Bixby Knolls Hof's Hut ravaged by two fires Residents lament possible loss of 'iconic restaurant'

Cory Bilicko
Managing Editor
The fate of a longtime Bixby Knolls restaurant is still unknown after two fires broke out Sunday night in its kitchen ventilation system, leaving the eatery inoperable, at least for the time being.
A decision may be weeks away as to what will happen with the Hof’s Hut restaurant that has been in business at 4251 Long Beach Blvd. since 1961, but crews this week have been working to assure the structure is safe for damage assessment, according to Brad Hofman, director of marketing for Hofman Hospitality Group, owners of Hof’s Hut.
Hofman, who is the grandson of founder Harold Hofman and son of CEO Craig Hofman, was born the day the first Hof’s restaurant opened in 1951.
“We are all devastated and sad that this restaurant is gone,” Brad Hofman said in an emailed response Wednesday to the Signal Tribune. “It was very important to us, and we know how important it was to the community. We appreciate the outpouring of support from so many people. Right now, our first priority is to take care of our employees, some of whom have worked at this location for 30 years or more.”
Earlier this week, Hofman had issued a statement thanking employees for their “quick reaction” in ensuring guests were guided to safety, as well as showing appreciation to firefighters. “We are grateful to the first responders who contained the fire and send our best wishes to the injured firefighter,” he said.
Hofman was unsure Wednesday about the restaurant’s future. “At this point, there is a crew working to make the building safe so that it can be assessed,” he said. “We won’t know the next steps for several weeks at the earliest.”
The first fire occurred shortly after 9pm Sunday, and there were patrons eating in the restaurant at that time, according to Brian Fisk, public information officer for the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD). All occupants were safely escorted outside by restaurant staff, and the initial fire was isolated to the kitchen ventilation system and areas of the structure in close proximity to the ventilation ducts, Fisk said.
At 1:03am, a passerby called 911 and reported visible flames coming from the roof of the restaurant, according to the LBFD. The first units to arrive confirmed reports of fire and then “initiated an aggressive fire attack,” according to Fisk. “Shortly thereafter, a second-alarm assignment requested…additional manpower and resources to limit the spread of fire,” states a press release from LBFD. “Fire-suppression operations continued for approximately one hour. One firefighter was injured and transported to a local area hospital with minor injuries.”
Long Beach fire investigators were requested to determine the cause and origin of the fire. Damage to the restaurant was extensive with noted structural compromise, according to the LBFD. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
One of the firefighters was treated for minor heat exhaustion and was released the same day, according to Robert Cheng, captain of the LBFD Arson Investgation Unit. Cheng said the firefighter, whose name is not being released, is back at work.
“As for the investigation into the origin and cause, the incident is still under investigation, and the cause is ‘undetermined’ at this time… because it’s still under investigation,” Cheng said. “We’re still looking into exactly how the fire started and any other contributing factors.”
Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA), said he had just dined at the restaurant when he heard about the incident.
“I first said, ‘What? I was just there!’ when I got the news of the fire,” Cohn said. “And when I heard it was a total loss, I just felt incredibly bad. It’s a favorite spot in the neighborhood, and I just thought about all the employees and the regulars. It’s a really tough thing, and we do not like to see anything bad happen to any of our businesses— let alone a catastrophe like this.”
Cohn said he has reached out to the Hofman Hospitality Group to inform them of the BKBIA’s hope to see them rebuild the restaurant and to offer any type of support possible. “We should hear back from the corporate office soon as to what their plans will be,” Cohn said.
Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin, who represents the 8th district, which encompasses the restaurant, expressed regret about the fire but indicated he was hopeful that Hofman Hospitality Group will turn the tragedy around.
“I am very disappointed about the tragic fire that took place on the weekend at Hof’s Hut, an iconic restaurant in our district,” Austin said. “I am hopeful that the owners will invest in rebuilding and come back with something even better.”
Rae Gabelich, who was Austin’s predecessor as councilmember for the 8th district, also expressed disappointment about the fire but seemed hopeful that the business will remain the same.
“It is a great loss to our community at large, but also for the many wonderful staff that served us so cordially for all these years,” Gabelich said. “Our Bixby Knolls Hof’s Hut has served me personally in so many ways, from holiday family meals, weekly Wednesday get-togethers with good friends— nearly 20 of us many times— to council business meetings and activist get-togethers. So many problems in my world have been resolved over good food and conversation at Hof’s. I am hopeful that the Hof’s family will realize the significant role they have played here for so many years and will rebuild our community meeting place— of course with the same great menu and their genuine hospitality. No changes are necessary.” ß