German Cuisine Guide
Schnitzel, wurst, spaetzle and strudel, with what each Helen restaurant charges
The short answer
Why German food?
Helen was a Georgia lumber town before it became a Bavarian village. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, local businessmen consulted Clarkesville artist John Kollock in 1968, and he suggested remaking the business district as a Bavarian village; Pete Hodkinson led the merchants' effort. The storefronts followed by 1972, and the food followed after. Today the town has a handful of kitchens that actually cook German food.
How the big three compare
Prices change, but the menus below are the ones posted online now. The Heidelberg is the cheapest of the sit-down dinners; Bodensee's dinner menu is a step up in price and focus, with a lunch menu that's much cheaper.
| Dish | The Heidelberg | Bodensee | Cafe International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork schnitzel | Schnitzel Wiener Art $20.50 | Pork Schnitzel $23 (dinner), $13 (lunch) | Wiener Schnitzel (veal) $23 |
| Sauerbraten | $21.95 | $26 | Not on the menu |
| Goulash | $19.95 (with spaetzle) | $26 (dinner), $14 (lunch) | Not on the menu |
| Wurst plates | Bratwurst or Knockwurst plate $17.95; Wurstsampler $21.95 | Wurst Platter $29; Grilled Bratwurst $26 | German Wurst Platter $16 for one, $18 for two, $20 for three |
| Apple strudel | $7 | Not on the menu | $7 |
| Pretzel | Giant pretzel $10.95 | Bavarian Pretzel $14 | Bavarian Pretzel $11 |
Who's cooking
The Heidelberg menu runs from potato pancakes and a giant pretzel with herb butter to nine kinds of schnitzel, including a Holsteiner topped with a fried egg and capers, and a Salzburger stuffed with mushrooms and bacon. Bodensee is run by Master Chef Aurel Prodan, who studied in Romania, cooked in Bavaria from 1981 and became a Master Chef in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Its dinner menu includes Tafelspitz, Beef Roll and a Mix Grill for two.
| Restaurant | Where | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| The Heidelberg | 8660 N Main St, 706-878-0061 | The broadest German menu, takes reservations, music hall upstairs |
| Bodensee | 64 Munich Strasse, 706-878-1026 | Chef-owned kitchen, house-made garlicwurst, trout, no reservations |
| Cafe International | 8546 S Main St, 706-878-3102 | Wurst platters, Wiener Schnitzel, a Reuben, and a river view |
| Muller's Famous Fried Cheese Cafe | 60 Chattahoochee Strasse, 706-892-1212 | Fried cheese, Hungarian goulash with Czech dumplings, schnitzel |
| Hofbrauhaus Restaurant and G.I. Germany Pub | 9001 N Main St, 706-878-2248 | A long-running landmark pub; call for hours |
| Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant and Lounge | 8619 N Main St, 706-878-3729 | German food, steins and lederhosen for sale |
| Troll Tavern | 8590 N Main St, 706-878-3117 | Bavarian trio platters and schnitzel on the river |
| Hofer's Bakery & Cafe | 8758 N Main St, 706-878-8200 | German breakfast, strudel and tortes; closed Tue and Wed |
Reading the menu
If German menus intimidate you, start with the plain version of each dish. This short glossary covers what you'll see.
| Word | What it is |
|---|---|
| Schnitzel | A breaded, pan-fried cutlet, usually pork in Helen; Wiener art means the plain version, Jaeger means mushroom cream sauce, Zigeuner means a pepper and onion sauce |
| Bratwurst and Knockwurst | Grilled sausages: bratwurst is pork, knockwurst is a smoked, mildly spiced beef sausage |
| Spaetzle | Small egg noodles, served buttered or with cheese |
| Sauerbraten | Marinated beef roast with a sweet and sour sauce |
| Kasseler Rippchen | A smoked pork chop |
| Kartoffelpuffer | German potato pancakes |
Order like a regular
Start with a pretzel
Every restaurant offers one. Add beer cheese where it's an option.
Pick your gravy
At Bodensee, schnitzel takes Jaeger (mushroom), Gypsy (paprika) or Bavarian (onion) gravy for $3.
Go at lunch
Bodensee's lunch menu has goulash and garlicwurst at $14, against $26 and $29 at dinner.
Save room for strudel
See the dessert guide for Hofer's tortes.
German food questions
What should I order first at a German restaurant in Helen?
Start with a schnitzel and a side of spaetzle. Pork schnitzel runs $20.50 to $23 at The Heidelberg and Bodensee, and gravy options add flavor.
Are there vegetarian German dishes?
Yes. Bodensee's Spaetzle Gratin is baked with melted mozzarella, The Heidelberg lists potato pancakes and a house salad, and Cafe International has a black bean burger, Beyond Bratwurst and hummus. Ask about gravies and sauces, which may contain meat.
Do German restaurants in Helen have kids' menus?
The Heidelberg has a Fur Kinder menu from $5 to $7, Bodensee a $7 menu for ages 12 and under, and Cafe International a $6 menu.
Does Bodensee take reservations?
Not right now, according to its website. For The Heidelberg, call ahead at 706-878-0061, since its website says both yes and no.
Where can I get German beer?
The Heidelberg has a dedicated drink menu, and Hofer's cafe pours German draft beers, including Paulaner Oktoberfest and Erdinger.
More Helen dining
