Schmankerl Stube
58 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
Schmankerl Stube Menu
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Address :
58 S Potomac St
Hagerstown, MD, 21740 - Phone (301) 797-3354
- Website https://www.schmankerlstube.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Tom G.
This is the best German restaurant of any kind I've ever visited outside of Deutschland itself! My family and I have been coming here (from Columbia) for over 20 years (in fact, we'll be there this evening). The beer and wurst are world-class, the food and preparation are outstanding and the service is excellent. It's like a mini-vacation!
(5)Mark A.
Before writing German reviews, I always caveat my perspective is from living in Germany for many years. That said, the Stube was a good attempt at bringing German fare to the locals. The good was the authentic German beers; I appreciate that greatly. For dinner I had the Goulash soup which was good but not great. For the main I had the Wiener schnitzel and spaetzle. The mushroom sauce was on the side for all of you Jaeger fans, but it rather bland. The schnitzel itself was over fried and too much breading. I want to taste the pork cutlet not all the breading. The spaeztle though was authentic and good. If in the area I would try again and see if I could up the rating because the service and friendliness were there.
(3)Ann S.
We were passing through Hagerstown on a cross-country drive from New Orleans to New Hampshire, found Schmankerl Stube on Yelp and decided to give it a try. A happy accident -- this was a first-rate meal. We started with a couple of half-liters of Hefe Weiss beer, skipped the appetizers, and went straight to the two-person combo platter since we hadn't eaten all day. Everything was prepared well and sized to make a good-sized but not overwhelming meal. Wienerschnitzel, beef medallions in spaetzle, green beans wrapped in bacon, german potato salad, sausage, red cabbage and sauerkraut, and the all-important german mustard. Plus spicy mustard with jalapeno (who knew the germans cooked with jalapeno...). We decided to have dessert since the menu said the chef had trained as a pastry chef. Not disappointed there either. The streusel was excellent -- not too heavy and not floury. Same for the black forest -- not too sweet, just right. Service was excellent too. We'd go our of our way to come back here. Next time we may try the Biergarten in the back. Looks like a great place for a party. Our room had two long tables with an engagement party, consuming many boot-sized beers. They were a happy crowd and we didn't even mind the noise. Update 6/2014: we stopped again on the way south. The restaurant was booked up but the owner found a place for us. All excellent again this time. Strudel dessert was as good as the previous desserts -- not too sweet, and loaded with fruit. Can't wait for the next trip to the area. PS Did see the chef check out the baseball game.
(5)Adam D.
The food is stellar! If you're a fan of German cuisine you must try this! I love this place and have gone many times and never been disappointed! This is one of the best places to eat in Hagerstown. The service is friendly and fast. There's only one downside, reservations are a must on the weekends.
(5)George C.
An excellent meal Near perfection! And a complimentary egg nog to boot! Do yourself a favour and go!
(5)Mike R.
Guten Tag! Wie Gehts? We hit this German gem on a trip up to Pennsylvania recently. We had heard about it from a coworker so we went out of our way to check it out. We showed up for lunch, and ordered the Goulash, the Weiner Schnitzel, a creamy chicken dish with jalapenos, and of course, a big ol liter of Paulaner. The schnitzel was prepared great. It was crispy, yet not dried out. It came with a side of hunter Jaeger sauce and spaetzle and carrots. Everything was really good, but we couldn't get over how good the carrots were. It's funny to think that with all that other good food going on, we were most impressed by the carrots -- only because who gets excited about carrots. The creamy chicken with jalapenos was really good. We were both kind of scratching our heads about putting jalapenos in a German dish, but they really nailed it with this one. The jalapenos cut the heavy flavor of the cream sauce and blended perfectly. A bit strange, yet so delicious!! I would urge everyone to please get the jalapenos, even if you don't like spicy, because it really does enhance the dish. The beer of course was good. The bread and goulash were also good. All in all, if you're in or near Hagerstown or heading north on 81. It's worth a pit stop. Bis Spater mein freund!
(5)Colleen S.
The place is quaint, but in a rough neighborhood. Don't stray too far away. Food is mediocre. Ordered a bowl of potato soup and goulash soup. Both tasted tinny as if out of a can. Hoping that's not the case. Some German rye bread that is cold (like out of the fridge) is served with the meal. It's ok. We also ordered escargot. The snails were fine, but they should be served with thick toast points or something to sop up the flavorful juices. Instead you have cold, super-thinly sliced rye bread to do a job it can't handle. Disappointing. We both ordered the jäger-schnitzel. Sauce may have been made from a Knorr's package. Meat was nicely cooked and crunchy. Together they lacked flavor. The spatzel tasted good. The dish was served with an ODD roasted corn and black bean succotash that did not belong on the plate let alone the restaurant. Strange Tex-Mex quality... Service was middling. There was a fly in my wife's beer and she didn't drink it, but they put it on our tab anyway. Charles the owner greets you at the door and hovers there to the point of making guests uncomfortable. He should spend a little more time in the back ensuring a quality product is coming out. We've been to some quality German establishments both in the States and Germany. While this place is cozy like a Stube should be the food is not quite delicious.
(2)Ken D.
Ok, so I'm not a huge fan of German 'cuisine'. It looks a bit vulgar on the plate and seems to be of one note. (Before you berate me with corrections, I'm Siclian...so I'm biased and it's useless.) However, my lackluster feelings about the fare were minimal during my recent visit to Schmankerl Stube. It was a hoot...and the food was great. My dining partner is of German-descent and he was in the best of all possible wurst worlds. You couldn't wipe the smile off his face. As for me, the goulash soup left me wanting more. So, when you're in town...Achtung, Baby! Give this place a try.
(4)Nora F.
Feels like stepping my foot in a German land. Every employee wears a German costume. How beautiful! My husband and I came here to experience German food after reading about it online. We ordered the beef medallion for two with a herring dish to start. How delicious! The waitress Emma was nice and the boss himself came up to say hello and wished us a great holiday weekend. We just had a pre-October-Fest in September! *:)
(4)John L.
We have eaten here many times and have never had a bad meal or service. I was stationed in Germany for two years and absolutely love German food. This place is the real deal. Excellent food, service and atmosphere . The food and beers are authentic and second to none. The entrees are 18-30 dollars but worth every penny. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Donna R.
So when we started off the evening it did not look promising. They messed up our reservation but were able to seat us relatively quickly. The two appetizers we chose, the fried tomatoes and camembert were just ok. Out server Ashley, is very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The two entrees my husband and I had are two of the best meals we ever had. His filet was cooked and seasoned to perfection. My dish of steak and pork medallions in Hunters sauce was Devine. It filled me up quickly but I could.not stop eating until the last delicious bite passed my lips. We will make the one and a half hour trek to eat here again
(5)Theodore M.
Had a classic Saturday lunch that was excellent. Price was very good too. Like this place & sorry it's an hour drive away from DC.
(5)Jay P.
Two words Schweinshaxe. If you enjoy pork, this is heaven. A must do in Hagtown.
(5)Del T.
If you are looking for authentic German food with a slightly dressed up atmosphere, you need to check out Schmankerl Stube. The food is both delicious, and if my friends who have been to or lived in Germany are right, very close to the sorts of things you would eat there. The atmosphere is nice for a dinner out with your sweetie, or maybe a small group eating together. I went with a larger group, and it was somewhat obvious that they're not really used to that sort of thing, but they handled it the best they could. I can't really review how long it took for us to get our food, because there was so many of us there were completely understandable delays. (Our party was nearly 40 people.) And if you love German beers, this can be your local beer heaven.
(4)Barbara I.
Love it here! Food is always delicious! Service wonderful and the atmosphere is excellent!
(5)Kimberly C.
One of my favorite places!!! Whenever I come back to the east coast this is the first place I always hit up for an amazing meal and great atmosphere! Charlie, the owner, welcomes patrons to his establishment which I think gives this place an edge above others. The service is personalized. The experience is always wonderful. The food is to die for! There is a reason this is my #1 place when I'm home. Everything is traditional and yummy! The Bavarian salad is seasonal and the potato soup is inviting. Everything I have ever tried is full of flavor and prepared to perfection. The beer is imported and this is one of the ONLY places in the US that I will drink beer. For dessert, the Millionaires Coffee is great (21 and up) and the Black Forrest Cake is a must! I can't say enough great things about this place, its food, and staff! Just go! It will be a delight!
(5)JenniLynn H.
This place is so fantastic. The atmosphere is great, the food is exceptional, and the service is the best in town. Reservations are suggested, especially for weekends or any night the Maryland Theatre has something going on. If you've never been here, please take my suggestion and order this: Goulash, Münchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes, and Munich Cake.
(5)Anthony I.
"Are we really in Maryland?" This place is authentic and delightful, friendly staff, great dishes and traditional bier! This place was a diamond in the rough, on a recent road trip, we stopped here on our way home, found it on YELP, of course. It was amazing, I will surely go back. The wiener schnitzel was great!
(4)Cassandra K.
Before I had even moved to Hagerstown from southeastern PA I had mentioned it to a few friends. The only person who knew where this town was where I was going was actually my German teacher. Her tip to me was to visit the authentic German restaurant they had here. Keeping in mind that she makes trips back and forth to Germany quite often I was very excited to check it out. Schmankerl Stube did not disappoint. The decor was so detailed I could already see the owners passion for the business he had created. A native to Germany his touch is as authentic as you will find here in Maryland. The wait staff are dressed in traditional dirndl and well trained on the menu. I was expecting them to refer to the items in English terminology such as "the pork dish" but they were well trained on what the kitchen had to offer and the proper German words listed. I absolutely love the way they present the dessert. You almost can't say no to the tempting tray of arrangements they bring out as a display. Totally worth a night out. Perfect date spot. I am so happy to see this as a staple of Hagerstown's downtown cuisine.
(5)Christina W.
Found this place on Yelp, and I am so glad I did! The kids had Wiener Schnitzel and I had the Munchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes. And beer! Everything was delicious and the service was prompt and friendly. The server was so kind as to bring a different dessert for my bereft 5 year old after I had misunderstood which one she wanted. Now I am looking for excuses to go back to Hagerstown for another visit.
(5)Fenny L.
I love German food. Well, until Schmankerl Stube, I don't believe I've ever had German outside of saurkraut and hamburgers (they come from the city of Hamburg, right?), but I *love* the names of German food. Spaetzel. Weiner. Schnitzel. I mean, really? Those crazy Germans...they knew what they were doing when they named their food. Heh. Schmankerl Stube is in the charming old-town part of Hagerstown. I know, color me shocked - I didn't know that there was life outside of the outlets at Hagerstown, but there you go. Although the day that we went it was too desperately cold and rainy to hang out in the beer garden, the rest of the restaurant was wonderfully awesome. Dark wood paneling, beer steins lining the walls, and the wait staff dressed in - what I assume is - lederhosen. Hotness. We started off with the wurst sampler. Our waitress (more on her in a moment) just plops our dish down in front of us, and storms off. We stared at an array of sausages (sorry, wursts) confused at what we were eating. Delicious! We see the host, who turned out to be the owner, and he explained the various wursts. My favorite has to be the veal wurst - it was so tender and moist and delicious that I forgot all my principles about why veal is bad. Too tasty! For our entree, we shared the Combo Platter for Two, as it gave us a nice variety of choices. The schnitzel was divine! I could have easily eaten an entire platter of it! The beef medallions were tender and tasty. Oddly enough, both my husband and I loved the apple flavored cabbage - and my husband is generally very anti-cabbage, but we were both fighting over the last bite. There is a ton of food with the combo platter for two, and all of it very heavy. Delicious, but heavy. So, our server. She was sullen and angry - which oddly enough, added that touch of delicious misery that makes my food tastes so much better. Heh. I know, I'm terrible, but when a server is obviously so miserable and feeling so desperately uncomfortable in their uniform...well, it's that special sauce that makes the meal memorable. She brought us our beer as if it was brewed from her blood. She tossed us our food as if it was raw sewage. Normally, this kind of service would result in a downgrade of rating...but she was just so horrible and vile and mean, that it was actually comical. We looked around the dining room, and all of the servers had all the same look of sullen discontent on their face - at least they are consistant! As we were leaving, the table next to us (two couples that just came back from a trip to Germany) highly recommended the Knusperige Schweinshaxe (Bavarian Pork Shank), which requires 24 hours advanced notice. It looked huge and deliciously fatty and rich. Yum - I can't wait to try it out! As I am not an expert on German cuisine - in fact, I believe this is my very first "real" German meal, however, the food was delicious although heavy, and the host was charming. The servers were angry and terrible - but I felt it added a certain touch of flavor to our evening meal. I think this place is best for dinners with the in-laws, or with German-phile friends. It's a little too kitchy and the food is a little too heavy for it to be a good date joint.
(4)Full C.
Klaus: "Good evening, table for two? Do you have a reservation?" Party of two: "Yes, and no. No reservation." Klaus eyed us steelely, raised an eyebrow slightly and then sat us. I began to wonder if the waitstaff would ask about our reservations as well. These Germans, they take their reservations and rules seriously... Though precision was off that night, as Wednesdays specials were still listed on a Thursday. Klaus: "My apologies, we do not serve Wednesday specials on Thursday." Party of two:"But you do serve Scotch." Klaus:"Yes. And?" Party of two:"Well, Scotland still has posession of Germany's entire WWI navy. It's on the bottom of Scapa Flow, so why not cut us some slack?" And the riot was started thusly. Food was solid, service was a tad on the slow side (it was Restaurant Week in H'town...OOOH!) but the server was very gracious. Acoustics: f'ing awful. This place is frequented by people who are losing their hearing and must shout the "we don't want to sit under the A/C vent" conversation at the person next to them, who then shouts back, "what?" And pronouncing the name of this eatery is hard on the tounge...unlike the food, which is easy on the tonge.
(4)C P.
We had the combination plate for two and enjoyed everything. Fried tomatoes were fantastic. The beer garden is the spot to sit when the weather permits.
(4)Jamie B.
Ok i'm vegetarian & there is only one dish i can eat... So why 5 stars? Because its little bit of Germany situated in Hagerstown! Wunderbar atmosphere, great service, love the costumes. As for desert.. Wow! They bring every desert they have on a tray. So even if your full, your not going to say no. Good marketing trick:) And real german beer served in steins! Yep i'll be going back.
(5)Catherine G.
Ok, had to add this little tidbit. We went back and dragged (well, no, she did come with us willingly) our friend to this place. Last time we all sat down to a German meal, we were in Munich..or was that Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Anyway, we all LOVE pork knuckle a.k.a. Pork Shank Bavarian Style a.k.a Knusperige Schweinshaxe. Let me tell you. This item requires 24 hours notice, but we were able to call ahead for a late lunch. Can I just say??? DELICIOUS?!? Granted. Now, this is an acquired taste ..and it just happens all 3 of us have acquired this taste. But it was AWESOME!!! The pork shank was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and just HUMUNGOUS! We ordered two, but should have just shared ONE for the three of us. We tried to be greedy and eat as much of it as we could, but honestly even after gorging ourselves silly we couldnt finish it. If you know what I'm talking about, go there and try for yourselves. Only make sure to call ahead 24 hours in advance to get this item. It's well worth it! YUMMMMMMM!!!!
(5)Alexa H.
Go here. Seriously - the food is awesome. My husband and I found this randomly while looking for a place to eat in Hagerstown. We ordered the combination platter for two (I forget the exact name). It was nothing short of awesome. The spaetzle, sauerkraut, tenderloin, and schnitzel were the standouts, in my opinion. The waitress was very friendly and the owner greeted us when we came in, came by to ask how everything was, and said goodbye when we left. In short - great experience! Will definitely be returning!
(5)John S.
In the pouring rain we sprinted over to enjoy ein wonderbar experience. Though the items are on the "pricey" side, their flavor and perfection certainly make up for it. I especially like the RULES PAGE. Ah, hoh Geuhrmahn (affect outrageous commandant accent here). My wife-to-be had a steak Madagascar (green peppercorns and a hunter sauce). I went with the wurst plate, which was mind-blowing. Someone commented on the beer quality. Quality indeed. I had an Optimator and a well-balanced Hefe. Both sublime. Dessert was Munich cake and a hot apple-crumb monstrosity with vanilla icecream. I thought mine, though simpler, was better. The waitresses are kind and friendly, without being "hovery." And yes, they are garbed in Bavarian beer-serving ware. An interesting aspect of this establishment is the abundance of steins. But it's a German restaurant. The owner swung by the table to make sure all was well. And my respone, Jah, zehr gut! It's not everyday you get such a diamond in the rough. But if you're in Hagerstown and veal like some good food (see what I did?), give Schmankerl Stube a try. Just be sure to have plenty of... marks? Euros? No, wait, USD.
(4)Mickey B.
All I can say is wow. They did it right and can't wait to go back again and again. From start to finish it felt like we where in a old German farm house. Order a beer and you get 3 sizes to chose from and the wine list looked very good. The food was better then any other place I had been to. Sausage tasted fresh made and cooked to order and the dinner was wonderful. All food is cooked to order and comes out hot. Make sure you get something with the hunter gravy on it you won't be let down. Thank you guys again for the wonderful food.
(5)Nick G.
First of all, the stereotypical German women's outfit (picture a less sexified St Pauli's girl) was worth the trip alone. Other reviews have commented that the girls are rude and unfriendly, but this wasn't so on my visit. I ordered the Knusperige Schweinshaxe (pork shank), which came highly recommended by the waitress. She said these are normally ordered 24 hours in advance, but that they had a few extra that day (I also heard this same comment to another guy later that day - kinda sounds like a marketing ploy to me). As an appetizer, I also ordered the Wursts sampler and their escargot. The Wursts were pretty decent, but too expensive for what I received. All in all, it was 4 pieces of 4 different sausages with some sauces. Not what I would think of as a $14 appetizer tray. The escargot was pretty decent, though it was drowned in butter and salt, that's about what it tasted like. The Schweinshaxe was alright, though not really my favorite meal ever. I had to dig through a big mess of fat and bones to get to a pretty generous portion of meat that was sadly overcooked and dry. The sides of sauerkraut were interesting, and did well to flavor the dry, bland pork shank that so desperately needed it. But it wasn't enough. For their specialty, it wasn't very special. Then lastly, for dessert, I ordered the cottage cheese made Cheesecake. Wasn't a huge fan, and I immediately regretted not trying the Irish Cream cake. I liked how they brought out the tray with a slice of each, letting you see what each looked like and making a better informed decision, I just chose wrongly.
(3)Devan and Brian N.
My husband and I stopped in Hagerstown on our way cross-country, and chose the Stube--interesting German winning out over Ruby Tuesday's salad bar. We did not regret it. From the street the restaurant was charmingly decorated with a miniature forest dotted with snow and white lights. As we walked in on a Wednesday evening we were immediately welcomed by the owner who asked if we would like to wait at the bar while our table was set up. Although many previous reviews mentioned grumpy waitresses, apparently we lucked out. Christa, who was behind the bar when we first came in, was our waitress and she could not have been nicer. Attentive but not hovering, and certainly not stomping around the way others were. She got us our beers (Spaten Oktoberfest!) and the sunflower bread, which came with homemade spread. We had started with the salad with marinated veg, which that night included cucumber salad, pickled cabbage, and corn salad as well as lettuce and tomato with almonds and dressing. Amazing. I could have stopped there but seriously did not want to. We had ordered the combo platter for two which was a ton of food but would have been difficult to share with a third person. Schnitzel with lemon and spaetzle and lots more (the menu is online), I tried and loved everything--the green beans were not my favorite but that's not what we went in for! Our second round of drinks included a glass of Reisling which was just as wonderful as advertised. Although by the end we were roly-poly we still managed to polish off an apple strudel with vanilla sauce and left the asked-for to go box lonely and empty on the table. Outstanding evening.
(5)Chris M.
Not sure why colleen s gave the Stube a bad rating, I havent had a bad meal here ever. Lived in Germany for 2 years while in the military and had many authentic german meals there- This place is the real deal. Great food , atmosphere and german beer. Had the schnitzel many times and was always authentic , hot and delicious. Their specialty is the pork shank but call ahead as they only serve on certain days and are limited. It falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Go hungry if you order this- you will not finish it. Agree with Richard W - great food hands down.
(4)Jim A.
If you know and like German food, this establishment cannot disappoint. I spent two years stationed in Southern Germany and walking into Schmankerl for the first time was like walking right back into Bavaria. The food is authentic and well prepared. The beer is imported from Germany and you can can the real, good stuff on tap. The service is always very friendly and everything is timed just right such that you can sit back and relax without feeling rushed, but you aren't wondering where your food is. In my experience, the dining experience here is better than that of the dining room at the Bavarian Inn. Though I cannot aford to eat here often, it is one of my favorite places to eat.
(5)Daron H.
I had never been to a German restaurant until tonight. I am on a business trip and the Rep recommended it. I have to say it was the most wonderful experience I have had in years. Charles Sekula is very hands on and greats everyone at the door. The waitresses are on top of their game and move like lightening around that place. I live three hours away but plan on bringing the wife back just for this restaurant. If you have or have not ever been to a German restaurant I recommend you try this one. Food and prices are top notch. Enjoy
(5)Courtney C.
Maybe I just don't like German food. My husband enjoys this restaurant. I thought it sucked. If you want food drowning in butter, oil and gravy, this may be a winner for you. I prefer my vegetables to taste like vegetables, my soup to not have oil on the top and my chicken to not be smothered in thick salty gravy. Their saving grace was the house Reisling. Wow was is good.
(2)ken p.
REAL GERMAN STYLE FOOD!!! If you don't like German food (referring to some of the low scoring reviews posted) then WHY ARE YOU AT A GERMAN RESTAURANT? German food is lots of butter, lots of eggs, heavy bread & not meant to cater to a low cal or vegetarian diet. After reading great reviews for Schmankerl S, we made the trip from Germantown. German restaurants are hard to come by, let alone GOOD ones. The one in Frederick (Hennings?) is alright, but not very authentic. Well, it was worth the trip & we will return. Wonderful atmosphere. Pleasant staff. The food is absolutely fantastic & very authentic. There are numerous things I want to try & good reason to return. There's also the Hagerstown Aust-oberfest coming up soon (Oktoberfest celebrated in August) & perhaps a good excuse to visit & then try Schmankerl Stube while you're there. A tip: Parking along the street is FREE on the weekends.
(5)Francini Y.
First time here. Had the beef and pork tips in Munich gravy. A bit expensive for the portion. Our dessert of apple crumb cake with ice cream for $8 also a bit pricey. Over all food was good just too expensive for portions . The veggie of corn and black beans.... German? Not when I grew up in a German household. Kind of disappointed but what can you do.
(4)Phil H.
Eat here for the 1st time with my wife and some friends. The staff was great the the food was very good especially the wurst. My only comment is that it would be nice if they had some sort of lunch menu.
(4)Jenn B.
The finest place to eat in Hagerstown. It is possibly the finest place in Hagerstown, period. The wurst sampler is a must. The ideal precursor to a great meal. Escargot at the Bavarian spot? Oh my yes. (If snails left trails of butter behind as they moved, people might not be so put off by them!) My most recent visit I ordered the "Ulmer Metzger Platte," two Bratwurst with carrots, sauerkraut and spatzle. The presentation and preparation were unimpeachable. It was a meal I took my time with, savoring every bite. My dinner companions and I split slices of Bavarian cream cake and Black Forest cake for dessert. Asked afterward which treat I preferred, I couldn't choose one over the other. Again, just as with the entree, this was high-level. The care and skill on display...all I can do is tip my (invisible) hat. As a bonus, the staff and the owner are genuine, wonderful people.
(5)J D.
I took my mama here for her 60th birthday and it did not disappoint. I'm not one to debate what is or isn't good German food...I mean seriously, if you're that type let it go man, let it go. I'd posit the theory that someone from California has a different theory on what is good "American" food than someone from Texas who is different than a New Yorker who is different than Wisconsin. Get the point, hoser? You're three trips to Germany do not qualify you as an expert nor does living in Stuttgart for a year...things are regional. Off the soapbox...my mom had Saurbraten, my son had meatloaf and I had the Jaegerschnitzel. We also had ghoulish and potato soup. All the soups were excellent and I don't think I could make a recommendation of one vs. the other, I'd so ok say whatever your palette prefers is what you should go with. Of the entrees, the Saurbraten was the winner. Tender, hearty and robust taste. The meatloaf and schnitzel had good flavor, but were a touch overdone; the schnitzel was light on the gravy. The red cabbage was good and tangy, the home fries were expertly done and the spaetzle was also good. good service, attentive but unobtrusive.
(4)Josef K.
Best Bavarian restaurant I've ever been to in the U.S. hands down. I would have to say I'm amazed even and fear that my wife even may think their Sauerbraten is better than mine. The spätzle is authentic and perfectly cooked. We had the Sunday buffet so sampled many dishes. They were all excellent. And it was only $20 per adult. Excellent price. Nice job! Well worth the money and if you close your eyes you may think you are in Bavaria. One suggestion: pipe us in some good German music on the back bier garten!
(5)Ze W.
Food tasty; service very very friendly and very very slow (but menu mentions to let them know if you're in a rush, so fine...).
(4)Judi S.
Both times we've been here we've had the Combo Meal for 2 and it's been delicious. There's plenty of food for two big eaters to feel pleasantly full, with 2 small filet steaks, 2 small breaded pork cutlets, 2 Weiswurst, a large pile each of German Potato Salad and homemade Spatzle, plus red cabbage and sauerkraut. The taste is authentic and makes us homesick for Germany.
(5)Frank B.
The food was great as was the service you feel at home from the instant you arrive would come back anytime. ....
(5)Kat A.
I have only been here once for dinner and absolutely loved it. If I lived closer I'd likely return on a weekly basis. Having grown up on Eastern European and German food I can happily say the food here is authentic. They also have a Sunday Brunch which I'd love to try in the future. It's not your typical brunch (I don't think they have any eggs - more of a limited selection of their best dishes). Check out their website for more details on the food and when it's offered. I don't believe it's every Sunday. OVERALL: If you haven't been and love this type of food drop everything! Come here ASAP! Service was superb just like the food. While I grew up mostly on Polish and Czech food their variations are close enough for all of us to enjoy. RESERVATIONS: While we didn't make reservations (it was a Sunday) I'd recommend doing so at least on Friday and Saturday nights as they were still pretty busy for a Sunday evening. FOOD: I had the Goulash soup and the Kassler Ripperl (smoked pork loin with sauerkraut and spatzle). Both were delicious. I can't recall what the others dining with me had but they were all very happy with the food too. SERVICE: While I might know this sort of food well I don't know the beer all that well. Our waiter was incredibly helpful in translating the beer options and figuring out which beer I'd like. He was attentive and checked back on our table quite often as did several others. We sat outside where it got kind of loud because there was a private party. We didn't mind all that much but inside seemed more quiet if that's a concern to future diners. DRESS CODE: I'm sure people are a bit perplexed by the fact that they have a dress code. In a way, I appreciate it as it reminds me of my family and growing with this sort of food. Plus it's respectful. While I didn't see anyone getting thrown out for their attire, I could still tell that it was enforced to some degree. Women were wearing dressy flip flops which seemed ok. But if you're thinking oh whatever who cares I'd maybe think twice before violating the dress code. It would in all honesty be a total travesty to have to pass up their food for disregarding their dress policy.
(4)Marilee T.
Hosted a 30th birthday party with 16 people on Sunday afternoon. We had a wonderful experience with the staff and yummy food. I ordered the pork shank in advance to try (requires 24 hour notice). It was delicious-but watch out-your dining companions will want to taste it too! Definitely try the wurst sampler appetizer and I like the salmon one too. I was not overwhelmed with the shrimp in dill sauce, but all the meat entrees tried were complimented. Note: We had two children in the group under two and booster seats were available. But this is not fast food and only children who can tolerate sitting through a real meal should be brought. If they can't, leave them with a sitter and enjoy a meal without placemats you can draw on. We were fortunate to have a room to ourselves, otherwise, there would have been lots of walks outside for the toddler! We will definitely return!
(4)Woodie D.
Holy cow! Having traveled to Germany I was skeptical but absolutely proven wrong. This place is amazing! The service is great and the food..... Where to start?? The wurst appetizer was great. The shared platter was more than the two of us could eat. And the beer was cold and refreshing. We will absolutely be back. Soon, I hope.
(5)PB M.
Do yourself a favor. Shoot up on a Wednesday night and get the pork shank. It's worth the drive from D.C. or Baltimore.
(5)Andrew L.
We dropped in to the Schmankerl Stube in downtown Hagerstown for lunch on a Saturday. After scouting downtown restaurant options online, this one seems very promising. Indeed, it was! Arriving inside, the hostess first asked if we had reservations. Reservations for lunch? This seemed a surprise. But, perhaps not, as it was a popular spot in the Arts & Entertainment historic district. Though lacking a reservation, we were soon seated. The menu was most definitely Bavarian in flavor. I ordered a Goulash Soup as an appetizer and Schnitzel "Wiener Art" (pork schnitzel) with German potato salad as my main course. We split a slice of Apfel Strudel for dessert. Our waitress was very leas ant and attentive. (The waitresses are dressed in dirndl outfits, adding to the atmosphere.) This was excellent! The best German fare I've had outside of Central Europe. Highly recommended.
(5)Nitro N.
One of the finest kid friendly places I've dined in a very long time. Everything was expertly prepared by hand. Ulmer Metzger, awesome! Muenchner Geschnetzel, awesome! Kaese Schnitzel, awesome!
(5)Bret H.
The Wurst Sampler is the Best! Haaaaa.....I just had to do that! We got there about 15 minutes before closing but e staff was welcoming and helpful. Seriously, the wurst sampler is amazing! Definitely worth trying. Great desserts too. Try the strudel!
(5)J A.
This place was great! I like the atmosphere as I felt like I was transported in time and location to Bavaria! The service was prompt, except when it came time for the check, and the server didn't bother us too much, just when we needed it. We shared the Combo Platter for two. DELICIOUS! I would definitely get it again. They have a decent beer selection as well to go with the meals and an outside patio area that is very nice. I would like to come back again in summer and sit on the patio with a beer.
(4)Miranda B.
This was our first time and the food was delicious. Food: We ordered the special for two as it had a little of everything. Our 8 yr old son ordered a brat on a potato roll from the kids menu and he really enjoyed the spätzle. Great beer and the desserts were amazing too! Service: The service was great, our waitress was very informative. The owner greeted us at the door and followed up after dinner. Atmosphere: The music and decor matched the venue setting. It felt like you were in a Bavarian Resturaunt until you looked out the window. Cost: This place is a little spendy ($$$) to match the decor ($$). For 3 meals, 2 non alcoholic drinks, 2 beers, 2 desserts - we spent approximately $120. Yes we will return!!
(4)Scott C.
Excellent authentic Bavarian food and atmosphere. The food is fantastic and the service is knowledgeable and friendly. I come all the way from Virginia a few times a year just to enjoy this top notch German restaurant.
(5)Corinne M.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Schmankerl Stube is just on a whole 'nother level of restaurant in Hagerstown. First off, I've been to Germany. The food is great. Charlie, the owner, being from Germany, has brought the food right into little old Hagerstown. To anyone who hasn't been here, you have no idea what you're missing. To anyone who is complaining about this wonderful place, you have no idea how good you have it, having a place like this in Hagerstown. (I choose to believe that the complainers probably do not have very refined palates.) What you'll order here is pretty much an exact replica of the food you can order if you flew 9 hours over the Atlantic Ocean and ended up in Germany...except for the fact that it is in HAGERSTOWN, MD of all places. The Schmankerl Wurst Teller (Sausage Platter) is amazing, absolutely on point. The Allgäuer Käsespätzle is to die for - simple, plain, and yet so flavorful and good. A safe order if you aren't familiar with German food - it's basically noodles and cheese. Another favorite is the Hühnerbrust in Vermouth. SO tender and delicious. This one can come with or without jalapenos, I had not had it with them but I can imagine they're a great addition. One of my all-time favorites that you just CANNOT go wrong with is the Wiener Schnitzel. Breaded perfectly, fried perfectly, just PERFECT. The absolute show-stealer at Schmankerl Stube, however, is the pork shank. It is served only on Wednesdays, and requires a 24 hour advance reservation. The restaurant only keeps and prepares a small amount of them, so calling early in the week is your best bet. When it comes out, it looks a little barbaric with a huge knife sticking out of the middle of it, but it's just the most amazing thing that you could ever hope, dream, or wish to put in your mouth. The pork is so juicy and tender, so filled with flavor. It melts in your mouth. The sides are even to die for - I hate cabbage and I find myself sopping up all of my red cabbage and sauerkraut to complete the flavors. The bread dumpling is just ridiculously good, too. Don't even get me started on dessert. I'm pretty sure I've had them all...the Apfel Strudel is probably my favorite, though. Freshly made...just...so...GOOD! The service, in my opinion, is impeccable here. I love the "uniforms" the servers wear, it really ties it all together, being at a German restaurant. You momentarily forget that you're in Hagerstown, MD...feeling as though you've been whisked away to Bavaria...until you step back out onto Potomac Street.
(5)Tom B.
Sehr gut! Excellent food and atmosphere. Got the wurst appetizer, tasty. Shared the sampler platter entree. Meats and sides all delicious. Ate on the patio out back, very nice. Some of the best German food I've had in the states.
(5)City G.
German food is a treat for us. This is the second time we drove a little out of the way to stop here. LOVE One had the brats, cooked well. One had Wiener schnitzel (veal) and loved every bite. I had Munchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes. The meats were amazingly tender. Sauce was perfect, not too heavy. Loved the spaetzle. I also had a cup of potato soup. It had some chopped vegetables that really added to the flavor. Husband had the Schmankerl Wurst Teller. He loved it, especially the dumpling. Two chose dessert cakes which were the perfect finish. The dark chocolate icing was perfect.
(5)Miriam W.
This was my second time dining here, and I really enjoyed it both times. The vibe is truly throwback, with a kitschy German folk motif and the servers decked out in traditional dirndls. I actually like that and find it adds to the experience here. I have tried the wiener schnitzel and the sausage platter, the latter both as an appetizer and as an entree served with accompaniments. The schnitzel was lightly breaded and perfectly fried, served with a Hunter sauce on the side, which is a brown gravy with mushrooms. The potato salad is delicious, and entrees come with a revolving veg of the day, which was decent but not really inspired on both of my visits. The sausage trio is also yummy, served with kraut and mustard, veg of the day and a bread dumpling, which is like stuffing (or dressing, (if you're a Southerner), topped with the same Hunter sauce that comes with the schnitzel. I have skipped dessert both times, but heard from the server that everything is baked in house. I also saw the tray of enticing options being shown table side to other diners, so would definitely consider it on future visits. They also have a decent list of German beer and wine, (whites only; reds are French and domestic) as well as a nice list of scotch, cognac and after dinner libations. Service here...well, it warms my heart to see such well mannered, efficient and proper service. These gals are trained in the European style of service, and they know their stuff. I mention this because it can make the dining experience so much better, and I really appreciate the thought that goes into a well trained waitstaff, having been in the business myself. People may not be aware of this, but there is actually a proper way to bus a table, and our waitress executed this perfectly, all while talking to us about our plans for dessert and coffee. I will most definitely return here for the great food and terrific service.
(4)Gerald E.
Dropped in for a late lunch and was very please. Service was excellent, the Schnitzel was actually human sized and not the "more is better" and the Spaetzle was perhaps not the best but sure better than most places. Wife had the Reuben that is oven baked and not done in a panini press. She thought it was excellent. Great German beers on draft and if it wasn't 90+ degrees sitting out would be nice. We'll be back.
(5)Harry H.
Priciest Bavarian food I've had*, but quite good, albeit not somewhere I'd see myself returning. It was absolutely dead on the off hour we arrived*, and service was overbearing as a result, but the staff meant well. Wurst Sampler $18 Array of Sausages for two Persons, served with Mustards and Curry Sauce Münchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes $23 Sautéed Beef and Pork Tenderloin Tips in Cream Sauce "Munich Style", served over Homemade Spätzle with Green Beans wrapped in Bacon and Vegetable of the Day Käseschnitzel $23 Pork cutlet topped with Camembert and Provolone, served with Spätzle and Vegetable of the Day *it was well before dinner time but they had already stopped lunch, which meant $$$ rather than $$
(4)S. H.
This place is worth the drive for us! We travel from Baltimore to eat here 6 to 8 times a year, wish it was more! Top notch service and staff. Great beer and other German beverages. Well prepared authentic foods in a charming comfortable pleasant atmosphere. Awesome desserts too! Most people would not be able point out any negative aspects but as a big fan of German cooking I feel I must. I have two wishes, sweet mustard for weiswurst and a proper schnitzel Holstein. the Weiner schnitzel is quite lacking in taste, texture and size. Other than those minor issues I HIGHLY recommend this place for dinner. The schweinehaxe is amazing!
(5)Misty C.
We had the dinner for two and everything was excellent, for the service, the Biergarten and the drinks. We will be back!
(5)Joe R.
First, an adorable building in a nice town, reflecting its historic nature in regards to the Civil War. They theme out totally on the German restaurant, and the food is good. We shared everything. The rye bread basket comes first, with soft butter, and some sauce for dipping. The sausage was good. With two types of mustards. With German noodle, spaetzle and sauerkraut served as sides. The baby string beans were wrapped in bacon, tender and good. Same applies to the carrots, veggie of the day.
(4)Shell H.
I tend to have a very picky palate - so when our friends invited us out for a couples date night to a new restaurant I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to find anything on the menu that I would like..I took a chance and tried the Pfeffersteak Madagascar which was AMAZING! It's filet mignon topped with this amazing sauce along side of green beans wrapped in bacon and potato snow (which I normally swap out for waffle fries, like I said I have a very picky palate and the potato snow doesn't have enough taste for me). We recommend the Schmankerl Stube to all of our friends especially in the summer time when you can sit out back in the beer garden enjoying the outdoors, great food and delicious beer!
(5)Chelsea M.
I have so many good things to say about this place. Let me start by saying that I work a few doors down, so I have been MANY times for lunch. I have also been quite a few times for dinner. There has not been a single time that I have left this place with the thought that any part of my meal could have been better. Cost would be only downside (3courses). Service - Service is always exemplary. When training their staff, they set the bar at a rather high height - beautiful german uniforms, always smiling and accommodating, plus use the serving riles of fine dining establishments. Conversely, they set the bar rather low for the attire of their clientele - jeans are acceptable (although I see they set the limit at hat wearing). Atmosphere - The Schmankerl Stube is in downtown Hagerstown's Arts and Entertainment district, on Potomac Street, in an adorable building with a seating area out front that has lighted tree decorations during the winter and flower box-lined seating in the summer. The inside is full of pictures of Germany and knick knacks like glass boots, steins, silk flower arrangements, etc. There is always German music playing. The staff wear traditional German garb. Their is a coat area at the entrance for colder months. The bar area's ceiling is lined with steins dedicated to regulars. The tables have table cloths and cloth napkins all day long. At night, candles are lit on each table. In the rear of the building is an enclosed beer garden. It is a haven inside an otherwise noisy area. The high privacy fence with hydrangeas, geraniums, and other vegetation make for a relaxing experience. The tablecloths come outside too. And there are large umbrellas that offer shade during the day. As with all outdoor dining, you may get flies or bees, but I rarely notice them. I get panicky when a bee comes around, but for most of the summer, I can eat outside without being bothered, and they have only had to relocate me inside once; they were very understanding and nice about it. Food - Bread - There is a sunflower seed rye bread that you get at both lunch and dinner when you order a meal. At lunch it comes with whipped butter. At dinner they add a house made spread that doesn't sound great (they present it and tell you what is in it), but now that I have tried it, I coat my bread in it each time I get it. The bread by itself is a dense and rather dry bread (they intend it to be), but when paired with one of these spreads or used to clean the last of your potato soup out of the bowl, it is a welcome addition to the meal. Soup and Dessert - No matter when I go, I get a cup of potato soup before my meal and the Munich cake afterward (even if it is to-go). I am looking into purchasing a whole Munich cake for my boyfriend's next birthday (Shh, don't tell.) Lunch - I get the Käseschnitzel nearly every time I go to lunch there. I have also had their reuben and believe it is the best Reuben I have ever tasted; however, when faced with the choice of both tempting dishes, it is hard to turn down the former. I always get spaetzle with my Käseschnitzel. It goes wonderfully in the brown gravy. I don't think I have ever NOT finished it. Dinner - For dinner, my boyfriend and I always seem to get the meal for two. You get to sample a bit of everything. The sides that come with the dish are a potato salad that has a nice touch of vinegar to it; the bacon wrapped green beans, which are alright to someone who mostly just dislikes green beans; their spaetzle covered in gravy (yessss) and their house made sauerkraut and red apple flavored cabbage, both of which I could make an entire meal of. The meats are schnitzel, beef fillets, and some type of bratwursts. The fillets are served at medium rare (as you might expect) and will melt in your mouth. They're served on the bed of spaetzle with the brown gravy. Neither the beef nor the gravy have much salt in them. I find them to be perfectly seasoned, but if you are a fan of the steaks you get at American chain restaurants with LOTS of seasoning, you may need to add salt. Don't worry - it's on the table. I am generally not a fan of any kind of breaded meats, because they so often come out soggy due to steam or sauces or whatever the case may be. The schnitzel served here have no sogginess to them at all. Even after squeezing the provided lemon wedge on them, the texture was crunchy; the flavor - spectacular. As for the bratwursts, I can not claim any expert opinion. They are good. I ate it all. I enjoyed every minute of it. BUT I FORGOT TO USE THE MUSTARD! Anytime you get a sausage here, they give you two mustards - a dijon and one that they make in house that has a jalapeño smokiness to it plus a touch of sweet. I love mustard. This is among the best sweet-hot versions I have had. Drinks - The Stube has an EXTENSIVE drink menu. True to it's German origin, you'll find everything from a "tasting" of beer to a full liter. They also have wine, specialty cordials, and 25 year
(5)Bill S.
My German wife and I visited this place early one afternoon and have to admit the atmosphere and decor was great. Typically a Bavarian setting and the food was fresh and up until we talked to the waitress who brought the wrong type of mustard and claimed she was an expert in which mustards are served just reinforced our ideas of her complete ignorance. Then she brought a Wiess beer half full and I insisted she bring me a full one - when she made her obnoxious comment about pouring it into the glass - I told her I used to have my own bar in Bavaria and showed two at once!
(4)Nichole Y.
This place is cute and a fun place to visit every once in a great while with some friends for a themed night out. I found the food to be good but nothing too impressive. The portions are large so family style eating would work well here. The beer is tasty and served in very large mugs(you can even get a 5 liter boot!) I do like the decor, it made me feel like I was hanging out in a pub in Germany and the waitresses wear traditional dresses which kinda come off hokey but it's cute. If you've never been it's worth a drop it.
(3)Jen S.
AWESOME ‼‼ This is a German pub with German brews. If you like a little German then you will like this place. It was lots of fun. Both service and food were very good.
(5)Thomas F.
I've dined here nearly a dozen times. When leaving I always find myself saying, "That was a fantastic meal and a great experience".
(5)Nathan W.
One of my favorite places to eat. Celebrated my 19th Anniversary. Service by waitress a little poor tonight but food was wonderful as usual.
(5)Sara D.
Soooo good, nice people, no cell phones, no TV, great food. What s restaurant should be!!!
(5)Katie W.
Loved it! We ordered the pork shank that needed the 24 hour notice. It was fantastic. The portions were huge. You could easily split one entree with two people.
(5)Paul O.
We tried it for lunch after hearing so much about it. Decor is quite nice with homey touches. Can't fault the service either, waitresses were friendly. The potato soup was a cut above average. Now for the not so swell part. Lunch. My wife had the Westphalian Ham sandwich which consisted of thin sliced rather heavy textured rye bread with some of the saltiest ham she's ever tasted. That's it for the sandwich. Only two components, bread and ham. Now if I was an English sailor in the 1600s I would have expected ham that salty (they had to preserve it some way). But to my wife it was inedible. She left the resturant hungry. I had the Jägerschnitzel - Hunter Style Cutlet. It was pretty bland. Reminded me of a hungry man frozen meal. Just not at all what I was hoping for. It's only two data points. Most of the other reviewers love the place. But for us, we're not going back.
(1)Douglas W.
Terrific authentic German cuisine in a warm inviting setting. I tried the roast pork and the bratwurst shared with my wife. We both had potato salad, sauerkraut and the vegetable of the day which was corn and beans tonight. Everything was perfect. Deliciously seasoned and well prepared food. Great service. It's just a short detour off the highway into Hagerstown and more than worth the effort.
(4)Ross V.
Never disappoints! I always leave here feeling like a received a great value.
(4)Tanzer T.
Well this place has decent food and german beer necessities and a cool vibe. The 4 stars are not centered for the food and beer but rather for the overall package. The sausage platter is a must try. Enjoyed our time!!!!
(4)Lorena B.
Homey comfort food and great service? Check and double check! Started with the Wurst Sampler, which has four different kinds of sausages with three sauces. So good! For dinner, order the Münchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes (beef and pork tenderloin tips in a cream sauce). It's delicious and you won't regret the calorie splurge- I sure didn't! The bf's veal Wiener Schnitzel was yummy too but I liked my choice better. The Fetzer chardonnay was dry but not so much that it would overwhelm anyone who likes a sweeter wine. The Bailey's chocolate cake filling was good but the chocolate cake was a bit dry. The service was wonderful! The waitress never rushed us even though we were too busy chatting to order quickly and when the bf sneakily ordered dessert without me, she brought out a scoop of ice cream with a candle in it. Can't get out of making a birthday wish on my watch!
(4)Nancy M.
My first visit was absolutely amazing! The customer service was great! And the food was delicious ! Definitely going back soon!
(5)Cheryl Z.
They squeezed us in on a Saturday night without a reservation. The food was amazing, most authentic German cuisine I've had in the states. They covered every detail, down to the serving staffs outfits. It was truly and experience and we will certainly be returning.
(5)Shannon W.
Amazing!! Food is top notch. To be fair, I've never been to Germany, but what I've tasted at the 'Stube have been out of this world. Whatever you do, save room for dessert. You can't get put of the place without a homemade dessert. Charlie has worked so very hard to give Hagerstown a place they can be proud of and he has. He has a genuine love for this town and for the arts community. He's a blessing
(5)Amy H.
Potato snow is my new found favorite side dish. This place was AMAZING. Totally unexpected. By far the best German food I've had in the states. And we live in Wisconsin. Home to many a fine German restaurant. I think you could pretty much order anything off the menu and be delighted. And don't forget about dessert. Also amazing. Three of us went and we all had different entrée and desserts and shared everything. Not a bad bite to be found.
(5)Patrick S.
I haven't been here for many years and was quite thrilled to have the opportunity to come back start with a tasting mug of a Doppelbock which was a nice cream start before switching to a huge 1 litre mug of Pilsner my party had the wurst sampler and escargot for appetizers, the dipping sauces were quite diverse and complemented the wursts well, the escargot was perfect and buttery my entree was the weiner schnitzel with spatzle on the side, the hunterstyle sauce paired with the pork, which was so tender for desert we split a Bavarian cream cake and Black Forest cake, i cannot even decide which was better such a great experience, the owner came by and was very nice and welcoming, hope it isn't years until the next time I visit
(5)PitBull D.
We came here for daughter's birthday based on YELP reviews, and it certainly exceeded expectations in every way. I just regret that I didn't indulge in one of the huge dark beers on draft. Daughter ordered Pfeffersteak Madagascar, Tender Filet Mignon grilled to perfection & topped with Sauce made from Imported Green Madagascar Peppercorns, served with Potato Snow (riced boiled potatoes) & Green Beans wrapped in Bacon & Vegetable of the Day (fresh sliced carrots). We all sampled and her potato snow was to die for. I will be sure to order that next time. Her Filet was sweet and tender as butter. Wife ordered Tiger Garnelen in Dillrahm, Sautéed Jumbo Tiger Shrimp served in creamy Dill Sauce with cubed Tomatoes, Rice and Vegetable of the Day. This had to be the best prepared Shrimp I have ever eaten, very juicy but the creamy Dill Sauce was "da bomb." I had Münchener Sahnegeschnetzeltes, Sautéed Beef and Pork Tenderloin Tips in Cream Sauce "Munich Style", served over Homemade Spätzle (Outstanding!!!) with Green Beans wrapped in Bacon and Vegetable of the Day. The meat was nice and tender, bite-size pieces in a nice cream sauce (I think burgundy flavored brown with mushrooms) and the Green Beans wrapped with Bacon was very tasty and unique. Wait staff timely, informed of the menu options, and efficient. Definitely one of the best dining experiences in the area.
(5)Jim M.
Authentic German Food, Well stocked bar, and extraordinary service is what I have found with every visit to Schmankerl Stube. This is one of those restaurants where the owners are most always on hand to make sure their guests have the best possible experience. If you are looking for a great german dining experience this is absolutely it.
(5)Dee B.
If you're planning on dining at Schmankerl Stube on a weekend night, definitely make reservations ahead of time - this place is very popular. I stopped by at 3pm on a Sunday and had no problems procuring a table, yet the hostess said if we'd come between 5 and 7pm that same Sunday, we would have been out of luck. Their spaetzle still rock!!!
(4)Bil G.
I had not been here in years and was disappointed the food was not better. I guess I was comparing their cooking to the zum Rheingarten and they came out second best. I ordered the goulash soup and it was OK but not great. Then ordered the wiener schnitzel made with veal and not pork and the breading on the meat was a little strange and thick while the meat was a little thin. It came with waffle cut fries (one of your side choices) and the fries were too crunchy for my taste. The best part of the meal was the black forest cake. I enjoyed the waitress very much, but they had one waitress who stuck me as being a bit of a snob. Fortunately she was not my waitress that day. I was in the area for Drag Day at the Mason-Dixon track so decided to revisit the restaurant while in the area. I parked out on the street which on a Saturday was pretty deserted and parking was free. I tried to order a mixed drink, the Aviation but, as usual, they had no maraschino liquor nor any creme de Violet.
(3)Janet P.
Cute little place, upon reading the menu the food combinations didn't sound that appealing but WHOA was I wrong... foods I never thought to serve together went perfectly with one another. I had the Tiger Garnelen in Dillrahm, I do recommend if you like jumbo shrimp. It is a bit pricey here but I'd definitely love to come here again, great place if you're looking for something a bit different.
(4)Jessica S.
I highly suggest preordering the pork shank! It is THE BEST thing you will ever eat. The skin is crispy like chips but the meat inside is so moist and full of flavor. Only downfail of this resturant is the time it takes to eat. If you are willing to have a long dinner than its fine. The food is worth the wait! No kids menu though.
(4)Herr S.
Came here with my Grandma (not joking) after a day trip to Gettysburg. We both drank some excellent beers and the food was fantastic. Like, waaayyyy better than Hofbrauhaus in Vegas. The beet soup was one of the Top 5 soups I've ever had in my entire life. You know a soup is damn good when you immediately google recipes after paying the check. Would absolutely come back after another visit to Gettysburg.
(5)Rick H.
Wow! I don't have a clue how to pronounce what it was I ate but man it was delicious. I watched one of the diners at our table cut her filet with a fork.
(4)Kristi B.
Another wonderful meal at Schmakerl Stube. Even my vegetarian husband enjoys the food (and let's be honest, the beer), which is outstanding. I love that the owner makes a point of speaking to each table to ask if your food was good and if you've been well taken care of. What's more, he asks in a way that shows he actually cares about the answer, that it's not just a formality. We really should go more often.
(5)Kelly P.
I have been looking forward to this for awhile and finally when my boss gave me a gift card we booked the reservation. I waited until Friday midday and was surprised that if I wanted indoor seating they only had 4pm or 9pm, so early reservations are a definite. Good news is they could accommodate our 6pm reservation on their outside patio. PERFECT for me. It was a lovely warm fall evening. Both hubby and I have had plenty of authentic German food, especially since he resided in Germany for two years. We arrived on the button and was promptly greeted and seated by two smiling friendly Frauleins. Through the very kitchy German ambiance out to my preferred patio garden ~ lovely. And still no sighting of the previous reviews dominatrix. All smiling waitstaff, I'm not sure if I'm missing out or lucky. We were seated with menus and given a moment to review when our server was back and requesting our beverage order. She answered a couple questions and was off with our beer and wine choices. The outdoor patio was pretty with a large tree serving as an umbrella a couple heaters spaced right should the evening get chilly. Server returns with a perfectly chilled Riesling and a MONSTER beer which she tells us is actually quite child size. Either way hubby had a nice glow even before his first sip. We placed our order asking a few key questions which she answered perfecting and by quarter after 6 she was off with our order to the kitchen. What a great start. After this it gets a little lengthy. Hubby and I enjoy the ambiance and our beverages commenting teasingly about the Frauleins vest showing her ummm "muffin top", we notice this was not the norm for the other Frauleins serving nearby tables. After a bit we started really getting hungry and started to really hit the bread basket hard and fast. Wiped out our water and were quickly going through our giant beer and wine when we realized its been 45 minutes and we haven't seen our server. Hmm? MIA Fraulein comes racing back, refills our water, we give her the ok to refresh our beverages, she mumbles that other tables that came in same time as us are STARTING to get their food and off she runs. At this point hubby is contemplating calling Dominos to deliver a PIZZA to the garden gate! Ten minutes later and an hour and fifteen minutes after our reservation our entrees are served. WE ARE STARVED. All was good, not great and not amazing. I had the veal (don't tell my sister), delicious but with the pricing on these entrees you expect WOW. My husband said his German pot roast was good but no better than what he made at home the weekend before ad it wasn't at WOW pricing. Dessert selection was amazing and all made in house. SO, Fraulein was a bit more attentive and we wrapped up with a black forest torte and then we were out the door. Spending $100 dollars for dinner we just expected more. Better service and a little more impressive presentation. It was good, although hubby would say the waiting an hour with no food is completely unacceptable, it was NOT GREAT just ok. I wonder if I could just go and drink in the garden..
(3)Jeanie B.
This is one restaurant where you feel transported to Germany and you don't need a passport! We lived in Germany for three years and drove an hour from Carlisle, Pennsylvania just to re-live our experiences overseas through food. First time we visited was last year and we made the 1 hour trek twice. This year we were back. We have tried several dishes and each time been pleased. Decor is charming and feels just like a restaurant in the old country. The food is authentic and very satisfying. We had great service.
(5)Ginny S.
11 July 2012 7:00 PM Accessibility: It is downtown Hagerstown so in amongst the one-way streets, you need to find parking. We parked two blocks away mainly for the walk, but would recommend if you can, park closer. Easy location to find on the left side on the one-way street, with both a side and corner entrances. If you have made reservations, go a little early because unless you park a little ways away, you may be driving to find a place to park. 4 Stars Atmosphere: I have been to Germany many times and have heard about this place from multiple people. With that, if You have never been to Germany, you need to go to this Restaurant at least once. The atmosphere is pretty realistic Bavarian-style and a great experience overall! Except for the fact that the staff did not have European accents - you could easily imagine that you are in Germany. The place has just the right amount of music, that is not too loud and you can talk with your dinner guests in normal tones. All I needed was to look out the windows and be able to either see the Alps or see a typical Bavarian town and I would know I was in Germany. The restaurant does have a nice outside sitting area that looks comfortable. Definitely 5 Stars! Customer Service: Everyone is dressed in appropriate German attire, and they all look like they love it. They do look good too. The customer service was REALLY Great! Every one of the staff, whether at our table or another table were very happy and attentive. It was very nice that the owner came over a couple of times just to either see how we liked the meal, or asking if we needed anything else. That was great customer relations. Our waitresses name was Emma. She gave us enough space to talk before we ordered and was there anticipating our needs. Friendly, gave us the rundown of all the dinner specials and knew about them too. The customer service here really is tops! 5 Stars. Menu: Typical Bavarian style. Appetizers: Escargot broiled in Herb Butter- This was just "good", not the best I have had but good. But with these I felt like there was too much beef broth or worchestire sauce and not enough garlic butter. Also the bread served was basically thin sliced rye-bread. They provided a smooth cheese spread and a butter spread as well. The bread was good, I just expected German bread. The Escargot was good, but a typical German baquette, would have really made this appetizer awesome. 3 Stars. Smoked Norwegian Salmon Served with Dill Sauce, Onions, and Capers.This was absolutely WonDerFul! Just the right amount of salmon and capers. Lots of slivers of onions. The dill sauce is just awesome. This is a light delicate appetizer and teaser. I will definitely get this again!!! 5 Stars. As far as the Entrees - Since we all had different items, I enjoyed eating different things!My Husband had the"Schmankerl Topf". It is a Beef and Pork Medallions topped with brown-gravy Hunter Style Sauce and Cream of Almond served with Spätzle (Homemade noodles) and Vegetable of the Day. I was really amazed how tender and tasty the Beef was! The Beef was really really good!! The sauce also awesome and I decided that I would get this next time! 5 Stars Mysister and her Husband had theTwo Bavarian Bratwurst served with Sauerkraut, Spätzle topped with Hunterstyle Sauce and Vegetable of the Day. It was good. The Brats were very tasty but for me a little too spicy. 4 Stars I tried the VealWiener Schnitzel. It was very lightly breaded. You definitely get more meat than breading. They have your choice of Pork or Veal. It was grilled perfectly, also with the Baviarian Hunterstyle Sauce and you could choose either Spatzle,Pomme Frites (French Fries) or Potato Salad. I went with the French Fries. The fries were good with a heavy seasoned salt. Nicely crunchy! The veal was not as memorable as I hoped but ok. 4 Stars We were almost stuffed but decided after they brought a beautiful tray of fresh deserts around we would have to try just one this time. So we all split a "Münchner Doppeldecker". It is a white/yellowCake - Double Layered Cake filled with Bavarian Crème. Oh my goodness. This looks so heavy but it was actually a very light desert and truly a great way to end the evening. Even if you do not eat the deserts - take one home with you for later. You will not regret it!.l It tastes as incredible as it looks! And our waitress told us they make all the deserts right there. Desert - 5 Stars Everything we ate is hand made here and it shows! Fresh too! Would we come back to this restaurant? Oh yea! We will definitely try the Schmankeryl Topf, Salmon again for an appetizer and a new desert! Maybe the "Bailey's Irish Cream Cake" It is a doublelayer Chocolate cake with a Bailey's Irish Cream filling. And it looked incredibly rich!
(4)Lucky D.
This place is so far away, it is always an adventure getting there for a meal. I have been going here for yrs, but probably only twice annually. The place is probably as German as you can find outside Germany. From the decor, to the uniforms, the Biergarten, the food, and lastly the size of the beers they sell...wow. In the summer, sitting outside is amazing...comfortable and instilling the feeling that one would expect. The food is of excellent quality and also the real thing. Anyone stating this is not it, has simply no idea what they are talking about. Folks, don't forget, Germany has different regions, and the cooking can vary significantly! In any case, this place is not cheap, the portions are OK, but could be a bit more generous. They do offer a nice variety of dishes. On some Sundays they offer and All-you-can-eat brunch buffet which is nice for anyone to try. Furthermore, the owner always seems to be there and typically greets all his guests. If you are German, like German or want to experience the largest draft, this place will not disappoint.
(5)Bert C.
I'm a dedicated yelper, and I travel a lot, so I usually don't waste my time and go anywhere unless it gets good yelp reviews. This place is getting good reviews, and I was intrigued with the comments written about the waitresses with an attitude. I spent the better part of 4 years in Germany, in Bavaria specifically, and haughty waitresses were just not common. Good food was. Sure, most German waitresses and beer maids are to the point and many seemed to lack a sense of humor, but for the most part they were never rude. So, I went to the Stube on a Sunday night (this Sunday night) looking for some good Bavarian fare and perhaps a German dominatrix to boot, no pun intended. I found both. The food was very excellent, and I have to admit, the waitresses, for whatever reason, came with a slight attitude. Go figure!
(4)John T.
If you'd like to try German food and/or you find yourself in Hagerstown, MD, this place is a wonderful experience. I've been there a half dozen times. The food is always wonderful. I've never been to Germany, but the food is unique and I have no doubt that it's genuine Bavarian. The atmosphere is very classy, and remarkably so for Hagertown (sorry Hagerstown). The owner wanders about and it's nice to see that level of interest. Impossilble not to have a great time and a wonderful experience!!!
(5)Tom S.
Yummmmm! The smoked salmon was amazing. The beer was phenomenal! I love how authentic the vibe is and the food is so good. I can't wait to go back
(5)Frank W.
Really good German food in a nice atmosphere. I have eaten here several times of the last 12 month and it was good consistently. On my most recent visit I had the Schweinshaxe (pork shank) and it was "excellent"! Nice draft beer selection and the service is good.
(5)David P.
We we're traveling South and decided to pull off the road and spend the night in Hagerstown. After hitting up Yelp and see some reviews, Schmankerl caught our attention. We love Bavarian cooking and have missed it a LOT since moving to Charleston, so we were pretty excited to try this stube, even with kids in tow. The restaurant looks like many of the places we've eaten in in Southern Germany. If I lived in town, the authentic German bar would be one of my go to spots each week. It looked inviting and the Gera=man beer on taps was amazing and fresh. The food is very authentic as well and did not disappoint. The goulash soup was the standout for me. The kids looked at the menu and wanted to know where the mac n cheese was, so they wimped out, ordering 'vieners' that the waitress had served on a bun for them. The 'hot dogs' were crisp, smokey and soooo good but unfortunately sat nearly untouched by the kids after they tried Mom & Dads food. The owner paid our table a visit and I embarrassed myself begging him to leave Maryland and transport his entire life to Charleston so that I can eat Sauerbraten with Spätzle and hunters sauce every once in a while. Still waiting....
(5)Judy E.
I had dinner alone here during a late night drive. Considering that I was alone and it was late, it was a very nice experience. I had the sauerbraten, with spaetzel instead of the dumpling. It was good - not great. The meat was pretty dry. The sauce, though, and the sides, were great. The service was attentive, if not too warm. I would try the place again.
(4)Andrea G.
1) Make reservations, 2) don't talk on your cell phone, and 3) come here with a lot of time on your hands. The food is prepared to order so enjoy a cold German beer and chat with the owner. I've been here twice and each time I've told the wait staff that I have no idea what to order... so surprise me. Each time I've gotten an amazing dinner that exceeded every expectation imaginable. Try the homemade black forest cake, it's light... fluffy.. and amazing.
(5)Lindsey H.
Definitely German authentic. Love the Spaetzel. The German beers are really good also. It's pretty classy and quiet. Nice atmosphere.
(5)Jason G.
I love the pork shnitzel and and the great German beers they have. Especially the 1 liter and boot sizes. Love the decor and the service is great. Owner runs a tight ship.
(5)Andrea W.
Last Friday was my second trip to the Stube; can't help but thinking this place is overrated. The Camembert app did not disappoint (well, the canned cranberry sauce that was served with it did disappoint most definitely!), and the salad was a pleasant surprise. Nice Oktoberfest on draft.... I guess the thing that bothers me about this place is the snooty air the staff seems to have...something about the atmosphere...it's hard to put a finger on it....
(3)Eric G.
Awesome! Probably the best German food I've ever eaten. I had the Muenchener Sahnegeschneteltes... I have no idea how to pronounce that, but it translates "delicious!" Great atmoshpere too.
(5)Kate E.
We have been here twice and really enjoyed it. The first time we went it was a weekend night and very crowded, and we didn't have a reservation. The owner led us to the bar to wait. We had a long wait, but we didn't mind. It was our first time there and we enjoyed the atmosphere and looking around at all the collectibles. They had a good bartender and sourdough pretzels to snack on. For dinner we had the combo platter for 2 and thought it was great. We went again yesterday for lunch and it was not crowded. We ordered the same thing and it was good again. We had a great waitress. The service was great both times. The owner keeps a close eye on things and always stops by to say hello and see how you are doing. It's homey. The silly costumes for the female staff place it more in the realm of kitsch rather than elegance, but the food doesn't suffer for it. We are looking forward to going again and trying more things on the menu. Make a reservation if it's a weekend night.
(4)Stephanie L.
I have been to the Schmankerl Stube about 5 or so times and have had a broad range of experiences there. Sometimes the food and service have been great and other times most definitely sub par. I usually get the goulash and the pork wiener schnitzel with hunter sauce and spaetzel. It's really nothing that I can't replicate at home and for me a restaurant has to go above and beyond what I can prepare to get a higher rating. If you are looking for a place to eat and you don't mind the fact that it's a hit or miss place or that they overcharge, go for it.
(3)Mark G.
We were there with about 14 other people for lunch as part of a trip. The restaurant appears to be an oasis in an otherwise drab part of town. The interior has a nice ambience, and I appreciated the availability of a private room for our group. I was very pleased with their beer selection, particularly the seasonal brew I chose. My wife ordered a salad with chicken breast; there was about one ounce of meat at most. I ordered the sauerbraten lunch and goulash soup. The soup was great but the sauerbraten was bland and the portion was smaller than expected. Service was generally slow despite the restaurant not being full. If for some reason I found myself there again, I'd order one of the wurst platters.
(2)Kathie H.
I've been wanting to visit "Shmuckle Shtoobah" for years. Old town Hagerstown is a paradox of beautiful old buildings & a dearth of open shops (or shoppers). Such potential. The residential area adjacent to the "strip" is low-income. When one walks down the main street of Hagerstown, the old townhouses, with their noteworthy architecture & wrought-iron detail work, have ominous signs that read NO TRESPASSING plastered on their doors. We visited Hagerstown at six on a warm & breezy Saturday evening. It couldn't have been more perfect for a stroll down a picturesque small-town street. But old town Hagerstown is not welcoming. The only stores open were a comic book store hosting Dungeons-and-Dragons games, & Schmankerl Stube. There was an antiques store that was shut up tight. The owner had so many NO LOITERING signs scrawled in spidery writing on the door (& the door of the lovely old apartment [for rent] next door) that I was fearful of being arrested standing on the stoop reading the hours. One of the signs was threatening; it read something like IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH? LOITER HERE & FIND OUT. (Below this was a GOD BLESS AMERICA bumper sticker slapped onto the window.) But we headed to Hagerstown for German food, & Schmankerl Stube was like a jewel amongst coals, with its inviting striped awnings & red verbena tumbling from the window boxes. We were underdressed; I had on a tee-shirt & capris with sandals (clean, but not dressy enough for this higher-end restaurant) & felt self-conscious. The owner of the restaurant wore a starched monogrammed shirt & dress slacks. Although he smiled a friendly welcome, I got the feeling he was looking at us with a critical eye. He asked if we had reservations (we didn't), & I felt uncomfortable. But he graciously showed us to a table in the sparsely-populated dining room. The decor was nice, with the requisite beer steins & Bavarian flags with pictures of children in lederhosen. But it was cozy & inviting with its checked tablecloths & piped-in German music. By the way, "Schmankerl Stube" means "something small & delicious to eat in a cozy room." Our waiter, Jason, was friendly & attentive but not intrusive. I wanted lemonade, but he suggested Spezi, a combination of Pepsi, Sprite & orange juice. It was deelish! Really refreshing & different without being too weird-tasting. I ordered veal wiener schnitzel (breaded grilled veal with Hunter sauce [brown gravy with mushrooms & onion]), $26, & my husband ordered his favorite German meal, sauerbraten (sweet & sour pot roast), $20. Mine came with spaetzle; hubby's with apple-flavored red cabbage, Bavarian bread dumpling, & spiced green cabbage. Homemade rye bread was served before the meal with a caraway cream cheese type spread along with butter. For homemade bread, it was nothing to write home about. It was sliced super-thin, which might have been the problem. The food was barely a notch above mediocre. I think I would have liked it more if it had lived up to the mouth-watering descriptions on the menu, & if it hadn't been so overpriced for what we were served. I ordered veal instead of pork because I hardly ever eat veal although I love it. Not this time. The cutlet was flavorless (you couldn't tell it was veal) & small. The spaetzle - which I had looked forward to - was rubbery. The whole meal was on the cooled-off side (I'm being kind; I'm a mom & I love it when someone puts a plate of hot food down in front of me. This food was not even warm). My husband liked his sauerbraten. He's a meat-and-potatoes guy. I tasted the meat & it was good (not hot), but not my thing. Too overdone. That's how sauerbraten is though; I made it once, & you marinate it for days & then stew it to death. But my husband enjoyed it. My bite of Bavarian dumpling was disappointing too; it was on the rubbery side which wasn't helped by its temperature (or lack thereof). The green cabbage was delicious. It had flecks of good bacon & onion in it. Flavorful & different. The red cabbage was yummy too (I love cabbage but don't cook it very often). I let my husband enjoy his food & the nice surroundings without voicing my disappointment. Our bill was $57 not including tip (we don't drink alcohol). This is a place I'd return to with my mom (who lives not far away in Frederick). But it didn't live up to its reputation when we visited. Makes me yearn for the now-closed Blob's Park in Jessup MD. *sigh*
(3)Chava C.
I was excited to visit Schmankerl Stube after seeing it recommended in dining guides for German food, especially by the WAPO food critic. The restaurant was totally kitschy German, but in a way that suggested they didn't realize how kitschy it was! The menu was very classically German, in a way that didn't really leave room for any vegetarian. We had one veggie dish, the Spatzle with Swiss Cheese and Salad ($17) and Veal Schnitzel ($26). While the dishes were delicious, Emmy's in Orlando was much better and provided salad/soup/fresh made bread for around $14 with the same dishes. We also had a side of red cabaage $4 (!!). While the dishes were good, I felt kind of taken advantage of at those prices. We drove far to visit, and the prices weren't published on the web! Yummy German stuff, but, not $52 yummy....
(2)Mike S.
To say this place is the best restaurant in Hagerstown is still doing it such an injustice that I'm not sure what manner of phrasing is appropriate. How about this? If this restaurant was moved into Washington, D.C. and put up against any other Bavarian restaurant, I would venture a guess that it would quickly become the most popular option in the city. I've now eaten here twice; once for dinner and once for lunch. On both occasions, our servers were the most attentive and knowledgeable people that we encountered in quite a long time. The entire staff are all clad in lederhosen, and along with the Bavarian music in the background, make for a very entertaining atmosphere. Now for the beer. They have beers ranging from half-liter drafts to five-liter drafts. I'm serious. One of these days, I'm determined to get through one of those five-liter ones. But the selection of Bavarian beers are adequate, and it is the best selection of beer you'll find in Hagerstown. And then, there is the food. Absolutely spectacular. Our party ordered everything from standard fare (pot roast) to traditional (wurst platter...four homemade exquisite sausages). Everyone commented that it was the best meal they've had in a very long time. We have not yet been fortunate enough to enjoy their beer garden yet, as we've only been during the cold months, but I can't wait until the summer to give it a go. THANK GOD FOR SCHMANKERL STUBE!!!
(5)Diana P.
It's alright. I don't agree with Mike S. I've been to much better German restaurants than this. Food was adequate. Atmosphere was a bit much and our server and the "host" had an attitude. Made us feel unwelcome because we didn't have a reservation and the place was almost empty (this was a week night). I went with my sister and was trying to explain to her what was in the dish she was thinking about ordering... the server seemed quiet annoyed. SORRY! Drive across the river to The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV... You'll like it better.
(3)Monica W.
Wow, I am in love with this restaurant! I grew up on German food, my mom is from Austria. The food was incredible from beginning to end! It was definitely worth the one hour trip. I'd go again tomorrow!
(5)Mark C.
It makes you feel like you are in Munich, Germany. If you don't know what that feels like, all you have to do is come to the restaurant, silly;)
(5)