Sam’s Hof Brau permanently closes. After 60 years, historic Arden Arcade eatery done in by fire

Molly Jarone
·2 min read
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A beloved Arden Arcade institution has officially closed its doors and put its location on the market.

Sam’s Hof Brau, a family restaurant on the corner of Watt and El Camino avenues, will not reopen after a series of setbacks, including a February fire, plagued the restaurant in recent years, a leasing agent confirmed Tuesday.

Joe Blanton, president of real estate firm Stone Commercial, has listed the restaurant space. He said Tuesday that the owners of Sam’s Hof Brau are not interested in reviving the 7,200-square-foot restaurant after a fire damaged much of the interior.

The owners are planning to repair it and leave it in “shell condition,” Blanton said. “They left it a blank canvas for someone else to come in and build something new.”

A building worker sifts through the kitchen area of Sam’s Hof Brau on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Arden Arcade. The restaurant, a long time staple in the area, was heavily damaged in a two-alarm fire earlier in the morning. Daniel Hunt/dhunt@sacbee.com
A building worker sifts through the kitchen area of Sam’s Hof Brau on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Arden Arcade. The restaurant, a long time staple in the area, was heavily damaged in a two-alarm fire earlier in the morning. Daniel Hunt/dhunt@sacbee.com

Sam’s Hof Brau opened in 1959 and has been a fixture of the Arden Arcade neighborhood, welcoming families with its fresh-roasted and hand-carved turkey legs, roast beef, baked ham and plentiful side dishes.

Decked to the ceilings with memorabilia and photos of Sacramento’s history, diners could sip a frosty brew at its cozy, German-inspired bar. Or they could enjoy a hot, bone-sticking meal in one of its wood booths for a reasonable price, making it a popular dining destination and meeting spot for east area residents.

General manager Pedro Tirado, a 26-year employee, slices pastrami during lunch at Sam’s Hof Brau in Arden Arcade in 2017. Randy Pench/Sacramento Bee file
General manager Pedro Tirado, a 26-year employee, slices pastrami during lunch at Sam’s Hof Brau in Arden Arcade in 2017. Randy Pench/Sacramento Bee file

The restaurant experienced a series of setbacks in recent years, however. The COVID-19 pandemic forced it to close its doors, relegating the neighborhood hangout to take-out only. Then, in February, a fire forced another closure. While the flames were concentrated in a small area of the back kitchen, the smoke and water damage left much of the restaurant badly damaged.

Owners initially planned to reopen, saying “We look forward to serving you once again,” in a Feb. 7 social media post. But as the months waned, a reopening seemed less and less likely.

Blanton said the restaurant space was placed on the market in early December.

“If someone wanted to revive the (Sam’s Hof Brau) brand, (the owners) would be open to the conversation,” he added.