Welcome to Renate's German Restaurant
At Renate's German Restaurant, we celebrate authentic German cuisine with a heartwarming story that blends tradition and family. Located in Hanover Park, our cozy eatery is a hidden gem known for its homemade dishes, from tender schnitzels to delightful spaetzle. Each recipe is crafted with love, inspired by Renate’s German roots. Diners rave about our giant pretzels and comforting liver dumpling soup, while our inviting atmosphere and attentive service make every meal memorable. With a curated selection of beers and house-made desserts that transport you to Bavaria, Renate's is a culinary journey that truly brings a taste of Germany to the Chicago suburbs.
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7213 Olde Salem Cir, Hanover Park, IL 60133, United States Hotline: +1 630-855-3596
Welcome to Renate's German Restaurant, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Hanover Park, Illinois. Located at 7213 Olde Salem Cir, this charming eatery invites you to embark on a culinary journey through authentic German cuisine. Whether you are a long-time lover of German dishes or trying them for the first time, Renate's offers a welcoming atmosphere that feels just like home.
As soon as you walk through the door, you're greeted by the warmth of Bavarian decor and the aroma of heirloom recipes crafted to perfection. Renate's is much more than just a restaurant; it’s a family-operated establishment where every dish tells a story. The menu boasts a variety of traditional favorites, including the widely adored Schnitzel, available in different styles such as the classic Rahm Schnitzel served with creamy mushroom gravy, to the Schnitzel Ala Holstein, topped with sunny-side-up eggs that makes for a delightful surprise. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of flavors, whether you're savoring the crispy exterior or the tender meat within.
Their dinner platters are a must-try, especially the Renate's Sampler Platter, featuring an enticing combination of Grillwurst, bratwurst, sauerbraten, and more, showcasing the breadth of flavors this restaurant has to offer. Or, dive into the Bavarian Pizza, a unique twist that marries homemade pretzel bread with melty gouda and an array of flavorful toppings for a truly distinctive taste.
If sandwiches are more your style, Renate's does not disappoint. From the hearty Schnitzel Sandwich with a piquant twist of BBQ and sriracha to the classic Grillwurst with sauerkraut, there’s something for everyone. Each option is crafted with care, ensuring fresh and satisfying bites with every order.
- Appetizer Highlight: Don’t miss the Currywurst Poutine; a dish that redefines comfort food with fries smothered in rich cheese sauce and the perfect blend of curry flavors. Perfect for sharing or as a decadent treat all for yourself!
- Vegetarian Options: For those seeking meatless meals, the menu includes delightful vegetarian offerings like Cheese Spätzle and grilled cheese sandwiches, ensuring everyone feels included.
- Desserts: Save room for dessert, as Renate’s features an array of house-made sweets, including the delectable Schwarzwälder Kirsch cake and the delightful Bienenstich, both promising a sweet ending to your meal.
The atmosphere at Renate's is bustling yet cozy, often animated by the sounds of German music that stimulate nostalgia for many patrons. The attentive staff, many of whom are part of the family behind this local treasure, add to the already welcoming environment by ensuring that your dining experience is nothing short of excellent.
Customer reviews echo the warm sentiments, raving about the authenticity of the dishes and the incredible service. Whether indulging in a frosty beer from Haufbrau House served in a sturdy stein or digging into a satisfying plate of spaetzle, guests leave with more than just full bellies; they take home fond memories.
For those seeking a taste of Germany right in the suburbs of Chicago, Renate's German Restaurant is a delightful destination. Come for the food, but stay for the family-friendly atmosphere and the rich experience that this charming eatery offers. Whether it’s your first taste of schnitzel or your fiftieth, Renate’s is sure to bring a piece of Germany to your palate. Prost!
Today, I had dinner for the first time at an awesome German restaurant in Hanover Park. It's called Renate's Olde Salem Cafe. It was so good! My mom was with me for dinner tonight. We both started off with an ice cold Haufbrau House beer in a heavy stein. Prost! This was followed by a delicious cup of creamy chicken dumpling soup. The entrees come with the soup or a salad and a choice from a wide variety of sides. My mom went with plain schnitzel, thus no picture. BECAUSE...I had the Schnitzel Ala Holstein which is served with two sunnyside up eggs (a far more exciting photo op!). The schnitzel was pounded thin, as expected. The breading was applied perfectly and the seasoning played so well with the egg yolks that I can still taste the awesomeness! We both had the scrumptious spaetzle as our side. As you can see, there's enough food for twp people on the plate! But I ate all of mine. HAHA If you've always been leery of trying schnitzel, it's just meat that's pounded really thin (pork, chicken or veal) then breaded and pan fried. It's served a variety of ways...mushroom gravy, creamy gravy, eggs, plain, etc. I highly recommend it! Spaetzle is just German pasta. The service was excellent and I'll definitely go back. Prost! #supportlocalrestaurants
Great Food and Great Service! Liked it when they turned on the German Music! Reminded me of my childhood, all we listened to! Both parents are from Duetshland. . .Keep Up The Good Work!
Probably my favourite German restaurant in Chicago. A hidden gem with all homemade food. From the bread, to the Schnitzel to the Schwarzwälder Kirsch cake - all made right there. Super friendly staff and great prices. Definitely the place to go if you love German food. Favourite item on the menu: Liver Dumpling Soup!
A hidden gem in an unassuming strip mall. This is a cute little place with German food and German-themed decor. Parking is easy and there is a small outdoor dining area. My teenage son and I visited for dinner on a weeknight. The service was very attentive. The menu is pretty extensive and has many traditional German options as well as common American dishes. There were several vegetarian options including cheese spätzle, a veggie burger, breaded eggplant, and a grilled cheese sandwich. There is also a children's menu. I had the Cheesy Spätzle and my son had the Jägerschnitzel. The portions were generous and the flavor was good. Everything was very enjoyable. It would have been a bonus to have a hearty dark bread with the Spätzle instead of white bread but that's just nitpicking as everything was great. They have German soda and beer available as well as common fountain drinks. All of their desserts are made on site. I had the Bienenstich (Bee Sting) cake which was made with honey, almonds, and vanilla cream and my son had a mini banana cream pie. Both were delicious. We had a chance to speak briefly with one of the owners who was very personable and friendly. We learned that his wife/partner is from Germany and does both cooking and baking for the restaurant. If you enjoy German food and want to support a local, family-owned small business, I definitely recommend giving this place a try. We will definitely be back!
Authentic dishes, cozy spacious atmosphere w def touches of Bavaria all over the place! Even had kaiserschmarren which is a great authentic dessert that is hard to find!
I went a couple weeks to this place. My first time trying German food. No disappointment. The quality of the food was great and fresh. I had a chicken soup with a bun that just came out of the oven as an appetizer that brought me back to live. I had for lunch/dinner their chicken schnitzel that was delicious. I ordered to go the poppy seeds poundcake, a carrot cake and some buns. Everything was delicious but the best was the attention and service. Thank you for bringing a little of Germany to the suburbs of Chicago. I’ll go back soon Si no has probado la comida alemana antes, este es un sitio que en definitiva te va a encantar. Los empleados te van a ayudar con cualquier duda que tengas respecto al menú. Mi experiencia es 100% recomendado. Todo lo que ordené estuvo delicioso y fresco. En definitiva volveré pronto
Best German place around! The owners are some of the nicest people; very personable. They make you feel right at home. The liver dumpling soup was awesome. These are my 2 favorite items; I can’t wait to try more. They were also featured on Chicago’s Best.
A quaint, authentic German diner with an attached bakery. The food is delicious and generously portioned - especially the schnitzel. Had a Goulash with sides of Jambalaya & Soup of the Day (Liver Dumpling). The goulash was a tad disappointing as it was just a few chunks of meat (beef, pork, and maybe chicken?) in a gravy, which was less of a 'hunters stew' than I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, though, I was still delectable: tender meat and a smooth, mild flavored gravy that paired perfectly. The jambalaya was a surprising option of side, but a welcome one. The sausages used in it were amazing and it had a nice tangy heat that provided a complimentary contrast to the goulash. The soup - liver dumpling - was one that I'll admit I ordered without hearing that it was liver initially, instead just hearing 'dumpling soup'. I'm glad I did, though, as (after a bit of mental suppression of my queasiness regarding organ meats) I found it to be an extremely mild liver flavor that was so excellently seasoned I might not have realized it was liver if I hadn't seen the signboard with the soups of the day. Overall, it's an excellent choice for anyone craving or interested in German cuisine. I'll certainly have to try to have room next time for the excellent looking desserts in the front entrance/bakery.