A spot I've been wanting to try for years, and I was so happy to find that it was worth the wait! The day I went, there was a line outside that looked like it would take forever, but for a party of 2 it probably only took around 20 minutes to get a table. For larger parties, they will take your phone number and notify you when your table is ready so that your group can wander the shops nearby or grab a drink at The Lodge bar (part of Hollerbach's). There is a ton of seating both inside and outside, and at certain times there is live German music inside which is broadcasted outside on TV and speakers! One thing I was really impressed by was their ability to substitute sides. I substituted both of my sides for no extra charge. I highly recommend the German potato salad (warm kartoffelsalat) instead of French fries for a way more traditional schnitzel experience. The cucumber salad (gurkensalat), egg noodles with gravy (spätzle mit soße), and sauerkraut (sauerkraut) were all delightful as well! The atmosphere is lively, noisy, and fun (especially on the weekends) with people doing shotskis and passing around Das Boot! read more

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Been a long time since I was here last, decided to have a little date night. It was a fun time in downtown Sanford. Got here early and no wait at all which was nice. Service was not the greatest without server, hard to get her attention for things. I got the paprikaschnitzel with heaven and earth potates and a salad. All great flavors and were really good. Only disappointment was the potato were a little dry and I needed some gravy for them. She got the schnitzel weiner art with potatoes and salad. Hers was really good too It's always a good time sitting inside with the music and singing. Can be a bit loud at times and hard to hear each other. But it was too hot to eat outside. Will definitely be back. Need to check out the upstairs rooftop patio area. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Paprikaschnitzel with heaven and earth potatoes - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

We've been coming to Hollerbach's for over 25 years, and tonight was the worst dinner the four of us have had, here. While the recipes are the same, the quality sucked. The chicken snitzel was dry, chewy and flavorless - the same with the spatzel and gravy. The red cabbage was too vinegary, as well as the sourkrout. The first server left for an emergency, with a manager stepping in to help (sincerely apologizing), until another server (also very nice) took over - but clearly overextended. We sat inside, which meant the band was playing, which most customers enjoyed. I looked online to see where Hollerbach's WillowTree Cafe ranks in the German-American restaurant assaociation. At one time it was #1 and #2. Today, it's not even ranked - which I can see why. Since the family ownership changed hands, the food quality has significantly gone down hill, which makes me sad. This was my favorite German restaurant (still is), but now I have low expectations read more

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We had dinner here last weekend with our family. While the food was decent, the service was absolutely terrible. We had a server by the name of Heinz who treated us like we were a bother to him for just being there. Heinz wouldn't refill our waters while every other table had pitchers, he wouldn't bring us salt because he believed the food was seasoned properly (which it wasn't) and my dad had to ask several times, he doesn't write the orders down so he forgot my dessert while everyone else had there's, and was just overall impatient and rude making for a poor experience and a restaurant we wouldn't return to, especially when the dinner was over $200 for 5 people. I hope they can hire some better staff or train them to treat people properly. The food was good but didn't feel authentic and was very under seasoned. Also, the environment was VERY loud with music. We couldn't hear each other talk for the whole dining experience. Their speakers were far too loud. read more

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Our third visit, and consistently amazing! We love the atmosphere here and attended for a friend's birthday to party! Our server, Kayla, was phenomenal and went out of her way to make the experience so fun and special! Even though it was loud, she was super attentive and made sure we all had exactly what we needed. The food was delicious and authentic. The music was great and interactive, while the sweetest 91 year old woman led our entire party in the chicken dance. We had a wonderful night and made so many good memories! read more

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I've been more than once but this most recent time was the first time I was here when the musicians were singing and playing. This is a vibe. Take your friends, get a boot, enjoy the beer and the exciting times. We had a while before a show around the corner so we took our time and even played some cards in between an app and our meal. We weren't rushed out and we felt glad for that. I didn't love our latkes. They were cold when they got to us. Our server seemed confused that they had not made it to our table so my guess is that they had been sitting in the window a while forgotten. I almost sent them back, but I hate that. Our server was nice enough to tell us one of the beers we considered ordering wasn't even German so it wasn't the best choice ;). Thankful for that. I would say the sausages are the best here. I did order spaetzel but it also wasn't super warm when it came out and the cheese wasn't my favorite. It's what I ordered though so that's on me. I love the newspaper style menu it makes it fun! read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Kase Spatzle and cucumber salad - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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So we might actually be Hollerbach girls. Visited Hollerbach's a couple of times and honestly it's always a great vibe. The vibes get a bit stronger as the night goes on, but the authentic food/drinks and live music create an evening of levity. Even if you don't participate you get to watch others take on the boot and follow all of the official rules. We have plans to come back with friends to take on the challenge. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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Place is packed on. Saturday afternoon but was seated with no wait. The Sprecter root beer tasted a little sour and sweet. The sausage was crisp and well complemented by the sauerkraut. Mustard on the sausage brought the flavor out. The potatoes was a little sour and sweet. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

UPDATE - Came back with friends. My opinion didn't change much. The food is good, the atmosphere is fine, the portions are good but there's something that just doesn't work for me. The meat is overcooked, tough. The menu is very limited, well its German. So maybe it's me. I recommend of you're into German food. We got the potato pancakes (Kartoffelnpuffer) and the pig wings. Street parking, fair prices, good service. read more

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Hollerbach's is a true and wonderful representation of German culture, sat in the quaint downtown of Sanford. I'm not a huge fan of German cuisine, but even I could appreciate just how good and authentic this place is. Oh, and they have root beer on tap and it is the BEST root beer I have ever had, maybe will ever have except actually in Germany. Their desserts were also fabulous, so I'd come back again literally just for root beer and dessert. The cake? Moist but not overly sweet, so delicate and delicious. My family member who's been to Germany many times was so excited when we were here, and she raved about how much the food reminded her of her travels there, which was high praise. It's got all the charm and fun, and gets super busy because it's the real deal. read more

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I definitely have to say this was a great little experience eating and shopping here! Next door this the store had coffee and I got a Dubai chocolate and have to say it was the best coffee I've ever had in my life! I got a muffin to go with it and I enjoyed it very much. A great little special they were having two they have all kinds of meats and cheeses and an extensive beer collection. You must go to the market! As far as lunch it was a little difficult because I am gluten-free and I never found anything I absolutely loved. But the service was great and the drinks were fabulous and it was a really nice experience. I really wanted a Reuben and had high hopes for it but it was on the dry side and the bread fell apart and I couldn't eat it. I'd love to try it again though. read more

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We went on a Sunday. Apparently they have live music from 1-4 pm. We were seated pretty quickly. There was a German band playing. Fun atmosphere. The girls wore traditional outfits. The service was great. The food was delicious. We would definitely go back. read more

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We arrived on a Friday night around 6pm and were told it would be a 40 minute wait. Only 15 minutes later I received a text that our table was ready! They were extremely fast in being able to accommodate us. The restaurant is very open and noisy, but that's all part of the appeal. It's just fun! They had live musicians, and every so often they would get everyone involved in a toast. It's very interactive and entertaining. Despite it being very busy, our server was friendly and attentive. Drinks came out quickly, and the food was hot and fresh. The server even brought my son's meal out in advance, which is always appreciated when dining with kids. The food was just delicious. I have nothing bad to say. Everything was so flavorful. Definitely need to try the dessert next time. We will definitely be back! read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Kids meal - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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Do not come here if you're starving. We are and drank so much in April! We should have waited until Oktoberfest. Everything was great. I had the pork schnitzel it was so good. We wanted dessert but we were so full. This place is very clean and a must try! The only thing we didn't like was we ordered happy hour food and they said we have to sit at the bar. That was the only bad experience. read more

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Food: the food was good. While most dishes are like $25, they are huge portions so it can be like two meals. The bread with the salad was hot but the bread basket was not so I was kind sad on that. Service: they are nice and friendly. They are super busy on the weekends so be ready for a wait. They do have a bar next door so have a drink while you wait. Ambiance: nice big room with tables pretty much jammed near each other so be ready to be close. read more

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Hollerbach's is a very popular restaurant in Sanford, and there is good reason why! If you are looking for German food in a very lively atmosphere, look no further. Totally forgot to get a picture, but I definitely recommend starting with the Riesenbreze. It is a fluffy pretzel served with two delicious dips: a sweet mustard and Obazda. It's not a trip to Hollerbach's without one of the pretzels! Their menu has lots of German specialities and a wide variety of options. They have delicious wurst options, and I also really enjoy the Kase Spatzle. Honestly, everything we have tried on their menu has been delicious. Some options are fairly pricy, but they are good portions. Of course, there are plenty of beer options and you can even do the Das Boot. The atmosphere inside Hollerbach's is super special. It is loud and a bit chaotic, but also lots of fun. This won't be a good spot if you are looking for an intimate setting, but between people doing Das Boot, live entertainment, and the communal tables, there is a lot going on. If you are heading here on the weekend, be prepared for a bit of a wait to be sat and likely a bit of a wait once you have been seated. We were here on a Saturday night and waited about 35 minutes for a table and it took over 30 minutes to get our food once we ordered. The waitress was very communicative, but definitely plan some extra time to enjoy your meal here! read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Kase Spatzle - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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whew! this place was a party. people drinking beer by the glass boots & yelling tikka takki- oy oy oy !! (hope that's right) & there was also an authentic german musician who made the room very bustling & lively. we made reservations (recommend to do this) & were sat quickly - but plan ahead for the downtown style parking. we got an arrangement of different popular dishes & everything was delicious. the pretzel, spatzel, & red cabbage were some of my favorites. food came out relatively fast for how busy the room was. my husband said the beer was the best he's ever tasted & he's had a lot of beer over the years! one thing to note is our server was german & it was nice to see representation - that matters !! we are looking forward to bringing people here when they are in town for a unique german cuisine experience. read more

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I love dinning at Hollerbach's Willow tree. I am gluten free and I can still enjoy myself eating here. I had the beyond sausage with purple cabbage and cucumber salad. I also had an amazing white wine spritzer. The atmosphere is always fun with live music most nights, so and the servers are always friendly and knowledgeable about what can be ordered gluten free. read more

Hollerbach's is an institution at this point -- it's lively, it's friendly, and it's delicious. They're almost always packed, with a line out the door, so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time if you can, especially if you have a big group. If you're seated in the Lodge, the atmosphere is super cool and rustic! It honestly felt like we were in a Bavarian tavern. If you get a table in the main room, it's kinda bare and basic looking, but you have a better view of the live music. No matter where you sit though, the service is cheery and you're gonna have a good time. The food here is hearty and delicious. Don't come here if you're on a diet -- everything is pretty much meat, potatoes, or carbs (there are a select few veggie side dishes though). They also have some pretty good vegetarian dishes too. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The Hungarian Goulash was flavorful and hearty, my Rubenstein was amazing (I loved the corned beef), and the Black Forest Cake was one of the best I've had (it was rich and fluffy). Parking was easy to find and we enjoyed walking around downtown Sanford afterwards. Highly recommend. read more

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As a lover of German food and culture, Hollerbachs delivers! The restaurant is spacious and alive with live music and delicious food. Around the corner is their Trachten store and also a good size store with German snacks, deli, and other cool things. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Hollerbach's was a great choice for a last minute dinner. I came in with my family of 5 and we shared the King's Feast and a variety of sides which was enough to fill us up. The food came out fast and the servers are very welcoming. read more

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Haufbrau German beer? He'll Yeah. Good eats, good vibes, and great staff. Grab yourself some German food to fill the belly. Will for sure return here. read more

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This restaurant in historic Sanford was a very entertaining German dining experience. The waitress that seated us was visibly annoyed when we asked to sit near the back instead of the front, but the visit got better from there. They had many varieties of pilsners and German wheat beers to choose from- the Erdinger Hefe was smooth and refreshing. Our food took about 45 minutes to come out, which was annoying since the restaurant wasn't close to full. When the food did come out, it was great. the Eisbein- giant pork shank- which was delicious and filled me up (I'm 6'3). Their dishes come with a lot of sauerkraut as well. They had live polka music, which was fun- the performers got the audience involved and let us take a selfie with them. I was slightly disappointed because they used to have live jazz performances, but they stopped doing them- a tragedy for all the jazz folks out there. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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I went here with my husband for my birthday and it was simply perfect. I've been studying German for 6 years and have always longed to go experience it for real, so this felt like a little bit of that dream coming true:) I love that the staff dresses up, it adds to the immersion! The food, beer, bread, everything was wonderful. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Apple cider, root beer - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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I am still confused about a few things (and one of them is how to pronounce any of the meals here), but overall I still give it five stars. Long tables, entertainment, loud, pretty much what you expect by the description. The Riesenbreze - a Gigantic Bavarian pretzel served with sweet mustard and Obazda, a savory spread made with cream cheese, onions, sweet paprika, beer and Gemütlichkeit - was amazing. One of the better pretzels I have had anywhere. The beer comes in various sizes -- from normal to, to be shared sizes. For me the best part of the experience was the Eisbein - This skinless, bone-in pork shank is one of the most flavorful and tender cuts of meat you'll ever taste! Our delicious pan-seared Eisbein is served with Sauerkraut and Heaven & Earth potatoes. Yes, the meat is really that good. However, I was never a fan of sauerkraut, and the Heaven and Earth potatoes -- yes, I managed to not like those either. Just give me the meat next time! Service was there whenever needed. They helped match a first-timer's questions in the right direction for an outstanding meal. Now, another question: what is that quiet place off the restrooms and also accessible from the outside? Maybe you can come here and skip the entertainment? They do have places for very large groups, too which could be something to consider if you are in search for one. read more

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After almost five years living in Sanford, I finally checked Sanford's staple restaurant. What a great place! Great food, live music and atmosphere. I have not had German food besides the German pavilion at EPCOT, so I was excited to try a local spot. When we got the menu, it was a little confusing. It is in the form of a newspaper. There's lots of information and it could be overwhelming. So if you have questions about the menu don't be afraid to ask. We sat indoors where we could enjoy the music up close. The tables are set up picnic-style (long tables), so you might end up sharing with other parties and it makes it feel like a true German beer hall experience. This was a great spot, and the food was delicious. I can see why people love it so much! read more

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Finally got to go and try this place and it was amazing! The menus are printed like newspapers which I thought were very cute and fun, and the foods portion size were big. At first I didn't know what to really order since it was my first time at a german restaurant and the servers were very helpful in recommending dishes. The schnitzel was seasoned well, and even though it was breaded, it didn't feel heavy, and the pickled cabbage had the perfect texture and crunch, making it pair well with the cutlet. The black forest cake wasn't overly sweet and it was light and moist. The cherries that were soaked in liqueur were a bit too strong but overall everything was delicious and I'd love to come back to eat through the rest of the menu!!! read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Jäger Schinitzel, and Schnitzel Holländer Art - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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I really enjoy going to Hollerbach's German Restaurant. Every plate we ordered was really good, and the dessert was even better. The staff dress in traditional German outfits, which really adds to the experience. We went on Saturday evening, and they had live German music. Even if you don't live nearby, I definitely recommend making the trip and trying something new. It's absolutely worth it! read more

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The best thing I can say is the homemade 1000 island dressing is delicious! The flatbread apps are truly worth the money for great flavor. The potato pancakes were bland and tasteless. I ordered a Rueben and was so disappointed that I had 1 slice of deli style corned beef. Not fresh corned beef and It had no flavor, it was a skimpy sandwich for the price. Also, they over grilled it. The bread was burnt. We all (5) received our hot entrees except for the 6th one that ordered a Turkey club. We waited 8 more minutes for that last entree and nobody wanted to eat until we all had our food. My sandwich and limp fries were barely warm. It is very, very noisy from the place packing in the people and feeling squish in. There was music, too. This is not the place to be for socializing since you can't hear anyone over all the noise. read more

This restaurant delivers an experience that feels both authentic and thoughtfully designed. The warm wooden tables and expansive wraparound bar create an inviting, lived-in atmosphere. The space is cleverly divided into two adjoining sections--one a quieter, more traditional dining room, the other a lively bar setting--allowing guests to choose their preferred vibe while enjoying the same menu. The pricing is refreshingly reasonable, especially considering the quality of service. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, consistently refilling drinks and ensuring we had everything we needed. Overall, a polished, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Front Entrance To Restaurant - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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This is always a good time. The interior is set up like a beer hall with large tables close to each other. The servers are always ver nice and helpful. The schnitzel is tender and very good. Definitely a fun place to come with a large group read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Chicken Schnitzel - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

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We came to Sanford specifically to go to Hollerbach restaurant. I am part German and grew up in Munich and Augsburg so trying out a German restaurant was important. Quite a large menu, but I chose the Goulash! It was delicious! Not spicy but tasty. Very filling. The bread and butter was out and out German! The butter was whipped and had a hint of sour cream. The bread... absolutely German! My husband had the Jägerschnitzel, Spätzle, and blue cabbage. True Gernan! Crispy on the outside and juice on the inside! We ordered "bee sting" (Bienenstich) and my husband ordered a beerkuchen. Although good, I feel the bee sting was not quite right. We ordered two Sauerbratens to take home!!! Cherish was great waitress . Very attentive . The Restaurant had the German decor. Nice ambiance with the Bavarian music read more

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We went on a Thursday afternoon at 3pm the restaurant was almost empty. The perfect timing for us. Had a Greek salad and Flammkuchen vom Garten a German flatbread which we had in Strasburg. It was very good. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - Flammkuchen vom Garten - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida

Had dinner here on a recent trip to Orlando. This German restaurant is about 40 min northeast in Sanford Fl. It has been in business over 20 years. Very large with communal seating. Also small outside dining area. The food and service were excellent. They serve authentic German food. Plenty of good German beer to go with it. The large soft pretzel and German potato pancakes were the best apps. They serve all the favorites such as several types of Snitzel, Saurbraten, sausages, Goulash, and pork shank. Each entree comes with 2 sides such as red cabbage, spatzel, fries, salad and sauerkraut. There are several desserts such as apple strudel and German chocolate cake. This place is located in the town and parking is on the street. They do offer call ahead seating. read more

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I don't go out for German food, but I had just finished a hike with My Husband and he's been wanting to try this German restaurant for a long time and since we did our hike in this area, I said let's do it. Wow, was I blown away by the art office, authenticity of all the food that we ordered. The flavors the freshness was so delicious. Live entertainment to the German heritage with the instruments. Crowd, participation, entertain, entertaining, funny, and really enjoyable experience. Waiters and waitresses outfits authentic to the German heritage. I don't eat the sausage but on the menu there's something for everybody. You definitely need to experience one time and once you experience it, you will be definitely going back again and again. read more

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We came last minute and sat out side in to people watch , such a great ideal because it was 10/10 Very big beers !!! We all enjoy that A casual place to grab some decent food You have to eat you food hot if you wait to log it will cool done and won't be as great read more

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Great pick and had a good time. Food was super good and the service was amazing. If you are in Stanford this is the place. Also, the music is great read more

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Wunderbar ! Being that I'm half German, I'm so picky about my German restaurant choices and Hollerbachs is the 5 stars! I love the food, the bier and when they have live entertainment. Service is always wonderful here and the servers engage with the table and share their stories and insights which we love. Ambiance is perfection and it reminds me so much of the restaurants back home in Germany, especially the roof top ! They have 2 stores as well where you can find clothing and groceries and baked goods. It's perfection and we've been coming here for over 10 years . read more

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What a fun experience! The tables are arranged in rows and the place is filled with live German polka music. Very loud and fun, a great spot for a group of friends or family. Our hostess was a bit rude because we asked to sit in the back instead of the front (and the restaurant wasn't full). The menu is displayed on a cute newspaper and offers a lot of German classics. We had a variety of different meats that were very tasty. The only downside side was that the food took around 45 minutes to come out. read more

Updating my review from six years ago. I loved it then. I still love it now. We came here one evening for a nice dinner with family. We've always loved the location, as it is right smack dab in the middle of the very stroll-able downtown Sanford. I always check out the local art co-op and the used book store when I'm within one mile of downtown Sanford. I love it. Nestled right in the middle of the little empire that Hollerbach's is building, is the flagship restaurant. You can't miss it. The patio is huge and stunning and fun-looking. The inside feel like you're in some sort of German wood cabin. Very warm and inviting, with various German knickknacks all over the walls. Giant windows outlooking onto the street, rows and rows of communal bench-style seating that forces you to sit next to strangers, and the big stage at the front of the restaurant for live music really set off the aesthetic for this place. One of the best in Orlando. Not kidding. As for service, I'm sure they have to staff as minimally as possible. Budget cuts and the state of the economy and all. But our poor server was run absolutely ragged with the amount of tables he was serving that night. It was a Saturday night, probably the busiest night of the week for them, but still, I hope someone called out and this wasn't their standard staffing model. In the end, though, we never went without refills for long, and the food still came out, and while it wasn't right, our server made it right the moment we asked him. Bravo to this guy. He earned his tip that night, that's for sure. As for the food. I cannot say enough how good it was. It's not Michelin star butter poached snapper or anything, but what they attempt to do, they achieve at a six star level of execution. The finest German food I've ever had. We started off with the Riesenbreze (Gigantic Bavarian pretzel served with sweet mustard and Obazda, a savory spread made with cream cheese, onions, sweet paprika, beer and Gemütlichkeit!). Just amazing. This giant thing had it all. The crispy exterior of a pretzel, the chewy inside, just the right amount of large salt sprinkled on top. And then the dips. The classic mustard that everyone looks to, and a very interesting spread that was very creamy and papriky, beery spread that I ate all up and licked the plate. Very good. My main course was the Jäger Schnitzel (A rich Hunter's pan sauce of brown gravy, wine, sautéed mushrooms and onions - with Spätzle mit Jäger gravy and Sweet Red Cabbage). This thing was massive, pounded flat, and fried to a crisp perfection. So perfect that even the thin meat inside wasn't even dry. Lovely. Even if it was dry, the deep, umami brown sauce would have taken care of that. Very nice pairing, and a very good pairing with the spätzle, those yummy little egg noodles. I loved this dish. It's in the running for what might be my last meal on earth if I got to choose. I also got to sample the Alpiner Schnitzel (Topped with Emmenthaler Swiss cheese and smoked ham with Heaven & Earth Potatoes and Gasthaus Salat). This was very nice as well. Same, lovely meat cutlet, but covered with a very potent smoked ham and a very Swissy Swiss cheese. No sauce, but none necessary. Served along with the best mashed potatoes I've ever had in my life. Looking back, I've said a lot of nice things about Hollerbach's, and I meant every single one of them. This five star review kind of makes me want to look back and make other five star reviews of mine down to four stars. This place really shined, and I can't wait to come back. read more

Hollerbach's German Restaurant - German Near Me - Sanford, Florida