Remembering Joe Betz: Owner of San Francisco’s iconic House of Prime Rib, dies at 86, family says

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Beloved House of Prime Rib owner and San Francisco icon Joe Betz has passed away at the age of 86.

Born in 1939 in Germany, Betz arrived in the United States at 20 years old and bought his first restaurant in San Francisco eight years later in 1968.

That restaurant was Hoffman’s Grill, which was later designated a San Francisco landmark in 1981, before closing a few years later.

Betz bought House of Prime Rib from its original owner, Lou Balaski, in 1985.

Beyond operating one of San Francisco’s most famous restaurants, Betz was beloved for his philanthropic activities, which included serving prime rib for Christmas Eve dinner to more than 1,500 people in need at Glide Memorial Church.

ABC7’s Larry Beil wrote on X:

“The world just lost an incredible man. Joe Betz was a generous, kind, caring man who brought joy to everyone he ever met. LOVE YOU JOE FOREVER.”

Betz is survived by his two sons, Michael and Steven.