Casella M.
Yelp
I was there on SEPTEMBER 9th, 2023. This hidden gem in the woods is unforgettable and a place I am planning to go visit again soon! I think I'm a reliable, reputable reviewer of German food and culture due to my authentic German heritage.
You see, my heritage is German and Austrian. My parents grew up Sheboygan Falls and Plymouth, Wisconsin, where many people with German roots lived and still reside. Both of my grandmothers made sauerkraut, German-style potatoes & other German foods; my grandfathers would grill the brats. One of my grandfathers was a farmer, sang in a barbershop choir (German style), played the accordion, sax, banjo, organ, guitar & drums and played in a polka band. He even made his own dandelion wine and honey. I've been to many events featuring bands where polka music was played. My German relatives have had many parties and events featuring German foods and sausages following recipes passed down from generations of people who migrated to America from Germany in the mid 1800's and early 1900's. I've been to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, at the Hofbrauhouse.
My boyfriend planned this night out for my parents, sister & her husband. I thought, "Noooo, not another German restaurant that botches German food. I have not had a good experience at restaurants that claim to serve German-style food the last few years, until now!"
We all were pleasantly surprised with the excellent HOT food, service, music and atmosphere. We had reservations, which you should do, and were seated promptly. Our server, Tonya, was experienced and knowledgable about the food. Tonya, you are a rockstar! We were served our drinks and food in a timely fashion, as was everyone else around us! I was watching! It's refreshing when servers bring the food when it's hot off the grill, which is what they did.
I typically don't eat sausages anymore, but that night I got the knockwurst, which is red and similar to a polish sausage, and the weisswurst which is white and made with veal. The sausages were not greasy or fatty and were perfectly seasoned. The sauerkraut was also very good. I wish it had caraway seeds, but that's okay because it was not bland and was delicately seasoned.
The Wallaye cakes and the grapefruit RADLER were a hit with everyone at the table - even the non-beer drinkers. My mom ordered the kartoffelpuffer, fried potatoe pancakes with apple cream, a dish her mother made. YUM! They were crispy like hash browns. She loved it. We all sampled that and really liked that! The menu says applesauce but it's really served with apple cream!
My bf had the porkknucklef which was perfectly done and I added a picture of it in my review. My brother-in-law ordered the sauerbraten, roast beef topped with red wine and vinegar. It was tender.
A highlight of the evening was Mike Opitz, the accordian player, whom is in a couple of pics in my review. He played and sang about 5 or 6 tunes for us. He played some familiar polka tunes that I remember being played at weddings and other events with polka bands back in Wisconsin. My favorite genre of music is 70's and 80's rock, but I still can recognize specific polka tunes that I have not heard in 30 years. My parents are both 79 and danced to a tune by Mike Opitz! He was playing with an accordion that is made in Germany! He's an amazing musician.
We briefly met the new owner who is absolutely wonderful and hard-working. It's obvious he loves what he's doing!
We are planning to go there soon to sample more food. We'd also like to go there and enjoy a beer in their outdoor Biergarten with live music on Sundays.