Review: The Rathskeller Restaurant, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Rathskeller has been dishing up great food and authentic German fun since 1894. This historic restaurant, located in the Athenaeum Building, features award-winning German and American dishes, an unbeatable beer menu and a truly historic setting. The Athenaeum Building, designed by Kurt Vonnegut's grandfather, is also home to the American Cabaret Theatre. The Rathskeller is the oldest restaurant currently operating in Indianapolis.

Diners may choose from traditional German dishes, ranging from sauerbraten to a mixed sausage plate, or select from the Rathskeller's large American menu. Meals begin with tasty soft pretzels, warm bread and The Rathskeller's spicy mustard - not for the faint of heart! German dishes offer "old country" tastes and traditional seasonings. The Bavarian Platte, a customer favorite, includes a variety of sausages, warm German potato salad and sauerkraut. Sauerbraten arrives on a massive plate, covered in delicious gravy and attractively drizzled with sour cream.

On my last visit, our group started things off with the hot wurst platte. This appetizer is a sampler of German sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces and served with sauerkraut, cheese and mustard. My husband worked his way through the German beer sampler, six small glasses chosen from The Rathskeller's long list of German beers.

I ordered jaegerschnitzel, which came smothered in mushrooms and finished with a wine-based sauce. It's not a typical jaegerschnitzel sauce, but has a piquant, almost sweet-and-sour flavor to it that I enjoyed. My son stuck with his old favorite, schnitzel - breaded and fried pork cutlet, sometimes called Wiener schnitzel - and our waitress brought out an enormous cutlet. My son said it tasted authentically German, hearty but not too oily. My husband and our friend both chose Kassler ripchen, smoked pork chops cooked with a sweet apple-raisin sauce.

Of course, a genuine German meal ends with a delectable dessert. The Rathskeller's menu includes several German classics. One of our friends chose a gigantic, flaky slice of strudel, paired with a softball-sized scoop of vanilla ice cream. My husband's favorite, bread pudding, is made with white chocolate and raspberries and served with a delicious vanilla sauce. An enormous slab of Snickers pie or a bowl of ice cream may also tempt you, but you won't find a better place to try German traditional desserts than The Rathskeller.

Portions are extremely generous. The Rathskeller's lunch menu is a true bargain; most of the tasty dinner entrées are available at reasonable lunchtime prices. Our waitress remembered us from the previous year (wow!) and provided prompt, cheerful service.

The Rathskeller's historic facility includes several indoor dining rooms, an outdoor beer garden (closed in winter) and an indoor bar area. Each of the dining rooms is packed with authentic German items. Whimsical fireplace gargoyles, German sayings painted on walls and beer steins on windowsills add to The Rathskeller's Old World appeal.

The ballroom, once used for German-American social club and music society events, now hosts special celebrations, such as the annual New Year's Eve gala. The Rathskeller's seasonal events include summer concerts, the annual Wine and Brew Fest, Oktoberfest and a December Saint Nicholas party. On weekends, The Rathskeller features live acoustic, polka, blues and rock music.

Large groups and families are most welcome.

If You Go:

The Rathskeller

401 East Michigan Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 636-0396

Lunch entrées $7.95 - $12.95

Dinner entrées $17.95 - $24.95