Schaller & Weber — Local services in New York

I love coming to this shop. I was super hungry and needed a quick bite. Right outside is their window service for bratwursts. I’ve had a curry wurst a while ago which I enjoyed, today, I went classic. Classic, by the way, was the most affordable one if I’m not mistaken at $10. The menu lists what it has on it, it’s a bratwurst with Dusseldorf mustard and globs of sauerkraut. It was delicious, hit the spot and it was great in a pinch. It got me nostalgic for the days of Karl Ehmer in Ridgewood, Queens, my first bratwurst experience. I did have the potato pancakes here (at the window) but they were about the size of silver dollar pancakes and just ok. I make really good ones myself, so I’m particular.

Anyway, the highlight for me is the shop itself. Not only is it one of the last remaining icons of the Yorkville - German shops, but their products are damn good too! My dad would come in here for 2 in. thick steaks, their meats are great. I love the German items. I was just in a few cities in Germany over Christmas and then briefly in Austria. I loved seeing a few of the items here. They have my favorite tea, Teekanne - Fennel. They have muesli, Vanilla sugar and packets to make Kaiserschmarrn and Quarkschmarrn (the pancake pieces). There is a large selection of cold cuts, mustards, jams, ketchup including curry ketchup, many patés, like chicken liver or calves liver paté, liverwurst, and plenty of others. They had varieties of candies, even those Mozart chocolates and marzipans. I snagged a small bit of Leberkase to take home and it...

Unfortunately I don’t have too much experience with their products or food because I’ve visited the store 5 times and have never been able to successfully make a purchase. I went in 3 times to order sandwiches from the deli. Each time I was told I cannot order them. One time they said it was too late in the day. To be fair it was in the evening, I don’t remember the exact time of day but considering they have an awful lot to clean up after making fresh sandwiches I didn’t think it was unreasonable. Two other visits the store was closed, once for renovations and once possibly for vacation or holiday. Again no worries, people go on holiday. Another visit I went in looking for pork shank or veal shank. After a good long wait, the butcher advised they don’t sell veal or pork shank and I’d be hard pressed to find it. Finally I went in today to order sandwiches and the surly, grumpy, unhelpful, rude older white man interrupted the lovely woman taking my order to say they’re not making sandwiches right now. I asked when they make them and he said maybe in an hour. So most of the line left the store because everyone was waiting for sandwiches. I understand sometimes the counter can get busy, but I’m not impatient. Also, a sign or an announcement might have helped me and the other customers not waste 20min in line for no reason. The attitude is sufficient for me to make up my mind on the place. Do not recommend the sandwiches because it’s a mystery as to when they’re...

I was JUST talking to my friend an hour before about this place. She asked if it if this place closed, as we went together a couple of years ago. I was like I don't think so, maybe they close for winter bc it's been so cold and it's an open window. Then I walk by and see it's open. It was a sign, to have one! Ha. So I go up and take a pic to send my friend. And say, enthusiastically, my friend and I were just talking about this place. He literally glances at me and walks to the back. I was like I want to order. So after a less than a minute he comes back. And I order the Berlin Wall. Still no smiles or thank you after I pay... $18.50! Whatever. After 5 minutes he calls out "Berlin Wall", still no have a good day. I was like at least I have a nice hot German weiner, on a cool 40 degree lunch. I walk one block to sit at the outside promenade area NOPE. It was caked in sauerkraut. I don't remember that much. No steam. And it room temperature at best.

Been living in this area over 20yrs, so little remnants of Germantown left. Maybe that's a good thing.

Others, come for the nostalgia, but don't expect much else. I'm not...