Writer's note: I wrote this story last year in anticipation of Germanfest. The content stands true today so I think it is worth a fresh post this week. Don't miss Germanfest this weekend.
During a recent interview in Guttenberg, a longtime Guttenberg resident wondered out loud why traditional German fare is not more obviously on the menu in town eateries. Me being a lover of kraut, German Potato Salad and spatzle, and bit of a restaurant critic sought to prove or disprove this theory.
I called most of the restaurant owners and in Guttenberg to inquire if they actually served German Cuisine and if so why or why not. Here is what I found out:
The Picket Fence owned by Jane Augustyne, says Guttenberg’s German heritage plays a role for sure in the menu served at the Picket Fence. Karin Bahls is one of the Picket Fence cooks; her job is to prepare her recipe for traditional German Potato Salad. Karin is a native of Germany and is enough of a German Potato Salad aficionado she earned the right, this year, to judge Guttenberg’s German Fest, first ever, German Potato Salad contest. Jane says the Picket Fence’s hot German Potato Salad is the most popular side dish served at her restaurant.
The Picket Fence is also the outlet for meat products produced at her family farm, Clayton Ridge Farms. The family raises hogs. The brats and other pork products served on her menu in the restaurant are produced on the family farm. Diners can order a bratwurst and kraut at the Picket Fence and then on their way out can shop the restaurant’s meat counter and take home a package of Clayton Ridge Farm brats.
Many of the Guttenberg restaurants claimed the Reuben as their offering of traditional German food. While the Reuben consists of rye bread, corned beef and sauerkraut the Reuben sandwich does not originate from Germany. Actually New York and Omaha lay claim to the favored sandwich.
Steve and Sue Rausch own Rausch’s Café on Hwy 52. This open, Monday through Saturday, café serves basic diner fare. The workers could not identify any true German menu items but did say they are a very busy place and serve heaps of breakfast and lunch, especially on Saturday’s.
The Buzz Coffeehouse owned by Laurie Wallace does not have a German item on the board. “I don’t serve German food but most of my customers are German.” This trendy coffee shop is base for many Guttenberg visitors and Laurie loves her role as the town’s ambassador.
Sherri Moser owns and operates the Hwy 52, seasonally open Pup Hut. The Pup Hut is a burger and ice cream shop. I asked Sherri if she served German entrees’. Her response was a question, “Aren’t Hamburgers German?” Well in fact, in the late 18th century Hamburg, Germany was a major European port. As a result some of the first “Hamburger stands,” along America’s coast, were designed to attract German sailors with their traditional Hamburg steak sandwich. Hamburg steak was in fact, salted ground steak mixed with German spices. So yes, Sherry it sounds like Hamburger’s are German and therefore all Guttenberg eating establishes selling hamburgers can always use their burger as backup German fare.
The Village Green Café on Hwy 52, is owned by Deb and Eric Stirn. Not wanting to seem un-German the cooks there proclaimed Reuben’s, the occasional bratwurst lunch special and their delicious German Chocolate cake as their German claim to fame.
Carol Gaul owner of Doug’s Steakhouse responded with her German Fest menu which is served every year during German Fest: Brats and Kraut, German Potato Salad, and German Chocolate cake. Carol also serves a German Dumpling soup throughout the year. Carol agreed, in Guttenberg, The Picket Fence is probably the main restaurant serving up German cuisine. Carol who serves many a tourist in her riverfront restaurant says, “I don’t have much call for German entrees. If I ever get people desiring more German fare I will certainly get them on the menu.” Carol however suggested maybe they aren’t asked about German food because it is not on the menu.
Finally, The Stadium is famous for Rod’s Reuben. Owner Rod McLane, one of Guttenberg’s famous chefs, says he pays homage to his town's German heritage once a month with German Day, when The Stadium servers brats and kraut and hot German Potato salad as its noon special.
For those readers keeping track, there are other food establishments in Guttenberg. However, Lakeside Ballroom opens its kitchen on the weekends with a short order menu and a mean ribeye steak sandwich and the other places are either Chinese or pizza places.
Our Picks for restaurants to feature during Germanfest: The new RiverView Cafe, Lakeside Ballroom, The Stadium, Doug's Steakhouse & Rausch's Cafe --- our loyal dishntunes.com members.
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