SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Joe Betz, the owner of the iconic San Francisco steakhouse, House of Prime Rib, has died at 86, KRON4 News has confirmed. The SF restaurateur was a native of Bavaria, Germany who first arrived in San Francisco as a waiter in the early 1960s.
A journeyman waiter, Betz rose up through the city’s restaurant world to become one of the most beloved and well-known figures on the San Francisco dining scene.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Betz began waiting tables at Hoffman’s Grill at age 22 and later bought the restaurant, making him the city’s youngest restaurateur at the time. That was in 1968. He closed Hoffman’s in 1984.
A year later in 1985, Betz bought House of Prime Rib from its previous owner Lou Balaski, according to the San Francisco Standard.
Founded by Balaski in 1949 and known for its generous portions, old school vibes, and hospitality, the Van Ness Avenue steakhouse has long been one of the most sought-after reservations in the city, typically booked up months in advance.
“This is the American Dream right here,” the late TV host and food writer Anthony Bourdain said in a booze-soaked visit to House of Prime Rib in a 2009 episode of his Travel Channel show, “No Reservations.”
Away from the restaurant, Betz was a diehard San Francisco 49ers fan and was known for his philanthropy and generosity, particularly around the holidays when he would donate and serve thousands of pounds of prime rib at Glide Memorial Church on Christmas Eve.
On Sunday, Betz and his wife shared a meal and watched the 49ers game. Betz, who was thrilled to see the Niners win, passed away later that night.
Betz is survived by his wife and two sons who will reportedly carry on with the restaurant business.
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