Biergarten - Yay or Nay???

[hoosiergirl7]

Background - family of 4 (DH, me, DS 5, DD 18 mos) and 2 grandparents are going to WDW in December.

So far I have chosen:

Chefs de France
Kona
'Ohana
Crystal Palace
Narcoossee's

Both my mother and father were born in Germany (but no German heritage). I went to Germany on vacation in 1998. Returned with my parents and sister in 2001. DH lived in Germany from 1982-1985. I was thinking my dad and DH especially would enjoy eating here.

So my questions are this:

How authentic German is the food?
AND
How good is the food?

None of us are picky but, I don't want to waste money if no one is going to like it.

Thanks!!

[vettegirl]

Biergarten is our favorite restaurant at WDW. The food is very authentic, DH is an AF pilot and travels to Germany every other month, and he says the food at Biergarten is better than what he gets in Germany and cheaper! The selection of food is incredible and the show is a lot of fun. Don't miss out on a great experience!

[Curiouser&curiouser.]

I just posted a review of Biergarten yesterday.
I would do it. I was hesitant at first but I would recommend it as we just ate there last week.
The food was good and a very good selection. I am not a fan of German food and I still managed to put a plate together of some really good food! I especially liked the potato and leek soup! My DD & I both had a bowl each. There was a nice green salad and all the different meats and veggies, you are sure to have plenty to choose from!
The entertainment was really good!
I just got back with 3 little ones and my parents. We pretty much did the same restaurant selections.
we did some meals together and others apart so they could enjoy some of the meals w/out the chaos of the kids.
we did: Play n dine (@DHS), Biergarten, Crystal Palace, Ohana and Kona
they did: Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, Ohana, California Grill

[Disuser]

My husband had German Grandparents. He remembers their good german food. He has expressed disappointment in Biergarten several times. He said it was overly Americanized.
On the other hand I, whose Grandparents were not German, enjoyed my lunch there very much.

[mom2taylorandemily]

My husband was a military brat, and was born in Germany. Lived there most of his childhood and absolutely loved Biergarten, in fact it is his most requested repeat ADR. My kids love it and the food is awesome!!! The show is fun and my whole family danced to the music. Just great fun and food!!

[LaughingGravy]

Having been to Germany multiple times and Biergarten multiple times, some foods are better, some are OK in comparison to Germany, but I wouldn't say there's anything at all to be disappointed in.
The atmosphere is fun, including the possibility of chatting with other folks at a big table. If you want to keep to yourself, it is easy to do to, no need to ask for a private table, just don't fraternize with the other people.
Most are fine with that.
The beer (I think) is Beck's and it's the Americanized version, not true beer as one would have it in Germany. It's the nature of our laws here.
I love it.
Add that it's a buffet, and I'm really happy.
You can also order ala karte items.

[Beauty & the Best]

Yay!

My grandmother is of german heritage so I grew up eating lots of "typical" german foods like saurkraut, schnitzel, sausage, german potato salad, etc.

I like the food @ Biergarten & would recommend going there. I would not call it authentic, but I wouldn't call most italian food here in the states authentic either.

Sure it's not as tasty as my grandma's but keep in mind that most disney food is a little "americanized" or dumbed down to satisfy the masses. Its still yummy & worth a trip IMO.

[Hootch]

Some people worry about the food selection, but my wife, not a German food fan, and my kids, picky eaters were able to find plenty to eat.

Your son will probably enjoy getting out on the dance floor when the band is playing.

[tami82]

I havent been there before but have a reservation and cant wait to go! There are tons of great reviews on this place and from what i have read the kids really enjoy it also! The desserts alone look great

[copperbrick]

What is the entertainment like there? Also, I know the seating is with other people, yes? Are you on benches or chairs with backs?

[IggyLans]

Originally Posted by copperbrick

What is the entertainment like there? Also, I know the seating is with other people, yes? Are you on benches or chairs with backs?

The entertainment is very fun! (I know, big help! )
You're seated at a table with other people, I believe there are 8 chairs to a table.

[catne]

most tables have 8 chairs, and you can have great fun with the strangers you're seated with...or it can be a nightmare. There were 3 of us, and we were seated with another family of 3 who were horrified that we were drinking beer (apparently, even though they claimed to be of German heritage & to speak German, they still did not realize that "Biergarten" translates to Beer Garden and actually serves beer. ) The other people at our table was an elderly couple who were horrified to be seated with total strangers...not only did the wife take her purse with her when they went to the buffet, they also took their water glasses & silverware. Apparently so we wouldn't spit in the water & lick their forks while they were getting their food.

The entertainment is a German oompah band...plays a lot of German folk music & polkas...there's a small dance floor & some will get out there & dance....mostly kids (like a typical family wedding reception, lol.) We thought the food was o.k., not spectacular.

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Originally Posted by copperbrick

What is the entertainment like there? Also, I know the seating is with other people, yes? Are you on benches or chairs with backs?

You have chairs with backs!

And I give it a YAY! DH's family is from Austria and they all give it a big thumbs up! I'm very picky, but I still find tons of salads (and desserts) to fill up on!! And we love the band. Twice we've been at tables with others, one we talked to and had a very nice dinner with, the other time was a younger couple, they stayed to themselves, and we didn't intrude-no hurt feelings! A great place to eat, we do it every trip!

[copperbrick]

Originally Posted by catne

most tables have 8 chairs, and you can have great fun with the strangers you're seated with...or it can be a nightmare. There were 3 of us, and we were seated with another family of 3 who were horrified that we were drinking beer (apparently, even though they claimed to be of German heritage & to speak German, they still did not realize that "Biergarten" translates to Beer Garden and actually serves beer. ) The other people at our table was an elderly couple who were horrified to be seated with total strangers...not only did the wife take her purse with her when they went to the buffet, they also took their water glasses & silverware. Apparently so we wouldn't spit in the water & lick their forks while they were getting their food.

The entertainment is a German oompah band...plays a lot of German folk music & polkas...there's a small dance floor & some will get out there & dance....mostly kids (like a typical family wedding reception, lol.) We thought the food was o.k., not spectacular.

OMG!!!! I am still laughing! How crazy!!!

This alone would have made me want to drink while there. Good grief! WATER GLASSES AND SILVERWARE? Unreal.

Fun post, thanks.

Still debating about booking there . . .

[CapJack]

My fav dinner. Good Food, fun show & a cold liter of beer what's not to like. I highly recommend it. YAY! for me.