Hofbrauhaus

Maypole

We have both been to the original Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany, so we wanted to try the Hofbrauhaus at its newest location in Rosemont.  We have driven past over the past few months and have seen they it was close to opening.  Their soft opening was January 21 (and their grand opening will be March 18).  You could tell they were still figuring out the kinks in some places - especially at the hostess stand.  Otherwise the service was attentive.

Inside the restaurant is a super large space with plenty of large tables to accommodate large groups.  There are communal tables just like in Munich.  Be advised this is not the place for a quiet, intimate dinner.

Weisswurste

Munchner Weisswurste - 2 of Munich's famous white sausages (veal and pork) grilled with freshly baked pretzel and sweet mustard imported from Munich.  The sausages had a good snap and were a nice and smooth texture.  They were juicy and packed with flavor.

Jagerschnitzel

Jagerschnitzel - pork cutlet topped with creamy mushroom sauce, bacon, onions and served with spaetzle and cranberries.  It was tender enough to cut with a fork - moist and tasty.  A good balance of a schnitzel with some other fun stuff.  The sauce and spaetzle (German noodles) were tasty accompaniments to the schnitzel.

We also ordered a side of spaetzle so Nick could have his own.  Nick felt the spaetzle were a little dry but tasty none the less.

Apple strudel - traditional homemade Bavarian Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce, a la mode.  It was nice and warm.  We didn't need the ice cream; it was definitely better with the vanilla sauce.   

Apple Strudel

Final thoughts on Hofbrauhaus:
Food - The food was tastier than some of the other recent German fare we have had.  It was probably not as good as in Germany but definitely a closer distance.

Service - Because they hadn't been open that long, you could tell they were still figuring out the kinks in some places - especially at the hostess stand.  Otherwise the service was attentive.

Atmosphere - fun atmosphere with a live polka/southern German music style. The crowd wasn't getting into it that much with the songs and cheers, but it was reminiscent of the way they do it in Munich.