Oktoberfest is here, and the best way to celebrate is to raise a comically oversize mug of Hefeweizen or Märzen. But the second best way is to snap into Germany's most notorious contribution to the culinary world: the bratwurst.
Weather you like it on a bun with barbecue sauce or on a traditional plate with some onions and potatoes, here's where to find the best of the wurst in Phoenix:
Treat Pop to a fistful of authentic German pork sausage on a bun, either Thueringer or spicy bratwurst served with housemade sauerkraut and German fried potatoes. What – You didn't know your father could yodel?
Have your brats your way, either on the Wurstplatter ($16), where you'll get the best of the wurst: Bratwurst, Knockwurst and Nuernberger, served with sauerkraut and red potato salad, or two brats marinated overnight in beer, then grilled ($12.50). Live polka and oom pah pah music Friday and Saturday nights.
You'll need two hands to lift this foot-long brat, nice and juicy on a warm toasted bun and topped with caramelized onions. Served with fries and coleslaw. $6.95.
Have it your way: Add any one of 14 condiments to your smoked pork and beef brat, served on a potato roll. Yes, sauerkraut is one of your choices. $3.35.
Satisfy your sausage cravings with the Wurst Peanne: a sampling of Polish sausage, bratwurst and knackwurst served in a pan with sauerkraut and fried potatoes. Ja, that's comfort food. $13.95.
You won't go home hungry from Zur Kate when you have your choice of the Course-Ground Grilled Bratwurst Diner, $8; Fine-Ground Grilled Bratwurst Dinner, $8; Nürnburger Bratwurst Dinner, $8.80; or any of a number of wurst platters. Zur Kate means “to the old smokehouse,” and you'll feel you're back in old Hamburg.
They're tiny, but they still pack bold bratwurst flavor when you order the beer bratwurst sliders. Show Dad how mature you are by cramming a couple in your mouth at the same time. Get a four-pack for $7.49 or six-pack for $9.49.
Slip into your lederhosen and take a seat at this rustic venue and a comfortable atmosphere for your grilled brat with charred onions and hot spicy mustard on a poppy seed bun. $7.
All aboard for great bar food, where the brats are made by Johnsonville and the sauerkraut is made right on the premises. $5.25.
Is Dad man enough to handled Hazelwood's 1/3-pound pork bratwurst? We think he is. Here it's served with onions, sauerkraut and mustard. $4.95.
