Interlochen’s Hofbrau a Culinary Institution
Brian McAllister had a dream. The touring musician wanted to settle down with his wife, and told anyone who would listen to let him know if they knew of a bar or restaurant for sale.
In 1996, a friend told him the Hofbrau in Interlochen was available.
"I’d played music for a living for 17 years, all over the U.S., Japan, St. Maarten. I didn’t even know Interlochen," says McAllister, who at the time was based in Laingsburg near Lansing.
He contacted the owner, only to find out he had accepted another offer. But McAllister kept at it, contacting the owner monthly.
After several months, when the other offer didn’t pan out, he found himself the owner.
"We’re going on 18 years," he says almost wonderingly.
THE SCENE
Located on M-137 just a mile or so from Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Hofbrau is an easy stop on the way to or from concerts (that’s true for performers as well as audiences, as singers from Jewel to Kurt Elling have been customers).
McAllister believes the arts academy, the nearby state park, its proximity to Green and Duck lakes, and the fact it is just off US 31 are responsible for the mix of patrons.
"Everything is so defined in Lansing," he says, pointing to establishments that cater to college students, professionals, or blue-collar workers, or defined ethnic eateries. "Here it’s so diverse.
"We get everyone from world-famous conductors to dishwashers, the president of Delphi and vice president of Farm Bureau. I like to think it’s because the food is fantastic and the service is so great," he says with a laugh.
While he enjoys a good laugh, even at his own expense, it’s easy to tell he’s dedicated to his restaurant, staff and patrons. "I have a passion for food," he admits.
THE MENU
The menu says "Classic American Fare" and the selections bear that out. There are steaks aplenty: T-Bone, New York strip, sirloin. Then there are ribs, chicken, and seafood, including cod, shrimp, and perch.
Pasta selections include lasagna and three versions of fettuccine: Alfredo, a shrimp Alfredo, and Northwood Pasta-Alfredo with chicken, mushrooms, and dried cherries.
Sandwich lovers can indulge in burgers, whitefish, a turkey/bacon/cheddar combination, and grilled chicken. There are a number of salads (Cobb, chicken, Greek), as well as Mexican favorites like burritos, quesadillas and nachos.
Mr. B’s (for Brian) pizzas include the usual suspects, plus the Hoffy Cheeseburger Special: Grilled ground chuck with melted cheddar cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onions with ketchup and mustard.
THE BEST
Among appetizers, it’s hard to top the fried mushrooms -- literally and figuratively, as they are so large.
McAllister touts the fresh Lake Michigan whitefish from Carlson’s in Leland, which is lightly dusted and deep fried, and served with homemade tartar sauce.
Other seafood aficionados might point instead to the salmon. It is char-grilled on cedar planks, then finished with a honey BBQ sauce.
Mr. B also has a thing for pizza, and believes others do as well. "Ninety-nine percent of people eat pizza," says McAllister. "So we set out to make the best pizza we could.
"It was probably the hardest product (to get right) I put on the menu. You’ve got to balance the acid in the tomatoes, the different kinds of pepperoni, the cheese blends have got to be right."
McAllister says pizza is now the bestselling item on the menu.
THE REST OF THE STORY
This past year McAllister stepped up the Hofbrau’s beer selection, from a healthy 20 varieties on tap to a whopping 52.
"We’re the largest tap house in Northern Michigan," says McAllister proudly.
"The craft beer industry is a huge thing for Michigan and for us. There are so many people making great beer: Shorts, Stormcloud, Mountain Town in Mt. Pleasant. It’s phenomenal."
There are nightly specials as well: Steak night, seafood night, Mexican. Perhaps the most interesting is half-price night on Tuesday. Entrées are all half price with the purchase of a beverage, except steaks, which are a third off.
"We get 400 people on a Tuesday," says McAllister. "We get cleaned out, and our order comes in the next day."
He’s not resting on his laurels, either.
McAllister plans to take his steaks to the next level, as well as include some new recipes.
THE SKINNY
Pizzas start at $10.99 for personal, $13.99 for large. Steaks start at $16.99, while pastas and seafood both start at $15.99.
The Hofbrau is open 4-10pm Monday through Thursday, 4pm-2am Friday, noon to 2am Saturday, and 11am to 10pm Sunday.
It’s located at 2784 M-137 in Interlochen. Call (231) 276-6979. Online, go to HofbrauSteak- House.com or visit its Facebook page.
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