How to go
What: Bier Haus
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Where: 6052 Ohio 128, Miamitown
Cost: Mett & Kraut Dinner $14.95, Bourbon Ribeye $21.95, Bavarian Pretzel Bread $6.95, Kreimer's Potato Pancakes $4.95, Snow Crab Legs dinner $27.95, Cod Fish Sandwich, $8.95, Mock Turtle Soup $4.50.
More info: (513) 353-2168; reservations are recommended for large groups.
Critic's choice: Mett & Kraut dinner, Schwein Chop dinner, Kreimer's Ribeye dinner, sauerkraut, potato pancakes, Mock Turtle Soup and cheesecake drizzled with a strawberry glaze.
MIAMITOWN — The best-flavored, almost melt-in-your-mouth sauerkraut is made fresh, in-house, everyday at the Bier Haus in Hamilton County.
According to Chef Winston Elliot, customers may order sauerkraut as a side, for $2.50, or with one of several German dinners on the menu, including the Schwein Pork Chop dinner.
“The Schwein Pork Chop dinner is our signature dish because it best represents our German cuisine,” said Chef Elliot.
The large broiled pork chop is marinated and served with fresh sauerkraut and crunchy, cooked cinnamon apples. This dinner also includes a delicious vegetable blend, a salad and handmade potato pancakes.
Although at least one of the sauerkraut recipes was created by the chef, the potato pancake recipe was created by the original owner’s wife, Janice Kreimer.
Like the sauerkraut, it’s doubtful that Kreimer’s Potato Pancakes could be matched in flavor. They’re that good — dark and crispy on the outside with just-the-right texture on the inside. And the servings, like all servings in this German/American restaurant, are huge.
When a customer orders Kreimer’s Potato Pancakes on the side, for $4.95, it includes two handmade pancakes served with cinnamon apples and topped with pecans.
When the Kreimer family first opened their restaurant in 1982, however, the Bier Haus built its reputation on the Mett & Kraut and the Fish Log dinner, said manager Jackie Miller.
“In 1996, son Mark took over and has been running it ever since. He continued to use his mother’s recipes, including our famous Mock Turtle Soup and Loaded Baked Potato soup,” said Miller. “But Mark has worked very hard and diversified the menu, so now it’s hard to choose one customer favorite dinner.”
The ribeyes and New York steaks, cooked by Mark, have a unique blend of spices incorporated into them, added Miller.
“But many customers come back just for the crab legs. Our Canadian Snow Crab Legs are $27.95, but we run a special on Thursday night for All-You-Can-Eat for $21.95,” said Miller. “We offer two other weekly specials — Monday night is chop night and Saturday night is Ribeye.”
Chef Elliot added that all of the steaks on the dinner menu are fresh, hand-cut, and about 2 inches thick.
The lunch menu offers two new dishes: A Coconut Shrimp Salad and a Bavarian Ham Sandwich.
“This sandwich is unique because it’s served on a large, toasted pretzel bun,” said Chef Elliot.
On the inside of the restaurant, which seats 200, there’s a large sun room, a small private dining room, a banquet room and a dining area near a beautiful new, full-service bar.
Customers may sit on high-topped chairs and look outside the large window to see where the Bier Haus can accommodate at least 300, weather permitting.
The tiered outside area has numerous dining areas with six or seven stone fire pits, a separate appetizer kitchen, a space for live entertainment, weather permitting, and a beautiful backdrop — the Great Miami River.
“This is a local, very informal restaurant,” said Chef Elliot. “It’s not a shirt-and-tie kind of place. We’re open to everybody and anybody.”
Kreimer’s Bier Haus will have a Halloween Riverside Bar Bash on Saturday, Oct. 30. Music starts at 8 p.m.
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