Where Have All the German Restaurants Gone?

I used to lament the fact that a city with as much German history as Pittsburgh, only had three German restaurants left. But after reading through all of these posts and hearing about all the closings, I'm thinking I should feel lucky. The best one in Pittsburgh is Kleiner Deutschmann in the little town of Springdale, just northeast of the city. Besides having very good food, the building is painted bright pink and has a stuffed polar bear in front. If anyone can explain what this has to do with German food, I'd love to hear it. The other two places, Max's Allegheny Tavern and Penn Brewery have fine atmosphere, but the food is average.

I have also been told by a very reliable source that German restaurants are flourishing in Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples). Considering it is a big tourist destination for Germans coming to the U.S., that certainly makes sense.

I should mention that I finally made it to Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus in The German Village area of Columbus on Sunday. I really liked all the sausages I tried and the cream puff for dessert was fantastic. But, I was disappointed in some of the sides. The German Potato Salad was awful and the spatzle with sauerbraten gingersnap gravy was just okay. Still, it was an enjoyable experience and I'm glad I ate there. Just don't expect great German food.

There are a few German restaraunts here in the area,but we have never tried them.We did eat at Oma's Haus in New braunfels.It was alright,but my dad was not impressed.A german family from the old country has taken over the old Krause's Cafe in town so I may try it some time.
Mader's in Milwaukee must have changed from years ago.I know my dad ate there once or twice in the past.
My cousin Hildegard he said used to make cheesecakes using an old family recipe and sell them to Mader's who later bought the recipe.My dad felt grandma's cooking was best.She used to make all the german dishes .Her family the Steldts were Prussians from Riga, and grandpa's family from Bavaria,so my dad grew up with a mix of both styles of cooking.
And different parts of Germany just like,in France,China,etc. do have regional differences.
There is an Alsatian restaraunt in Castroville,west of San Antonio,though I have never eaten there.
The town was named for Henry,Count Castro who brought Alsatian settlers to Texas.
There are lots of germans here,but they are kind of scattered and just not the old ethnic neighborhoods like in the old days,plus they assimilated in to American Society pretty well.
There was a Polish and a Hungarian restarunts here in town,but I don't know if they are in business anymore.

I have just the place for you! Mack's Golden Pheasant located in elmhurst has been serving german food since 1948. They have slow roasted pork, wiener schnitzel, dumplings and kraut. Also starting September 15-nov. 1 they begin there oktoberfest menu which features sausage samplers, sauerbraten, red cabbage and potato pancakes. The prices are reasonable and you'll love the atmosphere. I'be been to Berghoff and the Brauhaus and I like the Pheasant just as much. Hope you get a chance to visit

Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by KimChee43

Dear Friends:

Well, autumn is here. It's getting on Oktoberfest time. I've got a hankering for some really fine German cuisine. Where can it be found? We've eaten at the Berghoff and Chicago Brauhaus in Chicago. Neither one did much for us at all. Our absolute favorite used to be Dieterle's in Elgin, Illinois, but it closed years ago. We've tried Mader's and Karl Ratsch's in Milwaukee. Wasn't too keen on those either. We're willing to make a weekend road trip to find some good German food. Somebody please tell us where it is?!

Many thanks.

KimChee43

I am glad this came up again..we have many restaurants in Milw.that serve good German fare,but I have to report one of my Favories, Maders, has taken a turn for the worse.Their menu is starting to try and appeal to a broader mass(i.e.people who dont like german food)and I was bitterly disappointed in their beef rouladen when I was there.Instead using the good, standard recipe,they substituted the thinly pounded round steak with tenderloin.NOT at all necessary to do so!!!Changes the whole flavor of the dish.Plus the price doubled.Just wasnt that tasty.Karl Ratzches(spelling?)is still a wonderful spot for good authentis german food.

Seems to me AnnPeeples Rachael Ray went to Karl Ratzches in Milwaukee on her 40 Dollars a Day show.
Never have eaten there.But yes,i looked at Mader's website and didn't really see anything remotely German there.

We lost the small neighborhood German restaurant I posted about a while ago, Lemke's Crest. I miss it for what it was. When my German food cravings take over, I go back to my old favorite that's never let me down, Karl Ratzsch's http://www.karlratzsch.com/ I've since found Wegner's St. Martin's Inn http://www.stmartinsinn.com/ to fill my small menu neighborhood type eating place needs. Now if they only served roast goose......

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

...The best one in Pittsburgh is Kleiner Deutschmann in the little town of Springdale, just northeast of the city. Besides having very good food, the building is painted bright pink and has a stuffed polar bear in front. If anyone can explain what this has to do with German food, I'd love to hear it...

Here's a link to a great review of the restaurant:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_279586.html

It was reported today on another site that Gasthaus zur Linde in Elgin Illinois will be closing 10/4/06. Owned by a husband/wife team, the husband passed away a few years ago and now the wife is in ill health. I hadn't been there in many years, don't live in that area anymore.

We just got back from a trip to Memphis. Erika's German-American restaurant has closed after 19 years. This was Memphis's only German restaurant. It was located upstairs from Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous. No explanation was given on the sign on the door. One more down.

I'm really sad to hear that Maders in Milwaukee has slipped. Looking at their website confirms what you say. One of the last good German meals I had was at Maders in 1998. They had a luncheon combo plate that was ridiculous and fabulous for about 7 or 8 bucks. Soup or spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, three meat entrees, red cabbage, kraut, and the works. Five of us were having our last meal in town. We all ordered the same plate and finished every morsel.

There really are no German restaurants I know of in the Boston area. One of the older barrooms in town, Jacob Wirth, serves a few German items along with typical pub fare. Closest restaurant I've heard of is in Springfield. Does anyone know of good (or decent) German in the area?

roadrash-

You mention Haussner's near Baltimore. Was that the place that had an art collection valued in the millions? What an interesting place that was! Great food and even better atmosphere. Sorry to hear it is there no more. When did it close down?

Ashphalt, There are 2 in Spingfield that I know of. The old standby is the Student Prince the downtown area. Not bad I enjoyed it recently on a trip back from Saratoga. I had the hasenpferffer {sp?} I like rabbit and it was the first time I've had it in a retaurant, nice. Also there is the Hofbrauhaus in W. Springfield went there last year after attending the Big E enjoyed that as well. In Methuen Ma. On the Salem NH. border is the Wirtshaus Nice old restaurant in an old farm house, their only open Thurs. thru Sun. evenings. It's been there many years with a loyal local clientel, traditional German fare with American offerings, nice selection of German beers also. It's on my list to go back soon. From So. Boston I'm hearing very good reviews of a fairly new Polish Rest with some Barvarian offerings as well. Damed if I can remember the name though, going to try it out this week or next. I'll post about it later. Chow Jim

I think there is room for German restaurants to survive and flourish if they scale down from what seems to be discussed here. It appears that folks here are talking about places that actually have a decent sized dining area. I think that if a place followed what happens at a British/Irish pub and model itself after a small beerhall, it could work.
The same people who would eat bangers and mash probably would be just as hungry for wurst and potato pancakes.

I think German women are sexier and have better dental work.....

mark

quote:

Originally posted by Jimeats

Ashphalt, There are 2 in Spingfield that I know of. The old standby is the Student Prince the downtown area. Not bad I enjoyed it recently on a trip back from Saratoga. I had the hasenpferffer {sp?} I like rabbit and it was the first time I've had it in a retaurant, nice. Also there is the Hofbrauhaus in W. Springfield went there last year after attending the Big E enjoyed that as well. In Methuen Ma. On the Salem NH. border is the Wirtshaus <snip> Chow Jim

Both of these are good, although I find the atmosphere in the Student Prince kind of dark and oppressive. A bit further north in Chicopee is the Munich Haus http://munichhaus.com/, which has become a regular lunch spot for my work crowd.

Dan B,
who always has room for more schnitzel und spaetzel.

The town of Easley, SC, my neck of the woods, now has a German restaurant. Cafe Fritz is located in what used to be a Huddle House. I've eat there twice so far and have been pleased. I'm not sure how it compares with other German places, having never eaten at any, but to me it's pretty good. The first time I had a sausage platter with bratwurst, weisswurst, and knockwurst, with german potato salad and a side salad. I wasn't crazy about the weisswurst but the others were very tasty.

Today for lunch I had jaegerschnitzel with german potato salada, potato pancakes (I overloaded on the potatoes, I know, but I'd never had potato pancakes before) and a side salad. Very good. I think this place will do well, especially once they get a beer license.

Food is Easley used to be so boring. Now there's some hope. This place, along with the sushi place that is still in business (I thought it'd never last, that's no dig on the food, it's just Easley isn't a sushi town), and an authentic Italian restaurant (haven't tried it yet), are signs that Easley's taste buds are expanding along with the town.

While the Seattle area isn't renowned for German cuisine, there is a three location, lighter cuisine group of restaurants and "biergartens" which aren't too bad. The newest and largest is Feierabend. The other two are Prost and Die Bierstube. Not too bad.






http://www.feierabendseattle.com/

We love the Student Prince and Fort in Springfield MA. The place is filled with steins, beautiful stained glass windows,great food,fun people,and my favorite,great BEER. We have family from Ohio that make the trip just to go to the Student Prince.(they say it's to see us but we spend all our time with them at the Fort.) Here in Springfield it's a family tradition. I love the club steak,my husband prefers the jagersnitzle. We love game fest in feb. and the carolers at Christmas time. If you're in the area don't miss it.

@Loves to Eat, Welcome(back?) Didn't we have someone else with this name? Something close maybe??

Anyways Welcome to Roadfood.

MikeS.

Kuby's in Dallas. The best wurst in Dallas. Even Rachel Ray has been there!

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

It was reported today on another site that Gasthaus zur Linde in Elgin Illinois will be closing 10/4/06. Owned by a husband/wife team, the husband passed away a few years ago and now the wife is in ill health. I hadn't been there in many years, don't live in that area anymore.

I was told the other day that this place is not closing and now has a new owner and chef. They will maintain a German menu.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeS.

@Loves to Eat, Welcome(back?) Didn't we have someone else with this name? Something close maybe??

Anyways Welcome to Roadfood.

MikeS.

I post everywhere else as LikestoEatout, didn't think of it when I first began to post here.

The Berliner Bear in Kansas City is about to close. The owner has it for sale, but no nibbles. It's been around forever it seems but it has been years since I last visited.

CNW

We used to have many good German restaurants in Houston. We are down to two.

Rudy Lechner's on the west side.

[url][/url]http://www.rudilechners.com/

And the Alpine Brauhaus in Webster on the souteast side.

[url][/url]http://www.b4-u-eat.com/houston/restaurants/reviews/rsv2272.asp

The Black Forest is gone and I miss it. It had a gazeebo where a German band played on the weekends, it was a fun place.

joe

I really enjoyed the rustic Suppenkuche in San Francisco several years ago. Was recommended by the AAA auto club.

Had the Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) followed by the Käsespätzle mit Zwiebel-Buttersoße und gemischtem Salat (Cheese Spätzle in Onion Butter Sauce served with a small Mixed Salad) for under $20. Absolutely delicious. Had no room left for dessert.

Located between downtown and Golden Gate Park.

http://www.suppenkuche.com/
http://www.suppenkuche.com/welcome.html

I'll have to try the Suppenkuche next time in the City by the Bay. I have been to Shroeder's in San Francisco. IMO, that is the second best German restaurant on the West Coast that I've experienced. (The best is Horst Mager's Rheinlander in Portland, OR).

http://www.schroederssf.com/

Many people have given reasons why many German restaurants have closed. I'd like to add a few without repeating what other posters have written.

In many ways, this topic is very similar to the death watch being held for the remaining Howard Johnson's restaurants. Time change. I have a Bavarian cousin who has been visiting me for 35 years now. We would often go to the NY area German restaurants mentioned earlier in this thread. His comment was that these restaurants were frozen in time. The dark decor and the heavy food were anachronistic. The fact that some of these restaurants were using those step-saver products from SYSCO, et. al. changed the character of the food.

In my less frequent visits to Bavaria, I note that the majority of restaurants serve food that is much lighter fare than what was served in those closed restaurants listed here. In Bavaria, people eat a lot of Italian food and pizza. Plenty of McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, and Taco Bell. The restaurants that locals (not tourists) go to don't play that music you hear of oom pah pah bands in old German restaurants. The radio stations targeted at a young audience play mostly English language songs. Go on the internet and find that the median age of the listeners to radio stations that play mostly German music is about 55 years old.

As mentioned earlier, there are some new German restaurants opening in the US. A lot have names that do not denote they serve German food, having english names. The one I ate at, Hallo Berlin in Manhattan, seemed to serve modern German cuisine.

David NYC, your post is very insightful. The Suppenkuche I mentioned above has carved out a niche by having a nice selection for the Bay Area's vegetarian diners, along with more traditional fare. My server mentioned that there’s huge demand for veggie items in their restaurant, and that Germany itself now has some 6 million vegetarians due in part to the European concern with Mad Cow disease.

You'd think the small Roadfood-type restaurants in this country would have a giant advantage in responding to changes in customer tastes, be they the trend for more spicy foods, lighter food, or whatever, but so very many are set in their ways. Being set in your ways can be a very, very good thing when it comes to serving quality food, but not in the case of a place like the Bakers Cafeteria in Des Moines, where the average age of the diners in its gloomy dining room during my last visit a year or so ago was nearing 70 years, with not a family in sight.

Along this line, it's interesting to glance at the comfort food suggestions in the following link. Which chefs are going to draw the family whose members have different tastes? Where one person is concerned about fat in their diet? Or, carbs? Where someone doesn't eat red meat? Where someone is on a training diet? I know the chefs aren't listing their entire menus, but are some concerned at all about such issues? And, if they say they can't do this for various reasons, are they being very creative in creating specialty dishes that appeal to all? http://www.roadfood.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16195

Here's one of their competitors that is concerned. Check out its various menus.
http://www.pfchangs.com/

Two New York area places I've recently visited for the first time are Killmeyer's in Staten Island and The Oak Chalet in Bellmore Long Island. Killmeyers looks like it's been around forever, it is an old hotel, has a beer garden out back and a great old time bar. They has a great selection of beer; but I was sorely disappointed in the food. The Oak Chalet also had a great selection of beer and prepared one of the best German meals I've had in quite some time. I can't recommend it enough.

I stumbled upon this forum by accident yesterday, and was so interetsed that I Immediately signed up. I currently live in DC, where there are quite a few people of German descent, but have yet to find any such ethnic restaurants. Maybe it's due to the difficulty making these foods, or the percieved heaviness of the meals, or changing tastes - but you can find everything else here. I too have enjoyed Karl Rausch's in Milwaukee. Growing up in Chicago, I really enjoyed Berghoff's, Math Iglers, and the Golden Ox on Clyborne - sadly gone. Chicago has always had an abundance of great German, Czech, and Hungarian restaurants. My parents regularly visited the Old Prague and KLas's

Hello jra929, and welcome. Regarding changing tastes, and as David NYC mentioned "dark decor and the heavy food", these certainly are factors in the scarcity of German restaurants. However, when I seek German food, that's exactly what I want, traditional dishes and atmosphere and it's usually a little bit of an occasion. Although it's one of my very favorite cuisines, the frequency that I choose German is after (in rough order) Chinese, Italian, American, and Middle Eastern.

I hope there will always be at least Zum Stammtische here in NY and I look forward to trying the Oak Chalet (thanks kozel) and Plattdeutsche (again, but 40 years later).

quote:

Originally posted by MacTAC

I hope there will always be at least Zum Stammtische here in NY and I look forward to trying the Oak Chalet (thanks kozel) and Plattdeutsche (again, but 40 years later).

BTW, about Oak Chalet, I understand the owner or chef has a connection to Zum StammTisch. The food is very similar. Oddly, we were also at the Plattdeutsche in the last month too. It was a dinner for the German Genealogy Group (I'm researching my ancestors from Wash DC) and in the next room was a prizefight, ring and all. It was more of a catered menu but the sauerbraten was good. re: my ancestry search www.kozel.net

Well it's a little of the map from the orginal entry, but hey... Pittsburgh has two restaurants that are worth a visit. Both are located on Pittsburgh's North Side. Actually, in the aptly namned Deutschtown (East Allegheny) neighborhood which is just north of downtown. The first is Max's Allegheny Tavern. Max's is a neighborhood place with solid German fare. It is located at Suisman and Middle Streets. The second is Penn Brewery located just to the east of Max's. It has a web site, but I cannot recall the address. It is an award winning micro brewery and certainly a bit more "upscale" in price, but just as friendly as Max's. Just up the Allegheny River is another German restaurant, but I cannot recall the name. It's in the town of Springdale.

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

Sad news in West Michigan. Another one bit the dust...
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5853838

auf Wiedersehen, German Village

Updated: Dec 23, 2006 04:44 PM

STANDALE - The German Village, a mainstay in Standale since 1921, will close its doors Saturday night for the last time.

All day long, customers and employees celebrated with food and drinks, offering a free buffet and music for their guests.

In business for 85 years, The German Village was one of the few building to remain standing when an F-5 tornado roared through town in 1956.

In the 1980's, I frequently ate lunch with the gang from work at a German restaurant in San Clemente, CA. Google refreshed my memory, it was Alex's Restaurant(2801 S El Camino Real). Alas, that location is now occupied by Antoine's Cafe serving burgers, salads and FRENCH CUISINE. << Picture Redd Foxx grabbing his chest, "This is the big one Elizabeth. I'm coming to join you ..." >>

The only thing we ever had was the family style sausage platter, so I can attest to nothing else on the menu. It was a great diversion for a bunch of midwestern guys from surf food and tacos. I recall the place was run by a retired couple from South Bend, and was regularly closed for extended periods when they travelled.

Add another one to the list.

Nice quote there Jeff. Now to find Oliver crying for no more Hotcakes...

There is the Heidelberg in Cocoa Beach, FL.
More than good German food, it also has a Jazz club as part of its property.
Here is their link...
Click menu link to see the whole menu.

http://www.heidisjazzclub.com/Default.htm

Here is a 56K video...
http://www.discoverfla.com/cms/play56k.php?partner=166

Here is the 256K video
http://www.discoverfla.com/cms/play256k.php?partner=166

Hello all ,

I have visited the Heidelberg in Cocoa Beach in the late 90's when my parents lived in nearby Merritt Island .

I enjoyed the food , above par .

Benzee

Mrs FL and I had a flawless meal at Maders Saturday afternoon. From the parking lot attendant who let us park while we took in an afternoon Nutcracker presentation nearby through our hostess, bartender and waitress. Our food was light and uniformly excellent. The Mrs has sauerbraten and caramelized onions baked in phyllo and I opted for the goulash. An ala carte oxtail soup and draft Spaten Oktoberfest made the meal one I'll want again and sooner rather later.

If you live in North Carolina or just visiting, please visit the Old German Schnitzel Haus here in Hickory! You can check them out at
www.oldgermanschnitzelhaus.com

If you come to North Carolina, please visit the Old German Schnitzel Haus in Hickory. Wonderful authentic German Food, Beer and Wine.
They have a website,www.oldgermanschnitzelhaus.com

quote:

Originally posted by KimChee43

Dear Friends:

Well, autumn is here. It's getting on Oktoberfest time. I've got a hankering for some really fine German cuisine. Where can it be found? We've eaten at the Berghoff and Chicago Brauhaus in Chicago. Neither one did much for us at all. Our absolute favorite used to be Dieterle's in Elgin, Illinois, but it closed years ago. We've tried Mader's and Karl Ratsch's in Milwaukee. Wasn't too keen on those either. We're willing to make a weekend road trip to find some good German food. Somebody please tell us where it is?!

Many thanks.

KimChee43

This German Thread is just what I was looking for. However for those in the Pacific NW Specificly Portland Oregon. You all have missed one. There was just an review in the Oregonian A&E Here is a link to that Review. http://portland.citysearch.com/review/8454306
as well as to their website, http://www.berlininn.com
Everything is made from scratch as well as they have a full pastry bakery where they make thier own desserts. There is also a little German Deli next Door that has got to be one of the best on the west coast.
Cheers and Happy eating.
Frazier

if you are near herkimer ny take the rt 28 exit off the nys thruway and follow 28 thru herkimer north about a mile to the heidelberg bakery and restaurant. it specializes in german and eastern european food and great breads and pastries. when i stopped for lunch earlier this week the special was hungarian goulash.

Has anybody dined at the Peotone Bierstube (www.peotonebierstube.com) in Peotone, IL? I haven't eaten there yet, but I've been told that the food is very good.

LJM

Here's a new one: Inge’s German Market & Deli, located at 8395 East 116th Street, Fishers, IN (just north of Indianapolis). I have not yet tried it.

Schmidt's in German Village (Columbus, Ohio) is fabulous! You can check out their site at [url]www.schmidthaus.com/[/url]

Jake

Not sure if everyone heard, but the Berfhoff in Chicago is open again. We went for the first time after they announced the closing (but before the reopening). It was an excellent experience.
A few months later, we tried the Chicago Brauhaus. It was a bit of a disappointment. In Peoria, we have a German club hall that is rather sterile, and the Brauhaus reminded us of our hall. The food was fine, but not outstanding.
In Peoria, we have the Peoria Hofbrau. They have changed cooks several times, but the food is generally good and the staff is very friendly and fun.
In Bradford, there is a restaurant called the Kaiserhof that was mentioned a few years ago on this forum. Within an hour of Peoria, this is our favorite for German food.
There is also a restaurant/bed & breakfast in Gibson City called the Bayern Stube. We have not been in several years, but the food and atmosphere was excellent. We plan to try it again, soon.
In Milwaukee, our favorite is Karl Ratzsch's. We have tried to visit a place called the Bavarian Wurst House, I think, but they were closed.

I grew up in Barrington, IL in the 40's and 50's. Anyone remember a little restaurant between Barrington and Elgin called Old Heidleberg? At that time it was out in open country. That was where I had my first taste of spaetzle. I believe they served other German foods, too. Mom liked to stop there on our way home from shopping in Elgin. I was too young to remember much about that experience or the quality of their other foods, but have loved spaetzle ever since. Don't suppose the restaurant is still there.

Lynn

quote:

Originally posted by spaetzelboy
Mom just told me about Neiderstein's yesterday . . . I am seriously bummed. Where will we go after funerals now?! This was also where my family celebrated my 40th Birthday last June. Always a good time. Even the funerals were a lot of laughs. Where else can I go for the Bavarian Platter and a pint of Dinkel Acker. Germany I guess.

The word I hear on Durow's is that they sold the parking lot. Sadly, I think that was the last good thing about Durow's.

I guess we can't fight the fact that the demographics are changing in the area. Plus, real estate prices are sky high. Too good to refuse. I grew up in queens, that's how I know this stuff.

I have heard that the food @ Zummstantisch (can we please just say ZST from here on) is genuine enough to be excessively rich. Any input?

Any of you locals still remember the Triangle Hofbrau? Miss that too.

Oops, was trying to reply re the previous quote about The Triangle Hauf Brau. We used to live in Richmond Hill and that place was a landmark. We would go there all the time. There was a guy that used to hang out there from the old show Car 54 Where Are You. It was sad to see that go.
I've been trying to find a German Restaurant to go to for lunch on Sat with my mother after we visit St. John's cemetery. We too, always frequented these places after funerals. My whole family is from that neighborhood. I just tried Durow's, but the # is disconnected. Gebhardt's moved, Neiderstein's is gone and Zum Stammtisch is a bit pricey.
Oh, well - Mom will just have to deal with it!

quote:

Originally posted by BBQG

Oops, was trying to reply re the previous quote about The Triangle Hauf Brau. We used to live in Richmond Hill and that place was a landmark. We would go there all the time. There was a guy that used to hang out there from the old show Car 54 Where Are You. It was sad to see that go.
I've been trying to find a German Restaurant to go to for lunch on Sat with my mother after we visit St. John's cemetery. We too, always frequented these places after funerals. My whole family is from that neighborhood. I just tried Durow's, but the # is disconnected. Gebhardt's moved, Neiderstein's is gone and Zum Stammtisch is a bit pricey.
Oh, well - Mom will just have to deal with it!

Neidersteins (now an Arby's), Durows (now houses), Sammets (now an Ecuadorian Restaurant), Gebhardts (closed), Triangle HB (medical facility) are all gone. Besides Zum Stammtich, Von Westerhagens (sp?) on Cooper may still be there. There is also Chalet Aplina on Metro in Forst Hills. In Bellmore I like The Oak Chalet. There's also Konig's in Floral Park and the family that ran Gebhardt's in Glendale has a place now in Floral Park too.

My dad's funeral lunch was at Neidersteins; some how going to an Arby's after a funeral doesn't seem right and I don't think you can order a Manhattan either.

quote:

Originally posted by JSOnline

Brookfield restaurant Ritter's Inn, known for its German specialties and Friday fish fry, will close later this month after 31 years in business.

The restaurant, at 12525 W. North Ave., will close after a farewell celebration on June 27, it was announced today. The decision to close comes after the October death of longtime co-owner Fred Vella.

Another good German restaurant closes.

Sadly, another traditional Milwaukee German restaurant has closed its doors. Ritter's Inn is no more.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=625793

Baltimore has Eichenkranz. It is far cry from Hausners, which closed 15 or 20 years ago. Hausners was part museum and part restaurant. It was classic Baltimore. My biggest food regret is that I never went there.

Josef's in Fallston Maryland, about 30 mins north of Baltimore, serves many German dishes, but it is not a true German restaurant.

Baltimore has a strong German heritage. In fact German is the most common ancestry in Baltimore. Nevertheless, German restaurants are few and far between.

Very bummed about Ritters...

In the Philadelphia area the German flavor is still alive!!!

Ludwig's
OX's
Otto's Sunday night Buffet
Ernst A. Illg's German meats and deli
Verinung Erzgebirge German Club
The German Hungarian Club in Trevose

If you go to Rockledge / Warminster area in PA there are still quite a few German places to eat.

VE still has a great German Amaerican day and an Octoberfest.

There is actually a circuit you can get on in these areas with somethning German happening all the time.

A new "find" for us is The Breadbasket in Newton, KS. It is on Main St. a block south of the railroad tracks in a very undermarked building. The entrance is in the middle of the building - halfway between Main St. and the parallel street to the west.

They serve lunch daily - which we have enjoyed. On Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sunday noon they have a German buffet - which ties heavily to the Mennonite heritage of the area. I don't know enough about the various dishes and their formal names to list specifics, but the food was wonderful. Several dishes were familiar to my wife from her Mennonite heritage. I just loved the food.

If you drive I-135, The Breadbasket is very convenient. If you are driving I-35, it is worth the detour.

A terrific one is alive and kicking in Stanhope NJ - The Black Forest Inn. Outstanding every time we've been there.

Here in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia we have two decent German places.

The Bier Garden on High St in Portsmouth is outstanding but a touch pricey when it comes to the beer. They do have about 300 different kinds of beer available.

The German Pantry on Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk has very good food and a decent beer selection and is less expensive then the Bier Garden. However it is very small and has more the atmosphere of a deli then a restaurant. There is a good grocery selection there for take home items.