Brauhaus Schmitz: Not the Best, But Not the Wurste | 34th Street ...

Imagine taking a great restaurant in Germany and a mediocre sports bar in Philadelphia and then smashed them against each other until schnitzel came out. This is Brauhaus Schmitz. The minute you walk into Brauhaus Schmitz,

you?ve entered an alternate universe that combines an Americanized, SportsCenter?watching, cheesy?outfit?wearing ambience with authentic German food, alcohol and decor. This collision of culture, epitomized by the female waitstaff, who serve food while wearing revealing and cheap German costumes, is off?putting for anyone seeking an authentic or romantic experience. While Brauhaus is

unable to escape the touristy feel of its neighboring South Street restaurants, the food is authentic and unique.

The slogan ?Beer makes one happy, so I continue to drink? is displayed prominently in German on the walls of Brauhaus. This statement could not be more correct: the beer selection is incredible, with many beers straight from Germany that you?ll find nowhere else in Philly. The Heffeweizen Innstadt

Passauer Weisse ($6), available on draft in the U.S. for the first time, was phenomenal. Just one sip and it felt like Oktoberfest.

Grub?wise, we started with the Kartoffelpuffer ($6), two potato pancakes served with sour cream and applesauce. The potato pancakes, though a bit burnt around the edges, were crunchy and delicious and the applesauce (with real chunks of apples) and sour cream were the perfect compliments. The Kartoffelpuffer can be ordered as a side with the main courses though, which permit two side dishes, so save it for your main meal. Brauhaus serves a lot of food.

If you order the sausages ($16), you?re allowed to pick two sausages and two sides, giving you flexibility and the ability to try more than one. You have six sausage options to choose from (though all include pork). Thankfully, the sausages are great. Brauhaus can pride itself on this perfectly cooked and seasoned German staple. The mustards served on the side were some of the best I?d ever tasted and they enhanced the meal dramatically. The bratwursts are served in meters, so if you?re really hungry, this is a great option.

The Kartoffelkn?del (potato dumpling) is a little gooey and soaked in butter. If you crave potatoes, go for the Bratkartoffeln, pan?fried Yukon Gold potatoes and caramelized onions. The Sp?tzel (egg dumpling), which tastes oddly similar to the Kartoffelkn?del, is interesting but nothing special.

If you don?t know German: do your research. The menu is intimidatingly long and none of the foods are easy to pronounce?look ahead at the menu before you show up so it doesn?t take 20 minutes to figure out what to order.

If you?re willing to put up with the rowdy drunks and an ambiance that at times feels more Hooters than Hermsdorf, then Brahaus Schmitz is worth the trip for authentic German fare and a spectacular beer selection.

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Source: http://34st.com/2013/02/brauhaus-schmitz-not-the-best-but-not-the-wurste/

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