Essen House

No Longer In Business

Went here early in the evening before the crowds showed up. Good selection of beer and the overall appearance of the place is reminiscent of a German beer hall. Probably 20 people there including the waitresses. Tried the fried mushrooms and was impressed. Only negative comment was with the service. The bartenders spent more time talking to one another than checking on the patrons. And with a total of about 6 people sitting at the bar there was no excuse for being ignored or overlooked.

In town in December for the annual family Christmas, I figured this was a good time to check out Essen-Haus - no tourists! I was there on a Saturday night, and the place was pretty empty (maybe 25 people there). There was a guy on stage playing Christmas music on an accordian, and there were 3 or 4 beer wenches (complete with ginormous cleavage) waiting on the tables. My wife and I sat at the bar and had a hefe in a big weizen glass. Bartender could have been better; when asked what was on tap, she said "German beer". Wow, really? I had to squint to try and read the tap handles. This was a nice place and I’ll definitely come back to try a few more offerings on tap and perhaps a plate of bratwurst, but I wouldn’t kill myself to visit during the peak tourist season. I could see this place being a lot of fun, however, when full and the polka music is blaring.

Actually reminded me of some of the German beer halls I saw when I was in Germany. Has an upstairs dining area that is a little outdated. Has a really nice bier garten adjacent that has murals of German countryside. I can imagine spending a few hours on a sunny day throwing back several pints of German beer. I wasn’t actually a patron; I was in town and decided, based upon Gasspasser’s entry, to check it out. They have a better than average selection of German beers on tap, and they are not all the same ones you see everywhere. A beer oasis in the middle of kitschtown, USA.

Stopped by this place on a weekday afternoon and it was pretty empty. Good beer selection included on tap Spaten Optimator, Hacker Pschorr Edelhell, Paulaner Salvator, Paulaner Oktoberfest. Lots of polka music all around. Fairly cool place just to stop by. I have never been to Germany but if Epcot is right this place is close!