Poll of the Day > Why is German food so scarce is America?

(+) Yeah! (+)

This seems like an oddity in general, but even more so considering that German is the largest national heritage of all Americans by a fairly large percentage.

We have specialized restaurants for even Costa Rican vs Puertan Rican food, but when it comes to German food it feels like there's virtually no options. I know in PA, WI, and other more heavily Germanic areas there's more options, but even then they seem dwarfed by virtually every other type of ethnic cuisine. And Hofbrauhaus is pretty much the only German "chain" I can think of (unless Weinerschnitzel counts).

So what gives? So love for Schnitzel? A large sausage variety? Sauerbraten?
---

I actually went to a German breakfast restuarant and grocery store in San Diego a few weeks ago.
---

Hamburgers are everywhere though
---

Blighboy posted...

Hamburgers are everywhere though

---

Because Germany doesn't have the same rich culinary tradition as Italy or France, for starters. Secondly, German-Americans don't have the same national pride as other groups -- and how could they, considering that German parades tend to scare the shit out of people -- so you don't have Germans looking for German restaurants like Italians insist on eating Italian. Third, Germans have acclimated to American culture to a far greater degree than Latinos/Hispanics so, even if there was a greater national heritage than Latinos/Hispanics, Germans don't have the same cultural block.

It's kind of the same for Polish food. Poles *also* heavily immigrated in the past but, outside of Polish communities, you're not going to see a lot of Polish places. It's even harder to find Irish places despite the Irish having some amount of national pride. Usually their restaurants are just pubs. There was actually one I really liked down in Stamford, which was next to a burger joint I liked even better and a really great pizza place.

Also keep in mind that "English" restaurants aren't much of a thing either.
---

Lots of Germans "dropped" their German background during WW2 cause of the Nazis
---

I got a german restaurant where I live :/
---

Zeus posted...

Because Germany doesn't have the same rich culinary tradition as Italy or France, for starters.

Neither do many of the other ethnic restaurants that still are far more prevalent than German ones. And to be fair, French restaurants aren't super prominent, either.

Secondly, German-Americans don't have the same national pride as other groups -- and how could they, considering that German parades tend to scare the shit out of people -- so you don't have Germans looking for German restaurants like Italians insist on eating Italian. Third, Germans have acclimated to American culture to a far greater degree than Latinos/Hispanics so, even if there was a greater national heritage than Latinos/Hispanics, Germans don't have the same cultural block.

Your 3rd point has more wight than the second (again, if we are to try and quantify "pride", I'd say it still doesn't make sense how much it's under-represented comparitively).

But that would just explain why historically there hasn't been more German restaurants. But now? When new food styles and fusions are constantly being invented, it seems weird that no one considers German restaurants more of a "niche" to tap into.

Also keep in mind that "English" restaurants aren't much of a thing either.

I'd argue English/Irish/Scottish style pub houses are far more common than German ones. He'll, we have a small handful here in Albuquerque (of all places), versus 0 German places. (There's also a joke to be made about how bland English food is).

Hamburgers are everywhere though

But what about everything else? That'd be like if Mexican joints only sold tacos, and called it a day.
---

I went to a German restaurant in Nashville with 2 PotDers and it was delicious. That was the best beer that I've ever had.
---

Zeus posted...

Because Germany doesn't have the same rich culinary tradition as Italy or France, for starters. Secondly, German-Americans don't have the same national pride as other groups -- and how could they, considering that German parades tend to scare the shit out of people -- so you don't have Germans looking for German restaurants like Italians insist on eating Italian. Third, Germans have acclimated to American culture to a far greater degree than Latinos/Hispanics so, even if there was a greater national heritage than Latinos/Hispanics, Germans don't have the same cultural block.

It's kind of the same for Polish food. Poles *also* heavily immigrated in the past but, outside of Polish communities, you're not going to see a lot of Polish places. It's even harder to find Irish places despite the Irish having some amount of national pride. Usually their restaurants are just pubs. There was actually one I really liked down in Stamford, which was next to a burger joint I liked even better and a really great pizza place.

Also keep in mind that "English" restaurants aren't much of a thing either.

This sums it up pretty well but I'd add that people like a lot of Hispanic food because its fucking terrible for you. I love it but authentic Mexican restaurants have pretty much no healthy option. It's for people who want a lot of meat and carbs

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Neither do many of the other ethnic restaurants that still are far more prevalent than German ones. And to be fair, French restaurants aren't super prominent, either.

The points aren't meant to be taken in isolation. It's more the fact that it has *none* of the three things going for it that's the problem.

And French restaurants are absurdly common but, because they only have the culinary tradition but not national pride or cultural identity, they're not going to be as common as other places (namely Italian which hits all three). Plus they tend to exclusively be fine dining, which limits them.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

Your 3rd point has more wight than the second (again, if we are to try and quantify "pride", I'd say it still doesn't make sense how much it's under-represented comparitively).

Again, Italian, Irish, Puerto Rican, Latino (which isn't even a nationality), etc, all have pride parades. Italians, Irish, Latinos, and Hispanics often signal their nationality with their flag colors (often in the form of car stickers, etc). People will have "Proud Italian" or note that they're Irish in their profiles. Meanwhile when you talk to somebody of German heritage, they often say something like, "Well, I'm not sure what my heritage is. I think I might have some German ancestry..." Conversely, Italians are often pretty openly Italian. They know their heritage and they tend to share it.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

But that would just explain why historically there hasn't been more German restaurants. But now? When new food styles and fusions are constantly being invented, it seems weird that no one considers German restaurants more of a "niche" to tap into.

But then it wouldn't really be German food. Plus it's not like German places are super rare. They're already around as a niche. Hell, CT even has Austrian restaurants.

CyborgSage00x0 posted...

I'd argue English/Irish/Scottish style pub houses are far more common than German ones. He'll, we have a small handful here in Albuquerque (of all places), versus 0 German places. (There's also a joke to be made about how bland English food is).

But not real restaurants. And, tbh, even English-style pubs seem rarer than German places.
---

Honestly asking?

What are notable dishes of specifically Germanic descent?

Wurst. Sausage. That is awesome, and you can indeed eat it as-is, but it is often then used as an ingredient for other things.

They have a unique bread or two as well, but that again is better as an ingredient for other superior dishes than simply eating alone.

Maybe Germanic history has just landed it the bad luck of mostly producing things that are, frankly, good, but become even BETTER when used as an ingredient for something else?

Oh, right. Germanic history is also short. Germany (and/or its predecessors) as a nation is actually fairly new on the national scenes. It really started becoming a proper nation when, the 1700s or 1800s? Most other nations at least had started unifying themselves into what modern civilization would call a "nation" long before Germany did.

So maybe its not surprising that most of Germany's contributions are in fact things that taste great, but are honestly things that themselves serve as awesome ingredients and/or side-dishes for even better things.
.
---

Jaeger schnitzel with spaetle and mushroom gravy is my go to. There's like 2 German restaurants in my area that do more than just deli meat and brats. The one I've gone to was pretty bland besides the fried cauliflower.
---

Y'all also forget that most of the German food is already deeply American so it's not really special.

Sauerkraut, brauts, pretzels, god damn beer.
---

Americans are Americans, period. Only country that claims to be things they know little to nothing about it and aren't. It's not just genes and even then, most are ridiculously removed from those countries genetically anyway. A lot is also assumption. Rest of the world finds it laughable when Americans do it and you'll always be seen as just American by everybody else because that's all Americans are.
---

xOmniCloudx posted...

Americans are Americans, period. Only country that claims to be things they know little to nothing about it and aren't. It's not just genes and even then, most are ridiculously removed from those countries genetically anyway. A lot is also assumption. Rest of the world finds it laughable when Americans do it and you'll always be seen as just American by everybody else because that's all Americans are.

wtf are you talking about?
---

shadowsword87 posted...

xOmniCloudx posted...

Americans are Americans, period. Only country that claims to be things they know little to nothing about it and aren't. It's not just genes and even then, most are ridiculously removed from those countries genetically anyway. A lot is also assumption. Rest of the world finds it laughable when Americans do it and you'll always be seen as just American by everybody else because that's all Americans are.

wtf are you talking about?

Who knows? He is such a great being that he can deem whole cities and now entire populations as trash. So clearly, he's an enlightened individual.
---

XlaxJynx007 posted...

I went to a German restaurant in Nashville with 2 PotDers and it was delicious. That was the best beer that I've ever had.

Can confirm
---

Is Aldi a german store? I've been there before..
---

Yeah like you said living in Wisconsin there are quite a bit of places to get German food. My wife is of German heritage but unfortunately most of her family dont like German food, so when I am craving it I have several choose to go to.
---

I feel like I see German restaurants pretty frequently. Then again, I live in Chicago, so I'm probably not a very accurate judge of this.
---

I have never seen a Costa Rican restaurant in America.
---

There is a German restaurant and a German bar not too far from where I work. I think it is mostly because German food is kind of "love it or hate it". People either like it or think it is the most vile food ever created. There doesn't seem to be middle ground.
---

...English have the "haggus" thing, though...
.
---

Sephiroth C Ryu posted...

...English have the "haggus" thing, though...
.

That's Scottish lad
---

Sorry. From the same island(s) that England is from. Or that from Britain is from.

I sometimes confuse the two while tipsy.
.
---

even German food is kinda regional though. like what is traditional in bavaria may not be around berlin and stuff...
---

Dikitain posted...

There is a German restaurant and a German bar not too far from where I work. I think it is mostly because German food is kind of "love it or hate it". People either like it or think it is the most vile food ever created. There doesn't seem to be middle ground.

There's one that was on Guy Fieri's show in a city nearby here. Very expensive.
---

A lot of people are of German descent in America too. Most Americans are too dumb to know how to make the food of their natural descent.
---

Zeus posted...

There was actually one I really liked down in Stamford, which was next to a burger joint I liked even better and a really great pizza place.

@Zeus

Let's see how good my memory is...

Tign, Lucky's, and Remo's...all practically next to each other on that block on Bedford street downtown.

>_>

I wasn't a fan of Remo's, but if there is one thing I miss about Stamford is that you couldn't swing a dead cat around that town without hitting a decent pizza place.

God how the pizza in the Hudson valley sucks compared to Stamford...zzz

Zeus posted...

Also keep in mind that "English" restaurants aren't much of a thing either.

If you like fish and chips, Arthur Treachers' on Shippan Ave right across from Fiddler's Green is pretty good. Just make sure you upgrade to the whitefish and get the malted vinegar on the side.
---

Dunno. There's this nice little restaurant in a place called Alpine Village near us, and I know my grandma has an old timey cookbook with some German recipes.

I think maybe its because some of the dishes can blend in so easily with other popular dishes that people don't automatically associate it with German cuisine?

And maybe because some people want something less recognizable or more exotic to cram into their mouths so they can feel daring or something?
---

SunWuKung420 posted...

shadowsword87 posted...

xOmniCloudx posted...

Americans are Americans, period. Only country that claims to be things they know little to nothing about it and aren't. It's not just genes and even then, most are ridiculously removed from those countries genetically anyway. A lot is also assumption. Rest of the world finds it laughable when Americans do it and you'll always be seen as just American by everybody else because that's all Americans are.

wtf are you talking about?

Who knows? He is such a great being that he can deem whole cities and now entire populations as trash. So clearly, he's an enlightened individual.

lmao, of course you'd still be upset about that
---

There is a German and Thai restaurant near here. You can iterally order schnitzel and pad thai.