Alright now, I have a serious question for my fellow foodies. I need you all to tell me everything that is wrong German food. That's right, I want to hear all the bad and the ugly but in order to do so, I need you to first close your eyes. What do you see? If your answer is "nothing" than by golly, you are correct! Absolutely nothing. Kind of like how there is absolutely nothing wrong with German food. 😉 I got you there didn't I? Hehe.
Now, if you got a different answer...I'm afraid you've been eating at all the wrong places--that, or you really need to see an ophthalmologist. 👀 But don't you worry, I've got you covered on the better eating part, starting now! The first step in seeking some of the BEST Orlando German dining begins at...
Hollarbach's Willow Tree Cafe
Located in the quaint little town of Sanford Florida, Hollarbach's Willow Tree Cafe is sure to be noticed with it's bright green awning and various beer-themed outdoor umbrellas. I've eaten at this restaurant quite a few times now and so I'd like to think I know the ins and outs of this place. My first words of wisdom are reservations reservations reservations. I'm not the only one who loves Hollarbach's and so it's quite rare for this restaurant not to be packed. I credit the amazing food and great musical entertainment for the popularity. 👌
So, I would definitely recommend making reservations as far in advance as you can, just to be safe. Otherwise, they do take walk-ins but just expect a decent wait. Although, if you don't have a preference, outdoor seating is usually quicker. Don't get me wrong though, the food is worth every minute, but being a little proactive couldn't hurt either. 😊
I decided to go with my usual, the Chicken Wiener Schnitzel, however you have the option to chose your meat from either pork, chicken, or veal. You can even add some Rahm gravy to the mix if you are a fan. Hollarbach's schnitzels all come lightly breaded and pan fried unless you prefer no breading. I'm not a huge fan of breading and things being fried in the first place, but I have absolutely no issues with this schnitzel, which is a small miracle in my book LOL. 🙌
I absolutely loved my chicken, per usual. It's literally so tender you don't even need to cut it with a knife! I've been to quite a few German places over the years and I'd have to say this schnitzel is my top favorite. Along with the to-die-for chicken, you have your choice of two sides. I went with the Käse Spätzle (homemade egg noodles sautéed with onions, butter, and swiss cheese) and the Potato Pancakes (shredded potatoes, onion, egg and parsley that come served with applesauce).
Let me just say, these sides were AMAZING. Like I seriously have no words other than you MUST try them for yourself! I actually finished the käse spätzle before anything else on my plate if that gives you an idea of how tasty it was. 😍
My lovely friend Ileia, who also happens to be a writer for Odyssey (you can check out some of her work here!), accompanied me on this dinner date, along with her boyfriend Richard. Ileia decided to go the sandwich route and went with Hollarbach's Reubenstein. She is a huge fan of the classic reuben, like me, although she digs the sauerkraut much more than I. 🙅
This reubenstein came with lean corned beef, melty swiss cheese, sauerkraut and homemade thousand island dressing all layered between two slices of grilled marble rye bread. Mixed veggies, potato chips and ranch came on the side. Overall, Ileia thinks this sandwich would be a great compromise for someone who prefers their sauerkraut on the lighter end but still wants to enjoy the traditional reuben experience.
My friend Richard went the wiener schnitzel route too, however he chose pork! Like expected, the schnitzel was a hit! He chose the Potato Dumplings (two dumplings with crouton centers, covered in Rahm gravy) and plain Spätzle as his two sides. I'll definitely have to try these dumplings the next time I visit Hollarbach because just look at them...SO GOOD. 😋
Sadly, no desserts for us this trip. Unfortunately, if you have a severe peanut and tree nut allergy like Ileia and I do, then the dessert menu is not recommended. But that's okay! We all were way too stuffed to even think about dessert! All in all, I'd call that a success. 👏
If you are big fan of German food, I highly recommend you give Hollarbach's Willow Tree Cafe a try. In my honest opinion, I truly think it is one of the very best and an overall great dining experience. You already know I will be making another visit in the near future!
Foodie Fast Facts:
Service: Sit-down (Indoor/Outdoor)
Type of Food: German
Price Range: about $10-$30
Menu: click here!
Location: 205 E 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32713
Overall Foodie Girl Rating: 🍖🍖🍖🍖🍖 out of 5
xoxo FoodieGirl💕
Food for Thought:
(although I wouldn't mind the pretzels category making room for schnitzel too...😉)
