A Guide to the Top German Restaurants in Chicago

Finding German food in Chicago isn't hard. The town was built by German and Polish immigrants, and has always had its share of bratwurst, sauerkraut and wiener schnitzel knocking around. The trick is finding great, authentic German food when cheap imitations abound. Here's a list of the top five German restaurants in Chicago to help you satisfy your cravings.

Chicago Brauhaus

The Chicago Brauhaus' motto is "It's always Oktoberfest at the Chicago Brauhaus!" And, indeed, the party atmosphere is the main reason to visit this Lincoln Square restaurant. With live music and dancing six nights a week (they're closed Tuesdays), you can enjoy their "friendly Bavarian atmosphere" while tossing back steins of beer and clapping along to the world-famous Brauhaus Trio. (Check out their sound online at chicagobrauhaus.com.)

The food is traditionally German, offering a wide variety of sausages, schnitzel, spätzel and sauerkraut, as well as some excellent house specialties. Try the Hackbraten (beef, pork and veal meatloaf with mushroom gravy, served with mashed potatoes and veggies) or the Kohlroulade (slow-braised cabbage leaves stuffed with ground pork, beef and veal, served with your choice of potato) if you're craving lots of meat, or for a bit of everything, try the Brauhaus Special; it's got both German and Sheboygan bratwurst, as well as Kassler Rippchen (smoked pork loin) and, of course, potatoes and sauerkraut.

Address: 4732 North Lincoln Avenue
Phone: (773) 784-4444
Online: http://www.chicagobrauhaus.com
Hours: Lunch on Mon and Wed-Fri 11 AM to 4 PM, Dinner on Mon, Wed, Thurs 4 PM to 10 PM; Fri-Sun 11 AM-midnight

Glunz Bavarian Haus

Open seven days a week, the Glunz Bavarian Haus gives the Brauhaus a run for its money. Also located on Lincoln Avenue, the Glunz Bavarian Haus offers live music on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and upscale German food every day of the week.