Laschet&#x27;s Inn

https://onthegrid.city/chicago/north-center/laschets-inn

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

On the Grid : Laschet’s Inn

"No need to bring your passport, but please, bring your appetite. As you embark on a whirlwind culinary tour through the German-inspired beer and food menu, you won’t be disappointed by the frosted beer steins, the perfectly authentic Bavarian atmosphere or the sweet wafting smell of homemade sauerkraut. There are literally not enough good words to describe the charm of Laschet's Inn. Their extensive European beer menu pairs well with their classic breaded, fried and pickled food specialties. Pro tip: You may want to make a reservation in advance as it gets packed during peak hours. Easily the best German restaurant in Chicago. Okay, stop reading this and start eating. Literally, go... now. Right now." - Anna Affias

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/guides/best-german-restaurants-chicago

132,805 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

The Best German Restaurants In Chicago - Chicago - The Infatuation

Veda Kilaru

https://www.theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/laschets-inn

132,805 Postcards · 3,235 Cities

Laschet’s Inn - Review - North Center - Chicago - The Infatuation

"If you're in North Center and want good, unfussy German food and a great selection of German and Austrian beer, get yourself to Laschet’s Inn. This tavern and restaurant has been around since the ‘70s, and it definitely knows who its regulars are. You might encounter some confusion when you ask for a table, but eventually, you’ll be escorted past the kitschy bar into a wood-clad dining room filled with brewery banners and deer heads mounted on the walls. It’s the perfect setting to eat jumbo soft pretzels and some fantastic schnitzel with a crunchy veal cutlet. Food Rundown Jumbo Bavarian Style Pretzel This is a solid pretzel. It’s soft and not too buttery, with enough salt for seasoning, but not so much to send your body into immediate dehydration. You can get it with a traditional Bavarian beer cheese dip, but the lightly spicy Düsseldorf mustard is just as good. photo credit: Veda Kilaru Sausages The hot sausage plate conveniently consolidates all your links into one order. Expect boiled and grilled bratwurst, a spicy beef and pork thüringer, and garlicky knackwurst—each has a nice snap, a hint of char, and distinct flavors. photo credit: Veda Kilaru Schnitzel There are a variety of schnitzels on the menu, in both sandwich and entree form. But we like the wiener schnitzel best. The veal is tender, thin, and pan-fried to perfection. photo credit: Veda Kilaru" - Veda Kilaru

Veda Kilaru

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

"Laschet’s Inn, North Center. No need to bring your passport, but please, bring your appetite. As you embark on a whirlwind culinary tour through the German-inspired beer and food menu, you won’t be disappointed by the frosted beer steins, the perfectly authentic Bavarian atmosphere or the sweet wafting smell of homemade sauerkraut. There are literally not enough good words to describe the charm of Laschet's Inn. Their extensive European beer menu pairs well with their classic breaded, fried and pickled food specialties. Pro tip: You may want to make a reservation in advance as it gets packed during peak hours. Easily the best German restaurant in Chicago. Okay, stop reading this and start eating. Literally, go... now. Right now."

Chicago

https://chicago.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-north-center-roscoe-village-st-bens-bricktown

@eater

391,482 Postcards · 10,994 Cities

Where to Eat and Drink in North Center | Eater Chicago

"True to North Center’s German heritage, Laschet’s Inn is a great spot for huge steins of German and Austrian beer, as well as gigantic soft pretzels, currywurst, schnitzel, and so much more. This is a perfect spot to while away the hours with friends." - Brandon Summers-Miller

ben L.

Google

I hesitate to post this.... In the 90's I frequented Laschet's. The German beer on tap was always fresh. It was the best German bar in town. Always a lot of fun with well behaved customers ( You did NOT want to upset the owner Franz.). His wife Ursula would bring out a free large pan of food on Sundays. The neighborhood has changed a lot since then. I live in Indiana now and although I frequently go into Chicago, l hadn't visited in close to 25 years. Last night that all changed. After Cake at the Aragon we decided to go somewhere for a beer. I chose Laschet's. Being German it was never a very "friendly" place but always a great place to go with friends. It's literally a time capsule, although now they serve food. Everything was beyond expectations. The pictures tell the story. I look forward to bringing my daughter as soon as she gets back from college. Words cannot express just how great the experience was.

Adam S

Google

A classic, cozy place if you’re looking for hearty and flavorful food. Amazing German cuisine with an incredible selection. You can’t go wrong with the goulash or schnitzel. Our go-to for an annual holiday feast.

Lisa C.

Google

Went for a Friday evening out. Service was great and food was phenomenal! Can’t wait to go back, saw so many amazing dishes coming out of the kitchen. We had Chicken Paprikash, Sausage Dinner, draft German beers, and schnapps. Love the authentic atmosphere and kind service.

Andrew (Fox C.

Google

The goulash soup is the star of the show. You must try it. Great portion of tender beef. Seasoned well with a nice splash of spice at the end. I will come back for this soup. The pretzel with cheese was nothing special. I would skip it and try something else next time. It was also pretty expensive. The chicken and Wiener schnitzel were pretty good as well. I would say better than average. The staff were nice and attentive. Overall the portions were good. Everything was cooked well. The goulash soup was my favorite. And I would definitely come back to try more.

Ted G.

Google

As someone who has lived in Germany and visited Germany many times, I was pleasantly surprised by how good this restaurant is. Frankly better than 90% of restaurants in Germany! I had the Sauerbraten and my daughter had the classic Wiener Schnitzel. Both were very good; the Sauerbraten was better than any I had at a restaurant in Germany. Only my relatives and wife make it better. The red cabbage was excellent, perhaps the best anywhere and better than what I make myself. While not much of a drinker, I could not resist the variety of popular German beers on tap. I had the "HB" to remind us of visiting the Hofbrauhaus earlier this year. Prices were reasonable. Service was very prompt and pleasant. We will definitely be back with the rest of the family and friends.

Leon C.

Google

About as authentic German food as you’re going to get in Chicago. The Hackepeter was sneaky delicious as the creamy saltiness of the meat and capers perfect. You have to get the sausage platter as it says something with how good the sausage were when the brat was the “worst” of the bunch because the thuringer and knackwurst were amazing. The schnitzel was great and the rouladen with the spatzel was the best thing I ate. Oh and the bacon vinegrette on the salad was perfect. And to top it all off, great selection of German beer. If you want German comfort food, this is your place.

Loi S.

Google

Food was really good. Had the hot sausage plate, chicken schnitzel dinner and Leberkase dinner. It was all shared among 2 adults and a child. We finished with coffee and apple strudel. When you want German food one of the must go places across Chicago.

Ryan S.

Google

When you want some authentic German food and beer, this is the place to go. An inconspicuous entrance off Irving Park Road, Laschet’s delivers great chicken schnitzel and giant liters of German beer. Service is good and the vibe feels like a lodge. Parking is easy out front or on the side streets.

Helen H.

Yelp

There was a short 10 min wait as they cleared a table on a Thursday night. The place was pretty busy and full around 7:30 pm. I've been here a few times where there's no wait and plenty of seats during the weekday too. This place has a cozy vibe and you can tell that they have a lot of regulars that come to watch the game for good beer and food. I ordered the Leberkase sandwich to try something different. I had to get used to it at first because it was just the meat with eggs. I even asked the waitress if I needed to put sauce on it, and she said no. It definitely grew on me the more I had it though. The texture was spam like, but the meat wasn't too salty so it was easy to eat. I enjoyed it, and I would get it again.

Steven E.

Yelp

The forerunner. Best German cuisine in North Illinois. Another family dining night for the eight of us. The portion size is huge so we enjoyed leftovers later. Cost is unimportant, even though it's incredibly reasonable. At Laschet's, they make an excellent Hackepeter. Something I haven't had for years. I'll be back for this alone. If you wish to try phenomenal German dumplings (Spätzle), you need to make the trip. Alongside all the legendary German fare you'll find plenty of American favourites. Pro Tip: If you smile and are nice, they'll bring you substitute sandwich bread for nothing! The Story: our colleague, Bill T., ordered the Frikadellen Sandwich on a sesame seed bun. Even after I begged him not to do this, he did. One bite in, he realized it should be on pumpernickel bread and we called the waitstaff. They carry the standard in German beers and a couple of surprises. A good start would be the Reissdorf Kolsch. Goes down smoothly. The atmosphere is addicting. Once you're in and comfy, you won't want to leave. The staff are overly friendly and most efficient. If you love the German style and cuisine, enjoy the song and the ale, I insist you find your way here! 09/25

James T.

Yelp

Great food! The server was very attentive and friendly and was clearly very, very busy! Everyone had a great time.

Ryan S.

Yelp

When you want some authentic German food and beer, this is the place to go. An inconspicuous entrance off Irving Park Road, Laschet's delivers great chicken schnitzel and giant liters of German beer. Service is good and the vibe feels like a lodge. Parking is easy out front or on the side streets.

Claudy C.

Yelp

Oh my goodness. This place is amazing. Goulash soup was soooo good. Had the sausage sandwich and a beer. My in laws loved it as well. Great food and good service. Definitely recommend.

sheila c.

Yelp

The ambiance and beer was great. The roast pork special tasted old and the duck was dry. It's a great place to stop in for a bet.

Phil S.

Yelp

06/25/24 - All these years and I have never set foot in Laschet Inn. I use to go to Resi's Bierstube which is located about 2 blocks east on the north side of Irving Park. My old roommate & I use to go up & have some libations Today I had lunch w/my buddy & had 2 goals in mind. One was to have hackepeter aka steak tartar & the other was to have weinerschnitzal which I absolutely love. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. In all the years I have lived in Chicago I finally came here for lunch. Laschet Inn is a cool German pub w/a cool vibe & great food Between the 2 of us we devoured 4 dishes. 1) Hackepeter- steak tartar w/capers & onions on cocktail bread. I thought this was good but seemed a little under seasoned. 2) Weinerschnitzal (excellent schnitzel), German Potato Salad (very good), & cole slaw 3) Chcken wings - Were outstanding, super crispy & came w/2 dipping sauces. One was a bleu cheese which I thought was outstanding. I didn't try the other dipping sauce. 4) Chicken schnitzel Believe it or not we didn't even have a beer as my friend doesn't drink (NEXT TIME)

Presleigh R.

Yelp

An institution. Perfect place to take your dad. Amazing sausage, and just awesome home vibes!

Annette D.

Yelp

What better way to celebrate the day after Christmas than at an old-fashioned, traditional German pub and restaurant. Truly charming place, delicious traditional German food and great beer selections served in glass boots. So authentic, lively and fun.

Claudia Z.

Yelp

For years, I used to meet up with friends at Laschet's Inn on Friday afternoons for a bier, some food & to practice my German. I no longer live in Chicago & I don't make it to the Irving Park/Damen area as much. I was visiting my guncle who lives at 3950 LSD & had an hour to kill for lunch between hanging out with him & my next appointment. I decided to take the #80 down the street to my old stomping ground! It was a gorgeous day so I asked for a Stiegl & full order of hackepeter to enjoy on the front patio. SOOOO GOOD! There is just something so perfect about the brown bread, minced meat, raw white onions & capers. It totally brings me back to my childhood visits in Germany. Laschet's version is everything! Pro tip: the extra plate they give you is for you to dump out the onions/capers. Pick up the bread, turn it over, press the meat into the onions then the capers & enjoy! While I did not indulge in other options, the food is outstanding at Laschet's & the beer selection is noteworthy. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking Laschet's out for a delicious meal. Prost!

Gaz H.

Yelp

Wow. As good as any German food I have had anywhere. Modest dining room hides a wickedly effective kitchen. They know how to make your favorites and they do it better than you remember them. Also, super friendly peeps.

Paul M.

Yelp

Great food, nice ambiance and terrible service. Oh well as Meatloaf said "two out of three ain't bad". The food runner and hostess were great, but everyone else must have been having a bad day. From reading other people's reviews about Laschet's Inn it appears that they have bad days very often.

Michael I.

Yelp

Great food, nice atmosphere! Wonderful German food! Had the weiner schnitzel with spaetzle, delicious!

K S.

Yelp

It was packed and that says a lot about a restaurant! Great German food. We were a tiny bit disappointed with the goulash as we were expecting more of a soup style, but everything else was excellent! We will go back. PS The restaurant was a little warm. The poor waitresses were dying.

Geoffrey P.

Yelp

I love Laschet''s! I lived in Bavaria for many years and can attest that Laschet's has the best line up of German beer that you will find anywhere in Chicago land. The regulars are awesome as well as the owners. I haven't lived in Chicago in over a decade but I always make it a point to stop in when I'm in town. I love the 70's bar vibe with the wood paneling and stained glass lights. I'll probably now win friends here, but the food isn't great. I'm not aware of any German place in Chicagoland that had good German food. The Obatzda is legit, but the goulash is bad. Too much spice and nothing like you'd find in Europe. You can't go wrong with a schnitzel. Regardless, go and have halb liter

Amanda M.

Yelp

I came here so excited for a good ol German meal. I left after barely touching my food because the owner/manager(?) went on a LOUD expletive laden scream fest on the kitchen staff. I was sat right next to the kitchen but I'm sure the whole restaurant could hear as this woman stood at the door using the "f" word many times at her cook over an appetizer taking 15 minutes. I was so repulsed by her behavior and treatment of staff. She could have done this in private or not at all. I don't know if they are family, friends or strangers. No one deserves to be treated that way. Her screaming and putting down her staff killed the experience.

Baba R.

Yelp

Food was not worth the money. Server not so friendly. They don't seem to care for new customers. Ambiance was okay.

Jaime R.

Yelp

Fun spot in Chicago for a large selection of German food. Came during Oktoberfest and they were serving their regular menu as well as a special menu for Oktoberfest. We started with a half liter of beer as well as the warm sausage plate and the potato pancakes. The sausage had a variety of 3 and came with sauerkraut. The potato pancakes were delicious and the portion was huge! They were crispy while still being soft on the inside. The sour cream and applesauce complimented them nicely. For entrees, we had the pork shank and the wiener schnitzel. The pork was good but could have been more tender and juicy. The roasted potatoes were delicious as was the red cabbage- very tangy! The schnitzel was very good, nice and crispy and better with the fresh lemon juice squeezed on top. The service was great and the environment was cozy and a nice change from the standard Chicago uppity restaurants. We left with full bellies and a ton of leftovers. Will be back to try the apple streusel!

Julia X.

Yelp

Tl;dr: this place is extremely cute and cozy, the beer is actually good, and the food is solid and comes in massive portions. What more could you want?? Came by over the weekend for dinner and luckily didn't have to wait long. This place is very popular and clearly has a lot of regulars, so be prepared to wait at peak times. Initially we were told we'd need to wait 20-30 minutes, but thankfully it turned out to be more like 2 - not sure what happened, but it worked for me! Never been to Germany, but I definitely felt somewhat transported to Europe by the interior, menu, and atmosphere. We got a 1/2 liter of one of the beers ($8) - the one with 'caramel' notes - and it was good! I'm generally not a beer person, but I'd be down to try more of theirs. From the sprawling menu for food we got one of the pretzels (no cheese) (~$10), and 2 of the dinner plates ($~20-30 each): the sauerbraten and the shrimp john-thing. Both of the dinner plates came with the soup of the time (I would say 'day', but it actually swapped from clam chowder to tomato rice right after we ordered, so seems to be on a shorter timeframe..) and also dark rye bread + butter. The pretzel was HUGE, warm, soft, and very tasty with the mustard. The tomato rice soup was also really good and rich. Bread was standard. The shrimp and spaetzle were good, but I found the red cabbage to be too sweet and acidic - it is a nice contrast to the other items, but I could only handle it in very small doses. The small bit of the sauerbraten I tried was extremely tender and pretty good. Overall a really fun visit, and will definitely be back to try more of the menu and more tasty, German beer! Probably wouldn't get the red cabbage again, but everything else seemed really solid. I also would consider sharing a dinner plate and appetizer next time, too, considering the portion sizes. I feel like this would be a great place to watch the World Cup since they have TVs around playing sports. Should've discovered this place last year, alas...

Phaedra W.

Yelp

We spent a Saturday afternoon in Ravenswood, and was surprised to see so many German restaurants in the area. We reviewed the choices on Yelp and decided to give Laschet's Inn a try. From the outside it's easy to miss the location, we almost walked past the entrance. The inside is long, narrow, and is fairly deep. The hostess stand is located just past the bar towards the middle. Though it was just 6pm, the restaurant was packed. There was one table in the bar area that was marked reserved, and we were seated there. It seemed like there were a lot of families and residents from the area. It was nice seeing the staff and customers interact like old friends. There is a nice selection of German and Austrian draft beers. They only had one dark beer on tap. If you aren't familiar with the beers it can be a bit challenging. The waiter was a bit impatient with me as I tried to figure out which beers were more malty than hoppy, but we got through that process and I ended up having two wonderful beers. The menu has a wonderful selection of traditional German dishes. We enjoyed a sauteed garlic portabella mushroom as an appetizer, and the flavor was amazing. My husband had a mushroom goulash, and I don't think I'll ever eat normal goulash again - it was so delicious. My dish was kind of like a mean roll/meat loaf - interesting & different. The spantzel was a little drier than I prefer, and the braised red cabbage was tangy and full of flavor. We had half of each meal left, and we enjoyed the leftovers a few days later - everything reheated wonderfully.

Dianne P.

Yelp

Great old world ambience. Easy street parking on a side street. Food was excellent. I had schnitzel and my husband had sauerbraten.Service was prompt.

Lisa G.

Yelp

Oh my gosh. Took us forever to find a German place today for lunch. But this WAS the place!!! Recommend the schnitzel, beer(s) and spaetzle. Jeff, our waiter was hilarious.

Gretchen D.

Yelp

Had not been there since Covid. We had family who I had raved about Laschets to so we took them there. Now they say we have to take them there every visit. It did not disappoint. Good German food. Great beers on tap. You walk into a typical neighborhood bar with men watching sports on TV to the back dining room. Service was great. We were 5 adults, 3 of whom who can't make up their minds, so our server was barraged with many requests. She handled them all cheerfully. We made sure to leave a healthy tip--she really earned it with this crowd. Everything is good, but I have a special love for their goulash and red cabbage. I grew up in a house where we made our own spaetzel. Good rye bread. German potato salad is excellent. We also love the cucumber salad. The salad with the bacon dressing was exceptionally good. Good rouladen, Sauerbrauten is tender and tasty. I visit Germany often. Laschet's is on a par with any German food I have had at home or in Germany. Huge portions, reasonably priced. And did I mention the complimentary shot of schnapps at the end of the dinner?

Tommy O.

Yelp

Our supper club attended Laschet's Inn last Tuesday night, the week before Christmas. It wasn't too crowded and we had a backroom table for our party of 10. Beers came in half liters/liters like Prost and they were very good! The menu was pretty interesting as it had German classics, but then it had American staples. Pretzel was insanely disappointing. It was super tough and hard to eat. It reminded me of the pretzel at Owen & Engine that I had years ago. The pretzel was nowhere near as good as Prost, which is the best pretzel in Chicago! We shared the potato pancakes and hot sausage plate, which were both very good! I ordered the Reuben as my main and it was very good. Our server asked to make sure I was ok with it not being corned beef and I was fine with that. I thought it was funny because my last name is Irish. Fries were very mid, but they were hot and crispy. They were definitely like the Ore Ida frozen fries. Food was very good overall, except for the pretzel and fries. Service was awesome! Our waiter was very attentive, friendly, and had some good food recommendations. Prices were good/cheap for Chicago and portion sizes were huge. Overall, Laschet's Inn was a very cool beer hall vibe! It reminded me of a cozier Will's Northwoods Inn (Packers bar) and Prost. Definitely give it a try, it you are looking for some good food and beer!

Jo A.

Yelp

Great German food and highly recommend their goulash. Nice size portions. Kudos for moving away from styrofoam carryout containers to paper. I order a lot of carryout and it always hurts me when restaurant don't use biodegradable options if possible. Thank you Laschets for making this change.

Just F.

Yelp

Whenever I come back to visit Chicago, I always make a trip to Laschet's, great old school German restaurant/bar and the Cub's games are always on the boob tube. The food is authentic and the service is always on par....

Igor R.

Yelp

Found this recommendation buried in a Reddit thread and figured "why not". Hands down, the best food I ate in Chicago. Better German food than anywhere I've had in Germany, to be honest. I mean - it's really simple comfort food at a cozy neighborhood bar. Friendly service. It all does *exactly* what it's intended to do - and there's such rich depth of flavor in every bite. This is one of those places I'll be thinking about for years - and will definitely head back to next time I'm in town.

Katie B.

Yelp

By far one of the best German restaurants in Chicago! The food is always excellent and the service is great! We ordered the chicken schnitzel and rouladen and we're not disappointed! It had been a couple years since we last have come here. However we are planning to be back sooner this time! Everything was great!

Kristen W.

Yelp

Wish I could've loved this place, but had a very unpleasant visit! Upon entering we made our way to the host stand, and a server motioned us to an empty table, which we started walking towards. Immediately, the bartender yelled at us, "Did I say you could sit there?" She very rudely told us to wait to be seated, shooting us a glare as she continued to wipe down the bar. Mind you, it was 3pm on a Saturday, and the place was 80% empty. Another server came to seat us, pointing to the EXACT TABLE we had just been rudely chastised away from! We were laughing a bit at the absurdity of the situation when we received a hostile "What's so funny?" from our server. Sobered our mood entirely. I've never felt so unwelcome in a restaurant. The food was pretty good, but not good enough to come back.

Johnny A.

Yelp

Excellent ambiance. The age of the building & space is respected and celebrated. The decor, lighting, & music enhances the feel. Would love to hang out here any time, for bar or restaurant. We went with a large group (ages varying), with a reservation. All parties found something on the menu to enjoy. I would definitely return for the pretzel, soups, Goulash, fried cod, & vibes. Sausage platter was a hit! I found the Schnitzel to be decent, but dry. Lots of love on the red cabbage. Overall, sharing was really fun & serving size generous.

Tom G.

Yelp

We decided to go to Laschet's Inn yesterday for lunch. I ordered the Rouladen with spaetzles and red cabbage. I made it a full order so I can take some home for later. They give you two good-sized pieces, plenty of spaetzles and red cabbage. My friend ordered the Chicken Schnitzel dinner, bread chicken and sauté with roasted potatoes and red cabbage, she said it was very good. I tried one of their dark beers, full bodied. I didn't like the music at all unless your into ABBA in German, they also have the stadium soccer cheering music too. I should have but I didn't ask the waitress to turn down the music.

Dan R.

Yelp

Laschets is a long running institution famous for its world-class German beer service. Many patrons have been eating and drinking with family and friends there for decades. The latest management capably carries on the legacy and has tastefully improved the interiors without straying from tradition. The food is amazing, if gas inducing. The German style dishes are large, and there are set daily specials. The crowd is diverse, but orbits a core of hearty middle aged men regulars. It is not an actual Inn with lodging. The units upstairs are apartments. Street parking availability varies on busy Irving Park road. A must-visit Chicago experience. Everything you would expect from a German tavern.

Ben N.

Yelp

Recognizing that neighborhood German restaurants seem to be a dying breed in the United States, we try to visit them when we can. We've been aware of Laschet's Inn for a number of years, having stayed in the general neighborhood before. And this time, our AirBnB was only four blocks away, so Laschet's seemed like a no-brainer. Laschet's has been around for five decades and has the cozy and inviting old-world ambience and decor to prove it. Very nice and evocative. Relatively speaking, we're German-food ignoramuses, having grown up in the German-food-free South and lived in the increasingly German-food-free Midwest for the last 15 or so years. But Laschet's has a menu that seems authentic for the most part. Our experience was largely enjoyable. Big starter of fried smelt was tasty and a good deal. (Unbelievably, first time for this middle-ager.) Entree portions were very generous, and the side salad was surprisingly fresh and green (if a bit overdressed). German potato salad had great flavor, and the sauerkraut was quality. Laschet's beer list featured a bunch of German ones that I was unfamiliar with, but the beer descriptions were helpful, and whatever pilsner I got was robust and pleasant. Our server the entire evening was helpful and efficient. So why only "largely" enjoyable? The meat entrees the wife and I got--the frikadellen (kofte-like pan-fried pork and beef meatball/patties) for me and a Konigsberger Klopse special (different type of pork and beef meatballs with a lemon caper sauce) for the wife were as bland as can be and overcooked. Although we're no German-food experts, we know enough to know that German meat entrees can be quite a bit better than this--as our Bavarian neighbors in Cincinnati have shown us more than once. Close to five stars for most everything about this visit, but the dud entrees bring it down to a weak four.

Michael W.

Yelp

We were in the area and amazed that there were several German options within walking distance. The Yelp reviews directed us to Laschet's, first time in. From the street, very nondescript. We were seated immediately by friendly hosts at a table in the bar area that was mark reserved. I was looking forward to the beer and was surprised to find that there were not many dark options on tap. Having said that though, the one dark option I did have was good, and the doppelbock was delicious. We opted for the portobella starter and however they treated the portobella, it was delicious, would totally get it again. Next was salad time, my wife opted for traditional. I tried something new, the pineapple bean salad. I would never in my lifetime have thought to combine what was going on with that salad, but you know what, it was pleasantly and surprisingly good and healthy. For entree, my wife tried something new to her, rouladen. I opted for the mushroom goulash. Both were good and generous in their portion. The red cabbage was a zinger, much more zesty than other types I have had before, good for clearing the sinuses ;) The spaetzle was on the drier and crispier side, almost like home fried potatoes. Maybe spaetzle is like gumbo and everyone makes it differently? I am by no means an expert on German food, but the times I have had it, the spaetzle and the red cabbage, both seem to fluctuate the most. We both ended up taking half of our meals home with us. The food is good, it is filling, as is the beer. Before we left, we both did aperitif schnapps shots which are complimentary on the house. Nice touch! Prost! The vibe and the clientele both seemed were very chill/local. I could see popping in here for a bev and bite if we were. At least when we were there, there was no Octoberfest music playing or anything like that, it was just a typical restaurant atmosphere. The timing of the service is important to note. When we were there, we arrived around 6 and left around 8. There was plenty of time in between portions and it was very non-rushed. The overall feeling was that it could have moved just a touch faster. They do offer daily specials so be sure to check them out. Gut sein!

Ian M.

Yelp

Great German spot in north center right on Irving park. Highly recommend the pork shank when you can get it, it's unbelievable. Make sure to come to this place hungry! The bar is a great spot to sit to take in the ambiance inside. The staff is always friendly and great to talk with. Beers on tap are great as well. The staff can help with recommendations if you need help with foreign beers.

Sarah P.

Yelp

Service was very good and the ambience was busy. I didn't have any beer but apparently the beer was very good. The food was pretty authentic so I would definitely recommend. I was with a person who is from Germany and they said it was above average but they weren't super impressed. However, I think their standards are pretty high and I think this food was pretty authentic and tasty.

Thanh-lan N.

Yelp

This was my first time at Laschet's Inn and I was blown away by the food. I wanted to find a place that had really good Wiener schnitzel and I saw that Laschet's Inn had good ratings on Yelp and it was close to our place. FOOD: We first ordered the potato pancakes with apple sauce and sour cream and the jumbo Bavarian pretzel with mustard and cheese. Both were so good and did not disappoint. The potato pancake was very crispy on the outside and paired well with the sour cream and apple sauce. The pretzel was also really good with the cheese that came with it. It was suppose to come with Dusseldorf mustard but we had to ask the waiter for it. The bottle of mustard he gave us looked like regular heinz mustard and but it was actually Dijon mustard (or I guess Dusseldorf mustard). Both portions were huge and we had to take most of the food home. The for entree we ordered the hot sausage plate, wiener Schnitzel, and Goulash. Everything was insanely good. The goulash was hearty and had huge chunks of beef and pork. You can really taste the paprika but was not over powering. The Wiener schnitzel was hands down our favorite. It was crispy on the outside and the veal was soo tender. It came with red cabbage and roasted potatoes. We honestly didn't think we would like red cabbage but surprisingly it was a really good. The red cabbage had a bbq smoky flavor that went well with the Wiener schnitzel. The hot sausage plate was also amazing-- it was nicely grilled and paired well with the sauerkraut. DRINKS: At the end of our meal, we got complimentary schnapps. I got a cherry peach flavor and my husband got a pear apple flavor (I might be wrong about the flavors). The cherry peach was strong but went down smooth. SERVICE: Our waiter was nice and periodically checked in on us. He was also quick in bringing us whatever we need. Overall, service was pretty quick with the amount of people there. FINAL THOUGHTS: We will definitely come back and get the exact order but with some other dishes we want to try. The portions are huge so expect leftovers.

Angie E.

Yelp

Ordered: Hot Sausage Platter Giant Pretzel Chicken Paprikash (Red Cabbage, Spaetzle) Goulash Apple Strudel Raspberry Sacher Torte Ideal Move: Come here to get your German food craving satisfied. Laschet's Inn offers very traditional German food in an excellent no frills bar in the front and dinner room in the back. Order a few appetizers (the hot sausage platter is a must) and split an entree. As long as you get dessert and beer this will be more than enough food for a dinner party of four. My Experience: Laschet's Inn surpassed our expectations for a German dinner in Chicago. There are many places to get good German sausages and pretzels, but the places for authentic red cabbage and spaetzle are fewer and farther between. Laschet's is a place that does the classics very well. The beer list if long and contains the German brews you would want. I would recommend coming hungry because the portions for entrees are quite large. The service was also great!

Nina H.

Yelp

Takeout review: The last time I had German food in Chicago was years ago at the now defunct Chicago Brauhaus in Lincoln Square. I remember the food being delicious and we wanted to get our Deutsches essen on. I searched for German restaurants in the area and a few stood out but Laschet's Inn seemed to be the top performer on Yelp. We placed an order for pickup but didn't realize Oktoberfest was going on in neighboring Lincoln Square the same weekend resulting in a commute that took twice the time. Despite the delay the food was worth the wait. We each got the hot sausage appetizer with sides of spaetzle. Ben got potato pancakes, and I got a side cup of goulash soup. There was not a single dish tasting sub par. Everything was so good! The portions are huge and you're getting value for the size and quality food you receive. I ate my dinner and with our leftovers, I could make an additional two meals out of it. They have a patio but there's not much of a view other than it facing the main street. Check out Laschet's and stop in for a hearty meal and a drink or two. You won't regret it.

Daniel S.

Yelp

Quality German restaurant up on the north side. I'm not German cuisine expert by any means, but I certainly enjoyed what I had. I got the leberkase sandwich. I'm not sure what meat it is exactly, kind of like ham, but it was very good, had an egg on it, and was big and definitely left me full, a good value for its cost. If you're a beer fan, all their beers look good, I got the Dunkel. It was quite good, and I ended up getting 2. There's plenty of tables, or bar seating, but if you have a group I would get a reservation, especially if it's on a weekend. We were able to make 9 people work, but they seemed a bit overwhelmed, it was all fine, we got everything we ordered, but it might be more ideal to go with a smaller group. It's right by the Irving brown line stop, or you can do metered parking on Irving. I'd be down to come back.

Cameron D.

Yelp

Amazing beer selection, laid back atmosphere and a killer goulash made for a perfect afternoon oasis.

Glenn J.

Yelp

This is, by far, the BEST German restaurant in Chicago! Hands down! Erin, the owner, has created a spectacularly genuine restaurant that is warm, cozy and welcoming. It harkens back to those gloriously rich, cultured German dining spots of old while celebrating classic rustic fare that needs no introduction. The appetizer selection is grand and elegant and includes perfectly prepared hackepeter, a robust jumbo Bavarian pretzel, delectable potato pancakes and expertly breaded fried smelt. The lunch menu will satisfy ever taste with terrific savory sandwiches such as the Laschet's Reuben, chicken schnitzel, smoked pork butt and bratwurst. Mouthwatering roasted potatoes, spaetzel, sauerkraut and warm German potato salad are majestic accompaniments to choose from. Their dinners are all "Must Try!" and feature incomparable sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel, rouladen, goulash and many, many other dinner highlights that truly stand out as superb. Much love, care and attention go into every meal that it's virtually impossible to pick an absolute favorite. They are all spectacular. Outstanding desserts include decadent German chocolate cake, delicious apple strudel and a "too-good-to-be-true!" apple crisp that really sets the bar really, really high. Of course, we can't forget beer! A full, traditionally beautiful bar showcases the finest, freshest selections of German and Austrian beers available to balance and compliment everything on the menu. The staff is just ideal! Friendly, professional, warm and attentive, the staff always goes above and beyond to make ones dining experience memorable. Bravo to them!!! After a great meal and a beer, it's easy to just sit back and feel relaxed, content and throughly happy. Perhaps sit at the bar when done in the comfortable dining room. You're amongst friends. Family. That's how this place make one feel. True, there are quite a few German restaurants in Chicago, but Laschet's Inn far exceeds the usual fare by building the flavor components to an eye-opening level and turns dining into thoroughly enjoyable moments not to be missed. Laschet's Inn is Chicago's iconic German restaurant, and it truly provides a 5-Star dining occasion to be relished. By all means, do become a regular!!!

Marc A.

Yelp

I have never had a bad meal here, and the food is always great! Even though I typically do not have desserts, I recommend the desserts at Laschet's Inn as they are European sweet.

kris r.

Yelp

Ok this place is great!!! Give you so much good food! Great service and the daily special should always be considered. Most recent visit had mushroom goulash which my mother loved ! I had the roulade. Excellent. My husband had the pork shank. We had so much left over. We used the shank meat to stuff enchiladas the next day! Finally the bottle of Gruner vetliner was the right wine to pair with our meal. Apple strudel was a great ending. Be back again.

Cynthia K.

Yelp

It's wonderful. Food beer atmosphere. Yum. Bartenders are always welcoming. Authentic German as far as I'm concerned!

Suzanne E.

Yelp

The area around Lincoln and Grace has been sacred ground to me ever since I spent the night before Thanksgiving sitting up and talking with a favorite blues musician, at the age of 20, in a blizzard. While the old apartment building he lived in seems to have been demolished, I still go by there sometimes--and inevitably get hopelessly lost. (These pilgrimages started when I was 23 and had to interrupt a group of very sweet and chivalrous Puerto Rican 10-year-olds, who were playing some sort of ballgame on the sidewalk, and ask for directions, thinking that if I circled the block one more time trying to find the place they might get suspicious.) Yesterday I took a stroll around there and assumed I could find my way back to Lincoln, but that didn't happen. After admiring a lot of architecture I finally ended up on Irving Park through no genius of my own, and fortunately stumbled on this weird old gem of a bar and restaurant. The creamed herring was perfect and the atmosphere was old-school and entertaining. It was a great place to read for an hour. The music was interesting--European, miscellaneous contemporary (I think). I felt transported--not sure where to, more like the past. My server was old-school, too: matter-of-fact and pleasant.

Sharita R.

Yelp

This was our first time to Laschet's Inn. I wanted to try it before the restaurant closed for a month (or more) for renovations. We ended up ordering a good amount to sample. We sat outside but take note that all of the tables are on a pretty hefty slant due to the sidewalk. We managed, but others may want to just eat inside. We started off with goulash soup and a full order hackepeter. The goulash was very hearty and had great flavor and the hackepeter was very unique but tasty as well. Definitely very meaty dishes, but we loved it. I ordered the smoked pork butt sandwich and we also had fried chicken on the table. The pork sandwich came with tons of sauerkraut and was a lot, serving wise. Tasted like a huge and hearty ham sandwich. The fried chicken was the star I think-the chicken was perfectly fried! It was so crispy, but the chicken was not dry at all. I definitely recommend! I will echo what other reviewers say about the service being odd and rude at times. I didn't take it personally, but others might be put off from it. This is a very old school place, and with that comes old school and potentially not the friendliest service. If you can get over that part, you will be in for some pretty tasty and authentic food.

Thomas D.

Yelp

Great neighborhood spot friendly staff good food. Can't beat the welcoming service and atmosphere.

Laura D.

Yelp

Incredible place, super unique and exciting menu...genuinely in my top ten meals ever, and so much potential in everything I didn't get to try. Highly recommend the Goulash-- it was fall-apart tender and deliciously seasoned. Others in my group got the sausage dinner (enjoyed), the frikadelle (also enjoyed), and the Rouladen (my friend was not crazy about this one). Overall, I definitely made the right call-- the goulash was unbeatable. Generous portion & solid value as well. Just got home from here and I'm already plotting my return.

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Laschet’s Inn - Review - North Center - Chicago - The Infatuation

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