German in Detroit: Kid Friendly

"The Dakota Inn Rathskeller is the only remaining true ethnic German restaurant in Detroit. It is the type of classic German Rathskeller or Biergarten that was a mainstay of German immigrant community, and still has the very best German cooking in the city."

Since 1933, Detroiters have gotten their fill of bratwurst at The Dakota Inn, which offers a Bavarian style menu in an old Heidelberg atmosphere. Serves up three different types of schnitzel. Gift certificates are available. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday.

Richter’s Chalet is a throwback to those days before the Food Network, celebrity chefs, Neiman Ranch and Maytag blue cheese allegedly transformed American gourmands into gourmets. And its price structure also recalls another era when two people could enjoy dinner and drinks for $40. German-born Roland Richter Sr. founded his half-timbered restaurant a generation ago, the chalet seats 150 and serves a dozen German dinners, supplemented by several daily specials, both of which include soup or salad, averaging around $12. The desserts, none of which cost more than $3, are another one of Richter’s strengths. Chocolate cheesecake, hazelnut raspberry torte, and the classic schwarzwaelder kirsch torte (Black Forest cherry) are executed well.