Schmidt's German Village

Ive been there a number of times, but Im just not blown away by the food. The meats are somewhat greasy, and lack taste. Buffets are almost never a good idea and theirs proves the point. Pasties are just okay, and the sides are more American-German than authentic German fare...again, not bad, but nothing really jumps out either. I might find myself going back sometime, but its certainly not on my ""must go back"" list. more

About a week ago me, wife and a couple of friends made the trek to schmidts. After living in Germany for 12 years I couldnt wait to try it! If your looking for true german flavor the only thing to eat is the potato salad and red cabbage. I didnt want to be too hard on them, because it was good but the brats need some serious help to be more authentic. very greasy and I havent ever seen any german place that didnt have pomme frites. So after not getting the craving i was looking for. my wife made me chicken schnitzel the following day. But i will say who ever wrote about soggy cream puffs was crazy, unbelievably good! more

I'm sorry, but once you visit this place - you'll be hooked, especially on the brats and cream puffs! Pros: Sausage + Cream Puffs = Heaven on Earth Cons: NADA more

After seeing this on Man Vs Food, I just had to give it a try. I will admit that I am a junkie when it comes to places that are on TV. I was excited to see they had the buffet. Simply one of the best ways to get a taste of everything. The sausage was good and the Bahama Mama, not German I am sure, was a nice treat. The sausage stew was the spiciest thing I had and it was great. I even tried sauerkraut for the first time with a brat. It was good, I may be a fan of the kraut. Although the selection is limited, if you grab some of everything they have you will get full. I also had the peanut butter cream puff. Now coming from Wisconsin (we have the best cream puffs ever) this was not bad. It was big but you can kind of tell it sat in the fridge for a little while. But it was still tasty and I even took it back with me to finish for breakfast the next morning. The beer sampler was also a nice treat. Good way to taste some great German beer. Would I go back?? If I am in the area and want a sausage fix I may, but I will probably venture out to other restaurants before I do. Pros: Good food, good beer, good cream puff Cons: Small restaurant more

My husband and I had been anticipating the visit to Schmidt`s for weeks! After seeing it praised on the travel channel and reading the hype, I have to say we were quite disappointed!! Pros: Good service, the Bahama Mamas Cons: Everything else more

Coming from an old German family, whose matriarch was a ridiculously talented cook from the old country, I have very high standards for my family cuisine, so to speak. I adore the bratwurst, knockwurst, and especially Schmidt's own ""Bahama Mama"" sausages. Similar to a traditional sausage with more kick and just a hint of bite to it, it is complemented perfectly with a simple hot mustard or horseradish. Often, the side dishes are sacrificed for the core product of a menu. This family-owned and operated restaurant defies that convention with hot delicious potato salads, the obligatory sauerkraut, and a bevy of others. Unlike most buffets, the one offered at Schmidt's stays fresh, stocked, and to temperature consistently. Quality of the food aside, this is a popular and often freakishly busy venue, and you should plan accordingly. I've waited up to an hour and a half for a seat at my worst, as little as 5 at the best. If you aren't a restaurant professional, or lack the sense to visit new places at off-peak hours, don't be surprised to find yourself waiting. Quality, consistency, and memorable experiences take time, work, and dedication. Avoid the wait and call ahead about peak times, buffet schedule(it is not an open to close asset), and know that you'll get a great smorgasbord of fine food and a good variety to try of everything that makes Schmidt's a local legend and a tourist destination. Pros: Phenomenal homemade Sausages and dishes Cons: Madhouse when its busy, not fast if that's what you like. more

If you live in Columbus and you like German food, you must go to Schmidt's. It seems a little touristy-German with the nearby fudge and gift shops, but the food here is the real deal. Schmidt's makes their own sausage and it is superior; the buffet, which is around $14 per person, features tons of delicious homemade food and all-you-can-eat delicious sausage, plus homemade mashed potatoes and German potato salad, cabbage and corned beef, sauerkraut, a salad bar, and usually a non-sausage meat option (chicken, meatloaf, etc). Unlike large chain buffets, the food is all homemade (except the mac and cheese, but whatever) and great; if this stuff is homemade, I can only imagine that the individual menu dinners are also great. Get a creme puff to round out your meal! Pros: Homemade sausage, great (cheap) buffet, great desserts Cons: I eat way too much here! more

I can't say enough good things about Schmidt's. The staff is always cheery and friendly, they dress in traditional German clothing as well. The restaurant itself has a fun but relaxed feel to it. They even have an accordion player and tuba player in some nights. A friend of mine yelled 'Play Freebird', and they did! Pros: Everything: service, food, ambiance, value Cons: N/A more

we were first timers to Schmidt's tonight and the experience was poor enough to compel me to write a review. Food took 50 minutes to arrive - the side salad alone took 30. The waitress spent more time talking to the busboys than to our table and neglected to keep us informed on any delays. Likewise, the manager seemed to care less about our experience stating ""we try to get our food out in less than 20 minutes - your ticket was out in 18."" No apology, which would have been nice. Bad first impression, unfortunately will be my last. more

There is no place like Schmidt's for German Food. If you like sourkraut, this is the place to be. Try the schnitzel, it is the best in Columbus. The atmosphere is good, and they serve good German beer. The buffet is good for first timers, to get a change to try different offerings. Pros: Fun dining, the Fudge Haus Cons: Tables are really close to each other. more

I'm a fan of Schmidt's, good food, at a fair price. If your not sure what to order try the buffet, and sample some great food, I recommend the garlic knockwurst, the homemade meatloaf, and their sweet kraut. The one item on their menu that could use some work is the german potato salad, it had very little flavor, and has at times been slightly on the bitter side. Unfortunately they don't take reservations, and finding a place to park can be difficult at times, but otherwise a very good experience. For beer drinkers, try their beer sampler! Pros: great buffet, good desserts Cons: parking more

Especially nice place to visit during the Holidays after touring the German Village Area during December. Pros: Great Atmosphere, A Holiday Must Cons: Small Parking Lot more

I am a huge fan of German good and had heard great things about the Haus. Having been all over Germany many times and sampled many of their signature dishes (Bavarian White Sausage, Scnitzel etc.) and coming from a German cooking family, I was pretty disappointed over what seemed to be extremely mediocre sausage, and very sour/bitter otherwise flavorless potatoes, the kraut also turned out to be a pretty disapointing. The bratwurst-kraut balls, though not spectacluar, were probably one of the best things I sampled that evening. Perhaps my percepton is skewed in a sense because I have tasted some of the finest prepared foods to come out of Germany, but if your a diehard bratwurst fan then it may be worth a shot. Otherwise for the best sausage, schnitzel, and homemade pretzels head for the Bavarian countryside! Pros: Historic, Family Run, Fun Location Cons: Not so great service, Flavorless/bitter, Pricey 4 what you get more

There's nothing wrong with Shmidt's, I guess; I just expected it to be better. We both went for the Sausage Sampler, and were disappointed with the rather small pieces of sausage we got. I didn't much care for my smashed potates (didn't taste homemade) and Husband was generally unenthusiastic with his potato pancakes. We only had a few bites of the enormous mounds of soggy 'kraut. We were eagerly looking forward to the Cream Puffs, but I thought the pastry seemed tough and 'old.' However, Husband enjoyed his light microbrew, and the atmosphere was cheery and festive. We might go back again to try the buffet. Pros: Fair prices, Location/parking Cons: Portion size more

An absolute must everytime I go to Columbus. The sausage in the buffet is the best I've ever had. I'm also a huge fan of the microbrews and the chocolate cream puffs. Prices are extremely reasonable. The only drawback is they don't take reservations, which makes for long waits on weekend nights. Pros: Food is great, Prices are low, Service is fast Cons: No reservations more

Whenever I'm in town, this is the place I can't wait to eat at---the food is reasonable and the people are friendly. I love the German Music Band! The Chocolate Cream Puffs are out of this world! I felt like I was in Germany eating! Pros: Great food, great people, great music Cons: na, na, na more

I can't find a better restaurant in Columbus! I drive down from Cleveland regularly to go here. Man, the food is great, the prices right, the atmosphere wonderful (go when the Oom-pa-pa band is playing) and the staff is friendly and helpful. Also, although I'm diabetic, I can't pass up their giant cream puff. This is German food at it's best...it would be REALLY great if they'd open a place in Cleveland roo. Pros: Tremendous food, Great value, Atmosphere more

This has been a family favorite since we discovered it. Its great when there is a live band, even with the crowded tables. Definitely order dessert--especially a cream puff--even if you are full beyond belt take one home to savor later. The spatzle and green bean side dish is a must as well. more

Make sure to leave room for a cream puff. Best I've ever had. more

I'm not even a huge fan of German food, but I love Schmidt's. Truly great brats, the delicious Bahama Mama, spaetzle, and spectacular cream puffs. No trip to German Village is complete without a stop here. more