Hollerbach's German Restaurant — Restaurant in Sanford

Updating my review from six years ago. I loved it then. I still love it now. We came here one evening for a nice dinner with family. We've always loved the location, as it is right smack dab in the middle of the very stroll-able downtown Sanford. I always check out the local art co-op and the used book store when I'm within one mile of downtown Sanford. I love it.

Nestled right in the middle of the little empire that Hollerbach's is building, is the flagship restaurant. You can't miss it. The patio is huge and stunning and fun-looking. The inside feel like you're in some sort of German wood cabin. Very warm and inviting, with various German knickknacks all over the walls.

Giant windows outlooking onto the street, rows and rows of communal bench-style seating that forces you to sit next to strangers, and the big stage at the front of the restaurant for live music really set off the aesthetic for this place. One of the best in Orlando. Not kidding.

As for service, I'm sure they have to staff as minimally as possible. Budget cuts and the state of the economy and all. But our poor server was run absolutely ragged with the amount of tables he was serving that night. It was a Saturday night, probably the busiest night of the week for them, but still, I hope someone called out and this wasn't their standard staffing model.

In the end, though, we never went without refills for long, and the food still came out, and while it wasn't right, our server made it right the moment we asked him. Bravo to this guy. He earned his tip that night, that's for sure.

As for the food. I cannot say enough how good it was. It's not Michelin star butter poached snapper or anything, but what they attempt to do, they achieve at a six star level of execution. The finest German food I've ever had.

We started off with the Riesenbreze (Gigantic Bavarian pretzel served with sweet mustard and Obazda, a savory spread made with cream cheese, onions, sweet paprika, beer and Gemütlichkeit!).

Just amazing. This giant thing had it all. The crispy exterior of a pretzel, the chewy inside, just the right amount of large salt sprinkled on top. And then the dips. The classic mustard that everyone looks to, and a very interesting spread that was very creamy and papriky, beery spread that I ate all up and licked the plate. Very good.

My main course was the Jäger Schnitzel (A rich Hunter’s pan sauce of brown gravy, wine, sautéed mushrooms and onions – with Spätzle mit Jäger gravy and Sweet Red Cabbage).

This thing was massive, pounded flat, and fried to a crisp perfection. So perfect that even the thin meat inside wasn't even dry. Lovely. Even if it was dry, the deep, umami brown sauce would have taken care of that. Very nice pairing, and a very good pairing with the spätzle, those yummy little egg noodles. I loved this dish. It's in the running for what might be my last meal on earth if I got to choose.

I also got to sample the Alpiner Schnitzel (Topped with Emmenthaler Swiss cheese and smoked ham with Heaven & Earth Potatoes and Gasthaus Salat).

This was very nice as well. Same, lovely meat cutlet, but covered with a very potent smoked ham and a very Swissy Swiss cheese. No sauce, but none necessary. Served along with the best mashed potatoes I've ever had in my life.

Looking back, I've said a lot of nice things about Hollerbach's, and I meant every single one of them. This five star review kind of makes me want to look back and make other five star reviews of mine down to four stars. This place really shined, and I can't wait...

This is clearly the most popular spot in downtown Sanford. Come here if bland food and being racially profiled is your cup of tea. Many of their sausages are imported and tasty but the Eisbein was dry, unseasoned, and tasted premade from a few hours prior and left under a heat lamp waiting to be ordered. The pretzel was homemade but simply ok. As many have said, you're paying for the experience of an entertainment venue more than a restaurant. The food is secondary but not the main attraction. The main attraction here is the wide selection of authentic German beers with live music.

My first impression of the venue was a very negative one. I was told by the woman handling seating there were two, outdoor tables available. When I approached the two, hostesses at the front booth to indicate the availability of the outdoor tables mentioned by the women at the first booth, they claimed that seating was no longer available. I found their remark to be odd. One hostess mumbled she would walk inside to ask if there was inside availability. I reminded her of the two, outdoor tables that were available based on what the first employee had said. She still walked away and could be seen through the glass talking with what looked to be a floor supervisor. At that moment, the women from behind me who had been waiting in line was helped by the remaining hostess. The guest said verbatim what I had been told by the first booth. That two, outdoor tables were in fact available. She was immediately welcomed, given menus, and escorted by the hostess to the available table. I interjected between the guest and the hostess and asked why I was being skipped after just having made the same exact request as the woman behind me in line. The two hostesses at this point could only resort to mumbling as they looked down at their seating screen. The woman from the first booth walked over and validated what I was stating and showed them on their chart that there was, in fact, availability.

We were eventually seated but were all left with a very bad taste in our mouth. What happened on the way into the venue was not a mishap. It was deliberate. And it was racially motivated. Our server, Azul, was truly outstanding. Extremely personable, patient with us given that it was our first time, and knowledgeable about the menu. Unfortunately, not even Azul can undo what my family and I witnessed and were subjected to while attempting to be seated. I cannot openly recommend this establishment. It was our first and last time there. I commend the employee from the first booth who stood up to the two hostesses who lied to me and my family in an attempt to...

Update 8/2023: Looks like I haven't reviewed Hollerbach's in 12 years, when it was still called The Willow Tree, but have been here many times over the years. Anyway, it's still great. Theo and his family have built an empire, complete with catering, deli, merchandise and an even bigger bar now. The place is bigger than ever taking up various properties on the corner of a city block, and thankfully just as good. The service and food hasn't changed much in 12 years, which is a good thing imo. The pretzels and schnitzel are still the best around. There are of course many other dishes to sample and the beers are brewed locally. I suppose the service could vary with so large a place, but I've never had bad service here and tonight was no exception. Our server was clearly here from Germany, with thick accent and dirndl; whether here for internship, recent immigration or contract, I did not ask, but she was super polite and helpful. This family's contributions to Sanford are unparalleled, with their draw of tourists, various events and entertainment, Octoberfests, etc. It's so big and lively that it feels more like the German pavilion at Epcot than a family owned restaurant. In fact I recall driving past it over the years and seeing a long line of people waiting outside in a Disney inspired line, despite offering 50+ tables inside. I recommend visiting on an off night to avoid wait times, unless you want to take part in that lively drinking crowd atmosphere, which is also nice sometimes. I swear I read that the mayor of Sanford awarded Theo with a key to the city at some point. Well if they haven't, they should.

2011: Very good. Authentic German style food. I've taken work clients from Germany here (from Dusseldorf and Berlin) and they were generally very pleased. Various sausages to try here and all kinds of other traditional dishes if you are adventurous. They offer many unique German beers - and yes you can get them in a stein if you really want. The deserts are pretty good as well, they have a display case w/ many cakes, etc. Servers wear traditional country outfits and the place provides a form of traditional German live music various evenings. I've been here 4 times and haven't been disappointed yet. Willow Tree is not only a great restaurant for Sanford, but is one of the best German spots for all of central Florida. The place itself is pretty large with 2 large dining areas, porch seating and a...