I am only basing my review to the CLE Hofbrauhaus on one visit since I have only been there once. However, my hubby and I have been to Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, and Cincinnati as well, and had wonderful experiences there, too! My husband has also visited the one in Munich, Germany and I am very envious.
Went to Hofbrauhaus late on a Friday night in the late fall/early winter. It was 10:30 and the line was out the door! It was freezing cold outside but my group and I decided to wait it out. It is much easier to do that too when there is an outdoor bar ready to serve you while you wait in line! Love it! After about 30 minutes we made it in the doors, and ten more minutes got us a table. Service was good, I don't expect fantastic service at any restaurant when it is super busy like it was that night. Not that it was bad - it wasn't. I'd just like to go back during more normal dinner hours to experience the service then, too.
I got a soft pretzel as a snack but the main reason we were there was for the beer. The beer was delicious, I think the gals tried the more traditional lighter beer and the guys got a dark beer. We had so much fun that night -- the live band was incredible and the whole place was rockin! I think we even stood on our chairs a few times - the band really got the crowd into it. A must visit place in CLE!