Rheinland Restaurant
Opened 20 years ago by German-born Heinz and Rosie Heinzelmann, the Rheinland Restaurant is located in the Old Independence Square. The restaurant is decorated with wood paneling, green vinyl tablecloths, pressed tin ceiling, flowered wallpaper and Tiffany lamps. During the day, a Victrola plays polka music, but some nights, an accordion player entertains diners with traditional German folk songs that even inspire some guests to get up and dance.
Popular dishes include the homemade wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzle, red cabbage and rouladen. A variety of sandwiches and traditional German dishes round out the menu, and you can wash the authentic dishes down with a diverse selection of German beer on tap and in bottles.
The Rheinland Restaurant
208 N. Main St.
Independence, MO 64050
816-461-5383
rheinlandrestaurant.com
Werner's Fine Sausages
Founded in 1898 on Westport Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, as a Swedish store, the shop was purchased in 1972 by German-born Werner Wohlert and moved to the heart of Mission, Kansas. Wohlert incorporated his heritage, including his name and the techniques he learned during an apprenticeship in Germany, and sold customers handmade sausages. Retiring in 1995, Wohlert sold the joint to David and Judy Miller who have since expanded the menu to include signature sandwiches such as the special schnitzel, Dave's Liverwurst and the Reuben, fixed with Werner's own corned beef and loaded with sauerkraut and their spicy signature mustard.
Just a half-hour drive from Independence, the modest all-in-one deli, shop and eatery allows for only a few small tables inside. Each Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Werner's staff grills up bratwurst, spicy Andouille, smoky bockwurst and other sausages. The staff provides condiments, allowing diners to eat outside at picnic tables.
Werner's Fine Sausages
5736 Johnson Dr.
Mission, KS 66202
913-362-5955
wernerswurst.com
Café Augusta
Though not a German restaurant exclusively, Café Augusta in Lenexa, Kansas, features a German specialty once a week. Co-owner Micheline Zacharias Burger was born in Germany and grew up eating German cuisine with an international flair, which was the inspiration for Café Augusta's "new world bistro."
In the mornings, Café Augusta serves quiche and breakfast pastries in a coffee-bar setting, switching to sandwiches during the lunch hour. Dinner is slightly more formal, as diners are treated to table service and dinner specials. German cuisine is offered every Monday evening, and Burger puts her own twist on traditional entrees such as beef rouladen and desserts like the Frankfurter kranz. Café Augusta is just a 30-minute drive from Independence.
Café Augusta
12122 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Lenexa, KS 66215
913-859-9556
cafeaugusta.com
