The Heidelberg
Three floors of German food, a pub and the Bierhimmel music hall in White Horse Square
The short answer
The story of the blue chalet
The Heidelberg's own history starts with Harold and Terry Link, who were both born in Heidelberg, Germany. They honeymooned in Helen in 1976, decided the town needed a proper German restaurant and opened The Forge on July 4, 1977, a building that showed off Harold's interest in blacksmithing. In 1980 they renamed it Old Heidelberg and painted the outside blue and white. In the late 1980s they added a pub, a second dining room and a large outdoor terrace; the terrace was later enclosed and is now the Bierhimmel music hall.
The Links sold the business in 1997. The current owners bought it in 2013 and, in 2018, changed the name to The Heidelberg.
Hours and reservations
The restaurant's website says it gladly takes reservations in the dining room and also says it's seating parties first come, first served, so call ahead at 706-878-0061. Pub and Bierhimmel hours may vary from the dining room's. An 18% gratuity is added for parties of six or more.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
| Friday and Saturday | 11 AM to 10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM to 9 PM |
What to order
The menu is the broadest German one in town. Start with potato pancakes or the giant pretzel with herb butter, then pick between a sausage plate and a schnitzel. Plates come with your choice of two sides: spaetzle, German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, mashed potatoes or fries, at $4.50 each if ordered alone. Soups and salads include a homemade goulash soup ($8.50). Desserts are apple strudel, Black Forest cake and New York cheesecake at $7 each, and there's a kids' menu from $5 to $7 for ages 12 and under.
| Dish | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bratwurstteller or Knockwurstteller | Two grilled pork sausages, or two mildly spiced beef sausages, with two sides | $17.95 |
| Allgauer Zwiebelbratwurst | Two pork sausages topped with onions and gravy | $18.95 |
| Wurstsampler | Bratwurst, Knockwurst and Bauernwurst | $21.95 |
| Schlachtplatte | Knockwurst, Bratwurst and Kasseler Rippchen (smoked pork chop) | $21.95 |
| Sauerbraten | Marinated beef roast with a sweet and sour sauce | $21.95 |
| Gulasch | Hungarian-style stew of beef and pork with spaetzle | $19.95 |
| Kartoffelpuffer (appetizer) | Three German potato pancakes | $10.95 |
| Riesenbrezel (appetizer) | Giant pretzel with melted herb butter; beer cheese dip $3 extra | $10.95 |
Prices are from the restaurant's online menu and can change.
Schnitzel, nine ways
The menu lists nine schnitzel dishes, from a plain Wiener Art to one stuffed with cream cheese and chives. Grilled versions aren't breaded, as the menu notes. The ones in the table are the best known.
| Schnitzel | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Schnitzel Wiener Art | Breaded pork loin, pan fried | $20.50 |
| Jagerschnitzel | Pork loin with mushroom cream sauce; grilled or breaded | $21.50 |
| Zigeunerschnitzel | Pork loin with a pepper and onion sauce; grilled or breaded | $21.50 |
| Schnitzel Das-Heidelberg Art | Breaded pork cutlet stuffed with cream cheese and chives | $22.50 |
| Salzburger Schnitzel | Breaded pork cutlet stuffed with sauteed mushrooms and bacon | $22.50 |
| Holsteiner Schnitzel | Breaded pork cutlet topped with a fried egg and capers | $23.50 |
| World Famous Cordon Bleu | Breaded pork cutlet stuffed with ham and Swiss | $23.50 |
Drinks and the Bierhimmel
The drink menu lists eight German drafts, including Hofbrau Original, Hefe Weizen, Dunkel and Marzen, Paulaner Oktoberfest and a Fruh Kolsch, at $8 for a half liter or $15 for a liter, plus a Weltenburger Kloster Asam Bock at $9 and $17 and seasonal craft drafts. The Bierhimmel Konzerthalle on the third floor is the music hall, with a built-in stage and a full sound system. The site's events page hasn't been updated in years, so ask the restaurant or check its Facebook page for current shows.
Tips
Reserve for groups
Call (706) 878-0061 or reserve online, especially on Oktoberfest weekends.
Go early on weekends
Dining room closes at 10 PM Friday and Saturday and 9 PM the rest of the week.
Bring the kids
There's a "Fur Kinder" menu for ages 12 and under, from $5 to $7.
Walk it off
The Alpine Village walking tour starts nearby.
Heidelberg questions
Does The Heidelberg take reservations?
Call ahead at 706-878-0061. Its website says it gladly takes reservations in its dining room, and also that it's seating parties first come, first served.
What are The Heidelberg's hours?
The dining room is open Monday to Thursday 11 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 9 PM. Pub and Bierhimmel hours may vary.
Is there a kids' menu?
Yes, for ages 12 and under, with fries and a pickle: hot dog $5, hamburger $6, grilled cheese $5, chicken fingers $6 and child schnitzel, bratwurst or knockwurst at $7.
What is the Bierhimmel?
It's the music hall on the third floor, built where the original outdoor terrace was. It has a stage and sound system and hosts live music and private events.
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