Alpine Steakhouse and Karl Ehmers Quality Meats
Karl Ehmer started his company in 1932, depression-era New York City and it grew into over 30 retail outlets by the 1970's. This location has been owned by Mark Rebham since 1989, and he still makes everything from scratch: the gravy, the sausage, the stuffing, and the dumplings. It is both meat market and deli, as well as restaurant. The restaurant was also featured on the Food Network last year as they showed how they put together their famous turducken (boneless turkey stuffed with boneless chicken stuffed with boneless duck, and several layers of stuffing in-between.) German dishes like Wiener schnitzel, kassler ripchen, sauerbraten, Hungarian goulash, and a wurst platter are mainstays of the menu, with sides of potato dumplings, sauerkraut, or red cabbage. Entrees are priced from $16- $22 for dinner. Brats and other sandwiches with two sides each are available for lunch around $8, and turducken is available for $15 per serving.
Alpine Steakhouse and Karl Ehmers Quality Meats
4520 S Tamiami Trl
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 922-3797
alpinesteak.com
Cafe Bonaparte
It might seem odd that a restaurant with a French emperor's name serves good German food, but this place also dishes up quality French and Mediterranean food along with the German dishes. It gets great reviews for its Wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, beef stroganoff, and potato pancakes. They also serve all whole grains, in keeping with the European tradition. Good cordon bleu dishes, pastas, and excellent seafood entrees are also presented for variety, and the restaurant features a decent wine list. The restaurant also offers a good selection of appetizers and tapas, and they do catering as well. Prices range $15-$25 for entrees.
Bonaparte's Bistro
20301 Grande Oak Shoppes Blvd.
Estero, FL 33928
(239) 948-2216
café-bonaparte.com
Schnitzel House
With eighteen different varieties of schnitzel, the restaurant is aptly named. A very casual place, the prices are also very easy to take. Most of the schnitzel dinners are priced in the $10 range and there are also inexpensive, but authentic beers from Austria and Germany. Goulash, kuchen varieties, potato pancakes, brats and knockwurst round out the menu.
Ft. Myers Schnitzel House
7274 San Carlos Blvd.
Fort Myers, Florida 33931
(239) 437-8664
fortmyersschnitzelhouse.com
Heinrich's German Grill
Heinrich's German Grill gets high marks from former diners for authenticity, with some going so far as to say it's the best German restaurant outside of Germany. The owners are in the restaurant and actually cook themselves and meet patrons daily. Many of the customers have been coming to Heinrich's for years and bringing visitors to the area. The food is on the pricey side, but the portions are huge and the quality is great, and the menu is flexible and constantly changing.
Heinrich's German Grill
8420 Lockwood Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 355-5453
facebook.com/heinrichs
