Pittsburgh’s Hofbrauhaus (yes, a sister outpost of the Munich original) has been a happy hour hot spot since it’s opening. It’s plenty loud, it’s got plenty of beer, and it’s cleaner than Hemingways, so what’s not to like? Mr. Beez loves Oktoberfest and the HBH. I typically run lukewarm with it. I won’t refuse to go there, but it’s not where we’re going when it’s my turn to pick.
We had a groupon to burn there (because I am a sucker and buy every single groupon that comes on sale), and since it is not valid for Saturday use, we decided to try it out on a weeknight. Feeling adventurous, or perhaps foolish, or perhaps tired and just wanting someone else to cook our dinners, we strolled in around 6pm on a Monday. Who would have thought that early weeknight dinner at the HBH is actually kid friendly? Not me. It was a pleasant surprise.
Baby Beez loved the oompah music and the pretzels. She loves pretzels. Since patrons are encouraged to sing and dance and stand on benches, it was a perfect setting for a toddler. She sang around loudly and dancy-danced and didn’t disturb a soul, since everyone was dancing along.
Mr. Beez ordered a schnitzel dish and was very happy with it. The HBH, unsurprisingly, offers Bavarian-type fare. Of the three German restaurants I’ve been to in Pittsburgh (HBH, Max’s Allegheny Tavern, and Penn Brewery), HBH is my least favorite of the three. The food isn’t bad, but I think most people are really there to enjoy the atmosphere.
I forewent the meat-and-potatoes Bavarian offerings and instead opted for a (meat topped) steak salad. Virtually unheard of in Pittsburgh, this steak salad actually did not come smothered in fries. This suited me very well because I actually did not want french fries. The veggies were fresh and the salad generous. It was a good meal.
Baby Beez was not the only little one in the dining room that night. The HBH is apparently a popular place (on weekday evenings) for families with young children. Everyone loves the fun and festivity! While I’ll only visit the HBH on a Friday or Saturday with exclusively grown up friends, it was a fun place for our family during the off hours.
