The Run Down

If you're looking to avoid the crowds at Christkindlmarket at all costs but still want some German festive cheer, then this is the guide for you. We're taking you to Chicago's North side for a German food and beer crawl. You'll throw back beer steins and munch on liver pate, Bavarian steaks, sauerkraut, goulash, and schnitzel. Here are the details.

1. Dinner and Beer @ Laschet's Inn

2. More Beer @ Resi's Bierstube Restaurant

3. Das Boot @ Prost

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1. Laschet’s Inn

The first stop on our culinary tour is Laschet’s Inn located in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood. This old-world German tavern has been a staple of the neighborhood for over 40 years, and we’re here for a taste of some of that old-world German food.

When you walk through the restaurant’s doors, you’ll be be right in the middle of their bar area where wood beams cross through the ceiling overhead, and where you’ll find a wood-paneled bar that’s replete with German decor. As you walk past the bar, you’ll be led to a quieter and more formal dining area.

If you ask anyone from Chicago where to find quality authentic German food, chances are they’ll recommend Laschett’s Inn. As far as food recommendations go, we more or less picked randomly as a way to get out of our comfort zone. You can go that route or try a bit of we got. Food pics are below.

As an appetizer, we tried the liver pate. It’s a plate of butter crackers, liver pate, raw onions, and pickles. The pate was creamy and savory, while the onions and pickles gave it a nice crunch and added a bit of sweetness to every bite. While, I probably wouldn’t have normally ordered this, I’m glad we did, because this combination of flavors hit the spot.

This is the Leberkase. It’s a Bavarian veal loaf steak with a fried egg and a side of sauerkraut and warm German potato salad. This is for all you meat and potatoes eaters.

2. Resi’s Bierstube Restaurant

After enjoying a hearty German dinner, it’s time to continue your culinary tour. Just one block away, you’ll find Resi’s Bierstube. This place looks like one of your typical friendly neighborhood dive bars…in Bavaria.

In terms of design, it’s got the same sort of feel as Laschet’s Inn with the wood paneled walls and German decor, but it’s much smaller and more low key. On one side of the bar you had regulars just having a beer and watching the game on TV, and on the other side you had folks digging in on mammoth sized pretzels and a smorgasbord of German food.

Stay for one, two, or ten beers and then head over to our last stop of the night.

3. Prost

We’re ending the night at Prost, a German beer hall located right next to the Brown line track. To get here from Resi’s Bierstube, just jump on the Irving Park Brown line stop, which is just a few blocks away, and then get off at the Fullerton Brown line stop. From there, you’re only a few minutes walk to Prost.

When I think of German beer halls, I imagine a huge space with a bunch of long wooden tables and loads of people having a good time. This place fits that description to a T. 

While they have food here, you’re probably stuffed to the gills at this point. In addition, you’ll need to save all the room you can because we’re going to take down a boot of beer. This monster glass boot holds two liters of beer and this is the reason for our visit. If you and your liver are up for the challenge, this thing will set you back at least $30 (depending on what beer you order). Good luck to you and the life choices you make after downing this thing.

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