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Edelwiess in Norridge ready for Oktoberfest
Edelweiss Band has children dancing during Oktoberfest Sept. 15 at Edelweiss German-American Restaurant in Norridge. | Kevin Tanaka for~Sun-Times Media.
Edelweiss German-American Restaurant
7650 W. Irving Park Road in Norridge
(708) 452-6040
Restaurant hours:
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday to Thursday
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday
Noon-10 p.m. Saturday
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
Lounge stays open two hours later, three hours on Saturday
Article Extras
Updated: October 21, 2012 1:15PM
NORRIDGE — Oktoberfest is underway.
What started as a two-week festival in Munich has turned into a celebration that runs through Nov. 3 at Edelwiess German-American Restaurant, 7650 W. Irving Park Road in Norridge.
Now is the time for singing, dancing and cutting loose before one has to hunker down for winter, restaurant General Manager Mary Mielke said.
“Some people come from miles away every year just for our Oktoberfest,” she said.
With servers dressed in authentic costumes and music Thursdays through Sundays, the establishment is ready for the celebration that marks the royal wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810.
In Munich, the celebration begins the third weekend in September and ends the first Sunday of October. In Norridge, it lasts eight weeks.
New this year is a patio that should be completed in time for the Sept. 22 traditional start of the festival.
“We been told we have the best party, the best German food in the area and the best atmosphere,” Mielke said.
Edelwiess’ Oktoberfest menu includes traditional items plus a few special ones. Among Mielke’s top choices are a giant Bavarian pretzel topped with melted Swiss cheese and a variety of dipping sauces; a three-pound pork shank; and Koenig Ludwig Schnitzel, a pan-seared dish of thin, breaded veal cutlets.
A festival highlight is the specialty fall beers. Edelwiess has 16 on tap.
“Spaten dark beer is available only during Oktoberfest,” Mielke said. “There’s also BBK Oktoberfest.
“It’s all about the draft. They want that liter.”
Of course, patrons also can have their beer served in 2-1/2 liter boots.
For those who don’t care for beer, the full bar offers a large selection of German wines.
“We have a wonderful riesling,” Mielke said.
The restaurant holds 200 people with a little elbowroom left to spare.
“There’s just enough room to get by with the liters of beers,” Mielke said with a laugh.
Also new at Edelwiess is its brunch, which runs from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays.
“People have been requesting it for a while,” Mielke said.
And once Oktoberfest comes to a close, Edelwiess will start planning its Thanksgiving menu. Tables of six or more are treated to a turkey, hand-carved at table side. Side dishes are served family-style.
