Cleveland, OH
www.sterlescountryhouse.com
AKA Sterle's.
Sterle's is a German restaurant that has been around for over 40 years and is complete with live polka music. I finally got the chance to go the other night, and I was not quite sure what to expect. I had heard mixed reviews of this Cleveland institution for some time and had to check it out for myself.
The walls of the hallway entrance are painted with small town scenes and you could hear the sounds of laughter, conversation, and an accordion as you continue to approach the expansive dining room. I felt as if I were walking into someone's cousin's wedding. The room was packed with people of all ages and the dining tables flanked the dance floor as the band played waltzes and polkas throughout the evening. We were seated right on the edge of the dance floor, and our server came over and asked if we wanted something to drink. We asked what draft beers they had, and she replied, "American or German". We asked what kind, to which she said, "Miller Lite, or German". We opted for the German.
The room was full of activity, from servers in German style dresses, to family's celebrating birthdays, to cute little old ladies all dressed for a Saturday night out.
We ordered our meals and started out with the Noodle soup with liver meatballs. The soup arrived in a large metal bowl filled for the four of us and our server put it in front of me and said, "you look like you have steady hands, don't drink too much", and put the soup bowls next to the bucket of soup.
The soup was a simple chicken broth and egg noodles with chunks of liver. It was exactly what I had expected and was a very nice start.I ordered the Sterle Schnitzel.
Pounded veal smothered in a mushroom and sour cream sauce, and potatoes on the side. The veal was nice and tender and the savory sauce was quite tasty. The potatoes were a cross between hash brown and mashed potatoes, also very good.Other dishes ordered were the Weiner Schnitzel and the Breaded Pork Chops, both served with the potatoes. The Pork Chops were ok, nothing too special there. The Schnitzel was also good but nothing too outstanding.
We ordered the Strudel and the Cheesecake for dessert, I found both dishes to be lacking in flavor and freshness.
Although the food was not outstandingly wonderful, having a live Polka band more than made up for it.
We danced the Polka and we waltzed and I don't know why it took me so long to come to Sterle's.
All four of us had a great time during our visit at Sterle's and next time, yes there will be a next time, I will be sure to try all the other menu options that we did not get to that evening. Sausages, sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage, mmm mmm.
3 comments:
There used to be Polka night at Sterles and it was the momst fun. This makes me want to go back.
Think about trying the omelette. I think it is made with about a dozen eggs. Crazy stuff.
Known only to Balkan gods, Sterle's incredibly good chicken paprikash is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and only for lunch.
Get there early. They're usual out before the lunch hour ends.
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