Dakota Inn Rathskeller

17324 John R. Street

313-867-9722

Karl Kurz was a worker at Ford’s Highland Park factory when he purchased what used to be an old dilapidated Chinese hand laundry and transformed it into a tiny German style Rathskeller*.

When the doors opened on August 1, 1933 the Rathskeller had only three stools. Today, the restaurant seats 145 and is just over 2000 square feet. Family owned and operated since its inception, for three generations the Kurz family have worked serving their customers and expanding the original building into the colorful and antique-filled treasure it is today.

As for the food, the focus is on authentic German cuisine. One can find venerable favorites like kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst and sauerkraut. The house specialty is the Rathskeller Reuben soup topped with swiss cheese and croutons, a more contemporary gastronomical take on traditional Bavarian fare.

A wide selection of beers can be found including domestics and imports with an emphasis on German varieties.

Once a year, the Dakota Inn Rathskeller erects a tent and hosts Detroit's only authentic German beer garden complete with oompah bands and polka contests. For the entire month of October, the Inn celebrates Germany's traditional fall Oktoberfest in the main hall.

Stop by The Dakota Inn and take part in the gemutlichkeit (means "enjoy fully one’s friends in a pleasant atmosphere”).

 *Rathskeller - a tavern below street level featuring beer; originally a German restaurant in the basement of city hall. (Source: www.wordreference.com)