California has 6 of the best German restaurants: Yelp

Yelp released a list of the top 30 German restaurants across the country, and six spots in California made the list.

Yelp released a list of the top 30 German restaurants across the country, and six spots in California made the list.

Screen grab from German Guys’ Facebook

For those who are craving bratwurst, hot pretzels, sauerkraut or schnitzel, six restaurants in California are among the top spots for German food in the country, according to Yelp.

Yelp released its “top 30 German eateries worth traveling to this winter,” and restaurants and delis across the state made the Nov. 30 list, including in Big Bear Lake, Palm Desert, Calimesa, Orange, Stockton and Campbell.

To find the top German restaurants in the US, Yelp identified businesses in the German category and ranked them based on the total volume and ratings of reviews.

The Old German Deli —Big Bear Lake

A small resort city in Southern California is home to one of the top German spots in the United States.

The Old German Deli serves sandwiches, soups, bratwurst and other sausages.

“After eating here, I now understand why there are so many 5-star reviews. The sausages are SO tasty and served on perfectly-toasted buns along with some delightful sides,” one Yelp reviewer wrote.

Sides include sauerkraut, potato salad, potato soup, or split pea soup (only if it’s winter.)

Big Bear Lake is about 100 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Alps Village —Palm Desert

In Coachella Valley, the Alps Village is another top contender on Yelp’s list.

The family-owned restaurant offers spaetzle, pretzels, schnitzel and other popular German dishes. Yelp reviewers raved about Mama Milkas stuffed cabbage rolls, the cevapcici and the chicken paprikash.

“Great food, festive vibe, fantastic service, ice cold beer and friendly staff. It’s no wonder this place has a line out the door,” another reviewer wrote.

The restaurant is about 20 miles southeast of Palm Springs.

George’s Market Calimesa

George’s Market, a German deli in Calimesa, was also recognized.

The grocery and deli spot is popular on Yelp for its German hot plate, pastrami sandwich and Black Forest ham.

“The pastrami is melt in your mouth tender. We go there as often as we can,” said one reviewer.

The deli also has a patio where dogs are allowed on a leash, one reviewer said.

“Decor is cute, nostalgic, and quaint. There’s inside and outside seating and you can tell that it’s a hit with the locals, seeing as it looks like everyone knows each other and with how packed the parking lot was,” another reviewer wrote.

Calimesa is about 20 miles southeast of San Bernardino.

Matter Sausage & Deli Orange

Customers can order sandwiches at Mattern Sausage & Deli in Orange, but the deli also serves a vast selection of cold-cut meats, sausages and cheeses.

Yelp reviewers recommend ordering the salami to go or getting it in a sandwich.

“Got a pound of German salami, a poor boy sandwich, a smoked brat with Gouda and a roast beef sandwich. Brought it home and the family loved every bite,” one reviewer said.

Orange is about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

German Guys — Stockton

In Stockton, a couple from Germany opened German Guys with the goal of serving original German recipes.

Their restaurant also made it among Yelp’s top German restaurants in the country.

And Yelp reviewers seem to agree.

“We love finding those little out of the way, family-owned places that leave you with a full tummy and a warm heart. German Guys ticked all those boxes for us,” one reviewer wrote.

Other reviewers also noted the restaurant being a bit out of the way, but worth the drive.

“You drive and drive, and then just when you’re sure you’re lost and doomed to live in your car … it’s on the left. TOTALLY WORTH IT! I’d drive twice as far for this food,” another reviewer wrote.

Dishes on the dinner menu include a wide list of schnitzel, including lemon schnitzel and the gipsy schnitzel with a creamy tomato, onion and sweet bell pepper sauce.

Stockton is about 50 miles south of Sacramento.

Naschmarkt — Campbell

A Bay Area restaurant in Campbell also made Yelp’s top German spots in the country. But Naschmarkt’s main cuisine is Austrian.

“Naschmarkt has been a new Modern European staple in downtown Campbell for numerous years, and it is one of the best if not better spots on Campbell Ave,” one reviewer wrote.

Like other restaurants on Yelp’s list, Naschmarkt also offers German staples, including pretzels, spaghetti and sausage.

Yelp reviewers recommend the Hungarian beef goulash, the apple strudel and the double cooked pork belly.

“The Beef goulash was tender, full of earthy, bright paprika and perfectly balanced with cream and a side of spaetzle,” one reviewer said.

Naschmarkt has another location in Palo Alto.

Campbell is about 8 miles southwest of San Jose.

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Orlando leaders to vote on new ordinance

The push to make downtown Orlando safer is going beyond security checkpoints. The city council will soon vote on a new ordinance that will redefine restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Reports of violence like shootings in the summer have since increased police presence and security checkpoints downtown, including city meetings to discuss what needs to change. A proposed ordinance will distinctly clarify what it means to be a bar, restaurant or nightclub. For example, a the restaurant has to keep its chairs and tables for seated meals in place during its hours of operation. It must also not charge for entry and has to welcome all ages, otherwise it’ll be reclassified as possibly a bar or nightclub. The proposal aims to restrict locations for each kind of business that’s looking to get a license. “During the daytime, we focus more on sports, we play games… and then once it hits eight or nine we kind of push everything in and we go club mode and we change the whole atmosphere,” floor manager of Parlay Ethan Snyder said. Parlay opened downtown this past summer. “Coming into it, it’s all new, but I think that this is like a great location on a busy street,” Snyder said. City leaders hope the proposal will help manage businesses when it comes to zoning and public safety. “Safety is really important. We want all of our staff to be safe and we want everyone downtown to be safe,” Snyder said. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance Monday at 2 pm

The push to make downtown Orlando safer is going beyond security checkpoints.

The city council will soon vote on a new ordinance that will redefine restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Reports of violence like shootings in the summer have since increased police presence and security checkpoints downtown, including city meetings to discuss what needs to change.

A proposed ordinance will distinctly clarify what it means to be a bar, restaurant or nightclub.

For example, a restaurant has to keep its chairs and tables for seated meals in place during its hours of operation.

It must also not charge for entry and has to welcome all ages, otherwise it’ll be reclassified as possibly a bar or nightclub.

The proposal aims to restrict locations for each kind of business that’s looking to get a license.

“During the daytime, we focus more on sports, we play games… and then once it hits eight or nine [O’clock] we kind of push everything in and we go club mode and we change the whole atmosphere,” parlay floor manager Ethan Snyder said.

Parlay opened downtown this past summer.

“Coming into it, it’s all new, but I think that this is like a great location on a busy street,” Snyder said.

City leaders hope the proposal will help manage businesses when it comes to zoning and public safety.

“Safety is really important. We want all of our staff to be safe and we want everyone downtown to be safe,” Snyder said.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance Monday at 2 pm

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5 On Property Restaurants for Active Kids


Active kids are a part of parenthood, especially when out dining. If one child is calm and happy to sit at the table, another is likely chomping at the bit to leap out of their seats, run around looking for adventure, and maybe even cause a scene or two, if you’re lucky. Parents, we’ve all been there, right?

At the same time, there are several dining experiences as anticipated as a Disney dining experience. You plan your advanced dinner reservations months in advance. You read review after review of table service restaurants, quick service locations, and even small food stands across Disney property that you feel like you’ve eaten that Tonga Toast from ‘Ohana or steak from Le Cellier.

Now throw your active kid into the mix, and you have a whole new ballgame to try and anticipate. What will my child eat? Will they stay at the table? Are there characters around to greet them? There are so many variables to consider that it can be difficult to choose the best dining experience for your family if your children are ready to move on. With this in mind, here is a list of one restaurant recommendation, and a backup, for each Walt Disney Park and a resort-based restaurant perfect for families with active children.

Pinocchio Village Haus_resized

Magic Kingdom: Pinocchio Village Haus

Pinocchio Village Haus isn’t exactly known for its Exquisite and refined menu, nor for its outstanding and immersive atmosphere. What it lacks in these areas makes up for having a kid-friendly menu, space to explore and run around, and the understanding that there are about a hundred other kids doing the same as your active little one.

This Fantasyland counter-service spot offers staples like pepperoni flatbreads and chicken fingers, and it’s big, loud, and active all on its own. There’s an upstairs with added seating, the option to watch people loading onto the It’s a small world right next to the restaurant, and the wish book you can fill out with your child to add a little magic to the meal. It’s not an exquisite dining experience, but there certainly are things to do.

Backup: The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace is a Magic Kingdom mainstay that is also pure anarchy. It’s big, and Winnie the Pooh characters are milling about meeting you at your table. The food is nothing to write home about, but you’re not really paying for the meal. You’re there to meet Winnie the Pooh and the gang and watch your child light up, jump from the table and hug their favorite characters.

Epcot: Biergarten

The Biergarten in the German Pavilion at Epcot is a wonderful location to bring an active child for a number of reasons. With a live German band on stage playing throughout the restaurant and an open dance floor, there is room for your child to run around and dance off the energy they may have pent up from waiting in line around Epcot.

The music, dancing, and buffet-style serving makes for a loud environment ideal for those little ones who want to blow off some steam without their parents feeling like their children are the only crazy ones. And, for parents, there’s air conditioning and beer, of course! It’s perfect for a midday or end-of-day reprieve from the heat and congestion of the largest park at Disney. The only downside is the grouping of tables where your family of 3 or 4 may be saddled right next to another family or couple, but remember, there’s beer!

Backup: Coral Reef Restaurant

I would typically recommend families head to Garden Grill at Epcot as it is a very solid character meal experience, but the restaurant is naturally designed to enjoy while sitting. The Coral Reef Restaurant in World Nature allows your children to watch the more than 4,000 sea species on display in the tanks right in front of you and gives your active child a chance to walk around and see even more.

backlot-express

Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express

Hollywood Studios has gone through an evolution that added Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. These two areas have contributed more dining offerings to guests, but the Backlot Express is still a solid option for active kids. With indoor and outdoor seating, you have the option to let your active one get up and walk around without disturbing everyone around you. You also have a nice view of the Jedi Training stage, they are feet from some of the outdoor seating.

As a quick-service dining option, Backlot Express also gives you a little more freedom to up and leave when your child is ready to head out.

Backup: Woody’s Lunch Box

Before standing in line for Slinky Dog Dash, grab a bite, or watch the Green Army Corps march by from Woody’s

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