Milwaukee is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin. In the mid-1800s, Milwaukee experienced a great deal of immigration, particularly people coming from Germany. Many German immigrants settled in the city of Milwaukee, which became known as “the German Athens.” Not surprisingly, there remains several excellent and authentic German restaurants in Milwaukee, some of which have been in existence for more than a hundred years.
The Old German Beer Hall prides itself on having a “classic Bavarian atmosphere” and a selection of beers brewed using the original recipes developed and handed down from Duke Wilhelm V. of Bavaria more than 400 years ago. The Beer Hall regularly serves original Hofbrau, Hofbrau Dunkel, Munchner Kindl Weissbier, Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier and Hofbrau Maibock, along with seasonal beers and Weissgerber Amber, an original recipe. However, the Beer Hall serves more than beer. The menu includes bratwurst, currywurst (sausage in a tomato-curry sauce), freshly baked pretzels, knackwurst, pork chops, spatzle, rouladen (round, rolled, stuffed steak), hot dogs and leberkase, a German pork meatloaf. The Hall has a daily $5 lunch special of any sausage combined with any side dish and 1/3 liter of beer or root beer, and a regular fish fry served with french fries, rye bread and cole slaw.
Old German Beer Hall
1009 N. Old World Third St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-226-2728
oldgermanbeerhall.com
Karl Ratzsch’s restaurant was established in 1904 as “Hermann’s Cafe” by chef Otto Hermann. Later, Karl Ratzsch Sr. married Hermann's stepdaughter, Helen, and purchased the cafe, changing the name to his own. Ratzsch’s has a daily lunch menu with “not so ordinary” dishes like consomme with dumplings, grilled salmon, reuben sandwiches, wiener schnitzel and German pancakes. Ratzsch’s dinners include roast duck, sauerbraten, chicken schnitzel and crackling pork shank. The restaurant also has desserts, including strudel, bread pudding and tortes.
Karl Ratzsch’s
320 E. Mason St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-276-2720
karlratzsch.com
Mader’s has a long and distinguished history. Begun in 1902, Mader’s has been visited by former presidents John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and now houses an art and antiques collection worth $3 million. Mader's also displays hundreds of genuine German beer steins and has been selling authentic M.I. Hummel figurines since 1935. It is, in fact, the largest Hummel store in America, with thousands of figurines and original charcoal pastel drawings by Maria Hummel. Mader’s has Sunday Brunch and daily lunch and dinner, featuring dishes such as oxtail soup and almond-crusted trout along with traditional favorites like sauerbraten, kasseler rippchen (smoked pork loin) and rouladen. Maden’s also serves wine and cocktails and does catering, banquets and weddings.
Mader’s
1041 N. Old World Third St.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414-271-3377
madersrestaurant.com
