Chicago and its suburbs have some of the best restaurants in the country. You can find a variety of ethnic, American and vegetarian cuisines throughout the Chicagoland area. German food, along with a wide selection of imported beer, can be found at several popular eateries in the city's western suburbs. Even if you're visiting (or living) from the city's center, great German food won't be far away.
A west suburban favorite for over 30 years, the Edelweiss restaurant offers an old world German atmosphere, complete with waiters and waitresses in Bavarian costumes, a fireplace, and polka bands on the weekend. The hearty, inexpensive menu features both American and German favorites. Choose from appetizers like Hackepeter (ground sirloin with anchovies, egg yolk and mustard), potato pancakes or standard fare like shrimp cocktail and Maryland crab cakes. Entrees include wiener schnitzel (breaded veal cutlets) and sauerbraten (sirloin with red wine and spices). Sample the Wurstplatte (homemade sausages) or the Edelweiss Platter, which contains roast pork loin, bratwurst, kassler (pork chop) and several of the restaurant's specialties served with red cabbage and sauerkraut. The bar serves selection of contemporary German and lambic (fruit beers). The Edelweiss offers family style banquets for special occasions.
Edelweiss Restaurant
7650 W. Irving Park Road
Norridge, IL 60706
708-452-6040
edelweissdining.com
Schntizel Platz specializes in-what else-schntizel. Made from veal, chicken or pork loin, breaded and fried in a pan. The restaurant has 14 variations on this German staple. There's a cordon bleu version (Swiss cheese and ham filled pork) and Hunter Schntizel (breaded pork and mushroom wine sauce). For adventurous types, there's even an Hawaiian version with ham, pineapple and melted cheese. These dishes include a choice of liver dumpling soup, sauerkraut, spatzle (thick egg noodle), boiled potatoes or other German sides. There's a full selection of cold appetizers, including sliced salmon with horseradish (Lachs Scheiben mit Meerettich) and herring roll with onions and pickles (Rollmops). There's even a kid's menu, with smaller portions of bratwurst, frankfurters and other favorites. Schntizel Platz also has prepared school lunches for students and special Easter and Oktoberfest menus.
Schnitzel Platz
729 North Ave.
Glendale Heights, IL 60139-3519
630-942-9900
schnitzelplatz.com
Great German food and one of the best beer selections in the Chicagoland area await you at the Bavarian Lodge. A family restaurant with a traditional menu, the meals offered include beef stroganoff, boiled ribs, roast duck and roast pork loins. The Bavarian Lodge has vegetarian entrees (veggie schnitzel, made with fried chopped vegetables) and pierogi pomodoro (cheese and veggies). The menu of meat schnitzels features Tiroler schnitzel (pork and beef), Konigsberger (lemon, capers, cream sauce and onions with your choice of pork or chicken) or Wiener schnitzel ala Holstein (with anchovy, fried egg, pickle, and tomato). Dinner come with soup or salad and bread. Top off your meal with apple strudel, German chocolate cake or another signature dessert from the Bavarian Lodge menu.
The Bavarian Lodge
1800 Ogden Ave.
Lisle, IL 60532
630-241-4701
bavarian-lodge.com
