I don't give 5 stars lightly. But the food is THAT good. And when you factor the service and atmosphere, it's an easy decision. We were shopping in the area. I figured we should use the restaurant.com gift certificate that I've carried around since December. If I knew how delicious everything would be, I'd have used the certificate when I printed it! We ordered: Appetizer: Combinationen Platte $10: brats, knocks and potato pancakes. It was served with sauerkraut, red cabbage, sour cream, applesauce and brown mustard. For the first time ever I loved the sausage as much as hubby! It was creamy smooth - fine ground meat, free of hard chunks of fat, that was spiced well. Entree: Schweinhaxen $14: A 2 pound pork shank that's boiled and then roasted for 6 hours. It has a chicharron outside and a juicy inside. The glaze of homemade gravy gilded the lily! It was served with pan fried spaetzel (so much better than the mushy pasta worms I've had elsewhere) and red cabbage. You can pick 2 sides - these are the ones we picked. Entree: Stuffed wienerschnitzle sandwich $9: breaded, fried veal, black forest ham and provolone cheese with lettuce, tomato and mayo on fresh pumpernickel bread and German potato salad. (Maria, our server suggested I get the salad served hot - it's bacon, onion, vinegar and potatoes. I usually dislike potato salad so that's a huge compliment to the chef!) After splitting the combo plate, we were pretty much full. We decided to taste the entrees and then take it to go. But the mouthfuls of juicy pork and crunchy, salty skin were too good to stop eating. Until we tried the sandwich. We took turns picking up half of the sandwich to have 'just one more bite". Finally we asked for boxes. By this time, I called Mom and told her we were bringing her food. We wanted her to taste this food! We ordered the same sandwich and an apple strudel. We ordered a slice of German chocolate cake to taste and take the rest to go. Maria told us that the rich, dense chocolate cake was made by her coworker. What a great recipe! We had our fill of the generously sliced cake with whipped cream and chocolate sauce before taking the rest to go. So, I'm not going to cook anytime soon. And we are going to eat like kings. Considering that hubby's Mom was from Germany and that he lived in Germany for a bit, he has a better idea of what this food should taste like than me. But we are both dazzled by the chef's dishes. Maria gave us coupons for future visits. We can't wait to return!
(5)
Charlie G.
We had a large group diving in Pompano Beach, and some others had been here before and highly recommended it. We arrived late in the evening after a late dive... and were supposed to have reservations. It was pretty busy (Saturday night, after all)... and it took a while for them to get us all seated (14 people). But overall, they did very well... and service was excellent. We had some potato pancakes to start out... and they were good! Great flavor... and I love potato pancakes! Nice portion of sour cream and applesauce with them also. I had the RahmSchnitzel, with hot potato salad, sauerkraut, and cucumber salad. It was delicious...really good! my girlfriends Chicken Hunter was apparently delicious, as she did not share, lol! Others all said the food was excellent also. Spaetzel looked yummy, will have to try it next time! The beer here looks wonderful, and those of us who like beer were drinking lots of "boots", lol. Not a beer drinker myself, but I was almost tempted! We will definitely be back on our next trip to Pompano! I have to try the Schweinehaxen... that looks sooooo goood!
(5)
Dee K.
Im into it. Love German food, so hard to turn me off: had a great grapefruit wheat beer- tasted like orange soda! Shnitzel, spaetzle and red cabbage with mushroom gravy was hearty, warm and tasty. The staff were friendly and you could tell they have a small and loyal clientele. I think we will be back- especially because its close to home. German hospitality- danke!
(4)
Tracey K.
We came here due to a groupon deal, and it's one of the best ones we've bought. I've never had German cuisine before, so I got the Bavarian Platter with bratwurst, knockwurst, wienerschnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzel, and mashed potatoes. Everything was really flavorful and it was great to be able to sample so many different things. The breading on the wienerschnitzel was slightly soggy, probably from the combination of its own heat, other food on the plate, and the sauce. I think the knockwurst and spaetzel were my favorite. My bf, his roomie, and his brother also really enjoyed their meals. We got the apple strudel to share for dessert, which was a great way to end dinner. I also got a beer flight, most of which was gone by the time our food came. Our server was very friendly and even let us sample some beers before committing to a certain one. They have a lot of their own coupons to keep you coming back for more (not that they need to). All in all, if you're ever in the mood for German food or just want to go somewhere laid back to have some German beers, this is the place for you.
(4)
Corbin B.
"Sauerbraten" tenderness melted in my mouth, the knife provided was that of a novelty. The red cabbage side was so sweet It took most of my complimentary bread to soak up the succulent juices to ensure I enjoyed it all! A potato dumpling ensured my fullnesss but the Apple Strussle desert definitely solidified the deal. The service was so prompt and particular she seemed to know my choice as I was deciding it Infront of her. The website drew me in but the experience made me a believer! Come hungry my friends.
(5)
Todd R.
Second time dining here last night and I've decided that I love this place! The first time got off to a semi rocky start because I waited almost an hour just to sit at the bar. The place was jam packed and their method of putting your name down on the list seems to do no good because people just camp for tables. That was the first time though and the food that time was incredible as was the beer. This time there was no wait, and although there was a good amount of people, there were still plenty of open spots at the bar and tables. The interior of this place has got a lot of charm. Classic handmade beer steins all along the wall, deep aged wood shelves and tables, tons of German flair all over the place and an incredible staff and large selection of beers (on tap and in the bottle) this place has got it all! Their food is excellent too, probably the best German food I've had in SoFlo yet. The menu is really large and there's a lot of things I've never tried, so there's more variety than typical German places that often serve the same 5 dishes. The food is flavorful and cooked to order, it comes out piping hot and it just looks and smells amazing. I've tried their sausage sampler which is excellent, their schweinhaxen (pork leg that is baked then fried on the outside) and their Rahmschnitzel, and apple strudel. It has all been delicious! If you're into German food and don't mind a long wait at times and a very busy cozy spot, then you'll love it here. The food, drink, and atmosphere are all great!
(5)
Shannon G.
We weren't disappointed after reading past reviews. The kombination appetizer platter, Bavarian onion and apple soup, schweinhaxen, spaetzle, muenster fried cheese and raspberry sauce, schweinbraten, stuffed weinerschnizle, warm potato salad, all delicious and well seasoned. Authentic German food for sure. The only thing I'll mention is that some of it was very salty. Since I'm a fan of salting I loved it, but the crust on the schweinhaxen and schweinbraten were both heavily salted. The service was great and all her suggestions were met with delicious approval. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Charmie P.
I have driven past Checkers for years and have been wanting to try it for a while, finally my hubby agreed to go for dinner after putting if off for so long. The restaurant is small and cozy, service is very friendly and attentive, most of the clientele are obvious regulars which the staff knows well, everyone is treated like they've known you for years. We sat at the bar and were promptly greeted and served a bread basket, they only serve beer and wine but they have a nice selection of German beers and many types of wines to choose from. The food is made fresh and servings are huge. I tried the Goulash and selected the beans and potato salad as my side, it was excellent and so large I took most of it home. My hubby ordered the Bavarian platter with sauerkraut, I had a bite and it was delicious, he was also very pleased with his dinner. We are adding Checkers as one of our regular local casual restaurants.
(4)
Katie M.
I've never had German food before but this was a great first! We were a big party and the staff handled us great, which was really nice. The food was delicious also. I got the veal wienerschnitzel with the spaetzel and sauerkraut for sides.... Best sauerkraut I've ever had in my entire life. Spaetzel was a bit bland but I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be because I've never had it before. The staff were blatantly on their phones in front of the tables and it just looked unprofessional. Other than that, great German atmosphere and great food. Must try if you're in the area!
(4)
Dirk M.
My mother is German, so I know what good German food tastes like. I have been in search for a good authentic German restaurant in the U.S. with no avail. This place is it!! The Bavarian onion apple Soup brought me back to the German Alps! The pork wienersnitzel was authentic! This place was delicious, or as the german's would say, "Sehr Gut!!"
(5)
Rich M.
Nice little cozy german spot. They have good specials on Fridays. But its small and gets packed around 7 so get in early. Bavarian platter and Veal is on point.
(4)
Cathy P.
Two for one Weinerschnitzel! (with a coupon-that I found in a local newspaper) Boots of beer! Great bread basket with pretzel pieces and mustard! My only complaint is that I wanted to try the stuffed weinerschnitzel but couldn't use the coupon for that. Will have to go back to try it.
(4)
Heather S.
Excellent food, from the brats and sausages, to the stuffed weinerschnitzel. Will definitely go back.
(4)
Jiaxi W.
Except for the food, we all liked the beer there!
(4)
Robert C.
This place was awesome. They have great beer & food. One of the best meatloaf's I have ever had. With an amazing paprika gravy. You need to ask for it though.
(5)
John B.
Wunderbar! Had the appetizer sampler which was plenty for lunch and a Weihenstephan Dunkel. Prost! Great staff. Super friendly service and sunny and 85 degrees in late December for great outdoor dining.
(5)
Venus V.
We found out about this place through groupon. So thankful for that! Excellent food and staff is very attentive. We keep on going back!
(5)
Mark S.
Great place if you like Weiner Schnitzel, apple French soup, and beer. I don't like their side orders but the pretzels are good I guess it is more I don't like their range of German food I find wanting. I like it but not frequently.
Probably the best sauerkraut I've ever had. Food was delicious, staff was friendly. I had a really good time there
(4)
Gary B.
Get the Fried Cheese(not on the menu) & the 2lb pork shank w Spatzel! Place is Amazing! Wash it down with a boot of Octoberfest!
(5)
Sharon R.
Food was awesome! I'm German and it was authentic! My friend had the Jaegerschnitzel and it was delicious! Our other friend had the Rouladen and it was fantastic! I had the platter which jad bratwurst, knockwurst, wiener schnitzel, and sauerbraten and was absolutely fabulous! I can't say enough good thing about the food! Delicious! Service was good and the restaurant was super cute!
(5)
Giselle B.
While we didn't eat at Checkers Old Munchen the food looked very good. After tasting their beer, we determined that the lines on their taps were dirty and the beer tasted off. The management should clean their draft beer lines to remove any sediment or mold and that should fix it. Otherwise, it's a charming little restaurant with a nice bar and cool memorabilia from Munich Oktoberfest.
(2)
Jessica P.
Great German food and fun atmosphere.
(5)
Mike S.
Easily the best of the German restaurants in Broward county. The food here is exceptional and the staff is fantastic. We took a friend here for birthday dinner last night, and she is German and had an amazing time. From the decor to the beer boots to the luscious desserts (Black Forest cake and Apple Struedel), everything was spot on. I will be back soon!!
(5)
Kelley L.
Authentic German food in FLORIDA? Yep, it is real. Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 4.5 stars Service: 4 stars I would LOVE to give this place five stars if I had the opportunity to eat here again and give the sauerkraut another chance. However, the restaurant was really cool with traditional German music in the background. The menu also listed a lot of traditional Bavarian food, which was awesome. And the German beers, oh yessss. Our waitress was really nice. We actually got there fifteen minutes before closing, but we were still seated. The bread was okay...we could tell that it was not fresh because we got there at almost closing time, but I don't judge them terribly for that. I ordered the bratwurst platter. The bratwurst was grilled really well -- so much better than bratwurst I have had in San Francisco, almost like Los Angeles. The sauerkraut was okay...I have not really found a place outside Germany that does sauerkraut well. The potato was also good. The wienerschnitzel was so good! Crispy texture and moist meat -- so good! Really enjoyed the main dishes. For dessert, we tried the apple strudel, which was really good, but you have to enjoy it at the restaurant while it is still warm and fresh out the kitchen. I really enjoyed my experience here, and recommend those looking for great German food to eat here. I already miss it...
(4)
Don L.
I'm generally fairly tight with my 5-star ratings but this place is excellent all the way around. Portions are a good size service is very attentive and most important of all the food is excellent. Certainly worth a detour if you're in the area.
(5)
Zachary F.
This is my favorite place to eat at hands down the best. Service is great and the food is better. It's all so freaking good. It you want to save a few bucks, they have a different coupons for different days of the week. The atmosphere puts you in a good mood.
(5)
Alfred G.
My wife and I ordered takeout while on vacation. The food was good and authentic. The place itself seemed small but it had a bar as well. You get plenty of food with your order.
(5)
Ami S.
Went there for lunch yesterday & haven't stopped talking about it since. Had the onion & Apple soup.. I don't usually order anything with onions but this looked so good I had to try. So glad I did as it was delicious. The warm potato salad is also to die for! Had a sandwich & everything was fresh & tasty. My bartender was sweet, attentive & very knowledgeable, answered all of our questions with a smile. She was awesome. Will definitely be going back & will be bringing all my friends.
(5)
linda s.
horrible experience i would never suggest this restaurant to anyone who knows or wants german food dont look the kitchen its filthy dirty not worth $100 it cost not too sure of much here other than dont eat here...
(1)
Deborah K.
So first time there ever! But highly recommended Had reservations and we were seated immediately That's great Waitress overwhelmed and rude ! She was so polite and timely with the larger tables and there were many. R food came out in record speed our drink order not so much . had to wave waitress down via arms flaying! Food was delicious Waite staff fair to poor BUT we will go with it was ST PATRICKS day there were large parties and again our waitress was overwhelmed ! Would try Again on a night not a holiday
(4)
Natasha C.
This is a hidden gem in an unexpected place. A friend of ours had recommended this place at one point, and we finally got around to trying it last night. The restaurant is small and cozy, reminding the guest of small restaurants in Germany with the decor and hand-troweled plaster and wood wall motifs. It does, however, get really busy, so getting a reservation is key to not waiting forever for a table. Things: 1. I had the pork Wienerschnitzel, with pickled red cabbage and spaetzle-- yum! It was seriously good. 2. My husband had the Schweinhaxen, which was slow roasted, but with crispy skin, which he shared with me. Oh my, if there's one thing I love, it's crispy skin. 3. The beer on tap is all German, and all of it is good. We had Spaten Optimator, and had the option of a 16 oz pint or a 32 oz boot. Yowza! 4. The servers are really nice, and the window seats are great for extra lighting or watching folks walk by. 5. The bread basket is made of amazing things. It comes with soft pretzel cut into bits, slices of black bread (pumpernickel), and slices of really good white mountain bread, as well as butter and stone ground mustard. Be careful about filling up here, as it's really easy to do when the bread is so good!
(5)
John H.
What a wonderful find! We were planning to have dinner elsewhere but were faced with an hour wait. A quick internet search turned up Checkers. It is reasonably close to the beach and though it's in a strip mall, it's quite comfortable and parking is plentiful--which isn't the case for every pot in Pompano Beach. Service is friendly and helpful, and the food is excellent. The chopped salad for two could serve three to four; it's tangy and crunchy and tasty. Potato pancakes are crisp on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. Saurbraten is tender and flavorful, and the pork schnitzel is very solid--loved the brown gravy. All around wonderful experience!
We found another hidden gem. Outstanding food and service! The appetizer suggestion is the Apple-Onion Soup (superb). Then for your entree, the slow roasted Pork Shank is amazing (it's a 2 lbs. "Fred Flintstone" size portion) with a crispy deep fried skin. Leave room for desert because the daily homemade "Pineapple Upside Down Cake" by co-owner, Natalie is truly heaven. Better call for reservations for this quaint restraurant is always full. Cheers!
(5)
Loretta G.
Things got off to an awkward start when we asked to move to a table by the window because we thought it'd be warmer -- I was freezing under an air-conditioner vent -- and were told no by server Natalie because we didn't have reservations. (There were many empty tables at this point.) As with reviewer Emily G., who posted 7/28/2013, Natalie rushed us through our order, removed my date's beer glass even though it was a third full and asked if I wanted a box when I'd barely eaten half of my food. She was manic and loud, bellowing "have a good weekend!" to guests who'd barely viewed their tab so they'd feel pressured to leave. (A bus person, meanwhile, interrupted us repeatedly to ask if he could clear plates.) Our wienerschnitzel was dry (too bad we weren't offered water or refills on our drinks) and -- this was disconcerting -- my piece had a bone in it. (I assume that it was a bone but didn't want to examine it in front of my date, choosing instead to dispose of the hard chunk in my napkin.) I filled up on pretzels from our bread basket, and my date said his mashed potatoes were good. We both ordered the "vegetable of the day" -- green beans -- and they did the job, along the lines of frozen-bag quality. When we presented a cash-only coupon and asked if a debit card was acceptable -- some merchants accept debit cards as "cash" -- Natalie snapped that it was "cash-only-two-for-one-wienerschnitzel!" Yes, we can read. We felt annoyed, anxious and disappointed. Would we return to Checkers Old Munchen? A definite nein.
(1)
shanna l.
Awesome German food! Terrific service! I tried this place because I received a gift certificate now it's a monthly regular visit ! The remodel helped with inside decor! Food is fresh. I like sitting at the bar and meeting other locals! This is worth a try! If you like German food you will love it here!
(5)
D S.
Excellent food, reasonable prices and great service. Oh, almost forgot, wonderful beers! Six of us had a very enjoyable dinner Sunday night.
(5)
Naveed B.
Beer is great, food is okay, and service is okay. Be sure to check your bill for accuracy. Will not return.
(2)
Kilroy K.
This is my second time there in less than two weeks. I Love this place. The German food is excellant and great service. It will be going there more often for sure.
(5)
Jennifer H.
My husband loves German food. I know it sounds strange to go to a place like this when on vacation by the ocean, but it was his choice tonight. So, it was good. He had the schweinhaxen and I had the wienersnitchzel (that was veal). It was all very good. We also had the chopped salad for two as well as two optimators to drink. Yum. I can't say that I don't love German beer because I do. It is wonderful!!! The service was good (from the waitress anyway). She was very friendly and nice. I would go back next time I am here for sure.
(4)
Jose D.
The red cabbage was sour. The owner doesn't give a flying nothing about his customer. Beer is ok.
(3)
Greg B.
I have to say, I'm drunk ... that is ... drunk with love for Checkers Old Munchen. Why is that? Hmmmm, where to begin? I'm a German American who loves German Restaurants. I have been to different German Restaurants in the Fort Lauderdale area, and this place ranks right up there. I was motivated by a "Gotta-half-it" coupon, and so I ventured here after work on a Tuesday night (the Tuesday prior to Christmas). I found a spot in the back parking lot, but suffice to say parking is at a premium. As I walked through the back door and down a long hallway, I was able to nab a spot at the bar (this place was jam-packed with happy patrons) Oh! Oh! Oh! My bartender, Kelly. ... She provided me with preliminary options for both soup, food and drink. I opted for a cup of German apple and onion soup. It was served very hot with a piece of bread placed in it. It was good. But what I was more taken aback by was the basket of bread options, which included dark rye, italian white (served with butter) and soft pretzels pieces (served with dark, brown mustard). Oh! Oh! Oh! The beer ... as in a large glass boot of beer. Warsteiner ($10). It was cold and delicious. My understanding is that they have an array of beer options, but I played it safe with Warsteiner. Next time I return I'll try other types of beer. Oh! Oh! Oh! The food ... I opted for one of the specials: Stuffed Wienerschnitzle. It was good. It was crispy on the outside and juicy and meaty on the inside, and served hot. My two sides included mashed potatoes and red cabbage. No, really, it was good. I'm not under-selling it. But, let me fast-forward to the dessert: Oh! Oh! Oh! The dessert ... I had the homemade apple strudel. When in a German restaurant, do as the Germans would do and eat apple strudel. It was soooooooo good. Vanilla ice cream on the top of it, whipped cream on the sides, cinnamon and hot fudge chocolate. God, I'm such a pig, but bare with me ... had to order some potato pancakes to go for next day's work lunch. They hooked me up with four of them. Love the potato pancakes. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Lowell P.
Easily the best German restaurant we've ever visited - and we've been to a lot of them. The food is spectacular and the service friendly. The ambiance works for whether you're on a date or just coming back from the beach - that is to say it's cozy and nice, but casual enough to be comfortable. Great selection of beer, too. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Martin B.
Delicious and the best beer selection for anyone that wants to taste German brew. The prices are fair and the food is traditional German... Omg you gotta get the schnitzel - its awesome. Go for happy hour - sit at the bar and get your buzz on ... Good people and lots of fun!!
(5)
Diane H.
I belong to a retiree Group of a once Major airline. We have eaten at this establishment in the past about 4-5 yrs ago. At that time the food all inclusive 1 price of salad, entree choice of 3 , dessert , coffee & tea, tip plus service was pretty good , we all had a great time. Not today. Not only was the dessert separate but the tip for a party of 15 people was not included. When our President questioned the owner(which she had made the arrangement days before we arrived), he proceeded to get upset n claimed the opposite. We will not be using this establishment for our future Octoberfest yearly get together.
(2)
Frank D.
...............this year we ADDed WINE to the goose and SIX bottles later i can't decide what i liked BETTER than the other, the GooSE or the WiNE................anyway once again: WuNDERBaR !
(5)
Todd B.
Wow! It's rare I give 5 stars. Food here was fantastic! We shared the potato pancakes and soft pretzels as appetizer...served with applesauce and sour cream...and mustard for the pretzels. Real tasty! For dinner, I had the pork Weinerschnitzel which was impeccable...and a huge piece of meat too. I chose the German noodles and the mashed potatoes--extra gravy was offered and I gladly accepted! My dinner mate had the Bavarian platter...again--impeccable! No service issues--dessert was a few bites of the excellent German chocolate cake with the rest taken for home. This place was so good and will be a "must visit" on future trips to Florida. Thanks for an excellent experience.
This is the place to have breakfast in pompano beach. The pancakes are great and the service is family friendly. Children and parents are made to feel at home. The only drawback is there isn't much explanation on the menu as to what the German dishes are. That doesn't matter too much because anything you order will be great
(3)
Jim G.
We love this place. Informal, not expensive, good German comfort food, and usually crowded with nice people (many seem to be regulars). The staff is great! Parking can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort. If you like good beer, this is heaven.
(4)
David B.
I lived 9 years in Germany, so whenever I have a chance to try a German restaurant, I will give it a try. I was very happy to have "checked out" Checkers. When you get to the table, they bring a nice plate of soft pretzels with spicy mustard and some bread and butter (white and pumpernickel). Very nice touch and very tasty. The Wienerschnitzel was really well prepared. It was tender and delicious. The red cabbage was very good, and I had the cucumber salad, which was also really good. For dessert, I had the black forest cake, which was pretty good. The service was a little slow, but the place was kind of busy. I'd probably give them 4 and a half stars if I could, but it's four or five, and it's just not that five star level for me. Very close, though. I'd definitely return and suggest this place to anyone looking for good German cuisine.
(4)
Kris B.
The owner of this place is a spoiled brat and a jerk. Apparently he thinks that he deserves to have his ass kissed in and out of his restaurant. I can't imagine how he even got into hospitality unless someone just gave him this place. Two big thumbs down.
(1)
Vain E.
Great food and amazing great times. If you like German food, forget the other places in town, and go directly to Checkers. Matt and the super-friendly staff will treat you like family or an old friend. Their motto is there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met yet and they totally live by it. The Veal Wienerschnitzel is perfect - lightly breaded, tender and juicy. I'm not a sauerkraut guy - but I love theirs.. any of the traditional German sides are excellent. If you're daring, try the Stuffed Wienerschnitzle - AMAZING.. or if you really want to go for it, the Schweinhaxen, a seasoned 2lb. pork shank that is boiled and slowly roasted for 6 hours is waiting for you. You can't go to Checkers without joining a beer tour. 26 beers from around Germany.. complete it and you get your name on the wall of fame, your very own das boot and a t-shirt! They also do a monthy beer tasting event with 8 hand-picked selections, a buffet and raffle... good times indeed! Go. Go now. Go.
(5)
K C.
Very good German food and nice selection of beer. I had the Rinder Rouladen which was very good. Service was friendly and the place had a really nice feel to it. Would love to go back again!!!! Next time I'm in Florida! Parking is limited. The back has spots, just small.
(5)
Jaszon S.
Having lived in Germany, and being half German, I can attest that the food is authentically German and I can assure you that it's probably the best in South Florida (more flavorful than Old Heidelberg). For me, some of the dishes are nostalgic as they remind me of dishes my grandmother would whip up on a Sunday afternoon. If you're debating between Checkers and Old Heidelberg, come here if you are looking great German food. I've been here several times over the years, way before I was Yelping, and this place is always consistent as far as the food goes. While the staff is friendly, just note that the service is often quite slow, and that is the only reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars.
(4)
Erin L.
You know it's good when you find a new restaurant and eat there twice in 3 days! I am so glad to have found a fun, friendly place serving up incredibly delicious German specialties. With a wide selection of German beer to suit any taste you can be sure to accompany your meal with the perfect brew. Portions are generous and the sides are spectacular (German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, spaetzle) and savory entrees like bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerbraten, and a whopping 2 pound pork shank will blow you away! Be sure to save room for the pineapple upside down cake - perhaps not authentic German - but a perfect finish to a great meal! Parking can be limited so go a bit early in case you need to park a block up and walk over.
(5)
Bill P.
Really liked this place. Staff was friendly, and they gave us coupons to use the next time we came. Great both times we went. Flavor was really good, and not made more bland like some German restaurants do (e.g. Red cabbage).
(5)
Kobe D.
This place is a Pompano institution. My parents brought us here as kids and I ended up working in a German restaurant in college so I still crave some wiener schnitzel and spaetzle from time to time. Great selection of German beer with lots of wheat beers which I love. I normally order Wiener schnitzel but the server talked me into their pork shank last time and it was amazing. I try to avoid corporate chains and frequent local restaurants as much as possible. This is a mom and pop gem that's been serving up great food for over 30 years. It appears their son has taken over but I haven't noticed any decline in the food or service.
(5)
Bill L.
Authentic atmosphere and cuisine! We love the Jaeger Schnitzel and Spaetzel. Service is great! We get seated and waited on right away. Last night we also tried the German Chocolate cake with ice cream and loved it too! Highly recommended!
(5)
Gary B.
Very good German food. Huge portions. My favorites were the red cabbage (as a side), and the onion/apple soup.
(5)
John S.
they deep-fried my Pork Shank, 'nuff said !
(1)
Conor G.
AUSGEZEICHNET! So happy to be back at this restaurant after the fire. Everything was as excellent as it always was. From the dark rye bread and easily spreadable butter to the dense and sweet pineapple upside down cake, I loved my dinner last night. I also had the potato pancakes (light and crisp as always) and for a change, I had the Lemon-Riesling Grouper with the red cabbage and spaetzel. The fish was perfectly cooked, flaky, flavorful and the sauce didn't overpower the fish. The service is always friendly and I had a very nice conversation with the owner. I am looking forward to my next visit with more of my friends and hopefully I will get there for one of the monthly beer tastings.
(5)
Ben H.
I have been going here for while like 3-4 years. Never had a Bad Meal. The staff is great and as well as ownership. If your looking for authentic german food... Look no further. This place is on point!
(5)
Sofia P.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. No hostess, no bartender. Place was packed and staff was overwhelmed. Beer mugs were warm therefore beer wasn't as enjoyable. Pretzels and bread were stale. On a positive note the pork weinerschnitzel, cabbage and German noodles were really good. Place has potential but needs some work. Would give it another try.
(3)
Marc P.
Probably the best german food in the county. I've found one place as good, but not better. They most definitely have the best Jaegarschnitzel, and their stuffed weinerschnitzel is the best as well. Their specials are great, and the beer and food have never been bad. Can't really ask much more from a german restaurant.
(5)
Kevin C.
This in one of the best German food restaurants I've been to in South Florida. The free bread basket they serve is reason enough for me to keep coming back! They have a variety of breads including soft pretzels that come in the basket. The decor is very German and gets you into the mood.
(4)
Mike S.
Far and away the best German food in the US. Been to other restaurants and they all pale in comparison. The selection of food and spirits is large and well portioned. The ambiance is very authentic and you don't feel crowded at all. The service was top shelf and authentic. We will absolutely be back!!!!
(5)
Maya W.
I was planning on having my birthday dinner there next week and called to see if they have anything gluten free. The lady on the phone said she thinks the sausage is but she can ask the chef. The chef also said he was pretty sure but I dont want to risk any of my friends getting sick so I asked if she could ask him if he is sure or not. The response was "he says he is really busy right now". No offer to find out or call back or anything like that. Apart from that, it was a simple question; yes, no or I don't know would have done......no way I am ever going to this place.
(1)
Marqus R.
The construction is finished! The food, especially their pork shank are now back to what I had prior to construction. Everything on their menu is again a delight and the service is now very good. Definitely one of the very best in German Restaurants in the area. Here's a suggestion, check on the Internet and in their local ads as the usually run two for one specials which result in a terrific value.
(4)
cheryl S.
My husband and I had dinner there tonight--and it was as good, or even better than last year (we were visiting Pompano). The weinerschnitzel was delicious. Their fish special was grouper, which has become almost impossible to get in Florida. It was light and perfectly cooked. The red cabbage and sauerkraut were about the best I have ever had. Although we return home this Saturday, we hope to have a chance to visit again before we leave. Also, the service was great--quick, efficient and friendly. Make sure to make a reservations, it was crowded even on a Monday night.
(5)
Mike A.
This was a dinner visit and we were looking for a relaxing leisurely dinner at a unique place with some old world charm. I was surprised when we walked in to the nearly empty establishment and approached the "inquisitor" who demanded to know if we had made a reservation. This set the stage of anticipation for an inundation of patrons at any moment. The server, who was also the greeting hostess, would continue this facade throughout a less than stellar culinary experience. We felt rushed to order and this escalated every few moments, as the staff would repeatedly and frequently ask if they could take our plates well before we were done with the food they contained. I found myself wondering if they were short of dishes and needed ours back quickly or perhaps, since the place was nearly empty, the dishes were rented by the minute and needed to be returned to curtail the bill. The crowning moment was when the server seized my half-full beer and spirited it away more quickly than I could speak. I assume the glass was liberated from my table for immediate use by a much needier patron or perhaps they needed the remaining beer for anesthetic in an emergency surgery. The veal schnitzel arrived (quickly) a deep dark brown as opposed to the pleasant golden color I associate with good Bavarian or Austrian Schnitzel. The color accurately conveyed that it was overcooked and over breaded as verified by the dried out, tough interior I would find upon my first bite. (Whit- leather comes to mind). Fortunately, in a break with tradition, a carafe of gravy flew low across the table at some point and I was able to moisten the veal before it disappeared over the horizon. Jäger Schnitzel is not generally my favorite but the hybrid addition of moisture made the dish tolerable. The vegetables fared somewhat better under the chef's attention with a bean mix that at least compared to higher end "steam in the bag" versions from the local grocer and the potatoes were actually good. In short, the food might have received enough of a pass to at least try for something less demanding than the schnitzel on a second try, but alas, the wait staff killed that possibility. The wait staff should open a dialogue with NASCAR as they would do well serving in a pit crew environment. The best part of our meal? It was over quickly!
(1)
Joe M.
This is a fantastic German restaurant on Atlantic with a quaint, tavern-like decor and amazing food at decent prices. They also have an extensive beer menu with imported German beers by the bottle and several on-tap. Be sure to get "Das Boot," a large boot-shaped glass with about two beers in it. The food is really amazing, especially their signature Schweinhaxen dish. It's a 3-lb pork shank that's been boiled until melt-in-your-mouth tender and then broiled until the outside is crispy. It's covered with brown gravy and served with two of their excellent side dishes including potato dumplings, spaetzel, garlic mash, and a few others. Be sure to try their fried potato pancake appetizer served with applesauce. You pretty much can't go wrong at Checkers Old Munchen which is why the wife and I head here monthly.
(5)
S L.
My wife had a great time here at lunch with her friends last week and they had such a pleasant experience. However, tonight, not so really. We had a gift certificate that the waitress said that we couldn't use because it was Christmas. It wasn't on the fine print, but we were understanding. The waitress started serving us "COMPLIMENTARY" drinks, before we even ordered and after we ordered, it was followed by a "COMPLIMENTARY" soup. Wow, we thought, ok, we can't use the gift certificate, but that's really nice of the restaurant to be offering these freebies. Then comes the bill and we were charged more than we were aware of- a flat $20 rate for each person. We were not aware of this that we were paying for our "COMPLIMENTARY" portion of the meals. Apparently, they had a set menu for tonight that we weren't properly explained and so we didn't know that it didn't matter on whatever entree we chose because it was a flat $20 per person. Why in the world would the waitress say that it was complimentary? If it's part of a set menu that we are paying for, then she shouldn't have said that. We kindly informed her that we wish that she explained it to us better because we didn't know this until now and she did not apologize, and instead, she sarcastically said, "Well, you're getting all this free stuff for a few dollars more than your entree." Yea, but don't you think it was a little deceiving? She didn't explain that to us at all until the bill came and then she expected us to know. She pretty much ended the conversation with, "You have a Merry Christmas", and walked away like as if we didn't have the Holiday cheer. What a bad attitude! I know for a fact that we weren't the only ones that felt this way, because the another couple across from us got into a full blown argument with the manager (the owner of the restaurant) because they weren't able to use the coupon. They were arguing saying that the restaurant should honor it because it wasn't in the fine print that they couldn't use it on Christmas Eve. The manager started to get upset and said that he needed to read the full page of the fine print. Then he came with a solution and said that if the customers pay for their freebies, he will let them use the coupon. The customers said that they would just pay for the bill but they are shocked because did not realize that they had to pay for their items that the waitress brought to the table as "complimentary". (Again) The manager appears to be the owner, and the waitress said that it was her brother. As the people running this restaurant, I felt like they should've had taken care of this situation better instead of yelling with customers and causing a huge scene. What a disruption. Openly arguing loudly with customers in front of other customers is not the way to go. I can't say that I didn't understand the customer's feelings. However, I will say that the food and restaurant decor is great - the plates are generous, the beer is good, but it seems like the management definitely needs to shape up. We decided that we aren't comfortable to return so we decided to exchange our gift certificate for another restaurant.
(2)
Phil T.
After the fire...the place has been rebuilt and is awesome. More room, but same great food.
(5)
Fred B.
Will never go back to this restaurant. We went to the restaurant Christmas eve,and we also had a horrible experience with the owner and the waitress, who happens to be his sister. Both not nice people. When we seated, the waitress came over and brought us complimentary wine (or so we thought). She then brought us over complimentary soup (very watery goulash). We thought she was being nice (wrong) After the meal I gave her a coupon which I purchased on groupon. We were then informed that we could not use this on Christmas eve. I explained that there was no restrictions, but she said her brother, the owner, have to talk to us. after waiting 10 minutes, the owner finally came over, and immediately said to us, in a very rude voice "do you actually think I would actually take that coupon tonight?". I would of thought that he might of said to us, I'm sorry, but we can't take coupons tonight on Christmas eve. He definitely wa very rude. I explained to him That there were no restrictions, and he said he wanted to take the coupon to the back room and very carefully read it from top to bottom. After a few minutes he came back and said thy he will take the coupon, but we had to pay for the complimentary wine and soup. what a rip. We decided to pay the check and not use the coupon, but he was so rude to us that we wil NEVER go back. By the way, we saw him really laying into a waitress in front of other customers, so that should tell you what type of a person this owner is. Save your money and go to a customer friendly restaurant.
(1)
Amanda B.
When we arrived they said it would be a few minutes for a table. Half an hour later we were still waiting, but they managed to sit three parties that had arrived after us. The menu didn't look that good anyway and the place was too warm and smelly. What kind of German restaurant doesn't serve bierocks?? Some may like this restaurant's food, but their service needs a lot of work.
(1)
Kevin C.
WOW - great, great veal Wiener schnitzel and amazing spaetzel, probably all spelled wrong. Hey I'm Irish and this is German food. Damn good too. Try it with the red cabbage - full plates and great prices. And Sonya will keep you on your toes.
(4)
Gustavo Q.
Great taste of germany. Lots of large portions. And cool german vibe inside.
(4)
James L.
This is the best German restaurant I've visited so far. I've been several times and always choose the schweinhaxe. It's a lot of food, but makes for some mean leftovers. I like the soft pretzel basket and the German wines too.
(4)
Gerald W.
This restaurant is fantastic! I have a primarily German heritage and was born in Landstuhl. The staff is very friendly and personable. The architecture, ambiance and even the music are very German. The food is delicious and very authentic. For dinner, the appetizers are approx. $10 and entrees are $15 - $20. There is seating for approx. 75, so it's not a real big place, but you still don't wait long at all. I was on a tight budget on this visit, so I didn't get any alcohol, but a definitely recognized the beers and wines they had to offer. If you like German food, you'll love this place.
(5)
James F.
So I guess they are not open for lunch. I called up to make a reservation and the guy on the phone sounded like I was bothering him. It's a shame, I really wanted to try this place. Hopefully I will make it here one day but I am already turned off by the rude person answering the phones.
(1)
Gary P.
I've been living in Fort Lauderdale since February and have gone to many different restaurants. This was the best one that I have encountered since arriving.....it was delicious.......everything on my plate was incredible. Our service was very good and friendly........the only complaint I would have would be that the busboy hovered around our table WAY too much. It was unnerving and unnecessary.........if he is going to hover.....do it outside of eyeshot of guests. Very irritating! Other than that.........the food was the best........and they even had green bean casserole that NO one has on their menus and only the time I get it is when I personally make it on a holiday.
(4)
Paul M.
Try Kelly's German chocolate cake. You better like chocolate and have room left for it.
(5)
Scott S.
I wasn't sure if i liked German food before this and after eating here I think the conclusion is i do not. I ordered something that said it came with a white sauce, but on the food was just the same brown pill of gravy that was on everything. They did serve beer in a boot which was pretty cool.
(2)
James C.
A great find near Pompano Beach. The food was plentiful and decently priced. I had the pork shank one day and the hunter chicken the next. They were extremely tasty, as was the onion and apple soup (delicious!) and the German Chocolate Cake was large enough to feed two, and a true delight. I went with six other people who all had different things, and everyone left happy. Be sure to get a boot of beer!!!!!
(4)
Bart P.
Its so nice to write a positive review . Checkers Munchens is just a nice place . Great German food at reasonable prices . no matter what you order it will be fresh and good. Their thursday nite $15 prime rib special is fantastic . A great place with great food and you wont get gouged like so many other Broward restaurants.
(4)
Julia S.
Don't make a reservation and expect your table to be ready when you arrive. We drove an hour for a birthday dinner, only to arrive and have to wait for 45 mins. Being a cook and half German, I'd say the food was fair. Very bright lights and a much older crowd... Owner was rude, even after I explained our long drive and that we were there for a b-day dinner. What topped the birthday cake was that we got charged for the slice of cake that came out with a candle and the staff singing. Beer was good, pork shank very fatty, side dishes were small, and overall disappointment.
(3)
Michelle P.
I got take-out lunch from here the other day with a friend, and the food was just ok. I got the bratwurst & knackwurst appetizer which was good. The red cabbage and sauerkraut were really tasty. My friend got the veal wienerschnitzel; the veal was really chewy and didn't really have any flavor. Considering how rare it is to find a genuine German restaurant in South Florida, this place will fit the bill but isn't really anything to rave about.
(3)
Danielle G.
WOW! Found this on restaurants.com and got a coupon - decided to try it. This is hands down the best German food I've had out in years. The schweinshaxe (pork shank) was out of this world, the veal schnitzel so tasty and buttery, tender. The German potato salad was the best I've ever had in a restaurant. Someone who loves food and cares about their product is in that kitchen. They have a great beer selection, the bread basket was fresh and soft. The service was fast and friendly. They could slap me in the face when I walked in and I'd still eat here - the food is THAT good. We will definitely put this into rotation! What a great find.
(5)
Bailey C.
AMAZING GERMAN FOOD! I also found this one on restaurants dot com. It is a small restaurant with a beer stocked bar. We were seated immediately and brought bread (pretzels, pumpernickel & italian). The pretzels were very yummy. The waitress got us started with 2 boots of draft german beer. Beware though, the boot is a full liter of wonderful. We ordered the potato pancakes as an appetizer to try them out. They were hot and delicious. Before we could even finish our 4 pancakes our food was in front of us. The rouladen was spectacular, just like i had in Berlin. The spaetzel had a great flavor and nice consistency. The winner here was the red cabbage. A little sour a little sweet and the tiniest hint of cloves, which is most often too heavy in the cabbage. My husband got goulash, and he said the sauce was too salty, but the beef was tender and tasty. Overall, i would absolutely recommend it. Be prepared for leftovers. Potato Pancakes make a great breakfast. :)
(4)
Leesa C.
Great food and great feeling of being in Germany. I highly recommend it, beer tastings are a blast once a month. Once we finish renovations, it's really going to be fun to eat here.
(4)
Steven S.
Just drank beer after eating elsewhere and the selections were often unusual and outstanding - some pretty pricey - but they're German beers you don't see every day - or ever. PS Owner mentioned to a long time customer than he was glad the snowbirds were back. Somehow I sense that may be a sentence repeated in many SoFlo establishments!
(4)
Laurie L.
Women's bathroom condition-1 Service-3 Ambience/romantic-2 Food-5 My Husband and I came here on a Friday night to enjoy some German food. It's a very small place. Upon walking in, we were seated, and brought some average bread and butter by the host. We were literally waiting 10 minutes to receive a menu. There were 2 servers working the floor, and they BOTH walked by us about 4 times--no greeting, no "I'll be right with you", nothing. We finally had to flag a server down. She seemed unconcerned, but she did bring us menus. I looked into my Husband's eyes, ready to enjoy our romantic night, and realized I couldn't because the restaurant was so loud!! We had to talk so high to hear each other. I looked around, and the restaurant has somewhat of an old-world German feel, but not too much ambience to speak of. Oh well. No romance. My Husband's beer was great. I went to the bathroom to wash up before dinner, and I almost walked right out. It was an individual bathroom, very hot and musty, with no air circulation. I counted 3 huge horsefles flying around the bathroom. One was dead on the floor. There was a large puddle of water leaking from the toilet. There were a few spots on the wall that looked a brown liquid had dripped down a long time ago, and had become encrusted on the wall. The sink had hair on it, and more brown stains that could easily wipe off. They hung cotton bathroom towels to wipe off your hands that were very worn and dirty. (I wiped my hands on my pants!) There was old dirt encrusted around the toilet and the corners of the wall--the kind that only shows up when people don't clean. The bathroom literally looked like nobody had taken the time to give it a deep clean in months. I hope they were just having an "off night", or their cleaner didn't show up the night before, because it was one of the worst bathrooms i've ever seen in a restaurant. Moving on....the food was spectacular. The portions were very generous. I got a plate with bratwurst, knockwurst, pork loin, veggies, and spatzel. My breaded pork was the most tender I have ever tasted. My Husband's pork shank was tender to the extreme! They do a great, traditional German meal. If you don't mind the noise, the dirty women's room (which I HOPE was a fluke that night), and the average service, I think you'd be able to enjoy a wonderful German meal here with some friends.
(3)
Astrid S.
I'm born and raised in Germany and this is my favorite German restaurant in the area. The red cabbage, the sauerkraut and the spaetzle are great. It's a tiny place, and always seems to be crowded, but we still never wait a long time for a table. They have specials every day, and while the prices are not exactly cheap, the staff always gives out coupons so you can enjoy some savings. The food is great, my mom couldn't make it better. And the best part, it's almost unbelievable how fast the food comes out, you can barely finish the pretzels and mustard that come as soon as you sit down. However, it's happened a few times now that I checked the check and the numbers just didn't add up. Make sure that you are paying the correct amount after using your coupons, which might be hard for some people, since you can't leave the place without at least having had 3-4 German beers. On some Fridays they have beer and food tastings, but you have to make a reservation, it's a very popular event.
(4)
Kev M.
First off, they sell lots of beer, mostly German, so they have that going for them. Secondly, they serve food like goulash, potato pancakes, spatzel, red cabbage, that remind me of what my grandma's cooking tasted like, which is a second good thing. The place is kind of small and was full of seniors there for the 2 for 1 dinner deals, so the waitress was a little curt when we tried to inquire about details of the menu. The table to my left had troubles ordering because they didn't know what they wanted and then when food came they couldn't remember who ordered what. Felt a little bad for the waitress. I was happy with the large Tucher Oktoberfest. And the second one too. The place from the outside looks like it's squeezed into a strip mall, but they do alright with the space they have. Lots of wood and German beer steins and a large bar with taps. Prices were within reason too. If I lived in the area, I'd likely visit with my friends again. I took the two photos with my phone that night too.
(4)
Jennifer P.
Food was unbelievable! First time my daughters and I have had true German and we fell in love with it. Loved the bread selections. German potato salad - YUM! Spatzel was excellent - had to order a second of that! Sausages were tender. Black forest cake was like heaven! Ready to come back to Florida just for Checkers!
(5)
Stuart S.
We are snowflakes and get down to Florida about 5 times a year. We have been driving by Checkers as we live past it near the beach. Finally I convinced my wife to try it in September. We were not disappointed. Now let me start off by telling you that you gotta have a coupon. Everyone else does. You can find them in any of the local newspapers. We tried the Potato Pancakes as an appetizer and my wife and I had the house specialty the wienerschnitzel. Mine was regular and my wife's was stuffed. It was delicious. All of it. Now, I'm not a beer drinker but it seemed everyone else there was and what a huge serving they do serve. My friends took my advise and tried it after us. They loved it too and he did have a dark beer and loved it! The restaurant had almost every table taken for dinner so a reservation might be a good idea. And, if you don't have a coupon, the waitress will give you one for the next time you dine.
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :2209 E Atlantic Blvd
Pompano Beach, FL, 33062
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Sue B.
I don't give 5 stars lightly. But the food is THAT good. And when you factor the service and atmosphere, it's an easy decision. We were shopping in the area. I figured we should use the restaurant.com gift certificate that I've carried around since December. If I knew how delicious everything would be, I'd have used the certificate when I printed it! We ordered: Appetizer: Combinationen Platte $10: brats, knocks and potato pancakes. It was served with sauerkraut, red cabbage, sour cream, applesauce and brown mustard. For the first time ever I loved the sausage as much as hubby! It was creamy smooth - fine ground meat, free of hard chunks of fat, that was spiced well. Entree: Schweinhaxen $14: A 2 pound pork shank that's boiled and then roasted for 6 hours. It has a chicharron outside and a juicy inside. The glaze of homemade gravy gilded the lily! It was served with pan fried spaetzel (so much better than the mushy pasta worms I've had elsewhere) and red cabbage. You can pick 2 sides - these are the ones we picked. Entree: Stuffed wienerschnitzle sandwich $9: breaded, fried veal, black forest ham and provolone cheese with lettuce, tomato and mayo on fresh pumpernickel bread and German potato salad. (Maria, our server suggested I get the salad served hot - it's bacon, onion, vinegar and potatoes. I usually dislike potato salad so that's a huge compliment to the chef!) After splitting the combo plate, we were pretty much full. We decided to taste the entrees and then take it to go. But the mouthfuls of juicy pork and crunchy, salty skin were too good to stop eating. Until we tried the sandwich. We took turns picking up half of the sandwich to have 'just one more bite". Finally we asked for boxes. By this time, I called Mom and told her we were bringing her food. We wanted her to taste this food! We ordered the same sandwich and an apple strudel. We ordered a slice of German chocolate cake to taste and take the rest to go. Maria told us that the rich, dense chocolate cake was made by her coworker. What a great recipe! We had our fill of the generously sliced cake with whipped cream and chocolate sauce before taking the rest to go. So, I'm not going to cook anytime soon. And we are going to eat like kings. Considering that hubby's Mom was from Germany and that he lived in Germany for a bit, he has a better idea of what this food should taste like than me. But we are both dazzled by the chef's dishes. Maria gave us coupons for future visits. We can't wait to return!
(5)Charlie G.
We had a large group diving in Pompano Beach, and some others had been here before and highly recommended it. We arrived late in the evening after a late dive... and were supposed to have reservations. It was pretty busy (Saturday night, after all)... and it took a while for them to get us all seated (14 people). But overall, they did very well... and service was excellent. We had some potato pancakes to start out... and they were good! Great flavor... and I love potato pancakes! Nice portion of sour cream and applesauce with them also. I had the RahmSchnitzel, with hot potato salad, sauerkraut, and cucumber salad. It was delicious...really good! my girlfriends Chicken Hunter was apparently delicious, as she did not share, lol! Others all said the food was excellent also. Spaetzel looked yummy, will have to try it next time! The beer here looks wonderful, and those of us who like beer were drinking lots of "boots", lol. Not a beer drinker myself, but I was almost tempted! We will definitely be back on our next trip to Pompano! I have to try the Schweinehaxen... that looks sooooo goood!
(5)Dee K.
Im into it. Love German food, so hard to turn me off: had a great grapefruit wheat beer- tasted like orange soda! Shnitzel, spaetzle and red cabbage with mushroom gravy was hearty, warm and tasty. The staff were friendly and you could tell they have a small and loyal clientele. I think we will be back- especially because its close to home. German hospitality- danke!
(4)Tracey K.
We came here due to a groupon deal, and it's one of the best ones we've bought. I've never had German cuisine before, so I got the Bavarian Platter with bratwurst, knockwurst, wienerschnitzel, sauerbraten, spaetzel, and mashed potatoes. Everything was really flavorful and it was great to be able to sample so many different things. The breading on the wienerschnitzel was slightly soggy, probably from the combination of its own heat, other food on the plate, and the sauce. I think the knockwurst and spaetzel were my favorite. My bf, his roomie, and his brother also really enjoyed their meals. We got the apple strudel to share for dessert, which was a great way to end dinner. I also got a beer flight, most of which was gone by the time our food came. Our server was very friendly and even let us sample some beers before committing to a certain one. They have a lot of their own coupons to keep you coming back for more (not that they need to). All in all, if you're ever in the mood for German food or just want to go somewhere laid back to have some German beers, this is the place for you.
(4)Corbin B.
"Sauerbraten" tenderness melted in my mouth, the knife provided was that of a novelty. The red cabbage side was so sweet It took most of my complimentary bread to soak up the succulent juices to ensure I enjoyed it all! A potato dumpling ensured my fullnesss but the Apple Strussle desert definitely solidified the deal. The service was so prompt and particular she seemed to know my choice as I was deciding it Infront of her. The website drew me in but the experience made me a believer! Come hungry my friends.
(5)Todd R.
Second time dining here last night and I've decided that I love this place! The first time got off to a semi rocky start because I waited almost an hour just to sit at the bar. The place was jam packed and their method of putting your name down on the list seems to do no good because people just camp for tables. That was the first time though and the food that time was incredible as was the beer. This time there was no wait, and although there was a good amount of people, there were still plenty of open spots at the bar and tables. The interior of this place has got a lot of charm. Classic handmade beer steins all along the wall, deep aged wood shelves and tables, tons of German flair all over the place and an incredible staff and large selection of beers (on tap and in the bottle) this place has got it all! Their food is excellent too, probably the best German food I've had in SoFlo yet. The menu is really large and there's a lot of things I've never tried, so there's more variety than typical German places that often serve the same 5 dishes. The food is flavorful and cooked to order, it comes out piping hot and it just looks and smells amazing. I've tried their sausage sampler which is excellent, their schweinhaxen (pork leg that is baked then fried on the outside) and their Rahmschnitzel, and apple strudel. It has all been delicious! If you're into German food and don't mind a long wait at times and a very busy cozy spot, then you'll love it here. The food, drink, and atmosphere are all great!
(5)Shannon G.
We weren't disappointed after reading past reviews. The kombination appetizer platter, Bavarian onion and apple soup, schweinhaxen, spaetzle, muenster fried cheese and raspberry sauce, schweinbraten, stuffed weinerschnizle, warm potato salad, all delicious and well seasoned. Authentic German food for sure. The only thing I'll mention is that some of it was very salty. Since I'm a fan of salting I loved it, but the crust on the schweinhaxen and schweinbraten were both heavily salted. The service was great and all her suggestions were met with delicious approval. We will definitely be back!
(5)Charmie P.
I have driven past Checkers for years and have been wanting to try it for a while, finally my hubby agreed to go for dinner after putting if off for so long. The restaurant is small and cozy, service is very friendly and attentive, most of the clientele are obvious regulars which the staff knows well, everyone is treated like they've known you for years. We sat at the bar and were promptly greeted and served a bread basket, they only serve beer and wine but they have a nice selection of German beers and many types of wines to choose from. The food is made fresh and servings are huge. I tried the Goulash and selected the beans and potato salad as my side, it was excellent and so large I took most of it home. My hubby ordered the Bavarian platter with sauerkraut, I had a bite and it was delicious, he was also very pleased with his dinner. We are adding Checkers as one of our regular local casual restaurants.
(4)Katie M.
I've never had German food before but this was a great first! We were a big party and the staff handled us great, which was really nice. The food was delicious also. I got the veal wienerschnitzel with the spaetzel and sauerkraut for sides.... Best sauerkraut I've ever had in my entire life. Spaetzel was a bit bland but I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to be because I've never had it before. The staff were blatantly on their phones in front of the tables and it just looked unprofessional. Other than that, great German atmosphere and great food. Must try if you're in the area!
(4)Dirk M.
My mother is German, so I know what good German food tastes like. I have been in search for a good authentic German restaurant in the U.S. with no avail. This place is it!! The Bavarian onion apple Soup brought me back to the German Alps! The pork wienersnitzel was authentic! This place was delicious, or as the german's would say, "Sehr Gut!!"
(5)Rich M.
Nice little cozy german spot. They have good specials on Fridays. But its small and gets packed around 7 so get in early. Bavarian platter and Veal is on point.
(4)Cathy P.
Two for one Weinerschnitzel! (with a coupon-that I found in a local newspaper) Boots of beer! Great bread basket with pretzel pieces and mustard! My only complaint is that I wanted to try the stuffed weinerschnitzel but couldn't use the coupon for that. Will have to go back to try it.
(4)Heather S.
Excellent food, from the brats and sausages, to the stuffed weinerschnitzel. Will definitely go back.
(4)Jiaxi W.
Except for the food, we all liked the beer there!
(4)Robert C.
This place was awesome. They have great beer & food. One of the best meatloaf's I have ever had. With an amazing paprika gravy. You need to ask for it though.
(5)John B.
Wunderbar! Had the appetizer sampler which was plenty for lunch and a Weihenstephan Dunkel. Prost! Great staff. Super friendly service and sunny and 85 degrees in late December for great outdoor dining.
(5)Venus V.
We found out about this place through groupon. So thankful for that! Excellent food and staff is very attentive. We keep on going back!
(5)Mark S.
Great place if you like Weiner Schnitzel, apple French soup, and beer. I don't like their side orders but the pretzels are good I guess it is more I don't like their range of German food I find wanting. I like it but not frequently.
(3)Grace P.
My boyfriend took me here for the first time on a Saturday. To start off I'm not very familiar with German cuisine other than sauerkraut and Warsteiner beer. According to him this was his favorite German restaurant in town. When we first walked in, they asked if we had reservations which we did not however they still seated us anyway. There was definitely quite a number of folks already seated. The place is small with an old time flair. The walls are decorated with steins and German nicknacks. As for the food and beer, they have an awesome selection of German beers. I ordered a Erdinger Hefe Weizen and my boyfriend ordered a Krombacher Dark. We both passed on 'the boot'. (I can't drink that much beer in one sitting). We were very hungry so we decided to get the sausage sampler to start. I don't remember the different kinds but they were very tasty. For our main course I had the stuffed wienerschnitzle - wienerschnitzle stuffed with Black Forest Ham, provolone cheese, sautéed with onions and mushrooms with German potato salad and red cabbage on the side. The whole dish was delicious. I did notice however the red cabbage was a bit too salty for my taste. I will have to come back another time and try it again. The wienerschnitzle however, was awesome. My boyfriend had the same dish with German potato salad and spaetzel (German noodles). He highly recommends it! The wait staff were friendly and accommodating and overall I would come back again and try other beers and dishes.
(4)Mariah S.
Probably the best sauerkraut I've ever had. Food was delicious, staff was friendly. I had a really good time there
(4)Gary B.
Get the Fried Cheese(not on the menu) & the 2lb pork shank w Spatzel! Place is Amazing! Wash it down with a boot of Octoberfest!
(5)Sharon R.
Food was awesome! I'm German and it was authentic! My friend had the Jaegerschnitzel and it was delicious! Our other friend had the Rouladen and it was fantastic! I had the platter which jad bratwurst, knockwurst, wiener schnitzel, and sauerbraten and was absolutely fabulous! I can't say enough good thing about the food! Delicious! Service was good and the restaurant was super cute!
(5)Giselle B.
While we didn't eat at Checkers Old Munchen the food looked very good. After tasting their beer, we determined that the lines on their taps were dirty and the beer tasted off. The management should clean their draft beer lines to remove any sediment or mold and that should fix it. Otherwise, it's a charming little restaurant with a nice bar and cool memorabilia from Munich Oktoberfest.
(2)Jessica P.
Great German food and fun atmosphere.
(5)Mike S.
Easily the best of the German restaurants in Broward county. The food here is exceptional and the staff is fantastic. We took a friend here for birthday dinner last night, and she is German and had an amazing time. From the decor to the beer boots to the luscious desserts (Black Forest cake and Apple Struedel), everything was spot on. I will be back soon!!
(5)Kelley L.
Authentic German food in FLORIDA? Yep, it is real. Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 4.5 stars Service: 4 stars I would LOVE to give this place five stars if I had the opportunity to eat here again and give the sauerkraut another chance. However, the restaurant was really cool with traditional German music in the background. The menu also listed a lot of traditional Bavarian food, which was awesome. And the German beers, oh yessss. Our waitress was really nice. We actually got there fifteen minutes before closing, but we were still seated. The bread was okay...we could tell that it was not fresh because we got there at almost closing time, but I don't judge them terribly for that. I ordered the bratwurst platter. The bratwurst was grilled really well -- so much better than bratwurst I have had in San Francisco, almost like Los Angeles. The sauerkraut was okay...I have not really found a place outside Germany that does sauerkraut well. The potato was also good. The wienerschnitzel was so good! Crispy texture and moist meat -- so good! Really enjoyed the main dishes. For dessert, we tried the apple strudel, which was really good, but you have to enjoy it at the restaurant while it is still warm and fresh out the kitchen. I really enjoyed my experience here, and recommend those looking for great German food to eat here. I already miss it...
(4)Don L.
I'm generally fairly tight with my 5-star ratings but this place is excellent all the way around. Portions are a good size service is very attentive and most important of all the food is excellent. Certainly worth a detour if you're in the area.
(5)Zachary F.
This is my favorite place to eat at hands down the best. Service is great and the food is better. It's all so freaking good. It you want to save a few bucks, they have a different coupons for different days of the week. The atmosphere puts you in a good mood.
(5)Alfred G.
My wife and I ordered takeout while on vacation. The food was good and authentic. The place itself seemed small but it had a bar as well. You get plenty of food with your order.
(5)Ami S.
Went there for lunch yesterday & haven't stopped talking about it since. Had the onion & Apple soup.. I don't usually order anything with onions but this looked so good I had to try. So glad I did as it was delicious. The warm potato salad is also to die for! Had a sandwich & everything was fresh & tasty. My bartender was sweet, attentive & very knowledgeable, answered all of our questions with a smile. She was awesome. Will definitely be going back & will be bringing all my friends.
(5)linda s.
horrible experience i would never suggest this restaurant to anyone who knows or wants german food dont look the kitchen its filthy dirty not worth $100 it cost not too sure of much here other than dont eat here...
(1)Deborah K.
So first time there ever! But highly recommended Had reservations and we were seated immediately That's great Waitress overwhelmed and rude ! She was so polite and timely with the larger tables and there were many. R food came out in record speed our drink order not so much . had to wave waitress down via arms flaying! Food was delicious Waite staff fair to poor BUT we will go with it was ST PATRICKS day there were large parties and again our waitress was overwhelmed ! Would try Again on a night not a holiday
(4)Natasha C.
This is a hidden gem in an unexpected place. A friend of ours had recommended this place at one point, and we finally got around to trying it last night. The restaurant is small and cozy, reminding the guest of small restaurants in Germany with the decor and hand-troweled plaster and wood wall motifs. It does, however, get really busy, so getting a reservation is key to not waiting forever for a table. Things: 1. I had the pork Wienerschnitzel, with pickled red cabbage and spaetzle-- yum! It was seriously good. 2. My husband had the Schweinhaxen, which was slow roasted, but with crispy skin, which he shared with me. Oh my, if there's one thing I love, it's crispy skin. 3. The beer on tap is all German, and all of it is good. We had Spaten Optimator, and had the option of a 16 oz pint or a 32 oz boot. Yowza! 4. The servers are really nice, and the window seats are great for extra lighting or watching folks walk by. 5. The bread basket is made of amazing things. It comes with soft pretzel cut into bits, slices of black bread (pumpernickel), and slices of really good white mountain bread, as well as butter and stone ground mustard. Be careful about filling up here, as it's really easy to do when the bread is so good!
(5)John H.
What a wonderful find! We were planning to have dinner elsewhere but were faced with an hour wait. A quick internet search turned up Checkers. It is reasonably close to the beach and though it's in a strip mall, it's quite comfortable and parking is plentiful--which isn't the case for every pot in Pompano Beach. Service is friendly and helpful, and the food is excellent. The chopped salad for two could serve three to four; it's tangy and crunchy and tasty. Potato pancakes are crisp on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. Saurbraten is tender and flavorful, and the pork schnitzel is very solid--loved the brown gravy. All around wonderful experience!
(4)Brittany R.
My fiancé took me here for the first time and it was absolutely delicious. The service was amazing from the second we walked in. Our appetizer and entrees came out fast and the food was to die for. We had the veal weiner schnitzel and applied strudel for dessert. We will definitely be back. Our server also gave us coupons for the next time we come back!
(5)Frank B.
We found another hidden gem. Outstanding food and service! The appetizer suggestion is the Apple-Onion Soup (superb). Then for your entree, the slow roasted Pork Shank is amazing (it's a 2 lbs. "Fred Flintstone" size portion) with a crispy deep fried skin. Leave room for desert because the daily homemade "Pineapple Upside Down Cake" by co-owner, Natalie is truly heaven. Better call for reservations for this quaint restraurant is always full. Cheers!
(5)Loretta G.
Things got off to an awkward start when we asked to move to a table by the window because we thought it'd be warmer -- I was freezing under an air-conditioner vent -- and were told no by server Natalie because we didn't have reservations. (There were many empty tables at this point.) As with reviewer Emily G., who posted 7/28/2013, Natalie rushed us through our order, removed my date's beer glass even though it was a third full and asked if I wanted a box when I'd barely eaten half of my food. She was manic and loud, bellowing "have a good weekend!" to guests who'd barely viewed their tab so they'd feel pressured to leave. (A bus person, meanwhile, interrupted us repeatedly to ask if he could clear plates.) Our wienerschnitzel was dry (too bad we weren't offered water or refills on our drinks) and -- this was disconcerting -- my piece had a bone in it. (I assume that it was a bone but didn't want to examine it in front of my date, choosing instead to dispose of the hard chunk in my napkin.) I filled up on pretzels from our bread basket, and my date said his mashed potatoes were good. We both ordered the "vegetable of the day" -- green beans -- and they did the job, along the lines of frozen-bag quality. When we presented a cash-only coupon and asked if a debit card was acceptable -- some merchants accept debit cards as "cash" -- Natalie snapped that it was "cash-only-two-for-one-wienerschnitzel!" Yes, we can read. We felt annoyed, anxious and disappointed. Would we return to Checkers Old Munchen? A definite nein.
(1)shanna l.
Awesome German food! Terrific service! I tried this place because I received a gift certificate now it's a monthly regular visit ! The remodel helped with inside decor! Food is fresh. I like sitting at the bar and meeting other locals! This is worth a try! If you like German food you will love it here!
(5)D S.
Excellent food, reasonable prices and great service. Oh, almost forgot, wonderful beers! Six of us had a very enjoyable dinner Sunday night.
(5)Naveed B.
Beer is great, food is okay, and service is okay. Be sure to check your bill for accuracy. Will not return.
(2)Kilroy K.
This is my second time there in less than two weeks. I Love this place. The German food is excellant and great service. It will be going there more often for sure.
(5)Jennifer H.
My husband loves German food. I know it sounds strange to go to a place like this when on vacation by the ocean, but it was his choice tonight. So, it was good. He had the schweinhaxen and I had the wienersnitchzel (that was veal). It was all very good. We also had the chopped salad for two as well as two optimators to drink. Yum. I can't say that I don't love German beer because I do. It is wonderful!!! The service was good (from the waitress anyway). She was very friendly and nice. I would go back next time I am here for sure.
(4)Jose D.
The red cabbage was sour. The owner doesn't give a flying nothing about his customer. Beer is ok.
(3)Greg B.
I have to say, I'm drunk ... that is ... drunk with love for Checkers Old Munchen. Why is that? Hmmmm, where to begin? I'm a German American who loves German Restaurants. I have been to different German Restaurants in the Fort Lauderdale area, and this place ranks right up there. I was motivated by a "Gotta-half-it" coupon, and so I ventured here after work on a Tuesday night (the Tuesday prior to Christmas). I found a spot in the back parking lot, but suffice to say parking is at a premium. As I walked through the back door and down a long hallway, I was able to nab a spot at the bar (this place was jam-packed with happy patrons) Oh! Oh! Oh! My bartender, Kelly. ... She provided me with preliminary options for both soup, food and drink. I opted for a cup of German apple and onion soup. It was served very hot with a piece of bread placed in it. It was good. But what I was more taken aback by was the basket of bread options, which included dark rye, italian white (served with butter) and soft pretzels pieces (served with dark, brown mustard). Oh! Oh! Oh! The beer ... as in a large glass boot of beer. Warsteiner ($10). It was cold and delicious. My understanding is that they have an array of beer options, but I played it safe with Warsteiner. Next time I return I'll try other types of beer. Oh! Oh! Oh! The food ... I opted for one of the specials: Stuffed Wienerschnitzle. It was good. It was crispy on the outside and juicy and meaty on the inside, and served hot. My two sides included mashed potatoes and red cabbage. No, really, it was good. I'm not under-selling it. But, let me fast-forward to the dessert: Oh! Oh! Oh! The dessert ... I had the homemade apple strudel. When in a German restaurant, do as the Germans would do and eat apple strudel. It was soooooooo good. Vanilla ice cream on the top of it, whipped cream on the sides, cinnamon and hot fudge chocolate. God, I'm such a pig, but bare with me ... had to order some potato pancakes to go for next day's work lunch. They hooked me up with four of them. Love the potato pancakes. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Lowell P.
Easily the best German restaurant we've ever visited - and we've been to a lot of them. The food is spectacular and the service friendly. The ambiance works for whether you're on a date or just coming back from the beach - that is to say it's cozy and nice, but casual enough to be comfortable. Great selection of beer, too. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Martin B.
Delicious and the best beer selection for anyone that wants to taste German brew. The prices are fair and the food is traditional German... Omg you gotta get the schnitzel - its awesome. Go for happy hour - sit at the bar and get your buzz on ... Good people and lots of fun!!
(5)Diane H.
I belong to a retiree Group of a once Major airline. We have eaten at this establishment in the past about 4-5 yrs ago. At that time the food all inclusive 1 price of salad, entree choice of 3 , dessert , coffee & tea, tip plus service was pretty good , we all had a great time. Not today. Not only was the dessert separate but the tip for a party of 15 people was not included. When our President questioned the owner(which she had made the arrangement days before we arrived), he proceeded to get upset n claimed the opposite. We will not be using this establishment for our future Octoberfest yearly get together.
(2)Frank D.
...............this year we ADDed WINE to the goose and SIX bottles later i can't decide what i liked BETTER than the other, the GooSE or the WiNE................anyway once again: WuNDERBaR !
(5)Todd B.
Wow! It's rare I give 5 stars. Food here was fantastic! We shared the potato pancakes and soft pretzels as appetizer...served with applesauce and sour cream...and mustard for the pretzels. Real tasty! For dinner, I had the pork Weinerschnitzel which was impeccable...and a huge piece of meat too. I chose the German noodles and the mashed potatoes--extra gravy was offered and I gladly accepted! My dinner mate had the Bavarian platter...again--impeccable! No service issues--dessert was a few bites of the excellent German chocolate cake with the rest taken for home. This place was so good and will be a "must visit" on future trips to Florida. Thanks for an excellent experience.
(5)Emily G.
My fiancé and I loved this place. This weekend we went fri/sat back to back to knock off beers in the beer tour. We ate both times and have no complaints about the food, but service was like night and day. Rachel served is on fri. Very sweet. Made recommendations. Hustled her tail off between serving the bar and our table. Natalie was another story. Rushed us through our order. Demanded that I order first because I was a lady, when I specifically requested from the men that they order first. Teased us with a non existent coupon that she didnt have, when I told her we forgot ours from last night. Asked us if we wanted another beer and then told us we couldn't have one. Removed 2/3 plates when we asked her to leave them while i finished up. Rushed us out the door at 9:59PM lacking subtlety by telling us to have a good weekend fifty times. I wish there was a way to get our tip back. I feel like we were the ones who deserved to be tipped. There was a total difference in the staff altogether too. On Friday the owner is there so everyone is on their best behavior, but he didnt appear to be there sat. Aside from Rachel, who was very sweet and smiley, the rest of the staff seemed irritated to be there. News flash, you are a waitstaff, your job is to serve customers on Saturday nights...this just in. If you don't like it, don't do it.
(1)Awesome's R.
This is the place to have breakfast in pompano beach. The pancakes are great and the service is family friendly. Children and parents are made to feel at home. The only drawback is there isn't much explanation on the menu as to what the German dishes are. That doesn't matter too much because anything you order will be great
(3)Jim G.
We love this place. Informal, not expensive, good German comfort food, and usually crowded with nice people (many seem to be regulars). The staff is great! Parking can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort. If you like good beer, this is heaven.
(4)David B.
I lived 9 years in Germany, so whenever I have a chance to try a German restaurant, I will give it a try. I was very happy to have "checked out" Checkers. When you get to the table, they bring a nice plate of soft pretzels with spicy mustard and some bread and butter (white and pumpernickel). Very nice touch and very tasty. The Wienerschnitzel was really well prepared. It was tender and delicious. The red cabbage was very good, and I had the cucumber salad, which was also really good. For dessert, I had the black forest cake, which was pretty good. The service was a little slow, but the place was kind of busy. I'd probably give them 4 and a half stars if I could, but it's four or five, and it's just not that five star level for me. Very close, though. I'd definitely return and suggest this place to anyone looking for good German cuisine.
(4)Kris B.
The owner of this place is a spoiled brat and a jerk. Apparently he thinks that he deserves to have his ass kissed in and out of his restaurant. I can't imagine how he even got into hospitality unless someone just gave him this place. Two big thumbs down.
(1)Vain E.
Great food and amazing great times. If you like German food, forget the other places in town, and go directly to Checkers. Matt and the super-friendly staff will treat you like family or an old friend. Their motto is there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met yet and they totally live by it. The Veal Wienerschnitzel is perfect - lightly breaded, tender and juicy. I'm not a sauerkraut guy - but I love theirs.. any of the traditional German sides are excellent. If you're daring, try the Stuffed Wienerschnitzle - AMAZING.. or if you really want to go for it, the Schweinhaxen, a seasoned 2lb. pork shank that is boiled and slowly roasted for 6 hours is waiting for you. You can't go to Checkers without joining a beer tour. 26 beers from around Germany.. complete it and you get your name on the wall of fame, your very own das boot and a t-shirt! They also do a monthy beer tasting event with 8 hand-picked selections, a buffet and raffle... good times indeed! Go. Go now. Go.
(5)K C.
Very good German food and nice selection of beer. I had the Rinder Rouladen which was very good. Service was friendly and the place had a really nice feel to it. Would love to go back again!!!! Next time I'm in Florida! Parking is limited. The back has spots, just small.
(5)Jaszon S.
Having lived in Germany, and being half German, I can attest that the food is authentically German and I can assure you that it's probably the best in South Florida (more flavorful than Old Heidelberg). For me, some of the dishes are nostalgic as they remind me of dishes my grandmother would whip up on a Sunday afternoon. If you're debating between Checkers and Old Heidelberg, come here if you are looking great German food. I've been here several times over the years, way before I was Yelping, and this place is always consistent as far as the food goes. While the staff is friendly, just note that the service is often quite slow, and that is the only reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars.
(4)Erin L.
You know it's good when you find a new restaurant and eat there twice in 3 days! I am so glad to have found a fun, friendly place serving up incredibly delicious German specialties. With a wide selection of German beer to suit any taste you can be sure to accompany your meal with the perfect brew. Portions are generous and the sides are spectacular (German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, spaetzle) and savory entrees like bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerbraten, and a whopping 2 pound pork shank will blow you away! Be sure to save room for the pineapple upside down cake - perhaps not authentic German - but a perfect finish to a great meal! Parking can be limited so go a bit early in case you need to park a block up and walk over.
(5)Bill P.
Really liked this place. Staff was friendly, and they gave us coupons to use the next time we came. Great both times we went. Flavor was really good, and not made more bland like some German restaurants do (e.g. Red cabbage).
(5)Kobe D.
This place is a Pompano institution. My parents brought us here as kids and I ended up working in a German restaurant in college so I still crave some wiener schnitzel and spaetzle from time to time. Great selection of German beer with lots of wheat beers which I love. I normally order Wiener schnitzel but the server talked me into their pork shank last time and it was amazing. I try to avoid corporate chains and frequent local restaurants as much as possible. This is a mom and pop gem that's been serving up great food for over 30 years. It appears their son has taken over but I haven't noticed any decline in the food or service.
(5)Bill L.
Authentic atmosphere and cuisine! We love the Jaeger Schnitzel and Spaetzel. Service is great! We get seated and waited on right away. Last night we also tried the German Chocolate cake with ice cream and loved it too! Highly recommended!
(5)Gary B.
Very good German food. Huge portions. My favorites were the red cabbage (as a side), and the onion/apple soup.
(5)John S.
they deep-fried my Pork Shank, 'nuff said !
(1)Conor G.
AUSGEZEICHNET! So happy to be back at this restaurant after the fire. Everything was as excellent as it always was. From the dark rye bread and easily spreadable butter to the dense and sweet pineapple upside down cake, I loved my dinner last night. I also had the potato pancakes (light and crisp as always) and for a change, I had the Lemon-Riesling Grouper with the red cabbage and spaetzel. The fish was perfectly cooked, flaky, flavorful and the sauce didn't overpower the fish. The service is always friendly and I had a very nice conversation with the owner. I am looking forward to my next visit with more of my friends and hopefully I will get there for one of the monthly beer tastings.
(5)Ben H.
I have been going here for while like 3-4 years. Never had a Bad Meal. The staff is great and as well as ownership. If your looking for authentic german food... Look no further. This place is on point!
(5)Sofia P.
Went there for dinner Saturday night. No hostess, no bartender. Place was packed and staff was overwhelmed. Beer mugs were warm therefore beer wasn't as enjoyable. Pretzels and bread were stale. On a positive note the pork weinerschnitzel, cabbage and German noodles were really good. Place has potential but needs some work. Would give it another try.
(3)Marc P.
Probably the best german food in the county. I've found one place as good, but not better. They most definitely have the best Jaegarschnitzel, and their stuffed weinerschnitzel is the best as well. Their specials are great, and the beer and food have never been bad. Can't really ask much more from a german restaurant.
(5)Kevin C.
This in one of the best German food restaurants I've been to in South Florida. The free bread basket they serve is reason enough for me to keep coming back! They have a variety of breads including soft pretzels that come in the basket. The decor is very German and gets you into the mood.
(4)Mike S.
Far and away the best German food in the US. Been to other restaurants and they all pale in comparison. The selection of food and spirits is large and well portioned. The ambiance is very authentic and you don't feel crowded at all. The service was top shelf and authentic. We will absolutely be back!!!!
(5)Maya W.
I was planning on having my birthday dinner there next week and called to see if they have anything gluten free. The lady on the phone said she thinks the sausage is but she can ask the chef. The chef also said he was pretty sure but I dont want to risk any of my friends getting sick so I asked if she could ask him if he is sure or not. The response was "he says he is really busy right now". No offer to find out or call back or anything like that. Apart from that, it was a simple question; yes, no or I don't know would have done......no way I am ever going to this place.
(1)Marqus R.
The construction is finished! The food, especially their pork shank are now back to what I had prior to construction. Everything on their menu is again a delight and the service is now very good. Definitely one of the very best in German Restaurants in the area. Here's a suggestion, check on the Internet and in their local ads as the usually run two for one specials which result in a terrific value.
(4)cheryl S.
My husband and I had dinner there tonight--and it was as good, or even better than last year (we were visiting Pompano). The weinerschnitzel was delicious. Their fish special was grouper, which has become almost impossible to get in Florida. It was light and perfectly cooked. The red cabbage and sauerkraut were about the best I have ever had. Although we return home this Saturday, we hope to have a chance to visit again before we leave. Also, the service was great--quick, efficient and friendly. Make sure to make a reservations, it was crowded even on a Monday night.
(5)Mike A.
This was a dinner visit and we were looking for a relaxing leisurely dinner at a unique place with some old world charm. I was surprised when we walked in to the nearly empty establishment and approached the "inquisitor" who demanded to know if we had made a reservation. This set the stage of anticipation for an inundation of patrons at any moment. The server, who was also the greeting hostess, would continue this facade throughout a less than stellar culinary experience. We felt rushed to order and this escalated every few moments, as the staff would repeatedly and frequently ask if they could take our plates well before we were done with the food they contained. I found myself wondering if they were short of dishes and needed ours back quickly or perhaps, since the place was nearly empty, the dishes were rented by the minute and needed to be returned to curtail the bill. The crowning moment was when the server seized my half-full beer and spirited it away more quickly than I could speak. I assume the glass was liberated from my table for immediate use by a much needier patron or perhaps they needed the remaining beer for anesthetic in an emergency surgery. The veal schnitzel arrived (quickly) a deep dark brown as opposed to the pleasant golden color I associate with good Bavarian or Austrian Schnitzel. The color accurately conveyed that it was overcooked and over breaded as verified by the dried out, tough interior I would find upon my first bite. (Whit- leather comes to mind). Fortunately, in a break with tradition, a carafe of gravy flew low across the table at some point and I was able to moisten the veal before it disappeared over the horizon. Jäger Schnitzel is not generally my favorite but the hybrid addition of moisture made the dish tolerable. The vegetables fared somewhat better under the chef's attention with a bean mix that at least compared to higher end "steam in the bag" versions from the local grocer and the potatoes were actually good. In short, the food might have received enough of a pass to at least try for something less demanding than the schnitzel on a second try, but alas, the wait staff killed that possibility. The wait staff should open a dialogue with NASCAR as they would do well serving in a pit crew environment. The best part of our meal? It was over quickly!
(1)Joe M.
This is a fantastic German restaurant on Atlantic with a quaint, tavern-like decor and amazing food at decent prices. They also have an extensive beer menu with imported German beers by the bottle and several on-tap. Be sure to get "Das Boot," a large boot-shaped glass with about two beers in it. The food is really amazing, especially their signature Schweinhaxen dish. It's a 3-lb pork shank that's been boiled until melt-in-your-mouth tender and then broiled until the outside is crispy. It's covered with brown gravy and served with two of their excellent side dishes including potato dumplings, spaetzel, garlic mash, and a few others. Be sure to try their fried potato pancake appetizer served with applesauce. You pretty much can't go wrong at Checkers Old Munchen which is why the wife and I head here monthly.
(5)S L.
My wife had a great time here at lunch with her friends last week and they had such a pleasant experience. However, tonight, not so really. We had a gift certificate that the waitress said that we couldn't use because it was Christmas. It wasn't on the fine print, but we were understanding. The waitress started serving us "COMPLIMENTARY" drinks, before we even ordered and after we ordered, it was followed by a "COMPLIMENTARY" soup. Wow, we thought, ok, we can't use the gift certificate, but that's really nice of the restaurant to be offering these freebies. Then comes the bill and we were charged more than we were aware of- a flat $20 rate for each person. We were not aware of this that we were paying for our "COMPLIMENTARY" portion of the meals. Apparently, they had a set menu for tonight that we weren't properly explained and so we didn't know that it didn't matter on whatever entree we chose because it was a flat $20 per person. Why in the world would the waitress say that it was complimentary? If it's part of a set menu that we are paying for, then she shouldn't have said that. We kindly informed her that we wish that she explained it to us better because we didn't know this until now and she did not apologize, and instead, she sarcastically said, "Well, you're getting all this free stuff for a few dollars more than your entree." Yea, but don't you think it was a little deceiving? She didn't explain that to us at all until the bill came and then she expected us to know. She pretty much ended the conversation with, "You have a Merry Christmas", and walked away like as if we didn't have the Holiday cheer. What a bad attitude! I know for a fact that we weren't the only ones that felt this way, because the another couple across from us got into a full blown argument with the manager (the owner of the restaurant) because they weren't able to use the coupon. They were arguing saying that the restaurant should honor it because it wasn't in the fine print that they couldn't use it on Christmas Eve. The manager started to get upset and said that he needed to read the full page of the fine print. Then he came with a solution and said that if the customers pay for their freebies, he will let them use the coupon. The customers said that they would just pay for the bill but they are shocked because did not realize that they had to pay for their items that the waitress brought to the table as "complimentary". (Again) The manager appears to be the owner, and the waitress said that it was her brother. As the people running this restaurant, I felt like they should've had taken care of this situation better instead of yelling with customers and causing a huge scene. What a disruption. Openly arguing loudly with customers in front of other customers is not the way to go. I can't say that I didn't understand the customer's feelings. However, I will say that the food and restaurant decor is great - the plates are generous, the beer is good, but it seems like the management definitely needs to shape up. We decided that we aren't comfortable to return so we decided to exchange our gift certificate for another restaurant.
(2)Phil T.
After the fire...the place has been rebuilt and is awesome. More room, but same great food.
(5)Fred B.
Will never go back to this restaurant. We went to the restaurant Christmas eve,and we also had a horrible experience with the owner and the waitress, who happens to be his sister. Both not nice people. When we seated, the waitress came over and brought us complimentary wine (or so we thought). She then brought us over complimentary soup (very watery goulash). We thought she was being nice (wrong) After the meal I gave her a coupon which I purchased on groupon. We were then informed that we could not use this on Christmas eve. I explained that there was no restrictions, but she said her brother, the owner, have to talk to us. after waiting 10 minutes, the owner finally came over, and immediately said to us, in a very rude voice "do you actually think I would actually take that coupon tonight?". I would of thought that he might of said to us, I'm sorry, but we can't take coupons tonight on Christmas eve. He definitely wa very rude. I explained to him That there were no restrictions, and he said he wanted to take the coupon to the back room and very carefully read it from top to bottom. After a few minutes he came back and said thy he will take the coupon, but we had to pay for the complimentary wine and soup. what a rip. We decided to pay the check and not use the coupon, but he was so rude to us that we wil NEVER go back. By the way, we saw him really laying into a waitress in front of other customers, so that should tell you what type of a person this owner is. Save your money and go to a customer friendly restaurant.
(1)Amanda B.
When we arrived they said it would be a few minutes for a table. Half an hour later we were still waiting, but they managed to sit three parties that had arrived after us. The menu didn't look that good anyway and the place was too warm and smelly. What kind of German restaurant doesn't serve bierocks?? Some may like this restaurant's food, but their service needs a lot of work.
(1)Kevin C.
WOW - great, great veal Wiener schnitzel and amazing spaetzel, probably all spelled wrong. Hey I'm Irish and this is German food. Damn good too. Try it with the red cabbage - full plates and great prices. And Sonya will keep you on your toes.
(4)Gustavo Q.
Great taste of germany. Lots of large portions. And cool german vibe inside.
(4)James L.
This is the best German restaurant I've visited so far. I've been several times and always choose the schweinhaxe. It's a lot of food, but makes for some mean leftovers. I like the soft pretzel basket and the German wines too.
(4)Gerald W.
This restaurant is fantastic! I have a primarily German heritage and was born in Landstuhl. The staff is very friendly and personable. The architecture, ambiance and even the music are very German. The food is delicious and very authentic. For dinner, the appetizers are approx. $10 and entrees are $15 - $20. There is seating for approx. 75, so it's not a real big place, but you still don't wait long at all. I was on a tight budget on this visit, so I didn't get any alcohol, but a definitely recognized the beers and wines they had to offer. If you like German food, you'll love this place.
(5)James F.
So I guess they are not open for lunch. I called up to make a reservation and the guy on the phone sounded like I was bothering him. It's a shame, I really wanted to try this place. Hopefully I will make it here one day but I am already turned off by the rude person answering the phones.
(1)Gary P.
I've been living in Fort Lauderdale since February and have gone to many different restaurants. This was the best one that I have encountered since arriving.....it was delicious.......everything on my plate was incredible. Our service was very good and friendly........the only complaint I would have would be that the busboy hovered around our table WAY too much. It was unnerving and unnecessary.........if he is going to hover.....do it outside of eyeshot of guests. Very irritating! Other than that.........the food was the best........and they even had green bean casserole that NO one has on their menus and only the time I get it is when I personally make it on a holiday.
(4)Paul M.
Try Kelly's German chocolate cake. You better like chocolate and have room left for it.
(5)Scott S.
I wasn't sure if i liked German food before this and after eating here I think the conclusion is i do not. I ordered something that said it came with a white sauce, but on the food was just the same brown pill of gravy that was on everything. They did serve beer in a boot which was pretty cool.
(2)James C.
A great find near Pompano Beach. The food was plentiful and decently priced. I had the pork shank one day and the hunter chicken the next. They were extremely tasty, as was the onion and apple soup (delicious!) and the German Chocolate Cake was large enough to feed two, and a true delight. I went with six other people who all had different things, and everyone left happy. Be sure to get a boot of beer!!!!!
(4)Bart P.
Its so nice to write a positive review . Checkers Munchens is just a nice place . Great German food at reasonable prices . no matter what you order it will be fresh and good. Their thursday nite $15 prime rib special is fantastic . A great place with great food and you wont get gouged like so many other Broward restaurants.
(4)Julia S.
Don't make a reservation and expect your table to be ready when you arrive. We drove an hour for a birthday dinner, only to arrive and have to wait for 45 mins. Being a cook and half German, I'd say the food was fair. Very bright lights and a much older crowd... Owner was rude, even after I explained our long drive and that we were there for a b-day dinner. What topped the birthday cake was that we got charged for the slice of cake that came out with a candle and the staff singing. Beer was good, pork shank very fatty, side dishes were small, and overall disappointment.
(3)Michelle P.
I got take-out lunch from here the other day with a friend, and the food was just ok. I got the bratwurst & knackwurst appetizer which was good. The red cabbage and sauerkraut were really tasty. My friend got the veal wienerschnitzel; the veal was really chewy and didn't really have any flavor. Considering how rare it is to find a genuine German restaurant in South Florida, this place will fit the bill but isn't really anything to rave about.
(3)Danielle G.
WOW! Found this on restaurants.com and got a coupon - decided to try it. This is hands down the best German food I've had out in years. The schweinshaxe (pork shank) was out of this world, the veal schnitzel so tasty and buttery, tender. The German potato salad was the best I've ever had in a restaurant. Someone who loves food and cares about their product is in that kitchen. They have a great beer selection, the bread basket was fresh and soft. The service was fast and friendly. They could slap me in the face when I walked in and I'd still eat here - the food is THAT good. We will definitely put this into rotation! What a great find.
(5)Bailey C.
AMAZING GERMAN FOOD! I also found this one on restaurants dot com. It is a small restaurant with a beer stocked bar. We were seated immediately and brought bread (pretzels, pumpernickel & italian). The pretzels were very yummy. The waitress got us started with 2 boots of draft german beer. Beware though, the boot is a full liter of wonderful. We ordered the potato pancakes as an appetizer to try them out. They were hot and delicious. Before we could even finish our 4 pancakes our food was in front of us. The rouladen was spectacular, just like i had in Berlin. The spaetzel had a great flavor and nice consistency. The winner here was the red cabbage. A little sour a little sweet and the tiniest hint of cloves, which is most often too heavy in the cabbage. My husband got goulash, and he said the sauce was too salty, but the beef was tender and tasty. Overall, i would absolutely recommend it. Be prepared for leftovers. Potato Pancakes make a great breakfast. :)
(4)Leesa C.
Great food and great feeling of being in Germany. I highly recommend it, beer tastings are a blast once a month. Once we finish renovations, it's really going to be fun to eat here.
(4)Steven S.
Just drank beer after eating elsewhere and the selections were often unusual and outstanding - some pretty pricey - but they're German beers you don't see every day - or ever. PS Owner mentioned to a long time customer than he was glad the snowbirds were back. Somehow I sense that may be a sentence repeated in many SoFlo establishments!
(4)Laurie L.
Women's bathroom condition-1 Service-3 Ambience/romantic-2 Food-5 My Husband and I came here on a Friday night to enjoy some German food. It's a very small place. Upon walking in, we were seated, and brought some average bread and butter by the host. We were literally waiting 10 minutes to receive a menu. There were 2 servers working the floor, and they BOTH walked by us about 4 times--no greeting, no "I'll be right with you", nothing. We finally had to flag a server down. She seemed unconcerned, but she did bring us menus. I looked into my Husband's eyes, ready to enjoy our romantic night, and realized I couldn't because the restaurant was so loud!! We had to talk so high to hear each other. I looked around, and the restaurant has somewhat of an old-world German feel, but not too much ambience to speak of. Oh well. No romance. My Husband's beer was great. I went to the bathroom to wash up before dinner, and I almost walked right out. It was an individual bathroom, very hot and musty, with no air circulation. I counted 3 huge horsefles flying around the bathroom. One was dead on the floor. There was a large puddle of water leaking from the toilet. There were a few spots on the wall that looked a brown liquid had dripped down a long time ago, and had become encrusted on the wall. The sink had hair on it, and more brown stains that could easily wipe off. They hung cotton bathroom towels to wipe off your hands that were very worn and dirty. (I wiped my hands on my pants!) There was old dirt encrusted around the toilet and the corners of the wall--the kind that only shows up when people don't clean. The bathroom literally looked like nobody had taken the time to give it a deep clean in months. I hope they were just having an "off night", or their cleaner didn't show up the night before, because it was one of the worst bathrooms i've ever seen in a restaurant. Moving on....the food was spectacular. The portions were very generous. I got a plate with bratwurst, knockwurst, pork loin, veggies, and spatzel. My breaded pork was the most tender I have ever tasted. My Husband's pork shank was tender to the extreme! They do a great, traditional German meal. If you don't mind the noise, the dirty women's room (which I HOPE was a fluke that night), and the average service, I think you'd be able to enjoy a wonderful German meal here with some friends.
(3)Astrid S.
I'm born and raised in Germany and this is my favorite German restaurant in the area. The red cabbage, the sauerkraut and the spaetzle are great. It's a tiny place, and always seems to be crowded, but we still never wait a long time for a table. They have specials every day, and while the prices are not exactly cheap, the staff always gives out coupons so you can enjoy some savings. The food is great, my mom couldn't make it better. And the best part, it's almost unbelievable how fast the food comes out, you can barely finish the pretzels and mustard that come as soon as you sit down. However, it's happened a few times now that I checked the check and the numbers just didn't add up. Make sure that you are paying the correct amount after using your coupons, which might be hard for some people, since you can't leave the place without at least having had 3-4 German beers. On some Fridays they have beer and food tastings, but you have to make a reservation, it's a very popular event.
(4)Kev M.
First off, they sell lots of beer, mostly German, so they have that going for them. Secondly, they serve food like goulash, potato pancakes, spatzel, red cabbage, that remind me of what my grandma's cooking tasted like, which is a second good thing. The place is kind of small and was full of seniors there for the 2 for 1 dinner deals, so the waitress was a little curt when we tried to inquire about details of the menu. The table to my left had troubles ordering because they didn't know what they wanted and then when food came they couldn't remember who ordered what. Felt a little bad for the waitress. I was happy with the large Tucher Oktoberfest. And the second one too. The place from the outside looks like it's squeezed into a strip mall, but they do alright with the space they have. Lots of wood and German beer steins and a large bar with taps. Prices were within reason too. If I lived in the area, I'd likely visit with my friends again. I took the two photos with my phone that night too.
(4)Jennifer P.
Food was unbelievable! First time my daughters and I have had true German and we fell in love with it. Loved the bread selections. German potato salad - YUM! Spatzel was excellent - had to order a second of that! Sausages were tender. Black forest cake was like heaven! Ready to come back to Florida just for Checkers!
(5)Stuart S.
We are snowflakes and get down to Florida about 5 times a year. We have been driving by Checkers as we live past it near the beach. Finally I convinced my wife to try it in September. We were not disappointed. Now let me start off by telling you that you gotta have a coupon. Everyone else does. You can find them in any of the local newspapers. We tried the Potato Pancakes as an appetizer and my wife and I had the house specialty the wienerschnitzel. Mine was regular and my wife's was stuffed. It was delicious. All of it. Now, I'm not a beer drinker but it seemed everyone else there was and what a huge serving they do serve. My friends took my advise and tried it after us. They loved it too and he did have a dark beer and loved it! The restaurant had almost every table taken for dinner so a reservation might be a good idea. And, if you don't have a coupon, the waitress will give you one for the next time you dine.
(4)