5 Unbelievably Tasty And Authentic Slices Of Germany In Texas' Culinary Capital, San Antonio

One of the greatest things about the U.S. is the variety of cultures that make up its national fabric. It's called the "Great Melting Pot" for a reason, and the array of international influences you'll find coast-to-coast makes it a very interesting — not to mention delicious — place. From New York's thriving "Real Little Italy" to the Chicago neighborhood known as "Mexico of the Midwest," America is full of enclaves and eateries celebrating ethnic heritage and the food that goes with it. In Texas, one mightily represented culture is Germany.

While we often associate German food and drink with the American heartland — as seen in these German-style breweries in the Midwest — the Lone Star State is also home to a surprising number of solid establishments serving up sausage, beer, sauerkraut, and other delicacies. You'll find a number of these in Hill Country, a bucolic region that was largely settled by German immigrants, though nearby San Antonio is also home to some good German-style joints that deliver delicious food and authentic vibes.

That's right, San Antonio — which many consider to be the culinary capital of Texas — is about more than Tex-Mex and barbecue brisket. Deep German influence be found in restaurants, beer gardens, and bars throughout the town. So, if between noshing on enchiladas and smoked ribs you're craving some weisswurst or schnitzel washed down with a tall glass of pilsner, here are five go-to spots in the Alamo City.

Founded in 1867 by German-Texans returning from the Civil War, Beethoven Männerchor is a singing society that celebrates and preserves traditional German music, language, and culture in San Antonio. Not only does its facility in the city's Southtown neighborhood host choirs, bands, and language classes, it's also home to a massive beer garden that's open to the public Tuesday through Saturday. This outdoor space features a variety of imported German beer and other suds rotating on tap, as well as a full menu with traditional dishes such as bratwurst, leberkäse (a kind of German bologna), Bavarian soft pretzels, and sauerkraut straight from the old country.

"Everything about this place is absolutely wonderful," one happy customer raved on Google. Meanwhile, a Yelp reviewer described the place as, "A wonderful tribute to German culture in Texas. A lot of rich history can be found throughout the facilities interior and exterior. Friendly staff. Highly recommend visiting here for a wunderbar German beer!"

Beethoven Männerchor also hosts regular events, including performances by the singers and musicians who are part of the club (membership is open to everyone), Fiesta Gartenfest (a three-day party during Fiesta San Antonio each April), and Oktoberfest. In fact, you could argue that Beethoven Männerchor is the place to be for this annual celebration of all things Bavarian. "We went for Oktoberfest and had such a great time!" one Google reviewer wrote. In a San Antonio Report article, Beethoven Concert Band director Toby Knight described the festivities as "the most authentic Oktoberfest in the San Antonio area."

Opened in 1917, Schilo's has the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in San Antonio, serving up American and German classics in a delicatessen setting. Situated just a stone's throw from the city's scenic and iconic River Walk, this storied eatery maintains its Deutschlander credentials through menu items such as schweineschnitzel (pork), wienerschnitzel (veal), hanchenschnitzel (chicken), hot pretzels, and potato pancakes, as well as bratwurst and kielbasa sausages. The place also serves draft beer, though it's the homemade root beer that just may be the real star of the show. Made with pure cane sugar, the recipe was created during Prohibition to replace alcoholic beer, and contains bold notes of sassafras and vanilla.

"We grabbed the Root Beer for a couple of mugs, GOOD STUFF!!" a fan gushed on Tripadvisor. In a Texas Monthly article, writer David Courtney credited this concoction for sparking his love affair with the restaurant's equally famous split pea soup. "I suspect that the stretching of my limited culinary boundaries was the result of a gentle fatherly bribe," Courtney said. "'You can have a root beer if you'll try the soup.'"

Despite people's obvious love for the root beer, it's Schilo's old-school German fare that has some food writers singing their praises. "Schilo's Wiener Schnitzel is hands down tops in the city and one of the best I have ever had," writer Eric Moreno gushed via the SA Flavor blog, adding, "It is fork tender, crispy and juicy." His affection for the classic dish also extends to the restaurant as a whole. "They've been doing this for a long time and they have it down pat," he continued. "At Schilo's, you can enjoy a great meal and connect with local history. And maybe you'll learn to love it as much as I do."

Nothing says Germany more than beer, and according to customers online, Künstler Brewing is one of the best spots in town to quench your thirst for German-style offerings. Here, all selections are designed and brewed by the German-born head brewer and his co-owner wife. "They serve a multitude of beers, including German imports and German-inspired domestics. German beer is highly regarded in both taste and quality, and this pub does a great job showcasing that high regard," one Google reviewer remarked, while another wrote, "Künstler has the best beer of any brewery in San Antonio, hands down."

Of course, German beer pairs best with German food, so Künstler Brewing also offers a number of traditional dishes to accompany the brews. These include bratwurst, classic Vienna schnitzel, vegan cauliflower schnitzel, a large house pretzel, and currywurst (a Berlin street food made up of sliced bratwurst, French fries, and curry ketchup). However, it's Künstler's jäger schnitzel that has really got people jumping for joy.

"I highly recommend the jager schnitzel–it's so so so so good!" a customer raved on Yelp. "The mushroom sauce on top of the schnitzel is absolutely divine." This sentiment was backed up by another fan of the dish on Tripadvisor, who wrote, "I've been to several places for German food, including Fredericksburg. Not one can come close to the fantastic jaeger schnitzel I had at Kunstler's. It was a very large chunk of heaven that covered the entire plate! I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day, and it was still magnificent!"

Hüftgold may only be a food truck, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in flavor. "Exceptional schnitzel, brats, and sauerkraut. So, so good!" a customer shared on Google. "This is the best German food I've ever had," another echoed, while this Yelp reviewer wrote, "BEST pretzel of my life! ... We got the 'Taste the Truck' to get a little of everything and it did not disappoint!"

A celebration of the rich German heritage found in San Antonio and the surrounding region, Hüftgold has a simple menu featuring traditional or smoked bratwurst served on a roll, schweineschntizel, warm Bavarian pretzels, and a schnitzel sando — breaded and fried pork loin tossed onto a bun with tomato, lettuce, and special sauce, paired with a pile of beer battered fries. The food truck also does sides of sauerkraut and rotkohl (German red cabbage), which have come to be fan favorites.

The fact that Hüftgold is a mobile eatery means that it dishes up its brand of German deliciousness in different locations throughout the city. This seems to be the only thing that has got some customers griping, as they can't get their fix as often as they'd like. "I need this truck to come back more frequently," a customer shared on Yelp. "So glad it finally lines up with days when I would actually be nearby! I have been eyeing this one for half a year, waiting for their schedule to align with mine."

While you may not find lederhosen or oompah bands at this veteran-owned craft beer joint, you will be able to sample old country-inspired suds on tap such as German pils, hefeweizen, and dark wheat doppelbock, among a host of others. The menu also features plenty of hearty German-style dishes that have people buzzing online. In response to the question "Best German food in San Antonio?" posed on Reddit, one user responded: "Longtab, microbrew that serves some of the best German food I've had." Similar sentiments can be found on Google, where a customer remarked, "Try their loaded Bavarian pretzel but make sure you share! It's more than enough for two."

Their Bavarian beer hall-inspired dishes include that giant "loaded" pretzel served with house-made beer cheese, beer cheese and potato soup, bratwurst (served on a plate or bun), Black Forest ham and brie sandwich, and German potato salad. That final addition wins top honors, at least according to this Google reviewer: "The potato salad was probably the star of the dish."

While deep German flavors certainly make their way into the beers and food at Longtab Brewing Company, they're not the only European influences you'll find there. You could argue that the brewery's specialty is Belgian beer — the often strong ales Germany's smaller neighbor is famous for. Longtab's taps feature a number of Belgian entries, including a blonde, a dark saison, a dubbel, a tripel, and a quad that comes in at 10% ABV. Make sure to fill your stomach with plenty of pretzel or potato salad if you're planning on drinking more than one.

To determine which five of San Antonio's unbelievably tasty and authentic slices of Germany made the list, we looked at a number of factors. First, the establishments had to be mostly known for serving German fare and actually sit within the city limits. We then looked at reviews on Google, Tripadvisor, and Yelp, and decided that the aggregate score must be 4.2 stars or higher (most were over 4.6). In addition, we pored over articles in the media to include the opinions of people who professionally write about food. After considering all of these elements, we are confident this list represents the best German cuisine that San Antonio currently has to offer.

Curious to explore other good eats in Texas? Check out this list of three Houston restaurants locals say deserve more attention. Or, keep your culinary adventures within San Antonio by perusing this roundup of the city's most highly-rated restaurants, according to research.