Bavaria Hof in Schaumburg

In our quest to try more locally owned and operated restaurants in Schaumburg, my hubby and I dined at Bavaria Hof on Friday night.

The space is small, by Schaumburg standards, and was pretty empty when we arrived at 5:30. At the desk, a woman was taking orders over the phone in German, and we were promptly greeted. With only two other tables occupied, we were sat immediately.

I started my evening with a small glass of Kabinett and the hubby enjoyed one of their many German beers.

Each entree comes with either soup or a German salad plate. We opted to try the salads. Our plates came out with a sampling of each salad they make in house: Bean salad, German potato salad, cucumber and onion salad and pickled beet salad. I enjoyed all of them except the beets, but that's more my personal taste than preparation.

For dinner, My hubby had the Hackbraten, a German meatloaf with a side of Spätzle and sauerkraut. The meatloaf was a huge slab smothered in a brown gravy, moist tender and perfectly cooked. If no one had been loking, I think hubby would have licked the plate clean of Spätzle.

I had the Jäger Schnitzel with a side of dumplings and red cabbage,. The schnitzel was a thin fried pork cutlet, covered in green peppers, mushrooms, and onions with a brown, wine based gravy. The pork was fork tender and the vegetables very fresh, just cooked enough to bring out their flavors.

We were too full to sample the Apple Strudel for dessert, so we took our leave.

I don't eat German cuisine a lot, so I cannot comment to the accuracy, but we really loved the food and service. It was hearty, comfort food and we are looking forward to dining there again with my father, who loves German cuisine.

Bavaria Hof
933 S. Roselle Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(Behind Taco Bell in the Kingsport shopping plaza)
Phone: 847-891-7997

http://bavaria-hof.com/index.html

Kim

Kim3 wrote:In our quest to try more locally owned and operated restaurants in Schaumburg, my hubby and I dined at Bavaria Hof on Friday night.

Kim,

An admirable quest indeed.

Food, service and atmosphere sound quite good, a shame they weren't even 1/4th as busy as one of the more ubiquitous suburban chain restaurants.

Enjoy,
Gary

I have a friend who, up until about 6 years ago, did a weekly talk and music show in German and who was very active in the local German community. They took me to this restaurant about 10 years ago, they were regulars and spoke German to the staff and knew the owners well. It seemed like some inclusive club, I believe some people even kept their personal steins there. I don't remember what I ate, I'm not fond of that type of food and haven't even thought about this place. My friends have since retired and have moved south. I'm glad that you liked it and that it is still around.

Kim: Thanks for your post. I lived in Schaumburg for three years but never tried Bavaria Hof. I was scared off by the mediocre reviews I had read elsewhere and by the seemingly high prices. (If memory serves, BH used to advertise Roast Duck "specials" on Saturday for $18.) Has anyone else ever been to Bavaria Hof?

Dabney's wrote:Kim: Thanks for your post. I lived in Schaumburg for three years but never tried Bavaria Hof. I was scared off by the mediocre reviews I had read elsewhere and by the seemingly high prices. (If memory serves, BH used to advertise Roast Duck "specials" on Saturday for $18.) Has anyone else ever been to Bavaria Hof?

I didn't read any reviews before we went but today, piqued by your post, I looked at a few. It does seem to be hit or miss for some people. My favorite review I read though, has to be the one that commented on the fact that the waitresses are unattractive and old. Apparently all German severs should look like the St. Pauli's Girl for the reviewer to be happy.

Most entrees were around the $13-$19 range. If that's what they were 5-6 years ago, I guess I could see how some people would think that was high for a little mom and pop type place, but a lot of local restaurants have caught up with that price point now.

Kim

When I went to this place, the sign outside said BavariaHaus, and when I went in it was Bavaria Hof. New owners I guess. I was not impressed at all by this place. It looks like an old greek diner inside. The menu has the standard fare; schnitzel, sausages, sauerbraten. You are paying high prices for the food and the quality of the food is not reflected. I had the sauerbraten and it was poor at best. Take vinegar and pour it over your mom's dried out roast beef. For good German food and a great beer list try the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle, or great German food and smaller beer list is Schnitzel Platz. These two places serve good food and the atmosphere is better 100 fold.

http://www.bavarian-lodge.com/
schnitzelplatz.com/

The Bavarian Hof is located in a non-descript strip center in Schaumburg. We drove past it three or four times before realizing that it was right behind (and obscured by) the Taco Bell.

It appears to be a three person operation - a cook, a busboy, and the waitress who appears to be the owner. Actually, the service is pretty good and the employees can answer any question.

The issue is that the food lacks any flavor.

I had the Jager Schnitzel. The major problem with the dish was that the pork was not cooked through completely. I would say that it was medium rare at best. It was topped with a non-descript sauce. The entire dish lacked even a hint of salt

The sides were NOT much better.

The red cabbage was cooked to death. Generally, the red cabbage in a jar that I buy at home had a better cabbage texture.

The German potato salad lacked seasoning of any sort.

The three bean salad was made from canned beans which absorbed none of the flavor of dressing.

There bread basket consisted of two slices of bread for two people. And our basket had two spent butter packages in it.

The prices were on the high end and the food did not deliver.