by Hoyt Nelson
Tuesday, January 8 was the last day for Harry’s Hofbrau on Saratoga Ave, San Jose after 42 years at that location. There had been rumors last year, but nothing more till a sign announcing the closure was posted at the beginning of the line with only a few days to spare. The news spread fast. We learned of this Monday afternoon and decided to go about 7 PM that night. However the line was about 230 ft. long with people who had the same idea, so we decided to wait and go REALLY early at 4 PM the last day. Before going on Tuesday, however, we checked on Facebook and discovered the line at that time was more than 120 additional feet out the door and had been long since opening at 10 AM. On to plan B, Sic transit gloria. There was a long segment about it on the TV news that night and a big article with pictures in the SJ Mercury the next day. Who Knew? Other locations in Mtn. View and Foster City have been closed for a few years. If you must, there are still 2 remaining Harry’s location: one in Redwood City and another in San Leandro, but who knows for how long?
This type of cafeteria-style restaurant (as we know it) was popular in Germany for many, many years and was even common in ancient Roman towns where only the very wealthy had their own personal kitchens, water sources, baths and even toilets. The California lumber towns in the 19thand 20thcentury were frequently serviced by places like the Samoa Cook House in Euireka (still in business) and 4 large places in the tiny town of Occidental, CA like The Union HotelOccidental(est. 1879) and Negri’s(both still in business). 1000s of us came here after wine tasting in Sonoma, just to eat their massive, cheap and mostly healthy meals. The Union Hotel seated several hundred people at a time.
In the 1050s, similar places like the King’s Table chain became popular for their All-You-Can-Eat restaurants. Many Asian and other places followed suit, but many are now gone. Five of us who decided not to wait in the cold at Harry’s in January went to Gunther’sat Hamilton and Meridian in San Jose instead and had a delightful meal. It’s a style similar to Harry’s but a bit more expensive and there are (very friendly) waitresses , so tips are involved. The food is good and the menu somewhat longer than Harry’s. If you are returning from skiing at S Shore, try the similar Sam’s Hofbrauat 2500 Wait Ave. just E of Sacramento. Another similar place on J St. downtown Sacramento seems to be gone now. There’s also the popular Poor Red’s BBQin El Dorado, just S of Placerville on Hwy 49/Hwy 50.
Another early “fast food” place that is all but gone is the “Automat”. As far as I can tell, the automat style of fast food dining in the USA started in Philadelphia by Horn & Hardart. They started a luncheonette in Philadelphia in 1888, and in 1902, they copied a German “automat” concept where many dishes of healthy, cheap food were displayed behind little glass doors that would open after depositing a nickel in a slot. About 10 years later, Horn and Hardart opened an automat outlet (by far its most famous) in Times Square in New York City, where it (and eventually about 80 other locations nearby) lasted till 1991. By that time, modern fast food places like Burger King and McDonalds had replaced the automat (except for a few at train and bus stations, etc.) One notable exception is Eatsa, two automats with a modern twist at 1 California St. and 121 Spear St. in San Francisco. After your digital order, they provide one dish meals like Chili con Quinoa, BBQ Chop Salad, Burrito Bowl, Citrus Port Cubano Bowl and Wonton Tofu Salad. There is no interaction with people. Check out reviews from past “Check Please” on PBS Ch. 9 or on YELP.
