Teach Your Kid to Eat the World
Seek and you shall find a little hidden gem of German Cuisine tucked in the corner shopping center at Bob Wallace and Whitesburg. I have lived in Huntsville since 5th grade and it was not until two years ago that I discovered Hildegard’s German Cuisine.
I have tried the other two German restaurants in Huntsville, one I do not care for at all and the other I tolerated when I missed home. It was not until I dined at Hildegard’s for the first time that I truly felt like I was back home in Germany satisfying my desire for the flavors of my grandmother’s kitchen.
The cuisine at Hildegard’s is all made from scratch by the owner, Sabine. The best value is the daily special or Schlachplatte ($18.99). This special usually includes a Wiener Schnitzel, a Jaeger Schnitzel and a Bratwurst. It comes with a choice of potato and sauerkraut as well as a soup or salad. If you are in the mood for something hearty and spicy choose the Goulash as your soup. Also hard to resist is the cucumber salad made with German yogurt in a delectable cream sauce. Depending on your appetite it is more than enough to share between two people and perhaps even a small child. My boys love the curry wurst with pommes ($9.95) – a Feine Bratwurst with curry ketchup, a staple of German food found in every restaurant and corner Imbiss.
Hildegard’s takes note to cater to their youngest guests, who may not have a sophisticated palate just yet. My kids love the German food so we do not frequent the children’s menu. If my memory is correct it has a choice of grilled cheese, wiener wurst or chicken fingers served with pan fried potatoes for $6.95. Booster chairs and high chairs are available but there is no changing table in the restrooms.
German food, like the people, can be described as bold and to the point and of course consistent. Some may critique the prices at Hildegard’s to be higher than other restaurants. Our recent visit of 2 adults and 2 children was around $65.00; the kids ordered off of the adult menu, we did make an exception and order soda to drink and our bill included one very large beer. You have to remember, this is not a chain and all foods are prepared by hand, many ingredients are imported all leading to a final product of culinary perfection! Try Hildegard’s as a lunch option for smaller portions. For a special treat on a Saturday, live like a German and have kaffee und kuchen in the afternoon. You will be sure to delight in one of Sabine’s homemade cakes.
The atmosphere at Hildegard’s is relaxed casual. For adult libations you have a great choice of German beer and wine. In the background the televisions are playing traditional German music entertainment shows very similar to the ones I spent hours watching with my grandparents as a child. The only thing we would change is their soda selection. My boys are slightly spoiled having traveled to Germany. They are used to ordering a Spezi to accompany their German food.
Save the Date: Visit Hildegard’s on December 6th and celebrate St. Nikolaus Tag, a tradition we started two years ago.
Details
Address: 2357 Whitesburg Dr S, Huntsville, AL 35801 (map)
Phone: (256) 512-9776
Hours:Â Tuesday – Thursday 10:30AM till 8:30PM |Â Friday & Saturday 10:30AM till 9:30PM | Closed Monday
Reservations highly advised!
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Born in Germany, but raised in Huntsville, Melika Nixon brings a unique perspective to travel and culture. As a nurse practitioner and single mother to seven-year-old twin boys, including one with serious medical issues, she brings an even more keen perspective to traveling with children. She frequently writes about creative, cost-effective ways to introduce children to the world through the gift of travel.