Wish Fulfillment: Germany Part Two

The year was 1998 and the husband and I were traveling through Germany with his family. We were a large group, nine in all, and when we got to Munich, we split up for part of the day. Six of us had spend the early afternoon wandering around the city and had just completed a tour of the Frauenkirche when, all of a sudden, it began to rain. And by rain, I mean it was pouring cats and dogs - just a completely ridiculous amount of water falling from the sky.

Umbrella-less as we were, we had little choice but to dash across the street as fast as we could and nestle ourselves into a cozy corner of the Nurnberger Bratwurst Glockl am Dom ... a charming, traditional brathaus just steps away from the church. (Pictured above.) We were tired, we were wet, and we were thirsty. You know what comes next - beer! Big, delicious wheat beers for everyone, and basket of fresh house made pretzels to go along with them. ~happy sigh~ We were cozy as cozy could be; yet, sadly, we were not hungry.

I'm sure we'd eaten lunch somewhere earlier in the day, so we didn't think too much about eating at the time. We sipped our beers, munched on the pretzels and generally enjoyed the warmth of the atmosphere; enjoyed the comfort of being in the exact right place at the exact right time.

As we were seated upstairs, I hadn't noticed the kitchen when we arrived, but I saw it on the way out ... and I very nearly swooned. That tiny kitchen was dominated by a sizeable wood-burning grill, upon which lay dozens and dozens of succulent looking sausages. (Duh, its a brathaus! ) Instantly, I was filled with regret.

Much as I enjoyed our respite at The Glockl, I was so sorry we hadn't taken the opportunity to avail ourselves of the tasty meats! I vowed then and there that the next time I was in Munich, I would have a meal at The Glockl ... and so I did.

The Nurnberger Bratwurst Glockl am Dom is the Munich branch of one of the most famous brathauses in Bavaria (located in Nuremberg.) They have a history that dates back to 1390 and they are most famous for the small pork sausages indigenous to the Nuremberg region. The sausages are house-made, roasted over an open flame on a grill that burns beechwood, and they are spectacular! You can order them in numbers ranging from 6 to a staggering 50, and each order comes with a choice of sauerkraut or house-made potato salad.

Pictured above is my plate, my wish fulfilled. I demurely chose the 6, wisely chose the luscious potato salad, and happily scarfed them down, adorned with the selection of delicious mustard adorning our table. Suffice it to say, this meal was everything I'd hoped it would be - and perhaps made all the better for having waited 11 years to enjoy it!

I cannot recommend this place highly enough. While located in a touristy area, the restaurant is anything but - in fact, far from it. We were the only non-Germans there. With its wood paneled interior, traditional Bavarian decor, and waitstaff robed in traditional Bavarian garb, The Glockl offers everything you'd want in a brathaus and more. In addition to the wide variety of sausages, they do offer a full menu with daily specials. I'm told the fare is equally good, but, personally, I'd have a very hard time ordering anything but those tasty little brats.

The Glockl am Dom has been operating at this location since 1893 and I expect it will be operating still whenever I next find myself in Munich. It is one of my most favorite places in all of Europe and I will most certainly return. Let's hope it won't take more than a decade this time.

Guten appetit!

p.s. - Just a head's up - The Glockl's website, to which I've linked, is in German. That said, its worth a look regardless and you can download a PDF of the menu with English translations if you're so inclined.