Delicious! Great staff, interesting decor. Brussels sprouts are a must! Pretzel too! Plenty of vegetarian friendly options

This is a great place a block away from all the gentlemen's clubs in Springfield. Yelp says classy, which is true for the dining room. For a more casual experience, you can sit at the bar or in the booths. It has an epic collection of beer steins and a decent beer selection to boot. I got a Spaten Lager and the German Sampler, which came with a Sausage, Sauerkraut, Pork Chop, and Goulash. Overall, this was an excellent dish. First, the sausage was good. It was very fine and didn't have much fat in it. The lack of fat made it an odd choice to pair the sausage with sauerkraut/mustard/ginger. I find that the sourness of sauerkraut or the taste of mustard and ginger cuts the heaviness of fats, making the fatty food much more palatable. In my opinion, the sausage didn't need the sauerkraut. But pickled vegetables are cool. Second, the goulash was pretty standard. The stew was good, but the beef was somewhat overcooked and dry. I wonder if it was because they didn't stew the beef long enough. The chunks of beef that contained tendon displayed the primary evidence of overcooking. I'd expect stewed tendon to be springy and not chewy. Third, the pork chop with some kind of sweet sauce was the highlight of the meal. The sweet sauce had a hint of tartness that ensure the sweetness was not overwhelming. The pork chop was thin, but it was tender and not overcooked. It's the true demonstration of skill to cook a thin pork chop to the perfect doneness. Fourth, there was some kind of fried potato thing. That was glorious. This review might sound like hating, but I'm only pointing out the flaws. Overall, it was pretty good. read more

What ruined the experience is that the person that I was waiting for was forced to use valet parking, having a spot available almost in front of the door of the restaurant. City ordinance, prohibits exclusive use of the street for this service, when the provided in a public right-of-way like Fort Street. What should have been an optional service, was awful bullying after driving six hours. Otherwise food and beer were OK. read more

Awesome German beers with ton of beer steins to look at !

First off, someone should fix this listing...the Student Prince is NOT closed! Second, I can't believe it took me so long to go here. It's a classic old German restaurant in the heart of Springfield, serving authentic dishes and steins of beer. The ambiance is excellent...very old-school with a historic feel. And the service was excellent. Our waiter was extremely helpful, knew his stuff and had a fun "no nonsense" attitude, too. Only negative was the game kebob which is a limited-time thing and easy to avoid -- I discovered antelope, kangaroo, bison and elk are not really my thing. Will definitely return. read more

Went with a group. Unbelievable service from filamina. She was great. Wonderful ambiance. My wife had the fried duck which she was a little disappointed with. Thought it was overdone. Rest of their group liked their food. I had meatloaf that was underwhelming from the point of view there was not a lot of it. Definitely going back. read more

I come here all the time with my family around the holidays. The Camembert cheese and honey mustard are one of a kind and one of the main reasons we come! The giant pretzel and Brussel sprouts are also crowd pleasers. I always have the prime rib or the German sampler (bratwurst, berg goulash, and smoked chop). The inside is still a little gaudy, but the service is great and the authentic food is worth it! read more

Went here before a show at Symphony Hall. We were asked if we had a reservation, which we did not. The hostess said, "We are extremely understaffed so we can't take you without a reservation." In other words, it's OK to receive poor service in an under staffed restaurant as long as you have a reservation. Will think twice before returning. read more

Oh yeah, nothing beats a trip to the Student Prince. Great beer, great food, and the service is okay too. One other thing I've noticed (and maybe it's 'cause I just don't hang out in downtown Springfield much), but downtown Springfield isn't a place you want to hang out in much. I've spent a lot of time in a lot of cities (Hartford included, which has its own issues) and Springfield can be pretty hardcore...like checking your back as you're walking to your car type stuff, then walking faster, clicking the remote yanking up on the door handle and pirouetting into the driver's seat before hitting the "lock" switch and getting the hell outta Dodge. Kinda like Jodie Foster in Panic Room. Except she didn't have a car. Anyway, Student Prince rocks. Go there. read more

Terrific authentic German restaurant and bar with wide selection of draught and bottled beers. Come here just to view the collection of hundreds of beer steins and wine bottle openers. Food was very good. Visited April 2017 read more

I went to the the restaurant, I'd say a month or so ago. It was great especially the service. Sheila was absolutely amazing, informative, polite and adorable. (The older gentleman there also that night was not). Ask for Sheila! read more

Went here for a romantic early dinner, was swept away by the ambiance and decor. Such a beautiful restaurant! We were seated in a cozy little booth for two and promptly served drinks and bread with butter. Delicious Vermont creamy butter! I ordered the bratwurst with sauerkraut and the cucumber salad. Each dinner comes with two "sides" and I was tempted to go with potatoes (I'm German Irish). The cucumber salad was light, refreshing and delicious all on its own. The sauerkraut wasn't quite as crisp and bright as I'm used to, perhaps they don't make their own. The bratwurst was... hard to eat. It was bulbous, white, and room temperature, making for an awkward texture and taste. I would not order this again. Contrastingly, my boyfriend ordered the goulash with mashed potatoes. Warm, beefy, homemade goodness that melted away the cold Mass afternnoon. A little over salted, but that's okay with me; the beef was fall-apart tender. I'd recommend this place for a romantic night out, a dinner with close friends or family, or for special occasions. Definitely a few steps above casual dining. Dress appropriately. read more

I came to The Fort for the first time a little over a year ago, and I have been back dozens of times ever since. For starters, their authentic German cuisine is incredible. Everything is always hot and fresh and comes out quickly. Like most, I love their fried cheese, and their crabcake is also an excellent appetizer. I have never had anything that I did not enjoy here. The bartenders and waitresses always make you feel like you're "right at home", and the laid back, old school atmosphere makes it a great place to just relax, unwind, and chat with a friend. I also greatly appreciate the fact that they offer valet parking. Considering that it is in downtown Springfield, parking is not always easy to come by, so this certainly makes dining here more appealing. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great meal, or just looking to hangout and have a few drinks. read more

I've had varying experiences here but after a 3rd time I've finally been able to compose a review. The seating is bad and really tight to get around, its a balancing act of dodging wait staff and peoples heads to the bathroom. Its pretty loud with the open rooms and large tables. The decor is pretty much original dating back to 1930's kind of like your late relatives basement/den. The back bar area is pretty cool and the best part is their care in the food. I've had steak 2 out of 3 times and this place knows how to cook it and use nice cuts of meat. Dont expect to be wowed by presentation just dig in and enjoy. The portions are nice too from 1st course to last (dessert is good). read more

This place is an institution in Springfield it almost closed has since reopened even better. The bar is unbelievable, it is honestly stunning. I have always enjoyed coming here to eat or drink, the bartenders are professional in every sense of the word and know their liquor and beers. The food has also always been a highlight from their annual game months to their daily menu. Five stars read more

How could this place not have been rated yet? Excellent German food and beer. Grab the Wiener Schnitzel, get the special salad with roquefort and a tall half-and-half beer and you're all set. Also, much more pleasant service since Herr Rupprecht went to the big Prussian restaurant in the sky! read more

I love this place, it's always the same! ( in a good way) authentic German food, friendly service, and a really cool atmosphere. Whether you come for a quick one at the bar or a big family dinner, you will not be disappointed. Take in the stein collection, the artwork, and make absolute certain you get the spaetzle! read more

Student Prince - Real eggnog! - German Near Me - Springfield, Massachusetts

We've been to many restuarants in the area and we won't be returning to Student Prince. It's very very expensive for what you get, the Waiter did not listen to our order and the mixed drinks (which are also very expensive and over priced) are poured very weak with almost none Alcohol in them at all. When my friend who's a Bartender asked that the next drink be mixed properly they gave her an even worse drink. And since shes been a Bartender for 20+ years and I have never heard her complain ever previously at a dozen or more outings. I would not recommend coming there as the Food is fine but the Drinks are poured very weak and over all its way to expensive just in general, this Restuarant gets two thumbs down from us and we won't be returning. read more

Fourth time to this restaurant. Food is excellent and authentic German. Excellent atmosphere and decent prices. Have had jager schnitzel, sauerbraten, cheese spaetzle and bratwurst. All were great. Lots of locals there at lunch and early evening but service is still prompt when busy. Definitely best restaurant I've visited in Springfield. read more

It was very good, not quite as good as Munich Haus but it had a bigger menu and a way better appetizer menu. We got the "famous" fried cheese app, and I got the "famous" German Sampler and the "famous" cheesecake. The pork chop in the sampler was AWESOME. Good all around. read more

I was not amazed by their food but Really good waiter. Jeff is so nice! However, the lady at the front desk's attitude was not very friendly. She seems the owner. She looks like a No-Smile statue. read more

Springfield, MA is not exactly the hot spot of culture or cuisine, but The Student Prince is a not-so-little place that's still trying. I do wish I had read the Yelp reviews before I had been there, as it would appear I missed out on some insider secrets. For another, in the future I'll try not to take the server at her word - her recommendations seemed phoned in. If anything, my biggest complaint was that the staff seemed bored - and didn't try to hide it. Many of then showed up only minutes before opening. It's not been my experience to see staff doing their side-work IN the dining room. That being said, they did seem to take care of their regulars, and I was happy to see the Manager spending extra time with an elder customer. The food was pretty good. I had the "Graved Lox" which was fine if a bit over-salted and over whelmed by pickles and sauces. The Goulash was tasty. The Paprika Schnitzel was the winner. The Wurste Platte [sic] was decent, but I found the sauerkraut to be a bit too sweet and very runny. And the boiled potato had all the excitement of a basically boiled potato. One interesting note: We were trying to go for German recipes, however, I'm curious why they put a plastic jar of Grey Poupon mustard with the dish? So, in the end, it's an interesting place with a lot of history. Lot's of interesting stuff on the walls. Food is good. Perhaps we got the staff on a sleepy day. But it's not a place that I'll readily drive out of my way for. read more

I have loved this place for years, especially when they have the game dinners. I was filled with trepidation after they re-opened with new owners and a renovation; one of the great things about the place is the 60's ambience... You could easily imagine Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci out of Goodfellas in a corner table (I know it's German not Italian, but that was my impression lol). The renovations opened the place up and showcased the fabulous beer stein collection wonderfully. I must say, when we went the staff seemed miserable... Not one had a smile; they all seemed like they were being beaten in the kitchen... maybe it was a bad night? The food has retained its quality and taste though. All in all, absolutely still worth the price. If you don't get the house Roquefort dressing, you're missing 75% of the experience. Just saying. :-) read more

Student Prince - Stein collection - German Near Me - Springfield, Massachusetts

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Great, traditional German food. Can't go wrong one the menu. During Christmas time they decorate the entire place with traditional German holiday decor. Best on the way home from the VT mountains! read more

What is happening to this landmark? I have been going to The Student Prince since I was a baby back in 1961. This has been a family favorite as my parents immigrated from Switzerland and Austria in the 1950s. We have been customers here for over 55 years. The new owners did a fantastic job of maintaining the German integrity and charm of The beloved Student Prince since taking over. Unfortunately the quality of the food has not done so great. Last evening 01/08/2020 my family consisting of 4th generation patrons ( if you count my parents, their children ( ie, me) my children and my grandchildren) reserved a table for 7 people at 4:45 pm. So sad to write I do not think we can ever return. The food was just terrible. My 89 year old mother ordered the clams Casino as an appetizer, they were so rotten that they smelled the entire main dining-room up the second they arrived at the table! Inedible and just unbelievable that the kitchen would send out clams that were easily days if not weeks past their expiration date. They smelled like the sewer! Next my dish, chicken schnitzel that the menu described as served with green salad and lemon vinaigrette. My chicken schnitzel was served cold with cold spatezle underneath and with a piece of a endive ( or something similar ) on top of the schnitzel. I asked our server " where is the salad as the menu stated?" The server responded " I know, you're 100 % correct, this is not what it's is supposed to be, do you want me to get you a green salad?" There was no lemon vinaigrette either, the chicken cutlet was tough, cold and dry. My son ordered the Paprika Schnitzel, omg just looking at it was unappealing; water thin red sauce pooling over the pork cutlet. Son in-law ordered the Wurstplatte, another failure, served luke warm and tasted like it was not fresh. This is the kicker to the evening.... son in-law went to Men's washroom which is located next to the kitchen and he clearly heard the kitchen staff say " Dude, I wouldn't serve that! ". New owners, please read this review carefully and believe this is not an exaggeration by any means. I'm very sad to say that we have no plans to repeat another visit, last evening at The Student Prince as dismal a Update ... I want to thank the management for taking the time to reach out to me after posting this review. The restaurant experienced a rush prior to the symphony performance which explains the dining experience. I am thankful and appreciative to all the staff throughout the years for many, many fond memories. The Student Prince is a cherished landmark Thank you! read more

What a surprise. Happened to be near Springfield and needed dinner. Found this place on Yelp and it had a diversity of food which is what we were looking for. The fried Camembert appetizer was a delicious surprise. My husband ordered a German meal with veal, gravy and mushrooms with a side of spetzle - tender and tasty. My son ordered duck a la orange - seriously. It was unbelievable!! A must have. I had a wonderful arugula salad and ate off of their plates. We have to figure out how to come back here! And I should mention the service was impeccable and the live music was entertaining without being loud. read more

Great service, mediocre food. The Hungarian goulash was one-note and my husband's spatzle was overcooked. The place was packed and they definitely seem to have a loyal customer base, but the food is in need of some inspiration for sure. Maybe they're just off their game post-COVID? read more

We had a great dinner here after a day at Six Flags. The giant pretzel was a huge hit with the kids and the various German meals were delish. Service was impeccable and the beer suggestions for my wife and I were spot on. The decor is old school and the clientele varied from dressed up seniors to young professionals dressed in suits. The chocolate chip brownie done in a fry pan was perhaps my youngest favorite deserts ever. Can't wait to go back! read more

A brightly lit and claustrophobic German, with decent cocktails and good food. We had a large group, and everyone had something different. I had the Pork Hock, with all the usual crap the Huns put on the side. Spätzle, Kraut, Cabbage, etc. It was all edible. Not extraordinary, but good. The Booze was good, with decent prices and service. I've had better Deutsch in Chicago and Milwaukee, but this was a decent feed. read more

I don't live in the area any more, but I still stop here when I come visit! You rarely get a good German place down the street from you when you don't live in a big city! The staff has always been helpful and nice. My order has always been correct and timely! When service comes with a smile you really can't complain too much! I would recommend the K Harz Mountain Jaeger Schnitzel... My absolute favorite! Any schnitzel here is good really. The lamb shanks are good too. Oh, and you can't forget the Potato Pancakes! read more

We live locally, and would say that the Student Prince is definitely one of the best restaurants in Western mass. It has an old time classic feel to it with incredibly professional waitstaff and a very cool vibe inside. All the food is really incredible. read more

Was craving German food and though it was an authentic menu, I was a bit underwhelmed. The food was on the dry side and I enjoyed the company of the friendly lederhosen-wearing staff more than my meal. *Good selection of beer read more

Lovely German restaurant, I was quite impressed. From the outside, I was doubtful however as soon as I entered, it reminded me of the traditional German restaurant that I am used to. The food was tasty, service was impressive. I would highly recommend. read more

Hadn't been here in quite while - since right before the place almost closed for good. Service was as good, if not better than the service I used to enjoy. Atmosphere is on the money - warm and German. The Sauerbraten is a sure thing as well as the Hungarian Goulash. If you want the Roquefort dressing - its worth the three dollars extra - but for some reason doesn't have the same mystique/excitement around it as it used to have. I was there on a holiday (Labor Day) that is usually not too busy for any restaurant. It wasn't here either - but the staff was still attentive and friendly. Unlike many restaurants that seem to 'let their guard down' and give less than attentive service - it was great here. We used a gift card from our awesome friend Kevin - and highly recommend this as a gift for anyone else YOU might want to spoil. We will be back. Maybe you'll be there? read more

In 1975 I made my first visit here and I've been coming back through the years. The food is simply wonderful. Oysters are the best here. Its German cuisine at its best read more

What a great experience! Friendly , helpful staff, warm interior, and the best wiener schnitzel I have ever had. read more

Student Prince - Wonderful wiener schnitzel! - German Near Me - Springfield, Massachusetts

So this is a place we visit when our friends want to do a birthday dinner. However, I can't say I really look forward to eating here. It is typical German food, weiner schnitzels, sausage, potato pancakes, etc. And like all German food, it sits in your stomach like a rock. My husband gets heartburn every time we eat here. I must say the fried Camembert cheese is delicious but I could pass on the rest of the meal. We have tried the Roquefort salad dressing and i'm not sure what all the hype is all about. Sure it's still a cool place to have a beer but I'll just have the fried cheese. read more

This restaurant is perfect if you're looking for meat galore, German grub or some Old World style. The waitstaff know their food and beverage thoroughly and are spot on with requests. The beer selection is fantastic and the food is hearty and matches said drinks superbly. The atmosphere is incredibly apt, with an impressive beer stein collection and the wood, wallpaper and paint selection create a stellar mood. The location right off Main Street is convenient, but parking could be annoying if you go down the wrong street. The game month menu is delightful, and the endless selection of German cuisine is truly great. Highly recommend. read more

A colleague introduced this place to me years ago-- now it's my go to every time I'm in town. I love the old school vibe, even if it means I'm one of the few people there under 50 years old at dinner time. The beer list is the bomb, even if the server says it so fast that you forget which one you wanted by the time she's done. The German food is pretty damn close to the real deal, even if the portions are totally American (read: humongous.) The great little gem nestled on a side street in Springfield = Yum. read more

I went to the Fort on Friday June 22, 2018 with my wife to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. The fort has always been a special place to us as we had our second date there. Now it is special for a much different reason. The way my wife and I were treated by the valet staff was horrific. Upon arriving on Fort street we saw the valet sign and my wife who was driving asked me if we could park before the valet sign. I said I think so the spots aren't marked. Upon parking both valets approached the vehicle and asked if we were valeting. We said no we are parking and going in for dinner. They then informed us that all of Fort street is valet parking only and that our only other choice was the pay surface lot at the end of the street (I know this is not true and as it was 7:00pm ish even the metered spots downtown are free at that time). I said okay and told my wife to go find another spot. She told the valet that their sign was confusing and suggested that it should be moved forward. Upon hearing this the valet dragged the sign behind our car which forced us to weave through their orange cones instead of being able to back up. Sure enough there were open spots at the end of fort street that we were able to park in. While walking up to the restaurant the valet was dragging his sign back to its original spot. When I told him that this was a smartass move he told me he did it to please me. His partner become mouthy and when I told him to stop talking as I walked into the restaurant he slammed the door in my face. When I opened the door and said really you just slammed the door in my face he told me talk to the manager if I had a problem and slammed the door in my face again. I most certainly asked to speak to the manager and while I was talking to her the valet walked into the restaurant and slammed his shoulder into my back and walked into the kitchen. When I told the manager do you see what he just did she said no and that she would talk to them. We ended up leaving after one drink and two appetizers because we were so upset at how we were treated. I was willing to let the verbal exchange go but the physical contact was unacceptable. The manager comped the food/drink we ordered but the situation remains unresolved. I was told the valet manager was on her way but I could not stay to wait for her because I was so upset. I left my phone number with the manager and she gave me the valet managers number. I missed a call later that night and called them the next day. I spoke to the"regional manager" who said he would call me on Monday to follow up. He never did. Six days later I am waiting for a call that I don't expect is ever going to come. The fort needs to contract another valet service. Until then I won't be back. read more

Student Prince - Matunuck Oysters. Yum - German Near Me - Springfield, Massachusetts