The most unforgettable sauerkraut dishes around town

Happy New Year!

The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville may be months away, but there are still plenty of places serving up the beloved dish believed to bring good luck for the new year.

Sauerkraut pizza, Reubens, cabbage rolls, baked goods, sauerkraut mac and cheese and other inventive creations were among the dishes at the festival that have tempted your tastebuds for more sour flavors.

“Sauerkraut is unique. It adds so much flavor for example to the sauerkraut pizza. The Eastern Star Masonic Lodge actually spins the sauerkraut. It removes all that tartness, and it with the other flavors on the pizza is an excellent item to try,” explains Barb Lindsay, office and event coordinator for the Waynesville Area Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the Sauerkraut Festival. “I think sauerkraut has put Waynesville on the map. We are known for other things, but first will be the festival.”

If you can’t make it to the festival, there are places in the area to enjoy this German-inspired cuisine anytime you like. Here are a few of our favorites:

WHERE TO GET AN AMAZING REUBEN

A lot of restaurants in town feature fantastic Reubens.

Some Reubens I’ve enjoyed recently have come from Flyboy’s Deli in Oakwood (“The Liberty” Reuben, $8.99), The Dublin Pub ($8.99) and Canal Street Arcade and Deli ($8.25 for a medium Reuben sandwich). There are plenty more on other menus, and it is a great way to show your appreciation of the kraut.

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UNIQUE SAUERKRAUT DISHES

If you are looking for a dish that puts the sauerkraut in the spotlight, here are a few suggestions:

Reuben Croquettes from Hunger Paynes

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This food truck and beer and wine garden inside the Dayton Mall is famous for its signature item croquettes, including its hugely popular reuben croquettes ($7).

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Sauerbraten from The Amber Rose

1400 Valley St., Dayton

937-228-2511 or www.theamberrose.com

I’m a sucker for Sauerbraten ($23), a traditional German pot roast dish. The Amber Rose version does not disappoint with a hand-cut, eight-ounce grilled flank steak marinated in German spices served with herbed spaetzle and homemade sauerkraut. If you like Eastern European food, you will be very glad to have found this restaurant. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s flavorful and hearty, perfect for cold weather and the holiday season.

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Seasoned Sauerkraut from Rip Rap Roadhouse

6024 Rip Rap Road, Dayton

937-236-4329, ripraproadhouse.com

Rip Rap Roadhouse offers a dozen sides to pair with different entrees and sandwiches. Refreshingly one of them is seasoned sauerkraut. A single side will set you back $2.75, and if you can’t get enough of fermented cabbage, a trip here will take care of your cravings.

The Golden Lamb’s Famous Sauerkraut Balls

27 S. Broadway, Lebanon

513-932-5065 or goldenlamb.com

Is it a true Golden Lamb experience if you didn't start your meal with our Famous Sauerkraut Balls? We'll leave that up...

Posted by The Golden Lamb on Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Pork and beef brisket are slow roasted with spices and blended with sauerkraut. The resulting mixture is rolled, panko breaded and deep-fried and served with a house mustard for dipping. The crispy brown balls that emerge from the fryer will set you back $9.95 and are worth every penny.

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