The Berghoff Bar and Restaurant in Chicago

Berghoff Restaurant sign in Chicago

A stone's throw from the Magnificent Mile and the Palmer House Hotel, Berghoff est institution is one of Chicago's oldest restaurants, opened in 1898 by Herman Joseph Berghoff. The large brown sign with its vintage neon typography is a true landmark and a must-take photo.

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As the name suggests, the atmosphere here is decidedly Germanic, as is the menu, which gives pride of place to a variety of sausage, schnitzel, and sauerkraut specialties.

Mini brats and knockwurst consist of two small sausages on a bed of sauerkraut, served with Düsseldorf mustard and German potato salad. Sauerkraut is also combined with a sandwich sauce (!) in the Reuben sandwich (sauerkraut, cheese, corned beef, Thousand Island sauce), while the Sausage Trio offers a variety of sausages: grilled, steamed and smoked.

The Berghoff restaurant and bar in Chicago

Other highlights include the traditional Wiener Schnitzel with asparagus and homemade potato chips, Rahm Schnitzel with sour cream, Jager Schnitzel sautéed with mushrooms and bacon, caramelized vegetables and Spätzle, Sauerbraten, beef in a sweet and sour sauce...

In fact, Berghoff's cuisine is so legendary in the United States that two books have been published containing the restaurant's most popular recipes.

In addition to the restaurant, the 17/West at the Berghoff bar and café reopened in 2006.