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Mon-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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Been meaning to write this review. Here goes.
4.5 stars. Would rate it higher but for the line and the parking. Tough on both counts. Line to order seemed an eternity. Gave me time to decide what to order next time too. :-)
The place is known for its sausages, but it also has an Interesting beer selection. My choice for sausage was on the "exotics" list. Had a duck and bacon with jalapeno peppers. Gonna try the rattlesnake next. Heard it ..... (Tastes like chicken). The other choices are Classics and gourmet. All sounded great. The fries are decadent. Double dipped fries!!! Great dipping sauces.
If you are parched, there is a bar in back. Each beer has its own "special" glass, so pay attention to the beer sizes if you want a big goblet.
Oh, it also has a phenomenal choice of non alcoholic choices. A place that serves ginger beer?
You better visit...
Apparently Wurstkuche does not have the " worst coochie"(as some of you have affectionately called this place!), cuz many yelper buddies rated 4-5 stars on this sausage galore!!!
4.5 stars for my weenie lunch (as Maggie C. called it!)
i planned my lunch for the day after thanksgiving, hoping it would be less crowded and it was a pretty short wait before more people started pouring in.
i was going to order the Kielbasa but i decided to be more adventurous and went with the Alligator. The other ones i wanted to try just sounded too spicy. the bf had the Rattlesnake and rabbit.
The alligator was a little tough--- the rattlesnake was def more soft and tasty-i had a bite. i tried to not think about the other ingredient in there. :( The bread was really soft and i loved the belgian fries with their skin still on it. The blue cheese walnut and bacon dipping sauce was awesome and the pesto mayo was good as well.
A little overpriced but the whole ambiance and experience makes it worth trying!!!
FINALLY!
So, after all this time, I finally got a chance to try this place out... and it was worth the wait!
I had to attend a birthday here last night and it was still poppin for a Monday! I didn't drink the beers, but loaded up on some sausages (insert dirty joke here). I was able to try the following sausages:
alligator - tough, def not my favorite
duck and bacon - good, full of flavor
buffalo - good, but not as good as the duck
The fries and dipping sauces were good as well, especially the pesto mayo and curry ketchup!
I really wanted to try to rattlesnake, but they were out. I'll definitely try that and the rabbit/veal next time. My friend had the Louisiana hotlinks and said that was delicious...
Sausage fest at this place!!! You can get all kind of weenies here; even exotic weenies *wink* Italian, Mexican, even Filipino weenies. Finally I can say I had weenies for lunch.
The sausage was HUGE. I had bratwurst with spicy peppers and sauerkraut. I don't like sausage in general and this is the second sausage place I like besides Jody Maroni. The fries were good too. I would probably go back there again for other exotic sausage (buffalo, duck, rabbit, alligator but not rattlesnake).
Outdoor seating is kinda cool but you might come homeless people asking for $ or food. Just be cool and give them your fries and they will leave you alone.
It's a nice place to chill, but it's not all that it's cracked up to be.
Ambience is really nice. Venue is clean and modern. It's dark and moody inside, some nights a DJ's there playing low music in the background. Most of the tables are communal style with a first come basis.
The food leaves much to be desired. You wait in line to place your order and you take your number to your seat. During dinnertime you can wait for half an hour easy. I ordered the Louisiana hot link. It was oh, so spicey. Yum! But it was overcooked. Dry and tough on the outside, juicy in the inside. I would have preferred a little less tough. The truffle oil french fries made me really sad. They were also over cooked.
I give this place 2 stars instead of the intended 1 star for their exotic beer list. Cheers!
This place is cool, but seriously, it's not worth the price for a sausage. I've eaten here three times, and it didn't seem amazingly fresh the last time I got it. I'd get the mango or the alligator. They serve beer and wine. This place is more worth going to for the beer than the sausages, in my opinion. But I'm not much of a beer connoisseur anyway, so I may just be full of b.s. In any case, they do have Pabst, so if you like to get drunk for cheap, you're not completely s.o.l.
I went the other day and ordered the mango/jalapeno sausage. When I received my plate, I noticed the sausage was burnt to a crisp and they garnished the hell out of it with too many sweet onions!!! I feel that if you have too put too many condiments on the main course, there must be something wrong with it obviously. Also it didnt have that kick that normal Jalapenos give food.... you can definitely taste the sweet mixture of the mango and onion but no spice!!! I say they take lessons from a local hot dog vendor in the hood on how to prepare some quality sausage.
However despite the charbroiled sausage, the french fries on the other hand were bomb!!! They were perfectly crispy and golden..almost like mcdonalds fries.. but far more superior. So lesson learned next time ill get fries and a chimay.
Just tried it for the first time today since I got out early from work and I gotta say... they have… Read more »
Wurstkuche calls themselves the purveyor of exotic grilled sausages...well, they are right! With 21 different kinds for you to eat, there is something here for everyone! From Vegetarian to Bockwurst to Rattlesnake/Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers, they have whatever you are looking for. Their french fries are great and have just as many dipping sauces as they do sausages!
They have a pretty good selection of beers, mostly Belgian and German Styles.
The atmosphere here is awesome! I was there on a Wednesday night at 11:30 which still had a pretty good amount of people there, but the entire ambiance is a modern European style gastropub! Really cool place to try out and visit!
I'm proud to have this update of Wurstkuche be my 100th review! A great way to commemorate a wonderful night.
Found out last night that a big party can be had at Wurstkuche, as long as you're willing to endure the stinkeyes of those around you.
Basically, they take a 6pm and an 8pm reservation a night, and the vast majority of your party needs to be there or else they'll give your table away to the other ravenous weiner-eaters waiting for a seat.
I understand this logic: If I had just ordered my duck and bacon sausage and was wandering around for a seat, I would not appreciate a group of five sitting around a table for 30. So if you make a reservation, make sure to tell everyone to get there at least 30 minutes ahead of time.
Also, this was the first time I came here on a Saturday and it was insanely packed, the line to order snaking down the block. Luckily our group was patient and we all ended up getting our food eventually, but it took a while. Very different on weeknights!
That being said, huge props to Travis, the reservations guy - he was amazing and helpful and really helped us have a great time. He even gave the birthday boy in our party a free beer mug, although it got cleared by an unknowing busser and was lost forever.
Tonight I tasted the rattlesnake and rabbit (amazeballs) and ordered the duck and bacon (also delish). I still haven't hit my stride with the dipping sauces, but I liked the bleu cheese walnut.
30 friends, some Delirium, a weiner and some birthday cake - basically the best night i've had in a while. Here's to 100!
I've had some good sausage in my life (oh, grow up!). After eating Top Dog throughout college,… Read more »
I LOVE the Belgian fries with white truffle oil! They were scrumptious with my cold glass of beer. They really improved the fries since my first visit. Now, I can't imagine ordering them without the truffle oil. Positively DELICIOUS!
Also, after a few tries, my favorite is the rattlesnake and rabbit sausage followed by the duck and bacon! Yum!
SAUSAGES
...and plenty of it!
Check out the sausage selection at the counter. You can see all the…
Read more »
After all the crazy hype and amazing reviews I read about this place, I think I expected toooo much. Tastewise, it's good but not AMAAAAZING hence the 4 stars! But they definitely have a very unique and exotic flair.
I came here with about 30 other people and we had a little room reserved in the back with 3 tables. Dark, minimalist, cool ambience.
They have a very wide selection of German and Belgian beer as well as unique non-alcoholic bottled beverages. I had a German beer called the Reissdorf Kolsch. It was light and crisp, just the way I like it.
My friend and I shared 3 sausages and we put caramelized onions and sweet peppers as our choice of 2 toppings on all of them:
1. Mango Jalapeno - unique and yummy!
2. Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Peppers - the best one!! I loved the flavors! Very exotic and juicy, and a little spicy too. Popular choice for sure.
3. Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers - I was really disappointed by this one. I thought it'd taste really crazyfunkyweird but it tasted like... chicken. Pretty plain... nothing too memorable about it really.
The sausages were about $7-8 each so it's a little pricier than average. Portions are also pretty small (for a guy especially) so it may not be completely worth the money if you're not a big sausage fan but hey, the different sausages are so exotic and unique! Where else are you going to find a sausage like that in LA? Come here for an experience, but not if you want to just get full for cheap.
When I worked in Burbank, my friend Doug gave me a menu from some German place, with some wild ingredients in their sausages.
Ever since then I had been dreaming of trying this place, but I couldn't get Wifey and the kid to go with me.
Well yesterday, I finally had an excuse to visit this German dream of mine.
I met up with Nacho and some pals from school and also made some new friends after a Chimay and a Rattlesnake & Rabbit sausage with Jalapeño Peppers, Plus a side of double dipped Belgian Fries.
I actually thought the Rattlesnake was going to be gamey, but to my surprise it was well balanced with the flavors of the rabbit... thanks to the bunny flavor to enhance the snake. Yummy!
Their selections of beers are amazing.
Belgium beers are truly my favorite.. but you do need to pace yourself with these types of beers.
Their menu is pretty wacky here... But very tasty.
Well worth it... Now to convince The Wifey and my kid!
Or just travel alone! :O
Holy Fricken Sausage Party! These are the biggest weenies I have ever seen!
The Filipino Sausage was my favorite. I also had a spicy bratwurst. I have no idea what all the extras were but the guy working there who picked them did one heck of a job. Basically, you come in here, place an order, sit down somewhere in the back, and they bring you the food. You have a metal number you set on your table.
So the food here was fantastic. I have to say that I was surprised. Surprised at the quality and taste...AND surprised at the price. 35 Bucks for basically three dogs, small fries and two soft drinks.
This place has loads of beer. Definitely a bonus feature that I did not partake in.
When all is said and done, I have to say I am a fan. I have to take a star off because the price is extremely high. This is a great place to bring a friend and share a weenie.
I. Love. This. Place.
This is the perfect place for a big or small group get together if you're in the downtown area. Biggest drawback - it being in downtown (I live in Culver City). Largest plus's - amazing European beers on tap (cheap $6 Belgian white ales that tingle your tongue and marry with their exotic selection of sausages and fries).
You feel like you're stumbling into a secret exclusive clubhouse full of LA yuppie foodies that purely live to celebrate the joy of pairing weird to classic gourmet sausages with delectable beers.
The decor is dim, dark, communal, and unique. Price's aren't too bad, and not knowing too much about Belgian ales, I picked the cheapest one on the menu at $6 and it felt as if fireworks had hit my tongue when it met my taste buds.
With a menu like Mango Jalapeno sausages, Austin Blues - hot and spicy, tri-pepper & hardwood smoked pork, and Rabbit, Veal & Pork Seasoned with White Wine, this place makes you feel like you've discovered the next new frontier.
This must have been what Christopher Columbus felt like when he hit the West Indies. So set sail.
Also, this is technically a 4.5.
Good sausages. Good beer. Good music. Good vibes.
No more no less.
Plus parking is NOT a bitch. Gotta love it.
This is kind of a special review, as it has some significance for me. This was the very first place I bookmarked here on Yelp. My bookmarks were also getting out of control and at one time, I had over 200 bookmarks. You damn Yelpers have shared so many great places that I couldn't help but bookmark them and hope to try them out.
Wurstkuche is near Little Tokyo in the Art District of Downtown LA. I love this part of LA. It is so cool walking down this area, looking at all the artwork on the buildings. A friend and I came here at 6PM on a Saturday night. There was a line with about 25 people in front of us. You order your food and beer up front and then go to the back room for them to bring you your grub. We waited about 30 minutes before we got to the cashier. So you can say the line moved kind of slow. Since this place serves exotic sausages, I took advantage of this opportunity to order something exotic. I ordered a duck/bacon and a rattlesnake/rabbit sausage. My friend ordered a buffalo/beef/pork sausage. We also got a large order of Belgian fries and a couple of Spaten Optimators. The bill came to $42.74. Each sausage was $7.50, Belgian fries was $5.50 and each Spaten was $5.47.
After paying, we took our beers through the long hallway to the back room. There are communal tables, some high bar tables and a bar in this back room. There is also an outside patio with some tables for those that wish for some fresh polluted LA air. This place was packed and we were lucky to find a couple of seats at the bar.
Our Spaten Optimator was effin' good. 7.2% alcohol will creep up on you fast. Our food was soon in front of us. We started out with the fries. You get a choice of 2 sauces with the large order and we chose BBQ Sweet and Sassy and Chipotle Ketchup. The fries were quite good. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The Chipotle Ketchup had a kick and the BBQ Sweet and Sassy was very tasty.
Now it was sausage time. We chose sweet peppers and spicy peppers on all of our sausages. There was so much peppers that I had to push them to the side in order for me to get a good taste of the sausage. I thought the duck/bacon and rattlesnake/rabbit sausage were very good. Both very juicy. The rattlesnake /rabbit was my favorite though. Could I tell that there were duck, rattlesnake, rabbit in my sausages? No I could not. All I can say is that they were tasty. My friend also very much liked his buffalo/beef/pork sausage.
This was a wonderful meal and the best sausages I have ever eaten. I would love to come back here again.
4.5 Stars
My order: alligator and pork sausage in an artisan roll bread, Belgian fries laced with truffle oil, and Fentiman's Curiosity Cola.
My impression: the gator was tasty but not as succulent was I thought. Perhaps it was lean meat to make it pretty healthy. The truffled fries were magnificent. They have a variety of homemade dipping sauces but I liked the fries by themselves. Liked? Actually it's love. I washed it down with Fentiman's Curiosity Cola, a fermented botanical cola which tasted like a cross between regular cola and ginger ale. It was tasted great but I thought it was a bit too pricey for a soft drink (about $5).
Environment: distressed brick building with a modern twist in woodwork, cafeteria-style seating with some individual high tables, a bar area, and outdoor patio seating. It's hip, with DJ-spun music and great people.
I rate it 4.5.
This hip, little sausage bar nestled in the Arts District serves up all kinds of delicious sausages that you can have coated in peppers and caramelized onions for no extra cost. I had rattlesnake and rabbit, one of several exotic options. They serve a variety of Belgian and German beers (with a few American ones too) in glasses or liter steins. Don't forget to grab some fries because the dipping sauces are awesome. The curry ketchup had a tangy kick and the chipotle aioli was incredible.
The layout is a little funky because you walk in the side entrance - where there is frequently a long line - and then make your way around the inside up to the place where you order. The layout isn't great, but they do a nice job of serving you beers (if you're inside the doors) while you wait.
After ordering, walk down a hall to a kind of a bar / picnic set up with communal tables and a few individual ones. A DJ was playing some fun music (Ratatat) from her MacBook when we rounded the corner. The main problem with the seating is there isn't enough room! So many people like this little gem that there isn't enough space for everyone. They also have a little outdoor portion to the restaurant with a handful of tables and a place to smoke.
I would have given this place 5 stars if it wasn't so difficult to find seating. The food, drinks, and atmosphere were all incredible and a definite departure from traditional dinner cuisine. A wonderful place for a hip, casual date or a late-night snack.
I can't count how many times I've come here with friends now after a night in downtown. The food has been consistently good and they have an excellent gourmet beer selection. It's getting a bit crowded on some nights, but if you just want drinks you can go straight to the back area and order from the bar there.
There's so many dipping sauces to try for the fries, and I highly recommend the blue cheese and bacon sauce and the sundried tomato aioli. I'm not sure if this is a new addition or if it's been there all along, but the last time I went, I saw truffle oil glaze as an option for the fries. My friend ordered it and that truffle aroma made his fries the best fries I've ever had.
The sausages are pretty good, albeit pricey in my opinion. There are a few novel meats to choose from too. I recall the duck and bacon sausage being my favorite of what I've tasted.
I've heard much about this place and finally was able to check this place out after meeting up with an old friend. It's a relatively "hidden" spot just outside the Little Tokyo area. Inside, the place kind of reminded me of Father's Office...but for sausages.
I was told that the lines literally go out the door and fortunately for us, it wasn't too bad for a Sunday. The eclectic selection of sausage choices are abundant, ranging from your usual bratwurst to the daring rattlesnake & rabbit. I was told the rattlesnake/rabbit is their culinary favorite but the thought of eating one just never crossed my mind. Oh well, next time for sure.
I ended up going for the duck & bacon sausage with sweet peppers and caramelized onions. It came out juicy, delicious and full of flavor. I wasn't sure I could make out the duck but the taste of bacon is all there with a jalapeno kick to boot.
We ordered the fries to accompany our meal. The white truffle glaze option truly brings out the taste and texture of the fries so don't forget to add it in your order. You get your choice of 2 condiments to pick out of a baker's dozen of sauces. I liked the curry ketchup, a good tangy sauce that complements the fries well.
While not cheap when you factor in the booze, it's definitely a worthy spot for sausage enthusiasts around. There are plenty of exotic and gourmet meats to pick from and they range from $6-9 depending on your order. Next time, the rattlesnake for sure!
What's up, Wurstküche? My old roommate told me that it's been voted the best place for a "man date" in L.A., and well ... yes, it was a bit of a sausage factory, in more ways than one.
Upon entry, a huge refrigerator case full of take-home sausages greeted us. Behind the case was a flirty young guy taking beverage orders. I originally was going to get the Duvel Green, but he recommended the Duvel Special, so I ordered that instead. Good reccie! While I lack the appropriate nomenclature to define exactly what was so appealing about the beer, it sure complemented the sausage very well. And speaking of the sausage ... not being a big fan of rabbit, I went with the duck/bacon/jalapeno sausage, which was juicy and flavorful and had a subtly warm spice to it. Topped with caramelized onions and brown mustard ..... YUM. I have say though that the bun could've held together a little better, but that's a minor complaint. Also the fries were fantastic. I don't know what they're cooked in, but they were thick and sturdy and just a bit crispy--a rare, tasty combination.
So I liked Wurstküche. Despite the loud, thumping music that could've been turned down a bit on a Monday night, it felt a little like Father's Office East to me, complete with communal tables and a nice, low-lit clubby vibe. The man-date assessment of this place is right on. Based on my observations last night, the ratio of dudes to women was pretty high, so ladies, head to Wurstküche if you want to scope some available guys and snarf down some tasty sausages while you're at it.
No better to celebrate 200 reviews than with some tasty sausages and beer! Heard a lot about this place and my friend said I should check it out. So here's the format:
- Line up in the front to order your sausages and beer in the front.
- Go down the long hallway and find yourself in the back bar and seating area with your number
- Hover and pounce on the first available spot on the communal or side tables, space can be scarce at peak times.
- Wait for your food, and devour!
- Repeat the drinks in the back bar
Food/drink roundup:
- Duck, bacon, and jalapeno sausage & buffalo, beef, pork, and chipotle: these were just plainly very tasty sausages. Could I tell there was duck, bacon or buffalo in these? No, but they tasted good and were juicy with a snap. These are a bit bigger than normal hotdog and 1 with fries filled me up, but some with bigger appetites (some guys) might want to get 2. These were off the exotic menu, so not sure how the other sausages are. Comes with 2 toppings of your choice of various peppers and onions.
- Frites: Thicker type of belgian frite and definitely double fried. We got the blue cheese sauce and chipotle aoili. These were a bit rich, ketchup and mustard are provided on the tables.
- Floris apple ale: Very fruity and nice for a non-beer drinker like me. Tasted pretty much like a good apple cider!
Lowdown: Great place to chill and grab some sausages, frites, and beer in a hip downtown with a hipster vibe. Some of the exotics sound wild like rattlesnake, but when they're all ground in sausages, you can't tell, but darn tasty! If you're hitting it up at night, the back room is a cool lounge but crowded. Have someone grab a spot while someone else orders. Nice addition to the area, I'll be back if I'm in the area!
The long and short of it...
LONG:
I've read about this place a year or so ago but never managed to check it out until recently. Don't know, there must have been a reason why, intuition I guess.
I read about it again a couple of months ago in some local magazine that it is supposed to be a good place to take your guy friends on a date. Well, it just so happened that a guy friend's visiting so it'll be cool to take him here.
Located in the Arts District, whatever that mean (it's just in Little Tokyo really), the space sits on a junction, has a great space and interior, I might add - exposed brick walls, concrete floor (just about any new restaurants or shops seems to have this motif going on, talk about new)
I don't know about you, but there is something unnerving seeing a bunch of guys sitting down on a communal table, chugging a pilsner of beer or two, and then taking a bite of something phallic - well, it is -all the while bantering about contact sports and their girlfriends.
But anyway, if not for the twice-fried Belgian fries and, okay, their select, artisanal and imported beers or brews, there is really no reason for you come here. Even then, you can get better fries somewhere.
Their so-called sausages are just plain bland and boring. I mean, did you actually taste the alligator meat? The rabbit ? Or the rattlesnake?
Yeah, my ass.
And for a measly 5 inches, do you actually think I'd be satisfied with your sausage?
Total tab for a sausage and soda meal? A whopping $13 plus tip.
SHORT:
It's the WORSTKUCHE.
Worst-cooch??? I have to say this place is got some of the best-cooch and great sausages around!!
The decor is modeled after the beer halls in Germany, very authentic. Wooden stools and long wooden tables. Ordered the rabbit, snake, alligator sausages - got the whole food chain in my stomach. Rabbit alligator was my favorite. They also got some great beer on tap to wash it all down.
We came on a sat nite and we waited in line for about 40min, just a heads up!
it sounds good on paper, but in reality it's overpriced hipster food. the "belgian" fries are served lukewarm and are more like hoff's hut and the sausages (other than being exotic) don't really taste much better than what you can get a trader joe's for $3.99. 8 bucks for .40 litre of german beer?
i can think of many other places i would rather spend $40 for lunch for two.
Hmmmmm... Meh.
It's not the hipsters, they're harmless.
It's not the space. No, it's nice and airy.
It's not the beer, it's an acceptable selection.
What could it be....? Oh yeah! It's the food, that's the problem with the Sausage Kitchen. For the price, you could get several links of better sausage at your local butcher (support butcher shops) and depending on the variety, grill, fry, or boil them at home. Buy the same beer or better for cheaper and drink twice as much. Invite your friends over and, based on your arrangements, you all will probably still have a place to sit.
If you really like the exotics, then have at it. I didn't think they compared to the classics. Maybe except the Marlika, which was like a mild longanisa. Supposedly a Butcher in LA makes all their sausages for them, and I could see myself picking up a few links of these. Anyone know the place?
Other than that, get your wieners at Alpine Village, European Deluxe, European Sausage Factory, etc.
A good friend suggested this place. Totally hidden but well worthwhile. I tried the mango jalapeno grilled sausage topped with peppers and onions. Soooo good! The fries were perfect too, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, also came with yummy complimentary dipping sauces. Other friends also tried the filipino marharlika, austin blues, and rattlesnake/rabbit with jalapeno peppers. Two thumbs up for all!
As far as beers go, I'd have to say my faves of the night were Floris Apple Ale (sweet and light, super delicious!), Koestritzer Schwarzbier (dark and sweet), and Scheider Edel Weisse (light and tea-like).
Overall, awesome place, very chill and good service =)
*** I'm especially easy for LaChouffe ... ***
Wurstküche serves it and McChouffe too
on tap. [insert beer angels singing here]
Yes, these two Belgian brands are near
and very dear to my beer guzzling heart.
Then there are the sausages, lots of them.
I never thought that I would ever say it but
"this sausagefest rocks, I got some meat ...
some tender succulent veal meat in fact". ;)
I ordered Bockwurst w/ kraut and peppers.
It was yummy ... so, so good ... delish even.
Then I had some political convo about the
Afghan War w/ couple seated right of me.
And then I discussed Asian immigration
and unemployment trends w/ the fellas
seated to my left. And all this transpires
in just 1/2 hour while I sat and ate outside.
*** I dig the vibe, the beer and the brats! ***
Came here because a friend of a friend owns it, but this place was way too hipster for me. $7 hot dogs and $5 fries and ambiance that lacks in function. The self-serve stations were out of water cups and forks. The shared seating on the long benches are annoying because if one person has it pushed far back, you sit far back too. Also, the separation between the order room and the dining room is annoying. You have to go through a long corridor with plenty of people turning those sharp corners with mugs full of beer. Accident waiting to happen. Also, the red paint on the oddly shaped metal hot dog holders come off. So be careful not to eat some paint.
Ordered the $6.50 kielbasa with onions and sweet peppers and large fries. The pesto dipping sauce was yummy. And my sausage was good too, but nothing memorable or notable about the food. The apple ice cream sandwich was delicious as well, which is about the same as Cold Stone's apple pie a la mode flavor. They have some different beers on tap. Tried the Duchesse De Bourgogne which was... interesting. It's a red ale that tasted like cider to me.
In general, it's trying way too hard to look good without thinking of practicality. But if you can overlook that it's a cool place to hang out.
EDIT: Aww this was my 300th review and I didn't even realize! Should've saved a good one for my 300th, not tepid Wurstkuche.
YESSS!! I've been looking forward to coming here and even though had crazy expectations was STILL impressed!! Don't be turned off by the hard to find location, it's close to Zip's sushi and there's a gang of security-on-bikes going around patrolling. The first thing I saw about Wurstkuche were the simple Ikea-esque letters...and a tiny door frame in a brick wall with tons of people lining up. The ordering "room" is small, with an area for quick eaters I guess but the menu is great!
I got me some Chimay blue, always yummy and complemented that with the rattlesnake sausage and the buffalo sausage. All with onions and peppers. Oh and belgian fries, a large order of which comes with two...unique...sauces. But we'll get to that later.
I wonder who ever thought of putting rattlesnake and rabbit together?! It's like once upon a time some guy found killed a snake, found a rabbit in it's gut and decide to grind it all up...then slather it with mustard and onions. That's the kind of genius that makes this world go 'round.
Rattlesnake was...lemony, kind of light and a little bit spicy. It was good...but in my opinion nothing compared tooo
BUFFALO. Mmm this was so delicious, all buffalo and beef and RED-red meat ground up together. Add on onions and sweet peppers, some dijon mustard and take that with some dark beer...a perfect meal. Oh wait, there's also the FRIES!
Absolutely cannot forget the golden, crisp, soft, belgian fries that come with such interesting sauces...like curry ketchup, or pesto mayo. I don't even remember which ones I tried but they were all so good. It was all food-euphoria in that downstairs, huge dining room that has a bar for those why-the-hell-not moments. There were a lot of those that night.
You can take the girl out of Chicago, but you can't take the Chicago out of the girl. I do love me some sausages (pronounced SAASS-AGES)! Wurstkuche offers your standard sausages or "classics" as they call 'em, like bratwurst and Italian sausage.
I've had all that before so I went with one of their gourmet sausages, a mango & jalapeno sausage made from chicken and turkey. It was deliciously spicy and juicy like a pork sausage. They also heaped it with sweet and hot peppers (you get a choice of two toppings: sauerkraut, caramelized onions, hot or sweet peppers). It all comes wrapped up in a nice little french-like roll. Add to that a "groot" (large) serving of Belgian fries and I was in sausage and potato heaven. I inhaled my sausage and wanted more! However, out of fear of becoming a parody of a Chicagoan (think Chris Farley & Da Fans), I restrained myself from ordering another and settled for a bite of the bf's brat'. Holy shit, that's one of the best brats I've ever had.
I'll definitely be back, I think for lunch. How lucky am I to work so close to here?! Next on my list is the alligator & pork andouille sausage. It is a hip joint and they have a small-ish dining area, so be prepared to stand in line for a while to place your order first and then spend more time waiting for some seats to open up. It's totally worth the wait. Just sip on a sarsaparilla or one of the many Belgian and German beers they offer to pass the time.
I was watching TV and they were at a fair eating hotdogs and it sounded good and I thought where could I go in Downtown to get a dog?
Then my heart sank...oh...yeah...I don't eat meat any longer...bummer.
Then I remembered Wurstküche, which I like to pronounce worst-coochie and I have been wanting to try this place.
So I went online and oh my god...really over 600 reviews...wow you guys all go to skid row for dogs?
I went on their official website to see if they have veggie dogs and they did so off to worst coochie I go.
Keep your door locked on your journey here and watch out for the cardboard boxes of homes...naw don't worry. It pretty safe as long as you don't go walking at night.
I walked in and looked at the menu and ordered a Mexican Chipotle Veggie dog and some Belgium fries with ketchup curry dipping sauce and one of their unique sodas and they gave me a number and headed down the long haul to the seating area. It's medium sized with a long bar with a nice selection of beers, long tables like at Oktoberfest (or typical in Germany) and some small tables around the outside.
The place smells a bit musty but in a good way like a wine cellar. Our food came in about 15 minutes. The fries were in a paper cone like Belgian fries should be and they were good but I don't eat much fries. I would try a different sauce next time but they have ketchup and mustards at the table so I was fine.
My veggie dog was a bit disappointing but it's veggie so what did I expect. I will try the Italian Veggie next time or the other veggie one.
I really like the whole concept though. It did remind me of a new version of an German bier hall.
They have pilsners, belgium glasses and large mugs to properly serve the biers.
Suggestion if you haven't been yet. Go with a bunch of friends you will have a great time.
I could imagine that going to Wurstkuche is like going on an African Safari. Every time you come back, you bring back a wild exotic meat. You cook all the good parts, and grind the rest into sausage.
If you're a fan of rare beer and sausages filled made from exotic meats, Wurstkuche is your place. I had the opportunity to try the rattlesnake & rabbit sausage and it was good. Although, I have to work on the assumption that it really was rattlesnake & rabbit, since after all, it was a sausage.
But down to it's core, it's still a hot dog. You could get 5 polish sausage/soda combos at Costco and it'd still be cheaper than one from Wurstkuche. Don't get me wrong, this place is good, but $8 is a pretty hefty price to pay for a sausage. Additionally, the drinks aren't cheap either. They don't serve "Coke" or "Pepsi" here. Those brands have no place in this establishment. Instead, there are unique sodas that come in bottles (and no we're not talking about Jones or Moxie).
Ever try cucumber soda or a lemonade that is worth $5? You can here!
I also respect their rare beer selection. I can't say I'm enough of a beer connoisseur to fork over $8 for a pint (or is the glass smaller than a pint?), but if you're looking for hard to find brews, you should be looking here.
The environment is pretty casual. The room is dim, the stacks are dime, and there's a DJ spinning weekend nights. On the other hand, you probably won't be dancing on top of the tables any time soon.
While I'm not the biggest fan of Wurstkuche, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
BEST KUCHE.
i ate the veggie sausages and the truffle infused french fries along with some delightful belgian ale. i love the open atmosphere and the little niche of downtown where it is located.
You four star reviewers need to get some balls! This place is either 1 star or 5. And it definitely ain't 1 star. The sausages I had here...were like my mouth going to heaven and hearing the angels singing then coming back to let my brain know about it.
It's simple. Sausage, bread, a few sides. If Pink's were for teens, this place is for adults.
I don't get it. Based on recent comments, what's so sexual about a good old fashioned sausage fest!
People keep it clean!
When Ben told me that we were going to a bratwurst place called Wurstkuche (say it out loud and giggle) I figured it would be some run of the mill hot dog stand or something. It's so not! It's amazing and I couldn't stop moaning in pleasure when eating. I had an apricot and ginger bratwurst, with sweet peppers and caramelized onions on top, with this tangy, gritty mustard topping it off. Explosions of flavor. He had the mango and jalapeno brat and it was amazing as well. The fries are delish as well, and you can order as many dipping sauces as you want. We got curry ketchup (our fave, mmm!) chipotle ketchup and bleu cheese with bacon. Top it off with some fresh belgian beer, and I was in foodie heaven.
I was also very excited because I walked past Ron Rifkin, who played Sydney's nemesis on Alias, and is now on Brothers and Sisters. I had a slight starstruck moment, like I constantly forget we are in LA. :)
The seating is hofbrau haus style, a la a beer garten in Germany. (Little smaller than one in Germany, but hey, there is a DJ spinning records, so it's all good.) It's a big communal dining room, and you are going to have to sit with people you don't know, but it's ok, because everyone is gorgeous and having just as much fun as you are. I plan on taking all my friends here. It's right near a great karaoke place in Little Tokyo, so we can make it a night. Delicious!
I love it when a simple idea is well executed down to every detail. You walk into the front door and there's a counter displaying an awesome selection of sausages - good mix of traditional and exotic. The beer selection was on point. I ordered the rattlesnake and rabbit & the kielbasa along with the Optimator to wash it down. Wish I could have had a sample of every beer!
After ordering, I walked down a long hallway, with no idea what would happen once I turned the corner. Once, I did I felt instantly transplanted into a modern, cozy German bierhaus - the long tables were a great idea. Wurstkuche, well done - a great place to grab a sausage and beer with friends!
Final Decision: I rarely give 5 stars, this was good.
So I've been hearing about this spot from all over the place but especially from my buddy BO. So I had to give this spot a try. At first glance at the menu you look for the prototypical sausages and then you get down to EXOTIC, and then you are like OMG Whisky Tango Hotel? Rattlesnake? Alligator? Well I wished I had the courage to try them that time, but instead I opted for the following below. This place is a definite chill out spot, you got the grill on one side and a bar on the other where you can pick yourself a seat over the paper covered tables.
Food Ordered:
Mango and Jalapeno - chicken and turkey and full of flavor. I really liked the flavor that exploded in my mouth upon the single bite got off the GF's tray.
Duck and Bacon - filled with some jalapenos and packed with sweet peppers and carmelized onions. At first bite your mouth is hit with so much flavor like a sudden rain storm. It was yum at first sight.
Groot order of fries with Curry Ketchup and Walnut Bleu Cheese - The fries are double dipped and fried, which I have not clue if they are battered twice? or fried twice. It doesn't matter much since they were yummy in my tummy. The awesome sauce that I had to agree with my buddy that was unique was the curry ketchup, something that you would not have imagined as a combo, but actually is an awesome duo.
I must go back and try this rattlesnake that seems to catches everyone's fancy.
Beers & brats -- it doesn't get much better than that. And Wurstkuche does it better than anyone else around. Yes, it's basically in Skid Row -- but this is an up and coming neighborhood (or so they tell us). In an attempt to walk off our overindulgence of the fabulous gourmet brews and sausages, we strolled passed an array of warehouse antique stores, trendy lofts, and hipster bars, but let's just say you don't want to hang around here for long after the sun sets.
Anyway, to the food:
1) Bratwurst (pork, coriander, nutmeg): B+
2) Bockwurst (veal, pork & spices) : B+
3) Green Chilies & Cilantro (chicken & turkey): A+
4) Rabbit, Veal & Pork: A-
5) Duck & Bacon with jalapeno peppers: A-
Drinks: Echt Kriekenbier (Flemish red with cherries), Franziskaner, Chimay White
Anyway, be adventurous and go with a gourmet brat -- it's worth it, and worth the wait in line you will most assuredly have. KCRW discount available.
Sausages and alcohol is Wurstkuche's business model, and let me tell you - it works! Nested in the Arts District (which I can now get to safely and without a heart attack) it oozes trendy - from the guys behind the counter to the beer on tap this restaurant has all the makings of success especially considering its artsy location.
For food, they have all different types of sausages and for those wanting a different, or in my case, lighter option they have turkey/chicken sausages. Grab a side of fries and try out their different spins on dipping sauces. Oh. and did I mention not-so traditional beers?
The atmosphere inside is, well, like the restaurant, casual trendy. Long picnic tables line the dimly lit space and the bar has a bright spotlight. It's a perfect place to come relax with friends (and may I add, stay within budget).
Be sure to put on your most underground outfit or else you will look like a tourist (which I always get even thought I am a local)! All in all, try this place out - there's nothing really like it, which is a fresh breath of air in LA!
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Wine Bars
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Westchester / LAX
Category: German
Neighborhood: Mid Wilshire
Category: Bakeries
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