Insider Pages Reviews for Chicago Brauhaus

5 Stars: Chicago Brauhaus is a little Germany in Chicago. (by Dionna P.)

Dionna P. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:11:00 GMT

I have grown up at the Brauhaus and being of German decent, I always feel like I am at my Oma and Opa's having dinner. The staff is great and the food is even better. Plus, they carry Hofbrau Beer!

4 Stars: If you like German Culture the Brauhaus is for you (by David K.)

David K. — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:24:00 GMT

I haven't had a more authentic German food experience in Chicago than the Brauhaus. The funnest part is drinking from a stein while the old men sing to people! Pricing is very reasonable for such a quality establishment and I can't wait to go back!

4 Stars: Fun European atmosphere (by uradel)

uradel — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

This is a fun place to experience the folksy foods of southern Germany. My family is from wine country in the central area (Frankfurt/Main) and further north in Germany, but we still get a kick out of the southern Bavarian ways. I'm not a fan of smoked chops personally, but other family members of mine love them. They are not dried out shoe leather like some smoked meats. They look juicy and tender. The schnitzels are my favorite. You can order them in the style of Holstein or Vienna. (traditional Vienner schnitzel). You are served a whole portion whether it's a veal or chicken schnitzel. (schnitzel simply means medallion or cutlet). Our favorite appetizer is the Steak Tartare. They have some decent Rieslings on their wine menu too. It is a very happening place on weekends with live bands and this is one of the few places I can stand at a bar and speak German with just about everyone (although there is an amusing smattering of dialects) and the patrons and staff are very friendly. They will engage you and invite you to join in even if you don't speak German. Some nights there are whole teams of European soccer players and it really gets fun. They talk to you as if they have known you forever. Keep in mind that it is not an upscale German/European restaurant. It reflects the wholesome simple ways of Germany's southern region. It is the German southern hospitality that keeps us coming back.

2 Stars: Good Beer...Service non existant (by vegitoboi)

vegitoboi — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

How many times have I frequent this place only to wind up drinking German style beer on an empty stomach? It's the same pattern everytime that lead me not to come back in. Needless to say, with the Berghoff in Downtown Chicago non existant anymore, if this was to be a successor, it failed in the first stage: service. First time I went in, I waited 10 minutes to be seated only to give up and stand at the bar only to be pushed around by Lincoln Square tipsy people trying to get their beer needs before mine. The polka band kept things interesting by playing familiar drinking songs and folk songs. On times I do get to sit at an actual table, the waitress disappears into oblivion and I just get up and leave. The place is nice, no doubt, and obviously great for group outings. But it's just not worth the never ending wait for food or a table for that matter. If you're coming for the beer, try Huttenbar just down the street (although be ready to stand even more).

5 Stars: Best German Food, Beer and Atmosphere (by rf666)

rf666 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Absolutely unbelievable - food was fantastic, beer was even better. I started with a cup of their Liver dumpling soup, it was basically a liver meatball is a delicious broth, doesn't sound great, but it was. For dinner, I ordered the Brauhaus Special, which was Two different sausage, a pork chop and potatoes. The pork chop was the best I had ever eaten - they basically cook (smoke) the whole loin, bone in, then slice them off to order. It was so moist and smokey - the brine worked its magic, thus allowing them to sell me more beer. The sausages were also excellent. The only problem I had at the Brauhaus was my stomach wasn't big enough. I hate leaving such delicious food on the plate...

Live German music playiing, people dancing - German conversation heard at the bar. What a great time.

Highly Recommend going!!!

5 Stars: Yum (by emilyrn)

emilyrn — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

What a German restaurant should be: hearty portions of great tasting food, ginormous beers, and inexpensive prices. Love the polka dancing, too. Not exactly light fare, but the Brauhaus should be an occasional treat.

5 Stars: German Food & Fun (by artcoo)

artcoo — Wed, 10 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The Brauhaus food is not the best German food I have ever had, but it is certainly good. I like the atmosphere here, as I spent many years in Germany. My 2nd son was born there, so I have been to many, many German restaurants. However, here in Chicago I feel this is the best German place to take folks. They will get great beer, good food, and a lot of fun. The musical entertainment is fun, and everyone in the place enjoys themselves. I would recommend trying some authentic beer! Vielen Dank Fur Alles!

4 Stars: Great Steak Tartar!! (by carrie b.)

carrie b. — Sat, 05 Nov 2005 07:39:00 GMT

I have been going to the Brau Hous for years with my husband. Being German, my husband grew up here!! They have very good food. Mostly just plain German food.

The steak tartar appetizer is the best. The saurbrauten is really good and very tender. My daughter loves the chicken shnitzel!!

I highly reccomend trying dinner here!

3 Stars: Great time. OK food (by Steve M.)

Steve M. — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 08:30:00 GMT

This is a great party place. great beer. Food is average. If you looking for no frills food with kind of a authentic german flair you should come here. The band is great. Plays all the favorites with german kick. The acordian guy rocks.

3 Stars: Music disappointment (by jessicaantes)

jessicaantes — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Friends and family read reviews of this restaurant and went for dinner tonight, expecting to hear wonderful German music and enjoy German cuisine. The food was excellent; however, the music was a disappointment. We expected to enjoy the publicized 3-piece German band; however, were instead quite disappointed to be entertained by a one-man musician who played American disco songs, Caribbean music and anything unrelated to German music.

3 Stars: fun atmosphere but food is mediocre at best (by biesera)

biesera — Sun, 17 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

if you want to go back in time to the 50's and enjoy german ambiance, this is a place
to explore...but the food is not so great...the spaetzle were not real spaetzle and the sauces were very salty...

4 Stars: Crowded, but fun (by peterbehle_citysearch)

peterbehle_citysearch — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This place gets jammed on weekend nights. when the small band starts playing and people start dancing, it can be chaos. Food is typical German -- meat and potatoes and lots of it. Plus, a great selection of German draft beers on tap.

2 Stars: Not worth the expense (by lea lewis)

lea lewis — Sun, 12 Dec 2004 01:00:00 GMT

The dinners include soup/salad. The food was fair. The service was poor. The waitress took our order and after she brought the food we did not see her again until she showed up with the check. My husband wanted gravy for his dinner and I ended up scrapping some from my plate. We had ice tea and never got refills because no one ever came by to bring more tea and the glasses were small. My dinner was 15.95 and his was 16.95. Our bill was close to $40.00. I wanted a vegetable but we never saw our waitress once the food was put on the table so I did not get to order a vegetable. I did hail down the hostess who was supposed to send the waitress but the waitress was busy by the talking at the bar.

4 Stars: Recommended! (by kleec)

kleec — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 02:00:00 GMT

How do you say excellent in German? The food is delicious and fattening, just the right combo to get you in a lot of trouble. The wait staff are PROS. They know their stuff so well you almost find yourself worrying that YOURE going to mess something up in their well thought out delivery of the meal. The ambience is basically "let's all have rollicking good time". Get a lot of germans together and the wannabees along with a couple of beers, now sit them together in close proximity, then add a live band and soon enough everyones on the dance floor like there's no tomorrow. You got the german tunes, you got the german dancing, some couples being real pros, some just doing the best they can. What a party!

5 Stars: beautiful; just beautiful (by mjm4764)

mjm4764 — Fri, 25 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

I found the Chicago Brauhaus the right stuff; a meal that was fresh and tastee.

4 Stars: GERMAN AT IT'S BEST (by ILOVEGOODFOOD)

ILOVEGOODFOOD — Sun, 16 Jun 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Colorful and bustling every night of the week, they pack 'em in and keep the crowd moving. The Dumplings and Red Cabbage are two must haves, no matter what your entree may be. Whether you eat at the bar (my favorite) or opt for a table, be prepared to eat good and hearty. The chicken schnitzel and pork loin are wonderful; and the struesel is hot and flaky!