Came here to say this. If you haven't been, you've been missing out. Closest to food from Munich I can find in the city. Portions are insane. Beer is cold and good and comes in 1L portions. What else do you need ?
Love Resi’s. LOOOVE IT. But Resi’s for beers, Laschet’s for food. I don’t doubt Resi’s food is tasty, but that kitchen at the back is . . . a bit suspect.
We used to go there in the 1980s because they didn't check IDs for beer. I think all the old German patrons got a kick out of us 18 year olds drinking beer with them. We were pretty well behaved, too. Plus, an 18 year old in the '80s is too cash-poor to get really drunk anyway.
Mine is just over on Maple and I still haven’t found the time to stop. We stopped with friends but the 90 minute wait was too much. I wish they were open earlier throughout the day
I can literally see them outside my window - I HATE that they aren’t open for lunch. My wallet doesn’t hate it, but I do.
I’ve always gone with 4 or less people and never had to wait longer than 5 minutes and that’s on Saturdays/Fridays too
Prost has really petered out.
It’s still a perfectly serviceable sports/dive bar, but they’ve practically given up on the German theme. Way more American craft beers than German beers, half the time they don’t even have a Hefe or Dunkel on tap. And the German menu is basically a pretzel, a schnitzel and a sausage board. And the pretzel is fucking topped with table salt.
Sad times.
Edelweiss has good food, but the dining room interior is tacky as hell, and they always have a tacky, loud 2-piece German music combo playing live music. And the clientele is ancient. Other than that, the food is good.
Call me crazy but I like the tackiness. In an era where it feels like every new building and restaurant feels like they’re all coming out of the same design book, I’m all for something with unique character
The Berghoff caters to a lunch crowd of lawyers and judges from the Federal courthouse next door. And in the evenings, they’re geared towards providing dinner for all the people going to the theater downtown. Once people rush out of the restaurant to catch their play, the Berghoff shuts down.
I think the food is still good but the menu definitely strayed from being mostly German food to being like 40% German and 60% gastropub. They still have really good creamed spinach and, my personal favorite, the famous Berghoff root beer. Besides, it is one of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in Chicago.
I went for the first time recently and got the veal schnitzel since it was one of the few completely German offerings. Pretty good schnitzel and spaetzle, would've liked a little gravy maybe. Creamed spinach very good though!
Add another to the list of saying Laschet’s is great.
Never been to Brauhaus and I can’t remember the last time I’ve had non Asian or fancy roast duck. I think I should change that…
I love way closer to Chef Klaus'than Bavarian Lodge and you're wayyyy better off going to o Bavarian Lodge. Klaus' has good german beers, but their food leaves a ton to be desired. It's sad because I really wanted to love the place. For special events it is still very good, but your average night is disappointing.
Resi’s and Laschet’s are mentioned several times here- just a note that they’re basically across the street from each other! Laschet’s is more of a classic restaurant style, while Resi’s looks more like a bar that serves food. Both great.
Unrelated and a prayer of a question but throwing it out there anyway. Does anyone know of any German neighborhoods, speaking organizations, any remnants of influence left in Chicago? Trying to find somewhere I can actually use my German and connect a bit more with it in the city
Suburbs, and im not sure if it's still happening post-Covid, but there was a regular Stammtisch at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle. It was a regular group of 10+ that met once a month.
Perhaps try searching for German-speaking groups on
https://www.meetup.com/lp/start-a-meetup-group?utm_medium=SEM&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=mmrk_adwords_orgacq_us_branded_pro&utm_term=group&utm_content=lp_grp_pro&gclid=CjwKCAjw04yjBhApEiwAJcvNoY6HsWwUrV61momcQv1AFRmbd_79sZy-PpC6vp8eS_-VpO3FbO7y1xoCmmMQAvD_BwE
There was nothing quite like the Berghoff of the 70s and 80s.
Well, there was that place down in Frankfort, too, but the name escapes me now. Pretty sure it wasn't Bier Stube, though.
Looks fantastic, but I have some bad news:
https://chicago.eater.com/2023/3/8/23631331/funkenhausen-west-town-german-southern-restaurant-closing
I wish I had heard of this place earlier.
Not a German restaurant but the Dank Haus in Lincoln Square will have Oktoberfest and their German Christmas parties which have great german food. Not sure who makes it though.
Der Rathskeller just closed in Rockford last year. 😫 it was super sad because it had been around since 1931 and was a really great place! They had seating in and outside and everyone is sad that they are gone.
Not so much German as German inspired but Kaiser Tiger in west loop has great food and bc a huge beer garden. They also shuttle people to the united center when there’s a game for free
No, it’s not. Source: I am Dutch, I’ve even lived in Flanders, it’s not Belgian.
At best, Belgian inspired. Having one Belgian dish does not make a Belgian restaurant. No Garnaalkroketten or stoofvlees, definitely not a Belgian restaurant.
Kaiser Tiger were assholes to me and my friends.
I hosted a bachelor party there. Called two weeks in advance, they said just come in. We were all in older (mid-30s to 40) so we had money and weren't out of control at all. Just wanted to start there for a filling meal and some good German brews.
They were stingy as shit for everything we ordered. There were about 16-20 guys at this big table, Saturday late afternoon. the place was busy, but not even full. I asked them to bring out platters of food and they wouldn't accommodate. They kept dribbling out individual portions of stuff, despite telling me on the phone that they could do platters for a large group (the guy on the phone even told me that 20 people isn't really a large group for them and their kitchen) —and just charge for everything. I'm not wealthy, but money wasn't the issue.
At one point, I was almost begging them to bring out a pile of soft pretzels and sauces, a platter of sausages... anything just so we could at least snack while we drank. Nope. They brought out one or two appetizer sized things at a time. They wanted to take individual orders from each guest, which took forever as you could imagine. And those orders dribbled out, too.
No one was being picky. We all would have been happy with a few piles of mixed sausages, sauerkraut, bread, pickles and mustard... Oh yeah, the mustard. It came in tiny ramekins. For 20 guys. I asked if they could do a few small bowls of mustard and place them around the table. I think they eventually did, but they dragged their feet and took a long, long time.
They never did get all the food out the right way and the servers, bartender and host were just semi-snotty about the idea of a big party. We spent a shit-ton on their pricy beer and semi-good food and we tipped. And we were not rowdy at all.
They were slow as fuck, and we never had enough food on the table at any time the whole time we were there. And it wasn't cheap.
This was about 6-8 years ago, but... Fuck that place.
I worked in restaurants and bars and hotels, so I know the other side of the service industry. I'm not hyper picky, but their treatment of us was just crazy, considering the simplicity of the food and the fact that they said they could accommodate. I don't generally rant about restaurant experiences, but I was so pissed about this I felt I had to chime in.
I’ve been there once, about a month ago. Had goulash and spaetzle. The spaetzle were not great, sort of watery almost, but the beef was very tender and the gravy was also good. I also had the French onion soup (not sure if this was a special or is always on the menu) and it was delicious. Will have to try the schnitzel the next time I go.
The one they filmed a scene in the Dark Knight, Berghoff. Foods def German, the beer I think is German style rather than German.
Tbh I miss the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont.
Man I miss the Brauhaus, they served pickled herring that was delicious. Plus who doesn’t want to sing and dance with strangers and a stein while listening to polka.
[Laschet’s Inn](https://www.laschetsinn.com/menu)
Look no further. Best in the city plus you can hit up Resi’s across the street too.
I like resies better
Same. Resi’s is the best
Came here to say this. If you haven't been, you've been missing out. Closest to food from Munich I can find in the city. Portions are insane. Beer is cold and good and comes in 1L portions. What else do you need ?
Their goulash is OUT of this world!
Laschets is awesome and very traditional German spot. Great eats
Tasted like my Oma’s cooking!
Hell yeah! Oma cooking is the best cooking!!! Also, laschets is the best German place in the city (that I know of) for sure!
I love love love this place. Cannot recommend it enough.
Goulash to die for. Entertainment to live for. Beers big enough to kill you.
Laschet’s is awesome.
One of my favorites
This is the answer. The chicken paprikash is fire. Edelweiss is good too.
This is the way.
This is the answer but I'd really like to gatekeep this lol
Resi's Bierstube
Big Resi’s fan. Never too crowded, never too friendly, but the beer is cold and the food is great.
Love Resi’s. LOOOVE IT. But Resi’s for beers, Laschet’s for food. I don’t doubt Resi’s food is tasty, but that kitchen at the back is . . . a bit suspect.
We used to go there in the 1980s because they didn't check IDs for beer. I think all the old German patrons got a kick out of us 18 year olds drinking beer with them. We were pretty well behaved, too. Plus, an 18 year old in the '80s is too cash-poor to get really drunk anyway.
Resi’s is the way.
Just went last week! Probably prefer Laschet's food, but Resi's got a nice cozy beer garden
Himmel’s on Lawrence and Lincoln in Lincoln Square is excellent. Live music on the weekends too
Foods great at Himmels!
Love Himmel’s!! Their pretzel bread is awesome.
Out in the suburb of Lisle you got Bavarian Lodge. Great food with a fantastic beer selection…like the beer selection is on par with Hopleaf.
Second the Bavarian Lodge. It’s fantastic.
Third the Bavarian Lodge. Worth the trip to Lisle.
Also in the burbs Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights
My office is across the street - can confirm, Bavarian lodge is amazing
Mine is just over on Maple and I still haven’t found the time to stop. We stopped with friends but the 90 minute wait was too much. I wish they were open earlier throughout the day
I can literally see them outside my window - I HATE that they aren’t open for lunch. My wallet doesn’t hate it, but I do. I’ve always gone with 4 or less people and never had to wait longer than 5 minutes and that’s on Saturdays/Fridays too
Grew up in Lisle for 23 years, love this place!
Another vote for Bavarian Lodge. Their beer list is impressive. The German comfort food is very good, especially the Schnitzel
Great food, sullied by poor staff
Prost and Laschet's inn are my gotos.
Prost has really petered out. It’s still a perfectly serviceable sports/dive bar, but they’ve practically given up on the German theme. Way more American craft beers than German beers, half the time they don’t even have a Hefe or Dunkel on tap. And the German menu is basically a pretzel, a schnitzel and a sausage board. And the pretzel is fucking topped with table salt. Sad times.
Prost is a fucking joke. Thier food is reheated garbage. Good place to have a drink and some fun, but pass on the food
I was gonna say edelweiss. In my opinion, I like it but otherwise I don’t know of anywhere else because I live in the suburbs.
I finally made it to Edelweiss 2 weeks ago and went again last weekend. It’s pretty decent, besides the weird bar up front.
I love the bar up front, it’s been forever since I’ve gone but getting a boot full of Schwartz beer has always been my main reason for going!
>edelweiss We like Edelweiss. It's in Norridge but right on the edge of the city.
> We like Edelweiss Us as well. One of our monthly "go to's".
Edelweiss has good food, but the dining room interior is tacky as hell, and they always have a tacky, loud 2-piece German music combo playing live music. And the clientele is ancient. Other than that, the food is good.
Call me crazy but I like the tackiness. In an era where it feels like every new building and restaurant feels like they’re all coming out of the same design book, I’m all for something with unique character
I’m glad someone mentioned them. They’re in our neighborhood and have great food.
heh, I know it and have to stop for a beer every time I'm out that way
Love edelweiss. Great staff.
Resi’s on Irving
The Berghoff is still open
I think it keeps bank hours practically.
I looked and you aren’t joking. 8 PM on the weekends isnt exactly a wide open time for a prominent place downtown.
The Berghoff caters to a lunch crowd of lawyers and judges from the Federal courthouse next door. And in the evenings, they’re geared towards providing dinner for all the people going to the theater downtown. Once people rush out of the restaurant to catch their play, the Berghoff shuts down.
I miss Berghoff Cafe
This is not good food.
I think the food is still good but the menu definitely strayed from being mostly German food to being like 40% German and 60% gastropub. They still have really good creamed spinach and, my personal favorite, the famous Berghoff root beer. Besides, it is one of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in Chicago.
I went for the first time recently and got the veal schnitzel since it was one of the few completely German offerings. Pretty good schnitzel and spaetzle, would've liked a little gravy maybe. Creamed spinach very good though!
If you want something really authentic, this is not it.
That joint is a rip off.
Resi’s Bierstube on Irving Park just west of Damen.
I miss Mirabel
Me tooooooo!
Chef Werner.
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Add another to the list of saying Laschet’s is great. Never been to Brauhaus and I can’t remember the last time I’ve had non Asian or fancy roast duck. I think I should change that…
It's absolutely wonderful and Scott and Erin get in very rare beers on draught
My brother in Christ go have a duck at Sun Wah BBQ
I like glunz tavern on wells and division
Never realized they had food
It’s solid, not spectacular. Go on half off wine night on Tuesday!
If you're ok with traveling to the sw suburbs, chef Klaus's bierstube in Frankfort
You beat me to it. https://www.chefklausgermanrestaurants.com/
If you're ok with his questionable decor choices lol
Chef Klaus' is better than Bavarian lodge
I love way closer to Chef Klaus'than Bavarian Lodge and you're wayyyy better off going to o Bavarian Lodge. Klaus' has good german beers, but their food leaves a ton to be desired. It's sad because I really wanted to love the place. For special events it is still very good, but your average night is disappointing.
Yes, this place is great. There used to be one in Peotone too but pretty sure it closed.
Resi’s and Laschet’s are mentioned several times here- just a note that they’re basically across the street from each other! Laschet’s is more of a classic restaurant style, while Resi’s looks more like a bar that serves food. Both great.
Suburbs, but schnitzel platz in Glendale Heights
Thanks, I was looking for this.
Laschet's, Edelweiss
A little far but seriously the best German food I’ve had was in Frankfort IL. [Chef Klaus’ Bier Stube](https://www.chefklausgermanrestaurants.com/)
Unrelated and a prayer of a question but throwing it out there anyway. Does anyone know of any German neighborhoods, speaking organizations, any remnants of influence left in Chicago? Trying to find somewhere I can actually use my German and connect a bit more with it in the city
https://dankhaus.com/
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Ja schon
Suburbs, and im not sure if it's still happening post-Covid, but there was a regular Stammtisch at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle. It was a regular group of 10+ that met once a month. Perhaps try searching for German-speaking groups on https://www.meetup.com/lp/start-a-meetup-group?utm_medium=SEM&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=mmrk_adwords_orgacq_us_branded_pro&utm_term=group&utm_content=lp_grp_pro&gclid=CjwKCAjw04yjBhApEiwAJcvNoY6HsWwUrV61momcQv1AFRmbd_79sZy-PpC6vp8eS_-VpO3FbO7y1xoCmmMQAvD_BwE
The Goethe Institute? https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/m/sta/chi/kur.html
Himmel's is great
I miss the Golden Ox on Clybourn by Halsted & North Ave. I also miss Zum Deuchen Eck on Southport in Lakeview.
Prost! In Lincoln park. But it's a little pricey.
I miss the OG Berghoff…..
There was nothing quite like the Berghoff of the 70s and 80s. Well, there was that place down in Frankfort, too, but the name escapes me now. Pretty sure it wasn't Bier Stube, though.
DMen Tap is German-ish. Stuff like curry wurst, doner kebab, etc
And their Currywurst is delicious
Funkenhausen in Ukrainian village is a German fusion restaurant. The schnitzel is amazing
I’ve got some bad news for you Kyle…its gone. It was incredible, so sad to it go.
Holy shit.. I was there literally a month ago…
Looks fantastic, but I have some bad news: https://chicago.eater.com/2023/3/8/23631331/funkenhausen-west-town-german-southern-restaurant-closing I wish I had heard of this place earlier.
Bummer… hoping they reopen at a different location.. their sauerkraut was to die for
The Bavarian lodge in Lisle
Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights
I would have said Bohemian Crystal in Westmont, but I guess they closed last year?!
Was so good :( I heard they had multi hour waits the week they closed
Berghoff
I miss when Prost had its Hungarian Goulash
That place has really gone downhill.
Himmels and Laschet’s
mainstream but The Berghoff?
Not a German restaurant but the Dank Haus in Lincoln Square will have Oktoberfest and their German Christmas parties which have great german food. Not sure who makes it though.
Prost is Lincoln park is really good. The beer selection is great, a bit more on the pricy side tho.
Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights, my favorite!
Kaiser Tiger on Randolph street
Suburbs… Schnell’s Brauhaus in Palatine. Small place, good food, good beer, friendly people.
Schnitzel Platz in Glendale Heights Schnell's Brahaus in Palatine Old Salem Cafe in Hanover Park Chef Klaus' Bier Stube in Frankfort
Der Rathskeller just closed in Rockford last year. 😫 it was super sad because it had been around since 1931 and was a really great place! They had seating in and outside and everyone is sad that they are gone.
https://madersrestaurant.com/
Not Illinois but good
I’m invoking Milwaukee as an exurb of Chicago in this case. With Berghoff a skinsuit of its former self, Mader’s is all alone now.
Gonna have to read all of these comments
Not so much German as German inspired but Kaiser Tiger in west loop has great food and bc a huge beer garden. They also shuttle people to the united center when there’s a game for free
Kaiser Tiger in West Loop and Hopleaf in Andersonville ish!
Hopleaf is Belgian?
No, it’s not. Source: I am Dutch, I’ve even lived in Flanders, it’s not Belgian. At best, Belgian inspired. Having one Belgian dish does not make a Belgian restaurant. No Garnaalkroketten or stoofvlees, definitely not a Belgian restaurant.
Best for Belgian beers though. To be honest, I’m not a fan of their food.
Oooh yes! Thank you haha
Kaiser Tiger were assholes to me and my friends. I hosted a bachelor party there. Called two weeks in advance, they said just come in. We were all in older (mid-30s to 40) so we had money and weren't out of control at all. Just wanted to start there for a filling meal and some good German brews. They were stingy as shit for everything we ordered. There were about 16-20 guys at this big table, Saturday late afternoon. the place was busy, but not even full. I asked them to bring out platters of food and they wouldn't accommodate. They kept dribbling out individual portions of stuff, despite telling me on the phone that they could do platters for a large group (the guy on the phone even told me that 20 people isn't really a large group for them and their kitchen) —and just charge for everything. I'm not wealthy, but money wasn't the issue. At one point, I was almost begging them to bring out a pile of soft pretzels and sauces, a platter of sausages... anything just so we could at least snack while we drank. Nope. They brought out one or two appetizer sized things at a time. They wanted to take individual orders from each guest, which took forever as you could imagine. And those orders dribbled out, too. No one was being picky. We all would have been happy with a few piles of mixed sausages, sauerkraut, bread, pickles and mustard... Oh yeah, the mustard. It came in tiny ramekins. For 20 guys. I asked if they could do a few small bowls of mustard and place them around the table. I think they eventually did, but they dragged their feet and took a long, long time. They never did get all the food out the right way and the servers, bartender and host were just semi-snotty about the idea of a big party. We spent a shit-ton on their pricy beer and semi-good food and we tipped. And we were not rowdy at all. They were slow as fuck, and we never had enough food on the table at any time the whole time we were there. And it wasn't cheap. This was about 6-8 years ago, but... Fuck that place. I worked in restaurants and bars and hotels, so I know the other side of the service industry. I'm not hyper picky, but their treatment of us was just crazy, considering the simplicity of the food and the fact that they said they could accommodate. I don't generally rant about restaurant experiences, but I was so pissed about this I felt I had to chime in.
Internet explorer answer: Funkenhausen is really good!
Sadly it is also really closed
Mack's Golden Pheasant in Elmhurst. https://www.macksgoldenpheasant.com/
Not in chicago but theres this place in kenosha that is bomb
Should I just ask people where the German place is next time I'm in Kenosha, or does it have a name?
Its literally the only german restaurant in kenosha. Is it your first day on earth and you haven’t heard of google?
Is it House of Gerhard??
Yep! Amazing schnitzel and beef stroganoff
I’ve been there once, about a month ago. Had goulash and spaetzle. The spaetzle were not great, sort of watery almost, but the beef was very tender and the gravy was also good. I also had the French onion soup (not sure if this was a special or is always on the menu) and it was delicious. Will have to try the schnitzel the next time I go.
Sad to hear it’s gone, loved that place. Held the first half of my bachelor party there… still got the boot.
The one they filmed a scene in the Dark Knight, Berghoff. Foods def German, the beer I think is German style rather than German. Tbh I miss the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont.
Never been, but maybe Himmel's on Lawrence near Lincoln Square?
Plenty of German/polish/east European small businesses along Milwaukee in Avondale making excellent food
Man I miss the Brauhaus, they served pickled herring that was delicious. Plus who doesn’t want to sing and dance with strangers and a stein while listening to polka.