Sam’s Hof Brau

Decent cafeteria restaurant that has superior customer service from the cook down to the cashier. The cook made an excellent recommendation of getting the tri-​tip dinner. The meat was oh-​so flavorful and nicely seasons. I added a side stuffing and mac salad to the plate which was also very flavorful. The stuffing tasted like it came from a complex recipe. It had chunks of turkey and other pickle flavor additions to it.
After ordering from the chef, the cashier was very pleasant to work with. She was sweet, joyful, and strangely had a mother-​like feeling. The exterior of the restaurant does publicize that families are welcome, which I can now understand by the service of their employees. The outside also stands out from the other stores and has a Las Vegas look with those lights.
Overall I am returning to this restaurant again, but next time to try out their prime rib dinner!

Iits not as good as it used to be — I had the ham and it was dry, the rolls weren’t fresh and the gravy was tasteless so we’re the green beans

I ordered the special Goulash and… oh my god I think I just came. It was like happiness exploded in my mouth. The beef held it shape, yet broke down easily upon chewing. So flavorful, I’ll be back for more!

Sam’s! Oh Sam’s! I cherish this place. It truly is one of those Sacramento gems. There is probably nothing better than taking a step back in time like you do when you enter this place. It’s near country club lanes, so it’s kind of an odd spot since this area was in its prime about 20 years ago. Don’t be discouraged. Enter anyways. You’ll walk in to a funky old European vibe tacky hof brau and you won’t regret it. Step up in the cafeteria style line and pick your entrée and sides and soda or drinks. The dining area is full of history and tacky curtains and usually plenty of lovely old folks from the Sacramento area that know where to get some delicious dinner. There are booths and tables. Personally, I usually get a hunk of beef and mashed potatoes here, but I’ve never tried anything I didn’t like. Check it out! You will be in for an unforgettable experience.

Came here to have a nice meaty meal. I came here as a teenager and so thought it was time to go back. There is an older crowd, but the same old heavy dinners. It was nice.

The husband and I were looking for a good pastrami place in Sacramento. Actually, we were looking for a jewish deli type of place. Since there isn’t really a place in Sacramento like Canter’s or Langer’s in LA, we decided just to find a place that did their own pastrami in house. My search came up with Sam’s.
It’s a cafeteria style place. You get in line and order your food at the meat counter. You get your sides after you get your meat, grab your tray, then pick up a drink and a side of pickles from their large crock of pickles. You can get their pies at the counter where you pay. They have tip boxes if you want to leave a tip. Funny enough, they have a tip box right when you walk up to the meat counter as well as the cashier counter.
It’s pretty dark inside. Like the lights in there give off a shade of brown, haha. Everything is pretty brown. The booths are tiny. I’m a fatty and I could not get my belly in the booth! We decided to sit at a pull out chair table, which was fine. On the table, you get horseradish, mustard and ketchup.
My first visit, i got the prime rib sandwich with au jus and potato salad. Yes, I said we were looking for a pastrami place, but their pastrami did not look all that great to me. The husband got a pastrami sandwich with potato salad. We also each got a pie. I got chocolate and he did coconut cream.
I do think I know my meat and I’m a bit of a snob, but their prime rib is not a prime cut of meat, nor did I really expect it to be. Instead, this prime rib is just used as a descriptor for the roast and not the grading of the meat. The meat was a little grisly, but I like that! Dipped in the hot au jus, omg. It was delicious. I really enjoyed it. And I enjoyed the potato salad. And those dang pickles. They’re not very flavorful, but they are crisp and just slightly tangy. I also enjoyed my pie. The husband said he enjoyed his sandwich, but it’s no jewish deli pastrami.
The second time we came, I got the prime rib sandwich again and we ordered pastrami dinners to go. As I suspected, the pastrami was just ok. It tasted mostly like smoke with a lot of char on the outside. I didn’t care for it too much. But we did ask for a to go container for pickles and they did not charge us for it.
We’re planning on going again soon! I’m looking forward to the prime rib sandwich. The husband is looking to get something else from the menu.

Sam’s brings back wonderful memories of the former Sam’s at 17^th and J St. They still have great food. Very good prices. Senior discounts. The food is always fresh and delicious. You have to wait in line so get there early if you are in a hurry at lunch but the line does move fast even if you get there after 12 noon.

Excellent Hof Brau style food. There used to be a Hof Brau in Stockton at Eldorado & Market St. that I went to with my dad. This place is just as I remembered.
The chef carves the beef or ham when you order while you watch they build your meal to your liking.

Love this place. Been going here since before I can remember. It’s become one of a kind here in Sacramento. Defiantly worth a visit for both the food and the atmosphere.

I have been coming here thirty years. My dad used to bring us here. It is nostalgic. The meats are good. The side are ok not bad. But threats rock. I had the pastrami dinner. It was awesome. It is cafeteria style. Where you order and put it on a tray. They you pay at the end of line. Go find a seat and chow. I have brought people here from out of town and they like it. Places like this don’t exist anymore. Place is always busy. Has a great following. It been here since 1959. Place is a staple in the part of town. It has plenty of free parking. There used to be a tower records a few doors down that I used to get my albums at. That date me. Lol. They have the old style deserts. Like lemon pie and cakes. They have a good prime rib too if you like that. Defiantly try it. It is one of my favorite stop when I am in Sacramento.

Sam’s is an old school cafeteria style family eatery, serving up hot cuts of your favorite meats.
As you walk in, the atmosphere is kinda dark and possibly hasn’t been updated since it opened 50 years ago. But Sam’s is an Arden Arcade icon, so in a weird way, it works.
They have some rotating offerings, but several staples including turkey, prime rib, sausage, etc. We walked up to the window/​carving station and placed our order for the prime rib dinner and a trip tip sam’wich (get it, Sam’wich).
Anyhow, the total was about $ 25 which I didn’t think was too bad… but after I tried a little bit of everything, I was somewhat disappointed with the flavors. Maybe I was having an off night though, since the placed was PACKED!
I’ll be back to give Sam’s another shot though, since I enjoy supporting my local, family owned businesses in the area.

Good cafeteria style food — but definitely not German in any sense. rather very very much American. It’s a good place to go if you’re craving some traditional American comfort food.
The quality: price ratio is good however the quantity: price ratio is not so good. For the amount we paid, I would have liked more food.
I came here on a Wednesday night with a friend, we both got the tri-​tip entrée (some meat, two sides, & bun). The total came to about $ 25. My friend loved the meat although I found it to be too salty. The mashed potatoes were instant rather from scratch — a clear disappointment. Their beans were clearly from a can. But their potato salad was pretty good. couldn’t tell if they made it or if it was mass produced somewhere. from the rest of the meal I would bet that it was the latter.
Would recommend this to place if you’re in the area and don’t want McDonalds or Del Taco. I personally would not come again.

I have eaten here a couple times before and it was okay.
I went today and wanted to give the «prime rib sandwich» a try. I like sandwiches and I like prime rib I’ll tell you that.
Well this was literally just a 6″ baguette cut in half with a big old hunk of meat nothing else. They tried to hand it to me and I had to put my foot down and tell em it had to be toasted and dressed with some cheese and mayo. Honestly it needed more work than that like some lettuce and tomato or jalapenos or onions but none of that seemed to be around. The meat really needed to be sliced a lot thinner, it was overcooked and tough. The cut was not tender or flavorful like prime rib should be, it was more like tri tip or a sirloin.
I also didnt like seeing two of the cooks handling meat with their bare hands.
Maybe some of their other food is better but the prime rib sandwich was all in all a sad and pathetic affair.

OMG! What can I say? Sam’s Hof Brau is my comfort food place away from home! We arrived just after they opened and there was still a line, short, but still a line to wait behind. That’s a testament to their loyal customers. My wife ordered the Salisbury steak and I ordered a turkey leg with mashed potatoes and stuffing. I couldn’t wait until next month Thanksgiving. The turkey leg was so flavorful and moist. The meat on that baby was more than enough. Although the gravy is more than likely made from a turkey base, it still satisfied my appetite as I had it poured over everything. I tried my wife’s Salisbury steak and it was really moist and flavorful. My wife was really impressed. Of course I had to also get my fill of the complimentary slice dill pickles with my meal. As a celebration of Octoberfest they are serving a lamb pot pie; so you know what I’m having on my next visit!

SAMs is the classic feel of old Sacramento 50 years ago. I’ve been coming here over 20 years and my parents even longer.
It’s what you can expect from good old fashioned traditional dishes.
The ambiance is old fashioned with not many updates or upgrades. It’s also fairly dark inside.
The food is fantastic. Great traditional meals of meat and potatoes with side dishes. If you have a sweet tooth they have a pie counter for a nice treat.
They are Over priced for not being a full service restaurant.

I’ve been coming here for 10+ years with my family. It’s definitely out of the way, so I don’t come here often, but sometimes you just want a delicious french dip.
It’s located in the same strip mall as Popeyes, Goodwill, and Dollar Tree, so there’s plenty of parking, but be careful because the spaces are extremely narrow. It’s impossible to miss because the big sign and at night the lights flash. When you enter you’ll feel like you stepped into different era. Everything is pretty old, but that’s part of the charm.
You get in line and wait til you make your way up to the carving station. They have pastrami, prime rib, turkey legs, roast beef — all of which can be sliced or on a sandwich — in addition to daily specials like corned beef, meatloaf, chicken wings, shepard’s pie, etc. My favorite is the french dip. It comes on a soft sourdough bread and a side of au jus. I usually get it with a side of mashed potatoes, with which you have a choice of turkey or beef gravy. Other hot sides offered are dressing/​stuffing and veggies. They also have cold sides like potato salad, macaroni salad, and green salad — but those are typical store bought/​nothing special. It is pretty cheap though. They also have dinner rolls.
After you get your food on your tray, you can get a drink from the fountain or water. You will also get your silverware here. Move on down more and you make your way to pay. Then, you can seat yourself anywhere. The establishment is pretty big — there are several booths and tables. There’s also a bar. In the back there’s apparently a banquet room which you could reserve for parties — why you would want a party at Hof Brau… I don’t know lol.
Overall, tasty food and pretty affordable. You know exactly what you’re getting each time as they’ve been doing it for years.
I’d recommend and return!

I’ve been coming to Hof Brau since I can remember. I’ve always loved their pastrami sandwiches on white roll and dipping it in the sauce makes a PERRRFECT combo! Their mashed potatoes are also yummy. What I miss though are their specials. I’m not sure if they still have this, but I recall one of their pasta specials being really tasty.
There’s always a long line whenever I’m here, but it moves quick! We usually get to-​go so I can’t comment much on the service, but the people working the «assembly-​line» are very friendly.

I haven’t been here in over 30 years! I lived a few blocks from here way back in the day! My mom and I used to go for walks and this was our pit stop!!! After moving back I’ve decided to give my old stomping ground a try!!!
I had the opened faced turkey hot sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy!!! Can you say «comfort food» !!! Yummy!!! My turkey was nice and tender and I lovvvvve gravy! My friend had the pastrami sandwich with their dipping juice (that’s probably the one that’s for prime rib?).
This is like the cafeteria type place where you order stuff that you’d like on your plate. The meats are cooked and cut when you’re ordering. You pick out your drink of choice. Then you pass the dessert glass and you can add dessert if you so desire. Then you pay at the register before you sit down.
This is an old establishment and they’ve managed to keep it looking nice. The employees here have been working a long time, too. Lots of longevity and loyalty!
If you’re in the area and need a little comfort food… this is your place!!! Lots of loyal customers. I enjoyed my meal here and reminiscing the old memories!!!

There isn’t much I can add that years of reviewers haven’t already covered.
Since Trails closed down, we’ve been driving out to Sam’s because it is a similar meat-​and-​potatoes, 60+ crowd, no bullshit gist that I enjoyed about Trails. The horseradish and mustard on the tables are perfect over a tri-​tip plate, and we dig that everything is visible and cut up right in front of you.
We will be back soon! Next time, I want to sit at the bar!

3.5 stars. Very casual and this place has been around for Years!!!
It was St Paddy’s Day and where’s the Corned Beef? Apparently here as we stood in line for our meal. There was a serious line out the door!
They were apparently busy bc of the holiday. Their corned beef and cabbage meal was just enough for me. I had it without the roll. My HB made corned beef sliders especially with his dill pickles.
There was a line even when we left! The food was good as the corned beef was not fatty. The cabbage cooked just right along with the red potatoes and carrots.
We liked how the hostesses were wearing lighted bling bling shamrock necklaces. It was cool!
Will we be back? Maybe as the shepherds pie looked yummy!!! Why aren’t you here?