REVIEW: Brat Brothers. New to the San Fernando Valley in Southern California
Stopped at Brat Bros. today for lunch. It's been open for about 3 1/2 months. I wanted to give them a little time to get it together.
13456 1/2 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks.
Parking was a little difficult until I realized that I didn't have to have a permit to park in the permit zones. I'm so easily confused!
Cute place. Not a lot of seating inside, but I was taking out so it didn't matter.
This place is all about Brats.
I opted for the Hungarian meal. I've been searching for a specific spicy Hungarian that I used to get years ago at a place in Olde Towne in Torrance. This wasn't it, but it sure wasn't bad. It was delicious!
It was served on a French roll. I am not a fan of the links being longer than the roll or bun. I like bite for bite to be equal... bread and brat! However it sure does present itself nicely this way.
The meal comes with two sides. I chose the caramelized onions and the red cabbage salad. The grilled onions should not be a side. They are more of a condiment. I wouldn't mind paying more to have the grilled onions on my brat, but not for a side. I have enough of them left for 2 more brats. I don't feel they are to be eaten as a side. Kind of like eating relish. You just don't do it. Hmmm, I could add them to a baked potato!
The red cabbage salad was not what I expected. I was thinking it would be the cooked down red cabbage like in a German restaurant. This was very fresh red cabbage in a vinegarette. Deeeelicious!
The only problem I had with it was there was about a 1/4 cup of dressing left in the plastic take-out container when I was finished. I will absolutely order this again.
I spoke with Roland one of the owners. Nice guy! I wish him well because I want to keep going back for lunch. I really enjoyed it.
On the counter inside are 3 types of mustards and 3 types of catsups. Roland filled 3 containers for me. I only used 2 of them.
I put the grainy mustard on half of my roll and the spicy mustard (almost like Phillipe's of French Dip fame but not as potent) on the other side. They were both great but my favorite was the grainy. Roland told me it was homemade.
I'll save the catsup which is a curry catsup for something other than a brat.
Here is a lineup of what is now offered:
All Brats:
German: veal pork, onions & parsley
Bavarian: Smoked pork & beer
Swiss: Mild veal & parsley
Polish: Smoked pork
Hungarian: spicy pork
Black Forest: Mild smoked pork
Hot Italian: Spicy pork & spices
French: Chicken, apple & cinnamon
Gobbler: 1/2 lb. turkey
Austrian: Smoked Venison & port
New Zealander: Spicy lamb
Wild West: Buffalo & Burgundy
Aussie: Ostrich & pistachios
Rancher: All Beef
They vary in price from $5.50 to $6.50
Making it a meal (with 2 sides) adds $3 to the price.
The sides are:
Grandmas sauerkraut
roasted potatoes
caramelized onions
beef chili
creamy potato salad
red cabbage salad
So far they only have canned soft drinks and Snapple type drinks. I sure would have liked a beer with my brat, but I was going back to work anyway.
Give Roland and his brother a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. He also told me they have a natural casing hotdog but I didn't see it on the menu.
Me? I'll keep having the Hungarian.
Well maybe one of these days I'll give the Italian a try.
OH! Roland said they are getting 4 more varieties. The only one I remember is alligator.
I'll let you tell me what you think on that one.
Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.
One more thing... get a slotted spoon for the Red Cabbage!
