Haxenhaus — Restaurant in Cologne

Preface: the food was great. Zero issues but they were out of a few things. No big deal.

The big problem was the service. Mohamed was awful, to put it plainly. Sat us right away, but we were ignored almost the entire time we were there. After waiting about 15 minutes for the initial approach, we were finally able to order some water. We had adequate time to view the menu, so we ordered a couple of appetizers. There were also two different menus, which was confusing to say the least, since one of them was obviously out of date but we were left guessing which one.

We waited about 20 minutes for the pork belly, which was very good, and seemed reasonable. We also ordered some bread and butter, which for some reason, took over 30 minutes to arrive. We were then just waiting, waiting, waiting for service to actually order dinner. Finally our server arrived, not asking how the food was so far, just seemingly rushing us for our order. We placed our order and then waited over 45 minutes for food to arrive. They weren't very busy, so it seemed off. Doubly strange since people who came in after us got their food very quickly, finished eating, and left before we got ours.

Our main course finally arrived. Two different kinds of Haxe, which were both delicious. During the entire waiting period I had made eye contact with the waiter several times with an empty glass of water but he didn't come over or even ask if we needed more to drink. I finally got the opportunity to ask a different server for water, and he brought it nearly instantly after asking. We were finishing up and decided to order a dessert as a takeaway. We did so from another waiter because ours was missing the entire time. We also got a box from him and he came back with it straight away.

Finally our waiter came back over to us and asked if we needed anything. I mentioned that we had ordered a cake, which he seemed to know nothing about. He said he would go check on it. Strangely, he was able to bring that back almost instantly. It seems like the dessert was just sitting in the back, waiting to be picked up. Luckily the rest of the food was hot and it didn't really affect the meal.

I have 10 years of food and beverage experience. I've worked in kitchens and in the front of the house, and in management. If I had to guess, he just didn't care about us or his job. Honestly, it was some abysmal service. I wouldn't go back even if the food was good. Unfortunate because it really...

We thought this place was going to be great by all the different versions of their pork knuckle. We were sadly mistaken…

First we got our menus and when we already made the order, another from the staff dropped menus, while we said we already have made our orders. First red flag 🚩 that this place was very confused, like chickens running around. We got our appetizer after 15 minutes which is completely fine. Then it took another 50 minutes of waiting of nothing. We watched as all other tables around us got their meals, who ordered after us. We asked someone from the staff where our food was. “Oh did you want to order?” Was her reply. While we said we already ordered, now a long time ago. She said she was going to check.

She didn’t come back or explained anything, it was like they realized their mistake and tried to cover it. Meanwhile another table next to us got their meals, they arrived after we got our first appetizer, so long time after. That’s when we stood up and asked to talk to the manager. The staff just shrugged it off and said “well I forgot to place your order since your appetizer”… well ok, that’s it?! We waited for an hour now, what is happening. She said “well your food is standing there on the table if you want it”. So it was standing on standby inside, YUM!! Like we want it now! being sarcastic.

You could imagine we were quite upset now by their nonchalance. Just shrugged it off like it was nothing. And all other staff came up and said WE were being rude?! Hahaha, WE?! First: they didn’t recognize me heir mistake, and when we told them, they were to proud to own up to it. Not a charming side from service staff, not at all. They al changed and said “leave, there’s the DOOR!”

In my life I’ve never met anyone less friendly or less service minded, and I travel the whole world. I mean it: little Köln is cute and all but so far I’m not at al impressed. Would have been so much better if they sincerely meant that they messed up, and would’ve actually come to us and explained, after we asked what was going on.

No I see management issues: the staff was running around, not knowing what the other was doing. Menus was being placed on tables who already ordered. Wrong meals were being placed in tables they didn’t belong. NOT a cute look. Avoid this...

We stopped here for lunch and it was the only bad experience we had in Cologne. It started well - staff were friendly and drinks came fast. We then both ordered the same meal - bratwurst with coleslaw and baguette - and things went downhill. First, a different waitress brought out one portion of bratwurst with fried potatoes and sauerkraut, but after we explained that we had both ordered it with the coleslaw and baguette it was given to another customer, so we assumed it was just sent to the wrong table. A long time later one correct meal was brought out - with two slices of bread instead of a baguette - and eventually two small plates were given to us. I assume they thought we wanted one portion to share.

This turned out to be a lucky mistake, as the bratwurst was the single saltiest thing I’ve ever tried to eat, and I say this as someone who loves salt. I add salt to everything. This was too much. My wife, who doesn’t eat as much salt as I do, couldn’t manage more than a couple of bites. I managed a little bit more, but it was honestly difficult to eat. We’ve both eaten a lot of bratwurst before, and this was unlike anything we’ve experienced. It was truly awful.

Also, when the we got the cheque, the waitress asked us for a tip. We have no problem with tipping - we tip generously every time we eat out - but this was the only time in Cologne we were actually asked for a tip.

Don’t waste your time here, there are countless better...