Schmidt's Restaurant und Sausage Haus

If you live in Columbus and you like German food, you must go to Schmidt's. It seems a little touristy-German with the nearby fudge and gift shops, but the food here is the real deal. Schmidt's makes their own sausage and it is superior; the buffet, which is around $14 per person, features tons of delicious homemade food and all-you-can-eat delicious sausage, plus homemade mashed potatoes and German potato salad, cabbage and corned beef, sauerkraut, a salad bar, and usually a non-sausage meat option (chicken, meatloaf, etc). Unlike large chain buffets, the food is all homemade (except the mac and cheese, but whatever) and great; if this stuff is homemade, I can only imagine that the individual menu dinners are also great. Get a creme puff to round out your meal!

Pros: Homemade sausage, great (cheap) buffet, great desserts

Cons: I eat way too much here!

Posted 09/07/09

I can't say enough good things about Schmidt's. The staff is always cheery and friendly, they dress in traditional German clothing as well. The restaurant itself has a fun but relaxed feel to it. They even have an accordion player and tuba player in some nights. A friend of mine yelled 'Play Freebird', and they did!

Then, there's the food! All of their sausages are amazing. I love the schnitzel and bahama mama. The non-sausage entrees are great as well. I suggest the alpine chicken. The only thing I don't like about Schmidt's is picking my sides because they're all so good. Sauerkraut, German potato salad, applesauce, all freshly made. That potato salad is like ambrosia.

Don't pass up this German Village gem.

Pros: Everything: service, food, ambiance, value

Cons: N/A

Posted 01/14/09

we were first timers to Schmidt's tonight and the experience was poor enough to compel me to write a review. Food took 50 minutes to arrive - the side salad alone took 30. The waitress spent more time talking to the busboys than to our table and neglected to keep us informed on any delays. Likewise, the manager seemed to care less about our experience stating "we try to get our food out in less than 20 minutes - your ticket was out in 18." No apology, which would have been nice. Bad first impression, unfortunately will be my last.

Posted 02/16/08

There is no place like Schmidt's for German Food. If you like sourkraut, this is the place to be. Try the schnitzel, it is the best in Columbus. The atmosphere is good, and they serve good German beer. The buffet is good for first timers, to get a change to try different offerings.

Pros: Fun dining, the Fudge Haus

Cons: Tables are really close to each other.

Posted 11/14/06

I'm a fan of Schmidt's, good food, at a fair price. If your not sure what to order try the buffet, and sample some great food, I recommend the garlic knockwurst, the homemade meatloaf, and their sweet kraut. The one item on their menu that could use some work is the german potato salad, it had very little flavor, and has at times been slightly on the bitter side. Unfortunately they don't take reservations, and finding a place to park can be difficult at times, but otherwise a very good experience. For beer drinkers, try their beer sampler!

I would not recommend dining for groups larger than ten or twelve, for larger groups I recommend their catering services.

Pros: great buffet, good desserts

Cons: parking

Posted 07/18/06

Especially nice place to visit during the Holidays after touring the German Village Area during December.

Pros: Great Atmosphere, A Holiday Must

Cons: Small Parking Lot

Posted 04/20/06

I am a huge fan of German good and had heard great things about the Haus. Having been all over Germany many times and sampled many of their signature dishes (Bavarian White Sausage, Scnitzel etc.) and coming from a German cooking family, I was pretty disappointed over what seemed to be extremely mediocre sausage, and very sour/bitter otherwise flavorless potatoes, the kraut also turned out to be a pretty disapointing. The bratwurst-kraut balls, though not spectacluar, were probably one of the best things I sampled that evening. Perhaps my percepton is skewed in a sense because I have tasted some of the finest prepared foods to come out of Germany, but if your a diehard bratwurst fan then it may be worth a shot. Otherwise for the best sausage, schnitzel, and homemade pretzels head for the Bavarian countryside!

Pros: Historic, Family Run, Fun Location

Cons: Not so great service, Flavorless/bitter, Pricey 4 what you get

Posted 01/28/06

There's nothing wrong with Shmidt's, I guess; I just expected it to be better. We both went for the Sausage Sampler, and were disappointed with the rather small pieces of sausage we got. I didn't much care for my smashed potates (didn't taste homemade) and Husband was generally unenthusiastic with his potato pancakes. We only had a few bites of the enormous mounds of soggy 'kraut. We were eagerly looking forward to the Cream Puffs, but I thought the pastry seemed tough and 'old.' However, Husband enjoyed his light microbrew, and the atmosphere was cheery and festive. We might go back again to try the buffet.

Pros: Fair prices, Location/parking

Cons: Portion size

Posted 12/26/05

An absolute must everytime I go to Columbus. The sausage in the buffet is the best I've ever had. I'm also a huge fan of the microbrews and the chocolate cream puffs. Prices are extremely reasonable. The only drawback is they don't take reservations, which makes for long waits on weekend nights.

Pros: Food is great, Prices are low, Service is fast

Cons: No reservations

Posted 07/30/05

Whenever I'm in town, this is the place I can't wait to eat at---the food is reasonable and the people are friendly. I love the German Music Band! The Chocolate Cream Puffs are out of this world! I felt like I was in Germany eating!

Pros: Great food, great people, great music

Cons: na, na, na

Posted 07/10/05

I can't find a better restaurant in Columbus! I drive down from Cleveland regularly to go here. Man, the food is great, the prices right, the atmosphere wonderful (go when the Oom-pa-pa band is playing) and the staff is friendly and helpful. Also, although I'm diabetic, I can't pass up their giant cream puff. This is German food at it's best...it would be REALLY great if they'd open a place in Cleveland roo.

Pros: Tremendous food, Great value, Atmosphere

Posted 07/13/04

This has been a family favorite since we discovered it. Its great when there is a live band, even with the crowded tables. Definitely order dessert--especially a cream puff--even if you are full beyond belt take one home to savor later. The spatzle and green bean side dish is a must as well.

Posted 09/03/02

Make sure to leave room for a cream puff. Best I've ever had.

Posted 08/07/02

I'm not even a huge fan of German food, but I love Schmidt's. Truly great brats, the delicious Bahama Mama, spaetzle, and spectacular cream puffs. No trip to German Village is complete without a stop here.

Posted 05/19/02