Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Before I start this review–let’s cut to the chase. Hoff’s Grill “Home of the Famous Pork Chop Sandwich” on 121 North Long Street off of East Innes in Salisbury sells the best tasting Pork Chop of anywhere I’ve been. I’ve lived here, in Philly, in Denver, Colorado, and in Silver City, New Mexico. Some of those places had great pork chop sandwiches, but nothing compared with Hoff’s Grill. I’m not mindlessly gushing here when I make this pronouncement. I’ve pilgrimaged several times to Hoff’s Grill now–the first time two Saturdays ago with friends John Bare and Jim Sides.
That first visit I had the pleasure of meeting one of the Hoff’s Grill two partners Larry Hoffner who some of our readers might recognize from his former Lexington “Hoff’s Grill” which also served up a very famous Pork Chop Sandwich from 1999 to 2005. Larry is one of those restaurant owners who exudes warmth and friendliness in a very sincere manner. He connects with people in a quiet way. I understand he’s had a recent scrap with cancer and he’s just regaining his strength. At age 70 some questions existed for Larry whether he could make it through a stretch of months required to renovate the grill and go through the preparations required to open it. He was heartened when his partner Dave Arey stuck by him all the way through to completion.
If fellows like Larry provide excellent food, outstanding service, and connect with their customers they almost always do well unless they pitch a tent in a bad location. At North Long near East Innes, Larry and his partner Dave Arey chose well. The days I arrived at Hoff’s a steady stream of customers joined the counter line and placed orders.
The food at Hoff’s Grill is made fresh from scratch, and by hand. The menu borrows heavily on recipes collected from decades of restaurant experience. The big menu favorites are Hoff’s pork chop sandwich, Dave’s Famous Dipped Chicken Sandwich, and Dave’s Double Burger along with Dave’s Batter-Dipped Fries. The menu is simple and straight forward–but all the items I mentioned are extremely tasty, complex in flavor and made with care.
Hoff’s Grill’s prices are quite reasonable–their pork chop sandwich is only $4.95. In fact all of their signature sandwiches are $4.95. Their Hamburger classic is $2.95 and a Hot Dog Classic only $1.95
I’d give Hoff’s Grill a 5 stars out of 5 stars. This is an extraordinary sandwich restaurant.
A quote at the end of the menu says it well: “Thank you for your patronage of Hoff’s Grill. We are not a fancy franchise, just two guys that love to cook and socialize among our customers. All of our items are fresh and prepared daily in house by us. Our products are never frozen to ensure the highest quality to our customers. Our recipes are a collection of our many years being in the restaurant business.”
Go there and enjoy it!
