I love this place! The decor is totally awesome, bringing you back to Germany's yesteryear. One…read moreof their specialties is their schweinhaxe (pork knuckle) served with a side of potatoes and sauerkraut. German food is, of course, heavy with carbs and meat -- and most of all, pair this massive piece of pork with beer...and you're absolutely in heaven! They have a fairly large selection of beer from Pils, Radler, Weizens... as well as my favorite COLABIER (Germans *LOVE* mixing cola with beer). They also have a fairly extensive wine list too -- including APFELWEIN (made out of apples) which is well-known in neighboring HESSE (Frankfurt) region... and lots of soft-drinks too (including, Germany's [and MY] favorite, apfelschorle)! There is definitely lots to eat here and lots to drink here at a reasonable price.
I've only had schweinhaxe once and it was pretty darn good here. The pork skin was nice and crispy--reminiscent of Chinese-styled roasted pork, and the pork meat underneath was tender and juicy. Delish! Potatoes and sauerkraut are pretty much standard, like at any other German restaurant.
This restaurant isn't unique--as there are many other Augustinerkellers all around Germany, but the one in Mainz, as I was told, was modeled after the famous one in Munich. When I return to Mainz again, if I ever do, I will have to come back here for their schweinhaxe. Just the thought of fried pork knuckle gives me a warm feeling in my tummy. :)
And by the way, the waitstaff here speaks English. A lot of times, Germans don't speak very good English, but here--they speak it pretty well. So non-English speakers...you won't have a problem :)
