Old Hamburg Restaurant

What a nice surprise! We really enjoyed our meals, and thought that the food was particularly fresh and well prepared. The apple cake that we had for dessert was divine. And the wait staff was excellent. It is definitely worth the drive from Ames.

Authentic & Delicious German food. Got to try it out.
The Sauerbraten was superb.

We stay at the Hotel and got send to eat at this place. We were very reluctant at first, but the food is first class.

We have eaten at the restaurant several times and the food is always very good. The host and hostess are very helpful. I am working my way through the schnitzel area of the menu. We had a special birthday party and requested that they make sauerbraten for us. They did and it was excellent! I suggest that they have a ‘House Special" one Friday night of the month with sauerbraten and warm Bavarian potato salad. Since it would be the special they wouldn‘t have to have too many portions and when it is gone -- it is gone. that‘s what a special is. I‘d be there!!!

I came here from Webster City with my family (off the boat German) and we were very impressed. We will definitely be back for more.

I had to wait a long time. I think most restaurants make their food to order so the sign is not special. The food is average.

I am following the comments here for a while and I am amazed about some. I am eating here on a regular basis and never had a bad meal. The service is fast and efficient depending on the amount of guests present. They even put a sign on the door saying: Please allow for extra time, this is not a fast food establishment. If you cant wait for good food or dont have anything to talk about to pass time, may I suggest McDonalds or Happy Chef next door.

We were in Story City for a convention and take part in their Scandinavian Days celebration. My wife and I and another couple had one of the best dining experiences we‘ve had in years! The owners of the Old Hamburg Restaurant answered questions, visited and had fun with us which made the whole experience just great. Oh, and the food, OUTSTANDING!! And the desserts... to die for. If you‘re close to Story City, DO try it. You won‘t be sorry.

One of the nicer places we visited on our journey.

We were quite pleased with our visit to this place. The food does take longer to prepare because as the sign says when you come in, it is prepared fresh and to order. It was worth the wait for us. We will go back when we are in the area again.

Unbelievable food. I lived in Germany several years ago and fell in love with the food. When I walked into the Old Hamburg Resteraunt all the smells made the memories come rushing back. The food was outstanding, the service was wonderful. I have not had that good a meal for such a long time. I will without a doubt be back and on a final note......... make sure you save room for dessert!

I am the owner of the Old Hamburg and I like to comment on some "reviews". Firstly calling food average, without letting anyone know what they ate is ??? For all I know he could have ordered Scrambled Eggs and yes, they would be average, hard to imagine that someone could screw those up. Secondly waiting time. The "Reviewer" makes believe, that there are only two other tables sitting and he waited 45 minutes. Were the other two tables tables of 16 people and 14 people or just tables of 2 ? We have waiting times of 45 minutes if we have around 30 plus people walking in at the same time, because we do not microwave or Crockpot. We cook everything fresh and to order! If some people write "reviews" they should be specific and give qualifying details so we can check on it, or even better tell us to our face when we ask you how everything is and was. As a Restaurant owner I do not mind people telling negative things, however how can I change issues if they can not be quantified. Any Restaurant can only improve with constructive criticism.

I would also agree with the last two comments. I went to this place from south ames and it did not meet expectations. There are so many comments on this site about how great and authentic the food is and how wonderful the service is. My expectations were not met unfortunately.

To the person who wrote on 06/10/08....The reason it takes a while is because all the food is prepared fresh. It‘s not flash frozen deep fried food. The need for instant gratification in this country is disgusting.

We had a similar experience, also. The food I thought was average, but the service was really poor. It took about 45 minutes to get our entrees and and only a couple other tables eating at the time.

If you like an average restaurant then this is your place. The food that I had was ok. With the gas prices as they are today, I would rather eat in Ames.

No problem with service and food quality. The meatballs with capers are delicious.

I eat there often, it is my favorite restaurant! I just adore their food!

My mom‘s is a straight off the boat German, and she thought it was pretty darn good, and she‘s a heck of a cook herself. I thought it was great too.

It was outstanding. Just happened to be driving by and didn‘t want the same ol‘ burger. I will be back for sure!!!!

Great, authentic German food. With so many different entrees, it is hard to get bored of the food there.

We are a group of bikers staying here at the Viking Hotel. We initially hesitated going in a German Restaurant, but man we loved it. The food was awesome and not blend as someone said it would be. Try the Schnitsel.

Exceptional food and service, the owner had great conversation and knowledge about Germany and its history. It was a great and I will go back often.

Great Rerstaurant, great service. I will be back.

Agreat place to eat with friendly service and good tasting food. The potato soup with sausage is to die for!!!!!!!

Awesome food, awesome service and reasonable prices. What else do I want?

I worked off and on in germany for a number of years, and never had anything this good. One word - wursteller sausage sampler!

Delicious home cooked food, in pleasant surroundings. We enjoyed the wine, beer and personal attendance. Worth the drive.

I love the Schnitzel and the beer. I come here often after work just to unwind with a Wheat beer.

My boyfriend and a friend of ours (from Hamburg) came to this restaurant. We were not expecting anything too authentic as this is central Iowa, but were pleasantly surprised. The schnitzel and potato soup are wonderful!!! The waiters were extremely open and talkative and we will definitely be eating here again!

We stayed at the Hotel just because we wanted to try the attached Restaurant. We were not disappointed! The Restaurant is very clean and the service impeccable. We will stop here on a regular basis as we travel through from Texas to Minnesota.

My wife and I are foodies and this place exceeded my expectations. The wine and beer were truely wonderful and the sausage is not something you can buy in central Iowa. A truely great find.

I had nothing but good experiences in this place. Does not know what the previous comment is refering too.... Maybe just spiteful.......

Did not have the best experience at this place. The food did not meet my expectations.

Yes, this is food to dream of. I wish I lived closer to this Restaurant so I could visit more often.

Very cozy Restaurant with a nice color scheme. Relaxed atmosphere and brilliant food from friendly server. A must visit when in the area. A+++++++++++

Extraordinary food all made as it is ordered. I would HIGHLY recommend this restaurant for a taste of true German cuisine.

We‘ve eaten here several times, each time the food and service were excellent! The kids love the schnitzel. The family style at Sunday lunch is wonderful, and they accommodate extended family groups very well. The evening meals have more menu options. I only wish I could get down there often enough to try every one of them! We live about 40 minutes away so it‘s a special trip for us, but it‘s become a family favorite. The food takes a little longer to prepare [since it‘s real food made the real way], but even with 2 toddlers, it‘s never seemed like it‘s taken too long. We love the food, and for those in a hurry, you should stick with chain restaurants that get all their food pre-made, pre-processed, pre-cooked and they just assemble, or a sandwich/sub shop. This is definitely one of the highlights of Story City.

i have been to germany and the food here was just as great the service was excellent the it was the most enjoyable dinner i had in a long time. I would definately recommend it to anyone i know and I will definately be back again.

Wow, this is my new found favorite. Stumbled on by accident filling my car at Kum and Go next door. You need more advertising so people will find you.

I have taken many of my friends and family to this restaurant since moving to Story City. Everyone that I have gone with has had a great time, enjoyed the food, wine, beer, and enlightening staff. It does take some time to get your food but it gives you time to relax and talk with those you came with. Also, the salad that they serve is something that surprised me the first time with coleslaw, lettuce with dressing, and a shredded carrot part. It is very tasty and sweet. For the menu, I have loved everything I tried.

The food is wonderful and very authentic. the staff is very friendly and great to talk to. They have something for almost anyone‘s tastes. I enjoy trying something new on the menu every time I‘m there...and I‘m there almost every week.

We came down from Waverly, where a German Restaurant just closed to try somewhere new. We had the Sunday family style lunch and it was very nice. We cant wait to come back for the full menu deal.

My wife and I stopped in last evening, and we we not expecting the EXCEPTIONAL and AUTHENTIC food and atmosphere that we experienced!! I have eaten at an up-scale german restaurant in Chicago (The Burgoff, now out of business) as well as several places in Germany and the Alcase region of France. The food and the beer are equal to The Burgoff and !! And that takes ALOT! Sven and his wife Sharon (from England) were exceptional hosts! We will definitely be back on a routine basis!! Can‘t wait to eat/drink on their patio dining area!!! If there is ever any need for investment here, this would be a great investment!

We stay at the Viking Hotel and tried the German Restaurant at the end of the Motel. The food was excellent and the beers are out of this world. Our waiter was knowlegable and friendly and explained everything to us. We will be back.

Nice stuff. Really loved it.....We‘ll be back.

This is a nice contrast to the fast food you get everywhere else. I sincerely enjoyed it.

Very nice place. The owner was willing to take the time and explain the food to me, he even offered me a taster of each of the beers so I could decide which one to take. A++++++

What a place. The food is delicious. Wait time is not as bad as some earlier comments suggested, anyhow when you cook fresh is will take longer then microwaved food. The wait staff was very efficient and the place looked very very clean. I loved the bathrooms with full doors and no cracks to peek through with music playing overtoning noises from the neighbors stall.

Best to visit during the week instead of on Sunday. The Sunday meal is served family style but the choices are VERY limited.

A great place to eat. Sven is all ways ready to give you a good idea of what to try. Food is fresh and worth the wait.

Old Hamburg is a wonderful restaurant! I walked in the door and just KNEW it was going to be great. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the food was delicious. I am just giddy to find authentic German food so close to home. There are so many tasty, unique dishes on the menu -- picking one is tough! The good news is that they are close to home and I can go back frequently to sample all their different dishes. Highly recommended.

My girlfriend and I just returned from Germany a week ago and were desperately searching for good authentic German food here in Iowa. I must tell you - we definitely found it here! We drove from Des Moines (where we could not find what we were looking for - trust me) to Story City where we were delighted to dine at Old Hamburg! This restaurant TRULY is FANTASTIC! The people who own it are charming, welcoming, warm, and attentive. The food was the best German food I have EVER had in the States and it was truly like being back in Germany! The restaurant itself is charming, clean, and accommodating. I have not been so happy about finding such a restaurant in a long, long time! This is TRULY a GEM of a place and I VERY HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who loves authentic German food!!! And to the owners - FANTASTIC JOB!!! We will be making this drive at least once a month from now on!

My husband and I celebrated his birthday at Old Hamburg a couple weeks ago. It was our first trip to the restaurant. We had read the reviews here on this site, and we were a little afraid that it might not live up to our very high expectations. It exceeded our expectations in every way! The restaurant is immaculate. They take a lot of pride in their restaurant, and it shows. Everyone was very friendly and very happy to patiently help us navigate the menu. We took our server‘s advice and ordered the Konisberger Klopse and the Goulasch. The capers in the Konigsberger Klopse imbue the sauce and pork meatballs with a slightly sour flavor, which we really enjoyed. Paprika gave the tender cubed pork of the Goulasch a delightful aroma, and the sauce‘s spice grew in intensity with each bite, but never overpowered the dish. My husband enjoyed a Dunkel during our modest wait. I had a bowl of delicious French Onion soup. It was a really fabulous dining experience. I highly recommend Old Hamburg. Step outside your food comfort zone and try something new. You‘ll be glad you did! Restaurants such as this are truly something special.

I am staying at the Viking for hunting and for convenience stumbled at the Restaurant at the end of the Hotel.
The first time, being ignorant, I ordered the burger. I watched other people who enjoyed and raved about the German food, so the next day I ventured into trying something new to me. Men was I impressed. The Goulasch and the beer were 100000% excellent.
Thank you guys. Continue the good job.

Was a reminder of all my best days in germany. The food is not gourmet, but classic good home cooking... german style. They have Warsteiner on tap ( Dunkel included! ) It is well worth the trip and a delight for all who make the trip.

You get authentic German food and drinks at this surprising small town restaurant. The Germain owner and his staff will explain any dishes you don‘t recognize. The schnitzel is marvelous. After you place your order, you will hear them pounding the meat before they cook it. So far everything I‘ve tried on the menu was worth coming back for. Try it with the family and they will want to come back too.

Great food and excellent service. Had as well a great time here

Great Restaurant! Great Food! Great Service!

Fantastic food and fantastic service.
My children truly enjoy every visit to Old Hamburg, not only do they devour the food but they really get a kick out of joking with the owner during each time we dine there.
It has a comfortable atmosphere and leaves you feeling quite satisfied.
Highly recommended!

Great food and very friendly service. Love to frequent this cozy little restaurant. If you stop in try the Dunkel on tap or light white wines. Adds a wonderful European flare to Central Iowa, not to mention Story City. Even Horse people enjoy eating something different sometimes.!!

I am staying here at the Viking Hotel and by accident stumbled at the Restaurant at the end of the Hotel. I was travelling all day and was tired, not expecting anything. The food that was then served blew me away. I did have a Schnitzel and a salad with a drink for which I paid $11.00.
It is Restaurants like this that make travel a little nicer. Keep up the good work!

Great food and excellent service. Great beer and wines as well.

Love it! They got it right. Price and quality of food is suberb and balanced. Portions are not too small and not too big, just right. The homemade deserts are yummi.

Superb value for money. Fresh food at the price of junkfood. Did not mind the wait while having a german wine. Recommend to try!!!!!

We were traveling through from the Chicago, and stopped in on 10-06-07. This guy, and his chef, are from Germany, and it shows. I want the chef,‘s recipe for the schnitzel, because it was the best I‘ve had, and we go to a lot German restaurants.
The sides were also great, especially my daughters mashed potatos, which I tried. Oh, and reasonable prices, however, I‘m used to Chicago, which is a rip-off. This place is not to be missed.

Visited for Sunday lunch. Food was excellent and the portions were large, service was fast and friendly. We will definately return for the regular menu when we pass through again.

Best German food I ever had, great beer, great atmosphere.

I love to eat here. The food is excellent and the German beers are to die for.

September 14, 2007
Good food - be prepared to wait for food.

First visit - Sunday lunch. A limited menu, family-style. Food was excellent, cordially served. We certainly want to return to sample the evening meals. Good Job! Central Iowa needs restaurants like this!

This is a great restaurant! We had some of the best food we have ever had here. The service was friendly and so helpful. Great food, well worth the wait!

The food here was wonderful and the service was friendly and helpful. It takes awhile to get your food, but everything is made right there and is so good, that it is well worth the wait. We had one of the best dinners we have ever had! Definitely a great restaurant and worth your time!

Tis restaurant is absolutely fantastic. Great food, service and atmosphere. The cheesecake is simply the best I‘ve ever had. All the food is made there so its all fresh. More than 5 out of 5.

Great place! I had the Schnitzel, which was the best i have ever had.

not so great or maybe just not my type of food too much grease!

Quality food takes time and this food is well worth the wait. I was in the Amana Colonies (8-20-07), home of supposed " authentic German food" and the food was terrible. The sauce was came from a can and the side dishes tasted as if they had been under a heat lamp. I would rather travel to Story City and have REAL German food (prepared by a German cook) at the Old Hamburg than travel to The Amanas for a mediocre substitute.

Plain excellent! Love it, will come back soon.

Great food and great beer! Well worth the drive from Ames! The Schnitzel is tender and very tasty - all food made fresh to order!

The food and service were fantastic!! Its worth the drive from Des Moines! We will be back!

Simply great food and very heart warming service !

Wonderful place to eat. The waiting times are a little longer than usual since they make all food from scratch. However it did not inconvenience us, as we had a german beer and wine and a good conversation. It amazed us how impatient people are getting when they have to wait a few minutes for food. Dont they have anything to talk about to each other? If you want fastfood go to the Pizza Ranch opposite, Happy Chef next door or Mc Donalds a block East, but if you want excellent food stay here and enjoy.

Excellent! Very friendly service. The Schnitzel is well worth the wait. If you are looking for fast food... McDonald‘s is just down the road... but it would be your loss. A visit to Story City would not be complete without making a stop at Old Hamburg Restaurant.

One of the few GOOD restaurants out there. The staff is great, the food is great and now even the beer is fantastic! Any time I‘m by Story City in my travels, i‘ll be sure to dine here.

Allow for a little time to get your food. While you wait have some of the German beer that is sold there, it‘s fantastic! Everything is freshly made for you, so nothing is pre-made. The wait is well worth worth it and I know others will enjoy this place as well.

We have been several times and I have ordered something new every time! Everything has been excellent and now that they have authentic German beers we will be there often. The meals are fresh and served hot-well worth the wait.

Don‘t expect to get out of here in under an hour. They even have signs at the front door saying they don‘t crock pot or microwave any food. Can‘t say I know what German food is supposed to taste like, but it was pretty good. I had one of their German beers, and it was great.

Portions didn‘t seem too big, but they were plentiful enough to fill you. Friendly and appreciative staff too.

Probably a good date restaurant, if you are interested in killing time with some conversation, as the food and service seemed to take awhile. So if you aren‘t in a hurry, I would recommend.

Allow plenty of time if you eat here - it took about 50 minutes to get our entrees and there was only about 8 people in the restaurant.

We have been here several times and have always found something tasty and new. The food was carefully prepared, seasoned and very fresh. The carrot slaw was particularly tasty. Be forewarned, if you are coming to Story City looking for Amana style food with heavy sauces and gravies you will be disappointed. This is just as delicious, but spicier, brighter and lighter cuisine from a different region on Germany. Meals are also more reasonably portioned. The proprietor is always a pleasure to speak with and will be more than happy to explain the subtle differences between menu items and German cuisine. A must try.

Super, Super, Super.
This is the best I have had for a long time.
Friendly and authentic. Reminded me of my time in Germany.

Great food and excellent service - the German menu is outstanding - best Schnitzel in Iowa!