Outside, the street looks like any ordinary midwestern road: cracks in the pavement, sidewalks with overgrown shrubs, and telephone poles that lean slightly. But inside the Dakota Inn Rathskeller, visitors are instantly transported to Europe. Germany, to be exact, with a menu of authentic German dishes and decor that faithfully mimics old-world Bavaria.
1. Family-Owned History
Detroiters love nothing more than a story of hope and triumph, and the Dakota Inn embodies both. Karl Kurz bought the Inn – a former laundry service – while working for Henry Ford in Highland Park, and he renovated it on evening and weekends. The hard work paid off. The Inn opened August 1, 1933, and it remains the only authentic German bar in Detroit. It’s also stayed in the Kurz family, who continue to own and operate it just as Karl did.
2. Real German Food
At the Inn, every dish is like a bite of Bavaria. The house specialty Reuben soup comes topped with cheese and croutons, and the German-style potato pancakes are homemade.
Patrons can also choose among such well-known favorites as bratwurst, sauerbraten, and homemade spaetzle. Sides include classic German potato salad and homecooked sauerkraut. For those looking to have the most realistic German experience possible, the Inn serves real German beer (please drink responsibly and in moderation, and never drink and drive!)
3. Good Times
The best time to visit the Dakota Inn is anytime. Each night, someone leads guests in a sing-along about the Schnitzelbank, the German word for a woodworker’s bench. This classic drinking song is one of the most beloved features of the Inn, when the rafters shake and everyone – young and old, new and regular guests – joins in. The singing is for everyone, even if the drinks are only for those of legal drinking age.
Live music happens every Friday and Saturday night, giving a welcome backdrop for the sing-along. The annual Maifest celebration takes place in spring, and you’re likely to see impromptu conga lines during the party. From mid-September to the end of October, the Inn celebrates Germany’s traditional Oktoberfest, and beginning Thanksgiving weekend, patrons commemorate the holidays with weekly Christmas carol sing-alongs.
4. German Charm
Karl Kurz opened the Dakota Inn in the heart of what was once Detroit’s Germantown. That charm remains today, providing the feel of a Biergarten where German immigrants once laughed and toasted each other. This means polished furniture, walls covered in dark paneling, and hand-painted German scenes. Servers are even dressed in German-style clothing, leaving no detail to spare.
But the charm of the Dakota Inn can be felt in more than its furnishings. It’s in the air when patrons sing together and in the loud, raucous celebrations that happen every weekend. It’s in the exchanges between staff and guests, who are treated like family even on their first visit. Now that you know of this hidden treasure, the only thing left to decide is what you’ll drive to the Dakota Inn. Stop by Bill Snethkamp CDJR today and enjoy the convenience of hometown, hassle-free car buying.
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