and split an overly expensive but delicious beer. The food was good but the service was somewhat terrible. The waitress was nice, but we waited almost a half and hour to get our check once our plate was cleared. We were considering ordering another beer but our gal didn't come by. The food was good, but not $23 dollars good. If you're entertaining guests from out of town and want a loud German bar, this is it. I think this place is a lot of fun, but I wouldn't come back for dinner again.
(3)J H.
Went there last night for dinner. There was a band playing outside (Atomic Punks) so, this was a good way to catch the show and eat a decent dinner. We were surprised that we showed up right at 7 and got a fabulous table outside! Our server was very nice though she did let our drinks go empty ( we took care of it by calling her over). But, she had a good personality and was happy to help out. The busser was a bit aggressive - trying to take plates before we finished food - but he backed off when we said we were still eating. I got the Hefeweizen with lemonade added - made a very good shandy. It was refreshing and went down quickly! My husband got the beer of the month. He ordered more than one so, must have been good! We started with a pretzel with all the trimmings. I love pretzels and this did not disappoint. I liked the cheese but really liked the mustard - sort of sweet and tangy - perfect! My husband had the sauerbraten - he has been to Germany several times and said it was comparable to what he experienced. Since I am a vegetarian, I had the noodles. Normally this comes with a salad but i asked if I could substitute the veggies of the day. Oddly, I was told this is NOT normally fine but the kitchen must have been in a good mood- they made it happen! I have to say, it was worth it. It was a great medley of mushrooms, spinach and sun dried tomatoes. I ate those all and ended up taking my noodles home. I think for the price, they should give more veggies and also allow the substitution of veggie instead of salad without any concern. We did share the strudel for dessert which, though we did not finish it, we enjoyed. The dough was very thin and the apples had the right seasoning. Being of German / Eastern European descent , I've had a lot of strudel in my life. This was good. I think this is a solidly above average spot. It's fun and the people are nice. I wish they had more veggies / vegetarian options but I also know that's really not part of German cuisine. It is a little pricey for what you get but it was an enjoyable date night.
(4)Jiyoun B.
I liked this place. Mind you, I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich/Munchen. What could you not like about sausage and beer? Well, the price is kinda steep and there are better options in Chicago proper but for Rosemont? C'mon! You go to places like this for the experience. I guess the music really depends on the night/day. My baby really liked the music, haha.
(4)Andrew D.
Appreciate Hofbrau bringing their delicious beer to Chicago, but this place is very much chain and very much commercialized. The food is mediocre, at best, and costs WAY too much. The beer is also overpriced. The place gets loud and rowdy and it is full of rude, drunk Polish people. The table near us was throwing food and paper at people, as well as trying to break their steins, and should have been kicked out WAY earlier and security is lacking. Not surprising that a few of the dudes were passed out by 11 p.m. At their table. Still didn't get kicked out. Service is also slow, as the place often reaches capacity. For better food, beer, value, and an all around authentic German experience, head to Lincoln Square and eat at Brauhaus, drink at Huettenbar or the Hansa Clipper, and attend Maifest. I would recommend avoiding this chain. You can have Hofbrau beer at most of those places. It's a shame they opened this and closed Uberstein in Wrigley, because Uberstein was a lot more intimate and authentic, considering it was also a Hofbrau place. The beer gives the place a second star.
(2)Ban Y.
Really solid beer, quite tasty food. The portions are not overly large but they're satisfying anyway, probably because you're drinking beer with it. Really on-point with the hefeweizen! Their patio is great in patio season. Imagine Disney put together a German beer hall themed restaurant (and for all I know EPCOT probably has one). There's kind of a carnival atmosphere, with the ever present ommpahpah band. In fact, the band and their insistence on audience participation is one minor detraction, and yet it's fun all the same. It really sets the theme. You're not just there, you're participating in something. Sometimes I'll avoid a bar with a band unless I'm particularly going to see the band. Let's admit it, no one is likely to seek out an oompahpah band. However it's part of the package. The place wouldn't be the same without it. It may not be a good place to go if you want specifically to interact with the people you came with. In that case the choruses of "Ein Prosit" you're asked to join would be an interruption. In that case, the patio might work better. Or, you know, somewhere more low key. The beer: never had a bad one there yet. The list is short, though: there's the heff, a Pilsen, and a rotating seasonal. Drop in if you can, it's worth doing up at least once!
(4)Natalie D.
I have been here twice and each time was great. The pretzel was better the second time (smaller size was better). I'm not sure exactly what I ate as it came out as a tower but it was all very tasty. I recommend the potato salad: it's mustard based not mayo based which I really liked. Their Spetzel has been accused of tasting watery but I think the spetzel here is perfect and not watery at all! I like this food a lot and the bands are fun. It's a challenge to have a conversation bc it's so loud but it's a fun time. I plan to go back and I recommend it for people to try. I realize that it won't be up everyone's ally. The food is good, the atmosphere is good, and the service is very good. Also, their beer is pretty much all lager style which is popular but not my thing.
(4)Kymberly J.
Major disappointment. I may be ignorant to the whole German Beer House thing but I expected more beers than their house brew. I was trying to keep my drinking cost low this particular day since I was there for a very long pub crawl. There were NO beer specials so I ended up paying $8 for a beer I thought was only OK. We also got this giant pretzel for over $13...wtf? I could have gotten something better at Auntie Annies in the mall. The pretzel was cold and blah. We ran into our server later outside who told us the dough is shipped in from Germany. Ewwww. The atmosphere was cool. Tall ceilings, communal dining like a German beer hall. It was a big rip off that seemed aimed at taking tourists money.
(2)Don J.
The environment is nice but the prices are unreal. 80 bucks for a few beers and a snack. The women are not great and we waited far too long for service.
(1)Mike M.
Great restaurant if you like to pay to park and need to eat bland food due to dietary restrictions. $10 to valet park. Other option was to park in garage for $13. Jumbo hot pretzel came out cold. Wurst platter was taste-free. Could be a fun place to have a few beers, assuming you're on a layover or staying at the hotel across the street.
(2)Toni F.
Beer - large Food - better than I expected Music - loud Service - good Lots of fun and noise - not the kind of place you'd visit weekly but you have to try it at least once. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised like I was.
(3)Coll F.
I studied a semester in Munich so this is a fantastic reminder of the German "gemütlichkeit". Sausages & kraut are great as is the beer. Come when a oompah loompah band is playing for even more fun. Reserve early for Oktoberfest as they fill up fast!
(4)JD A.
This past Monday was my first visit. I was greeted right away, our server was extremely nice and attentive and offered recommendations on what to order. The lager beer is amazing, nice flavor and love the litre size mugs! I was very impress that a live band was playing on a Monday night and not only playing but interacting with the crowd. Such a fun place, I can't wait to go back. I bet on the weekends this place is even more fun!
(5)Kali M.
I'm a sucker for the Hofbrauhaus; we always go when we're in Vegas and even managed to visit the original in Munich. So when I saw this one from the highway outside ORD, I practically plowed through every lane to the exit so I could get my beer-and-pretzel fix. If all you're after is the food & drink (minus the party), stop in at lunch. The place is HUGE, though, and was empty while we were there midday, so I don't know how it might be during dinner hours.
(5)Amanda B.
Come here for the beer and atmosphere, skip the food. I've been here many, many times. After the first visit, I proclaimed that it was the most fun I've had in a bar. You get to stand on tables! With strangers! And sing! And drink out of gigantic beer mugs! The music is not my favorite but it suits the establishment of course. It's a loud place, especially in the evenings on the weekends. I've never been too impressed with the food and I'm further disappointed when the bill comes. I've tried the pretzel (Pretty good), salmon medallions, and the vegetarian schnitzel. If you must eat, I suggest sharing the pretzel with friends. If you order a shot, it is delivered to you on a special paddle board. After you take your shot, you are told to bend over your chair, and you are subsequently paddled. But, "paddle" makes it sound less painful than it actually is. All in good fun! The beer is delicious and comes in many sizes, but the liter seems to be the most popular.
(3)Diana K.
The food and service was incredible. Traci our sever was awesome and friendly. The food was outstanding. The music was great to listen to while eating. The view we had outside was awesome. I would definitely eat here again for sure.
(5)Sam P.
We had good service until the shift change. We each had one beer and then a member of our party came late. When he got his beer the band was encouraging to cheers...we had already done it a few time that night and thought nothing of it. One of the girls in our party cheers with the new comer and the glass broke on inpact. Out of the 5 people who came to check the progress of the mess only 2, the bus boys, were more worried about us. The rest of the time we were blamed when it was a total fluke. We have been here before and have always been encouraged to cheers one another without any problem.
(3)Michele S.
Been here several times. I've never been disappointed in the food or the beer. Service seems to be hit or miss, and the same goes for the music. The last time we went was on a crowded Saturday night. The band played a bunch of American music cover songs, which I did not care for. The only "German" music that was played was a modern German song I had never heard. Outside of that, the crowd participation is always fun. We ordered the "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 mustards), "gurken salat" (cucumber salad), "Hofbrauhaus wurstplatte" (sausage plate), and "munchner schweinebraten" (pork roast). We loved all of it, and completely cleaned the plates.
(3)Matt R.
Beer: 5/5 Food: 3/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 After shortly arriving in Chicago via O'Hare I opted not for the deep dish pizza, but for fresh German beer and schnitzel at the franchised Hofbrauhaus. Very close to ORD, it is accessible by train or cab. I took the blue line one stop, got off at rosemont and walked about 15 min before arriving at my foodie destination. Immediately upon entering this megaplex the rush of aromatic hops filled my nose, and I felt like Peter from family guy at the Pawtucket brewery (or Charlie in the chocolate factory). The friendly staff is dressed in leiderhosen and the massive space filled with bench style tables. If I didn't have an exam later in the day I would have went for a tall mug but opted for a sample size of the Oktoberfest for $1.75 (I couldn't resist at least trying!). As I drank my beer enjoying its smooth taste I marveled at the giant vats of brew behind the bar, with every variable controlled by the beer-meister at the center console. For food, the jägerschnitzel arrived prompt and was different than what I had previously at my local German restaurant. The pork was not breaded and came smothered in a rich mushroom sauce topped with two long strips of bacon and fried onions. Although I questioned the authenticity of this dish, the side of spaztle was a bit salty and did not have the brown buttery taste as it should. Nevertheless, it was a tasty meal overall enriched by the polka music playing in the background. I imagine this place gets crazy during the late hours and I would bring some drinking pals. I'll have to wait until the buffalo location opens before coming back to try the schnitzel and drink out of the boot.
(4)Gwen E.
We just had our company Christmas dinner here and it was a blast. ...we had so much fun! The atmosphere was great...the waitress was friendly and the food was really good..we ended up singing and just having a great time! I'm not a beer drinker so I settled on a nice cocktail which was yummy....I had the sauerbraten which was very flavorful and tender..I could cut it with a fork..delicious! It does get loud so this isn't the spot for a romantic date but with a group of ppl who want to have a good time..this is the place.
(4)Allison C.
Blandest overpriced food and more obnoxious than Disneyland. Their food cost way too much and tasted like it had been sitting out all day. Yes, I know, it's standard for German places with live music to play "Happy Birthday," and "OI OI OI! (song name?) over and over. But this place did more than that. It played the SAME German and American songs multiple times within less than an hour. The Simpson's Itchy and Scratchy Land episode came to mind. "How wonderful to ring in the new year over and over!" "PLEASE KILL ME!" With all the great places in Lincoln Square, there's no need to go here.
(2)Gaby C.
This place is a hoot! The food is okay but the live music and crowd participation is fun! We saw people get smacked on the tushy with a wooden paddle..and we couldn't pass the opportunity to do the same for our nephew. Buy a shot, get smacked in the read by a true German.
(3)Jennifer Q.
I'm kinda on the fence here. I wanted to love this place. It was my first time. The atmosphere and server was really nice. However, I wasn't super impressed. Shame on me for not knowing much about German food. It just seemed really plain. Plus, from what I understood, there were only 4 beers on tap. I guess I was expecting something a little more. -Like some really interesting, flavorful food and a bunch of unique and strong German craft beers. While the sausage on a bun was rather boring, I did really like the potato salad. Plus, my friend ordered a curry sausage and that was really interesting. It almost tasted like BBQ sauce rather than traditional curry. To be fair, this was the day of the German World Cup game. At first, it was CRAZY inside (again, that might be your thing depending on your get together). However, I was reuniting with some old friends so we wanted to catch up. That said, once the game was over, it calmed down and I quite liked the outdoor seating. It might be a case of a really fun venue but not the right venue for our particular occasion. I would be willing to come back to learn more about their menu and update if I have a better experience. Maybe I will bring a few rowdy friends and get into the spirit a little more!
(3)David O.
I never said Craig or Greg was the bartender, in fact I never got the bartender's name. Perhaps it was your bartender who was inebriated or misidentified him purposely? Sorry but I don't get drunk on 2 beers, nor do I allow myself to get into that state in public and put myself in danger of all sorts of issues while ALONE. I was targeted by your thief employee and I have called him out. I stand by my comments and my review and you are not going to intimidate me nor will I allow you to distort the truth. I am well aware this is a dangerous metropolitan area and have been told a while back that Rosemont is not a safe place either. Threatening me with park police or charges is a pretty strong statement. I take my safety seriously as well. This is why I will not be bullied nor threatened directly or indirectly. I don't go out of my way to post on here without a good reason. Truth is truth and I stand by my account. I assure you that you'll never see me at Hofbrauhaus Chicago again. PS this restaurant is likely owned by a rich Turk, because a real German would kill themselves before allowing such behavior at his restaurant.
(1)Frank S.
This place has great food and great vibe. Truly A great family place. I don't know how someone can even think to rate this 3 stars or lower.
(5)Toni B.
I would actually give this restaurant 3.5 stars...the hubby would give it 4 because he LOVED his meal when he came here with friends. I have come here two times on a girls night out. The service is pretty decent but my only issue is the pricing! Holy cow! Their jumbo pretzel with cheese is almost the same price as a meal, and the pretzel isn't even that jumbo! My girlfriends and I thought they brought us the wrong pretzel...yikes! The band that plays is definitely entertaining and on the weekends they have contests, which is fun! They do have valet parking as well if you don't want to deal with the parking garage!
(3)Blr R.
I was very happy with the Jagerschnitzel lunch. Perfectly sized portion. The Creamy Bavarian Potato Soup was delicious. Service was prompt and friendly.
(5)Taylor M.
When we first arrived, I thought I was going to hate this place. It was loud and crowded. There was a thirty minute wait and you have to share a table with other people. Our wait ended up being closer to 15 minutes, it was kind of fun to sit at a table with random people, and the live music and entertainment was, well... Entertaining! The pretzel with the works was yummy and filling we couldn't finish it. The entrees all looked so big that in ordered the potato pancake with salmon appetizer for my meal and it was great too. I wasn't able to finish it because it was huge as well. The entertainment was amusing. I liked standing on my chair doing the chicken dance and watching people have various competitions on the stage. I would highly recommend checking this place out for an out of the ordinary experience!
(4)Jessica S.
Atmosphere gets a 5. Food is a 3. Ordered the chicken special with spaetzle. Not great. But the music and service made it a great experience
(3)Cindy S.
Fun, easy going. A bit too loud for conversation when music is playing
(4)Ed A.
came here expecting lots of sausage and beer on the menu. We were not disappointed. The also poor a decent glass of wine. The ambience is pretty cool and music different enough to abuse and enjoy. Never thought I'd hear 70s music in a German beer hall in 2014. Don't get the connection, but whatever. The waitresses/servers were friendly and efficient, and always ready to keep the alcohol coming. One wonders whether the same German band plays every night (God help them. If that's the case). Not a bad place to stop by for beer and a bite, probably appetizers. A good time, sure. But definitely not a destination restaurant, especially for German food
(3)Rob L.
Tried the happy hour plates the onion sausage was good and came with onion crisps. The pretzel was cut up and served with a nacho cheese and the pulled pork sliders were good and not dry. For drinks i tried the darker dunkel beer its a light beer for being dark with nutty fruity flavor.
(5)Jae K.
I've been to this establishment twice. The first time, it was almost empty. The second time, it was very busy. The band is always a pleasure - they actually play some really nice songs, though a bit "old". I haven't eaten much German food, but I thought the food was pretty good. The portions are pretty big, in my opinion bit I can't eat much. I had the schnitzel platter which was pretty good, and it came with a standard German potato salad. I forgot the name of what my brother ordered but it was tasty too. (3 types of meat on a bed of sauerkraut). The service was really great. We didn't have to wait long and the waitress periodically checked up on us. Though I have to say that the boisterous nature isn't for me. I understand it's supposed to be loud and such , but just not something I enjoy. I would come back though. Also, we didn't pay for parking. If you park in the non movie theater parking, it's 13 bucks but you can get it validated at the gift shop. Woo!
(4)Matthew F.
Great tradition and what you would expect for an offshoot of the famous brewery. Great beer.
(5)Corey S.
German birthday song is a nice touch & getting paddled by the shot drink paddle. Should play a variety of German songs, especially party songs. Not Brazillian songs. Beer is decent. The decor is really good. Service is good. Food should be Americanized, & the music Germanized. Then more stars.
(3)Kristina K.
Despite the fact that the life size chess game is not there anymore, I am still a big fan of the entertainment district in Rosemont. So many different places to visit. There is a Greek restaurant, a bowling alley, Adobe gila, TKs, park tavern and iFly Chicago. Since I had never been to HB I literally pushed my husband and his friend to go and try this place out. Sure I can be selfish but I like trying new places and I don't see why they cant be like me. We entered and we were told there was going to be a wait since there was only one hostess working. (A hostess told us that by the way) Strange how we weren't allowed to sit down ourselves since there were a million and one tables open outside. The establishment is massive, clean and fun. The decor is not that impressive but it is cool looking. Nothing like its fellow restaurants in the area. The server came right away. She was nice, relatable and very effienct. They didnt have the July beer but she offered the June one and after her description, I was sold. It was good. The issue with the place was the food. I have never been a fan of German food. Its bland, boring and unhealthy. Nothing about it entices me. And I was right again. We had the sausage plate and the potato pancake and salmon platter. The pancakes were bland and tasteless. I am trying really hard to find something synonymously boring to compare it and I can't. Paper may have more taste than the pancakes they offer there. If I am going to have carbs they better be delicious, otherwise what is the point of my sacrifice? Whatever! I came, I tried it out and I am staying away.
(2)Pam D.
Not my cup of tea (or beer). It is too big, too noisy and too much the tourist trap. The food was hit and miss. Some things were good, but most things we tried I have had better at other German places around Chicago. We won't be returning any time soon.
(2)Kevin C.
Gone down hill since my last visit. Food was less than good, did not come out hot and a bar staff that seemed less than accommodating! I'll try it again, maybe just the night that was less than what I expected.
(2)Jim K.
What a disappointment! This place was built to take advantage of conventioneers. Poor beer, bad service and mediocre food. I came in for lunch and tried the dark lager, which was too warm and flat, and the hefe which was too hoppy. My sandwich came out late and cold after 25 minutes. They only brought it out after I asked about it so they just forgot about it. When I told the server that our took way too long, her response was "I can only do what I can do". At least you can save some money by not leaving a tip here. Awful. If you're visiting Chicago, go to the Countryside Tap in Niles or any of the German places on Lincoln Avenue. Your money will be much better spent.
(1)Jeff S.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and was really looking forward to visiting their sister restaurant in Chicago. The decor and everything was well done, but it really paled in contrast to the experience in Munich. The food was good, but not outstanding. Their pretzels they billed as being from Munich were honestly too dry and didn't seem as fresh as they should be. It wasn't a bad experience and everything was ok, but I found myself feeling compelled to apologize to the rest of my group for being so insistent to go here, only to have an "OK" experience, particularly when there were so many other choices in the immediate area where it's located.
(3)Richard H.
Found the beer just as bland as the food. It's a loud place even before the music starts playing. It may be good for a beer drinking party but.... It's to costly.
(2)Michelle K.
I'm not really a fan of this restaurant but my German husband enjoys going here. This restaurant is way too touristy for me! The place is so loud you can not have a conversation with the person next to you and the food is way over priced. I would not recommend this restaurant there are way better German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)Zach Z.
I dont know what all these bummer reviews are about, I liked this place. The first Hofbrauhaus my wife and I ever went to was the original in Munich so needless to say our expectations were high. Now dont get me wrong this place doesnt compare to Munich, but I wasnt really let down. It has more of a modern vibe than i would have liked for such a historic brand, but they did capture some of the stylings of the original which I thought was cool. The seating is classic benches like the original, but then they throw in bar height tables and regular tables as well to appeal to all. The entertainment was awesome as they had a traditional German style band that would interact with the families that were there. All the kids in the place loved it as they got to hold the instruments and interact. Also, they played the traditional Prosting song which was cool. It also looked like they had a private room that could be rented for parties and what not. Not to mention they did have a couple HUGE TVs there. Lastly, there is a gift shop so you can get some overpriced, almost authentic gear. :) Check this place out, I will certainly be back.
(5)Meghan C.
I love this place! :) I was there this past weekend with a group of 20 to celebrate my birthday. Making a reservation was so easy which is unusual for a group of 20 on a Saturday night especially because I made the reservation on Thursday!! The service was great, the beer was great, and the atmosphere is awesome! My butt still hurts from being spanked but it was all in good fun! :) I have been to the original in Munich and it lives up to that atmosphere 100%. We are already planning on coming back for another visit.
(5)Shelly D.
Excellent food very entertaining fun evening! If you don't like loud go some where else. Great celebration place.
(4)P K.
Great follow up by General Manager, Jim Olson. Things don't always go smooth in any business but it's how the business responds that makes all the difference in the world. Jim Olson understands that. Very impressed with his follow up.
(3)Yvonne O.
I'm just not impressed anymore by this place. Perhaps it is the high price tag? Maybe it is my inability to drink their beer right now? It could be the excessive amount of children running around the place during weekend lunches. Either way, I think there are better places to get your schnitzel on and for less money. We got the special fondue with pretzel bites to start and I had the schnitzel sandwich with fries and husband went with the half chicken again - with potato salad that was WAAAAY too oniony. He ended-up eating half my fries, dipping them in the fondue. The schnitzel needs a sauce - whether it is a cranberry-type or some kind of mayo - it is too dry to eat without it. The fries are very good - we ate them all. He liked the chicken just like last time, but wouldn't rave about it. The band is also getting old - it is the same stuff every time you are here (on repeat) and it's just loud and annoying after a while.
(3)Vishal B.
An authentic German experience! Big beer hall, communal tables with a band playing. A loud raucous place. Lets talk about the brew, made here on site.. is delicious! The big pretzel is a must have with a stein of beer. I personally think the Hefeweizen here was the best wheat beer I have tried in a long time. Oh.. lets not forget you can bring your buddy here on his birthday and get him paddled by a waitress! I am sure this is a true German tradition.. so come make memories with your friends!
(5)Robin T.
This place is a blast! Service was fun, attentive - Roxy was the best. We had "appetizers". The sausage tower and potato pancakes. Fabulous to share. We sat in the bar, but the long dining tables and traditional German band really built the atmosphere. The one puzzling "activity" was the "paddling" of patrons. Thank you sir, may I have another.
(5)Dave W.
Heard about this place from a couple of co workers. The host seated us promptly and we were quickly greeted by our server Anthony. Anthony should be a trainer for all of the new employees who join this awesome establishment... Anthony quickly introduced himself, took our beer order.. kept up with our silliness, offered up suggestions.. which we took on his word. We were all pleased and satisfied with our meals and beer suggestions . Needless to say Anthony made flight delay on Sunday the 25th an exceptional experience. We will return and make sure we get seated in Anthonys area.
(5)Rayna L.
I have stopped by for happy hour and loved the currywurst. It was speedy and their Hefeweizen is one of my favorite beers. I returned for a drink on a Saturday evening and the place was packed with families that had just come from the theatre across the street. It was fun but the live polka music was a little loud for me and I am not a fan of sharing the long bench tables with strangers. Still, I will definitely go back and I will get the gluhwein again. It was nicely spiced and perfect to warm you up on a chilly evening.
(3)Brian B.
This is a loud, festive, German beer hall with oompah music and that is what makes it great. That should be understood before going. Of course, the mothership Hofbräuhaus in Munich is better, but if you only have a few hours this one is great. The big negatives in my view are the parking (not the fault of HB) and the difficulty getting to the place. Otherwise, once you get there order a nice liter of real beer get some roast pork and kick back, adjust your attitude and enjoy the gemütlichkeit. Yes, this is not a cheap place, you pay for quality here.
(5)Andreas K.
After visiting Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont, I've come to the conclusion that it's one of those places you either love or hate. I'm sure you can tell how I feel about it based on my rating. I kind of knew what to expect when I went in, but I wasn't expecting the atmosphere to be as celebratory as it was. That's not a bad thing. My buddies and I arrived and were seated really quickly, despite the place being jam-packed on a Saturday night. We promptly received our beers and ordered the food. Took a bit for the food to arrive, but I'm not too fussed over that given the sheer number of people in there.
(4)g d.
Went with a small group. I had the Schnitzel. Very good. Never had it with cranberries before. But that was good. Also had a side of Red Cabbage. Never had it before. But very good. Had a flight of beer. I thought they were weak tasting. Could use some improvement. The oompah music was fun.
(4)John T.
Authentic german beer hall. Huge place - beautifully kept. Long tables, huge TV's and a lot of cool rooms set up. Beer served in huge mugs - and they sell the boot shaped one's as well. I had a dark which was OK - that is my only gripe, although really nto a gripe, I like a bigger beer selection - but that would be less authentic as well. Food was good, staff was friendly. It is right on The Park - so plenty of parking and other choices of places to go for round 2 (or 3 or 4).
(4)Kristine R.
"Meh" is a great word to describe this place. It's not bad, but it just doesn't knock my socks off. It's a great tourist attraction, so if you're from out of town or you've got family coming to visit you in the suburbs, and the city is just too scary to visit, then this is a great place for a fun night out. I've had better German food before though, and at half the price. Even the lunch menu is way overpriced for what you're getting. Do yourself a favor and get some brats at a hot dog stand first, and then go here for the atmosphere and blow your money on beer instead. You'll be much happier for it.
(2)Jessica G.
So this is an interesting place. Big, loud, full of people and beer. And sausage. Can't forget that. Parking is weird - there is valet and there is also apparently free parking but after 10 minutes of driving around and trying to figure out where to go, my head was going to explode so we just paid to valet. The interior is enormous. The furniture is dark wood - long benches and long tables. There's a stage at the front and there is also a gift shop. The food is pretty standard - if you want gourmet, this is not it, but for sausage and sauerkraut, this is decent. Portions are fairly generous, too. If you like beer, they have it, a lot of it. I believe they come in bucket-sized mugs, and the dunkel is very tasty. They only have a few different types of beer and one monthly special so don't go in, expecting a multitude of choices. And for the size of the place and the number of people, we found service to be pretty good. Our server handled our large, loud table quite nicely and in a very timely fashion. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich recently, this is a pretty good copy of the original. Worth visiting once or twice but probably not an all the time place.
(4)Jeff B.
So much food! The portions were huge! I simply could not eat all the meal they brought to me. it was very tasty and after a long day on my feet, it was welcomed. The drinks were nice as well. The atmosphere is infectious with the music and fun. bring a big group, or just a few and you're assured to have a good time. The staff was as friendly as could be and made the evening more enjoyable.
(4)Peter B.
Great beer, food and big pretzels! Came here for my birthday a couple of weeks ago with a big group and reserving a table for 13 was not a big deal even a week ahead of time. They spank anyone who takes a shot here, so it being my birthday I had to partake in these activities, a couple of times :) Very busy and packed on a Saturday night so reservations are strongly recommended. Will definitely come back for lunch sometime!
(5)Marta S.
If you want beer and a fun atmosphere in a loud and large place this is it. Food overall was not so good and we tried a bunch off things there, you safest choice is to stick with beer and the large pretzel. The other dishes we tried were not good at all.
(2)Dougie M.
Anyone who has been to Germany will know the Germans for their perfection when it comes to efficiency. Ok, so yes the wait system to get a table was an absolute mess and the servers looked pretty miserable however this place is a lot of fun. Live bands and entertainers keep the atmosphere going whilst you enjoy some authentic foods - not the best German cuisine I've had but still good. Definitely enjoy the atmosphere and have several beers - which are great! But don't pretend it's "real" - having been to Germany several times I've never known them to perform the Star Spangled Banner! But a good fun place!
(3)Tom O.
Very disappointing. I had the sauerbraten and it was way over cooked and really lacked flavor. I tried to sub more spatzel for the red cabbage and they refused. Daughter's pork schnitzel also had zero flavor. Very over priced. The ONLY reason I give this two stars is that I loved the music!!! Maybe I would go for an appetizer with friends, a beer as long as they had music. But this isn't the place for a meal.
(2)Pari S.
Went here Friday night. Of course its Octoberfest, but strangely when we first arrived, the hostess in the front was almost hesitant to seat us. We showed up at 4 pm and was told most tables were reserved already for 7 pm. There were only 3 in our party. Which we got seated, and noticed the whole entire restaurant is huge. It can probably seat over 400 to 500 people. It was still empty. We ordered a few beers, which were half pints around $7.50 each. I got the hauffbraus platt, my other parties got a fried tilapia plate, and the other was the crispy shank plate. Food was average. Maybe a lil bit pricey. My plate was 23... the crispy pork shank was 25, and the fish plate was 19. Good thing was, we didn't wait too long for food to come out. Maybe about 15 minutes. I tasted a lil bit of everybody's food. My fav was the crispy pork shank. Portion was huge and worth the price. The other dishes were just alright. We ended up ordering a pretzel at the end, to finish off our beers. But was not to crazy bout it. Kinda hard, and dry... overly salted. It came with a cheese, and 2 kinds of mustards. Was around 9 bucks. I do recommend this place, if you are a beer drinker. But not a food place. Was kinda cute to see everyone in costumes. Saw a live band setting up. But weirdest thing was seeing the waiter with a paddle. He paddled 2 women, who bent over on the table. I heard a loud smack and a loud yelp from these women. I Don't recommend bringing your kids. Atmosphere is really loud and everyone is drinking. Would I go again... maybe, if I wanted a crazy fun loud drunk night out. But no, I wouldn't bring my family there. Would just be to hard to try and explain why grown women were getting paddled at a restaurant to my mom and dad, or my kids.
(3)Tellsplatte ..
Three stars! $7.50 for a dunkel. Worthy of 3 stars. I had this footlong sausage with sauerkraut and the sausage tasted much like a breakfast sausage!
(3)John K.
Made reservations two weeks ago. I asked to be seated near the door as we had an elderly party with us. Upon arriving the host started to take us to the back seating area at which time I reminded them of our request the host sought out help from a manager. With a two tabels open near the door I figured it was just an oversight but no the manager informed me those tables were for parties of twenty or more. We were seated one table off the stage. At a table for ten with another party. So if we could sit at a table for ten why not the one for twenty. The waitress and food were excellent as was the entertainment. It's a shame that management can't take a hint from their workers. By the way Mr Manager have you heard of being ADA compliant
(3)Amber K.
We made reservations on a Sunday night during Oktoberfest.... The place was full. Fun energy and live music and dancing. The waitress told us they fly a new band in every month from Germany to perform all month. The menu had a ton of different options. Pricey but good. The food tasted pretty authentic my German grandparents and mom would have been impressed. If you're in the mood for German, check this place out.
(4)Jessica S.
Beer: 5 stars. Hefeweizen. Atmosphere: 4 stars. It's a German Beer Hall, it's supposed to be loud and your supposed to share tables. Outside seating is a cool option though. The band was fun but I wish they would have sung Ein Zwei Suppe! Food Quality: 3 stars. I've spent a lot of time in Germany so my expectations are likely unrealistic. It's good but I've had better. Food Cost: 1 star. Was ist das?! The prices weren't this high in Munich and the dollar is practically worthless in Europe! Way overpriced for quality. Notice that last word, quality. I will pay a lot for amazing food, but not for 3 star. Would I go back? For beer and pretzels with friends sure. But if I want authentic German, there are other spots in the Chicago Suburbs and even downstate where I live. If your travels bring you near Gibson City you MUST try Bayern Stube. Seriously authentic and worth the drive and price!
(3)Meredith A.
The food was a bit bland not a lot of flavor. The October fest live music and show was worth the price of food which is way over priced for the flavor. The server was nice...it was just so loud it was hard to order with her. Otherwise cool experience...but I don't know if I'll go back.
(3)Austin G.
GREAT FOOD! Good service even when packed. The one in Munich is by far the best buy off you want a great experience the Chicago one of next best. I've been here a few time now and never been disappointed.
(5)Jolynn K.
Went here when it first opened my boyfriend lives in the area. Ordered the Wienerschnitzel it was huge and delicious. Went back last Saturday and ordered the same thing but this time the piece of meat was so small and fatty. Very disappointed and it was $23.00 but the service and beer were great. Won't be back.
(3)Donatas D.
Thumbs up to the Austrian entertainers. 5 of us visited this place and we had a great time. They had a couple of contests Friday. The beer was awesome as well as the food. We will definitely come back. Also, a great place for a girls night out.
(5)Nan T.
Schnitzel is pretty good & huge portion..... Very noisy. It's worth it to go there once if you're in the area... We've been there a few times...and not worth the price & noise after first visit. Can be fun for a birthday.
(3)Nicole W.
Fun for entire family! Music playing, people clapping, you can't help but smile and clap along! Kids menu is affordable @ $5.95 and the chicken tenders and fries are tasty, portion large enough for two small children to share. German style menu, large portions and everything is good! My vegetarian mother in law completely enjoyed her salmon dish. The light beer on tap tastes like a heavy Miller Light so go with that selection if you are unsure about the other german beer. Adult meals are all about $19.95 a dish. Validate your parking ticket at hostess desk so you get free parking ($17!).
(5)Jay L.
The place to go if you want to be able to order some large portions of meat, in a raucous, but very entertaining atmosphere. Went with a large part of a 10 on a Saturday night. The service was not as bad as previously reviewed. Our server came by just enough, and had a Top 5 of platters he enjoyed most. The most entertaining part of the evening was watching other patrons, some of whom had a little much to drink, and the stein holding contest. If you hit the gym frequently and work out your shoulder muscles, you have a shot at taking home a stein of your own. The food was okay. Nothing to rave about, but not bad either. The cold cut platter (Hofbrauhaus Brotzeitteller) and the pretzels (Obazter Classic Bavarian Appetizer) were just that. The Friday/Saturday night special of Pork Shanks was pretty good. It is a large quantity of meat, but pretty tasty. I would recommend giving it a shot. Overall, I would recommend coming here first for the entertainment, and second for the food.
(3)Kate D.
This place is only open due to drunk college guys and families with small children (found this odd). The food is bland and mediocre at best. I had a pretzel ($14) and it wasn't even fresh. Warm but stale. I split a half chicken with a friend and it came with potato salad... We had been starving and we couldn't even finish it.
(2)Jordan M.
Fun place to eat. During my time there I stood on a bench and danced, participated in a beer stein holding competition, and got paddled for my birthday. Food was decent too.
(5)Jason G.
A great atmosphere and really make you feel like you back in Germany. The food is delicious and the beer is even better. The Hofbräuhaus was our favorite place to eat while stationed in Germany and this is a close second to the original. Will eat here again.
(4)Judy L.
Dear Hofbrauhaus, What you need is a $10 beer sampler with all 4 of your beers in 4 oz sample sizes! I am an IPA girl and I had no clue what to order and without being able to taste a beer sample, it was tough to decide. Even harder to decide considering your menu does not list any prices for the 4 beers that you do offer in various size mugs. Didn't want to be stuck with something I really didn't like. 5 stars for your Lager! It was really good. The German band with their German beer chant was also excellent. A little loud for a Thursday happy hour, but good. The reason I can only give you 2 stars is due to your lack of beer samples, lack of published prices on the beer menu and the cost of food being WAY too high for the actual quality of the product. I had a room temperature pretzel with cold condiments for $13.95! Are you kidding?! There was no cooking involved, serving it was a breeze and the cost of ingredients could not have possibly exceeded $2. So why is a pretzel $13.95?? It really wasn't even remotely delicious and I certainly would not order it again. The special cheese spread...meh. It was okay. Overall the place is spacious and it has a cool vibe. The servers in authentic German outfits look great. The store with all kinds of cool German candy and knick knacks is fun. Your downfall is your actual food/restaurant experience. I would consider coming back for a beer during Oktoberfest, but otherwise I would not be a repeat customer. Disappointed, Judy
(2)Hans L.
I like German beer. I like Hofbauhaus beer. I drank it and enjoyed it immensely. Prost! I like German food. I ate Hofbauhaus food. I'm not sure what I ordered now. So, I guess that would be neither good nor bad. (On the other hand, I can tell you exactly what I had at the Berghoff last time I was there, and that was fabulous.) That was the trip before last. The last time we were there we stopped by on a whim für ein Bier und eine Wurst. You know, a beer and a bite. It was a beautiful day. We sat on the patio...and waited. Server after server crossed in front of us, but no one stopped. We folded our menus and placed them on the corner of our table, usually a sign that we would like to have a conversation about ordering something. 10 minutes later and we were still watching servers cross back and forth. Aw, c'mon, just a beer for crying out loud. Oh well. There's an Irish pub knockoff just across the way. A half and half sounds good, too. And have to tell you, it was good. Sláinte! By the way, they also have a patio. I will go back to Hofbrauhaus, yes indeed: I like their beer too much. Maybe I will update this at that point.
(4)Sara J.
Yes its loud. Yes it is a little rowdy. That is half of the fun. I have been missing German food for three years and this place hit the spot. Food was excellent. Lots of fun for casual dinner and beer drinking.
(4)Eric R.
Fun place, good food, good beer, what's the problem?? The band was playing during lunch hour and did a great job. Our waitress was cool and easy to chat with. Place is good for groups; it was just two of us and we had fun!! Check it out.
(5)Blake N.
It was a cool place. I did not have any of the food. Just went for a drink and the entertainment with some friends. The live music was very entertaining and fun. They had a little bit of comedy in them as well. Would definitely go back for another fun experience.
(4)Dan P.
I went here for my graduation, first time coming here. Not bad with seating us, even though we had reservations. My dad is a big fan of the German Oktoberfest, having been there himself, he thought of this place a good replica for us 'Mericans. I had a liter of the Hefeweizen, not being a big fan of them to begin with, I found theirs to be very good! My gf had the summer bier which wasn't bad and my dad had the Hefeweizen as well. Now onto the food...I ordered the Hofbrauhaus Sausage Platter (sorry forgot the real German name for it), came with 4 sausages onto of mashed potatoes and gravy with saurkraut, really good! My dad has steak tar-tar, which is usually an appetizer but he wanted it since he never can find it in the states (he liked it as well). My girlfriend got the bavarian burger which was good and my mom got some combo which came with smoked pork shank. She grew up with pork shank so I understood where she came from by saying it was really dry and over-cooked. She made a comment to the waitress which ended up with the manager coming in and comping the plate and replacing with the sausage platter I had, where she was satisfied. I'm not one to complain over food and felt awkward during the time, but I do give props to management for doing that, giving you guys a good rating. I'd come back again.
(4)Joe S.
A bad experience all around. Our beers were never filled properly, the appetizers had to be sent back, and the main dishes were just ok. Would not recommend or return to this place.
(1)Po B.
We had a lot of fun at this restaurant! The food is delicious and the beer is amazing. The place is loud, so make sure you don't get a table next to the stage if you want to have a nice conversation, and not find yourself yelling at the person sitting next to you.
(4)Suzanne Z.
Was here for the first time for their 1 year anniversary party. It was an interesting experience to say the least! It was very crowded, with a boisterous (and very loud- for someone with a quiet voice like me, I'm pretty sure no one heard anything that I said) energy. They encourage you to stand up on your bench seat and join in on the German songs, which really got a lot of people involved. They had a marching band and ceremonial beer tapping for the event which was cool, and the beer stein holding competition was funny to see! I ordered a half liter of their January beer- a roasty Dunkel which was a little heavy but really good! Had been dreaming of a pretzel all day long, and when I got it, was a little disappointed to find it fresh, but not hot, just room temperature. Their sweet mustard was awesome, the spicy mustard was a little too sour for me. For dinner I got the chicken schnitzel salad- fried chicken with spinach on their potato salad with bacon dressing. Sounded amazing, but I was disappointed. The potato salad again, was so sour tasting to me, and the chicken was very dry. For the price- 15.99, it wasn't worth it, had a little bit for left overs today and threw the rest out. Service was so-so, I get that they were busy, but the waitress would only ask half the table if they needed something. My water cup was long empty before we found an extra from someone else at the table for me to share. The retail counter will validate your ticket so parking is free, nice perk! Otherwise its $13.
(3)David K.
I had the crispy pork shank which is a weekend special .It was absolutely perfectly cooked. The skin was a crispy and added a textual element to the melt in your mouth pork. It was paired with a potato and bread dumplings with a side of a cabbage salad topped with bacon. This was a pork fest better than most BBQ that I have had. The skin was so crispy that i thought "pork skin chips" yum!
(5)Gisela M.
Good beer, Good fun, but the food - so-so. I have been here twice and I have to say the food left me unimpressed. The first time I had the Sauerbraten and I very disappointed. But in all fairness not many placed have made a Sauerbraten that I would say is great. The second time I had the Bratenteller which has a variety of meats including the sauerbraten. And yes, I did not like it again but the hunter style pork roast was better. The red cabbage was fine and so was the spazle. But, if it's a good time and beer you want, then this is the place. You must have the traditional pretzles with mustard. They were very good. I am not a big beer drinker but there is something about having a beer in a traditional beer hall with the music, laughter and friendliness that is worth it.
(3)Marisa V.
What a fun place!!! I had the chicken breast with mushroom sauce and snitzels. It was delicious. Huge glasses of beer, great entertainment and waitress. My hubby was happy, reminds me him of his time in Germany. I'd go back. Went there for birthday.
(5)Mel M.
Great German beer. Love the jumbo pretzel with mustard, cheese and apple butter. Always a fun atmosphere! Service at bar could be better. I hate to be ignored!
(4)Jenny C.
Very loud, great atmosphere, great music/performers but drinks took 30 minutes and food took over an hour. Server only came by like 3 times. Food was bland. I got jäger schnitzel that was soggy instead of crispy because it sat for so long, mushroom gravy was bland. Spatzle wasn't good either. I tried my friend's curry wurst which was awesome though.
(2)J J.
Great space, food, service, and all around good time. Parking situation robbed them of 5 stars.
(4)Renee S.
This place is awesome especially on weekends. We came here for the Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest beer was good. Order some shots and you get a complementary on the house spanking with a wooden paddle. Come with a group n u'll have some good fun! I'm comin here for my birthday spanking for sure lol
(5)Elisha T.
I came here on a Tuesday night for a group of 10. Half of the hall was filled. POSITIVES * It's a nice place for groups to get together. * The starter pretzel was great * Cool decor and beer hall architecture * The live band and waiters in costume were very cool! * Friendly waiters NEGATIVES * It was really loud, even though the restaurant was only half-full. I couldn't hear the conversation 2 persons away. * The food was ok. FOOD I got the Allgäuer Käsespätzle - It reminded me of macaroni and cheese. The taste became monotonous very quickly.
(3)Angela H.
Went today an I have been anticipating this for a while now. I was disappointed. The atmosphere was neat. We sat in the bar are (seat yourself) we waited about 10 min before anyone came over. We ordered beers (my glass smelt like dirty cleaning solution) and then ordered a pretzel (8.99) with mustard (.99). I went the bathroom to wash my hands and the pretzel was already there, hard, and cold. we asked the waitress about this and she touched the pretzel the said "oh we serve them cold here, if we were to serve them hot then the yeast would expand in your stomach and there wouldn't be any room for beer" I must have looked like a deer in headlights, she then said "it's a German thing" and walked away. hmmm ok, not!!! we sent the pretzel back, got our bill and left. Based on that little experience, I will NOT return.
(2)Janine K.
I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard this is one of two locations in the country, the other in Las Vegas. I've been wanting to visit this place, but wanted the hype to die down as well before visiting this particular location. Referring back to my reviews about this area in Rosemont...the parking is a pain, the parking garage just makes no sense, there are cars going everywhere in every direction, people, etc. I purposely chose to visit this place with friends on a Sunday afternoon. I made reservations for us at 3:00. The reservation process on the website was easy peasy. I got there exactly at 3 and we got right in and got seated. The place was pretty crowded for a late afternoon. Of course we had to order the BIG beers....I mean, go big or go home, right?! Along with our big pretzel for an appetizer. I cant' even recall what my friends ordered for their meals but I had the chicken brat that came with sides and it was very good. We shared black forest cake for dessert. I was very satisfied with my experience here...service, food, beer, entertainment, everything! There was a little while that the place wasn't as crowded after we got there but started to get busy again for the dinner rush. Definitely make reservations...and enjoy the rest!
(4)Samantha J.
I came in here this past Tuesday with a group of about 20 coworkers. we had already been to most of the bars in the Entertainment District as our office is just across the street, so we decided to try Hofbrauhaus out. what a mistake. 1) everything is overpriced. a mixed drink is $15. A pretzel is $13. the 4 beers (yes, they only have 4) are also expensive. 2) service is HORRIBLE. offensive even. Val was our server and she added items on our bill that we didn't order because she assumed (admittedly) that our CFO was paying for it. She also complained about the tips she received from other patrons. We think she was drunk or on something else, because she was acting like a lunatic. I don't like to leave bad reviews unless is completely necessary. the band was fun, it's very spacious, but they really need to work on their food/drink offerings and wait staff. we will not be coming back. there are way better options in this area.
(1)Anna L.
We decided to try this place on a Saturday night. Ehh.. maybe we should have tried another night. The new Rosemont entertainment district is ridiculously crowded on the weekends. I was annoyed when I called because they don't take reservations and they wont let you put your name on the list. What exactly is the reason for this? It would do nothing but make patrons happy. I rarely go to a place that does this because it is EXTREMELY inconvenient. After being told our wait would be 2 hours we wanted to leave but were waiting for one of our friends to arrive and decided to go to the bar. The bar was soo crowded with people waiting (for what I guess was 2 hours also) that we couldn't get anywhere close to it for a drink. Once our friend arrived we decided to wait it out and fought our way to the bar. The Bar: Its insane. It was extremely busy and there were only about 4 bartenders. On a night like that, you really need a bartender for every foot of the bar. It took about 15 minutes to get the attention of a bartender then we finally got our beers. I mean.. its good.. and kind of fun cause they have big beer steins. I believe they are about $13 per stein. You can also order appetizers at the bar. We ordered a giant pretzel with the different dipping sauces. It was definitely enough for the 3 of us. The cheese dip was pretty good. The Entertainment: Its pretty loud in there. They have a German band playing and they are pretty good. They entertain the crowd well and have "sing-a-long" type songs. The later it got.. the crazier the patrons. The beer wenches even spank people (by request) with shot paddles. This is no joke. They spank HARD. 3 steins, and 2 hours later or number still wasn't called. I had to complain and then we finally got seated. I hate to do that.. but we had waited soo long. Food: They have a lot of options. Weve been to a lot of German places and I have to admit, the food here was near the top of them. It was kind of expensive, but good. I had schnitzel, my husband a steak and our friend, one of the sausage plates. We ordered potato pancakes to start with. Our waiter knew there were 3 of us and didn't say anything about us ordering it. When it came it was 2, silver dollar size, potato pancakes. The rest of the plate had sour cream, 2 cucumber chunks, 2 cherry tomatoes and the rest of the plate was FILLED with smoked salmon. Um.. we ordered potato pancakes. None of us eat fish.. so this was a waste. Our waiter didn't give us napkins or forks.. it was weird. I guess he wasn't that good. Overall.. Id go back but never on a Saturday.
(3)Robert W.
The only reason it gets 4-stars is because the band WAS SO INSANELY LOUD. I like going to rock concerts and seeing good DJs mind you, but this Oompa band thought they were KISS by the way they ran the PA. Ironically on the comment cards, they have a check if the band was too loud, check. But at the end of the day, if you can't have fun at a place like this, then you don't like balloons and kittens. Let's get on to the food and drink. Beer? Top notch. Shots? Asbach, Bärenjäger, Jäger, Obstler and Apfelkorn? Yes please. But be careful, they are $7 a shot and they add up. Food? The giant pretzel is a must have. The leberkäse topped with a fried egg is phenomenal and I had the weisswurst the next night and it was done perfect. The food came out insanely fast, so a couple microwave jokes went around, but the food was better than good. Would I go back? Absolutely.
(4)Al D.
I came here for my first time recently, and although I'm a sucker for "German" things in a city that isn't very German anymore, it was downright embarrassing walking in here. I feel sorry for the staff and the musicians. From "Sweet Caroline" to other odd songs, the band tried. Including playing Alpine horns. I imagine they have to do this all night, every night. There was even a male fashion show going on during our dinner. Why? Beer prices are (as expected) too high for plain old HB. Food is of an abysmal quality, with sky-high prices that don't compensate for anything. If you want to sing "Ein Prosit" every 5 minutes (or hear dreadful renditions of "Happy Birthday" every 10 minutes) and pretend to be European with lots of tipsy middle-aged people staying at the hotels, you may not have a problem plunking down half a paycheck here. Like another reviewer said - skip several rounds here and you may be able to buy a Lufthansa ticket instead. There's little resemblance to the real Hofbrauhaus here (which in its own nature is a tourist trap, too. But at least it's the real thing.) A population which allowed Zum Deutschen Eck (probably no one remembers that place now) to be knocked down is now flocking to the most warped (spankings) and watered-down interpretation of Bavarian culture that can be built.
(2)Leah C.
fun with a large group and for a cheesy time... my family party of 12 had a great time celebrating my nephew's graduation at the HB. sure, it's cheesy with its dancing on the tables, beer mug contests and traveling band (tips please!) but if you are in the right mindset, it really is entertaining. i had a huge lunch before having dinner here for fear that my din would consist of pretzels and beer but i was pleased to find vegetarian schnitzel! haha - not the most delicious thing in the world but welcomed over a carb-fest of cheesy pasta or starchy potatoes. the apple strudel is yum!
(3)Amanda C.
We had so much fun eating here! We have eaten both lunch and dinner now, and can say that the service is very consistent. At lunch time, the group of patrons is smaller, and on the weekends, the band is rowdy and playful. Go here for a fun time!
(5)Jim G.
This is a great beer hall. Good food, great beer and fun atmosphere. It's crowded, it's loud, it's beer drinking, it's singing. Brezel is good, obatzda, gurkinsalat (cucumber salad), wurst, all authentic and tasty. Beer... all varieties are good. Stood next to a guy when he ordered a bud light. So sad. I live 100 miles away, and this is a destination 3-5 times a year. Get a room at a walking distance and enjoy the fun!
(4)Jamie T.
Potato soup was Amazing! Wish they sold it by the gallon. Had the sausage platter all were flavorful. Sauerkraut and red cabbage were on point. Not too sweet and not too sour. And I love soft pretzles so it was a big win for me. It is a large place and it is loud. Not they type of place if your going to catch up with old friends but it had a fun atmosphere and the kids thought it was lot of fun.
(4)G.j. N.
Decided to take my girlfriend there for her first time yesterday night. Paid 29 dollars for two 34 oz beers. The beers were the only highlight this evening at Hofbrauhaus. Was greeted by a good server, but was upset that the previous table had walked out on her without paying the bill and expressed it to us as if it was our problem. We decided to move away from the bar area and on to the main floor, where picnic tables, Oktoberfest style tables, were set up for the general public. We were rudely informed by a server that we had to check in with the hostess to sit at these tables even though approximately 15 tables were vacant at that time and shooed away like riff raff. We reluctantly went back to a bar table. I'm German....and I brought my girlfriend there expecting German polka music, but was dumbfounded when the song "Hey Jude" by the Beatles was played for about 14 minutes straight...Its an American classic, sure. But NO ONE CAME TO HEAR THAT SHIT. PLAY GERMAN MUSIC. All this before a 20 minute "women only" half beer stein chugging contest. The contest itself took about 30 seconds, the explanation of the rules took about 19 minutes and 40 seconds. I don't remember much else but being entirely disappointed and leaving half of my $14 beer behind ad we went to a real bar, Toby Keith's. HAD A BLAST AT TOBYS. Get your shit together, Hofbrauhaus. I won't return.
(1)Renee J.
The beer is watered down, but the price is not. The food isn't bad, but it's definitely not good enough to be worth what they charge for it. Forget it if you want to be able to hear your neighbor, much less the person across the table. The service is reasonable, but the uniforms look like they come from a second-rate costume shop - at least, the ones they make the female servers wear look that way. This seems like it would be a great place to go as a middle-aged yuppie who regrets not having "really lived" and wants to be cajoled into standing on one's chair and singing. The sort of person who prefers to make their own fun will probably not find anything worthwhile here.
(1)Mary Locke M.
This place is beyond cheesy, and not in the good cheesy like Medieval Times. It's absolutely huge. They have a polka band. The polka band plays "Sweet Caroline." One of the waitresses had a visible tattoo on her boob. That would be okay if this were an adult entertainment establishment, but it was a little offputting at a dinner with my boss. I think you're starting to get the picture and it's not pretty. I was here tonight for a work event. We had the whole back room set up with a buffet. The spread made German Thanksgiving come to mind. The food was mediocre at best. Everything tasted like it was straight off the German Sisco truck. Hofbrauhaus immediately makes me think of Beerfest. Maybe if I had been Beerfest drunk from das boot this would have been fun, I left full, but I would never choose to come back. Strike out.
(2)Kïrsten M.
Terrible food for the money. $29 for a appetizer that had a few pieces of cold sausage and a pretzel. Will not be back!
(1)Lana C.
I am rating this a four because I did not eat here. I could have given it a lower or higher star rating if I had tasted the food. This place is gigantic. Lots of space and looks very German on the inside. Everyone is dressed in German barmaid outfits and extremely friendly. The owner is German and lived in Germany. As we sipped out drinks we met the owner or manger ... Not sure who but he did speak German. and he was very friendly and also very intelligent. It was not busy at all during the time we were there so I can't complain :)
(4)Jon O.
I visited the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont on a Friday evening with a group of friends who are frequent visitors. A little context is required for this review. I actually lived in Bavaria for 13 years (7 years in Munich), so it's safe to say that I am familiar with German culture and traditions. This restaurant's interpretation of Bavarian/German culture is almost insulting; I have never heard of, or witness anybody being spanked by a waitress in Germany. Why is this happening here? Where does this bizarre practice come from? Secondly, the beer is not that good. I am a huge fan of German beers, and have spent a considerable amount of time in the beerhalls of Munich (as recently as two weeks ago). The beer served at this place is not imported from Germany; it is brewed on site, which is fine, but unfortunately it is not as good as the real thing. Granted, in Germany, Hofbrau is known to be a second-rate beer to begin with. As a matter of fact, the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich is known by locals as an overrated tourist trap rarely visited by actual Germans. Third, the prices where ridiculous. $8.50 for a half liter wheat beer? We ordered a few pretzels (they were pretty good), yet very expensive again. Looking over the dinner menu made my head spin. Fourth, the music was too loud, and very repetitive. How any times did I have to hear "zike zake hoi hoi hoi"? The noise level made conversation very difficult. Lastly, please do not believe the Hofbrauhaus Rosemont is an authentic German restaurant. It's nothing but a very flawed, and almost disturbing, interpretation of German food and culture. If you are looking for great German beer and food, there are several options that are considerably better in Chicago.
(2)Bill S.
I agree with most reviewers , it's loud, it's a fun place, the beer is pretty good. The food is mediocre at best , the service was good. But it's way over priced for what you get , I felt like I was in a touristy restaurant it's really tacky with the tee shirt/ trinket sale right there when you walk in. Not great for a first impression. Been here done it. Probably won't be coming back
(2)Karla Q.
So this place is one of those places you enjoy solely for the atmosphere. It is not a place where you can catch up with a friend and have a conversation. Unless... It's summer and you sit outside. The music level is high but lively. The food is actually kind of hit or miss. I've been here at least four times and the food has been either amazing or unreasonably bland. I had the Bavarian steak and the gravy was super bland. I could still taste the roux. (Ew.). Anyway, the sausages and pretzels are phenomenal and the Heffenweizen is still my favorite. Watching other patrons getting paddled is always fun. Oi oi oi. This place is great for big groups and is usually super packed on the weekends in the evenings. Parking is available in the giant parking complex and you can get it validated. :)
(4)Greg Z.
Akward place. I felt as if i was in a mess hall in the army . Loud live music. Wasnt German music. I just assumed they would play German things not American music. Good atmosphere if your looking for a loud rowdy bunch. Food consisted of many forms of sausage and sauerkraut . Just not my thing. Although the food did come really fast for my table mates who actually ordered food. You get spanked if you order shots. Ouch.
(3)Sean P.
This was my second time going here and the only reason I went back was because it was a group outing. They lost our reservation end ended up sticking our group in a side room with no one else and away from the entertainment (which is half the reason you go here in the first place) even though it was 2 in the afternoon and the place was otherwise pretty empty. The service was mediocre although the servers were friendly. The food was also mediocre and not really worth the high prices (why I wouldn't have gone back after the first time had it not been for a group outing). It's a good place to grab a beer but don't expect to get a great meal.
(1)Karl M.
Excellent spot for a sausage and Hofbrau beer if you have 200 people in your party and don't mind paying a premium price. It's tricky to find and parking is iffy but it did satisfy my craving for a 14" brat. Big wooden benches and tables can seat 200,000,000 people each... my kids laid out and took naps in between beers. They only have Hofbrau, Hofbrau Lite, A Dunkel, and a wit. But they have sizes to fit every thirst... extra small, regular, double regular, and f-that-I-aint-leaving. The beer is fresh and they are brewing (or acting like it) all the time. There are two gigantic brewing vessels showcased above the bar. Germans love to watch. On the other end of the hall is a stage for a live band. Empty when we were there but I'm sure it would make this joint jump. TV's everywhere advertising Hofbrauhaus. Embarrassing outfits for the waitresses make it a completely korny place and the gift shop was perfect for any of your frat party shopping needs.
(4)Sumara K.
Finally got around to visiting this place, and was so beyond disappointed. Since this place opened I had been impatiently waiting to check it out. Now I wish I never did, and instead kept it in my memory box as a great place to go to. First off, to echo everyone else's sentiments, the wait staff is extremely inattentive. Our waitress took down our order wrong and after trying to catch her attention for ten minutes, finally gave up. I guess it's more important to paddle a bunch of drunken frat boy types than to worry about the quality of your service. I can't comment on much of the food as I only ordered the mini pretzel bites, but they were extremely stale and the cheese it was served with was chilly. It was like being served a piteous handful of salted deer turd. Not a place worth revisiting in my eyes. I'd rather get a pretzel from a Wal-Mart snack bar than the ones served here.
(2)Elizabeth R.
Wow! I was really impressed by this beer hall! I have been to the original in Munich and it felt like I was back in Germany. It was great that they did not try to change up the feel of the Hofbrauhaus. It is huge! And they have a small beer garden in warm weather. I have been to other Hofbraus and they are tiny. This one was made to impress! It is a little pricey but considering its location in a very touristy Rosemont area, this is not a bad deal. They have specials. The great part is PARKING!!! Validate before you leave. Then it is free and it is worth a few minutes to save $13. My husband had the sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes (with gravy). He had the same thing in Munich and said he could not taste the difference. I had the sauerbraten special. It was a slow cooked beef sandwich. It was cooked in red wine and served in a Dunkel BBQ sauce. Definitely fabulous. It was not a first date type of sandwich because it was big, messy and delicious. The portions were generous. The beer was spot on. Though a bit pricey. They know you want to come for the beer so they jack up the prices. I would definitely stop in and enjoy the fair but if you are looking to get a bit tipsy, the prices might keep you at bay.
(4)Ryan B.
Went here before a movie last week. Had 2 liters of beer. It was a good time. We ordered dinner. The waitress didn't bring the food I ordered. I didn't really care, we had a pretty big group, but it's irksome. Be careful with how much you drink! I had 2 one liter beers. That's the equivalent of five and a half beers. The dollars rack up quickly when you're ordering by the liter!
(4)Rick F.
Atmosphere is awesome, beer is great, I love the entertainment lot's of fun. Service fantastic. The place was jammed and everyone was having a great time. Including our party. I've been here 4 times and the food is just not that good or flavorful. Bland is the word to describe virtually every dish. Today I ordered the sausage platter, bland no flavor, mashed potatoes bland no flavor, gravy no flavor, sauerkraut no flavor. I'll be back cause everything else is great and good for parties but just for drinks!
(3)Juan B.
The American franchises are good enough to remind me of my time in Germany. Maes's of beer, schnitzel, wurst, gluewein, and struedel. All the classics under one big roomy enclosure.
(4)Jillian E.
Had a blast with my family here on a Saturday night. Made a reservation and was seated at the exact time of my reservation. The beer was great, the food was excellent, and our server, Michelle, was attentive and friendly. The band playing was great and got almost every table involved in singing and dancing. Would definitely go again.
(4)Pack C.
I want to love the place. The vibe & atmosphere reminded us of how it is in Europe BUT it's so pricey with mediocre food! We had 2 beers (one 1 ltr and one 0.5 ltr) and an entree, the bill came to ~$65 excluding tips! The beer was good but can i find something better & cheaper in chicago? definitely, yes given all the microbreweries in town these days. we had crispy pork shank entree to share (pork knuckle dish). The meat was on the dry side. We went there Friday night. The place was really busy. Service was ok, very slow (kinda expected). We may go back there again just to hit the bar. No food there.
(3)John W.
I love the Hofbrauhaus. It's a lively place, with authentic experience of Munich. Food is average, but consistent. beer is good. The main reason I come here is the pretzel, which I'm a fan of so it's hard to find fault in it. I recommend this place if you want to get your Oktoberfest on, or if you want regular German style cuisine and bier.
(4)Robert P.
Love this place. Came here on a whim when our group had a terrible experience at Toby Keith's. We are already making plans to bring other friends here. We, and hopefully Toby Keith, thank you for turning our night into a memorable one
(5)Matt S.
The perfect place to go if you want to drink beer with a ton of other people who want to drink beer. Hofbrauhaus has 4 house selections as well as a couple of seasonal ones. Each is good but my go to is the classic lager. Get the dunkel if you like a bit more flavor and full body feel. Anyway, this place is gigantic. There is a gift shop and host stand as soon as you walk in. Past that is the main hall which probably seats hundreds of people. Throughout the hall are picnic style benches grouped together. This is especially cool if your party, and the ones around you, are feeling sociable as this fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst total strangers. The live band plays traditional German songs as well as classic sing/dance-alongs. Every once in a while the band leads the beer hall toast where everyone raises their stein and shares a drink. People often get up and dance and even stand on the solid wood tables to get rowdy. There is a separate dining area on the side if you wanted a more classic restaurant experience. Everything about the ambiance is great but unfortunately the price for food and drinks are not. An entree will cost you ~$18, cocktails ~$10, and the 1 liter beer stein ~$12. Food isn't bad but I personally don't think the quality to price can be justified. If you had no clue what this place was and wanted to get a bite to eat, you would look at the menu and be surprised with the prices. Since the place is so large, it can definitely get crowded. During these times the service can get exceptionally slow. Hofbrau can certainly be a fun place but be prepared to spend some money.
(3)Krunal P.
Great place for beer but im not a fan of German food so I will stick to 4 stars. Love going to this place.
(4)Ben F.
For a NW guy, there is nothing like this back home. Was a ton o fun and great food!
(4)Raghav C.
I haven't been to Germany, but all my friends I went with have visited a/the Hofbrauhaus in Germany and had complimentary things to say about this one in Rosemont. According to them, it was very comparative. although the beer selection here was apparently limited, i.e. the Light, Lager, Dunjel and Hefe Weizen all available in different sizes. Band/Music - The live German Band was very entertaining and fun. They played some cool instruments, German songs and celebrated many birthdays. Food - We didn't eat, though seeing and smelling what people got, it looked really good. Did seem fairly pricey though, hence the minus 1 star.
(4)Howard L.
This is a fun and festive place for having an authentic Bavarian meal experience. I'd go with about 4.5 stars for the total meal/entertainment package. They have communal bench seating and there is live music all the time. The place is huge with two dining halls, and I'm told it fills up on Saturday evenings, which would be a sight to behold. There were several families with kids there on a Friday evening, and I noted most of the parents were enjoying beers. The food and beer were pretty good, but I can't say great. I had a sausage wurstplatte for $16.99 and wife had a beef and pork roast dish with spatzle for $18.99. She said the beef was quite salty. I knocked back 1/2 star on value side as the place is on the slightly pricey side, like $7.50 for a 17 oz stein. Get your parking validated or else it's $13 to park there, otherwise free. This MB Financial center is a great entertainment center for the area.
(4)JamelnOscar C.
So I received a call from the GM Jim. We talked for about 10 mins. Basically never once apologized for anything. He just called me to get details on what exactly happened. Said "I wasn't there so I can't answer your question on what happened." ok. Well, I guess that's that. As GM - no matter what happens, the customer is always right. Especially considering I took 10 mins of my time to give him feedback. Go somewhere else.
(1)Kyle W.
It's an experience. Yes, it's overpriced, loud, tacky and far from an authentic German environment, but it's a great escape from the boredom of every other ho hum restaurant. The food is decent and even includes quite a few options for vegetarians like me. Obviously get the JUMBO PRETZEL and a stein of beer so you can toast with the band and the rest of the crowd. Try the spaetzle! It's like your classic mac n cheese but with Swiss cheese and fried onions. The servers are friendly and always enjoying themselves. Where else will you find yourself standing on top of a bench with a liter of beer and doing the chicken dance with a hall full of people? Do it!
(3)Mark C.
Went last night. Food was good, I had the Schweinebraten. Enjoyed the flavor of the pork roast with the beer sauce. If anything, wish the portion size was a little larger (3 slices of pork instead of 2, or increase the potato portion), but did not find the price unreasonable based upon what was provided. Would have paid $1 or $2 more for a larger portion. Fun atmosphere and enjoyed the live band. As it was a Tuesday, it was not horribly crowded, but I could see how the noise level could be high if the place was relatively full. Thought our server was attentive to our needs, and service was fairly prompt. If there was one negative about the experience, it would be associated to the bill. Not an overly large issue, more of an annoyance, that I hope is inexperience as opposed to deliberate. The server was kind enough to calculate the gratuity at both an 18% and 20% rate and wrote those figures on the bill. I appreciate the gesture, but I do wish they would make the calculations on the pre-tax figure as opposed to the post-tax figure. While it is only a few dollars difference, and certainly is not the first place I have seen do this, it is a pet peeve of mine. What I believed was a 20% tip was actually a 22% tip left to the server.
(4)Matt P.
I wanted to like this place, but I just couldn't. First, we call and ask if we can make a reservation for later in the evening. They tell us that they aren't accepting reservations. We get to the place, which is a madhouse, and are asked by a busty hostess if we have a reservation. We say we don't, but that we tried to make one. We wait for about 15 minutes to be seated, not terrible for a party of 3 on a Saturday night around 6. On our way back to the table, we walk past a LOT of open tables. I suppose these were all reserved? The interior reminds me of a large open cafeteria. Very touristy and all about getting as many people in and out the door as possible. We each started with a beer, which were fine. Nothing too special. The "fresh baked" pretzel was hard as a rock, but the mustards were good. We all liked the darker brown one, which had a nice sweetness to it. We also got the liver mousse to dip the pretzel in, which tasted a bit like whipped Spam. We ordered and our food came out surprisingly quickly. We soon discovered why... I imagine the kitchen has large trays of ingredients prepared ahead of time in bulk, and are just thrown on a plate when ordered. I had the grilled chicken with spätzle. The chicken was mushy, the sauce was ok, but the spätzle was really bland. As I suppose it should be. My partner got the pork schnitzel, I think, but it came out looking exactly like mine: same mushroom sauce and spätzle. The chicken sandwich our friend ordered looked okay, but the fries seemed very run of the mill. Maybe this dish is geared towards kids or the less adventurous. The bill was $120 after tip, which seemed crazy for the experience. A live band was playing the chicken dance on our way out (*shudder*), and occasionally shouting "Ziggy zoggy, ziggy zoggy, OY OY OY!" I would recommend this place for kids and families, but adults looking for a place with good food and a more private, relaxed atmosphere (suitable for conversation) should look elsewhere.
(2)Thomas M.
Awful high school cafeteria food, ridiculously hard to find, Pepsi was WAAAAY over sweetened, music WAAAAY too loud. Almost a creepy carnival atmosphere. Prices were WAAAY over the top. $16 for a chef salad? REALLY?? Lettuce was low grade and tasteless. If you want to feel like you're dining in your old high school gymnasium this is the place for you. Lukewarm Italian sausage (dark blue in color--yuck!) with greasy fries. Food is just plain terrible. The ceiling is very high so you feel like you're eating in an airport hangar. Anyone rating this place higher than 1 star really needs to get out more often. Never ever, ever again.
(1)Vodka Sauce C.
Possibly the WORST experience ever! A nightmare of a time dealing with the GM and the waitress. We will NEVER be back
(1)B R Hungry X.
Loud....like a large dancehall. Communal seating. Large portions of food, avg cost per person with 1-2 drinks is roughly $35. If you like loud accordion music and hearing people get paddled when they take shots, it's for you. Not much on the menu for anyone health conscious. It was okay, had to experience it? Won't be my first choice though.
(2)Joe M.
Delicious and great place, best beer in town. Brewed on site, cant beat the freshness. Awesome place to have a great time
(5)Michal F.
Coolest restaurant in Rosemont. Authentic, cavernous and fun. You feel as if you stepped into Bavaria. Atmosphere - the best part You're greeted by waitresses as you would imagine they look in Munich with traditional beer hall garb. You walk in to find a massive high ceilinged place that could likely hold 1000 people. Seating is on long communal tables. If you come at night they have a German band playing that really adds to the experience. Every few minutes they toast their steins with the whole restaurant. Beer Selection is limited to the five beers they brew in house. Nothing experimental just the German favorites of lager, hefeweizen and dunkel. Hefeweizen is EXCELLENT. Citrusy refreshing flavor with a cloudy visage. Holding a full liter stein is pretty badA. Pricing A stein is $13, pretty steep. No matter what size you get it's more about the novelty and less the value. Food is not as rough but still a bit more than you expect. Food Delivers as advertised. Good beer hall food of pretzels, fish and other German favorites. German food is pretty bland though so you're best off spending your chips on the beer. This is a perfect place for a late night with some friends. The atmosphere and good beer is bound to deliver good times.
(4)david m.
An awesome place! Great food, service and beer! Had a great time with a live band that gets everyone into a good mood! Having a bad day? Come here! It will lift your spirits!
(5)Bill B.
Came to Hofbräuhaus for third time here. First two times were alright but this time really sealed the deal. I was sat quickly and food was average like normal, the beer and atmosphere are good. Our server came by and told us they had a special where you buy a boot which is 2 liters and its $20. Come to find out, it was actually $20 for a flimsy plastic boot plus normal price for the beer. I was shocked so I asked the server and he told us he clearly stated that was the case( which he did not). So I asked a manager who showed up with a very bad attitude and told me I must be lying because all servers are very clear about the deal. I told her this was not the case and asked for the top manager. This is where it gets even worse... He was very rude and when I told him his manager told me I was lying he said she did not and she would never say that. Then he continued arguing and insulting me and eventually told me I have to pay and leave. I was appalled.. I was not rude to him. I DO NOT recommend going there. The experience is nice, but it does not compare at all the one in Munich and there are much better options in Rosemont.
(1)John A.
Overall: Clean. Huge. A little gimmicky (it's supposed to be). Staff was very nice. Very fast service. Food: Had a bowl of goulash which was very good. I recommend it. I also had the Friday fish special which was average at best. 3 good sized pieces of fish but I would settle for 2 if it were something a little better. Beer: Had a small Dunkel. Very good beer. Wish I could have finished it. Live music: left before it started. Maybe I'll be back.
(3)Theron P.
The first mistake I made was going to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. It basically ruined all beer garden experiences (aside from Delerium Cafe in Belgium) that I will ever have till I return to Germany. That being said, the Hofbrauhaus beer was extremely good and the wienerschnitzel with potato salad was as close to authentic that you're going to get for a foreign chain brought to America. All in all, everything was very good but not superb. My only complaint was the band playing music inside was so loud that we weren't able to sit inside because we couldn't hear ourselves talk. PS: I love that they serve their beer by the liter, in my opinion the only true quantity beer should be served in.
(3)Anthony C.
After a couple of more visits I must downgrade my original review by a star. This place is by no means terrible but I'm afraid my original impressions were swayed by the prospect of a new German restaurant to frequent in the area. Having been a part of the German bar and restaurant scene on Chicago's north side since the early 80s I was hoping for a new place to open up and take the place of old standbys like Zum Duetschen Eck and the Golden Ox that closed their doors long ago. Part of the problem is being located in the Rosemont entertainment district that's like a little Las Vegas with lots of pretty facades but not much substance - and horrible parking. We again went on an early Saturday afternoon to avoid the rush and hope for decent service and fairly good food. Even though the place was maybe a quarter full the hostess tried to sit us at the end of a full table. Lot's of reservations she said - this was 3:30 in the afternoon and when we left an hour and a half later it was still no more than half full. The food was not terrible but also not good either. The meat and cheese plate was not good, the rye bread was cold and stale. Their soup that day was good but very salty. I had the sauerbraten which was OK but the sides of red cabbage and spaetzle were almost unedible - the cabbage being too sweet and the spaetzle boiled with no flavor or texture at all. The beer was OK - the lager was a little off but the seasonal dunkel was very good. Since our first visit the prices have gone up to $7.50 or $8.00 for a half liter - which is really outrageous for beer brewed on-site. The entertainment is still entertaining but the food and beer is not worth the prices being charged. In their defense I understand that it's very hard to cook good quality meals for hundreds of people at a time - but their prices should then reflect this cafeteria grade food, and they don't. If looking for good German food and beer, venture to the Lincoln Square area or Irving Park off Lincoln to enjoy authentic food and imported beers of the very highest quality.
(3)Kristy S.
Besides the service not being the best and finding our own server, I have spoken to the GM Jim and He has taken care of the tip that the server gave himself on my sisters card. I was reassured that the server will be documented and possibly not have his job anymore. The server was Brent so be careful if you do go in there and he is your server. We came in just for the round of shots and a beer and were in and out in 30 mins or so. We still probably will not go back. After looking at the receipt the server turned in it was very clear that this was not a mistake on his part and they he wrote it in himself, we cant go to a place we cant trust. I hope other have a better experience here as each experience it different for everyone.
(1)Aja G.
Sigh. Be clear they are using "Chicago" figuratively because this behemoth bar is not in Chicago, does not adhere to Chicago pricing, but it does have Chicago style service. The Good: Parking and the look of the bar. That is it. The bad: Our waitress,Nikk, forgot to bring silverware, offered no refills and was generally absent. I can forgive her because at their prices you couldn't have persuaded me to order anything else. The Ugly: This place either needs to change suppliers or stop assuming people are stupid. Now before you cry the price of "importing" i can assure the food here is as generic as anything you will find at your neighborhood bar except it cost about 5 dollars more. Currywurst was 14 dollars. For 14 dollars you will get 2 pieces of small, dry sausage accompanied by what I will generously call a dollop of ketchup with curry powder. they are also kind enough to give you luke warm fries thawed and reheated. Also if you look online for their menu or beer list you will notice a suspicious lack of pricing. That is because their beer prices are absurd. 7-8 dollars for a half liter? Maybe they missed the memo, but this is a suburban bar located in a sea of parking with no quality or authenticity. 15 dollar cocktails? 6.50 for shots? Their prices are ridiculous!! Final Thoughts: Take it from a girl that has been to germany three times and every German bar in the city --this place is trash garbage. Want a real German pour? Skip this bar a couple of times and you will have enough for a plane ticket.
(1)Rob B.
We went here on December 23rd and what a great time. Although Hofbrau Chicago is different than Munich it still has some German charm. The beer is better than anything in the US IMHO. The food was very good. Our party of four had schnitzel, schweinbraten, saurbraten, and jagerschnitzel respectively and all were delicious. I recommend getting a side of gravy with your schnitzel and I do to make it that much more delicious. Let me make something clear, the food at Hofbrau Munich is beer hall food not gourmet food as is the food at Hofbrau Chicago. The food at both places is super delicious traditional German working class food. Expect a simple, hearty, tasty meal to wash down with an exceptional beer. If you expect this you will not be disappointed. Our waitress was super nice and attentive, but did not hound us, just like in Germany. The band that was there was excellent! They played good beer hall music and worked really hard to keep the energy level up and get everyone involved in the festive atmosphere. The entertainment is the best part of the restaurant and is part of the price. I had a great time with my wife and parents. It was a little pricier than I expected at $17 to $22 a plate and $8 per half liter of beer, but I was not disappointed with the overall experience at all and in fact I was pleasantly surprised how great it was. I spent four years in Bavaria in Germany, I am married to a German, and have I been to Munich and southern Bavaria many times.
(4)Kevin M.
I have never written a Yelp review before, but after reading all the idiotic bashing, I feel compelled to let the record straight. 1. Priced appropriate...can you get Usinger sausage cheaper at Jewel...yes. Does it come with an authentic German band flown in for you entertainment?...no. So shut up! 2. $7 beer...yes and worth it. Can you get MGD cheaper?...sure but does it taste as good and follow the Reinheitsgebot? No! So shut up! 3. Cold Pretzels...yep and that's the way they are supposed to be...flown in from Munich. So shut up! 4. Shots expensive? Does the cheap shot down the way come with a paddle spanking photo op for you to take as a timeless memory...no? So shut up! This is beyond restaurant, it's an experience with good food and beer on the side. The food is great and the atmosphere is memory making. If you want cheap try making good german food at home. Good luck making Schweinshaxe (pork shank) as crispy and delicious as they make it here - with Semmelknodel (bread dumplings)!!!! Also, having been to Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, Newport, and Miami...this is the best by far!
(5)Jim K.
Fun atmosphere. I really liked the band. I would recommend stopping by and hanging out at the bar. The food was below average relative to other German food I have had. Service wasn't great either. I happened to see the manager interacting with some other patrons and wow was he rude and condescending. I wouldn't make this a destination but if you're visiting some of the nearby restaurants, it's probably worth stopping in and checking out the band.
(1)Daniel S.
The food was good tho a bit pricy, I got the weiner wurst, which is essentially just boiled hot dogs, and then spatezel and potato salad as sides which were both very good, the german rye bread was just ok, as was the pretzel we got as an app, which was kinda hard, but i got the dunkel beer which was the dark beer and very good, and the overall atmosphere is pretty fun, they had live music, and you can have waitresses slap you on the ass with a paddle, service was fast too, i wouldn't mind coming back and trying some of the other meats
(4)Ashley A.
This place really works for their ambiance as a German restaurant. You get a LOUD atmosphere with a band, waiters that spank people with a paddle when they order shots, and contests for patrons. The staff even wear German style clothes. They only have a handful of beers to choose from and very limited drink list otherwise. Food is ok, but super expensive. (Actually, the drinks are expensive too) I wouldn't say the food is authentic either. A sausage plate that consists of 4 sausages, 2 of which are hot dogs. I think once you've gone, the novelty wears off. There isn't much that makes me want me to head back anytime soon. But definitely fun place to try out.
(3)Jon B.
Great beer, great food and an entertaining environment.
(4)Reid F.
I think it's funny when people go to a place like this and complain that it is loud. Of course it's loud...it's a huge warehouse filled with people and German music. If you want quiet conversation, go to Starbucks. If you want a fun place with good (although not great) German food and beer, this is an excellent option.
(4)Kristin L.
Using a credit card...BEWARE!!!!! Shady waiters await you at Hofbrahaus. After hearing a few horror stories about waiters / bartenders pocketing money, I experienced this first hand. Our waiter, a not too overly friendly gentleman, was slow and inattentive. (Not exceptable being that our party was there on a weekday and the restaurant was not even a quarter full.) Now with that said, I let this slide being that there was fun music and liters of beer at our table. The food is alright and the beer is good. My problem lies with the staff. After waiting way too long for our bill, we noticed that there were extra drinks on our tab. After correcting this, we left thinking that our expericance at Hofbrau was just alright...maybe we'd go back...maybe not. But nothing over extraordinary. Let's fast forward a few days when we check our credit card statement and notice that our tip was changed from $50 to $78. Um...that's a pretty large increase. So we call our credit card company and they confirm that the gratuity was entered as $78. Interesting being that we left him an even $50 and on our invoice it shows that we wrote $50. Hmmm maybe this is just a mistake...let's call the restaurant and talk to the manager. (HA! that's a joke) The hostess who answers the phone puts us on hold (for 15 min!!) then comes back with an attitude only to inform us that there are no available managers and we can leave a message. (Which we do, but no one calls back.) Miraculously after leaving this voicemail, explaining what happened, our tip amount charged has been changed to the correct amount. Refund credits have been issued from Hofbrau. Hmmm is this because you got caught and were informed that the Rosemont police have been contacted? Something seems fishy about this place. Why am I hearing from more than one person and now reading some of the reviews, sharing similar stories? Sounds to me that management should keep an eye on these waiters with sticky fingers...or maybe the management is in on it. BEWARE OF STICKY FINGERS AND QUESTIONABLE MANAGEMENT!!!
(1)Ted H.
This place really went downhill. My tab for dinner for two and beer for one was around $75. For that amount of money, I received food that might have been sitting around and small portions. Let me explain. We ordered two dinners and soup. Within one minute the dinners were brought out. Yes, you read that right. WITHIN A MINUTE. Our soup came 10-15 minutes after that. Now, I ask you this: how did those two dinner plates get cooked that fast if it was made fresh? For the amount of money this place sets me back (usually around $100 with tip for two people), I expect not to be hungry when I leave and for the food to be fresh. I used to love this place. Now, forget about it. I'll leave it to the tourists and head over to Edelweiss on Addison for my German fix.
(1)Jeremy C.
So apparently my math was incredibly off. One liter of beer does not equal 12 ounces in a standard American beer. Therefore if you're going to drink as many beers as you normally drink, you're in for quite an adventure. Damn metric system.. haha Anyway.. It's exactly as you've heard and as you'd expect. Live music, gigantic beers, go get some of the toasted nuts and have the pretzel. I was fairly inebriated before ordering the pretzel and I even recall it being cold when it came out; you'll still enjoy. Plenty of TV's here for games, etc. So as you read other reviews you need to ask yourself.. Are the germans known for their food? And am I coming here for culinary delights? The answer to both of those is no. You're coming here to guzzle beer and listen to German music. Ihr willkommen!
(3)Gerry H.
Quite a Friday night I had; 1) Attended the Progressive International Motorcycle show at The Stevens Convention Center. It was quite interesting. There are a lot of new bikes, gadgets, gizmos out for 2014. I especially liked the powered tank bags, and the 2014 Ducati Monster. 2) Followed up with an impromptu visit to Hofbrauhaus, and I'm extremely pleased that I did. There was five dudes in our group, and we were seated immediately (7:00 on Friday night, mind you), and immediately proximate to the stage. If you like German Beer Hall Music, the HBH has the real deal. The fraulien's voice is heavenly, and the old german dudes are entertaining. But it's the food and beer and the party atmosphere that will inhibit your serotonin from being re-uptaken. It's all fantastic, from the pretzels to the schnitzel to the sausage to the sauerkraut. It's hardy and delicious. And the beer is vastly better than most places that brew on site... Try the Dunkel! Finally, while our waiter happened to be Spanish (a little odd I thought), he also happened to be prompt, friendly, and efficient.
(5)Tai T.
I never heard of this place, but I saw the brewery vats outside and I was in the mood for a beer. It's an incredibly loud environment with in a cafeteria kind of setting and live german music. My wife said it was kind if like a Disney-ish kind of vibe. It was fun atmosphere though. With the cafeteria kind of setup, you may have to share a table with other groups, but that's no big deal, cuz everyone in there is having a gr8 time...that may be because they serve you 1.0 liter (32 oz) beers. The beers are good. I had the salmon medallions and they were very good. My wife had the vegetarian schnitzel. I tasted it and it was delicious. In fact it was so good & tasted just like a country-fried steak. So much so that my wife thought it was real meat & had to check with the waiter to verify it wasn't. He said that happens all the time. Very fun environment, swell food and worthy beers. Try it out.
(3)Levent T.
Do not go for the food. *Do* go for average beer served by Frauleins that may be willing to spank you with a large paddle. Not kidding! Food is overpriced and flavorless but the live music with no cover makes it understandable. And the spanking...oh yes...it happens...and done with force if that is what one likes. Did not partake in the S&M but got to witness it first hand. Great place to go with a full belly and let loose with a group. Our server was less than average but if you get one willing to rock your bottom make sure to tip well!
(2)The Decide R.
Okay, I was excited about this place since I have been passing it on 294 for the last few months. Unfortunately the servers were able to suck out every last ounce of curiosity and enchantment once we were seated. Don't get me wrong, I love the outfits, but the lack of enthusiasm and basic server skills scoured my outlook on the establishment. When I have to ask another server where our server is in order to acquire a glass of water or to ask for the check there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Food was ok, I had the veal sausages, which were light and tasty. Our table also ordered the pork shank, while it was crispy, the meat was dry and lacking flavor. If your looking for true German food take a little time and make the trip to Milwaukee....'Karl Ratzsch's'... Pork shank will blow your mind
(3)Eric S.
"Ist Das Hofbrauhaus Chicago die besten Deutscher Gaststätte im ganzen Land?" "Vielleicht." For those who don't sprechen-sie-Deutsch, I basically asked "is HBH Chicago the best German restaurant around?", to which I answered "maybe." The review: **FOOD** -We (parents and I) ordered a big 'soft' pretzel to start; included were spicy mustard, cheese, and another dipping sauce. Pretzel was cold and hard, which was off-putting. Potato pancakes followed, and while the salmon served as an accompaniment was nice, the PP's themselves were almost shameful. I've had the real deal so many times before, and from a venue like HBH Chicago I'd expect nothing short of the best. Unfortunately, these tasted/looked like frozen-then-reheated (mashed taters?) patties. Sad day. However, my chicken schnitzel was good, and my parents enjoyed what they had as a main course. The Apfelstrudel for dessert was terrific! And thank god the end of the meal was tasty, because the beginning was just pathetic. OVERALL: 3/5 for dining. Could use some improvement in areas. **AMBIANCE** -Held in a very large, expansive building reminiscent of the original HBH in Munich (yes, I've actually been). Main hall has people standing on benches singing Bavarian tunes and drinking anthems. It's quite a riot if you're in the right mindset (why wouldn't you be?) To be fair, we sat in the connected semi-perm tent so our meal was much quieter, but we could still hear the goings-on in the main room. Bathrooms were clean, and during warmer weather the outdoor patio is open. I can only imagine downing a stein of beer come May..... OVERALL: 5/5 for atmosphere. ziggy zaggy ziggy zaggy OY OY OY! **MISC** -Service was good, not great nor horrendous. The good news: wait staff are mostly cute girls in traditional dirndls (read: cleavage) that bring your sizable beers and entrees to you. Ours was not particularly enthralled with her job (think Janine Garafolo as the Medieval Times waitress in 'The Cable Guy'). Oh well. Next time I'll come back with my guy friends and shamelessly flirt with our waitress. They also have tons of merch and HBH stuff for purchase up front, and a roasted/candied nuts booth inside--a nice touch. OVERALL: 4/5 for service and other factors. Lasting impression: I consider myself a pretty hardcore German-man-man-man when it comes to dining, and HBH Chicago didn't disappoint, but it didn't exactly wow me either. The camaraderie is a great time for sure, but the food missed its mark on more than one occasion. My suggestion is to come for the beer, stay for the bewbs (there are a lot of them). In conclusion, I'd like to ment-- OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT TO TALK ABOUT THE BEER! Because let's be honest, that's your main reason for coming here. Selection of brew is good--the Hefeweizen is wonderful, especially in a 1L stein. Have a couple of those bad boys and someone'll be taking your car keys away. I'll be back to try the other brews and get even drunker, but for now, I'll sing 'Ein Prosit' and call it a day. I'll be back, HBH Chicago! Jawohl!
(4)Jam I.
Different menu from other Hofbrauhaus that I've visited. Food and service was below my experiences visiting the Pittsburgh location (which I enjoy).
(3)Jayson J.
very good time here for an Octoberfest celebration. During normal times of the year I enjoy the microbrews and German food. The live music could be described as "German." I say that because I have never heard German music besides here.
(4)Dave V.
I am a definite fan so far. I have only been here twice and they were both for Oktoberfest. Liters of Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest made in house??!?! uh, fuck yes please! The atmosphere here is so far that of your typical fun bar. This place is nothing but fun and smiles and every stranger is ready to be a friend. Didn't see any dumbass college kids acting disrespectful and shameful, just loads of young and old folks dancing and interacting on their table tops. The prices are not super cheap for food, but the beer is fairly priced. The liters of oktoberfest i was drinking i think were $13. The only food we tried was the soft pretzel from munich which was good, the ides it comes with (for an extra charge) were freaking amazing. We had an issue once with one of the waitresses but i think it was a language barrier. The only other issue we had was a cold pretzel the second time we went but they were quick to heat it up for us. This place is very large and should be able to accommodate any size party, basically anyday anytime but just in case make reservations for a large party Seriously, check them out, i know i will again when oktoberfest is over so i can compare and contrast
(4)Cristie F.
There are two words that a restaurant can print that will instantly rub me the wrong way. No Substitutions. Those two words instantly get me fired up. Personally, I think it's a terrible business model (not to mention wasteful) to not allow for substitutions when it comes to sides - especially if they're the same price. What it basically says is "we're telling you what you want to eat, like it or not. And if you don't like it, eat somewhere else or buy more food". That's pretty much what Hofbrauhaus put on their menu "NO SUBSTITUTIONS! WE HAVE SIDE DISHES!" I'll end my rant there. As for my overall experience, it was extremely lackluster. Let us review.... The positives: + The menu has a large variety of German dishes (duh, it's a German restaurant) + Gorgeous venue with top of line equipment + Live music! + Great outdoor patio for summertime boozing + Awesome mustard dips and Obazter cheese + Very friendly staff, minus our server... + Juicy and tender chicken snitzel + Private rooms for larger private events + Fun & festive German atmosphere The negs: - No substitutions - I don't feel the need to elaborate more at this point - Bland (and I mean BLAND) food. The spaetzle was over buttered and had absolutely no flavor. - Sausages were equally as bland. - Although they dishes were brought out with fancy pants silver covers, my food was borderline warm. - Soft pretzels were not served hot - nor did they seem fresh. (I know this since I saw the back of the kitchen and they're all sitting in a bin waiting to be ordered...just sayin...) Not to mention the price, which I will get to momentarily. - Our waitress had a major 'tude. Not cool. Unacceptable. - Outrageous prices. $14 for a giant plate sized soft pretzel is ridiculous. As is a $14 schnitzel sandwich - My order was screwed up. (Shocking) Needless to say, Hofbrauhaus was a total disappointment. Lower those prices and/or step up the quality of food and remove the "no substitutions" policy. Maybe just then you'd earn back a previously excited customer. Until then, stay classy Hofbrauhaus.
(2)Vince V.
Right across the way from Toby Keith's (another frequent stop for my crew), the Hofbrauhaus looms large and welcoming. The first step into the main hall draws you in to the live performers onstage, singing one easy listening cover after another, always looking for a way to work in a tasty beverage tie-in. Yes, I'm okay listening to Margaritaville from dudes in lederhosen. I'm sure they'll be singing an outfit-appropriate "Ein prosit" soon enough. Half-restaurant, half-beer garden and about 100% biergarten theme park. Prepare to be a tourist in your own backyard. The crowd looks very suburban. I see a lot of families here, bigger parties. The surrounding establishments tend to cater to more nightlife-y, over 21 customers. Here, there are eight year old kids having dinner while grandpa and dad raise their steins. The pretzels are delicious, though ultimately unspectacular. I've been favoring the sausage plate, it's just the right serving size, enough to get me fueled for a late night without weighing me down. I've tried their brews and they're very drinkable. The Dunkel is my favorite so far. I've been here a couple of times and the experience has been consistent both times, once during a slower weeknight and on a very busy Saturday. Both times, I was there for birthday dinners. It seems that a lot of folks come by and bring the family for a birthday dinner because the live band gets plenty of opportunities to sing the birthday song through the evening. Overall, the Hofbrauhaus, is lively, loud and merry, Oktoberfest year-round. A bit pricey for what it is but when we're all having fun, it's a relative bargain for good times.
(4)Heather J.
PROS -German food -Looks cool from the outside -Easy parking (and free as long as you validate your ticket) -Good beer CONS -Long wait for mediocre, insanely-overpriced-for-what-it-is, food -Long wait to sit at community tables where you have to watch your purse and make sure the stranger next to you on the bench doesn't take anything -Same polka music playing over and over and over again.. You will hear the same music every 5 minutes. -Noisy and loud, but not in a good way. -It reminded me of Disney World, but not in a good way. -No substitutions for anything on the menu -So costumey, I feel like they are making fun of the German heritage I was originally excited that there was a cool German restaurant just a few minutes away... But I'd rather drive 40 minutes, sit through horrid Chicago traffic, and pay to park somewhere in Lincoln Square where the food is better, the wait is less, and the food is authentic and homemade.
(2)Rosanna L.
This place is huge and loud with live entertainment! It definitely takes you into a spin of German culture, they even serve their beer in steins, which gives it a nice cultural touch. The servers dress up in uniforms and we're seated at wooden benches (picture a high school cafeteria, but with wooden benches vs metal). We were told they can seat 850 people, holy cow, how do they maintain business on the weekdays? Because Friday night it was jamming packed! They definitely have the German thang going that's for sure. We were doing a pub crawl so only opted for some huge pretzels and beer. Our server constantly checked up on us and the music kept playing. We cheers a lot and the place was very entertaining, oh and they had the Blackhawks game on! Kudos! I definitely want to come back to try their food, possibly on a less busy day.
(4)Rashad M.
Top 10 Reasons why this Restaurant Deserves a 1 Star Review: 1) their German speciality beer is served within the general acceptable limits of room temperature 2) their kitchen crew is so eager to get out of there that they closes the kitchen half an hour before the scheduled time (after tasting the food I don't blame them ) 3) they have more Bavarian dressed waitresses than customers and they all are NOT very eager to serve you 4) and they all posses exactly what I imagine German hospitality to be 5) their freshly baked pretzel has been freshly waiting for you to order it under a heat lamp all day 6) they are worried that their customers drink to slow and so refuse to provide them the large beer size just incase they don't finish in time for closing in 30 minutes (actually happened to a group next to me ) 7) they make fun of that group after they leave clearly disappointed 8) their sausage would actually be a contender to win best sausage ( in the world renowned canned food category) 9) u very quickly start to realize that their three star average reviews on yelp is generous 10) after taking the first bite of the dinner u just ordered, u start to seriously consider other dinner options in the area... for tonight! To be fair if I couldn't come up with 10 I would have given them 2 stars! But what do u know, it want that hard !
(1)Jason A.
while I am a fan of the food and drinks, I have mixed reviews about the staff. I have been twice. Once the server was amazing and extremely friendly, but the second time I went, it was as if there was no server even assigned to our table. we waited and waited after being seated but no one came by until I had to flag someone down and ask who our server would be. Even after someone came to take our order, we only saw him one other time to leave the bill.
(4)Jen R.
Ok do yourself a favor & call before you come. If you have a group a reservation is best. If you park in the garage get your ticket validated. We all came never been & this "Entertainment Area" is wow, almost Vegas like. Bier, can cost you... Food is pretty good but for the price you can have better. They have live entertainment & yes they will be having Oktobor Fest... I'd bring people to have a visit, at least once. I don't understand why a large pretzel w/ a few things with it is $14.00? Unfortunately the beer of the month & some others were not available because of OctoberFest, so it should have been in the menu. Jägersnitzel was tasty & I took it home. Prost
(3)Vina O.
Portions are EXTREMELY SMALL for the price. I ordered the Bavarian Style pot roast, which was delicious but for $20, I'd expect more than 4 small thin strips of beef! My husband ordered the wurst plate which was a steal at $14, but it's really just 4 different types of sausages on a plate. Like I stated, food is delicious, albeit SMALL. My husband enjoyed his Hefeweizen beer with the meal. Our server was friendly, but it was super busy so I would constantly have to flag her down for a refill on my water. Overall, I don't think this place is worth the bang for the buck. I've been to the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas, and the portions were waaaay bigger. I'll stick to German when I'm on the west coast or other German restaurants in Chicago.
(2)Jeanne C.
Beautiful place but way overpriced. Feel like a tourist trap especially with the big gift store, right as you walk in. My uncle and I walked in for lunch on a Saturday about 130. We were thinkin a nice brat and a stein of beer. I look at the menu and it says dinner menu with not one item, besides appetizer or salad, that was less than 14 bucks. I ask for a lunch menu and waitress says that on weekends there is only dinner menu. This smacks of tourist trap. I told her that I was looking for just a brat and she points to a 14 sandwich but qualifies it by saying it was huge with lots of fries and sauerkraut. So we decide to split it. It arrives and yes the brat was long but I laughed as it was about one inch in diameter. Fries were minimum at a handful and the sauerkraut, hhmmmm, where are you hiding...... Oh found you!!! About two tablespoon worth were in each bun under that poor skinny brat. I ordered a small Bavarian pretzel to see if they could screw that up and....... Stale. Almost no salt....save your money....maybe have a beer but then eat elsewhere. As an odd update, I was contacted by the manager of the Hofbrauhaus and we had a chat for about 10 minutes on my review (which I totally stand by) The odd thing about it was that he was trying to convince me why the prices are so high (Las Vegas Restaurant group requested it....huh?) We also discussed that ridiculous bratwurst and small serving sides. The even odder thing was he never offered to have me come back. He finished with, "Well I'll understand if you don't come back." Very strange as it is the first time in my 40 years of talking to a manager about a poor visit and not have the manager even try to get me to come back in. He picked my brain for ten minutes on some of my ideas where they could improve and then it ended. Really a nice guy but......
(2)Daniela R.
The atmosphere at this place is great, but the food not so much. Fries were cold, and the "chicken sandwich" seems very very old.. maybe it sat there for a while (We were a BIG group) Anyway, our waiter Michael was the best!!! he was very sweet and really did everything to make us comfortable. Kudos, Mike.
(3)Daphne L.
After 2 visits to this place, the best I can say is that the beer is good and the servers are very nice. Other than that..I got nothin'. It's a huge, loud, cold, warehouse of a place, that is so loud I can't even hear the voices in my head. The Las Vegas location is much nicer, as is the Cincinnati spot. This place is nothing but tourists and noise.
(2)Ryan M.
The beer flight is fun and the food is okay. Pricey for sausages. Love the atmosphere
(3)Jeff E.
My experience at Hofbrauhaus was decent. The food was okay. It was the service that made the experience very good. We were taken care of from the time we arrived and until we left. The only complaint I have would be the awful music.
(4)Dan N.
I get the so so reviews for Hofbräuhaus i do, but I think you have to understand what it is and what it is not. First off its a really fun place and you have to understand thats its about the atmosphere and location and the look as much as anything. Yes its touristy and a bit expensive, but the Beer is excellent and the food is better than I expected. I was a bit surprised on a Friday night it was only moderately crowded when we got there about 7:30. I took my wife here for her birthday and she enjoyed it. We would definitely return for a special occasion or a night out with a group but just the 2 of us craving German fare I'll pass. The portions are not very large (enough but small for the price) and it is expensive. We paid over $120 for 2 Beers (liters yes!) 2 Appetizers and 2 entrees and we split dessert. My wife had the Wiener Schnitzel which I thought was a very small portion and I had the combination of Sauerbraten and Roast pork. I enjoyed it allot I like their spaetzle and the red cabbage is to die for. I did take a little home but my wife did not and she usually never finishes her meal. She was a bit unhappy that you don't get to choose your sides, she was stuck with potato salad (not her favorite) Both appetizers we had were excellent and I would order both again in a heartbeat. We had the Potato pancakes (some of the best I have ever had) and the Pretzel with Brie dip. They advertize the strudel comes from Germany so we split one, it was ok at best. It had way too much sauce and was all just wet and mushy no texture whatsoever. But the atmosphere is loud and fun and interactive, the band is fun, and the service was very good. Again a fun place to hangout and eat some good food, carving a great german restaurant I would look else where.
(3)Marshall P.
After being to München at the OG Hofbräuhaus I soon realized I needed another lager. Hofbräu is so damn good. I was lucky enough to have a layover at O'hare and find myself here. Much like the Munich Hofbräuhaus, people welcomed me to their table to raise a stein. A must visit; sure to make you laugh!
(5)Frank S.
The attraction at this place is the atmosphere. It is loud and the tables are communal but that is the point! I'm not really sure why people are complaining about that aspect. You can see what it looks like from outside and once you walk in you get a feel for the noise level. If you aren't into the vibe then walk out. The food is mediocre. My food actually came out on the cold side. I was given the impression that it was sitting for quite a while before it was served to me. The beer wasn't great but I enjoyed it. My favorite part of this place was the live entertainment. Take away the entertainment and this place would be two stars. I didn't like the way you walked in and had to stand in a gift shop while waiting to be seated. Gives off a planet hollywood/hard rock feel.
(3)Kat D.
Staff was friendly and the beer was good. I had the beef goulash and my boyfriend had the Wiener schnitzel. Both were good. I tried my friends chicken sausage and that was also good. They validate your parking when you park in the garage across the street which is a plus.
(4)Todd G.
Not going to write a long review on this one. It was ok, not bad not great. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Live music was ok, they played the same 4 songs over and over again.. Beer was excellent, as close as you are going to get an authentic Munich Dunkel in the states... Food was ok, and it came out of the kitchen really quickly.. Potatoes and gravy were a little salty.. Sausages were pretty good, roast pork was a little mushy, dumplings a little dry, spetzel was ok (I like mine crisped up a little.).. Seemed a little expensive for what it is.. We felt a little "nickel and dimed", bread was extra and the price for sides was pretty steep. Strudel was good, not sure why it needs to be imported, the $12 price tag would make me think twice about it.. There are better places for german food but for something near the airport / Rosemont entertainment area, it would be a decent option. Parking is $15, so have the hostess validate it..
(3)Justyna K.
Nice please and good German food super nice customer service ! Great to bring kids too ! Can get loud with the music and very packed but still great service , the pork shank is awesome and great beer !
(5)Dee W.
I came here for a Mommys' Night Out and we had a blast. First of all, I did get horrible lost because my GPS wouldn't recognize the address and you have to park in the huge parking structure (but at least the Hofbrauhaus validated our parking). Entertainment is loud so don't expect to have a meaningful conversation without yelling at each other. I split a Schnitzel Wiener Art which was t heir pork served cirsp with cranberries and homemade potato salad - yum! Portions are definitely large and their beer is amazing and HUGE. Looking forward to another fun night out here again!
(4)Brandon Z.
Went here to meet some friends and catch up over dinner...nice change of pace, among other things. It's a high-energy German-themed establishment, so not an ideal place to go for a quiet chat over some high-end food. We liked the food and beer. Having eaten authentic German food, I can say that this food is somewhat Americanized, but it's still good. The pretzel was huge, the Bavarian Potato soup was very good, and all of the dishes we had were more than passable. Good size portions - we left full. I especially thought their sauerkraut was good. Beer wasn't the best, but it did the job. Where they lost two stars, as far as I'm concerned, is that the music was really loud - overly loud and obnoxious. Being a musician myself, it was annoying that they were constantly off-key, too. It was a relief when they occasionally would take a break. Secondly, parking was awful. It was freezing cold outside, and while the restaurant has a great big lot outside, it's completely for valet. So....unless you want to freeze your a** off walking from the garage on the other side of the ice rink on a sub-zero degree night like when we went, you're gonna have no choice to eat the $7 valet fee. Couldn't you leave half the lot open for public parking, and still keep the valet as an option for those who'd prefer that? Wasn't happy about that. Oh.....and they have a huge gift shop if you're into that.
(3)O.M. R.
Cannot complain about atmosphere. Really intense and fun:p Food = i grew up with german food and the food here doesn't come close to german traditional food. Beer = has barely any alcohol in it :( Deserts and the pretzel= iiiiuuu!! Dont try it.
(3)Tom K.
Big, noisy and fun bier drinking hall ein chicago. Our group of four had reservations on a busy Saturday night for 630. We arrived at 5:30 and decided to try to have a beer in the bar to wait out our time. it was expectedly crowded, and we asked the bartender if we could sit at a tall table right next to the bar while we waited. She she said sure, Portis are four beers and we sit down. Shortly there after the service waitress in that area showed her bitchy side. She growled passed us a number of times mumbling comments about how this was a service table. I'm sure she was pissed she didn't get her tip that I gave the bartender. Either way it's bad for the Haus to have a nasty waitress. It makes you feel uncomfortable and not want to come back. Beachy waitresses side, the place is just what you would expect. A big n loud. It's nice to see the place where families can come and watch dads (and moms !) drink bier and sing. We had a sausage platter appetizer, a pretzel, and The sliced radishes. This ain't fine dining. It's beer drinking food and it covers that adequately. The beer taste the same as at the house in Munich. I think the pretzels were a little off compared to the ones in Germany, but who freaking cares.Bring your lederhosen, bring your partay hat and do some yodeling. Das ist gut.
(4)Justin L.
Always have a great time here. It's a fun atmosphere and I always receive great service
(5)Joni M.
Let me preface this by saying I'm of German descent, but I don't love German food. But we decided to go to a 'real' German place to get bratwurst that should be better than the johnsonville variety we are used to. We made a very costly mistake. We sat in the main hall it was early on a Saturday evening. Our waitress came by and we had a real communication issue since it was loud and she had a heavy accent. Hey at least she's authentic. Except I think it was a Polish accent, but whatever. We started with a soft pretzel and I asked for a medium beer. I got the tiniest beer ever and a cold and very not so soft pretzel. It would be good if it were fresh but it wasn't. And I'm not sure how hard it can be to have fresh pretzels. But Whatever? Oh and my teensy weensy beer? 13 bucks. We ordered the bratwurst hoping they would redeem everything. They came and they looked like the bulli sticks I had bought for my dogs the day before. Very long and skinny. We had asked to swap the fries for potato salad, but were told that no substitutions were allowed, which I've only heard before at.... No actually I've never had a restaurant or waitress say that. The bratwurst were so gross. Horrible texture, smooth like a hotdog. If this is authentic German, give me Johnsonville everyday. We left $85 dollars lighter and still hungry. Seriously. It was $85 for a tiny beer, cold pretzel and 3 bratwurst that we didn't eat. The dogs got three more very expensive bulli sticks. Never, ever, ever again. It was literally the worst dining experience I have had in probably 10 years.
(1)Carlos R.
COME HERE TO DRINK, NOT EAT. I came here for a friend's birthday and I was really excited because I have been wanting to come here since it opened. My expectations of drinking in a German beer hall were definitely met. The beers were great and decently priced. The big downside to my visit was the food. I am always willing to try new things, but I did not like the food at all. It felt like they already had the food prepared in the kitchen and they just took a while to give the illusion that they cooked it. Maybe I am just not a german food guy, but either way the food prices were pretty high for the quality food we received.
(3)Arlene G.
this place is HUGE! i felt like i was in germany/medieval times! there was 4 of us in our party & we sat outside since it was a nice day. i dont think ive ever had german food b4 or if i have i cant remember. i ordered the sausage with curry sauce & fries. it was AWESOME!! its not a curry like thai or indian. in fact it didnt even taste like curry 2 me but mayb its a german curry that i dont know about. it was like a sweeter tastin ketchup & not as thick. whatever it was i didnt care cuz it was super yummy! i was a bit disappointed with their cocktail selection tho. i know its a german place but not everybody drinks beer. im 1 of those people & i ordered 2 different drinks which they couldnt make - ciroc peach & 7up and a mojito. what!?! oh well, maybe that was a sign 2 not drink that nite. but the food was great so i wont hold it against them.
(4)Vic M.
If you don't mind the overwhelming smell of sauerkraut, this place is for you! Was carded at the door an then cared again by the waitress. I asked her for a sample of one of their brewed beers and she said they didn't offer samples...they pride themselves on brewing their own beers and it's a take on a German beer house and I can't get someone to pour me a taste of beer? Not very crowded on a Friday night at 1030pm...beer is average. And waitresses have no problem smacking guys in the butt with a paddle.
(2)Al R.
Great bartenders. Lisa and Jessica were friendly and attentive. Give them a raise. Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy oye oye oye
(5)B K.
Come here to have a good liter of beer, eat a pretzel, clap and sing. The venue is fun, but expensive. Don't expect a great German meal here. Go to the smaller, family owned German restaurants in the Chicago area for good German entrees.
(3)Anna M.
The upside of this restaurant is the ambience. You are transported to a theme-park style version of a German pub. It is high energy, the band is energetic and fun, and the servers are dressed to the part. I enjoyed the experience. Is it an experience that I would seek out in the future? Not really...I left feeling like I had my fill. It is a little too touristy feeling for me (but that is just personal preference). Ambience aside, the food was mediocre at best and way over-priced for the quality. I had a brat and pretzel appetizer. There was nothing really wrong with the taste, it was just mediocre. Again, it was reminiscent of a theme park, in quality and price. If you are looking for a fun night with a touristy flair and German style beer in the burbs, try this place. I would recommend framing the price in terms of paying for the experience and it will be easier to swallow.
(2)Kevin R.
The overall rating is dead on for this taste of Germany in the Chicago Suburbs. The oom-pah-pah band (made up of 3 guys) provides an entertainment set that runs an hour. I loved hearing the traditional German beer drinking songs that I last heard in Germany. One of the band members can play the traditional alpenhorn, the very long horn played in the Alps. And he plays it very well. The music was fun and tailored for us Americans. John Denver, Neil Diamond and other classic tunes are in their extensive repertoire as well. Let's talk food and service next. The menu was varied and offered lots of German food. I had the Jaegerschnitzel with mushroom gravy and spaetzel. My friend had the kartoffelpuffer, otherwise known as potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream. All of our food was good but not great. Which is OK given the setting and entertainment. Their apple strudel was quite good and my only complaint there was there wasn't enough. We split the serving, and considering how good it was I wish I'd ordered 3 of them, lol. Delicate and flaky, layers upon layers of slightly sweet goodness. Service was good given the large hall and noise. Though we did have to ask for help from someone other than our server. For my friend and I it was our annual catch-up. So we stayed for about 3 hours. It was packed when we first arrived with our reservations around 6:15, and nearly deserted when we left after 9pm, lol. Oh yes! I almost forgot about the BEER! My first choice the Dunkel (dark) was not available, as they ran out. The beer they had was of course good, their tap lager. I've been to the original in Munich at Octoberfest, like millions of others. You can find better German food elsewhere if that's what you want. But if you want an authentic German Beer Hall experience, you can't beat the Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Your alternative is to book a flight to Munich, lol.
(3)mono b.
Went there on a recommendation of a friend to celebrate a birthday of a girlfriend. The place is huge. Sorta cool warehouse sized space decorated like a german beer pib. The beer I had was a summer special, very good, light.perfect for a summer night. I got the liter which was ridiculously big. Cost $14 which was a bit much. We also had the giant pretzel with cheese spread which was tasty. My chicken sandwich was a bit dry, large size portion but not much flavor in terms of seasoning. Wait staff was nice. We will probably go back but skip the food.
(3)Chris A.
Great atmosphere to sit and have a bier with friends..however when the highlight of our dinner the other night was...THE MUSTARD?!? Great place for drinks but i would go to another place for food
(3)Linsey J.
Schmaltzy atmosphere, mediocre service, overpriced for the product. Reminded me of a restaurant in an amusement park (and I don't mean Disney). We went for my wife's and daughter's birthdays and all they had to offer were spankings; I don't think so! There are plenty of other far better German restaurants in the Chicago area. Don't waste your time and money I did not leave this review, not sure who did??? But I don't know how to delete it...
(2)Jeremy J.
As close to as authentic German cuisine you can get in the US. The restaurant and atmosphere is very similar to the original Houfbräuhas in Munich.
(5)Mike G.
I've been here twice now. I love the new Downtown Rosemont and there is a ton of fun to be had here. I am a big fan of the beers, and the atmosphere and the energy here with the live music and performers is great. The performers and musicians are great. I got to witness them play music on a 20 foot long Ricola Horn, a bunch of different size bells to ring, a lute or some kind of flute, etc. Couldn't understand a word of German but still had a great experience with the entertainment. Everyone seemed very happy to share a drink with everyone. The beer is great, they have light and heavier options and you can get one great big beer stein too. The food is good. I'm actually not the biggest fan of German food, but liked what I ordered, and the big pretzels were very good. The service was ok, we went both times when it was busy, so it was a little slow, but ok. The parking wasn't the easiest either. But I did have a great time there as did my group. I would definitely recommend checking out this place.
(4)Maritza S.
Walk in to 5 staff "working" the hostess area about 830pm on a Friday. Had to interrupt one to ask if party of 2 can walk in & sit at bar area. Seating at bar area opens up fairly quickly. Staff at bar are friendly & attentive: why review gets 2 stars, not 1. Place is loud, live band, men getting paddled in butt. Noise not an issue if band was halfway decent. They have competitions on stage to get crowd cheering. Band MC dude talks way too much!! Get on with the drinking competitions your boring people!! Food is overpriced and ohhh so wrong. Chili was bland, pretzel stale, & Currywurst tasted like BBQ sauce on a weiner- shared by 2 & both with same opinion. Place seems to gear to those that live in faraway "suburbs" and don't know better places. It was time to walk out when band unfortunately played and butchered 'hey Jude'
(2)Jack W.
Good spot to let loose. There is a lot of people here on a Saturday but if you are a beer lover and staying near rosemont I recommend you try it out its very packed on a saturday night like 600 people or more easily. The beer is awesome I had the giant wheat definitely worth it. But the food is subpar due to the sheer amount of people I'm sure it's a lot better when there isn't so many people but I was there on a Saturday night. I was with 13 people and we had pretzels sausage and kraut and our tab ended up being $650 I wouldn't go there trying to save money lol but it was a good time with live music and people in a generally good mood if you want to experience the chi without going out anywhere sketchy I recommend staying In Rosemont and enjoying the bar scene then going back to a hotel where you don't have to drive. It's a overall nice place with the exception of being too drunk and not understanding the band that interacts with the crowd highly recommended for a good time especially if waiting for a plane at ohare lol check it out and tell me what you think. I think it's a solid spot for locals and travelers. I really think it's a nice place to kick back and get smashed.
(3)Meg R.
Disappointing if you want anything other than beer. I have been to the one in Pittsburgh several times and it is amazing. Since I had such a great experience thought I would make the hike from Midway to Rosemont. Staff is friendly but the music, unlike Pittsburgh's German songs, was music from the 80s food was luke warm. I ordered a 9.00 pretzel fresh baked so the menu stated but instead it was cold and had been made sometime today but was not great. Cheese blend with pretzel was a complete disappointment compared to the yummiest warmed bier cheese they serve with the pretzel in Pittsburgh. Schweinebraten was very good, but not worth returning just for that alone.
(2)Taylor D.
I had high hopes for this place and it was just eh. The atmosphere is a lot of fun with the live music and beer hall style tables. The waitresses dress in traditional German clothing. The food is not very good and it is incredibly over priced. The jumbo pretzel was pretty dry, and the bratwurst are thinner than a hot dog. It's unfortunate. Come here to drink with friends but do not eat here.
(2)Stacy S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a very AMERICANIZED version of the german beer hall, but a fun atmosphere overall. My fiance, cousin, and I had the opportunity to go to the ACTUAL Oktoberfest in Munich this past year, so we had much to compare it to. After a few days of realizing Oktoberfest was not what I thought it would be, less "let's get wasted" and more of a camaraderie type of event. I really came to appreciate this German tradition. So when it came down to review Haufbrauhaus Chicago, my standards were set pretty high. - Long benches and tables, just like the beer tents at Oktoberfest. CHECK. - The beer comes in liters. CHECK. - They even offered the "radler" which is a lemonade shandy. CHECK. - Band decked out in lederhosen singing "Ein Prosit" (drinking songs) CHECK. - Waitresses decked out in dirndls. CHECK. - Getting up on the table and dancing like a fool. CHECK. LOVE IT. So far, so good. We came here for one of my friends' birthdays and had a lot of fun. For a group of 20 people, this is the place to go. They have a bunch of drinking games for both guys and ladies. Guys are asked to hold out a liter of beer and see who can last the longest and girls of course are asked who can chug their liter the fastest. If it's your birthday, tell your waitress and you'll get a special surprise......... and it is hilarious. And if you can't get enough, the entrance of the bar/restaurant, you'll notice a souvenir shop that sells t-shirts, beer mugs, and lederhosen. It's like a little bit of Oktoberfest has come to Chicago and never left.
(4)Courtney W.
Maybe it's because I'm German but I love this place! It's huge and has a huge patio. It's almost like a cavern or a cafeteria. They don't pretend to be something they're not. They will spank you with paddles if you ask, they have stein drinking and holding competitions, and they have a gift shop. Did I mention they also have awesome beer that they brew in house? The Hefe weizen (pardon my spelling please!). I've never had to wait for a table (most tables are huge and communal except for a few in the bar). We've never eaten here but the menu looks impressive for a German place and I wouldn't mind a few drunk pretzels or schnitzel. They normally have a German band on stage either playing traditional tunes or their own version of American music (Journey, anyone?) I'm such a fan and I try to bring my more stubborn fans, I'm working on it!
(4)Sheri L.
For a theme tourist trap, Hofbrauhaus is a good start. The restaurant is HUGE, long tables as far as the eye can see. First impress was a bit offputting. We were meeting a large group that had a reservation. The group had already been seated when we got there. So when we let the hostess know we were there for a group... she checked the reservation log and then stated "yes, they're here and seated, but we don't keep track of the seating's so just go in and find them".... Ok, did I mention this place is HUGE? Yes, so in we walk in search of our group after dodging several servers with large trays (stay out of their way or they will yell at you), about 4 minutes later we found our group. October fest beer, yes please and it was a fine marzen. The rest of the food was decent. I'm not a fan of being served potatos and potato dumplings from an ice-cream scoop - you just cheapened my food to cafeteria quality. The pork loin I had was cooked well, was tender and very tasty. The pretzels were cold as so many others on yelp have mentioned. While I only saw them once in our 2 hours here, there are bell guys who go around to tables and give quick little shows. However, I heard Sweet Caroline about 3 times from the band and HAPPY BIRTHDAY so many times that I was ready to puke. Word to the wise, limit to singing the song once an hour and include all the names you need to in that one rendition. It would also be nice to actually be able to understand the names when they sing the song... as we listened closely to the 30 times looking for our friends name... not once could we recognize the names! It was like being stuck in a chucky cheese birthday party... "happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you"... ah, make it stop! For more authentic German food without the frills, I will still go to Bavarian Lodge. However, the Hofbrauhaus is a fun place to go to if your entertaining out of town guests.
(3)Jasi R.
My friends and I are big fans of German food and beer, especially during Oktoberfest. Our "go-to" spot has always been Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights, but we decided to try this place out since it's fairly new. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be returning anytime in the near future. First, no matter where you go in Rosemont's entertainment district, you're most likely stuck parking in the massive parking garage. It's not THAT long of a walk away, but still...kinda annoying. Once we trekked to the restaurant, I was quite disappointed when I looked at the menu. There weren't as many options as other German restaurants I've been to. And although they have a ton of sides to choose from, they don't allow any substitutions...which is ridiculously annoying because their sauerkraut is probably the best side on the menu and it's not really offered with many entrees. They obviously do that on purpose. I will say, on a good note, the service is pretty decent. Our waitress was attentive and quick to bring anything we asked for. So we order our food, and it comes shortly afterwards. And honestly, it wasn't that great. My friends and I have pretty big appetites, and not one of us finished our meal. It was edible, and decent tasting...but I've had much much better. Lastly, the entertainment (the German band) was REALLY cheesy. Sure they dress up in their German outfits, but they play Johnnie Cash and other American classics. Way too corny for me. If you're looking for German food and beer and a fun German experience, I urge you to try out Schnitzel Platz instead. They have their own parking lot (yay!), better tasting beer, better quality food, more menu options, and authentic German bands playing.
(2)Connie Z.
Fourth time here. Fun atmosphere, they validate parking too. Lady seat in people today was unusually unfriendly, red hair and just angry demeanor, hence 3 stars. Rest of the time easily a four star spot
(3)Nichole C.
SPOILER: This review is ONLY for the beer. I don't care about German food, I don't care about atmosphere, I don't care about authenticity, etc. What I DO care about is beer. I don't really go for German beers, typically, because they are pretty bland. I prefer my beers to have strong dark malt or coffee/espresso flavors OR strong hoppy notes. German beers usually have neither. They are solid, and smooth, but lack serious bite. That said, the Hefe here is pretty damn good. I went in to get a sampler, but after seeing that the smallest pour they offer is a 10 oz., I just picked the one I knew I would enjoy. And a 10 oz. pour I got. After grasping my baby sized beer and scanning the restaurant and seeing huge mugs and boots of beer I felt a little ridiculous, but you've got to start somewhere, right? RIGHT? The Hefe here is really good, actually. It's got great citrusy and spicey notes and a nice cloudy appearance. It is VERY easy drinking and I can no doubt put a boot of this down in no time. (Challenge accepted, by the way...) I will definitely be back to chug a boot and enjoy some live German music and food. Got to wash the beer down with something, yes?
(4)Paul F.
Went with about 11 others. The food was good. The band was excellent! Their rendition of the star spangled banned brought a tear to my eye. I cannot pronounce the dish I had but it was very good!
(4)Kelly C.
Teetering on a three vs. four star review - in brief, food is three stars and ambiance/experience is four. First, the food: Some traditional German options such as schnitzel, sausage, spaetzle, pretzels, and Bavarian potato salad - although missing veal schnitzel. I echo another reviewer's comment on the "no substitutions" - it's annoying that you can't opt for spaetzle or potato salad for example. Food portions are right-sized: you won't go hungry with just a main dish, but you won't feel overstuffed if you order appetizers to share. Generally, menu is low on greens (as are most German menus) but food is good. Second, the ambiance: Long tables in authentic beer hall setting with a rotating german band. Our group found it to be a lot of fun - dancing up on the benches, singing along. I was impressed at the atmosphere created, on a Tuesday night no less. Third, the service: Food comes out fast ... almost too fast. Servers were effective. In response to a few who said it is "overpriced" you need to factor in the entertainment - Given the experience and live music, I think it's close to on target.
(3)Dennis B.
The 20 million hostesses they have standing at the door to greet you acted real ditsy and uninterested in my patronage. This place is huge and I'm sure its packed at peak restaurant hours. All they had on the menu was German food of course, but everything was some type of sausage which I wasn't in the mood for. I ordered the potato pancakes with smoked Salmon and one of their house beers which was very good. I may stop by in the future for a beer, but I doubt I'd go again for the food.
(3)Stacy O.
We were so eager to try this place, we showed up months before it opened. Their signage is effective. ;) We stopped in again (they were open this time) for a beer while waiting for my brother-in-law's flight to land. It was everything I hoped for - and more. My husband had a Dunkel; I had a Hefeweizen. We were both happy with our beers. We only split a pretzel, as we were on our way to dinner after our airport pick up. The pretzel wasn't anything to write home about, but the sweet mustard and spicy mustard were both fantastic with the right amount of kick. I'm a pushover for any mustard that isn't yellow and doesn't come out of a squeeze bottle; being able to see the actual mustard grains makes my heart sing. Service was good if not a bit slow. It took awhile to get our check picked up after we put our credit card in the folder. But this place is much more than beer. With live German music and authentic decor, it's easy to get swept up in feeling like you're in Munich. Enjoy the experience.
(4)Jeff E.
Always a great time. Great food even better beer. Live entertainment is engaging and fun. Come here for a great night out that will not disappoint
(5)Ned B.
I love the German dining experience and this place has it! The place is cool! The beer is great! The food is... Well subpar. If it wasn't for the great experience I would probably skip this.
(3)Jaime G.
4 stars for the beer. 3 for the food. Try the hlffenwiesen and the double wheat. Pretzel and chicken is just ok.
(4)Lochin S.
my beer was nice and cold, and really enjoyed the large stein. the other 5 folks enjoyed their beers. One even had a bottle of Riesling. food was surprisingly good. i had traditional beef with sour gravy, hubby had salmon. others had the veal (ok), chicken, and finally sausage. service was good, food came out in good time, and we were checked on for drinks often. Music was good, spanking was good. we will be back.
(4)Rob W.
I have been eager to check this place out as I have been to the HBH in Las Vegas and wanted to see how this one compared. Facility-wise, this place is a LOT different - dark woods vs light in LV, this place is huge compared to that one - which is also quite large - the one in LV has an indoor biergarten, this one has a large area for outdoor seating. I like the visible brewery here - interesting look. I visited on a Friday around 2PM and it wasn't too busy. My server was Teri and she was the highlight of my visit - pleasant, attentive and outstanding service. But here's the thing - it's not cheap. I had a soda, pretzel (normal sized) and the Jagerschnitzel and it came to $23.87 (pre-tip). The entree was just "ok" - spaetzle awash in mushroom sauce with a fair portioned, but somewhat dry schnitzel topped with bacon. I'll stick with the "neighborhood" German places like Edelweiss or the ones in Milwaukee when I'm looking for truly authentic German food. This was passable - but nothing special. I do plan to return to check out the beers - and I will do the food on occasion. It's another "something else" that's different in the Chicago area, which makes our city and the metro area a special place to be.
(3)Reed N.
Let me save you a lot of time. Fresh beer is good beer... and fresh beer hand crafted and served in the same building is even better. The wheat beer here is deeeeeelicious. The other selections are good, but the wheat just rocks the suds. The service was excellent. The ladies in the cute Lederhosen outfits are everywhere carrying growlers of beer. Other places should take note... women can be fully clothed and still be sexy as all hell. The pretzels are not so good and get cold fast. And they are WAY overpriced. The band and "bell man" travel the dining hall playing and having fun. The noise is quite a racket, but this is a beer hall. This place closed at 11pm on a Monday... so come early! In short, I'd say eat elsewhere. Come here to drink and enjoy yourself.
(3)Edward L.
If you find yourself exhausted, thirsty, and hungry from all that outlet shopping...head over to Hofbrauhaus. Fantastic patio area to enjoy a nice summer evening with a Hefe Weizen & Jagerschnitzel!! The planes are super loud as they fly over...but if you can tolerate them, go for the nice patio! Unless the live band is playing inside, which is always a great time. 1. Beers will be around $7-$10 2. Entrees will be around $15-$25 We tried the red and white radish app which was excellent with a nice dusting of salt. This option is definitely geared for the vegetarian so watch out, its a lot of radish! The jagerschnitzel was well cooked with delicious, creamy, mushroom sauce and crispy bacon on top. Great area, great location, great spot to get some beers and enjoy some German food!
(4)Mike H.
Parking is a bit of a pain, as you need to be in the Rosemont garage instead of in the lot next to the building. We were warned that if we stayed in that lot we would be ticketed. The good news is that they do validate. The beer is very good, as you would expect from a beer hall with a brewery on site, and is just like the beer at the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. We enjoyed the live entertainment, and the band was trying, but the crowd was just not very into it, and singing along is half the fun at a beer hall. The food was good, but I think you can get better German food at the Chicago Brauhaus, Mirabel, Laschet's and Eidelweis. I'd go back if invited, but not sure if I'd make the trip on my own dime.
(3)Margaret S.
The atmosphere is good and I liked the kitschy band, but the food and beer was a dissapointment. They only have 4 beers...at a beer hall. Of course the day we were there, they were OUT of one of the beers...and then there were three. The sauerbraten and spaetzel was okay, not great, kinda buried in the sauce. It would have been fine for 12.95, but disapointing for 18.95. $18.95...had to purchase the soup (the best thing I had, liver dumpling for $5.95) and when I asked the waiter for some bread (a nice rye, anyone?) it was an additional cost. Really? I may try it again, and just hang in the bar and have one of the four beers and a pretzel, but I belie
(3)andre L.
Cafeteria hall feel. Food good not great. Had pork medallions. From the moment you walk in staff is a bit aloof; not warm as I expected a German restaurant to be.
(3)Emily S.
Great that you could make reservations on open table. We had no issues with them finding out reservation when we got there. We ate in the beer hall, if you come after 5pm on a week night there is a band. Try the beer, it is excellent and is made there. We shared the pretzel appetizer, the cheese is amazing. We both got the Worstplatte and loved it. There was so much food I took it home. We also got the Black Forest Cake which I highly recommend. Seating is bench seating in the beer hall, which would be nice for groups. There is also outdoor seating and a more private dining hall. Waitress was attentive and very polite. Make sure to have parking validated before leaving. Very nice place, we would return.
(4)MK W.
The food is good, but the waiter (Charlie) was an arrogant jerk. He didn't even ask us what size beer we wanted and brought these enormous steins. I told him we didn't want such large beers and he argued with us that he thought that is what we ordered. We didn't even make a dent in our beers and it was not a very pleasant experience. Portions are large and it is expensive. I guess you're paying for the atmosphere. Save your money and go to Germany.
(3)Matthew L.
Good recreation of the real thing in Munich minus the history. The scale is really what it's all about. This place would be awesome on a summer afternoon with the doors open, the oom-pah band blaring, and all the tables full. On a Thursday night in February, it's a little lame. Go with a group of friends, buy a few litres of bier and you'll have a good time regardless. Not gonna be as cheap as the local sports bar but it's worth a trip for the experience!
(4)Mike C.
Perhaps not the place to go when dining alone. Beer was good. Perhaps best part of experience. thought I'd enjoy the assorted sausage entree but found it heavy and kind of lacking in creativity. Yeah I'm not quite expecting creativity in a biergarten I guess. Let's just say I was fed and my thirst was quenched. Nuff said.
(2)Michael M.
Fool me once, shame on me! Overpriced, loud, small portions, foam of beer counted toward drink size. No coat check. If you want a real German experience try Eidelweis or Brauhaus. This place is the definition of corporate greed! STAY AWAY. TOURIST TRAP!
(1)Robert B.
IT'S SAD THEY CAN NOT ACCOMMODATE SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR! Tried to have dinner and some drinks there but because I'm use a wheelchair I did not fit under the table so the hostess just walked away leaving me looking at a table I couldn't fit under. So I go back to the hostess letting her know the situation and there was nothing they could do for me, hell put a couple of books under the legs it's not that hard. We called to let them know the next day and was told we would be hearing back from the GM but NOTHING! So I comment on there FB post they respond saying give me your email so the GM can address this and NOTHING!
(1)Julie W.
I'm instantly a fan of Hofbrauhaus. Came here on a Thursday night with my husband for a little date night. We started at another place in The Park but after hearing he wasn't hungry, and I was, we made our way over around 10pm (he's not a schnitzel or sausage kinda guy). Upon arriving there were tons of seating all around, we decided to sit at the bar. The bartenders were both very friendly and took our order immediately. I had a bahama breeze (sorry, not a beer girl!) and he had a big ole' liter of the lager. Plus it was $8.99 liter night! Definitely cannot beat that price at The Park!! We had a little issue with our food taking a bit longer than expected but once we asked our bartender about our food, he immediately ran to the back and brought out a piping hot plate. Great service is always appreciated! Now the main reason I wanted to come was not only for the giant imported pretzel but for the CURRYWURST! When I traveled to Berlin several years ago, I practically lived off of currywurst. I haven't found a place in the city that does it better than Hofbrahaus did, it was like I was walking along the Ku'damm all over again. I was definitely a happy gal. The pretzel was delicious as well. Chewy, warm, just enough salt. The liver mousse was really good as well as the rest of the dips. Sure, it's a bit of a splurge, but why not? The atmosphere on a Thursday was kind of bland, but from the looks of the place it seems like a Friday or Saturday night must be a riot. The German band played a mix of traditional songs and very bad cover songs..just like being in Germany! Haha. But besides that it was a great night. Only gripe is that they closed down the gift shop before they actually closed, around 11:30. I understand that people want to go home but I definitely wanted to take a look around! Also, a little FYI...if you are going to have your ladies wear dirndls with their boobies hanging out, make sure that: A) these ladies have boobies to hang out and B) that they are attractive enough to have their boobies hang out. Saw some waitresses who looked like they just rolled out of bed. Not a cute look, girls. Overall if you want a good time with friends, wonderful, authentic German food and bier, Hofbrauhaus is the place! Sure, it's not the cheapest place to eat or drink but then again is any place at The Park cheap?? I'm definitely a fan and I will be back!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Love this place! My new favorite hangout, just wish I were closer to it. Amazing food & atmosphere! Beer contests are fun to watch and keeps it lively. People getting shots are quite funny too! Definitely a fun place to go! You'll love it:)
(5)Jill A.
Loud.....very loud. So loud that our server couldn't hear our order. I have been to the location in Munich. This is a weird approximation. I ordered a salad and two drinks and my share of the bill was $40. Very expensive.
(2)Joel P.
Really fun place. Great German band and mess hall atmosphere. Prices pretty steep for mediocre food. A lot of rules which was kind of annoying. ie no side subs no bill splitting no beer samples... Make sure you valet at the restaurant bc it's $7 as apposed to the garage which is $13 and a further walk.
(3)Prashant C.
Yesterday night was my second time at Hofbrauhaus... if you love having beer then this place is definitely worth a visit .. last time I had the large of Weiss and yesterday had the Octoberfest starting with 1L... My beer thirst was satiated after doing the second round of .5L. Giant pretzel with musturd.. yes plz ! Pork Sausage with onion mustard.. bring it on..!! loved the food & the whole beer hall set up. It had a live band last night and the whole place was very alive, people were getting paddle spanked by the waitress.. few folks after their 2nd or 3rd Liter of beer were standing on tables... loved the atmosphere ... ideal place to spend time with friend and on weekend.. Place was not cheap, pretzel was $13 with cheese and musturd and Beer 1L was also about the same... but then you get what you pay. Don't worry about parking as they validate parking . Will I visit again? Absolutely! Just make sure to pick a night when there is lot of action happening and bring your friends.. everyone will enjoy
(4)Elizabeth T.
Dinner for four on a weeknight: THE GOOD: + Fun atmosphere! (Very comparable to the one in Germany) + A++++++ service! Wait staff, servers, and bus boys were awesome! THE SO-SO: +/- Food was so so. Just as you'd expect: Your average German eats THE BAD: - Spacey/airhead hostesses. Probably need to work more on greeting customers promptly instead staring into space - Parking was a pain. This is in Rosemont's entertainment district so expect a parking lot maze. - EXPENSIVE! We ordered a "jumbo complete" (pretzel with 3 dips: sweet mustard, onion mustard, and cheese) for our appetizer. It was $13+!!!! For a pretzel? I thought Auntie Anne's pretzel in the shopping malls were already expensive! That just blew my mind. Wow! Shnitzel sandwich (fried chicken breast on a kaiser roll) $13+ I forgot what our other 2 companions ordered but each were $17+ each dish Beer (Premium Lager) was $13 - Food was super salty BOTTOM LINE: It was a fun place to be in but would probably not come back unless someone paid for me. I'm still not over the sticker shock on that pretzel appetizer.
(3)Alma C.
The smell of mash as you enter tells you everything you need to know about this place: go. for. the. beer. The hefeweizen in particular was very refreshing, I liked the pretzels and dipping mustards, but the brats...not so much (uniform hot dog-like texture, no thanks). Bonus point for the festive and friendly atmosphere with live entertainment (3 person band with a certifiable cow bell genius on staff). Fun little stop in an odd area convenient to the highways and O'Hare.
(3)Smita D.
This is a very disappointing German establishment and a total tourist trap! I lived in Germany and speak fluent German and found this place to be absolutely inaccurate and awful. The food was very unimpressive too. Also, the hall is not constructed well. The live music permeates everywhere and you can't hold a conversation with friends over a meal, which is disappointing and frustrating. However, if you love beer, this place is great and you'll get some tasty drinks.
(2)Mike N.
How disappointing! My ginger and I ran past here recently to try it out, since we've been watching it being built for a while now, and what a tremendous disappointment. The only thing I disliked more than the food was the service. We sat at the bar and not once did I see any of the 4 bartenders interact with any guest. They only seemed to break up the conversation with themselves when someone waved for their attention. Two of the bartenders were obviously more concerned with getting each other naked (which I'm always a proponent for!) than refilling a beer or taking an order. The beer was good, but don't expect the bartenders to give you any help deciding what to drink. The food was a disappointment. Obviously mass produced, everything we touched was lukewarm. And nothing is made in house! The people sitting next to me asked the bartender if they made the sausage in house, and was told that a distributor makes in and then sends it to them. Seriously? Maybe its just opening issues, but just a real disappointment.
(1)Michael R.
I love this place. German beer, german food, german decor. Yes the band is cheesy but the atmosphere is great! They spank you if you order a shot and they have a great selection of merchandise and beer!
(5)Josan K.
I want to really like this place but.... 1 litre of bier will cost you $17 (with tax and small tip). Food portions are soooo small, no substitutions what-so-ever! oh, and pricey. Service was slow. There were about ten of us at a bench and we got three beers at a time in 10-15 minute increments! And the food took forever. It's a shame, I guess your paying for the acts from Germany. The entertainment band is usually fun. And i would suggest at least making one visit to see the live music cause it's straight out of Munich fun! I'm in a traditional German band and the music fits right in. This is one quality your really not going to find this at the other German bars. Other bars in the area have local acts but the Hofbrau gets the real acts from overseas. It's good to go for a beer and watch the music but just get ready to unload your wallet! As for alternatives, I would highly suggest laschet's Inn, then Mirabells and then Edelweiss and Brauhaus. The only reason why i say that is those to places feel more like a neighborhood bar rather then going to one of the "big" chicago german places. Prost!
(2)Dan P.
Fun, Loud, and Tasty. we 32 people in our group for my wife and a friends birthdays, Our waitress Ashley was AWESOME, she got everyones order correct, she had a great attitude, she was very helpful in answering question about the bill and the food. It is hard to find good people like that. we will be back and always request ASHLEY. there was a 18% tip added to our bill, we also gave her 50$ on top of that. thank you for a awesome time!!!!!
(4)Victoria M.
Went there last sunday. OMG Beer was great, food was great, Strudel was great! Not a cheap place to go, we spent 100 for two people,but had two beers, an app, two dinners, and a dessert. I had sausage to take home! The sourkraut reminded me of my grams. It was a fun time!
(5)David K.
Exciting experience very crowded and loud - not my choice - met friends there for dinner and beer. Excellent entertainment during October Fest.
(3)Nikki M.
I thought this place was mediocre. The atmosphere is very loud. It's kind of like eating in a cafeteria with a bunch of sloppy drunks. Women dancing on tables people yelling with their beers in the air. The food was just ok. I had the schnitzel with potato salad and a side red cabbage. I also tried some of their sausage and mashed potatoes and their potato soup. The potato soup was really thick maybe a little too thick. Kind of slop-ish. They really overdo it with the mustard that they put in anything involving potatoes. The sausage was good smaller than expected but tasty to say the least. I chose going here over the bavarian lodge in Lisle which I will never do again. This place IS not good for dates but rather for friends to party with. I also am disappointed in their lack of beer selection. Their beer is ok but lacks in flavor. I won't be going here again, most likely.
(2)Ron S.
We visited Hofbrauhaus at 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was at least 3/4 full. A German two-piece band was in full song and everyone was in good spirits. The decor is very German beer hall style and I think they do a good job of creating the appropriate Gemutlichkeit. I enjoyed both the Original Lager and Dunkel. The Lager was very good and the Dunkel was just average. My wife ordered a liter stein of light. I sampled it and it tasted OK but, lets face it, its still light beer. I ordered Gulasch soup and Jaeger Schnitzel and my wife ordered the Leberkaese. Sadly, food is where Hofbrauhaus drops the ball. The Gulasch soup was tasteful although mildly seasoned. For $5.95, the portion was small. It was adorned with salad croutons. I've ordered many bowls of Gulasch soup and never had croutons. OK - easily fished out and tossed to the side. My Jaeger Schnitzel arrived and I could easily tell that it was pre-prepared. It was dry and even the mushroom gravy couldn't save it. It came with spaetzels that were OK. Again, a weird adornment for my schnitzel - bacon! Yeah, I know everyone is on the bacon kick but it doesn't belong on Jaeger Schnitzel. At $18, they need to do better. My wife's Leberkaese was a poor, tasteless rendition of what can be a nice change of pace. Neither entree came with a vegetable. The best part of both of our meals was the potato salad that came with my wife's meal. Although I really enjoyed the beer and atmosphere, I felt the quality of the food for the price paid was not up to par. There is no doubt that Hofbrauhaus Chicago will be wildly successful owing to their great location and the proximity of ample tourists and convention business. For me, there are still a small handful of German restaurants in the area that offer a much better value and food product. Beer & Gemutlichkeit = 4 stars, Food = 1 star.
(2)James K.
Came here to grab a drink after watching a movie, and I was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere of this place is amazing. It has the festive mood of Oktoberfest and a live band and Liter sized mugs. The micro-brewed beer was smooth. I tried the Dunkel as well as the Heffeweizen, and both were great. We came back here the following week with friends and once again had a great time. shots + spanks = hilarious fun time
(5)Rachael P.
Take a deep breath and as soon as you walk into the place you smell HOPS!! Lots of HOPS! The establishment is great. Very big restaurant, awesome beer, and live entertainment. I've been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany and it doesn't compare to the original, but considering it's in Rosemont, IL it's not a bad comparison. I give it 3 stars and not 4 or 5 stars because the food is standard. Nothing extraordinary about it. It's not bad. It's just not memorable. The prices are a bit high for what you get in taste. Also, the wait to be seated is ridiculous!! A group of us stopped by on a Saturday night to find out that there was a 2 hour wait. We went back on a Wednesday afternoon and the place was almost empty. Therefore, service was superb! I have to mention that the beer is AMAZING! TIP: If you go on a Friday, call ahead for reservations. They make reservations for non-peak times. They do NOT take reservations on Saturdays.
(3)Jennifer N.
I have been here twice in the past week to celebrate my dad's birthday and I have no plans on going back. I liked how big the space is and the decor. It does feel like a German beer hall, but that's about all I liked. I'm not really a beer drinker so I can't comment on that (although my dad said that it isn't the same as the real stuff...he would know, he had been stationed in Germany). The food tasted fine but they must do something weird to it. Typically I can eat German food (a brat or chicken with sauerkraut and red cabbage) and not gain weight, but the next day I was three pounds heavier (that's with no cake and hardly eating during the day) and felt totally gross for the next two days. Both times I went I ordered something different and each time it was the same. The service was mixed. On one trip it was decent but slow. The other trip our waitress was a little spacey. Orders kept getting mixed up and nothing showed up together. I asked for water and she said they were out. My brother and I each ordered a side of German rye bread and she didn't bring him anything and she gave me kaiser rolls. Finally she brought the bread for me but then tried to give my brother the kaiser rolls. (To her credit, when I was there before I had ordered bread and they brought American rye because there was a computer glitch...I'm assuming the glitch has not been fixed). She did not know the menu (for example, my brother ordered the seasonal beer and she tried to tell him it didn't exist when it is on the menu). It could be that some of the problems are due to the fact that it is a new restaurant. Maybe I'll give it another chance in 6 months, but for now, when I want German food, I will be going into the city.
(1)Johnny R.
Deets.... Seats 1000, supposedly 2 hour place wait on the weekends, we went Wednesday night and it was maybe 20% busy. Our validated parking was free (instead of $13). Food was solid, beers were good, and the band was entertaining. I'd go again, though it has a sleek business feel, I felt like I could have been in Orlando or other touristy places. But don't get me wrong, the food was solid. If I was a non-local traveler and had a trade show at the Stevenson center, I'd eat here again.
(3)Dave F.
I have been to this location many times since it opened. I feel like the food is over priced for what it is. I don't think its bad or they give you small portions. It is just simply over priced. I literally (not figuratively) think everything on the menu could be 2-4 dollars cheaper and they could still make there profit. I have ventured all over the menu and enjoyed the food, but I did not enjoy the price at all. My favorite thing on the menu is Schnitzel Wiener Art, crazy German names! The beers... I have really enjoyed the different beers I have had here. I enjoy the Hefe Weizen the most but have had the Lager and Light and enjoyed them both. Again I think they are slightly over priced. I think they could knock off 2 dollars per size and then they would be priced appropriately. The atmosphere varies depending on the day and time you visit. If you go for lunch or dinner early or mid week this place is a bit tame compared to Friday or Saturday nights. Those nights have a lot of entertainment and it is super loud, almost to the point where you are watching a show rather than enjoying your groups company. None the less, if you come on Friday or Saturday and have some drinks you should have a good time. I do like that while they make you wait for a table they do have some seating and a huge lobby with a gift shop. I appreciate not being stuffed in to a tiny vestibule with 20 other people. As with all restaurants in MB Park the parking can be difficult but it is to be expected. All in all I will be back because it is a fun atmosphere but I will probably only drink or eat because the cost is to damn high.
(3)Greg H.
I went there earlier in the week with some friends from "Hey Der" Wisconsin, the land of beer and brats. The place was outstanding on all counts, ambiance felt like I was in Munich Germany. Excellent food, most enjoyable German music and the service was outstanding. Felt like I should have been wearing my - lederhosen, german word for leather breeches. Lastly the beer was fabulous, just like what would be served in Germany in the 1 liter mugs, smaller glasses are also available. All good, I would suggest you add this to your must go list with friends and family. Great fun and great laughs had by all.
(5)Capaytano H.
Place is overrated probably would not go back. Food ok music loud. Would not make this a place to frequent that often
(3)Liz A.
A fun experience that's probably worth trying at least once. The food is not as good as the one in Munich, but it's still pretty good and the choices are more German than you'll be able to find most other places. The downside, I think the American twist on the clothes, accessories and gift shop is kind of ruining the authenticity of this location. Also, it seems a little pricey.
(3)Kristina K.
Excellent food, vibe, music and staff!!
(5)Brian P.
Awesome place to enjoy some great German beer and traditional foods, all in a rowdy German atmostphere. The food is good but a little expensive and overpriced. Fast service and live entertainment were the best parts and you can get beers in 1 liter mugs. Music is a little loud though so this isn't the best place to have a business meeting or important conversation
(4)vytas b.
I've been to Oktoberfest on the 'weisen a couple of times. I love the HBH, and I'd love to give higher marks to this place. It's an absolutely beautiful place - a very nice beer hall. But the beer is awful. You could buy 12 month old half liters of HB beer from Binnys and it would be better. The beer, instead of finishing with a sweet note, finishes with a seltzer water like taste. And that is their Premium lager(they were out of the light). The fest beer had the same symptoms. Maybe they are using a 'localized' recipe to compete with Miller lite, but the beer doesn't live up to the reputation, nor does it approach the real thing. Is it the lake Michigan water? I don't know. But I hope the HBH figures it out and fixes its beer I had the jaeger schnitzel several times (served with fried onions for some mystifying reason), and its ok. Better than the beer. In all fairness, I've visited several times since the opening, hoping it'd get better, but it hasn't; and I've asked some friends who've also been to the real HBH, and they've said the same thing ab. Waitresses in their dierndelslook fantastic, but it doesn't make the beer taste any better. Ok, maybe a little bit. Service is pretty good too, in my opinion.
(3)Pham D.
This place is huge, but make sure you're ok with sitting at a communal table with another group of people. Even though we saw lots of empty tables, we were seated with a party of 6. I'm sure if you ask, you could sit somewhere else, but we were gung-ho for anything, so we just shrugged it off and sat down.. but...AWKWARD!!! We shared the crispy pork plate which was humongous. The piece of pork was the size of my head, and it came with 2 sides of dumplings and a bowl of coleslaw. The sides were bland, but that skin on the pork was so fatty and delicious. Apparently, it taste just like in Germany. They skimp on the gravy and we had to ask for more. A live band also came on at the end of the meal, and the place literally woke up. Stars were deducted for service though. We had a hard to tracking down our server. We were halfway done with our meal before our extra gravy arrived. The place also need a better system of table-numbering. I witnessed 2 separate servers/food runner standing there counting the tables with their head and getting lost about who's food is whom. It was really funny to see... Be sure to check out the gift shop on the way out. I would have love to check out the distillery though. Maybe next time.
(3)J. Chuck K.
Be prepared to spend a few bucks.... Based on the prices, it's clear this place is catering to tourists and business people patronizing the hotels, conference center and concert venues. Although I came here with this expectation, I just didn't know how bad it was going to be. I know now why they don't post a menu with prices on their website. In contrast to previous reviews, our service was great. The beers were about as good as expected, but I was disappointed they didn't offer more HB beers. There wasn't even a seasonal beer. The negative reviews about the food are spot on. The food is not cooked to order and does taste like it's prepackaged. After ordering the jumbo pretzel appetizer, the waitress was back in literally under 2min with a cold one. Overall, the place has a nice authentic feel, and the band puts on a good show, but the food and prices are really unreasonable. It may be a good place to go with friends for a few beers and listen to the music, but due to the pricing it's not family friendly.
(2)Andi C.
We went to Hofbrauhaus on a Friday early- about 5:30 pm. We made a reservation but when we got there we realized we didn't really need one. I was so excited because we went to original in Munich Germany and I thought for sure it would be reminiscent of that. The Good. 1. Atmosphere was light. 2. Band was fun. 3. Beer was good. 4. Bathroom was clean. 5. The look is very much like the original The Bad. 1. Very expensive 2. We had a server- Warren- who was more interested with flirting with with the other waitresses than doing his job. We had to have bus boys find him - twice-. He was never apologetic and other people in his section were complaining about him as well. 3.Food was so expensive and not quality. Nothing is made to order. The food comes out so fast- you know it's sitting under a heat lamp in the back. "No substitutions" obviously because they can't take the time to prepare a new plate for each dish. Overall: A great place to get a beer and listen to music but if you are looking for a nice dinner and good service this would not be the place for you.
(2)Ricky M.
This place is awesome! Food is authentic, beers by the liter, the attire the staff wears, the bands that play whats not to like. This place does get loud so if your looking for a romantic night out this isn't the place to go!
(5)R.g. C.
Atmosphere was fun but the servers did not know a damn thing about the menu nor did they know anything about Germany. Why the hell would you hire people that know nothing about weisswurst, pork knuckle, etc. and you are trying to up sell me by selling me the seasonal brew, which you brew in house yet I cannot have a sample? BOOM one star. I've been to Munchen and Bayern on multiple times, during Oktoberfest and not and the only thing this place resembles is their tent at Oktoberfest. I think the food was def pre packaged, as it tasted microwaved. 2 stars for the waitress jumping on the table with us as we sang hoy hoy hoy
(2)John P.
I really wanted to like this place. Beer was good. Ambiance fun. Even the pretzel was worthwhile - and that is where we should have stopped. They ended up closing the kitchen after we were served - yet continued to seat people / families on Father's Day!!. It took us 2 hours to get warm salads and cold entrees. Even the chicken sandwich with fries sucked. Reordered the fries and they were only luke warm!!! Even McD can get a chicken sandwich to you hot, under 2 hours and for significantly less $$. But alas, my local McD comes without an oompah band!! Managers apologized profusely - and yet, she ended up discounting 50% on the food only portion of the bill (25% overall) for meals she agreed were pathetic. Really? You overseat. Understaff. Completely crash your kitchen - and then shrug your shoulders and say "Oops. Sorry. We took too many Fathers Day reservations!" And this is my fault, how??? This was not a wait staff issue - even though this was it for him. Tonight was our server 's last shift. Too many times apologizing for crap out of his control. This is a management issue !! STEP UP AND GET IT FIXED!! We should have stayed at Toby Keith's. Beer was cheaper. Food could not have been worse - but no oompah band! You cant be unhappy with an oompah band. Unless of course the overpriced food you've waited two hours for is AWFUL!! Yet, if they don't turn around the Kitchen here it will be Tchüs and auf wiedersehen to Hoffbrau House. Even good bier can't make up for a totally screwed up restaurant!! Gordon Ramsay - here is a true Kitchen Nightmare!!!
(1)Susan P.
If it weren't for a particular incident yesterday at the Hofbrauhaus, I would have given the restaurant a 4-star rating. Although I was enjoying the experience overall, the busboy at our table was very strange and unprofessional. Three times he argued with me and pressured me to give him my glass even though I was not finished with my beer or my water. At first, it seemed like a joke, but by the second and third time he came to our table, he pursed his lips and stared me down for several seconds in an effort to intimidate me to give him my glass, but I ignored him. My friend twice told him to go bus other tables or motioned for him to go away. After he would leave, she and I complained to each other that he was annoying us. When I went to purchase the cinnamon nuts at the concession stand in the restaurant, I asked my friends to watch my drinks to make sure that the busboy will not take them. My friend hid my drink behind his beer and a menu. Although I really appreciated my friends' support, it was ridiculous that I had to protect my drinks from an obnoxious, arrogant, and downright creepy busboy. I have never had this sort of experience with a busser before. Nearly always, if you are not done with your food or beverage and let the busser know, the busser will respect your decision. Fortunately, I spoke with the manager of Hofbrauhaus. He was understanding and he found the name of the busser who treated me poorly. The manager promised to speak with the busser personally regarding his behavior. Given that the manager was sympathetic and willing to take care of this issue, I would be willing to visit Hofbrauhaus again. The music and ambience are great!
(3)David H.
Don't think of coming here if you're looking for a quiet night of dining. They do make some excellent German beers and some of their cuisine is authentic. Our waitress talked us out of ordering the potato pancakes with salmon so instead we ordered the pretzel. I ate the Veggie Schnitzel while my colleague ordered the smoked variety of chicken brat, veal sausage and pork dog. The food was pretty good. The entertainment was even better. While the waitresses are dressed like a German version of Hooters, the Oompah band reminded me of a ChuckECheese for adults. Some of the songs were in the Octoberfest style. We did pause for the National Anthem. Other song choices were quite random.
(3)Cloresa N.
I love the food and the atmosphere but my complaint comes from my experience with the jerseys offered when you join the stein club. My husband and I joined and were really excited about ordering the jerseys even though they were expensive. We were told that it would take 3 weeks to complete, when that didn't happen we were told it would be another 3 weeks,when that didn't happen we spoke to a Manager who said that the jerseys did not come from Michigan as we were told but Las Vegas. We were then told it would be 2 months and we would get a call when they came in. We still have not gotten a call, I don't know if they wait until they get enough orders before they send them in but how long does it take to embroider a shirt. If they had told the truth up front we probably would not have ordered them, but why would they when money is involved. We are very disappointed and at this point I am not sure if we even want them. I like this place but this is not cool.
(3)Janet N.
Bad service! Our waitress was the worst. We had a large party and she was very unorganized. She took everyone's order except for my husband and I. We set there with our food orders on our tip of our dry mouths because we set there for 45mins without a refill of Pepsi. After an hour the manager was informed, but never sent her any help. The manager did locate her because she kept disappearing. We order our food with a beer. We got our food 15 mins after ordering. No Beer and still no refill. Food was great! And fast! When every one at the party realized that we had gotten our food, we asked how long for the rest to get there food? they had been waiting for about an hour. She replied "you got your food, so don't worry about them" WoW! So we asked again could we get a refill since you never brought our beers out. She said "oh you finished them" and wrote it down and walked away. Comes back about 30mins later says "how's the beer ?" We reply "we don't know you never brought them." We finally said forget the beers by then it was 2 1/2 hours later. Good thing we never had a Beer, we had two $20's dinners with 3 Pepsi's a pretzel and someone else had gotten 2 small $6.99 beers when we asked for our check our total was $165 she had charged us 4 $12.99 beers and 3 Jameson shots and a bunch of Sierra mist along with waters. When we approach her we informed her that our check was way off. She replied " well someone is going to pay for that" and walked away. She finally agree to fixed it our total was $90. We told everyone in our party to check there's and of courses everyone got over charged. She fixed everyone's check but did take 1hour of her punching numbers in her computer. Good thing that everyone was sober enough to notice and remember there orders.
(1)Jeremy T.
Come for the beer. Stay for the minimal amount of time. First, this place really blows. I came across this place on Yelp and was excited that Hofbrauhaus had a beer hall in Chicago. Then I clicked it and realized that it was not in Chicago, but in Rosemont. So that was my first mistake. I love beer German beer with all my heart and have been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. That place was amazing. However, Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a mockery of the original. German food is notoriously expensive for some reason. I usually don't mind paying more for quality, but my food didn't qualify. I ordered my favorite German dish, currywurst, and felt like I was ripped off. It was $14 for two small lukewarm sausages and cold fries with tasteless curry ketchup. I expected more for that price. Booooo. I've gotten currywurst from other places for a lot cheaper and that were better tasting. The prices are absurd for the amount and quality of the food. The beer was $7 and was just ok. I've gotten better Hofbrau beer at bars for $6. Why does it cost more seeing how you guys make the beer there? No need to factor in transporting the beer out. The waitress was ok, but very spacey. Completely forgot to bring us silverware and napkins. So we just grabbed our own from an empty table. After doing some easy interwebs research, I came to the conclusion that this place is a tourist trap. I put it in the same category as Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe. They have a silly gift shop and that sells bottled beer that's more expensive than the same ones they sell at Jewel. I don't recommend this place at all. If you like German beer just go to an independently owned German bar in Chicago. If you're already headed up there just keep going north to Milwaukee. The only good thing is that its a nice looking space.
(2)R B.
Sadly, there's a lot of whiners. Would you like some beer with that whine? Here's the thing... you don't go into this establishment and say "oh it's only 4 beers!! Where's the bud? Miller? Heiniken?? C'mon there has to be Pabst???!! I'm doing a pub crawl for god sakes!!" Do a pub crawl on a liquor store. You come to places like these for the experience and for their house made brews which means it's not gonna be like the cheap beers you know :) Our server was Val, and I beg to differ. She wasn't a lunatic. She was a "bitch" and she got stuff done (bitches get stuff done) and she was pleasant. My beer, my dad's beer and my sister's beer took about 5 mins too long to serve (which we didn't mind because) but it was on the house. I liked the food, the band was fun. So what if they sang the same 5 german songs and pelted you with country and 80's classics. If a drunk german band plays YMCA on the accordion, you get up and do the motherfuckin' YMCA. Don't be that wet towel whiner going "oh my god!! How many times do I have to yell Hoi Hoi Hoi!!!". So in closing (my apologies if I went off tangent, I have 2 liters of beer in me. I can hold my liquor unlike some), I like this place. It's loud and fun and there's beer. Don't be a snooty little whiner.
(5)Helen L.
If you want to go to a nice, quiet restaurant, don't come here. It's loud, it's wild and it's FUN! The band does a great job of interacting with people and getting everyone to stand on their benches and join in singing Das Fliegerlied and raising their glasses to Ein Prosit. Make the most of it - join in the fun! The food is good - not the best, but then again, I compare it to my mother's and sister's cooking, which is true, authentic German cooking! But, for a restaurant, it's not bad. I had the Schnitzel Wiener Art, which was a lot of food - and tasty! My husband had the sausages and must have liked them because he ate the whole plate. The service was excellent. Our waitress was very attentive and we never had to wait for her. And the phone came out less than 15 minutes after our order was put in. It actually surprised us. If you get the chance to visit this restaurant - do it. But only do it if you like to have a lot of fun!
(4)Binni S.
I must say, this place is not for everyone. If you are looking for a new experience and trying different types of cuisine, experience, culture-- this may be worth a place to try out! The atmosphere is loud, but also very fun. The Beer hall is traditional with long tables and benches. They have a stage with musicians, and a small bar area too. My favorite part on friday/saturday nights when full-- people standing up on the benches and singing the drinking song along with the band (Cheers to you)! The food is not for vegetarians. Lots of Meat and sausage. The Half roasted chicken with rosemary is pretty good and the sweet mustard sauce with the pretzel is good.. One suggestion, I wish the pretzel was warm. I still enjoyed the pretzel as a snack even though it is served cold. LOVE THE BEER. If you are a beer person, this is a great place! They do only have 4 choices, but it is a microbrewery. I usually do not drink dark beers, and I absolutely loved it. Very smooth. The wheat and premium lager are also delicious. I love going to this place for the atmosphere and the beer but had to give one star off for the food. Happy Exploring!
(4)Mike B.
I think every new place goes through growing pains, and some of the early reviews here seem to suggest that. This place is very new and the staff must be getting better because we experienced none of the issues some of the other reviewers encountered. Our hostess was charming, and we were checked in right away. While we've never been to this Hofbrauhaus, we have been to the original in Germany on several occasions, and our hostess was very interested in how this one compares with the original. Our server was very attentive and prompt. The beer was fabulous. The food was great. If you come here for a quiet meal, you've come to the wrong place - this is very much a German beer hall with loud music and lots of noise! It's all part of the experience. I downgraded the stars to 4 because of price. It is expensive. The food is good, but I still like the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle for their food. But for the total German experience, this place is great. I felt after leaving that the staff does read these reviews and is improving. Given the investment in this area, I'm sure they want to succeed. We will come back! P.S. make sure you ask to get parking validated!
(4)Kristine N.
We came here for a birthday party and we were seated right away even though not all 20 people were there. Service is really friendly. It's a huge restaurant with a stage with a small band. It's not excruciatingly loud though, which I liked. Plenty of beer options and the boot is a must do. Although you must pay for the boot to take home, which I thought was stupid, not everyone wants to take a boot home. We ordered plenty of pretzels which were soft, salty, and huge. Came with 3 dips. The cheese and the mustard were good. For dinner we pretty much got a good variety of things and everyone seemed satisfied. The birthday girl had a burger which is apparently ground beef and ground pork which gives it that extra flavor. I ordered the jäger schnitzel which was sooooooo good. Came with an interesting noodle that I thought were potatoes. The cranberries give the chicken a good kick. My boyfriend ordered the Weiner schnitzel art which was fried crispy and was pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the potato salad. Very sour and had a weird mashed potato consistency. We'd like to come back and try a few other items sometimes soon.
(4)Rick N.
We went to the Haufbrauhaus on Sunday for dinner with a party of 7. It was an awesome experience with singing and beer. Great food and beer, a great server Rae Rae ( Raeanna ). If you love German Food, bold beer, a party atmosphere, music and a Octoberfest environment. This is for you. Get the valet parking. Its only 7 dollars and worth it in winter. If you are a party of 4 or less you may share a table. Its Loud so its hard to talk so not intimate. Were going back with new other friends in two weeks. Rae Rae works weekends. I woud and always will ask for her section!
(5)John G.
Hofbrauhaus was a blast last night. If you want a quiet little place to enjoy German cuisine, this is NOT the place to go. It's big, it's loud, the fresh brewed German beer is great and they have pretty good German food; it also seems to be everyone's birthday (the band announced one every 20 minutes). It was a 1.5 hour wait for a table, but we enjoyed GIANT beers near the bar while we waited. We were entertained by the interactive band and the waitress that couldn't keep up with the line of people waiting for a spanking with the wooden stick (who knows, but it was funny). At least on a busy weekend night, it's a great place to go with a group to get loud, sing along with the band, stand on your chair and shout german toasts and have a good time. They also validate your parking ticket, so it's free. Or you can pay $7 to valet. Some say it's overpriced, but we didn't think so. The beers are huge and it's no more expensive than any downtown spot. As long as you know what you're in for, then it will be fun. Loud (did I say it was loud? lol), crowded, raucous, a little pricey and fun. The other upside is you can always meander to any of the other spots in the Rosemont Entertainment district.
(4)Janet N.
Beer was good. Food is ok but pretty overpriced. $90 for and app, 2 beers a piece and 2 lunch entrees.
(3)Pete L.
Nothing German about it. Beer is good, not even close to German Potato salad. Sausages are good. German band was a cover band. They were terrible. Very Disappointed. Not a German Experience at all. Over priced food and no German atmosphere at all. Go some place else for German food and music and beer for that matter.
(2)Eric A.
I was ready to leave a bad review due to their no substitution policy. What restaurant in this day and age doesn't allow substitutions? Some people have diet restrictions and there are way to many restaurant options out there to not accommodate your guests. Luckily, we had a great waiter who sympathized with my anger of no substitutions and accommodated. Now that my rant is over, I will say the food was delicious. I ordered some roasted chicken and it was cooked perfectly. The beer, even though they are limited in options, is great. They brew their own beer, so it actually tastes better than hofbrau beer I've had before. If you want selection go to park tavern next door, if you want a great German beer in a beer hall atmosphere, this is your place. Even though their substitution policy sucks, this place is solid. Definitely, a great place to stop after work and grab a few beers.
(4)Ken P.
I've read a few negative reviews of the Hofbrauhaus so I kept my expectations relatively low, and when I left I was pleasantly surprised. My family of four enjoyed everything from the jumbo pretzel through vegetable soup, curry wurst, and pork shank. While not a five star dining experience, the Hofbrauhaus hit all the marks for large, energetic dining/beer hall. Service was very attentive, live music lent a nice background without bring overly loud and the food was good. We had a fun time! I would recommend this restaurant to friends looking for a fun, dining experience and I will be returning myself.
(4)Susan C.
I won a hefty gift card to this restaurant and decided to use it to celebrate my October birthday. Big mistake. Huge. First, we made reservations and the gal who made them told us NOT to use the address on the website if using GPS and gave us a Bryn Mawr Ave. location to put it. Our GPS guided us on a roundabout trip to a back lot somewhere and it was already time to meet my son...We were frantic and tried to call the restaurant many times but they hung up on us. We finally found it and spot my son and his wife. The noise was deafening. Here's my advice: never visit during Oktoberfest! I couldn't hear myself talk much less hear my son across the table. I could barely hear the waitress. I felt the food was pricey for what you actually got. I wanted to substitute cabbage for potato salad but was told there were NO substitutions. There was no bread on the table and the tables were shared, no less, with others....People were going crazy, standing on the benches and singing and clapping. Okay, if you like this kind of thing but not for a special birthday. This is in a huge new entertainment complex. It's very hard to find and parking can be difficult. We valet parked for $7 & were the last car to be allowed to do so. Will NOT be returning.......
(2)Geoff N.
Better than Edelweiss! Almost as fum as Munich! Great beer, great atmosphere, Fantastic food! The only thing that we didn't like was one of our two orders of potato pancakes. But seriously great food, and dinner show! If you can put up with a loud atmosphere, this is the place to go. Weiner Schnitzel and Jäger Schnitzel out of this world... probably one of the top German places outside of München(Munich).. a must try IMO, warning you may be waiting a bit for a table on Fridays or Saturdays they don't take reservations...
(5)Jonathan N.
Okay service, good beer(brewed in house), and okay food. If you wanted German beer and food, I'd definitely come here because its hard to find a good combo of both. If you only want some good beer, I'd suggest park tavern across the street. It's more of a place you go to feel like you're back in Germany (I think they tried mimicking the old one) the food was not amazing or fresh and came out cafeteria style. It's priced a little high for what seems to be frozen food. I don't think I'd come back but that's because I'd rather eat other things in the area that is not German.
(3)Cindy S.
Love the fun atmosphere! Food is wonderful and served quickly. Beer is so good hefeweizen is my favorite. If you get the pretzel be sure and get the Brie. Drinking games, fun band, people doing shots followed by a paddling all done in great fun. Party place!!!
(5)Kalyn H.
I really dislike this place. Been here a handful of times because I love German beer and food and try to give them a "last chance" but I've been disappointed every time always due to the service. Even when sitting at the bar the beer is slow, the servers are awkward, and sometimes the just disappear. One time we weren't even noticed sitting in a section and had to wait over fifteen minutes before walking out and going next door. We tried to order the pretzel (small version under apps, $4-5 or so) and the waitress didn't even clarify and brought us the completely wrong, jumbo $15 one, what the...?!?
(1)Yunnis S.
This place gets 5 stars for the atmosphere but overall 3 stars for the service and food. My husband and I took his friend and girlfriend here about 3 weeks ago. We made reservations as it was a Saturday night around 8pm. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated which was great because they were packed. We ordered the pretzel which was amazing. It came with 3 different dips and so we either loved all 3 or got to choose 1 that we really liked. The pretzels are flown in from Munich, Germany everyday which is fantastic. You can definitely taste the difference. When we looked at the menu, we didn't notice the price It's not something my husband and I really do when we go out to eat. We ordered our drinks and meals and just enjoyed the Munich-like atmosphere. The bench seating is great because if you've ever been to Germany, that's what it's like. The second time we went, we sat by some idiots and my husband calmed me down so I wouldn't make a scene. As soon as I sat down, the one lady said that it was awkward that we were sitting next to them, and they were also saying that they felt like they were at Medieval Times for adults. First of all, I LOVE Medieval Times and saying rude things like that is just disrespectful. Ignorant comments like that upset me because if you're not willing to immerse yourself in the culture completely, you shouldn't bother coming at all. Anyways, the food took some time to come out but we didn't mind. We enjoyed listening to the music and watching people dancing and just having a great time. My pork dish came with gravy and it was very salty. I couldn't even eat it. My husband loved his schnitzel and even loved mine, so he finished my entire plate as well. The potato dumplings were good and so were the spaetzle and red cabbage. My husband's friend and girl friend said the food was mediocre at best as we've been to other German restaurants together where the food is MUCH, MUCH better. When we received the bill, that's where the surprise came. The bill was REALLY high and we only had 3 beers at our table. The second time we went, we made reservations again for 8pm on a Saturday. This time, it wasn't as packed and we were seated right away. This will boggle your mind. The waitress who seated us came up to us about 30 minutes later and accused us of seating ourselves. We looked at her like she was crazy and told her, "YOU SAT US." It is really loud in there so I'm not sure if she was aware of the things we were telling her, but how do you not remember seating people that YOU sat? I mean, there are a lot of people in there but I would hope you're not that much out of your mind that you'd go up to paying customers and obnoxiously accuse them of sitting down without being asked to. Our jaws literally dropped and that left a bad taste in our mouths. I thought about complaining to a manager but as we were leaving, my husband asked to see a manager for a quick second and the hostess said, "It's gonna have to be awhile. It's really busy." Yes, it was busy so here I am writing this Yelp review which I don't mind doing (= This time, I ordered a different pork dish and asked for the gravy on the side. It was dry without the gravy but at least it wasn't salty. Again, the food was mediocre at best and the bill was pretty high. Overall, I'd recommend this place for the atmosphere. Other than that, do not expect stellar service or great tasting/priced food. There are definitely better places in the city and the suburbs for German restaurants that have great service, food, and prices. Oh and PLEASE do not write or complain about how you don't like sitting with others or about the atmosphere or some place. I will just tell you that you shouldn't try new things then because you clearly can't handle being open-minded.
(3)ALFREDO M.
The beer is awfully good and so is the food. I'm having a hard time remembering exactly what I had to eat which should be a good indicator of just how good the beer is. I'm not kidding - 4 liters is basically a 12 pack of beer... did you know that? I know that now. In my haze, I remembered we ordered some soft pretzels - and I think I had some sausage with some potato on the side... there was some cutlet that was pounded flat and breaded and fried... jeezus - we had a lot of beer and I assure you it was good. I feel like we were kind of hard on our waiter - we brought him a group of 12 and it somehow morphed into a group of 17-18. He split our check as well as he could - we were kind of sloppy by that point in the evening but he was a good sport.
(5)AJ M.
Always wondered what it would be like to be at a bar in Germany, and according to a friend this is the closet thing to it without leaving the country. This place is great because it is so unique. The environment is like non i have ever experienced. The waitresses wear traditional attire and will spank you with a paddle after u order a round of shots. There's live music, and TVs everywhere (although there could be more). Now the beer is so so. Nothing special. The Hefe weizen which was my fav, it tasted like a Hoegarden. The Premium and light lagers had a really watered down taste like a bud light. I haven't tasted the food. Although I am definitely gonna comeback and try it along with the dunkel. If your up to do the boot deff do it!!
(4)Jason F.
Hofbräu beer has always been my favorite and when I heard this place was opening in Rosemont I was really excited. Hofbräuhaus has 4 different types of regularly offered beer plus a seasonal and they brew it right there since it's a brewery. Hofbräuhaus is the only place I know that offers German beer in a 1 liter mug and it always tastes deliciously fresh and full of flavor till the very last sip. The "bands" on stage are usually older men dressed in German attire singing German songs in German but occasionally they'll sing American songs IE: Happy Birthday, Christmas songs, Thanksgiving songs and Easter songs.
(5)Reena M.
Just had dinner here with my sweetie last night.. We had such a Wonderful Experience! The Staff was friendly and courteous, the atmosphere was FUN, and the food was Delicious!!! I can't wait to try the one in Munich, Germany! Definitely try the bread dumpling!
(5)Ken And Laura M.
We were here April 9, 2013 for lunch. The beers were better then I expected. Three sizes to choose from. I wanted to taste one of the selections however, the waitress informed me that everything is metered so no tasting allowed.(???) Never-the-less I would have ordered what I tasted anyway it was that good! Laura liked it too. She normally doesn't like the darker type beer. The food was very good. Although for lunch is was a little pricey $72 with 15% tip (because we sat at the bar). We always tip less when sitting at the bar.
(4)William B.
Rachel K's review is spot on. I really couldn't have said it better, so I won't try. I'll keep it brief. I have had the good fortune to visit the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. This is a mighty good experience of a German beer hall. sitting at long bench style tables, drinking large, liter beers, loud German polka music in the background, eating typically bland, German food- potatoes & sausages. Its a party, people. I do agree that it does seem a bit of a tourist trap, and can be pricey. As far as the food goes, it is very tasty for German food. It's not fine dining. No table cloths here. If you know to expect to have a good, casual time, then I think you will really enjoy Hofbrauhaus.
(5)Christine B.
We, a party of four, went Saturday, 2-1-2014, at 8:00pm. We ordered the Jagerschnitzels and the Kalbschnitzels and Bratwurst dinners. The Jagerschnitzels, with the mushroom sauce, were excellent The Veal Schnitzel consisted of an extremely thin piece of veal, and mostly breading. It wasn't worth $26.99, and we wouldn't order that again. We had the Apfelstrudel for dessert. It was the worst strudel we have ever had, and we would never order that again. Our waitress, Tori, was the best ! Everything was delivered on time, and she kept checking with us if everything was ok.
(4)Luis H.
Best beer ever
(5)Sue H.
Well I wish I could give Hofbrauhaus a better rating but I have to be honest . We had reservations and were seated promptly in long bench type table we had to share with another family. Wasn't crazy about this, but ok whatever. The guys ordered beers and were pretty happy, and we also ordered potato pancakes and a giant pretzel to share. So far so good. When we placed our orders we asked that we substitute the german potato salad for mashed potatoes. We all wanted to do this - that is the only request we made. Nope there are no substitutions. Oh come on...we pleaded with the waitress and asked her to please ask the manager, but nope she was steadfast and coldly told us absolutely not. They are busy and it would be confusing !? So a side order of mashed potatoes was ordered at $4.50 for a small bowl for one person. Where is the rye bread? Any german restaurant should give you a basket of rye bread and butter while you wait - we have to pay additional for that too. Was starting to feel a bit screwed. The band was energetic and played lots of music and at one point everyone stood on their chairs and sang and acted along (if they knew the routine). We tried to join in but everything was loud and chaotic and we ended up just clapping along. It was also hard to have any conversations because of all the noise. When the food came we expected a lot of food for the price of the dinners and I am pretty sure we were all disappointed. My pork tenderloin was good, but served with the German potato salad which I had no luck in substituting. Everyone else also left the potato salad untouched on their plates. So my dinner consisted only of the breaded pork tenderloin and the previous appetizers and ice tea. We also had to pay additional for gravy ! My husband said the sausages were good but nothing special and not worth the price. For dessert we ordered a couple of slices of apple strudel with vanilla sauce for ten bucks each and we split it. It was good. When the bill came it was over two hundred bucks. Ouch ! We paid, tipped 15% reluctantly and all agreed we would not be coming back.
(2)Robin F.
I'd beware of any reviews of this place. On every table in the restaurant, they offer patrons a $10 discount for a favorable Yelp review. (See my photo in my tip). They don't deserve a good review and I find this practice unethical.
(1)Mark S.
I am more of an expert on beer then Germann food. The beer was very good. The food was little more than overpriced hotdogs.
(3)M-J W.
Good Beer Food - not so good. Fast food versions of German food. You get served super fast. But the place is loud. It is fun. The little oompah band was cute. They play the beer drinking song every time they are thirsty. So I now know the lyrics and I don't speak German! I would come here for the party atmosphere and beer. I would skip the food. It was pricy as well.
(3)Anastasia S.
This is a novelty place.. It might be just me but wasn't a fan of the food
(2)Julie D.
They used to have a parking lot on the north side of the building that is gone and we didn't know where to park except in the parking garage, which is $13. There is a parking lot on the south side of the building that we didn't see until we got to the building. They will validate the parking ticket for you so it costs you nothing. Food has always been good and the beer is good as well. We always sit at the bar and have had no problems with service. The guys who play the music make it very entertaining by getting the guests to join in! And yes, it can be loud so if you are in the mood for a quiet evening out, this isn't the place! Will definitely return!
(4)Madison M.
This place was the nastiest place I've ever eaten. Gray meat, stale pretzel, bland mashed potatoes with every gross schnitzel inbetweeen. Unless you're getting blown by Gerda in the back id keep the sausage away from the mouth... DRUNK FOOD ONLY.
(1)Sarah S.
We went here on a Friday night around 7:30pm. Had absolutely no wait. Got seated outside on the patio- very nice. The inside has beer-hall style tables that were totally packed. They had a live band playing a mix of german drinking songs and old pop classics. Also did silly games like stein holding contest- totally cheesy but actually quite entertaining. Beer prices are fair, comes in multiple sizes. Saw a bunch of people with the totally ridiculous 1L size mugs, if that is your game. The area around is well developed with many restaurants and a movie theater. There is also the outlet mall recently opened. Parking was a little confusing, but not too bad. I took off 1 star because the food was just mediocre for the price. My husband had the Jagerschnitzel on recommendation of our server. It was very good. My dinner (can't remember the name) was mediocre at best. Meat was on the dry side, sides were bland. The "dark beer sauce" was oppressively salty. Would definitely expect much more out of a $17 entree. The server was attentive, food and beer came out in a timely manner. It seems totally acceptable to hang out for a while and just have beer. All in all it was a fun experience. I plan to go back. Might stick just to beer and maybe some appetizers instead of a full meal.
(4)John v.
It's got the oom pah pah band and all. Bring your skates in the Winter...there's an outdoor skating rink too!
(4)Ashley P.
POSITIVES: Fun & lively atmosphere, good selection of German food & tasty beer, large restaurant, live music, lively crowd, good location (the new MB Financial park in Rosemont), validated parking in parking garage. NEGATIVES: Pricy & extremely loud (to the point where you can hardly hear the person sitting next to you). I've visited this establishment twice- the first time was for a work party with 40 of my coworkers. We had a more private seating area off the main dining room, so I didn't realize how loud this place really is. The group sales rep helped us pre-order a menu and set it all up for us buffet-style, which worked really well for a group that size. The second time was with a group of about 20 to celebrate a birthday. We ordered from the menu; dishes range in price from around $15-$30 each (and beers from $5-$15 each), so it's certainly not an inexpensive evening. We were in the main dining area this time- the long communal-type tables are comfortable and fun. The live music is extremely loud, and the band had all the patrons standing on the benches of their tables at one point in the evening. It makes for a fun party, but nearly impossible to hold a conversation. Hofbrauhaus is certainly worth a visit, especially since there are so many cool new places to check out in the area.
(3)Ricky R.
Three couples go out together several times a year for dinner and this time it wasn't our turn to pick the restaurant. Therefore the little misses and I had no choice in the matter and drove out to Disneyla.............no wait a minute, I mean Rosemont and met up with our friends at Hofbrauhaus. I was told this was as authentic as you can get. Almost exactly like the real Hofbrauhaus in Germany. Well if you say so I will not argue with you because I have never been. However I have been to Epcot Center when my children were young and this is what they do. Make up fake replicas of restaurants from foreign countries and make the employees dress in costumes. That is fine if you are trying to entertain children but this is an adult destination. The whole area is a fairly newly build entertainment center with a very touristy feel. Sorry folks, just not for me. Oh yeah the food was just average, the beer was good, and you couldn't hold a conversation with anyone more than one seat away from you because of the noise, I mean entertainment.
(2)Anna W.
I've been here twice now once late on a Saturday and the other time for dinner on Father's Day. I was hoping that the second experience would be better but sadly it wasn't. The first time we had a horrible waitress who couldn't get the order right and brought out our food really late. She also messed up our bill and refused to fix it. When we asked to speak with a manager she rolled her eyes and walked away. The manager wasn't much better she asked us over and over again why we didn't ask to see a manager when the food took so long. They fixed the bill but we left with a bad taste about the place. I came back for Father's Day (my dad loves German food) but the waiter wasn't much better. He barely spoke with us and acted like he didn't want to be there. The food was good (but over priced) and the band was fun. So sad that the waitstaff makes me not want to come back again.
(2)Charles B.
Big disappointment! There's no old world charm here folks! It's new world cookie-cutter. The parking is a nightmare. I went to Hofbrauhaus with the hope of ordering a brat and a beer for lunch. Pretty simple, it's a German restaurant/beer hall right? Wrong! At the so-called "Chicago" Hofbrauhaus I had to order an entire plate of 3 brats/sausages for $16.99. That was another of many bad signs. What made it worse is that I was just at Gene's Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square and could have had a fantastic brat for $6 on the lovely rooftop beer garden and real Old World charm. Worse yet, last weekend I had a delicious single brat for a mere $6 at the Milwaukee Hofbrauhaus, which is in an Old World Germanic building constructed in the 1800's. Better yet, the brat was made by Usinger's across the street and it was the best I ever had. The Rosemont Hofbrauhaus is more a scheme to get into your wallet or pocketbook. Needless to say I will never be returning to the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont (not Chicago) and I suggest you avoid it too because you will surely be disappointed as I was and I am sure countless others were.
(2)Simma Down Na H.
Miserable looking waitresses and hostesses (although mine was very friendly from the rest) and overpriced entrees and beer. My meal was good but not worth $14. Yes, the band was entertaining. But overall I will not return.
(2)L Y.
I was really excited to go here. I was starving and love German food. Unfortunately, the food here is mostly bad. I had the schnitzel wiener art. Very tough and tasteless. Even a little salt would have helped. One friend had the wurstplatte that had tasteless sausage and really bad hot dogs. The Jagerschnitzel was ok but not great. Obatzer was ok as was the salads, but how can you mess up salad. The kid's pretzels were really hard to eat. They tasted like they were frozen with freezer burn and defrosted and put on plate. They were cold. Potato pancake bland and greasy as well. The giant pretzel was salty but soft . The food is nowhere near being good food. There are so many really good German restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs that this is a place to avoid if you are looking for good German food. The service started out bad but got better. That said, the atmosphere can be fun. It is large and loud with a band. A little surreal to see a German band wearing Lederhosen play Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Journey. This is not a place to catch up with friends. You can't have a meaningful conversation but you can laugh at the odd choice of songs the band plays and just enjoy the company of friends. The giftshop was cute according to my daughter. Bottom line is if you are looking to have good food, don't even think of this place as an option. If you want to drink beer in a really big stein, listen to Johnny Cash songs being played by a bunch of guys in Lederhosen and just laugh with friends, this is an option.
(1)Russell D.
The food was absolutely awful. Party of 3 was over $80 and only 1 beer was ordered. Sane your money and grill some sausages in your own backyard!
(1)Rick C.
This was my first time at the Hofbrauhaus, my friend went to the one in Munich regularly when he worked for BMW. Fred had the Weisswuerst grilled (two links, med at best) with spatzle, I had the Schnitzel with dumplings, we each had the potato soup (best part of the meal), gravy and I had a diet pepsi while Fred had a .5 (Small) beer. The total was $70.12 before tip. I'm sorry I expect a lot more for $70! If you like German food go to the bavarian-lodge.com in Lisle, IL. Service was also poor. Very disappointing.
(1)Kyle E.
Had an amazing time as always! The band really makes the experience. The dunkel is my favorite, but try all the beers. Will keep coming back again and again!
(5)Michael R.
Not a bad place, not bad at all. I was going thru Germany withdrawals and wanted to check out the scene. Fun atmosphere. They love singing. Reminded me of my time out there. Good beer too. Would recommend.
(4)Einstein F.
Sorry but this place a lil weird ... But never been to Germany ~ supposedly the taps don't give out samples and computerized *cheap* waitress first clueless we were her table and too giddy - Chicken dance !? If its your thing - I'll be at Toby Keith's :)
(3)Joern H.
$$ good food, good entertainment (German/Bavarian traditional) I liked it, let's hope they stay like this! Live music is quite loud, just to mention it. Lunch specials just for 10$ had a big nice piece of Schnitzel with potato salad - was pretty good, Apfelstrudel for dessert - also very nice
(4)Nicole S.
This place is sooo much fun!!! Went in with a group of 8 for dinner so we got a table to ourselves in the main dining hall right up front near the band. Walked in got seated and within minutes we found ourselves standing on our benches dancing and cheering! The atmosphere really makes the dining experience memorable. Our table enjoyed a few pretzels and the seasonal beer for July was really good. I ordered the Sauerbraten for my entree and I thought it was a good portion size, the meat was very tender and I love spaetzle and red cabbage although I wasn't too crazy about the cabbage and the dish had a little too much gravy for my tastes but I know that's a personal preference. Not sure if I would have had the same experience had I not gone with a larger group but we all enjoyed it!
(4)J H.
The hostess (all 6) were rude and snappy. They seemed to very upset that we interrupted there gossiping of the other employes. Once we were seated it became obvious that staff main priority was flirting with each other. There were more staff then customers yet all of us seemed to have trouble getting any of the staffs attention. The nicest people we encounter while at hofbrauhaus were the other customers we bonded with over the bad service.
(1)Elena G.
Overpriced loud mediocre food and drinks.
(1)John T.
80 Bucks for 2 beers and 1 cheeseburger is a joke!!! Once is enough for this place. I love Hofbrau beer but I'll stick to buying it at Binny's. If you want good German Atmosphere check out Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln square. same amount of fun for a third of the price of Hofbrauhaus.Thanks HB but no thanks Won't be going back anytime soon, maybe, if they reprice the outrageously overpriced menu. Auf wiedersehen.
(2)Matry P.
I am a German flight attendant and go to the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich often. I was impressed with this place. Similar to the original, but friendlier staff. Food tasted great, (but the red cabbage was probably sweeter than it should have been).
(5)Davide P.
Excellent food! Actually as close as possible as the authentic bavarian counterpart. I don't know the reason of the 3 starts, but imho it deserves much more. We've had Swiss cheese, Kaesespaetzle and a bretzel. We'll definitely come back!
(5)Sai P.
Their service sucks...I would rather spend my time at Five roses Pub next to this place. Was put off by being asked to sit in another area after a rude group of snobs claimed their table was reserved...it's a "Beer Garden"...part of the atmosphere is to sit with others..they were being served their main course so they were not in a position to have others attending their snob fest.. The group should have been told to go with the flow or move themselves.
(1)Al R.
Where to start? I'll begin with MY experience and then do the food. First, they take no reservations on weekends. Kinda crazy IMO but, that's just the way it is. We had a party of 15. That's a lot. The place ought to have a party/banquest area for large crowds. Since the dinner time starts at 6 PM, we figured to get there before and place our names in at the front seating stand/desk(?). For 15 people, it would be at least an hour wait. Forget about getting a drink. It's a near impossibility. So they finally call our number after milling around a super-crowded lobby. Turns out they have a large table with bench seating. Should seat about 10. If we wanted actual tables, it would be an extra hour! Mind you it is 30 degrees out and everyone has coats. Guess what? No place to hang them up so they must go on the bench, taking up valuable space. Ok, women, children and elderly first. The few men will stand for the time being. 10 minutes before we get our waiter. (On a side note: the place is filled with pretty, bosomy staff, and WE get a dude!) He'll see if he can help get better seating, but he'll take drink orders first. Great. He goes around quickly and comes to me last. I ordered a gin and seltzer. WAIT! Better make that two....I have a bad feeling about this. I see him write it down. Meanwhile, we are standing around the table, other customers and staff scurrying all over. Standing room only for sure. Did I mention that this place is probably bigger than the Park West? HUGE. (I'll get to that shortly.). So, 10,15 minutes pass and nothing. I've worked in the industry all my life--I GET IT. I get the delays and unforeseen problems. But our waiter hasn't even been SEEN in that time. Another 5 minutes and I mosey up to the bar, but there are no open spots. I stand next to the empty waitress station and am asked to move. Finally someone gets up and I ask the surrounding bar people if I can get an order in quickly. No problem. It seems that there were 4-6 bartenders and 3 or 4 waitresses behind the bar and they are all talking leisurely to the people sitting. No acknowledgement. No putting the index finger up to imply "One second". Standing and waiting. The seat filler comes back and pushes me out of the way, but I let it slide- he's about 80. Then I go back to stand at my table. 5 minutes later our waiter arrives with a tray full of drinks, including a couple of those big-ass steins that hold a barrel of beer. I understand that he can't make it all on one trip. He then comes back with the remainder of the drinks.....except for mine. I told him that I had the two gin and seltzers. Okay, he says, he'll go get them. GONE. After 10 minutes, he returns. WHEW! Relief is here. Now I can look at the menu. Not so fast tubby. He gave you gin and TONIC. Anyone that hates tonic can sympathize with me that I can't just grin and bare it on this. The invisible man has disappeared again. I grab a passing waitress and BEG if there is anyway for me to get a drink. I tell her the story and she apologizes and says she'll get them. Comes back about 5 minutes later and says that she found our waiter and he'll bring them because they are already on the tab and she doesn't want it getting double charged. OK. Finally my correct drinks are hand delivered after 5 more minutes. Okay. The waiter then starts taking food orders and I haven't even seen a menu, now scattered across the giant table. Give me 3 minutes to look, I ask. He goes off again, probably to the same dimension that missing socks go to and is gone for at least another ten minutes. And the music is blaring.TOO loud. A patron next to us tells me to cheer up. Ha! Says the one seated and with her food. I muster an odd grimace that probably resembles the look of a man getting his colonoscopy. 10 minutes later, a party member finds the waiter and tells him I haven't ordered yet. He comes over and I simply tell him "360". Simple enough. Why did it take 20+ minutes? After that they found a table that the kids were placed in. Finally a place to sit. Things are looking up! The odd thing is that at 8-830PM, the place starts to actually surrender more tables. I would have thought that it would be their busiest time. Meh. Now the food: The food arrived in good time when compared to the seating and drink waits. It was very warm, but not hot. Immediately edible but not steaming. The sauerbraten was good. It was ADEQUATE. Small meat portions and mostly spaetzle. Others had fish, burgers, steak, sausages, and salads. No complaints, but everyone was kind of unenthused. Beer was good. Large ones cost $13. Mixed top shelf were $8.50 + for short cocktail glasses. Our bill for 15 was over $700, which included the auto-gratuity of 18%. He didn't get any extra. Over all, the place is too much. Too big, too sterile. One member said it was like Great America without rides. I am guessing that there are 150 tables AT LEAST, and most are about 4 feet apart, at best. The place is too big for management .
(1)Rachel K.
I am writing this review not for what this place is but what it is not. I have had some harsh reviews in the past. I tend to be harsher on independent businesses because they have complete control over everything that happens where as corporate places do not. And make no mistake, this IS a corporate place. It IS a place for tourists, business men, suburban dwellers and people who would never be adventurous enough to eat in an ethnic neighborhood or be outside their comfort zone in general. DO I think HBH Chicago (or more accurately Rosemont) is the greatest culinary experience in the world? NO, hell no but it's not supposed to be. It's supposed to be a place where you go, get a little tanked up, let your hair down and have fun and it is exactly that. I think the criticisms range from odd to down right hilarious especially considering you can tell these are not worldly fine diners but small towners and suburbanites who are attracted to places like these, which may be a problem for HBH. First off it IS a bit hard to find because it's not visible from the entrance. This is not so much of the fault of HBH but the owner of the complex who has neglected to put up signage. Same with the parking garage, who would be a separate owner entirely, not the restaurant. You do get your parking validated and if you don't want to walk the few feet to the place. consider yourself a lazy ass. The place is not a cozy intimate dining experience, it's a loud, kitschy place designed for over-stimulation and drinking, great for letting off steam and celebrations. Not so great for 90 year-old grandmas and dates, unless power drinking is your idea of a fun date. As for the food, I think it's funny that people who've "been to Germany" complain about the food and people who are actually German love the place. In my opinion, German food is extremely basic and bland, there's only so much you can do with sausage, potatoes, and cabbage no matter if you get your food here or in Germany. I will say the sausages and pretzels were of good quality and they do have a great black forest cake. There was one complaint about nothing being healthy which I hope they never go to a French place. They do have salads but why would you come here for salad? And yes, it IS communal dining, which me, me, me Americans have a problem with. My suggestion is...Have a few beers and unplug yourself. Maybe you'll have fun and an interesting conversation with someone outside your narrow circle. Now comes the price. People complain about prices, which are no different than in other corporate chain type restaurants, about 13-30 dollars for an entree. What IS different is that it is European portion sizes and I think most people are expecting the giant chain restaurant fat ass style portioning. Also JUST LIKE IN EUROPE, for all those travelers, who clearly only ate in McDonalds and their American hotel chain restaurants, there is a charge for extra condiments and bread so no unlimited breadsticks here. What they do not do, like in Europe, is instantly add gratuity for small parties, SO TIP YOUR SERVERS WELL! Yes I'm in the industry so I know people will take out any problems on their server. Your server does not cook your food, brew your beer, build the parking garage, seat you, control the volume of the band, or not direct to to the restaurant properly. They only take your orders and help deliver food. So long as they are nice and attentive, you have no excuse to not tip well, any other issues should be taken up with management. Speaking of service, ours was great. Our server was named Max and was friendly, polite, attentive without being intrusive or cheezy. Plus a cute accent and some good eye candy to boot! Now for the beer. I think people are expecting more of a micro-brew because it's also a brewery and guess what, this IS what beer from Munich tastes like. In fact, it's what most German beers taste like which the taste most American beers are based on (Hello, Budwieser). I think as long as you have realistic expectations of HBH Chicago, you'll have a great time. So go with a fun group, drink beer, eat pretzels, sing songs, chat with your neighbors, and get SPANKED!
(4)Ashley S.
This was an interesting night to say the least. Ready to go for a 5:15am flight at 11:30pm...what to do, what to do. We were headed to Mexico Sunday morning, so we thought, well it is Saturday night, let's go out and get a drink or two and then head to the airport. With Rosemont being just a hop, skip and a jump away, it seemed foolish not to check it out. IT WAS PACKED. I've never seen so many people stuffed into such a small area. You couldn't even walk through on the sidewalks, it was so crammed full of drunks! We made our way to HB and luckily, it wasn't quite as crowded there. We had a seat at the bar, ordered a couple brews and were chased away by some weird guy that was either really intoxicated, or mentally challenged. It was ok though, we moved to the patio, where we got a free show! There must have been a wedding celebration going on and well I'm not sure who was mad at who and why, but there was definitely some tension! There was a guy in cuffs, an ambulance and a whole mess of cops. Even with all that, people still continued to drink, act a fool and get in their cars and drive away. I just hope everyone made it home safely that night. We finished our beers and made our way to O'Hare....it was a great way to start our vacation!! haha
(5)Carrie R.
I had been to this place for a birthday in the past and had a great experience. So much so that I decided to hold my husband's 30th birthday here. I made the reservation a month and a half in advance and when I called them to confirm they claimed to have lost the reservation. I understand that accidents can happen, bit the manager I spoke with was extremely rude and condescending. He offered me a reservation two hours before the original time I had planned but insisted we would have to be out in two hours. I've never heard or a restaurant kicking out a party of 20+ people who are actively ordering food and drinks. I am very disappointed in the customer service.
(2)A S.
THEY DO NOT DO SEPARATE CHECKS. For me this is a huge problem; this is a brand new restaurant there should be absolutely no reason why they can't do separate checks. I came with a group of 9 people and we had to puzzle out who owed how much at the end of the meal. Having to individually calculate what each person owes is a huge mood breaker and a terrible end to an otherwise ok meal. The Good -I liked the food, it's not groundbreaking, but its not bad, esp the spetzel and saurbraten. -large place -good atmosphere -live music -beer that pretty much anyone can drink. The Bad -doesn't take reservations -doesn't split check -no substitutions with your meal -expensive (and no prices listed on their website) -beer is not exciting, a beer snob like me has no reason to drink their beer ever again.
(3)Ken G.
I love Germany and this brings a bit of it to Chicago. Great change to the traditional steaks and burger joints. Just recently opened and we are watching food fly out of the kitchen. Our server is great and entertaining. Now bring on the German Polkas and we will have a party! Tschüs!
(5)Albert W.
We had a great time! My family is from Munich, so my Mom really enjoyed herself!
(5)Bill M.
Fun time. Band and good beer. Can't hear the person next to you. Expensive. The Food is not the reason to come.
(3)Amy G.
I went to the opening party and had a great time. Food was good, beer is great, and the place is fun. It was also free. We went back last night and I am pretty disappointed. It was still the same fun place with great beer, but the food is REALLY expensive. $14 for a brat? That was the cheapest thing! Also I asked for dumplings instead of fries and the waitress said "no substitutions". That is one of the worst things for a restaurant to do. The food was okay this time, and I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)Slim H.
Good beer. Food, ok. Service-good and bad. Sat outside (patio is very nice), forgot I was near ORD so the planes overhead became annoying while trying to converse. However, that beats sitting inside with the loud bands and constant singing of Happy Birthday over and over again the Friday night I was there. Probably a good place to go have a beer and an appetizer. Black Forest desert was yummy. I did make a reservation on Open Table before hand, that helped.
(2)Kevin B.
Where do I start? Parking: Very small adjacent lot which should only be a handicap lot considering the place seats over 500. The garage for the whole entertainment center is a complete mystery, signage takes you in circles, lighting is dim and spaces are meant for subcompact cars but everyone in the lot has trucks and SUVs. If you're there when a movie at the adjacnet Muvico lets out, be prepared to sit -even when your're trying to park. Facility: It is a barn. Not a bit of cozziness to it and not warm (as best I can decipher) like the HB in Germany. TV sets are tuned primarily to the "HB Channel". There is a smaller dining room with tables for 4 but it wasn't being used this afternoon. Several brewing vats were unenclosed in the dining room and when the brewmaster opened them, steam and foul brewing smells spill out into the restaurant. While some kettles were behind closed doors, these were not and might be a problem for folks with allergies. Beer: I was expecting a lot because it is a brewpub. Unfortunately, it has nothing of the taste of HB beer brewed in Germany. I was at the HB (Old German Beer Hall) in Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago and had German-brewed HB on tap which was way more flavorful and satisfying. Price is $12 per liter which would be fine for import beer but not for this stuff. Menu: Food was WAY overpriced. My wife and I had two entrees (lebercase for me and she had veal sausages) including potatoes, 1 red cabbage and 1 liter of beer for $51 including tax and tip. The only thing with any taste were the veal sausages while the potatoes were totally bland and the red cabbage was over-cooked. I had asked for a side of rye bread for $1 which turned out to be ONE slice of bread - after laughing, I asked them to take it back. Music: Nice feature but I think that the entertainment cost must be built into the menu. Overall: Not worth the time and effort to get there. I won't be back. If you want a real treat, go to the outdoor HB beer garden in Glendale/Milwaukee when it re-opens in the spring. If you want a local German restaurant with lower prices, Kuhn's in Des Plaines is not the greatest but a much better value and more authentic.
(1)Mark T.
Visited last nite, wanted a beer after a show downtown, closer to home. A bit loud, problem is that we were there 45 minutes and the "live" band played the same 3 songs over and over, roll out the barrel, happy birthday, and a german drinking song, and not the whole song. Got annoying so we left. After reading some of the other reviews it looks like we got out in the nick of time. (p.s. to the management: why would you ask if the music was too loud on the comment card? manage your establishment! It isn't too loud, its too monotonous!) This place will make a lot of money, a few loyal customers, it is clean, the waitresses are nice...but Chicago deserves better. Oh, and by the way, if you build a beer hall, you need to make the bathroom big enough, reminds me of Soldier Field, Chicago's biggest beer hall.
(2)Eric E.
A fun place to meet friends for a whimsical time out. Fourteen of us crammed into one of the table along the wall, and though it makes a difference where you sit, it was a very loud location! We would recommend the closer tables if you're going to dance with the band, and the farther back ones if you want to catch up with friends in between "Prosit!" ;-) The entertainment factor was fun - a German band playing music (we had authentic songs sung while we were there, unlike some who reviewed with American music), getting people involved in dancing and singing, and even walking around with a 14' long Alpenhorn. The variety of music was good, though the quality was mediocre, at best. The food was decent. Not the best, but pretty good. Many German favorites were missing from the menu, however. No Suelze, Zigeunerschnitzel or Eisbein (though this last one isn't so common), but fair representation of traditional German favorites. The food was prepared fresh, and served hot. Jaegerschnitzel was good, potato pancakes fair, pretzel very good (reminding me of the enormous one we had when traveling through Bavaria), and spaetzle good. The beer is decent, though the selection is limited. If you like the standards, it's just fine. Service is where HB shines! Our server, Jess, was fantastic. She did a great job of being patient with our mix & match group (7 couples), arriving at different times and trying to keep the orders straight. We opted to forgo the separate checks about 10 minutes in since the couples weren't even all sitting together. The meals came out accurately, at one time, and hot. Now, about my rating. ;) My family is German, and I grew up with this kind of party atmosphere celebrated for most major events - my parents birthdays, anniversary, and our weddings. In that, and having attended many German events from the Milwaukee German Fests with thousands of attendees to the local restaurant where the Germans actually eat, this was definitely the 'tourist version' of German celebrations. As with any culture, it's very difficult to simply visit and get a feel. One really needs to share the experience with those who identify with it. I would swear that the three of us at our table with German heritage were it for the restaurant, as no one we talked to, from our server to those at the front desk, knew or were German. Not a big deal, just a point of interest from someone who has been privileged to see the culture from the inside. The food is decent, but not great. The entertainment, a fair approximation of the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, but lacking the energy of those who actually celebrate this way. The servers are excellent, though the front staff seems to just be there and take a paycheck. Very detached in front. :( Come and enjoy, and see if you can find some Germans with whom you can join arms and sway with the music - schunkeln!
(3)Bob S.
Would not recommend overpriced and not family friendly. Table next to ours was receiving a "paddling" from servers and then these grown men began to do it to one another in full view of the restaurant and families. When I saw this I was appalled, this place is not for anyone who wants a wholesome good time. If you are interested in man on man paddling well then this is the place for you, but others who prefer not to see this disgusting behavior stay far far away. I generally don't write reviews but I really had to say something after spending quite a bit of money and then having to leave in disgust.
(1)Bluto T.
More cons than pros: Pros: the atmosphere is pretty cool; large venue, packed, upbeat, clean (obviously it's new), overall pretty fun. Cons: The hiring manager should be tar'd and feathered. They purposely pack the front of the house and the host area with the few younger/pretty women on the staff, but as you work your way to your table you will likely be getting served by a dude or and old lady wearing an uniform designed for a twenty-something. WTF?!? This is a bar right?? I realize this is not Tilted Kilt, but for God sakes have an attractive and primarily young staff, that's service industry 101 standards! Our server (a guy, which went over well considering we were a large party of guys) gave us a incorrect bill twice! He added a neighboring tables drinks ($13 each mind you) to our bill the first time, and then someone elses dinner the second...wtf? Not accommodating: You better hope you like the side that comes with you dish, because unless you claim your deathly allergic, they will not make ANY substitutes for you. After several minutes of ball busting I had to claim I was allergic to potatoes to sub veggies for my fries. Overpriced: The quality of the food (or lack there of) does not justify the prices. As you eat you have the "ehh" look on your face, yet you're paying $17 for a burger?!? Overall I wanted to like this place because your initial impression when you walk in is excellent, unfortunately the staff chipped away at that excitement rather quickly.
(2)Erika B.
I love love love the Hofbrauhaus. My favorite is the one in Munich but Chicago and Cincinnati are pretty awesome too. We were staying out by the ohare airport and realized there was a Hofbrauhaus next door. Was so excited. Food and beers were delicious as always. Love the schnitzel and the lager. The performers were much fun and the wait staff very friendly. I'll be going back the next time I am in Chicago.
(5)Georg T.
Good, but overpriced. And why should I pay $7 to have someone park my car for me, instead of allowing me to park it for myself in the great big lot right next to the restaurant? I can get better German food for less money, with cheaper, more accessible parking, in lots of other places. I don't think I'll be back.
(2)Elena S.
My fiancé & I went there in their first month open..... I ordered the chicken dish and he ordered a pork & sausage burger. His burger was so bad that we decided to split my plate. BIG mistake. We both ended up with SEVERE FOOD POISONING!!!!! We were sick within two hours of leaving that hell hole and did not get back to normal until 72 hours later. Since that experience, I have found out that FIVE other people have gotten food poisoning from this place. I will never ever go back there. If it was possible to give negative stars I would.... this place doesn't even deserve half a star.
(1)Candice-Marie B.
NOT impressed. The first time we went there we liked the beer and the atmosphere but we did NOT care for the bartender. He was not friendly at all and we were not sure why he choose to be in the service industry. The second time we went back we sat at one of the hightops in the bar area. We are not sure why the waitress is in the service industry either. She was very haughty right from the beginning. We were hoping to have some kind of sausage plate appetizer for Oktoberfest but they only offered a dinner and we didn't want a dinner, the other appetizers looked unappetizing so we settled for a "Freshly Baked Pretzel". I was looking forward to a hot, steamy, salty big pretzel but it was COLD, just like our waitress. When we told her it was cold she told us that if she wamed it up we would not be experiencing a true Bavarian pretzel. Then she said something about the high volume of the place and they don't put pretzels under lights and some other BS so she took the pretzel away and brought us a new one and told us that as a favor to us she put it in the microwave..... Gee, thanks. We saw a rather large table being served and it reminded me of room service with the silver lids on the plates, made us wonder if their food was sitting under some lights while they microwaved the potatoes or something. Also, we asked for a sample of the Oktoberfest beer and were told by the bartender that everything is measured so they don't give samples. This bar/restaurant is very impersonal, it left us with the feeling that their staff is scared out of their wits to do anything to make the customer feel at home, AND the whole place is totally fake. If you want a good Oktoberfest Sausage Platter go to Stonewood Ale House in Schaumburg, they have a nice German beer that I call Frankensteiner but it's really named something like Franzischaner or something like that. Hof Brau Haus is just not worth it.
(1)Fiona C.
Food and beer are so-so. "No substitutions" policy should have been my first hint to just go. They flat out refused a simple request to substitute a vegetable instead of potatoes to accommodate a special diet. Hardly asking for anything that would have changed their product costs. Atmosphere seems "Disney" and contrived. Much better German fare around Chicago.
(2)Josh G.
An authentic German feel throughout the entire building. The workers were just as authentic! The only problems were with the food, which was over priced. Portion size was rather small for the cost and my dishes seemed to be more focused on the side dish instead of the actual main course. I had more fries on my plate than I could count, but I was more interested in the meat on the plate which was lacking. The place itself is wonderful and full of fun for any occasion so it's still a good time, especially with the band playing traditional tunes!
(3)Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)Stefan D.
This place can be a lot of fun but probably isn't for everyone. I've been here twice: once with several friends and another time with my parents. On both visits the food was good and fairly priced - the portions of both the beer and dishes are massive so you do get your money's worth - but the ambiance can be hit-or-miss depending on when you go, how crowded it is, and which one of the rotating bands is playing. The wait to get a table on a Saturday can be fairly lengthy - around an hour since they don't take reservations - but I'd still recommend going on a Saturday to get the best atmosphere. Going to a place like the Hofbrahaus when it's half empty and when no one is in the communal, German partying, beer-guzzling spirit is a waste of a time and, really, a waste of money. Far as recommendations, the sampler entree is a good place to a start if you haven't had much experience with German food and the Wiener Schnitzel is probably the largest cut of meat I've ever seen (it's as big as the over-sized plate that it's served on). The Half-wiesen is in my opinion superior to their Dunkel and is a better compliment to most German foods, the Potato pancakes with salmon are over-priced and underwhelming, the salads not worth ordering, and the various Pretzels are delicious and a fantastic complement to the rounds of beers you're bound to consume over a lengthy dinner. Oh, and finally, the Apfel-strudel is divine. The most authentic I've seen in the States. A must order
(4)Angie M.
Having been to the one in Newport, KY, I found this experience to be a little underwhelming. The restaurant is beautiful and a lot of fun. There is live music every night and we had a good time, even for a slow Tuesday night. I would love to go back during the weekend as it is probably even more fun! The beer is good, I had a Liter of the Hefeweizen and my husband had the Lager but they are a little on the pricey side. We also had the "award winning" apple liqueur, which was just OK. Service was good. We always had what we needed and the food came up fast. The food was probably the least favorite part of our trip. To be fair, I did grow up in a German house with an Oma who made killer Sauerbraten and other German fare so I have high expectations. We had the Giant pretzel and potato pancakes for appetizers. The Pretzel was really good and enough for all 4 of us. The potato pancakes were not flavorful at all and the portion (2 small cakes) for the price- $9 was not worth it at all. I had the Sauerbraten for my entrée and it was tough. The veggies that came with it were rock hard, not soft and tender like it should be. The sauce was OK but lacking in flavor. My husband had the Braten Teller which was a combo of Sauerbraten and then a Pork Roast with a mushroom sauce. He did not care for the pork and felt the same way I did about the Sauerbraten. The couple we went with had the steak and Jagerschnitzel. They said the schnitzel was good and that would probably be my pick to try if I went back. Overall, I would love to go back for drinks and appetizers but for dinner I think I'll try somewhere else. For really good German food try the Bier Stube in Frankfort. Chef Klaus is awesome. The atmosphere here is good, but it is way overpriced for the quality of what you get.
(2)Louis C.
Came in over the lunch hour on a Friday with a buddy a bit worried because of a seeming abundance of negative Yelp reviews on this joint. We were greeted by a very polite, friendly hostess and seated very quickly. The place is absolutely huge and was rocking with all kinds of people during the lunch hour. We were a bit confused by the parking situation here but don't fret fellow Yelpers - there is a decent sized surface lot located right next door and if you park in the multi-tiered parking deck, this joint will validate your ticket...and yes, the parking ends up being free. Yeah, baby... Now for the grub. My buddy who joined me for lunch is a German and has been to the original Hobrauhaus in Munich and to several other beer halls in his homeland so he was a legit judge, in my humble opinion, for the authenticity and quality of this place. We started with the pretzel: nice crispy crust and a soft, pillowy very light inside. Not at all like the Superpretzels you get at the store or at ballgames. It came with a sweet mustard, a spicy mustard and some kind of cheese sauce as well. All very tasty. Next, I ordered the pork cutlet schnitzel: It was as big a frisbee and was almost bigger than the plate. Cooked perfectly - crisply fried on the outside (and not oily or soggy at all) and beautifully tender on the inside. I read some of my Yelp brethren complain that this was frozen food. I must respectfully disagree. This tasted fresh and did not have a frozen taste at all. The dish came with a delicate, fresh cranberry sauce and some yummy Bavarian potato salad which was delicious- not too much mayo and the potatoes and red onion were very good. My German buddy told me this Schnitzel was right on the mark and did not seem to be a frozen patty like some folks had said. My buddy had the veal and pork sausage in the poached form. They were delicate in taste and texture. Kinda cool that they come in a little kettle so that you can grab one while the other sausage waits in some nice hot broth and stays warm. The Beer: We had multiple glasses of the lager, the hefweizen and the dark beer they serve here. The lager was crisp, golden and refreshing. No bitterness whatsoever. I think it helps that all of these beers are brewed on site and are fresh. The dark beer was also tasty as was the spicy hefweizen. You can't go wrong with the brew here follks. Our server was attentive and they seem to have a search and destroy team of busboys that don't let finished plates sit too long. One thing we missed was the music. A nice sized stage sits in the front of the cavernous beer hall and we were informed that bands from Germany play nearly every night. Our server also shared with us that after 11PM the place turns into a pseudo-nightclub with a DJ spinning tunes. Give this joint a try with some friends. I agree with other Yelpers that this is not the spot for a romantic dinner or quiet conversation but why the hell would you want to do that here anyway. Give this joint a try, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Chris B.
I was really happy with my recent trip to Hofbrauhaus Chicago. Dancing on the tables, liters of beer, and all around great atmosphere. Our waiter was a little green but he took care of things. We went with a party of 6 and had to share a table with strangers of course. People were dressed up in laderhosen and the music was excellent. By the end of the night we were on the tables singing the plane song. We all wondered how American restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Applebees and Chilis became the standard since they are so boring. I would love to see more locations and I hope this location does well.
(5)Michael-Colin R.
I've been waiting for this place to open and after giving them a couple of weeks to work the kinks out my other half and I went to have a late lunch after a matinee of Hansel and Gretel at the Muvico across the street. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!!! I will say first that I was disappointed in the decor as I was expecting SO much more than just a plain, cold, industrial looking cafeteria with uncomfortable wooden benches and long tables. I clearly understand what they were going for here but there was a great opportunity to successfully marry that traditional Munich beer hall atmosphere with a modern, hip, warm and cozy sensibility that was completely missed out on here. The space is vacuous and once the band gets going conversation is almost impossible and we were there from 4 - 5:30 pm when they were hardly busy except for the bar. I can only imagine how impossibly loud this airplane hangar of a place gets when it's REALLY full of people having a good time. Our hostesses were friendly, our server was friendly, attentive and did a nice job of explaining the menu and making recommendations. We started out with the jumbo pretzel for our appetizer which despite not being served warm and chewy as expected was still very good especially when dipped in one of the three accompanying sauces, cheese, sweet mustard or onion mustard, all of which were quite good. (So good in fact that the onion mustard made a great dip for my partner's fries later on.) He ordered the chicken schnitzel which was light, crispy and perfectly delicious as were the accompanying battered fries and the sauce which was similar to a light, thin, thousand island dressing. I had the traditional Sauerbraten (Bavarian style red wine marinated pot roast) served with vegetable strips, potato dumplings and a side of their famous" red cabbage. The post roast was beautifully tender, the gravy, delicious as were the sides including the cabbage which I must admit I am generally NOT a fan of in any way and I almost finished it all. We had already ordered when our nephew texted us to let us know he would be joining us. We ordered him a cheeseburger and fries which our server timed perfectly with his arrival. He devoured it loving every bite but I noticed that it came with a much thinner, different style of fries that were not as good as the battered dinner fries that came with the schnitzel so if you're ordering a burger be sure and ask for the better fries! We finished up with the dessert tower which came with cheesecake, a mini frosted cake, ice cream and hot raspberry sauce and Black Forest cake. All were awesome but the Black Forest cake is ridiculously light, delicious and not overly sweet. The portions are small but still enough for 2-3 people to share. ( I have no clue what "Jonathan N." was eating but absolutely nothing we ate was even remotely close to frozen cafeteria food quality. "Juniper N's" problem of gaining 3 lbs. each time she ate there and then "feeling gross for the next two days"... yeah that didn't happen either so clearly her one star review is derived from some other issue of a very personal nature.) With a name like Hofbrauhaus, it pretty much goes without saying that the beer is awesome. I won't go into their history here but to learn more about their over 400 years of brewing experience that went into that glass of suds you're drinking you can read all about it here: hofbrauhauschicago.com , You can swill it down like a frat boy if you want to, but this stuff deserves a little more respect than that. Concept A+ Execution D+ Menu A+ Service A+ Quality A Value B Grade B+
(4)Juan A.
I LOVE BEER!!! just that simple!! just look at the yelp ratings! I The live band entertainment is awesome!! just get in your car and get here!!!
(5)Kelly W.
We planned to visit Hofbrauhaus with our children on Saturday. We consulted the website a week prior to our visit to make a reservation which stated that reservations were not accepted for Saturdays. We showed up for dinner on Saturday around 5:30pm and were told that because we did not have a reservation that we would have to be seated in the tent. It was then that we were advised that they didn't take online reservations but must call instead. It would have been nice if that bit of information was on their website. We were less than pleased but agreed. We were shown our table, which was essentially patio furniture, in the back end of this freezing tent. We couldn't hear the music and the 'heaters' they promised were not turned on in our area and we were freezing. We ordered drinks and our dinner and then asked to speak to a manager. The smarmy manager strolled over to our table and a conversation ensued. The manager was less than interested in anything that had transpired up until that point and rudely offered to cash us out so we could leave the premises. We informed him that we had already ordered our food and our kids were hungry and we would be staying. For the rest of our visit the management team would stroll by our patio table and watch us condescendingly while we finished our meal and then promptly charged us $150 for this experience. What was once a favorite on our list of places to eat was quickly dropped. We will NEVER visit this establishment again and will encourage all of our friends to do the same. Shame on you Hofbrauhaus, your customer service is lacking.
(1)Michelle Y.
We went with our 3 kids and 5 adults for lunch. I called a few days before and asked if it was kid friendly. I was told yes and that there was a dance floor so I made reservations. We arrived on a sat at noon, the place was almost empty when we got there. The hostess was not friendly and refused to accommodate our request to be seated away from the kitchen entrance. She sat us right next to the busy kitchen entrance knowing we had toddlers with us. We got many dirty looks and rude comments from the servers when our kids were up dancing. There was not a dance floor so the kids danced next to our table and we kept them out of the aisle as much as possible. The entertainment was great. There was one server named Jules who was very sweet to our kids and smiling, but she wasn't our server. Her smile stood out because the other servers appeared miserable. Our server was ditzy and rude. The pretzels were stale and the meat was dry. None of the 5 different entrees we ordered were good. We won't go back.
(1)Uli J.
I was happy to be part of the grand opening of the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont yesterday. The Hofbrauhaus Chicago is only one of 4 Hofbrauhauses in the U.S. modelled after the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The menu features traditional bavarian cuisine such as pretzels (imported from Germany), different sausages, schnitzel etc. The Hofbrauhaus Chicago also brews 4 different beers onsite following the original recipes and the purity law: Premium Lager, Light, Dunkel and Hefeweizen. The restaurant seats up to 700 people inside and 300 people in the outdoor beergarden. Live entertainment is provided by a german band - great entertainment for the whole family. Definitely can recommend the Hofbrauhaus if you like to get a piece of the german/bavarian culture.
(4)Sarah W.
I love this place! It is like nothing else you will find in the Chicagoland area. Very reminiscent of the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich. The staff are exceptionally helpful and friendly, which is a big plus in my book. I was even able to meet with the brew master, who walked me through the whole brewery process. I was informed that the brew master of the original Hofbrauhaus had a big part in setting up the brewing process here in Chicago. It was obvious, the beer was delicious and unlike anything else you would find in the area. Having been to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, I must say the decor is spot on. Definitely feels like a German beer hall. The walls are still a little bare in comparison to the orignal, but I'd assume that would change over time. The live band was a ton of fun. The food is authentic and delicious. It's not light, but that's not the point of German food. The pretzel and mustard was one of my favorites. I would highly recommend this place to anyone in the area!!
(5)A. M.
My family is German and this place is ok but kind of pricey. Beers in our opinion weren't that great and the service was so-so. We did go during a soccer match which was our main reason for being there since they were German teams. The pretzels were good for a starter but that's about it. Not sure we'll be back. Seemed a little too much money and we weren't that satisfied with our meals. It is in a good area though with other restaurants, bars around and a movie theatre you can walk to.
(2)John A.
If you want to eat average food in a barn with no atmosphere, here it is. It was day 2 and mistakes will always happen early in a restaurant's life...........but. We arrived soon after 7, eventually got check at 9.15 and in between had 2 mistakes in 5 orders. The food was, to quote one of the group, "German cafeteria". It was sleepy on arrival and dead and emptying when we left. To try and see the bright side, with a really full room (500?), lots of people determined to have a good time and better food it would have been better. It wasn't and it wasn't. $50 for a main course and 2 beers in a barn. If it is here in a year it will be because there were a lot of conventions and no-one had transportation. Several other choices in the same square which are much better.
(2)Jet L.
Beer was Good, Soup was good, the PRETZEL is $14!!!! We ordered it without the menu and a beer as had been to the real one in Germany... where the Pretzels are around 90 cents at the REAL one..... $14 for a PRETZEL ?! . I totally think a place should charge what they think they can get but making your customers feel SCAMMED won't have them returning at all... so we won't be returning. - $14 pretzel. ah
(3)Richard P.
Fantastic atmosphere with authentic Bayern beer and food. Waitress was super friendly and catering to everything we asked. This place is a bit pricy but it is expected for authentic German food. I will definitely be back again this week.
(5)Tim B.
Very nice place with great food and of course GIANT mugs of beer. The bar is huge and they play live music nightly. I would of gave 5 stars but the price it like a tourist trap.
(4)Stephanie M.
There are only 4 beers to choose from, Lite Original, Original, Dunkel, and Hefeweizen. There is a German bar in WRIGLEYVILLE that has a better selection! How sad!! When we arrived, we were carded at the door (though, there were young children everywhere), and we waited at the host stand as the host, I assume, as she wasn't dressed like all of the servers, stood there until I approached her. I asked if we we had to wait to be seated, to which she responded, " that depends, are you waiting for a table?" I'll let it slide, I know this place is new, though that was a stupid question; a host should approach you if you are waiting at the front.. that is her job. As for the food, my mom and I ordered one salad between us because we could see that our irritated waitress wasn't going to waist another minute on us if we were only getting a drink each. We got some kind of house salad, and added tilapia to it for an up-charge. My stomach is turning as I think about it, because the fish that was served atop our salad was *NOT* tilapia. It was some over-cooked, oily, rubbery, nasty bargain fish. I cannot believe I even ate it. I am so disgusted that the menu LIED. And at a place that should really not spare any cost. This is supposed to be a replica of the one in Munich! How could you misrepresent such a celebrated cultural experience this way?!! I did have a half liter of the Hefeweizen, which was fine. The live music was great, though a bit loud, but my mom said it best: "The people at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich were just happier." It's a pretty space, but I do not see it surviving.
(2)Keith S.
Dont waste your time. Food is not cooked to order. Mass produced and cold. My wife tried ordering just potato pancakes and the waiter told her that she was paying for the salmon that comes with the pancakes anyway, might as well take it. My flipped out when they served the platter with the Salmon laying next to her sourcream. It comes with two potato pancakes the size of hock pucks. I lived in Germany for two years....this is not German Cuisine. Food is bland and lackes taste. Very, Very expensive ...I .don't mind paying for something in return....Although, if you just want beer...great place. German pretzels are serviced cold--yuk.
(1)Jay G.
Ahhhh Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont.... I have a fond memory of you. I'm from California and went to Chicago in March for St. Patty's weekend. My friends and I came here on a Sunday, the day before our flight back home, pretty early in the day, just to have a beer and some good sausage lol. Needless to say, after some HUGE beers, we stayed pretty late, and rang up two separate bills, got spanked after taking shots, and I fell in love with a wench. I can't remember her name, but I know we were kindrede spirits... with our black flame glasses lol. Actually, I ended up running into a bunch of the wenches at some restaurant a few spaces down when they were off their shift... oh and we went figure skating in the ice rink before the cops told us to get out... Thank you Hofbrauhaus... you'll forever be in my heart :) lol
(4)Marissa A.
This place is absolutely atrocious. I went here with 6 people, including myself. We walked in and were able to be seated within seconds... which is anticipated because the place is enormous. We sat down and a Irish cover band began to sing. It was highly entertaining and fun... for a bit. The waitress, who was very sweet but definitely needed to be more high energy for a place like this, took our orders about 5-10 minutes after we were seated. I ordered from their "late night" menu and my boyfriend and I both grabbed 2 orders of the potato pancakes. Two other friends ordered the giant pretzels. Let's start with the food. The pretzels were brought out first and were served without the beer cheese. By the time my friends had flagged down a server who wasn't even ours (because she was nowhere to be found) and received the cheese, their pretzels were mostly cold. The potato pancakes left a bit to be desired. While they were mediocre (and I say this because I was starving so anything would have been good right then), they were simply *glorified hash brown patties* served with apple sauce. We proceeded to order drinks. I ordered the Electric Lemonade, which was insanely pricey. *$14.95* for a drink? I can go next door and order the same thing for $7 less... but I figured it was worth it since it said it came in a 15 OZ glass. Wrong. The drink was probably 8-10 OZ, but I didn't feel like complaining so I just ignored it. All of our drinks took absolutely forever. I was the only one with a mixed drink. My friends all ordered beer. How long does it take to simply put beer in a mug and bring it over? Between the time for the food and the drinks, it was already frustrating, but we were still fine with it because the band was entertaining. Fast forward a bit and my boyfriend ordered a 2 liter glass boot which they charged $80 for and another $20 to fill it with beer. The server comes up and hands my boyfriend a small sheet of paper, telling him to sign it. It was basically a "contract" saying that if something happened to the glass boot, he would still pay for it. Took them a ridiculous amount of time to bring the boot to the table, which was carried by a manager (maybe? who the f--- knows, there were a bunch of people in various uniforms essentially standing around in the kitchen, which we had a clear view of). The boot was pretty neat. My boyfriend took one small sip of it and set it down on the table. Next thing I know, I look over at him the thing is *leaking EVERYWHERE*. The tip of the boot had broken and spilled all over the place. No big deal, we just expected them to replace the boot since it was obviously faulty in some way. Did they? No. They said he signed that tiny piece of paper so he didn't get a refund nor did he get the beer that spilled all over the place, nor did he get any sort of reimbursement. The manager (I believe his name was Miguel, a tall man with dark hair) said he'd buy my boyfriend a drink... like that was going to make up for the $100+ he had just lost. Everything went downhill. We tried to be civil and plainly asked for some kind of compensation, or even just a small credit. Maybe take some of the food off the bill. Miguel was *very rude*, saying "that's policy". If the owners saw him do that he would be "fired tomorrow". Yeah, alright, give me a freaking break. If the owners saw how he treated his costumers then they should unquestionably fire him. The table next to us ordered the exact same thing; 3 minutes later the boot broke in the SAME SPOT and that poor person had to deal with the same thing we had to deal with. Coincidence? After a LONG time of arguing back and forth we simply paid the bill because all of the staff and management was simply pussy footing around. Avoiding us and being very non-confrontational. JUST my boyfriend and my bill was $161 dollars of absolute f-cking garbage. The manager claimed that things like this happen all the time, that's why they make people sign the paper. You mean to tell me this happens ALL the time and you're sitting here telling me it's the fault of the customer every single f-ing time? I highly doubt that. I personally think they have a lovely way of scamming people who have been drinking. When their poorly made boots break, they simply blame the person drinking it, insisting they were drunk and slammed it down. With that said, *NEVER GO HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO HAVE A HORRIBLE TIME*. This place is a joke. The management is a joke and any company associated with this place is a joke. Think twice before going here. This was by far the worst experience I have ever had at an establishment.
(1)Rob A.
Lots of fun with a group. Tikitakitikitaki, oy, oy, oy. Beer drinking at its best.
(5)Sami D.
I had to organize our company's party, so I called hofbrauhaus to make a reservation as it was an event for over 30 people. To get them to agree to arrange the events itself was a challenge. First the girl that picked up the phone was rude and flat out told me no reservations, after that we need to do something about it I was given the phone number of the manager. I spoke with her and we had a $1200 minimum and we had to select certain dishes in advance. With other words everything had to be the same for everyone so that was kind of lame. The food itself was just bad. The pretzels had some cheese, which I assume is just traditional german cheese, but man it stinks like feet and that was the opinion of the whole group. The main dish, nothing special either i would even say very tasteless for the amount of money we spent. The beer was ok, but I must say the Tavern right across has a lot better beers and a lot more options.Probably the only fun thing is that you get spanked when you drink a shot which was funny. Overall we spent $2000 for bad food, average beer, and headache to book the whole thing on top of that. I wouldn't recommend this place.
(1)B K.
i like this place. Didn't understand a thing on the menu, but after talking to the waitress, i took her recommendation. I'm glad i did, it was delicious. the beer was good too.
(4)Lorelei C.
We were so excited to try this place out but left never wanting to come back. Good beer, bad service, and expensive! We waited 45 minutes for our main course and it never arrived. Told our waiter and he blamed it on the other food server and just gave us the check for our apps. Spent $40 on 1 beer, 2 potatoe pancakes and a pretzel. When we left we heard other people complaining that they never received their food either. Fine place to grab a beer but that's it!
(1)Kellie D.
Good food, good beer, good music, good times! May not be the most authentic German food in town but the loud and lively atmosphere is a fun reminder if Oktoberfest in Munich! Fun family time and they're welcoming to kids.
(4)Mike B.
This place was awesome. Food rocked! National anthem at 8 sharp..and party until the wee hours. Great service, great beer. Awesome bartenders last Saturday night!
(5)Michael P.
This place could easily get 5 stars. There are 2 things that were disappointing. 1 star for the food. Though my Pork Shank was a 4 my kids food were easily 1 star. $16 "german" cheese burger??? Worth $10 tops. $13 for wiener wurstl. Call it three hot dogs in a tureen of water. Again $10 at best but 1 star because "no substitutions". My daughter wanted mashed potatoes with the hot dogs instead of potato salad. Nein, nein, nein substitutions. My wife got the fried fish and said it was "fine". The second big issue I have is with their beer. Which is great! But... the liters were always foamy. The head counted towards the liter. It would take up 1-2 inches of the liter. At $14 per liter it should be at or above the mark. So if you want great food and HB beer at fair prices, look at the Schnitzel Platz, Bier Stube or Bavarian House(Palatine). BUT THE ATMOSPHERE HERE IS AWESOME! The service was great. The music was great. The building it self was great. It felt like a German festival.
(3)Jim R.
We went here for the first time on a Sunday. It was about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Our waitress was pleasant, but we only see her a couple of times. Nice atmosphere. The food and beer was overpriced. The kids menu is very limited. I assumed the kids meal came with a drink, like most restaurants. But it was extra. Guess how much a glass of chocolate milk is for a small child? Give up? $3.95!?! Its not published on their menu. You could buy a gallon of organic milk from whole foods for that price. I was disappointed in the Hofbrauhaus Management Team, for not only setting the prices so high, but not publishing them. Even though it has an expansive hall with long tables and is designed for large groups. I would only recommend it for smaller groups and ordering appetizers and a couple of beers. Anything over that, and you will probably walk away a bit disappointed, feeling that you paid too much.
(3)John D.
Fantastic experience! HB is a very large beer hall, the night we went a band was playing traditional German tunes... the food was very good. I was a bit leery after reading some reviews, but our food was absolutely fantastic. The prices were VERY REASONABLE (pretzel excluded) considering what you get- Portions were large. Same for the beer. Yeah, its like 15 bucks, but for that you get a top flight, world renowned LITER of beer. Yes. A LIter. So that averages out to 5 bucks a beer, which is not bad. And I'll be frank. HB beer is legendary German beer. Just like a lot of other breweries, you get what they make in house, not a bucket of Lite. I had the pretzel, jagerschnitzle, tried some apple strudel and a few bites of chocolate cake, and a cup of coffee. ALL of it was fantastic. Is there comparable, perhaps better german food out there? Probably. Who knows. I'm not making time to drive into the city, parallel park, and pay similar prices with like twice the tax, plus pay meter parking. I think that HB is the perfect location for a tasty, fun evening. Only gripe is the parking garage. NO signs anywhere that indicate anything. First garage I've seen with dead ends. And, no, parking is not 13 bucks... take the ticket to the greeter at HB and they validate for free... HB is 5 stars all the way. I will be back for sure.
(5)Lisa K.
We sat in the main dining hall. The place is SUPER loud!! I can't believe this place is recommended for families. The waitress we had didn't know anything about the food that she was serving (e.g., I was asking about all the different kinds of sausages that they served and she just kept on repeating the names as if they mean something to me). You can't substitute any items on the entrees which tells me that they have a conveyor belt system in the back which just simply scoops food onto the plates. The entrees were delivered cold, but we couldn't even complain because our waitress was so seldom seen. If you're not drinking, forget about getting any kind of refills. I also don't want to see the cleavages of aging waitresses. The imported pretzels were good. For good German meal, I would recommend that you find another place. Equate this to Hard Rock Cafe experience.
(1)Sam B.
Was very impressed with the service and the food was very fresh.. Very fun atmosphere for a little bit of an older crowd or for families .. Lemmin was our server and he was very kind and professional.
(5)Mark W.
Having eaten at the 3 other houfbraue houses in pittsburgh, Las Vegas, and Cincinnati, this is by far the worst. First, their prices are almost double what the other houfbraue houses charge and the food is of smaller proportions. Having been to the other locals makes me sure I will not go back to this location at all even though I stay next to it quite often. It's a typical tourist trap for those who never have been to one!
(1)Bill B.
I was at the Hofbrauhaus last week and had a great time. The beer selection is not extensive, but how can you not like a Liter mug of beer? Oy Oy Oy. Atmosphere counts for something and the Hofbrauhaus is fun. The band was entertaining, and the food includes the essentials ... meat, potatoes, and kraut.
(4)Jillian R.
I went here for dinner on a Friday night with my boyfriend. If you want a fun and care free atmosphere, this is the place for you. The band toasts with beer every 20 minutes, demanding you get drunk with them. They scream out, "BEER BEER BEER! Prooooossssstttt!" And expect you to raise your glass, pound it on the table, and drink. I thought it was fun -- but I'm also 22. Downsides: The food is expensive. For the 2 of us, our total was just over $50. We both ordered the schnitzel sandwich at $13.95 a piece. It was tasty but definitely overpriced and nothing special. We also ordered a side pretzel which was reasonably priced at $2.95. The homemade mustard was an extra $0.60 which was off putting, considering how expensive everything else was. You can include mustard? The pretzels are imported from Munich and the BEER was amazing. I am not a beer drinker at all--like, not at all--and I absolutely loved it. I'd recommend the Hefe Weizen. It was incredibly smooth and refreshing. Perfect with the German food. Don't expect to come here for a quick, quiet dinner. You're seated at long tables with other people outside your party and the service is slow since the place seats 700. I didn't mind because the band was fun and we weren't in a hurry - but don't come here if you're in a time crunch. Expect to hang out for awhile. This place would have received a higher rating if the hostesses at the front of the restaurant weren't so rude and obnoxious. When my boyfriend and I walked in, there were 4 hostesses standing at the podium. We walked right up and stood there, ignored, for 4-5 minutes. The underaged girls in slutty German outfits looked up and saw us, made eye contact, but chose not to acknowledge our presence. As a line began to form behind us, one of them finally got the clue to take our name and tell us the wait would be 20 minutes. This would have been a deal breaker for us, but we were saved by the manager minutes later. I think she could see the dissatisfaction on our faces, because she came over to where we were waiting and asked if it was just the 2 of us. She went to the podium, crossed our name off the list, and immediately seated us. Thank God, because the 17 year old hostesses were CLEARLY incompetent. It's a horrible way to welcome people to your establishment, being shunned at the door. Apparently they don't teach manners in high school. All in all, we had a great time. Though expensive, you pay for the experience. I would recommend this place - just be prepared to open up your wallet at stay for at least 2 hours.
(3)Bryan O.
First visit to this place, second time to Rosemont's Park Place Entertainment Center. Had a large group together for dinner after work and completely enjoyed the beer hall atmosphere. Tasted/drank all 5 beers offered. Beer was tasty. Food was good too, although portions are small. Service was good at our table, and servers were friendly. One comment about this area of Rosemont. If you walk into this entertainment complex expecting dollar beers and 1.99 burgers, you're a fool. It's a tourist destination so don't complain about the prices being high.
(4)Barbara W.
The only reason my husband and I went there on Friday, August 23, was to pick up free tickets the mayor of Rosemont was offering there, for the National Fast pitch Professional league playoffs that evening. It was close to 5pm when we arrived, parking in the garage across the "lawn". There were only a few tables seated inside (looked to be all long, biergarten-like tables), and we opted for outside on the patio, which was pleasant once one ignored the plane traffic noise. I had read the Yelp reviews beforehand (thanks, reviewers!) and wasn't expecting too much. Background; my parents are both German immigrants, and my mom is a fantastic cook, so any time I go to a "German" restaurant, I am doubtful their food will live up to my mom's. We have been trying to be more conscious of not ordering too much food, so we've been splitting orders. We started with the soup of the day, a white cream based sausage and potato that was medium thickness, nicely spiced and still pleasantly hot when it got to our table. Then we shared a combination plate that included spaetzle, sauerbraten, creamy chicken, red cabbage, fried onion rings (very thinly sliced onions) and roasted potatoes. It was one of the few times I raced my husband to make sure I got several bites of everything. I'm sure I am forgetting some other food item, but maybe not. We were pleasantly full. So, we saved a lot of money by splitting our meal, and I drank water and my husband drank iced tea. Our waitress was delightful, even though it was her first day. She is from Bosnia, and spent 2 years in Germany, so she may be more "authentic" than some of the other staff. My overall experience was good there. For a beer drinker, I think it would be worth the trip to get the Hofbrauhaus experience at least once. (By the way, everyone should get the women's fast pitch softball game experience, too! We had a blast, the Chicago Bandits won that night).
(4)K B.
Was there for lunch over the weekend. Beer was fine, prices were high. Live polka duo was entertaining. Huge space and assume the summer patio will be nice enough. Had the large pretzel, which was served cold and not nearly as large as I expected it to be ... but the liver mousse add on was superb. All in all, I wasn't super impressed ... but I'd head back again for another shot.
(3)Mary J.
Had a lot of fun. Dissapointed with food and service. Had iced tea never refilled. Beer kept coming for the others. Potato Pancakes tasted worse than the boxed mixes you can get at the store. Potato dumplings were ok. Bread dumplings were ok. Pork Shank was great. I ran out of gravy for the dumplings. When I asked for a little more gravy she brought me a 2oz container and charged me $3.00. I paid $26.00 for the plate. I don't mind paying but she should have informed me.I took half my meal home. The atmosphere was fantastic. Live music was great.
(2)Kat T.
I got the dish that was a popular German dish on the menu. the food was too salty in my opinion. the red cabbage was strange. it might just be something I am not use to. the atmosphere is fun though. There is lots of entertainment, but it was hard to hear from where we were sitting. nice place to hang with friends but I think the food was good. do order a shot though. I didn't drink.
(2)B. S.
Wow, this place is huge! Fun, fun, fun time!
(4)Victoria R.
Jorie the manager has hospitality down pat! It's just plain FUN...the beer was good, appetizers were really different as we're the entrees. Our waitress was Jackie and she totally took care of us....can't wait to go back with a bigger crowd so we can taste more stuff
(4)Matt P.
Love the beer... Dunkel Weisse!
(3)Cori L.
Not a German experience at all. Beer is decent. Food is WAY overpriced. The "German" band was a crappy cover band that played crappy cover songs. The incessant singing of Happy Birthday was annoying and unnecessary. Save your money and go elsewhere...unless of course you enjoy the song Happy Birthday in which case you'll LOVE this place.
(2)Michael B.
I've been to the Hofbrauhaus Chicago on several occasions mostly when my brother who spends a great deal of time in Germany on business comes in. He loves the place and feels that it is a very reasonable representation of Munich beer halls; that is large open space, noisy conversation, loud bands, patron participation, and good German food. I was not surprised that the waitstaff may not know a great deal about German food as I suspect most of them are from Chicago rather than Berlin but that did not interfere with our enjoyment of the restaurant. The food was quite good and varied as far as German food goes so no complaints there and service there was very personable and attentive during our 4 visits. I think it's a really fun place for a family and I believe the prices are quite reasonable.
(5)Scott M.
this is a one star review for service and 4 stars for having live entertainment, en costume ta boot! So, motif ? terrific, IF they fill the place with a bunch of thirsty patron's I can see it being fun, but for now I guess I should have waited til it got more of a following. I'll try back and give it another go in 6 months. Oh yeah, why the one star for service? I've haven't had a more rude, obviously pissed we were her last table of the night, service person over the last 10 years. After we shared several entrees among friends as appetizers, we were promptly handed a check before we could order a second round of drinks. She said if we wanted more we could walk up to the bar.... and we were sitting in one of the bar hi-top tables already. Anyway, take my two stars as a please do better. I'll always like beer, and your silly music, I hope to go back.
(2)Laura P.
I was so excited to try the Hofbrauhaus, regardless of the reviews, and it did not disappoint. We came with another couple ona Saturday night and caught the tail end of the live band while waiting for a table outside. I had the Heiffeweizen, and my table mates had the Dunkel and the lager, and all were tasty and very clean tasting. We split a pretzel complete amongst 4 people and it was unbelievable - chewy and salty and the onion mustard and the Brie/cream cheese spread were so tasty. For my main course, I had the sauerbraten, which although a little dry, was really tasty. The gravy had just the right amount of sourness. The spaetle easily rivaled my dad's (but don't tell him I said that), and the red cabbage was deliciously sweet and sour with a lot of apple. Yum. I really wanted to try the Black Forest cake, but at 9:50, I really needed my friends to agree to share and we were all full. In fact, I wound up bringing a little less than half my dinner home, which was even better the second day when the favors had more time to develop. I'm so excited that I can satisfy my German food cravings within 10 minutes of my house. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Brian B.
All I can say about the Hofbrauhaus is the beer, pretzels and staff are good. I would recommend that you do not eat here. I ordered the Wiener schnitzel which came with German potato salad. They were both horrible. Had a hard time cutting into and then eating the schnitzel. Potato salad was nasty. Maybe my standards were set to high since I was expecting to be close to Germany's food. Really a disappointment. Can't wait to get to Germany in a few weeks to have the real food.
(1)David B.
Good food and fun
(4)Revelina L.
7:30 pm reservations (for wheelchair accessible) and after trying to seat us at 2 tables we realized their tables do not fit a wheelchair. they didn't seem to care, HORRIBLE customer facing hostess very rude did not want to deal with us we asked to speak to a manager no one came so we finally left at 8:20 did not expect that at all!
(1)Benjamin S.
Wasn't sure what to think when first saw a sea of tables where I think they wouldn't mind you sitting with people you didn't necessarily come with. Ok, I can embrace that. Also it was lunch so didn't have to share. Ordered the wheat beer and it was truly fantastic. I forgot how good a Germen Hefe Weizen (sp?) is. Received great service, liked the traditional waiter/waitress outfit and the food was very tasty. Got veal and pork sausage plate with awesome pretzel w/ mustard dip. Look forward to going back again and at night time and even sharing one of those tables!!
(4)Dirk M.
Not terrible but didn't impress. Good atmosphere of a hofbrau but don't expect to have a conversation, very noisy.
(2)Roseanne P.
My husband and I were dying to try Hofbrauhaus since seeing it on Triple D on the Food Network. We both love German food so we went on our 20th anniversary. I was sooo disappointed! Although the beer was excellent (we both had the Heffiweisen), they didn't bring out any bread or rolls to have with the beer, in fact they charged for bread by the slice! We ordered the large soft pretzel & cheese as an appetizer thinking we could share---forget that. Not enough there for a small child. Our meals: I ordered the Bavarian pot roast with potato and bread dumpling and my spouse ordered the wurst sample platter) both were just the most boring, tasteless skimpy meals we ever ate. Nothing, especially the gravy served over the pot roast tasted like authentic German food. The did redeem themselves with the desserts. The cheesecake with strawberry sauce was excellent as was the black forest cake). Otherwise, there is NOTHING special about this restaurant unless you're going for the beer and Oompha band. I can't recommend spending over $100.00 for dinner for two at this place---EVER. If you want the real deal German, Go to Chef Klaus's in Frankfort, IL
(2)Judy G.
Beer was very good. Cool looking place. Both pork dishes my partner and I ordered were very salty.
(2)Brent A.
They did a great job re-creating the atmosphere of the Hofbrau tent in Munich from Oktoberfest, down to the picnic style tables for seating. Hofbraus beer is good, but not exactly the same as Oktoberfest - I am not sure what the do different, but something is just a little off. The food was OK - we had a giant pretzel which was very tasty, a Brat and a half chicken, but of everything (atmosphere, beer and food) the food is the least exciting - maybe need to try something different on the menu. The service was OK as well - nothing exceptional but she took care of us. Definitely will return and try more things, or at least to get another pretzel
(4)Brian J.
The Dunkel is where it's at!
(4)Joel G.
Well like my other review you have to take this place with a grain of salt. There are some positives and negatives to every establishment. I find the German theme fun and different. Used to be a place in the city called Prost but it closed which was a small German beer hall on Lincoln. This places is a warehouse turned into a German beer hall. Supposedly like one in Munich. You basically have 4 beer choices all of which are average in quality. Large German menu of sausages and pork dishes. If you want authentic and very good German food hit Irving Park rd in Chicago and try Luechettes or one of the other places all centralized right there. Much better food and much better beer. This is a place we went to to meet in a middle ground area with our suburban friends. Right in Rosemont so everyone didn't have to go way out of their way. Food is average as is the beer, it's a bit pricey for what it is but you end up having a darn good time. I would designate a driver or if you live in the city take the Blue line and then cab it. Hard not to drink to much. The whole area is the IL version of Vegas. There's a casino, huge movie theater, bowling alley, a bunch of theme restaurants surrounding an ice rink. I think you have an Irish Bar, a western bar/restaurant, German beer hall, Greek place, and a Mexican restaurant. I'm sure they are all slightly over priced and underwhelming when it comes to food. However again this kinds works for us when we want to get together with some folks that do not want to go all the way downtown.
(3)Sonja S.
Hofbrauhaus Chicago is a must. I just dined there last night and walked out smiling and singing! The atmosphere is just as I expected....fantastic! When we arrived we were told there was a to hour wait. This made a few people in our group unhappy. I was just excited for the experience and ready for some good German food and beer. We ended up only waiting for a little over thirty minutes. My only complaint here is that we should have been told a "real" wait time. I'm sure many others left when they heard there was a two hour wait. We were seated at a table with others. It was a little bit cramped and our server noticed this right away and moved us to a table with more room. Once seated we each ordered a half liter of various brews. I went with the lager and enjoyed it. We ordered our meals and enjoyed singing along and raising our glasses with the band. Our meals came quickly, I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel. It was absolutely delicious and a very generous serving. I had the second half today. We ordered one Apfel Strudel for the table and shared. Tasted good but but not as traditional as I would have liked. I read some of the previous bad reviews and did not experience anything negative. Honestly, I can't imagine having a bad time at this place. I'm looking forward to my next visit! Great atmosphere, delicious beer, tasty food...what more could you ask for?!?!! YOU MUST GO!!! All
(5)Phil W.
loved it , go with a group. sing the songs with the band
(5)