Joe Betz, the Man Behind San Francisco’s Iconic House of Prime Rib, Dies at 86 | Eater SF

"Beloved San Francisco institution that Joe Betz bought from original owner Lou Balaski in 1985, then remodeled and eliminated the dress code, ushering in an era of popularity that endures. The restaurant bills itself as "House of Prime Rib is a San Francisco Landmark. Our juicy and delicious Prime Rib is made from the highest quality corn-fed beef available." Under Betz it became a community fixture, providing prime rib and sides for Glide Memorial Church’s annual Christmas Eve dinner, and it was among the restaurants to reopen in July 2020 after the pandemic shutdown. Its long run has also included employee-led lawsuits over alleged wage and meal-break violations (in 2005, 2023, and December 2024). Operations today are led by Michael and Steven Betz." - Dianne de Guzman