Where Have All the German Restaurants Gone?

quote:

Originally posted by desertdog


Who needs a German Restaurant when you have a German wife???






DD

desertdog, you are indeed a very lucky man!

quote:

Originally posted by David_NYC

For really good Apple Schorle, these folks might be able to hook you up with a retailer:
Possmann North America Inc.
PO Box 27743
Golden Valley, MN 55427
phone: 612.819.6899

http://www.possmann.com/Contact_Us/contact_us.html

I have also seen Rosbacher and Gerolsteiner Schorle in those food stores that sell imported German foods.

Well, what a coincidence: here I say how hard it is to get apple shorle, then one hour later I go shopping to my regular market on 7Ave & 15th St, look high on a shelf near the beer, and buy it! yes, it was Possman. German label and all. "Only" $6.99!! (imagine the price in euros!)

Sometimes I think Germany is trying to become the 51st state. Look at this website for Possmann's "Big Appler", an apple wine:
http://www.bigaeppler.de/
Note that the label for this product sold on the domestic German market has the English words "Extra Mild" on the label.

New York City is known as the Big Apple. This page on the Possmann German website says the wine has a "Manhattan feel":
http://www.possmann.de/originale.php

Anyone out there stationed in Hessen while serving in the military? If so, you probably heard the name of this main drag, where Possmann has their headquarters: Eschborner Landstraße.

Isn't the Internet awesome?

David, I agree here. When we landed in Frankfurt this past Nov. all the signs (including those on buildings and even the runway!) are in English, not German. Most of the ads in the airport are in English too. It is hard to believe you have left the US. Everyone there speaks English and enjoys it. There is no point to trying to talk (bad) German, they will just answer you in English.

Since I see your name as "NYC" I am sure you have noticed all the German being spoken in NY lately, with the dollar so low, I guess the Germans are just coming to the "suburbs" to shop!

P.S. We just tasted the Possman shorle, it was a bit "off" from what I had in Germany and also at the Lederhausen (which you must try in NYC). I know it comes from Germany (Frankfurt in fact) but I guess the same way we have Coke/Pepsi they have different brands of shorle. What I really liked was a diet grapefruit soda I had there, Don't remember the name. Very refreshing!

Yes, there is variation in Apple Schorle. Different producers use a different ratio of apple juice to seltzer, and also add different flavorings. The people I visited on last my trip to Germany said they preferred Possmann.

I'm going to have to try Lederhosen. I just found a new place on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, just a few blocks from Katz's Deli. It is a German/Austrian cafe called Cafe Katja, at 79 Orchard Street in Manhattan. The prices are very reasonable. The feature a wonderful appetizer platter that had enough variety and food for the four of us. They have several wurst platters for only $6. I had their Goulash entree, more Hungarian than German or Austrian, that comes with fresh spaetzle. We sampled each other's dishes, and I liked the home made sauerkraut and potato salad some of my friends ordered. The place does not have a big garish sign outside and is easy to miss, so remember to take along the address.

Hessen Haus in Des Moines, IA is a lot of fun and the food is real good. http://www.hessenhaus.com/

When I go to the midwest I usually like to try Good German food. I always stop in at the Winzerstube, I have been always happy with the food served there, but the last time June 2008 it was actually some of the worst food of any kind I have ever been served. Wienerschnitzel cold leathery greasy and soggy, you could take the coating off and think it was leather, dumplings tasted like old oatmeal balls with hardly any gravy, red cabbage was not crisp at all it was a gelatinous mess. It was also expensive.

Very good German/Swiss food was had at two places in New Glarus Wi.
1. New Glarus Hotel- Excellent Wienerschnitzel great red cabbage, excellent pate, just a first rate German meal.
2. Deininger's also a first rate place with excellent German/Swiss food. Both places are reasonibly priced.

If you're ever up in the northern flatlands of Minot, Bismark, Fargo ND...

http://www.sitdownandeat.com/flash/german.html

Great roadside Diner. Lot of the typical Diner menu items, plus a wonderful rotating german menu. (which unfortunately isn't on the website. It's just a handwriten menu clipped onto the front of the actual menu.) If the special of the day has 13 consonants and 4 vowels, I can vouch it's tasty.

http://www.sitdownandeat.com/index.php

Last month, we were close enough (65 minute drive) to The Breadbasket in Newton, Kansas to stop in for dinner (served Friday and Saturday nights only). We took some family with us - there were six of us, in all - and three had never been to The Breadbasket before. This is basic German Mennonite fare and is consistently good. It is served buffet style. The first decision is which homemade bread - there are several to choose from. Slice off as much as you care for, then move to the salads, soups, vegetables, and meats. The kraut, sausage & kraut, hot German potato salad, are exceptional. Some items, such as sliced ham, are not so uniquely German - but are still very enjoyable. The chicken borscht was particularly good. The dessert selection is also not all German. The cherry mousse is my favorite - but cakes, cookies, and ice cream (very high quality soft serve) are among the choices. The three who had never been to The Breadbasket before are now fans. My credibility regarding restaurant recommendations rose considerably that evening.

does anyone know any authentic german reasterants in west michigan, all the ones i knew closed

J Betski's is a new place within the last year in the Seaboard area of Raleigh NC.

I brought my dining out group there for a fabulous dinner. The food is incredible! Every one of us LOVED our meals and desserts.

It's one restaurant that really stands out for me in this area. I'm glad it's here, and hope it's here to stay. If your in the area stop in and you'll be happy you did!

Located at:
10 W Franklin St
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: 919.833.7999

Check out the website and menu:

http://www.jbetskis.com/food.htm


Linda

The few times I ever even see a German restaurant anymore, the thought always goes through my mind..How do they stay in business? There's one on Fed Hwy in Dania, Fl that's been there for years. So, obviously someone is going. We have one up here in Daytona Beach, too. They're hanging in too.

I happen to love the German foods I've tried..I loved the food in Switzerland and in Germany. They had such incredible sandwiches ..The hams were amazing and they had this crusty rye or black bread. Great stuff.

It is a meat laden cuisine. Perhaps that's a turn off for many in today's world where so many are worrying about weight..Many not doing anything about it mind you...just worrying

Since my facorite meat is pork, this cuisine is right up my alley. But, because my wife does not eat swine, I have not been to any German restaurants for several years. I do remember loving all the schnitzels, especially pork, the dumplings, spatzel, "some" of the wursts, the red cabbage, pork loin with kraut and caraway seeds, potato salad (it is a bit greasy, but I love it) and especially the strudels with legitimate whipped cream! Not crazy about their sour bratten(sp),though. It's very good food.

Seems other ethnic foods have overtaken this cuisine in our country though. In the mid 80's on the east side of Manhattan, there use to be lots of really good German butchers, delis and restaurants. I have no diea if they are still there. It was literally known as "Germantown" back in the day.

There is still an excellent German butcher and deli in Bergen County, if anyone is interested..It's called Kochar's (sp)and it is good! It is in Ridgefield.

Hey, anyone know what they serve for a German breakfast? Do you think they eat those heavy wursts for breakfast?

I think German restaurants are kept alive by senior citizens. i'm not sure how many young people are going out for a meal of sour beef.

The one exception to this the rise in popularity of the Brat. When I was a kid in Maryland you didn't see a lot of brats at picnics. Now, thanks to the people at Johnsonville, the Brat is everywhere.

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr

I think German restaurants are kept alive by senior citizens. i'm not sure how many young people are going out for a meal of sour beef.

German food is not just 'sour beef'.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/travel/07choice.html?ex=1378353600&en=b05b506670c90736&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

It's true,hard to find good German restaurants,,,we have a few,but not near by.
My kids are pretty adventurous when it comes to food and like to try new things. When we were at Epcot at Disney World,we ate at the German Pavilion German buffet...and enjoyed the German show while we ate...the kids enjoyed the food...most food served at the various countries there is pretty authentic...if you like German cuisine and go to Epcot, give it a try!!!

What do Germans have for breakfast you ask?

Breakfast (Frühstück) commonly consists of bread, toast, and/or bread rolls (the term for which varies a lot by region, Brötchen, Semmeln, Schrippen, Wecken or Rundstücke being among the most common) with jam ("Konfitüre"), marmalade or honey, eggs, and strong coffee or tea (milk, cocoa or juice for children).

Deli meats, such as ham, salted meats and salami, are also commonly eaten on bread in the morning, as are various cheeses. A variety of meat-based spreads such as Leberwurst (literally liver-sausage) can be found during breakfast as well.

Here's a great site for some German recipes if your interested in cooking some for yourself yourself :)

http://recipesbycindy.homestead.com/GermanRecipes.html

http://www.germanfoodguide.com/

Linda

quote:

Originally posted by kozel

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr

I think German restaurants are kept alive by senior citizens. i'm not sure how many young people are going out for a meal of sour beef.

German food is not just 'sour beef'.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/travel/07choice.html?ex=1378353600&en=b05b506670c90736&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

No I understand German food is more than just sour beef...and anyway, I like sour beef. The issue is that most German restaurants serve the old standards - like sour beef - to the old timers.

Anyone know any good ones in the Delmarva region?

There is a German influenced restaurant in Harford County, Maryland called Josef's. It's about 70 miles southwest of Philly and 20 miles north east of Baltimore. It is a good place, although it is a little high end and pricey.

Re Josef,s tell me more

There is one in New Braunfels I haven't ried yet, in the old Krause's Cafe.The place has a website, and they may operate under the Krause Cafe name,but not sure.Some family from Germany bought the place. I'll have to try it some time.

Josef's County Inn is in Fallston about 15 minutes from Exit 74 off of I 95. I tried to find a website but I couldn't. It's been a few years since I went there, but it is a mix of a few german specialities with a mostly continental menu. Josef's doesn't have that Bavarian beer hall decour, so you're not going to get that kind of an experience. If, however, you're looking a wurst platter, spatzel, red cabbage and jagerschnitze while the rest of your party gets a prime rib or a rock fish, it is a good option.

We had a fine lunch with Annepeeples last Monday on a quick shopping stop in Milwaukee. The place was "Maders" on Old World Third St. across from Usinger's Sausage Company's store, The food was really good and the prices quite reasonable I thought.

Here's a link to our trip report. Scroll down to the bottom of the report to see the Milwaukee section.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=30445

Maders website- http://www.madersrestaurant.com/

Try New Ulm Minnesota or New Braunfels Tx.

Maders is worth the trip just to see the decour in the restaurant. Where else, other than Medievil Times, can you dine next to suits of armor?

If anyone is visiting the Charlottesville Va. area, may I recommend the Bavarian Chef on Rt. 29 in Madison Va. Whenever I visit my folks it's one of the only places we go out for dinner. Last time I had a delicious bowl of steamed mussels to start, then Dad and I both had roast duck with stuffing. My mom had the biggest pork shank I have ever laid my eyes on and it too was excellent. The entrees included 5 side dishes which included braised red cabbage, spatzle, mashed potatoes, green beans and zucchini. Dessert looked great but we had no room for any.

I happen to have a great German restaurant right around the corner from me in Syracuse, I try to hit it at least once a month.
Gigantic sandwiches, great potato salad and sauerkraut, and it all goes great with a big mug of Spaten.

http://www.danzers.com/

Dang, I just ate a big plate of homemade meatballs and sauce on penne, but now I'm thinking about heading down for a beer and some potato salad and kraut.

I live in Los Angeles which only has TWO German restaurants in the entire city!:-(

I cannot understand with some 40 to 50 million Americans of German descent why German cuisine is not more popular.

We're visiting Florida this week and were happy to find that a German restaurant we've enjoyed many times was still open and very busy.  It's the Cafe Coconut Cove in Melbourne FL.  Don't let the name or the two wooden Tiki gods out front from some former identity deter you. 

http://www.cafecoconutcove.com/

An interesting discussion, thanks.

I've mostly lived in areas with strong German heritage, so I can contribute a bit here.

I lived for a long time in Cincinnati, which supports a large German population.  Unfortunately, there aren't too many German places left there...certainly not as many places as Milwaukee still has, for example.  The best one I thought was Grammer's near downtown, but it closed as a full-service restaurant several years ago and now houses a bar with a limited German lunch-style menu.  Black Forest Restaurant is still going, north of Cincinnati in Mason (a few miles due west of Kings Island amusement park), with a full German menu.  I was last there to announce our engagement to our parents 20 years ago, so any review I post wouldn't be fair, but back then it was authentic and tasty.  Cincinnati also has a Hoffbrau House just across the river in Newport, KY.

I can also back the earlier post about Indianapolis' Rathskeller.  What a great building!  A very realistic German beer hall.  I don't remember the food too much, but the beer was good (or maybe I don't remember because the beer was good!)  ;)

For the last three years, I've been in Hermann, MO, a touristy river town with an interesting German-flavored history.  (Elementary school was taught in German here until the late 1930s.)  Surprisingly, there is not as much German food here as I expected.  Stone Hill's Vintage Restaurant, as Brad says in the quote below, has authentic German food that is delicious, and another winery in town (Hermannhof) has meats and cheeses etc to have your own casual meal.

Brad_Olson


I just stumbled into the middle of a conversation between my wife and her parents, and the in-laws were talking about an excellent German meal they ate at the restaurant at the Stone Hill/Stonehill Winery in Herman, MO. Comparisons were made to the reputedly excellent cooking of my wife's great-grandmother, who was born and raised in Austria.

Brad

There are also festivals like Wurstfest (late March), Maifest, BBQ & Brats Festival (late September), Kristkindel Markt in early December, and Octoberfest, when other German dishes can be found in town.  Also (please excuse the plug ahead) I operate a pie-and-coffee shop here that offers bratwurst sandwiches from famous local provider, Swiss Meats, as part of our limited menu.

I would like to hear more about the German restaurants in the St. Louis area.  Anyone?