Glockenspiel

I have been eating lunch at Glockenspiel once every couple months for a few years now. I generally do not order the really heavy items, but do enjoy the Leberkaese, Blaukraut (also known as Botkraut), the Spaetzle, and Knoedel, as well. When other friends have dined with me, they have ordered the Gulaschsuppe (very tasty) and the Wurstteller which astounds me with the amount of great sausages. As for service, I can only think of one time when I was not pleased with the service. Usually the staff are very attentive and pleasant and check back (not too often) to make sure that everything is good. The one instance of bad service involved a young man who was simply thoughtless at that particular time in trying to rectify a situation of food that needed to be hotter. The beers, for those who imbibe, are lovely: Spaten, Fransikaner, Paulaner, etc. I don't know what the dinner time is like, but I have always enjoyed the laid-back kitschy atmosphere. more

So disappointed! I ordered the Schweinbraten and the pork was old! My friend ordered the Jagerbraten (I think it's called - or Jagetschnitzel) and that wasn't good either - very plain. The decor and atmosphere is so very promising and none the food was fresh, including the red cabbage. If only the menu would live up to the decor. Felt very ripped off. Fresh food is badly needed with much better seasoning. Pros: Lovely ambience and decor Cons: Bad food more

The servers are down-to-earth, the portions are good...you pay a little more for the quality and the 'ethnic' experience. But it's worth it. This is as St.-Paul as it gets. Great location, they will even accomodate mid-sized groups with a reservation. Very pleasant experience all-around if you like German food or beer. Nothing bad to say! Pros: Authentic German Food, great atmosphere and location near downtown St. Paul Cons: Hard to find more

I read the most recent reviews and was a little worried but a friend and I were going to be in the area and as she works at another local German restaurant, we decided to go and compare anyway. I was pleasantly surprised. The menu is extensive and differs from Gastof's menu (I was hoping they weren't the same), the tap and imported bottled beer list has a good variety, and the atmosphere was enjoyable. I've never had Spargeltoast before but believe I will be returning for more! The large windows and German trinkets makes for a bright, cozy feel and the bar brings aged charm to the place. WIth light fare running $8 - $13 and entrees for $12 - $20, I would bring anyone curious about German food in to St Paul to the Glockenspiel. I cannot account for authenticity, but my taste buds certainly were pleased! Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Parking lot available more

For several years, this has been our favorite place to go for a beer or to gather the family for dinner. But, there have been changes in the last year (new ownership, we're told) - food presentation and flavor lacking and temperature of food not appropriate - as well as staff turnover. We were last there on March 30 - I ordered the braised pork - a lot of food just heaped on the plate - and became ill even before I left the place! Once home I called to let them know I was sick and they may not want to serve the braised pork again today. I asked for a call from management and am still waiting for that call. I even placed a comment at their own website and left contact information - nothing. I cannot recommend a restuarant that cares so little about their customer. more

Looking for a good German meal, my family and I decided to go to this local restaurant, rather than traveling to a proven, delightful German restaurant in Stillwater. We were very disappointed in the attempt to create a German atmosphere; the funeral home across the street had more appeal than this place. Our food was a huge disappointment, also. The appetizer, Wurstteller, contained a nice assortment of meats, but was only served with crackers, not the traditional bread. It was acceptable. We each ordered pork; I did not try my sister's Jagerschnitzel, as she claimed it tasted funny. My Schweinebraten was very fatty and tasteless, and my husband's Schweinshaxe was overcooked. The traditional German gravy was substituted for some over-salted, American brown gravy. After eating some of our meals, we decided to have the Black Forest Torte. Yuck! It was dry, bitter, and the cherries were disgusting. At least they didn?t screw up the beer. $100 wasted! Save your time and money...go to Stillwater. Pros: German Beer Cons: The food more

Servers are freindly but the food is not very German and is only average. Schnitziel was under cooked and soggy and vegtables were cold. Pros: Service, German atomsphere Cons: food more

Glockenspiel is a great neighborhood bar and restaurant. Unfortunately, I've noticed a price increase--tap beers that used to be $3 are now $5. The food is standard fare: not bad, but not incredible. It really depends on what you order. Don't get the dumplings with mushroom sauce--terrible. The friday fish fry is a bit dry, but fun, and the fries are thin & sometimes too crispy to eat. My biggest complaint is the absence of a busboy. Basic things get missed--glasses of water, silverware, menus, etc. Silverware arrived a few minutes after my meal on my last visit. Overall, I really like this place. It's not crowded when the Xcel packs all the nearby bars. I hate when I go there and there's no place to sit because the staff is taking up all the available seats. Pros: cool place, beer selection, ambience Cons: no support staff more

We went for a late dinner, on Sunday and it was great! They don't serve dinner as long on Sunday's and you have to put up with the fact that you might not get to have the daily special. But it was still great! The fruit and cheese appetizer was fresh. The meal was perfect and the service was great (of course there was only one other table when we got there)! We took our young son and the waiter was wonderful at helping him find something on the menu, weiners and fries! My mom was German and her mother was from the old country and I was completely taken back to my childhood growing up. Really worth the trip. The beer of course was outstanding as well. Pros: Wonderful Building, Great Service, Tasty Red Cabbage more

I came here with some relatives who live in the area and came away with a full stomach. Turns out they are almost regulars and for good reason. All the dishes looked delicious and I could only have one! I will definitely come back. Pros: Ambiance, Ethnic Dishes, Many Beers Cons: So much food! more

Solid German food restaurant in St. Paul. We went here for a leisurely Friday lunch break, and everyone was pretty pleased with their meals. I had the kasespaetzle. Large portions, but good stuff. Not *the* best German restaurant within 100 miles, but definitely among the better half. I'd recommend. Pros: german ambience, not crowded more

A great place for a quiet drink in the middle of the afternoon while everyone else is running the rat race. The booze selection is outstanding and the bartenders make it a point to serve you often but won't disturb you unless you feel like talking. The regulars have eclectic backgrounds. One of the bartenders knew Jack Kerouac. All in all I spend three afternoons there a week. Loud yuppies begin to show up around 4:40. Pros: Generous Drinks, Easy Parking, Quiet Afternoons Cons: Fills up after 4pm more

We dined on a Wednesday, arriving around 5:30 pm. Although there was almost no one in the place, the hostess chose to seat my friend and me in a corner nook, which didn't present a good view of the decor. And the decor was nifty! My friend enjoyed bite after bite of her wienerschnitzel (and brought a good hunk home); my yaegerschniztel (pork with mushrooms in cream sauce) was good, but bland, accompanied by bland, lumpy spaetzle and a few veggies. Still, this place is so neat that I want it to stay in business. I'll be back to try again. Pros: Large portions, Ample parking Cons: Lack of festivity, No low fat foods more

My favorite here is the Peppercorn Steak. I have yet to find a place that does it better, and I have been around...I am active duty military. I have my friends hooked on this also. Ask for extra sauce to dunk your fries in! Pros: Great service, Affordable, clean more

I had a Schweinhaxe (slow-cooked pork shank). I was surprised and happy with the size. It was huge and served with everything else (potato dumpling, vegetables, hearty gravy, cabbage, etc). It was very tender and tasty although the skin was not edible as it was leathery. Because of the size, I was actually a little bit exhausted separating the meat and the skin and bone. I was full and had to pass dessert (although the apple strudel looked really amazing). In the contrary, my sister was not impressed with her Leberkase. more

The atmosphere is nice but the food is oh so heavy, great for sleeping on a cold winter's night! A nice selection of beers though I would have hoped for more on tap. Pros: beer, attractive digs, parking Cons: very heavy food more