Schroeder's
Schroeder's German Restaurant, established in 1893, is not only the oldest of its kind on the West Coast, it is also the largest. This massive, traditional hofbrau is conveniently located in the center of downtown San Francisco. The restaurant offers entertainment nights a few times a month, which include live German music and polka dancing.
Start out your meal with a massive sausage party platter made for anywhere from three to five people and includes a variety of cocktail-sized sausages, smoked pork chops, potato pancakes, herring, pickles, head cheese, sauerkraut and red cabbage. For dinner, try the half roasted duck with red cabbage and sauerkraut, or the Jäger Schnitzel with Spätzle --a breaded veal cutlet with sauce made from shallots, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell pepper and tarragon, served with homemade German-styled pasta, red cabbage and mixed vegetables.
Schroeder's
240 Front St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 421-4778
schroederssf.com
Suppenküche
While Suppenküche offers cuisine from all regions of Germany, its specialty lies in the rich and complex flavors of Bavaria. The Richmond District restaurant focuses on cooking simple German foods in the most authentic methods possible, including stuffing its own homemade sausage. The beautiful atmosphere combines a traditional Bavarian pub with contemporary design influences, like the black swallow silhouettes adorning the ceiling that were used to track the Tour de France winners throughout the course of the race.
For dinner, enjoy the Gebratene Rehmedaillions in Rotwein-Pflaumensoße, sautéed venison medallions in a red wine plum sauce and served with red cabbage and homemade German pasta. Any vegetarians visiting the restaurant will be pleased to know it does offer a few non-meat options, including the Champignon gefüllt mit Spinat, a spinach-and feta-cheese-stuffed portabella mushroom served over a tangy pepper sauce.
It is important to note that the restaurant only accepts reservations for parties of six or more. Those with smaller groups are welcome to walk-in service.
Suppenküche
525 Laguna St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 252-9289
suppenkuche.com
Gourmet Haus Staudt
This Redwood City breakfast and lunch restaurant is adorned like any traditional German Café, and the exterior resembles a classic ski chateau. The restaurant also offers a gourmet German foods store and souvenirs shop, so don't be put off when you enter the building and only see things for sale, not waiters and waitresses.
When you are seated, you'll notice the rotating menu is rather limited, but the few selections that are offered are quite good and 100 percent authentic. If it is available, try the sauerbraten, a German pot roast. Otherwise, enjoy the leberkaese, a type of Bavarian meatloaf. Whatever you order, be sure to have one of the restaurant's many imported German beers to wash down your meal.
Gourmet Haus Staudt
2615 Broadway St.
Redwood City, CA 94063-1532
(650) 364-9232
gourmethausstaudt.com
