going to Biergarten for the 1st time

[popcenturylover]

Great pick! We loved this place on our trip in 12'! Food was good & entertainment was even better!!! Loved the cauliflower soup & the pretzel bread!

 

[Phonedave]

How lively it is depends on how many people are there, and how many people understand what is going on.

I adore it, but I also grew up in Germany during my childhood (and it is far from authentic, but it is still tons of fun).

That being said, here's some things to consider.

1) The food is excellent. I'd certainly not skip over the cold salad section (the cucumber salad last trip was fantastic!) Get some schnizel. It's not the best, since it's pork (veal is better), but still great, coat it with some brown (hunters) gravy and load up on the spaetzle.

2) The beer flight there is awesome. Worth doing!

3) Group seating is merely a reason to get to know the person next to you. Of all the experiences at Disney, this is the most social.

.

Agreen 100%. What is on the menu is a blend of American & Geman. American enough that nothing is really uncommon, and yet German enough that is seems "semi-exotic". No blue trout or liberkase or 'real' sauerkraut (with bacon fat, apples, juniper berries, and caraway) but enought good food and good entertainment to keep you happy.

Somone mention schnitzel - I was told (by now deceased reletives from Germany) that schnitzel is veal and only veal. Chicken schnitzel, beef schnitzel, and other meats are not schnitzel are only invented for people who won't eat veal. There are a lot of different ways to make schnitzel, good ol weinerschnitzel, naturschnitzel (not breaded, just floured on one side), and jagerschnitlze (my favorite).

Go to the Biergarten

 

[JillC LI]

Ein Prosit.

Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit
(Cheer!) Eins, zwei, drei, g'suffa!

Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke,

hoi, hoi, hoi
Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke,

hoi, hoi, hoi

You just reminded me of my honeymoon in Bavaria during Oktoberfest! That's another reason why our family loves the Biergarten in EPCOT.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

first time going to the Biergarten restaurant. how's the food there? is it worth it? anything we should expect? heard it's a lively atmosphere.

We usually enjoyed Biergarten, but skipped it last year. Sauerbraten is only served for dinner I believe. (there's a slight variation between dinner and lunch, check the menus first) I always enjoyed Biergarten. My son did a video, hope this helps.

 

[Mukta]

I really liked Biergarten. I have only been there twice (both as part of a Candlelight Dinner Package).

The food was good and there was lots of it.

The show was really fun and the crowd gets into it.

 

[Bairstow]

We did Biergarten once two years ago and the food was really good. I don't usually like cold meats and meat-based salads, but the ones at Biergarten really impressed me, so don't be afraid to try them.
Try to resist the urge to fill up on pretzel rolls and spaetzle.

The one thing that disappointed me is that I was expected a really lively, fun time but the other people we were seated with were really quiet and didn't order any beer.

 

[Dwarful]

We also made this one of our honeymoon destinations many years ago and we always go back....every trip.

 

[PrincessMia]

These comments are super helpful. I'm seriously thinking of making this our "adventurous" ADR this year. I'll try just about anything, but not quite sure about DH and DD. The show looks like such fun, though, that it might be time to give it a try!

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

we first went to biergarten almost nine years ago on our second trip to the world. when we lived down there, we'd make it a point every couple of months to go there for dinner. i haven't been there in a couple of years, but it was always one of our favorites. i can eat so much spaetzle; it's one of the yummiest things ever.

 

[BuddyThomas]

we first went to biergarten almost nine years ago on our second trip to the world. when we lived down there, we'd make it a point every couple of months to go there for dinner. i haven't been there in a couple of years, but it was always one of our favorites. i can eat so much spaetzle; it's one of the yummiest things ever.

I love this place, but a few weeks ago, I was on a treadmill at the gym, minding my own business, when all of a sudden the Katie Couric show cane on and the topic was "things you don't want to know". One segment dealt with buffets. They sent an investigative team to several buffets and did swab tests on the serving spoons and elsewhere, and fecal matter, e-coli, and other gross stuff was found multiple times. I can only imagine with the number of kids running around doing "tastings", it is worse at WDW. I hate to say it, but it will be difficult for me to return to a buffet in the future. Thanks, Katie!
PS - She also ruined self serve frozen yogurt places for me. Due to people doing free tastings in those little paper cups, almost every yogurt dispenser they tested came back contaminated with all sorts of bacteria and germs----the assumption being that piggys do one taste, then put their spit covered cup back up to the yogurt dispenser for a second. Argggghhhh.

 

[Bairstow]

I love this place, but a few weeks ago, I was on a treadmill at the gym, minding my own business, when all of a sudden the Katie Couric show cane on and the topic was "things you don't want to know". One segment dealt with buffets. They sent an investigative team to several buffets and did swab tests on the serving spoons and elsewhere, and fecal matter, e-coli, and other gross stuff was found multiple times. I can only imagine with the number of kids running around doing "tastings", it is worse at WDW. I hate to say it, but it will be difficult for me to return to a buffet in the future. Thanks, Katie!
PS - She also ruined self serve frozen yogurt places for me. Due to people doing free tastings in those little paper cups, almost every yogurt dispenser they tested came back contaminated with all sorts of bacteria and germs----the assumption being that piggys do one taste, then put their spit covered cup back up to the yogurt dispenser for a second. Argggghhhh.

That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

 

[BuddyThomas]

That which doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Yup, agreed. But I guess I would prefer a meal that is not likely to contain traces of feces and e-coli. It's all fun until some flu infected person doesn't wash their hands after the bathroom and then goes to the buffet:

"Oh this roll looks good! Nah. On second thought, I'll put it back. I like this other one. Oh wait, I have a sneeze coming on. Ahhhhh-chooooo!! Good thing for these sneeze deflecting barriers, except that I couldn't control myself and my sneeze happened when I was hand picking rolls below the barrier. Oh well. I'm probably not THAT contagious."

Back to topic. Other than my crazy worries (thanks Katie!!) about sanitary food, Biergarten is really wonderful and I'm not kidding.

 

[JillC LI]

we first went to biergarten almost nine years ago on our second trip to the world. when we lived down there, we'd make it a point every couple of months to go there for dinner. i haven't been there in a couple of years, but it was always one of our favorites. i can eat so much spaetzle; it's one of the yummiest things ever.

You can buy a spaetzel maker and make it at home. It's so easy and delicious and fun. My kids love it - as do I!

http://www.spaetzlewunder.com/

 

[Bethypoo]

I love the Biergarten!! I've been several times but last time I went was the first time I tried the cheesecake. It was yummy. I was stuffed already but ended up eating 3 pieces. Small pieces.

 

[englanddg]

You can buy a spaetzel maker and make it at home. It's so easy and delicious and fun. My kids love it - as do I!

http://www.spaetzlewunder.com/

Yes. You don't even need the maker. You can use a potato masher as well if it's got the small round holes like this:

However, if you make it often, it's far better to have the proper equipment.

As far as recipe, that's easy too.

1 cup flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3/4 tsp nutmeg
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk (I prefer whole for this)
4 tbls unsalted butter (get a good european butter, like Plugra or Kerrygold, if you can find it)
2 tbls minced chives or parsley for garnish

Combine the flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg in one bowl. In another bowl mix the eggs and milk together and whisk until well blended. Make a well in the middle of your dry ingradiants and pour in the egg/milk mixture. Working with your hands (it's easiest, but you can use a spoon or fork if you prefer) gradually mix the flour and liquid, working from the edges to the center. The dough should be thick and not lumpy (be sure to find and squeeze out any flour lumps. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.

While it's resting, put a pot of water on the stove (about 3 - 4 quarts). Add several pinches of salt to the water and bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer (about medium to mid-low). Use the spaetzle maker or a collander with large holes or the potato masher to form the dough over the simmering water by squeezing the dough through the holes using a spatula. It will break up into smaller pieces, about the size of a few peas placed next to each other. Don't overcrowd the pot, so do batches if you have to. Boil each batch for 3 - 4 minutes, or until the pasta floats.

Then, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and toss in the noodles. Coat evenly and well with butter. Saute for a few minutes, stirring every so often, to get a nice browning on the noodles.

Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve with chopped parsley or chopped chives.

 

[sissa216]

As far as recipe, that's easy too.

And now I have to do this! Thanks!
Although, your potato masher doesn't have the catchphrase "Welcome to Spaetzle-Heaven" like the Spaetzlewunder site does!

 

[Iwannabeindisney89]

My family is extremely picky, yet everyone finds something (even my baby sis who eats nothing!). The atmosphere is really what you go for...it's a great meal! We make a reservation every trip and laugh about it days after. "Ticka tocka ticka tocka.. Oi oi oi!"

 

[englanddg]

And now I have to do this! Thanks!
Although, your potato masher doesn't have the catchphrase "Welcome to Spaetzle-Heaven" like the Spaetzlewunder site does!

I use a potato masher just like that (though it's black, not red) to make mine. Works fine. A bit more work then if I had a proper tool, but considering I make it once a month or so (with VEAL schnitzel)...not that big an inconvenience, and it works well.

 

[englanddg]

This was the last time I made it...



A bit out of focus...but best picture I have.

Here's what boiling it looks like.



Here's what sauteed looks like.



I should have let it brown more that time...I didn't...

 

[sissa216]

Thanks @englanddg, definitely on my list to try soon! I was just kidding above; I'm somehow really amused about the "welcome to spaetzle-heaven" slogan on that website