Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland. Though Baltimore is an Irish name, the city has more people with German ancestry than any other. Home to a number of German-American organizations, Baltimore has myriad German restaurants, as well as a number of retail and wholesale places where German food can be found.
Eichenkranz, which means "oak wreath" in English, was founded in Baltimore as a social club/singing society in 1894. The restaurant of the club has flourished through the years, even when club membership dwindled and despite a number of ownership changes. Remodeled in 1990 and now owned by Harold and Aubrey Bowles, Eichenkranz continues to specialize in German cuisine, but offers a continental menu. It does catering and has a hall that can seat 150 people. Specialties include vierlander duck casserole, and marinated rabbit and onions in red wine pepper sauce.
Located in Rosedale about 6 miles from Baltimore, Binkert's sells german sausages, landjager, bratwurst, ham and spiced lunchmeats. Founded in 1964 by German immigrant and master butcher Egon Binkert, the business is now owned by Sonya Binkert Weber. In August 2008, it experienced an electrical fire that caused it to close for two months. This allowed some remodeling that has made Binkert's a more efficient retailer/wholesaler of German meat products. Closed Thursdays and Sundays, Binkert's has only nine employees, including Sonya and her husband Lothar. Orders for delivery are accepted.
This deli is located three blocks from the Parkville Shopping Center, about 8 miles from Baltimore. It specializes in German goodies such as chocolates, goulash spice mix, pickles, gooseberry preserves, imported ketchup, plum butter and other grocery products that include beer and wine, meats and German breads. It also sells sandwiches and salads for dine-in and party trays for carryout. A popular order is roast beef on pumpernickel platter with German potato salad.
