Nice place American style, very spacious and apparently very loved by the locals who have a blast…read morein the summer in the open tables outside, as commented by the person who brought a colleague and I there. You will find all the Americana you want, but I was more focused in finding something in the menu that was not a giant burger. I choose the fish salad and seemed to be the German version of the fish and chips. I love the fried here, especially the rustic style. Maybe they grow them in the huge field outside? For the locals, seems to be pretty popular among the biker community. I would have not known or gone to this area unless was work related, so it was ok for me.

The setting: Located in a bucolic area, surrounded by farms…read moreand orchards, this place used to be a barn, but has been renovated years ago, to make it look like a road stop - hence its name. The inside: Rustic, quaint and all dark timber. Complete with US memorabilia and old signs, vintage license plates, old school fluorescent beer signs and advertising and an old gas pump. The food: Used to be better. Back in the days when this was one of the only burger places in town. Or, quite possibly I've just outgrown the frozen standard patty and am expecting a little bit more for a burger that sets you back between €8-12. To give you an example: They serve these standard sesame buns that you can get in bulk at discount retailers. My dad ordered their Sea Burger (or whatever it was called) and it was fish in a batter, a sad tomato, some lettuce and no sauce or extra seasoning. Yeah. Call that a dry burger - it was completely lacking any originality or love. I had their signature Road Stop Burger and they used to be more generous with the baked beans if I remember correctly. The patty must have shrunk over the years and it seemed lost in an oversized bun - the last remnant and witness of a better, more plentiful past. In general this burger gave the impression that it's lacking something - probably more generous toppings and some fresh, ground beef. And if that's too much to ask for - at least fix the toppings. So ... nothing that knocks your socks off. Don't get me wrong - I still kinda like this place. If only for their large Biergarten (which can be packed during sunny periods) and their unique atmosphere inside. So back to the burgers - I can't get rid of the impression that they've streamlined and downsized their food (in size and quality) to increase profitability and maximize profits - resulting in decreased quality. This is always a bad sign and prelude to 'I won't frequent this place anymore'. Same with the starter platter - onion rings, jalapeno poppers, chicken nuggets, tortilla chips - none of it seems home made. It's all frozen food, pretty bland, fried and served on a platter with a generic dip. Oh, that's so 90s. If you're looking for a more unique starter, try the pretty decent tortilla chicken BBQ bowl. The service: Is usually swift and friendly, however nothing that would set this place apart. The verdict / TL;DR: You can still enjoy a nice bottle of beer (they serve Miller - I guess it's what they consider American beer), or Snapple. All in a relaxed atmosphere and unique setting. If you're a biker, you'll meet lots of like minded people. Mind the evening rush though, this place gets packed. Food wise: I cannot recommend the burgers anymore, at least not if you're looking for quality food at a fair price. In that case: Don't put up with a nothingburger and head to one of the fine burger locations in nearby Düsseldorf.

This is a good spot if you're looking for a late Sunday night dinner. Our waitress was super…read morefriendly and helpful with our orders. You can ask for an English menu if needed. I appreciate the option to order a pound of fries (mixed), which I think was the first time I've seen something like this in Europe. Plus, you have four different sauces to use, including a unique orange (?) mustard. However, the deduction is due to the quality of my chicken burger. It was hard to eat the burger mainly because the bottom side of the chicken was overcooked/dry, so it was hard to cut and chew. If fried properly, it should be juicy and tender. I tried some of my friend's beef burger and it was good, so you may have a similar experience only if you get their chicken burger.

Kinda disappointed of the burgers for their price. The buns…read morewere nothing special, the meat was a little overcooked. Though the staff didn't ask us our preference.

Amazing burgers!! ordered a bacon jam burger which was out of this world!! loved everything about…read morethis place.

Good food, cool place, but a little tight on space. Minimal "outdoor" seating…read more I had the Mexican themed burger, ordered medium, served well done. Still delicious. The pulled pork fries were great, and I am a huge fan of pulled pork. I'll be back to get that as a treat again in a few weeks.

Pretty Standard pub fare. Not much in the way of authentic German or Irish food really. Just a…read morepub with decent food and decent prices. It's comfort food for travelers. It isn't anything special but the atmosphere is relaxing and it close enough to the convention center as to be very convenient for attendees. You can do worse in Essen. You can also do better.

Funny enough, I came to this Irish Pub for the burger. Hear me out before you start judging…read more I made friends with another US expat, and we started comparing notes about US American-style food in Essen. I made the mistake of comparing Tofino and Hans im Glück before he stopped me. His advice was to try Fritzpatrick's before I start trash talking all the Germans and their inability to make a burger. I'll admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong. Fritzpatrick's food is good. I understand why so many people have recommended coming here, and I regret not going sooner. The food is good; not just good by pub standards, but it's actually good. My only gripe is the same one I have with most German restaurants: they dress the burger bun with ketchup rather than keeping it on the side. I hate and despise ketchup and felt like such a jerk for sending back my bacon cheeseburger. Sorry. The server was really nice about it. Thanks for dealing with this picky American.

The hosts are great and the food was excellent. It comes with a price, but I am willing to pay for…read moreit.

Really poor service. Me and my brother were there for 90 minutes. Took forever to get a drink even…read morethough we sat at the bar. Took forever to get someone's attention to order food and drink 2. They ran out of what we ordered for drinks, so they simply brought out another whiskey and said this is what you're getting. We ordered a single cheeseburger. After 45 minutes and 10pm we told them we were leaving. We paid and left. Don't come here if it seems busy. The whole place is chaos.

From the owner: Welcome to Cari Bella Restaurant Bar and Lounge. Cari Bella is an international restaurant. A place…read moreto experience marvelous food and all type of drinks to wash your meal down. Everything we do goes into making our hearty meals stand out. We handcraft almost everything we serve. We provide larger portions so you get more food for your order. That all guests receive prompt friendly and courteous service ensuring comfort and care is our highest priority. We will strive to offer authentically Cari Bella´s experience, remembering always the unique and special environment in which we operate. Our aim is to provide a first class night out for everybody. We offer a handpicked tariff of top Drinks and international lagers to compliment a daily menu of uncomplicated, freshly prepared international pub grub. If you are looking for a cozy romantic getaway, a unique family outing, a private party, the ideal reception dinner for children and adults, or a majestic wedding ceremony led by an authentic teamwork. Cari Bella provides the setting for any occasion. Cari Bella is more than a restaurant, more than a bar, more than a lounge it is a unique and unforgettable experience. A place of nourishment, excitement, relaxation and fun. Our way of discovering what we love was to create a Cari Bella restaurant bar & Lounge.