Hoffmann’s Grill & Rotisserie

Wonderful ! The plates were so delicious ! The prices are not so big for such plates. We (girlfriend and I) took the spaghettis and the hen, both delicious. The service was kind and they give great piece of advices. The athmosphere is great as well. Only problem: the Pinot noir red wine was served chilled…

On our first visit, this place hit the trifecta: food, service, and ambience all exceeded expectations. We were warmly welcomed on arrival and attentively served throughout our dinner. The grilled romaine salad and grilled fava bean appetizers were both creative, nicely presented, and superbly flavored. For our mains, we both had burgers. The beef was top-​notch, cooked just right, and served on a nice pretzel bun. It would be hard to find anything to complain about in the apple/​cherry crisp we shared for dessert. The place has a really good feel. We will surely be going back.

Excellent bistro steak. Pleasant service.
Bright, airy late-​afternoon ambiance.

What a hidden gem! One of the best meals I’ve had in a while. We ordered the pork entrée, lamb dish and mac and cheese. Everything was delicious and on point. Great value as well. Can’t wait to return to try their Rotisserie chicken!

Loved the flat iron pork. This is a wonderful local favorite and a fun place for a date.
Huge portions
Great dinner
Coming back

I’m not sure why this restaurant doesn’t have a higher profile but it should. Then again it’s probably fine that others overlook this neighborhood spot because it means more meat for me. Sure, it doesn’t have the culinary panache of Brett Cooper’s Aster across the street, but bite for bite, I would say Hoffmann’s offers a more satisfying dining experience overall simply because chef/​owner Karen Hoffmann keeps it simple and hearty with little flourish. Jamie W. and I were the first diners of the evening seated next to the window as we watched life on Guerrero go by. We were immediately drawn to the $ 11 Confit Chicken Wings.
They were substantial enough to be an entrée as they were sitting high on a bed of Fresno chiles and salsa verde adding a proper Cal-​Mex kick to a bar bite standby (photo:
). As if that wasn’t enough carnivery for one night, we each went for one of their signature dishes. Jamie had the $ 21 Rotisserie Beef Brisket sliced generously and served with broccolini and warm potato salad (photo:
). The meat was meltably tender with a nice charred crust for contrast. I decided on the $ 22 Grilled Pork Flat-​Iron, which was equally juicy and delicious with pan-​fried green beans, red potatoes, and horseradish cream (photo:
).
We shared two sides that were simply and precisely prepared, the $ 9 Grilled Asparagus with Meyer lemon relish and shaved Parmesan (photo:
), and the $ 8 Chive Spaetzle with sautéed mushrooms and gruyère (photo:
). Both lent a certain richness that went so well with the meat that they were devoured in short order. Of course, such hearty savoriness lent itself to the comfort food $ 8 desserts that were not entirely unexpected. Jamie decided on the Apple & Currant Crisp with salted caramel sauce and cinnamon ice cream, a hearty-​sweet portion dusted with powdered sugar (photo:
).
I went indiscriminately for the Warm Dark Chocolate Brownie which came in three generous pieces served with chocolate truffle ice cream and vanilla crème anglaise (photo:
). It was beyond rich and nearly sent me into a food coma as I couldn’t even finish the last few bites. We were belt-​loosening stuffed as we were overcome by our own indulgence much to the bemusement of the server. Regulars had already started trickling in as they appeared quite familiar with the friendly staff. One could easily get gluttonous at a place as warm and inviting as Hoffmann’s feels like, so we’ll be back if we have one of those rare guilt-​free days.
FOOD — 5 stars… comfort food rarely resonates as much as it does here
AMBIANCE — 4.5 stars… quite a comfortable vibe here with minimal fuss
SERVICE — 4.5 stars… cordial without being annoying
TOTAL — 5 stars… a genuine winner that somehow slips under the radar in the Mission

Point #1 They were playing 90s throwbacks so YES. Point #2 The food was SO good as was the color deuce Zinfandel.
Recommendations: Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or cauliflower to starts. Beef stroganoff, grilled Caesar with chicken, or anything chicken really.
Definitely going back — great vibe. New favorite place.

Intensely succulent meat, my pork possessed a thin gristled finish that complemented the vinegar-​heavy horseradish sauce. The sauce was a big thumbs-​up for me, I usually hate horseradish sauce, which lacks the elegance of real horses. Its taste never seems to gallop in my mouth but this time it did.
It did.
Potatoes were legit, very well-​cooked potatoes that went well with the asparagus.
Price range was, we decided, «nice:» $ 16 – 20 for a meal, with the appetizers going for around $ 10. Adult drinks are overpriced, I suspected the homemade soda was, too, but didn’t actually try it. Still, for $ 5 I can get five cans of Dr. Pepper across the street. On the other hand, chorizo clam chowder was lovely, very creamy without being too populated by larger slices of potato, although in the future I’d get rid of the shells, distracting and cumbersome to spoon around.
Fairly long wait time, and water service is horrid, they may as well serve shot glasses. Water cups should allow for draughts, not sips.

These folks know how to make some hearty, delicious American food. The service was friendly and attentive. The ambience was good for families, casual dates, and get-​togethers with friends. The food was consistently good across the various orders my family made, including:
–Chowder (⁵⁄₅)
–Mussels (⁵⁄₅)
–Brisket (⁴⁄₅)
–Rotisserie chicken (⁴⁄₅)
–Tagliatelle (⁵⁄₅)
–Spaetzle (⁴⁄₅)
Desserts were tasty, but not mindblowing, so if you’re curious but bloated, you can probably hold off until next time.

The food is quite good but its definitely not cheap. If you want a nice meal in a very pleasant atmosphere with not a lot of frills, this is a great spot. I haven’t had anything bad here, the service is always good, and you can usually get a reservation on very short notice, even on a Friday or Saturday.
The meat dishes are definitely the go-​to here. Great burgers and by far the most modestly priced thing on the menu.
Another thing I appreciated is the spaciousness of the place. Everywhere else in the mission seems to try and pack as many people in as they can (understandably), but this place doesn’t do that. Much appreciated Hoffman!

Great low-​key neighborhood spot on Guerrero, away from all the crowds and hipsters on Valencia. My bf and I stopped by during dinner time rush hour without a reservation, and we were seated right away.
The restaurant is open and spacious, with plenty of tables and communal seating — perfect for both large groups and intimate dates. Service was excellent. Our food took some time to come out, but the staff were all very friendly.
FOOD
* Spaghetti alla chitarra — Our waiter recommended the special, and I’m so glad we tried it. The pasta was a specially cut thin noodles, with a light cream sauce, broccoli, pancetta, and a poached egg on top. Delicious! It had a tart, lemon-​y aftertaste, and perfect al dente texture.
* Hoffman burger — My bf ordered the burger (medium rare), but it was more of a medium. The burger itself was okay, but I LOVED the fries! Thin, crispy and well-​seasoned — I’m pretty sure I ate more than half of his fries.
They also have a nice wine and beer list, which we didn’t get to try this time. Overall, great stop for dinner. I’ll definitely be back to try their other dishes.

I had the Cornish hen. It was just okay, kind of difficult to eat and not particularly tasty. The brussel sprouts were good, not uniquely prepped, but still good.
The service was average and the restaurant had a slightly basement-​like smell.
Overall I was a little disappointed, it wasn’t bad, but I had high expectations. I wish I would have tried the rotisserie chicken. I won’t be returning.

Hoffman’s does standard dishes in a homey setting pretty well. It was a good place for a group dinner. We sampled a lot of the menu and ate well for $ 40 each (including tax and tip). I would come back again.
The dishes that I liked the most were the two salads we tried, the Tuscan kale Caesar ($ 10) and grilled romaine with pickled red onion, avocado, buttermilk dressing ($ 11). Both had flavorful dressing used in appropriate quantities and ingredients with good texture.
I enjoyed the clam chowder ($ 10). It was on the lighter side but still quite flavorful. A friend accurately pointed out it was similar to Hog Island’s chowder.
The rotisserie chicken portions ($ 16 for half, $ 26 for whole) were large. People had leftovers to take home. The grilled pork flat iron ($ 22) was tender and fatty, served with mild horseradish, beans, and potatoes.
I didn’t enjoy the sides as much as the rest of the meal. The Kennebec fries ($ 7) consisted mostly of tiny crispy bits that were hard to eat without a fork. The Brussels sprouts with blue cheese + bacon ($ 9) and chive spaetzle with Gruyère + butternut squash ($ 8) tasted alright.
Food came out really quickly.
My only complaint is that service was a bit spotty. It looked like there were only 1.5 servers for the whole restaurant. We didn’t have enough menus for the table, so the 8 of us shared 2 menus. Bread and wine took a while. Our water was empty for a long time.

This place became my recent Mission favorite. I have been here 3 or 4 times during the last two months and been loving it. In a way, it serves lots of comfort food in a visually appealing way. My favorite is cioppino. Their beer and wine selections are small but spot on. Given the price range, it is hard to find anything to complain about Hoffman. I will be back

We’ve walked by Hoffmann’s so many times on the way home and finally popped in for a weekday dinner.
Such a pleasant surprise of a restaurant: simple and homey food done well.
We had the lamb special, which came with stuffed squash blossoms, and also the rotisserie chicken (I think it came with some kind of potato preparation). Both solid, but the lamb stood out for how well-​cooked it was, with a perfect amount of gamey funk.
Classy neighborhood establishment that I’ll definitely return to.

EXCELLENT wine list! And I don’t say that because it’s long. I say that because each wine chosen is excellent and meaningful on the list as a whole. I rarely find a casual restaurant putting so much effort into the wine.
The owners are lovely. The burger is really delicious. The french fries are amazing.
My only issue with this place is that it seems pricey. Every time I go I leave with the feeling that I paid to much for a casual meal.

The Good:
+ cozy, wholesome, low key, hidden gem located in Mission
+ unpretentious service and atmosphere, not stuffy at all
+ excellent execution on many of the dishes, and a rotating specials menu based on seasonal ingredients
+ the dishes are simple and comforting, and executed well
+ excellent value considering the attention to detail and the portion size
The Not So Good:
— some of our dishes lacked QC; a few instances of overseasoning here and there, and a few instances of extra char here and there but YMMV
Bottom Line:
Hoffmann’s is very unassuming from the outside looking in. If you weren’t looking for it, you’d probably miss it. Once you step in however, the dining is on a different level. Its the perfect place to have a dinner party with friends when you want a casual atmosphere that doesn’t compromise on the cuisine. The menu was inspiring, with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

Food, glorious food. The wealth of excellent restaurants in SF never ceases to amaze me. Despite the deceptively simple name, this is the place to go for a glorious feast filled with complex flavors.
Thanks to the recommendation of a teammate, we chose this spot for a group dinner. Usually when I think Mission I think Mexican food and low-​rent restaurants. This was neither. The «American (New)» menu has something for everyone and the décor is welcoming and upscale.
There were a number of out of this world starters that primed us for what was to come. My personal favorites were the brussel sprouts roasted in blue cheese and bacon and the kale caesar salad. The latter was bursting with flavor and totally unexpected since I’ve never been much of a kale fan.
For my main course I went with the beef brisket served with warm potato salad and brocollini. Folks, you can’t go wrong. This carefully cooked and seasoned cut of meat was bursting with flavor. I had to remind myself to eat slower. I sampled other goodies at the table like fish and a roasted chicken, but I was infinitely happier with my decision.
I can’t wait to make a return trip and try the rest of the menu. It is seasonal, so I wouldn’t expect the exact same options each time. But with a track record like this, I’ll eat anything they put in front of me.

I love that this rotisserie is right in my new Mission hood. Nondescriptly located on Guerrero, one block off of busy Valencia, it’s convenient yet low key.
We normally just order whatever protein the special happens to be. I’ve had brisket, chicken, and lamb here and have enjoyed each dish equally. For sides, I highly recommend the chive spaetzle and the brussels sprouts. The spaetzle is this soft egg noodle covered in cheese (gruyère) and cooked with squash and sage. The brussels sprouts are well caramelized and I would ask for the blue cheese on the side because it’s a bit overwhelming.
Hoffman’s is homey and delicious. The best part is that there’s no lines! How is even possible for SF?

I’m usually not a big fan of classic American cuisines due to the lack of variety, but this place was such a pleasant surprise! The menu wasn’t unnecessarily extensive, but each dish was so unique and catered to many different tastes. I got the panisse. Although I was skeptical about ordering a vegetarian option amidst all the delicious carnivorous options, I’m so glad I tried this! I’ve never had panisse before, but it has such a creamy inner texture with a crispy, not too oily outside. This with the perfectly poached egg and soft carrots was such a treat! I did without a Tempranillo, but I’m sure that would have exponentially enhanced the meal. For sides, we got the chive spaetzle (best idea ever, get it please!) and the brussel sprouts. Both were great options, but if you’re going for one — it needs to be the spaetzle. I tried my friend’s pork belly, and wasn’t a fan — waay too fatty, I literally could not properly chew through the fat (Bonus: this just made me fall even more in love with my own order). But I guess that’s what you’re opting for if you choose pork belly as the base of your entrée — the 3 people on my table seemed to enjoy it, or were too nice to say anything. My other friend’s rotisserie chicken, although didn’t come with many other ingredients, was super flavorful and tasty.
As for the place — I really liked the modern, stylish ambience of Hoffmann’s. It stays true to the modern millennial vibe of the Mission. Great service, not much of a wait on a Saturday night (by not much, I mean only 40 mins) — this is a good choice!

A few words:
Hoffman’s reminds me of the ideal neighborhood spot; Homey décor, friendly staff, affordable pricing, and no crazy ass lines. The food is good and you know you can count on this after a tough Monday.
What I recommend:
Honestly i can’t really say anything jumped out at me. What I really enjoyed most was coming here on a weekday after work, getting a good drink, and not having to deal with so many of your typical sf elements (long waits, untrained/​unfriendly staff, overpriced food). The chef here really emphasizes balance in a lot of the dishes, which I greatly appreciate as a fan of heavier fare such as fried chicken wings and pork belly. The execution is great and the use of brines or pickled veggies really bring a brightness to the dishes.
Bottom line:
This is a no brainer weekday spot for you and your friends to catch up at. The food tends to be on the heavier side, but the price and friendly staff always have me walking away a happy customer.

High quality, unpretentious, and reasonably priced good food. I’ve been here on two occasions. On the first a friend and I split two starters: bratwurst which was juicy, delicious and came with picked vegetables and sauerkraut. I had the brussel sprouts with bacon and bleu cheese which tasted amazing. My only complaint was it was too oily but could be a meal in itself.
The second time I came here, two other friends and I did a family style dinner where we split the Confit chicken wings, brussel sprouts and a rotisserie chicken. Chicken wings had a nice chili glaze. It was so good we put some on the rotisserie chicken as well. Chicken was juicy, tender, well seasoned with a tasty rub. Pearl onions it came with were a good touch too. Service was good and price was super reasonable for the quality.

This is our neighborhood restaurant because we live right around the corner– but this is also one of our favourite restaurants in San Francisco, period. It’s really simple, they specialize in the rotisserie chicken (which is excellent, btw) and simple, well-​made, affordable food. The menu is pretty ‘meat’ heavy with limited veggie options (there’s a panisse and a couple sides) so I wouldn’t bring your veggie or vegan friends here…
Everything we’ve ever had here has tasted AMAZING. Sometimes I don’t even like whatever they describe on the menu, but I get it anyway because I know it’s going to taste amazing. That’s just how well they cook the food here. Seriously, the owner/​chef knows her flavours and knows them well enough to execute every dish to perfection. Try the chicken, you won’t regret it. Also try any special they ever have EVER. I’ve never regretted getting their rotisserie special– especially when it involves lamb or pork of some kind. I’d recommend getting the clam chowder (which doesn’t come with many pieces of clam– but actual clams in it) because the flavours of the clam and the hearty broth and chorizo mix well, or the mussels– which taste amazing. You can’t go wrong with any of the appetisers, actually. The dessert is also excellent here. I would recommend the seasonal crisps and the cookies!
Hoffmann’s has great service, food and drinks to boot. The atmosphere would be great for a second or third date (intimate enough lighting, but busy enough to not be too romantic,) and we’ll keep coming to this as our #1 neighborhood choice if we need a quick bite to eat or want to have an impromptu date night.

If I lived in the Mission, I’d be dining at Hoffman’s Grill & Rotisserie at least once a week!
Came here the other night with some co-​workers for a team-​bonding dinner. The atmosphere is very casual and inviting. The menu is sort of family-​style, so our group wound up sharing a bunch of things. The table favorites included: the Roasted Brussels Sprouts w/​blue cheese & bacon (yum!), Chive Spaetzle with Gruyère & Sage (double yum!), the Kale Caesar Salad, and a side order of the Kennebec Fries with Parmesan & Aioli.
For my entrée, I chose the Beef Brisket with Warm potato salad + Broccolini ($ 21). It was a hearty meal that would satisfy the most die hard carnivore. Though to be honest, I was already full from all the small plates we shared. I did manage to have a few bites of their signature Rotisserie chicken with yukon gold potatoes & cipollini onions ($ 16), and it certainly lived up to the hype. My friend got the ½ order and it was HUGE. I can only imagine how large the full chicken was. Word to the wise: if you’re coming to Hoffman’s Grill, bring a big appetite or a very large doggy bag.
Service was attentive and friendly. And the clientele was a nice mix of young and old, hipster and conservative. Prices are definitely reasonable given the quantity and quality of the food they serve.
All in all, this is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. I’d certainly come back!

Don’t be like me. Don’t think to yourself: «Hoffmann’s? That’s not a very fancy name. The best restaurants have fancy, elusive, one-​word names, don’t they?» Apparently not. Hoffmann’s Grill & Rotisserie, with it’s straightforward, simple moniker, is right up there with the best of them. A truly delicious find.
What’s so special and worth the trek deep into the Mission? Solid menu with all the essentials: gourmet salads, tempting sides, meaty mains cooked to perfection. It’s much more than rotisserie chicken around here! Plus, affordable bottles of wine and some killer cookies for dessert. But that’s not it! The ambiance is airy, casual, but stylish. The background music is groovy. The servers are chipper and attentive. Really, it all checks off on my list.
It’s difficult to eat well and not break the bank in SF, but our group of 6 had a gut-​busting gourmet meal for about $ 40/​pp (with wine!) Definitely add to your group dining list.

I moved to California a year ago and far and away the best meal I’ve had since then was a meal a few weeks back with a few girl friends at Hoffmann’s.
This review could be a long one, especially given how much we ordered, so I’ll give you the abridged version in a top xx list style form (because I still miss David Letterman every single day) in hopes of you glancing through and making the right decision to come to Hoffmann’s.
Top 3 Reasons To Go To Hoffmann’s
* Portions are borderline family-​style for SF
* The price point, especially for the quality and portion, is a god damn steal. Everything on the menu is under $ 22 and most items are between $ 8 and $ 12.
* Every single thing we ordered was the best thing I’d ever eaten
Top 12 Occasions To Dine At Hoffmann’s
* Girls Night Out
* Dinner with the fam
* Date Night
* Double or triple date
* Celebratory dinners
* Work dinners
* Heart to heart with a friend (s)
* Anniversary dinner
* First date
* 632^nd date
* Any special occasion
* Any Tuesday through Sunday because they’re closed on Monday
Top 6 Small Plates & Sides To Order At Hoffmann’s
* Roasted Brussels Sprouts w/​blue cheese & bacon (I don’t even eat meat and it’s still worth it to get and eat around the thick-​cut bacon)
* Chive Spaetzle with Gruyère & Sage (get an order all to yourself because this ish is UNREAL)
* Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon & Pine Nuts
* Grilled Asparagus
* Kennebec Fries with Parmesan & Aioli
* Puget Sound Mussels
White Wine & Red Pepper Broth, Lemon Aioli
Top 4 Main Dishes To Order At Hoffmann’s
* Meyer Lemon & Ricotta Agnolotti w/​roasted mushrooms, green garlic, Parmesan (FOR THE LOVE OF GOD GET THIS)
* Three Onion Panisse (chickpea flour pancake, fennel, grilled escarole, poached egg, caper relish)
* Cioppino (HUGE portion and just perfect)
* Grilled River Trout with Yellow wax beans, Pancetta, Mixed marble potatoes, Herbed vinaigrette
Top Dessert
* Ooey Gooey Cookies off the kid’s menu
Top Wine
* Terra Rosa Malbec
Go forth and dine like a king amongst men…

We tasted the sides first & we just knew — this was going to be good. Our dinner staple, brussel sprouts, was salty from melty blue cheese. And the chive spaetzle, with its perfect texture, had gooey strings of Gruyère hanging from every forkful.
Our mains were just as impressive. He seemed to enjoy the head-​on Grilled Water Trout ($ 22); I turned his plate several times during dinner because it was disconcerting to see his dish staring back at me.
My Three Onion Panisse ($ 19) was a real winner. I considered ordering ½ rotisserie chicken, but at $ 16, I didn’t want to potentially pen another review of how expensive chicken disappointed me yet again. There was a lot going on in my dish: three nicely-​seared chickpea cakes topped with a poached egg & caper relish & flanked by still-​slightly-​firm roasted carrots & fennel. Creative comfort food.
Our desserts were richly dark chocolate ones, so I was satisfied with just a few bites from each. Real vanilla bean ice cream served as a sweet balance to bittersweet brownies & cookies. Because our meal wasn’t decadent enough, we indulged in homemade sodas; both raspberry & ginger prompted that satisfied «mmmmm» sound as soon as the straws hit our lips.
Total: ~$ 91 (not including tip.)
Hoffman’s offers oldies but goodies, never leaving out high quality ingredients & interesting flavor.

This meal was nothing short of a masterpiece. We were seated on a Sunday night without a reservation almost immediately. Our server, Dawn, was very accommodating and quick to explain their seasonal offerings.
We got half a chicken with 3 sides: spätzle, cauliflower, & Brussels sprouts. My brother got their signature grass-​fed burger on a pretzel roll and we all split a grilled-​romaine salad with avocado and a light, creamy dressing with their clam chowder.
Each of us had a different favorite part of the meal. Portions were generous and everything was healthy and seasoned perfectly.
We agree that this was one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Great for families, dates, and special occasions. Dress fancy or casual.
Go here!

Chicago comes to San Francisco at Hoffmann’s.
The owner/​chef Karen Hoffmann (a Spago, Four Seasons alumna) brings a taste of her west side Chicago roots to the streets of the Mission. Many dishes are lovingly created by the recipes and memories of her Italian grandmother, like the lamb meatballs and meyer lemon & ricotta agnolotti. There’s also a bit of German on the menu — I mean, with a name like Hoffmann there has to be some Spätzle — it’s only fair.
The mussels get the most raves, and are procured from the Puget Sound of Seattle. They are prepared in a white wine red pepper broth and lemon aioli. The rotisserie chicken is incredible with a buttery skin that slides right off. The vegetable sides are quite tasty. Their clam chowder was a bit different and is unlike any chowder I’ve ever eaten in Boston or Seattle. The signature Hoffmann burger served in a pretzel bun is delicious. Much of the items are great for sharing or leftovers.
There’s a kids menu and they offer takeout. Ask for the dessert menu. You’ll regret nothing when it comes to their sweets. Absolute perfection. Service is a little spotty, I think they only have one server and the co-​owner /​manager, Chandra Asken, on duty, and as they have only been open since November of 2014, they appear to still be working out the kinks and learning the ropes for their new digs. Don’t forget to have a look at the vintage San Francisco photographs of gold miners on the walls.
Hoffmann’s may have to close unless they can raise enough money to cover the expenses on mandatory new equipment city officials have required of them. They’ve started an Indiegogo campaign to assist with costs. Each donation comes with a little treat from them to you, in return.
You can read about their dilemma, see a short video from the owners, and/​or donate here:
P. S. This is a great place for anniversaries, dates, lovers, partners, etc.