I've gone to the majority of the surviving German restaurants in the Chicagoland area I can honestly say after visiting Germany many times and sampling the various German foods that I'm a self proclaimed authority on German food and beer. I love going to Schnitzel Platz, they have good German dishes, their spätzle, green beans, and German bean salad are the best. Their pork shank is good too. The deserts are delicious and the beer, although a bit pricey is good. There's entertainment on weekends. read more

Well... I really want to give this establishment a great positive review based on the homey vibe. But it wasn't quite there. If you are familiar with traditional German food, then I think you will appreciate this place. But if your awareness is spaetzle from the deli aisle, then maybe not. I did enjoy my side salad (which was totally not a green salad). Actually didn't know quite what I was eating, but found it tasty. I did NOT enjoy my cheesy spaetzle. It was super greasy. My oldest son got the meat sliders. Note: they are called "meat" sliders. Not specifically beef. We missed this nuance. They definitely tasted weird for someone with a specific taste expectation. Liver dumpling soup is a dumpling made out of liver. Not livers AND dumplings. Another detail missed by my son. And in general I found it expensive for lunch. Wish they had a paired down menu of sandwiches for lunch. read more

Schnitzel Platz - Side salad Not what I expected, but tasty - German Near Me - Glendale Heights, Illinois

My boyfriend and I came here for what proved to be a very tasty German dinner! We started off with the large soft pretzel with cheese. I was kind of disappointed with the cheese, since it sort of tasted like canned cheddar cheese soup and it was cold, but the pretzel itself was good! I had the Jager schnitzel and he had weiner schnitzel. Our entrees and the sauerkraut, bread dumplings, and spätzle were all very tasty! We shared the German chocolate cake which was very good too. My boyfriend really enjoyed his 2 liter glass boot full of beer! We did get a bit of a chuckle when the waitress insisted on holding onto his driver's license while he drank the beer. It's not for the reasons you might think. Apparently, a lot of people who order the glass boots walk off with them. You can find them in the gift shop cases for $110! Our waitress was really nice too! On Sunday nights, they have live music. An older gentleman (who I think I've seen at another nearby German restaurant) who plays an interesting variety of instruments, included a cluster of glass beer bottles that he blows into and create different sounds. It might have been the beer boot talking, but we started laughing when he started singing a song by the Foo Fighters. Unless Dave Grohl is of German nationality, I'm not sure this qualifies as authentic German music. Overall, a good time and great food! Would definitely come back! read more

Emily was very friendly and sweet, food was really good, loved the goulash soup and the German potato salad. Really cute inside feels warm and cozy read more

Schnitzel Platz - German Near Me - Glendale Heights, Illinois

Over the years I've driven past this place numerous times and have thought, "I gotta check that place out someday". Well, someday was "today" and four of us got together on a post Super Bowl Monday night to check it out. I wishI had caught our waitress's name because she was pretty good from both service and personality perspectives. I like to mention a servers name in my reviews when the service shines. The portions were pretty substantial. Three of us went with schnitzel and one ordered the trout. Overall we were satisfied, though the fileted trout did have a few detectable bones in it. Dinner comes with two sides - we all went in different directions on those and they all seemed to be pretty good. I ordered a dumpling and much to my surprise, it tasted a bit like Thanksgiving stuffing - I really liked that! A decent beer variety. Large pretzel appetizer was a nice start to our dining experience. Glad I finally tried this place. I'm a little more partial to another German reataurant in Lisle, but they'renot open on Mondays - a night off for me - and Schnitzel Platz is. I'll be back! read more

Absolutely horrible! It seems all the great German/Bohemian restaurants in the suburbs have closed which is truly sad! This one is a definite never have to try again. read more

I really liked the food I had the Wiener schnitzel with the bread dumpling and sauerkraut and I thought it was very good! However, our waiter who was a man in about his thirties was not at all attentive and provided no information about the menu. On multiple occasions he would leave the table for about 20-30 minutes without checking up on us and it took him twenty minutes to bring back the check. He also did not make anyone aware that multiple specials were available or that several options on the dessert menu were sold out until after he asked if we decided. The other waitresses around us seemed very friendly and communicative though! read more

What the actual heck people? There are 9 million mexican restaurants and 7 million italian restaurants and 8 million chinese restaurants. But there are about 4 decent german restaurants in the greater Chicago area and this is the first one you should try. Yes it is a little more expensive than the other ethnics, but it is worth it! The good german beer and a nice warm soft pretzel with cheese to start off. Then any schnitzel on the menu, or if you are daring... try the sauerbraten! Brats and other german sausages too. Dishes come with 2 sides and a cold german salad that is unique and sweet! Spatzels, saurkraut, red cabage, and my favorite german potato salad anywhere are some options. Strudels and cakes for dessert! Live music. Oh and have another liter of beer while you are here. And have a nice conversation with the owner, Chuck. You won't be disappointed! read more

This is the third time we have visited since the the original owners sold the business. The food is good but not spectacular, there are no more daily specials just the standard menu. Little niceties like a bread basket are gone and there is a hurried pace to the dining experience even though the restaurant was only 2/3 full on a Saturday night. Our server was pleasant and efficient but also hurried. She dropped off the food then disappeared not to check up on us to see if we needed anything else until we were half way done with our meal. There was a live musician performing on an accordion. The music was over amplified so it was difficult to maintain a conversation while he was playing. His instrumental performances of German polkas were fine, albeit hokey, but the campiness of it makes for fun. What wasn't good were his off key attempts at singing, it was really bad. All in all I think that this restaurant has lived its life for us and I'm sad to say we probably won't return, there are too many good options available to us in our area. read more

I was really excited about celebrating Oktoberfest Fest in an authentic German restaurant. We had reservations and went on a Thursday with my three friends. We were seated promptly by the hostess. The waitress was polite and prompt. The ambience was super. We had an entertainer who played bells, the long horn and the accordion. He was very good and very entertaining. The beer was great, BUT the food sucked! The potato pancakes were over fried and tasteless, the variety platter I ordered lacked spice and salt. It too was tasteless. The peach strudel was nothing to write about. It's worth the one hour trip north-to Milwaukee and get some real tasty authentic German food. read more

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My husband and I came to Schnitzel Platz for their Oktoberfest celebration. When we arrived, there weren't many people there. But when we left, every single table was filled. They also provided a tent outside for overflow, or people who were being more careful about COVID. The live music and atmosphere was fun. We all participated when the musician prompted us: "Ticky Tocky Ticky Tocky?" "Oi Oi Oi"!!! I've never done that before, so it was an experience. :) Our server was dressed in traditional Oktoberfest attire, and the walls were decorated for the festivities. They do a great job at bringing a little bit of Germany to Illinois. The beer flight was perfect - all tasty selections. I can't remember which was my favorite, but my husband took a photo of it so that I can order again someday. The pretzel and beer cheese was buttery, salty, soft and delicious. You can tell it is fresh and homemade. I highly recommend getting it - but be prepared to be a little full by the time your food arrives! I ordered the weiner schnitzel (veal) with sides of spaetzel and German potato salad. I assumed I would love the schnitzel, because I've had it other restaurants where they top it with a lemony, buttery sauce. But they don't do that here (I guess it's more authentic German that way?). It was hard to eat dry, even though the meat was very good. I would have preferred a sauce. I'm not a fan of spaetzel - too bland for me. I liked the German potato salad, but prefer typical American potato salad better. I finished off my meal with a warm glass of gluhwein, which was sweet and spiced and delicious. As you may have read, the prices are pretty high, but the food is prepared fresh and is authentic (from what I'm told - I'm not German and would never have known the difference!) :) We may come back to try something different, but I'm not a huge fan of German food, to be honest. I would definitely come back for a pretzel and beer though! read more

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We enjoyed another great German meal tonight at Schnitzel Platz. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We have come here for years although it has been a little while since our last visit. We enjoyed some great German beer, potato pancakes, sausage platter, Wiener schnitzel, home fries, and red cabbage. We will be back again soon. If you want great German food, in a warm, family friendly environment in the western suburbs I would highly recommend coming here. read more

We were so happy they had availability, we called while we were out driving. The food was was so good, our server was great. It's so cute inside, we will definitely go back! read more

Beer was a little expensive and food could have come faster but it's a good restaurant with reasonably priced, mostly very good food. I've never been to Germany so I can't speak to it's authenticity but I enjoyed myself there. read more

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Excellent, authentic, German food. The beer is good too. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Outstanding! Finally had my chance to try it and absolutely no regrets. Great atmosphere, live music, and great food. read more

Schnitzel Platz - German Near Me - Glendale Heights, Illinois

This is a wonderfully authentic German restaurant. Two for dinner on a Sunday at 530 pm. The restaurant filled up quickly after 630 probably because Octoberfest was weeks away. We had the sausage platter and the chicken schnitzel. Both were excellent . Their German potato salad and red cabbage were perfect. Not too sweet. They offer many German beers and California wines. Cozy wooden booths. The restaurant was already being set up for their Octoberfest weekend with long family style tables under a huge tent inside their dining room. read more

I went to Schnitzel Platz last Saturday along with 5 Friends for a birthday celebration. Johnny Wagner was singing, playing the accordion and saxophone Johnny put on a great show, he really got the crowd going. The food was great. I had the pork shank with spätzle and green beans, it were delicious. I also had the German salad a nice combination of cucumbers, beets, purple cabbage, and carrots. Our waitress (dressed in German costume) was very accommodating. I been to many Chicago German restaurants and this place is at the top of my list. read more

Most fun I've had at a restaurant in a long time! It has the feel of a beer hall, friendly wait staff, fun live music on the weekends. Our party sampled many items, from the soft pretzels & potato pancakes to the smoked salmon & many different schnitzels; all were great! Can't wait to go back! read more

The potato pancakes were out of this world... saurkraut balls ... amazing.... the honey crisp cocktail DO NOT MISS! Went on a Saturday night... entertainment was fun and lighthearted.... service was exceptional... will definitely be back! read more

Very good food, nice atmosphere, good beer selection. Fiance declared the German chocolate cake "yum." The waiter could have used some help, he was literally running back and forth trying to keep up. He still managed to provide great service. It's not cheap, though. read more

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This place has so much potential. We tried the sauerkraut balls, mini burgers and pork schnitzel. The kraut balls had so much salt and bread crumb binding they were not edible. The mini burgers had a really strange texture that we couldn't get over. The schnitzel was moist, but didn't have a ton of flavor. This was the only thing my kiddo would eat and referred to it as a chicken nugget which I think is an accurate description. The bar could be a fun hang out if they staffed it, but definitely wouldn't return for the food. read more

What an absolute gem this place is! It reminds me of the type of place you might find in the Door County area of Wisconsin. The interior design is so fun and very classic German restaurant design. Food is great. And filling! Come hungry but you will probably be taking home leftovers anyways. Definitely family friendly- nice kids menu options. My oldest was excited to see her favorite on the menu- Sprecher's root beer. Be sure to order a beer .... but be prepared for a huge beer read more

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This is my place when I get that yearly craving of German food. It's not something I'd prefer to eat regularly, as it is just such a filling meal every time I come. It's very hard to not overeat at these places, because you want to try so much on the menu. The ambiance is fantastic and you literally feel like you are in Germany. If you happen to be there on a night that they are playing their live music, it's even better. I always seem to start off with potato pancakes, and this place does them well. You can definitely tell they are homemade when each one comes out a completely different shape. Also a good tip for anyone ordering potato pancakes anywhere. Just look at the shape and if they are all identical then they are frozen ones that were bought. My one dislike is you have to pick between getting sour cream or applesauce as your side to them. They never seem to give you enough for the order as well. And additional of either or if you want both is an extra fee. For some reason I seem to get the same thing almost every time I come. I try my best to get whoever is along for the ride to get something I've never had so that I can get a taste. Lol. But the sampler platter is a good place to start here. It comes with 3 different sausages, pork schnitzel, potatoes, sauerkraut, and a German type of meatloaf. It's definitely a meal that you can split with someone as it's that big. However, I believe that they did want to charge a split plate fee on a previous visit. Hopefully that has changed, so I would check that. The dinner also comes with a choice of soup or side salad. The side salad is pictured and could actually use some improvement in my opinion. It comes with some beans, beats, carrots and cabbage. Nothing fancy or adventurous with this one. If your looking to try German food with some good ambiance, check this place out. They probably play live music on the weekends which is fun while you're eating. Prices are a little high for what it is, but then again you're getting more homemade food instead of packaged. read more

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I came here for an early dinner with my best friend and Schnitzel Platz did not disappoint. We both agreed never to visit that German place in Downers Grove ever again! Potato pancakes are the best I ever had! The pretzel was a perfect appetizer to the flight of beer I ordered. It wasn't a long wait for it either, so I don't know what other Yelpers were referring to with wait times. That cheese dip is the best! The complimentary bread bowl was very tasty. Both of our schnitzel plates were very good, hot and delicious. Green beans are the best in the western suburbs! My wiener schnitzel was very good and enjoyable. You can taste homemade goodness in each bite. Beer flight was delicious. Nice selection of beers on draft and bottles. Service was incredible and the atmosphere was great. Even other patrons greeted us. How cool is that? Minus one star for the amount of potatoes given to me as a side. I would have liked more for what I was paying. Very expensive restaurant. I will return here after I've received my income tax return! And I went here because I thought it was cool that they gave two schnitzel patties. What I found out is that they do that for all of them except the wiener schnitzel and that is what I ordered. That blows!!! read more

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Like Ki's next door, I have driven past this place for years and always wanted to stop. Perhaps it's due to the divided highway-I'm always headed west when I pass, and very very seldom heading east. It's tricky to cross over and get access. The place has the kind of Teutonic atmosphere you'd expect, bright and cheerful. The service was fine. I ordered a large Weihenstephan Hefe bier, and was presented with a stein the size of a pickle barrel. Yikes! And it was really fine, too. The menu was very thorough in its array of German specialities, and I was shocked to see "Hackepeter" on it. Hackepeter is raw ground beef with raw egg, onions, capers and parsley. Not exactly "correct cuisine" in todays world, but the dish has been common to me since I was a tyke, due to my German Grandparents. I love it! The version here was a very large portion and very well made. Another item from the "fear factor menu" (as my dear Wife calls it) was Liver Dumpling Soup. Usually the mention of this makes people cringe, but for those of us who had our formative years in a Slavic/German neighborhood, LDS is bona-fide comfort food. The version here was indeed tasty. For entree, I swung with the "Deutsche Haus Platte" which was a kind of sampler. Pork Schnitzel, Frikadelle (German chopped steak), assorted sausages, kraut, red cabbage and I was able to sub potato dumplings for the fries. I always try to sample as many of the house specialities on any first visit. Disappointed. The entire plate was kind of tired. I grew up with German and Polish Grandparents who knew their way around a kitchen. We lived in a heavily Czech/German/Polish Suburb of Chicago known for its excellent Czech restos. There's a really thin line between all branches of Eastern European food-Czech/German/Polish. The kraut and cabbage were watery and tasteless. The sausages were not great. Worst of all, the schnitzel was hard and dry, despite the fine gravy provided. Dry schnitzel? in a place CALLED "Schnitzel Platz"? OUTRAGEOUS! The Frikadelle was neutral. The onliest thing I really dug were the potato dumplings with the aforementioned gravy. We used to call those "sinkers"-potato dumplings are dense and heavy--a little goes a long long way. These were actually very good examples, but they are not representative of a full meal. And about that massive stein of beer? I did the unthinkable-after consuming about a 1/4 of it, I sent it back. The waitress was astounded-who sends back a beer? Especially a fine German Brew. And fine it was-too fine in fact. I felt myself getting a bit tipsy with most of the stein to go. It's a long drive back to Stately Breakwind Manor, and a DUI would fuck my life in untold ways. I told the gal I would pay full price for the beer, and had her whisk it away to protect myself. Both this place and Ki's next door show great promise, but ultimately fade in the details. I'll prolly try this place again, and order more judiciously. The Hackepeter and LDS were really good, so there's something going on in the kitchen. And I'll order a smaller bier next time... read more

Went for the Oktoberfest. The music was great and the service was strong. The problem; the food was bad.....like really bad. Hockey puck schnitzel, Shriveled up bratwurst, stale bread. Do yourself a favor and eat first, then just go for the beer and music. read more

The service was terrible. The food was cold and took forever to arrive. The staff could have cared less. It was way over priced for what you get. I do not recommend read more

Mediocre food at high prices..yes has some atmosphere, but not up to par. Have to say good parking.

I wanted to love this place, but it didn't happen. Came here with my German husband, and we were both excited to try another German restaurant. The service was okay, kind of like a German service (aka the server isn't bad, but you'll spend time waiting, if it's not busy.) We were both happy to get German beer on tap, and ordered an appetizer. If you want Obatzda (Bavarian cream cheese dip), you have to get the large pretzel which isn't super convenient for two people. (The pretzel was good, but more American than German.) And then for entrees there are no vegetarian options, so I ordered two sides: White asparagus and spaetzle. Both were okay. If given the choice, I probably won't order either again. And then my husband ordered a large sausage plate and hated almost everything on it. So food execution gets a 1-2 out of 5. I would recommend this place for drinks and apps only in the future. Also loved the authentic feeling in this place, but the traditional polka music is super loud, so just something to keep in mind. read more

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Authentic German food in town! I was craving curry wurst and found it here and tasted very similar to the ones I had in Germany. Everything that we ordered tasted authentic and good. The Hungarian potatoes tasted better than other restaurants nearby. read more

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Not at all happy with this restaurant. Came here because I had a coupon. The potato pancakes are big and crispy but very much lacking on Flavor. We ordered the plate that comes with schnitzel and three different kinds of sausage and sauerkraut and sweet and sour cabbage and potatoes. The bratwurst was good was not too crazy about the other sausages and the Schnitzel looks like it was frozen and came out of a box. And a very tiny piece about the size of a deck of cards. We just didn't think that anything was special. Obviously it's not too good. No one here! read more

Schnitzel Platz - It's 1:30 on a Sunday and the place is empty. - German Near Me - Glendale Heights, Illinois

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First timers here and we picked a great Sunday night with LIVE music by a delightful musician who played every type of instrument you have NEVER seen before! Will def return to see him again! Plus the food was delicious, portions pretty large! Checked all the boxes for me, we ll try to come most every Sunday if the musician is there! read more

Schnitzel Platz - German Near Me - Glendale Heights, Illinois

The new owner (since 2020) does NOT care about food allergies. I ordered my food dairy-free, was told it was no problem, and it came out half smothered in hollandaise sauce. When I asked them to remake it, the owner replied with a smirk, "really? just because of that little bit?" He ultimately refused, and I left hungry. It seems the former owner's tradition of allergy-friendly food is lost on this guy. read more

Sauer Braten was deee-lish! Service friendly and considerate/attentive to our party of six. Ambiance was pretty much what I expected. Tables and booths, beer steins and cuckoo clocks. An enjoyable evening with family. read more

Schnitzel Platz should not be blamed for the terrible fare that is German food (I'm German so I can say this). My family visited Schnitzel Platz amidst Oktoberfest to get into the seasonal spirit and to get in touch with our "roots." We knew what to expect. Lots of beer, schnitzel, lederhosen, and music. This was exactly what we got! And it was fun! The tables are set up in long rows in true Oktoberfest style. There was a live band and plenty of beer to go around. My family ordered the Sauerkraut balls to start. Those were great despite the fact that I hate sauerkraut. They also give a basket of rye and pretzel bread to start! This was great because I love pretzel bread and it balanced out all the beer I chugged when I initially got there. Then we got potato latkes. Those are super good -- but plan to split one with someone else. They're huge and I was barely able to eat half of one. Then we got two of the platters to share. Not completely sure which ones we got...but the Schnitzel was delicious and so was every type of sausage. Honestly, if you like German food you'll love this place. If you don't, then why are you at a German restaurant in the first place? I, personally, don't love German food and that has nothing to do with Schnitzelplatz. They really do make some great food and provide an experience to boot. But after one German meal, I'm set for the next year (too bad I'm headed to Germany in a few weeks.) read more

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Excellent. Lots of german specialities make it always hard to decide. Trying different dishes is fun.

Food was good, the music just ok. Needs to be more entertaining. Something in between Disneys Germany and there own

I can't believe I haven't been here sooner! We went on a busy Saturday night with a large group and had a great time. We were warmly greeted by the staff and the accordion player. I got the beer flight (a bargain for $10) which was generous samples of 5 beers. The soft pretzel was ok but not my favorite. For dinner the house platter was fantastic. I got the German salad with it and it was perfect. Portions are generous. I just ate at a German place in Denver that charged $20 for JUST the schnitzel and the sides were a la carte! This place is a gem and I can't wait to go back. read more

Solid choice for authentic German food. This is definitely a little more fancy than The Golden Pheasant, which is similar but more home style. The sour kraut is incredible and the sausages are really good. This place is definitely worth the visit for something different and a great place to bring a group. read more