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    Black Forest Tap House

    3.6 (161 reviews)
    ModerateGerman, Bars, American
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Black Forest Tap House Photos

    BLACK FOREST TAP HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Black Forest Tap House

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    Fish and chips -- good but not amazing
    Patrick ..

    The Context: As the name denotes, Black Forest is a German restaurant and bar with a wide selection of alcohol, from craft beers to stronger liquor. The Food: My 3 companions and I ordered one jumbo brauhaus Bavarian pretzel to share, and jumbo it was! We split it 4 ways and it whetted our appetite perfectly. For my main course, I ordered fish and chips. My companions ordered the champagne salmon, the wurstenplatten (sausage platter), and the pork osso bucco (slow roasted pork shank on bacon and mashed potatoes). The Taste: My fish and chips were enjoyable. Though the batter was a little TOO batter-y for me, the white fish inside moist and flaky, just the way I like it. The fries were great. My companions dishes were great too. The pork shank was amazing, the salmon was top notch, and the sausages were good. The spatzle (noodle) that came with both the salmon and sausages was such an interesting side -- kinda bland, kinda chewy, but really enjoyable. Who would've thunk it? And the red cabbage that came with the sausages were surprisingly yummy. The Service and Setting: Our server was excellent -- friendly and knowledgeable; she made an excellent recommendation (pork shank). And she was quite attentive, refilling our waters quickly without us having to ask. And the interior had a subtle German aesthetic without being too guady. Plus, it has a live band when we came on a Saturday night. The Conclusion: Black Forest is a great choice if you want German food or a place to knock back a few beers while watching the game. While the prices are premium, it's definitely a "you get what you pay for" situation. I'll definitely return if I get the chance.

    Brauhaus Bavarian Pretzel
    Maren B.

    *3.5* Our family recently visited to celebrate a birthday, we were a party of 7 for dine in. The food items pictured were very good. Great cheeseburger, Wursteplatten was delicious as always. Love the red cabbage. The Bavarian pretzel was hot, soft, and delicious. My mom ordered the salmon and raved about how good the sauce was for the salmon and the generous portion of asparagus. All of these items I would rate 5/5. Our server whose name escapes me was attentive and friendly. Now for the not so great, my father ordered the special of the day which was the veal schnitzel sandwich. This dish needs some serious work- schnitzel is supposed to be pounded very thin/flat as possible before breading and frying. The schnitzel was about 1/2 inch thick and did not appear to be pounded at all. This made it difficult to eat and impacts the taste because it is not prepared authentically. My husband ordered the pork jagerschnitzel and his was served thick as well. My son ordered boneless wings in honey old bay flavor. Normally this is a favorite of his. however he did not care for the preparation at BFTH. The wings were dowsed in straight up honey that pooled on the plate and made everything sticky. I did not factor this into my rating because I realize this is more a preference than issue, but I do wonder if others enjoy this prep? Finally my brother had the chicken and waffles, also not pictured but it was fantastic and the plate was piled high with fried chicken, bacon, and delicious waffles. While some of the entrees may appear "pricey" the portions are always generous and I always leave full with leftovers for tomorrow. I do think BFTH needs to revisit their schnitzel recipe sine they are a German restaurant and the preparation needs to be true to the dish. Much like chicken parmesan, the taste and flavor are directly related to the thinness of the meat for the best result. We will return and avoid the dishes we didn't care for in the future.

    Menu
    Katelyn W.

    Starting off by saying the Bartender, Macy, was killing it while my friend and I were there. Making drinks, grabbing beers, and running food. She was great! I met a friend here and quickly realized we should have went somewhere else. I was made to feel uncomfortable and like I did something wrong and I will never go back to this locations. One of the servers is the brother of the girl my ex-husband was cheating on me with. I wouldn't have realized this until he walked out to give someone food and made a face at me, then every other young waitstaff member made a point to come out and see my friend and I. It was very obvious and at first I didn't say anything to my friend, but she made a comment to me when, either the manager or maybe owner, kept coming out by the bar and just hanging around the corner of it directly in line with us, as if he thought my friend and I would be an issue. We just came to celebrate her recent engagement and her asking me to be a bridesmaid and this treatment completely ruined everything. Macy was great, however, and even though she was busy she made sure to come and check on us and refresh our drinks. If this experience wouldn't have occurred, we would have ordered more food and I would be able to tell you how much. The onion rings and pretzel we ordered were yummy and the espresso martini my friend got was good as well. They have a massive menu with lots of options for everyone and lots of beers and wines on tap. It does seem to be an older crowd, but we also went on a weekday so that could be why. Could be a pro or con depending on what you are looking for! However, I will take my business to Das in Bel Air. I shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable for things my ex-husband did, when I did nothing wrong. Just trying to sit at the bar with my friend and this just completely ruined the experience.

    Chicken and waffles with chicken tenders
    Sarah R.

    This place is a GEM. The food was so good. We tried a few things: 1. Oysters - AMAZING, fresh, sized well, served with plenty of lemon and cocktail sauce. 2. Macaroni and cheese with bacon. - the cheeses they used were perfect and it was such a large portion. 3. Chicken and waffles - got it with chicken tenders instead of the bone in. Made it a lot easier to eat and was delicious. 4. Burger - cooked perfectly, and the fries were perfectly crispy but soft on the inside. We don't live near here but it's def worth driving out to, I wasn't expecting much but this is a new fave!

    Fried ravioli
    Karen C.

    Yummmm! We had a late dinner here on Saturday with friends whom also happen to be family! Everything was delicious! We had fried ravioli and pierogis to start. Great for sharing amongst four adults. I had the hunar jager schnitzel w applesauce and potato pancakes and it was very good. The DBF had the chicken and bacon and waffles and really enjoyed it. Shrimp and grits and pork schnitzel cordon blue were also ordered and enjoyed. Large portions too, I brought home leftovers. Service was a bit slow re seating, drinks and order taking; they seemed to be getting a late evening rush as we had to wait for the hostess for several minutes while she seated a group. The line waiting continued to grow outside the tiny entrance area. Odd that it was getting so crowded ~8:30/9 when they close at 11. I def plan to go back to check out some other food items! I'm a fan!

    Pork Osso Bucco
    Brandon T.

    Pretty good food. Service wasn't great at first but did improve. Always been a big fan of this place and the Osso Bucco on the menu was a huge portion and stellar. The rockfish bites appetizer was good not great.

    We had the best time at Black Forest while celebrating a birthday! Our server was wonderful and went beyond the call of duty! The food was great, the service perfect! I can't wait to go back!

    Stacy D.

    The food was great. The atmosphere was great. The service was not so good. Not sure why but just not. The masks by who looks like the owner was not in right at all. We're in a pandemic I'd expect them to be 100% on it. Food was great!!!!

    The sampler - wurst, shrimp, lamb, and crab balls

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    5 months ago

    Excellent service, great selection of draft beers. Food menu provides an appetizing selection at a good price.

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    7 months ago

    Awesome restaurant and friendly staff. Always get the rib eye it's fantastic! Prices very reasonable

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    4 months ago

    Observed the bartender/server sneeze on the back of her hand and did not wash her hands.

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    Rathskeller - Sauerbraten ($39)

    Rathskeller

    4.4(327 reviews)
    25.9 mi
    $$

    My wife and I have dined at the Rathskeller a few times now and we will definitely return; we even…read morebrought friends for their first experience. We started with Potato Cakes with crème fraiche, they had a nice crunch, a tender interior with subtle flavor. I'd never had them with crème fraiche, it was a nice change and the mild tanginess with the creamy texture complimented the Cakes well. I ordered the Main Street with Weisswurst, a Pretzel and plain Spätzle. It was my first, the veal's flavor is understated in comparison to Bratwurst or Knackwurst (not on the menu) and was a pleasant changeup. The Pretzel was little disappointing while it was a decent pretzel, it lacked the crisp crust and distinctive flavor I expected. As evident by the rating while worthy of note, it's not a game changer. I'd ordered a large plain Spätzle, which was two regular portions, but was served Spätzle with cheese I tasted it and it wasn't my thing, which is not to say it was bad, I just don't care for cheese in dishes like that. Our server swapped one cheese for plain (my wife had happily stolen the other) and enjoyed the replacement. I found that the grilled onions gave it a nice homey flavor. Mistakes happen and it turned out to be a win in the end. We shared a couple of desserts and by far, my favorite was the Black Forest Cupcake. It's on the large side, they might be able to cut on the weighty crème icing, the chocolate cake and soaked cherries were a delight. The cherries are a significant improvement over the Marchinos I had before, if only there were more. Rathskeller can get a little loud, as it is a relatively small space with hard surfaces so voices reflect, it wasn't packed this afternoon, so it wasn't an issue. Waitstaff dresses very casually, it pleasant and fairly attentive.

    Ratskeller is exactly what you hope to find when you're craving a true German beer hall experience…read more If you're looking for great beer, authentic German food, and a fantastic atmosphere, this is the place. The food is hearty, flavorful, and everything you want from traditional German cuisine. The beer selection is excellent, and the lively atmosphere makes it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself. One word of advice: come hungry. The portions are huge, and you'll definitely get your money's worth. Whether you're stopping in for a quick pint or a full meal, Ratskeller delivers a memorable experience.

    Photos
    Rathskeller - Downstairs Bar

    Downstairs Bar

    Rathskeller - Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)

    Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)

    Rathskeller - Roasted Broccoli

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    Roasted Broccoli

    What The Schnitzel

    What The Schnitzel

    4.9(12 reviews)
    63.5 mi

    I felt lucky and Yelp found this food truck on my way home after work. The food truck seemed clean…read moreand the chef was pleasant and informative. I liked the schnitzel sandwich with the beautiful golden cutlet and cucumbers and tomatoes. While I didn't like the spaetzel I am glad I tried it. I will be back to try the other sandwiches.

    Well Holy Moley... I honestly don't remember the last time I had such fantastic German & Bavarian…read more The Bavarian sandwich - if it's not on the menu - ASK! Be prepared to split it with someone (personally, I recommend the pork though you have the option for chicken schnitzel). Schnitzel cooked to perfection and the size of your head on a pretzel bun half the width with tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, and a delicious aoli. The ratio just allows you more opportunity to let your taste buds dance with the perfectly cooked schnitzel! ::chef's kiss:: If you see the dill pickle mac salad... buy a tub! Super creamy with the perfect amount of acidity. I was skeptical of the dill pickle element but was curious and I'm so glad we tried it. For those looking for vegetarian options, there were two served today, the Käse Spätzle and what I ordered, the "Un-Routine Poutine" (insert drool face)... spätzle egg noodles, mushroom gravy (incredibly delicious), cheese curds, and fried onions... All to say - WOW! I will purposefully shift plans around to have this again! And for those curious about the Fusion reference - other sandwiches include: The Hawaiian, The Korean, The Thai, The Cordon Bleu, The American... I'll be back to try them all! ... And get more of that dill pickle mac salad!

    Photos
    What The Schnitzel - Schnuggets with Mushroom gravy

    Schnuggets with Mushroom gravy

    What The Schnitzel - Classic Schnitzel Platter

    Classic Schnitzel Platter

    What The Schnitzel

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    Josie's German Cafe and Market

    Josie's German Cafe and Market

    4.7(154 reviews)
    55.5 mi
    $$

    This place is a hidden gem. A husband and wife team, him cooking his mother's recipes and her…read moremaking you feel like you're in you favorite aunt's kitchen, keep the tradition alive. I was literally transported back 50 years to my childhood in my grandma's kitchen by world class German food. I had the Jägerschnitzel with Spätzle, my wife had the Hungarian Goulash and our son had the Schnitzel. I ordered an extra side of the red cabbage salad. I must admit I was a little concerned at how fast our food was prepared and thought they might be using some frozen ingredients, but I was dead wrong. The cutlets were perfectly breaded and prepared so well I didn't need my knife to cut it. The wine mushroom gravy was so filled with buttery goodness that I decided to save some for later by dropping it on my shirt as I tried unsuccessfully to control how fast I ate it. The red cabbage salad was great, the potato salad was insanely great. The portions were perfect- just enough for a big guy like me to feel full and not so much that I felt a need to confess my sins. Despite being full we felt obligated to try the apple strudel. To say it was authentic and amazing is an understatement. Overall we fed a family of three for about $19 per person including drinks. Even though we live 1.5 hrs away, I guarantee you we will be back again and again. My one complaint- this place made me miss my grandmother and her cooking after 50 yrs without her. Thank you for keeping authentic and amazing German cuisine alive, the memory of your mother is honored through your efforts.

    I have been dying to get into Josie's for a long time. I finally made it on a rainy Saturday…read moreafternoon. My friend and I were the only people there. Our service was prompt and the food was fantastic. I had the jaegerschnitzel with spaetzle. The portions weren't really bigt but it was absolutely delicious. My friend had the rouladen and it looked great. I hope to get back soon and sample some of the other items on the rather limited menu. It's a bright, cheerful spot with a market of German grocery items in the front.

    Photos
    Josie's German Cafe and Market
    Josie's German Cafe and Market
    Josie's German Cafe and Market

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    The Bavarian Brauhaus - Black Forest cake: spongy with cherry taste, quite nice!

    The Bavarian Brauhaus

    3.4(228 reviews)
    29.1 mi
    $$

    Quaint and uniquely Bavarian (German). A welcoming restaurant with a warm atmosphere. A very…read morepleasant staff, although quite American and no one wears lederhosen or has an accent. The beverage menu is extensive with an impressive variety of beers. I selected the Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Doppleboch - a "lightly oak smoked and malty amber lager." The food selection - appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees is an authentic German selection. I choose the sauerbraten with two sides - spatzle with cheese and potato dumplings with the sauerbraten gravy. The meal came out in short order after the beer. The meal was very good. The beef was a bit tough and the gravy was a bit sweet. Overall it seemed to not have been vinegar marinated for a week, although when asked, the kitchen stated they marinate in vinegar for a week. The potatoes dumpling with Sara gravy tasted authentic. The sparkle with garlic cheese was very good - some of the best I've ever had. I ordered German chocolate cake with a cup of regular coffee. It was a quite excellent slice of cake! The restaurant is very clean throughout. I would recommend it in this neck of the woods; while if in DC, consider going to Old Europe restaurant on Wisconsin Ave as another authentic alternative.

    If you loved historic Blobs Park, you will enjoy Bavarian Brauhaus. The former owners of Blobs Park…read morehave recreated the look, feel and menu in the Hanover location. My father and I went to satisfy our craving for authentic southern German food. We were welcomed and immediately felt like family. We split a sample platter of jaeger schnitzel, sausages and sides. Very tasty. We took advantage of the great selection of German beers on tap. The decor is pretty basic, but the welcoming atmosphere by the owners and staff more than makes up for it. We will definitely be back soon.

    Photos
    The Bavarian Brauhaus - Empty at dinner. A red flag we ignored.

    Empty at dinner. A red flag we ignored.

    The Bavarian Brauhaus - German chocolate cake

    German chocolate cake

    The Bavarian Brauhaus - Dining Room

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    Dining Room

    Black Forest Tap House - german - Updated June 2026

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