Skip to main content

I've been to this place before. So have many of you but I ate there again recently and wanted to give them another bump.

The food was absolutely delish. The beer was cold and German-y tasting and service was prompt, unobtrusive yet attentive.

In short, it was a lovely lunch that I hope to remember to do again soon.

Two suggestion: Print some new menus. The font is difficult to read and descriptions are aren't terribly informative. Unless you are familiar with German food, you aren't really sure what you're getting until it is brought to the table.

The music: It's very Germanic, polka-ish stuff. It perhaps reminds me too much of the old WWII Germany. Nice once or twice but perhaps a little annoying after a while. How 'bout some modern German romance songs with a rock tune every now and then?

. . . One more nitpick: Germans are known for beer. For evening meals, a big-ol ostentatious beer mug would just be awesome. Those little sissy 12 ounce mugs are fine for lunch but I need a big one for dinner.

Those are very minor nitpicks, though. I will be back and recommend we all try our locally-owned establishments every chance we get. Especially those who deliver an excellent product such as Hannelores.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
I don't like hearing that the food isn't described well. That's what has held me back from going there. I do not know anything about German food. I have never ate it, so I am at a loss at what I should order if I ever go. But I am definitely interested in trying it.


its really pretty tame....dont be afraid,they will let you know ....no blood sausage on the menue!!!
quote:
Originally posted by MonkeysUncleByMarriage:
I don't like hearing that the food isn't described well. That's what has held me back from going there. I do not know anything about German food. I have never ate it, so I am at a loss at what I should order if I ever go. But I am definitely interested in trying it.


Schnitzel is merely a breaded veal or pork cutlet. Spatzel is the German version of pasta. Knodel are dumplings. Knockwurst is beef sausage and Bratwurst is pork. Rot or Blau Kraut is red or blue cabbage and it has a vinegary/sweet taste. They also have a version of fried potatoes which are sliced and lightly fried with no breading. German food is very bland and very filling. I'm sure the peeps at Hannelores could tell you what everything is.

Nothing is spicy in German food.
Out here in LA, I know of two... count 'em, two... decent German restaurants.

One of them holds the yearly Octoberfest, which is an bastardized event unworthy of further comment.

The other is the Red Lion, in Silverlake, which is a magnet for real Germans.

Rowdy songs are sung at the bar, fueled by Spaten Weiss bier.

Pork chops with mashed potatoes and peas are served to the initiates. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? It's supposed to. The menu contains more challenging German food, and none of it is cheap.

It is just down the street from where I used to work. I found out the hard way that Germans take two hours for lunch and consider you a sissy if you don't have at least one huge beer. Beware. It ain't Budweiser, either.

In short, if you have a decent German restaurant in the Shoals, patronize it and enjoy, but be ready for heavy comfort food, heavy beer, and heavy entertainment. I would be happy to be known there.

DF
quote:
Originally posted by Basement Cat:
When I was in high school, there was a lady who lived in Russellville who was known as the "German lady" who cooked German dishes for people. Seems like her name was Abigail or Alice - something with an A. Does anyone remember her? A friend of mine bragged about her cooking all the time.
My group called her the herb lady. she served vegetarian meals only for a long time. She later added a chicken breast for those who demanded it, We ate in a Bavarian decorated home kitchen which was scrubbed to a high polish right in front of our eyes as we ate. Russellville businessed could not take the heat so they forced her out of the kitchen(business). I think it was a ridiculous rule over a dishwasher or sink - or money! Ha! She also sold herbs out of a lovely herb garden. While on a visit to Germany her sons brought me a red handled knife (another story) to replace the one I bought in Frankfort and threw away! She also passed out her recipes for a delicious herbed potato salad and a fruit salad. All in all, a lovely person!
The beer is Germany is served lightly chilled or cool, most Germans keep their beer in beer cellars on a dirt floor so that the bottle will become cool and at a restaurant it comes out very cool and will form a light sweat on the glass while drinking. They have many wonderful beers that are a treat to drink, personally I love a the German Dunkel. I may go this weekend just to savor the German Beer and food.
I like the dark heavy ones my self and like them just a bit below room temp, but German beer is well crafted enough to drink at even room temp. My observations of German beer come from a trip to Germany where we stayed with our German friends in their house, it was the best vacation I have ever had, I think because it was not touristy.
You really should give Hannelore's a try. It is not an intimidating menu at all. When we went the waitress was more than happy to explain everything. I got what amounted to be chicken marsala. I don't think that is what they call it but that is what I got and it was the best I've had in a long, long time! The fried potatoes are to die for and I loved the worst salad. It's a unique experiance and one well worth savoring.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×