another biergarten question...

[LoriFromBama]

I saw several new posts about Biergarten and I realized I had a question too!

My dad is German (grew up mostly in the U.S)and I've made us a reservation there for our upcoming trip for him. I know nothing is as good as the real thing, but are there any Germans or those who know authentic German food out there that can tell me just how good is the food at Biergarten? I would love to here your opinions!!

We haven't been to Germany in many years and I thought this would be a nice treat for him.....or maybe not?

 

[Christine]

We had a person traveling with us that had spent some time in Germany. He did enjoy the buffet but I think he was a tad bit disappointed that the schnitzel was not nearly as good as what he had in Germany. But, authentic or not, it is a buffet so most items on a buffet are not going to compare to a table service restaurant anywhere.

 

[LaniesMom]

My dad was born in Austria and my mom is from northern Germany and each time we've gone to Epcot we make a point of going to the Biergarten because they both enjoy it so much. My mom makes many of the foods on the buffet at home and we tease her that Disney could give her a run for her money! Granted, some items are hit or miss, but from what we've experienced, we have not been disappointed. And my Dad is a picky eater. My parents have never said it's *the best* schnitzel/sauerbraten/red cabbage they've ever eaten, but it is darn good German food! Best wishes.

 

[Hootch]

awhile since I spent time in Germany and unfortunately I have no German restaurants near my house, but I think the food at Biergarten is pretty representative. Many people just assume wursts and not much else but there is a lot more to German cuisine. It's still pork and chicken centric. There may be a couple of items that are not really German in origin.

 

[zddPaul]

I'm from a German-American family and have lived in Germany a few times over the years. German food tends to be very regional so the dishes I grew up with might be completely different than what your father grew up with. The dishes at Biergarten tend to be a bit "generic-German" but that doesn't mean it is bad. It is just unlikely that your father will say that a particular dish is just like his mother used to make. The whole concept of a buffet is not real common in Germany so the whole experience is very much an American version of a bunch of German stereotypes. Still, if you don't take it too seriously and don't sell it as genuine I think everybody will enjoy it.

 

[LaniesMom]

I'm from a German-American family and have lived in Germany a few times over the years. German food tends to be very regional so the dishes I grew up with might be completely different than what your father grew up with. The dishes at Biergarten tend to be a bit "generic-German" but that doesn't mean it is bad. It is just unlikely that your father will say that a particular dish is just like his mother used to make. The whole concept of a buffet is not real common in Germany so the whole experience is very much an American version of a bunch of German stereotypes. Still, if you don't take it too seriously and don't sell it as genuine I think everybody will enjoy it.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above post. Don't sell it to your Dad as "genuine" or or "the best (insert item here) you've ever eaten"...and you'll have a good time. The dishes are what Americans think German food should be--wursts, sauerkraut, red cabbage, schnitzel, etc. and they do a good job.
The atmosphere is a lot of fun, which is probably why my family enjoys it so much.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My dh grew up eating German food in his family and was stationed in Germany in the army and ate his share of German food then too. He was pleased with the food at Biergarten.