the Schnitzelbank

In the Fall of 2006 one of my most beloved restaurants closed. Deep sigh. I took these pictures the day before the building was demolished. The Schnitzelbank was an institution in Grand Rapids, it served authentic German food for over 75 years. As someone of German descent, who also has lived in Germany for a year, the food of Germany is comforting to me. German food is nothing fancy, however it is hearty. Meat, beer, potatoes, beer, bread, beer, oh and don’t forget the cheese. I had been reared on Velveeta, the discovery of real cheese was heavenly.

 

My first Sunday dinner, at home with my German Family, was Gruenkohl with Speck. Green slimy kale with salty ham and pilsner to wash it down. “You will learn to like it,” Oma said. I never really learned to like it. I did learn to like plenty of other German delicacies, resulting in my returning to the USA with 25 extra pounds in my “hosen”. (pants)

My first trip to the Schnitzelbank was with my German class in high school, escorted by our very lovable but wacko teacher, Herr Haan.

The waitresses were all in their 70’s with healthy bosoms, wearing the traditional German waitress attire. That was in 1985, and in 2005 the same waitresses were still working there and had not aged a day. Must have been the preservative powers of good beer and sauerkraut.

It makes my heart ache that I am unable to bring my kids to this restaurant and let them experience the great food and atmosphere that holds so many enduring memories for me. I lived in the city of Flensburg which is on the northernmost border of Germany.  Many of my German family might take offense that I am comparing this very Bavarian Restaurant to Flensburg, because if you are familiar with Germany you would know there is a North and South element to their culture as well. Despite the decor, the food at the Schnitzelbank was very similar to food I ate during my stay in the north of Germany.

The closing of the Schnitzelbank has forced me to get out the recipes that my friends wrote down for me before I returned home and to use the German cookbooks that I had received as gifts.

In the Fall and Winter I make my favorite German meal, sauerbraten, with spaetzle, rotkohl, and gravy.

I am so glad that I made the trip downtown and snapped these shots of our local history before it was torn down to build a much needed parking garage. (sarcasm)

What is this fair madchen doing?

 That is what my butt and legs looked like when I returned home, and it wasn’t from climbing mountains with my lederhosen clad boyfriend. It was from indulging in cheese and bread slathered with real butter.  I learned many things about food while living in Germany. The most crucial was learning that Blue Bonnet is not real butter! GASP!

 I would love to hear if you remember the Schnitzelbank restaurant, and what your favorite dish was?  I loved their rotkohl and for dessert the apfelstrudel.  

Liebe, Sheila