Know before you go... Let's just start by saying that I am a big fan of German food, and given that there just so few German restaurants around, when I find one I get excited to try it. Initially, I was hoping to dine here with my wife on a Monday evening, but the online hours said they were closed. So we drove downtown into the Dells to search out somewhere to eat. As we drove past Hofbrewzhaus, I saw that they were actually open, so we excitedly parked and walked over. The exterior is really nicely done, and it looks modern and up-to-date, as if someone was really excited about what they were doing. Having heard they had 30 or so German beers, I was excited to try something I don't often get. My first hint that something was odd was when we walked in the door, and the wall in front of us was done up with Colombian flags and other such South American decorations. I was confused, but we continued in to the bar area, where we met a friendly Colombian (?) woman wearing a t-shirt that said "Prost!" Businesses in the Dells are known for having a lot of foreign employees, so again, this didn't throw me off too much. She sat us at a table, and served us, and was very friendly and sweet the whole time. We tipped her well. When we opened our menus, however, I quickly noted that page 1 was German food (and it was a somewhat limited menu), and page 2 was Colombian food (and it was a jam-packed, extensive menu). I ordered beer, and it took about 5 tries to pick something they actually had! Somehow, I managed to pick--again and again--the beers they were out of. Bit of a bummer, but I suppose it happens. Still, it's never a good feeling when you can't trust the menu... Anyway, I got schnitzel and my wife got something Colombian. I had ordered the schnitzel sandwich (which was around $14) and was served the actual schnitzel entree (which was $22)...but oh well. Look, none of this is really a complaint...service was good, the food was ultimately fine. The beer (once I found one they had) was good. But it was nothing special. And if you're looking for an authentic German experience, this was about as authentically German as the kids running around Wizard Quest down the street are authentically wizards. About as authentically German as Mt. Olympus Waterpark is authentically ancient Greek. About as authentically German as Kalahari Resort is an authentically southern Africa safari experience. Which...I suppose...fits the Dells... read more

Hofbrewzhaus - Is it a German restaurant? Is it a Colombian restaurant? Who knows! - Beer Gardens Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

I read the reviews before coming here. My husband didn't. Hence this mess of a review. I don't enjoy giving one-Star reviews. You'll see I rarely give them. I was a business owner and I know that kind of thing can hurt. But there comes a time.... It would appear that this used to be a very good German restaurant. The building has exquisite bones, with German murals on the wall etc. there's an adorable outdoor area that looks like a German fest. Idk what exactly happened, but presumably it's what's happened to many German restaurants. They were started many years ago by immigrants and then eventually the line died out or lost interest. I'm assuming it was bought by a family from Colombia. Who for an unfathomable reason must have thought "we'll still keep the German restaurant but just add a Colombian menu too." Which really wouldn't stress me if they cooked both foods well. You do you. But when they cook German food so poorly as to make it inedible, then I get pissed off, because food is super expensive now and you've just made me waste $50 on horrible food. No! There was absolutely nothing on the menu for a vegetarian to eat besides an $18 salad or cheese curds. I went with them figuring I'd just eat later at home. Hubs ordered his favorite German meal, chicken with gravy and spaetzle. The gravy tastes like they opened a jar, the meat was anemic and he described it as floppy. Had barely any coating. And the spaetzle was inedible. It's his favorite thing. He always orders extra. The place was like a ghost town and now I know why. Believe it. Supposedly the Colombian food is better so just dump the German part and make it a Colombian restaurant if you enjoy that. If you like German food I wouldn't recommend eating here. read more

Hofbrewzhaus - The spaetzle was inedible according to my husband. And he always orders extra! - Beer Gardens Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

I definitely wanted to like this place more and felt like it had potential & it might've just been an off day, but it definitely missed the mark. 1) the food took way too long to get we were a little bit of a time crunch 2) we ordered a brat and had to ask and WAIT for mustard and was given yellow mustard - HUGE miss 3) we ordered the chicken sandwich and it was utterly dry. Again, no sauce offered or provided without request and WAITING & was given yellow mustard However, the jalapeño cheese bratwurst was good. The real showstoppers were the German potato salad and the spaetzel - definitely recommend. read more

Hofbrewzhaus - Half the jalapeño cheddar bratwurst and chicken schnitzel sandwich Where's the sauce?! - Beer Gardens Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Great staff and beer variety is awesome. Giant soft pretzel and lightly breaded cheese curds were very good. If you like German beer and food this is a must stop when in the historic downtown area. Love's the outdoor biergarten on a beautiful July day. read more

Hofbrewzhaus - Pretzel and cheese curds. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Great spot to get a walking taco for my son and some much needed German beer for me - reminds me of when I was in Munich at October fest back in 2015 read more

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Okay- the German food is great! But the Columbian food blew us away. We got the Patacones con Chicharron, Arepas, and Schitznel. So good!!!

They have some good beer. But the place doesn't seem to know exactly what it wants to be. I was looking forward to having the diner kabob which is listed on their website menu. But in reality, no such thing. Many of the "Mediterranean" menu items don't exist. And instead there is a page of Mexican food items. Now I like Mexican just fine but it really isn't a natural match for German beer and brats. read more

Horrible experience and absolutely do not recommend! We walked in and it was Mexican music. The menu outside is absolutely false. Maybe 10 items were German & the rest Columbian. I asked for lemon water and got lime. I ordered a schnitzel sandwich. It came on a cheap hamburger bun instead of the brioche on the menu. It was missing lemon slices etc. I politely complained and the waitress said "That's a kitchen problem." I barely ate. It was supposed to be a fun date and ended up being a sh*tshow. Oh and the spaetzel was soggy/mushy and tasteless. read more

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Hidden Gem!!!! We saw the sign as we drove through old downtown Wisc Dells(where its all at!!!!). We had to stop being German an all! Cozy bar kind of line the Hofbrau in Las Vegas, and ample seating with a tv on an enclosed attached patio. The brews are vast and we tried many! The people came and went having had a few of the best flavors and the menu is a Turkish menu. We tried grape leaves. Ja. It was an experience and the plates of food was large enough for 2. Really enjoyed the friendly staff and the prices are reasonable. We are going back! Street pkg and minimal lot parking. read more

Great beer food and service. I think the menu rotates between Turkish and German food. Small menu but all the dishes were fantastic. The dumplings are a must order. Service was Fantastic. Can't recommend enough. read more

Food was not good at all. My wife's brat was not even cooked through and the bun was falling apart. She took it back and was given a refund. My sandwich was passable, but the potato pancake was awful...not sure what they did to it. This place was at one time OK, I think, but I would avoid it now. read more

The Brats were delicious. Loved being able to sit outside on a nice evening listening to the music and talking. Even though they don't normally serve outside, the bar tender took the extra effort to make sure we were happy. Octoberfest is going to be amazing here. read more

Large selection of beers; good food and a pleasant atmosphere. The service was good as well. It seems sadly, that there is no German food out of tourist season but the Turkish offerings were quite good. read more