Black Forest Adler

This is one of those places that you drive by 100 times before you realize that it’s there, then once you have been inside and tasted the food you wish you had gone in long ago. German food is something that you’ve got to try once before you ecide that you don’t like it. Please give this place a try you will be glad you did. We started with their salad, actually a mix of several salads in one bowl, the German potato salad was outstanding, the others were good also, everyone will have a different favorite. Main course was Schnitzel and it was perfect, it was also huge. Leftovers are to be expected and that’s a good thing!

A very pleasant, enjoyable dining experience! My wife and I recently had dinner at the Black Forest Adler, our first time there. We were glad that we went! Everything was superb: the food, the service, the ambience. A variety of classics (sausage platter, schnitzels, spaetzle, salad in the German style, and Black Forest cake) were tasty, presented appealingly, and served in ample portions. It clearly is a good thing to have a native of Germany in the kitchen! My wife and I will surely return, and try other delicious-​sounding menu offerings.

While this place has really strange hours it has amazing food. Really authentic taste and décor as well. I meant to try this place for a long time and am glad I finally caught it. They have a little container of pretzels to munch on while you wait which is nice and the portions are generous.

First time there last night. Had potato pancakes, sausage sampler, and Jäger schnitzel with Spatzel. Their house German salad was very good as well!

Sometimes I get a craving for German food and when my friend mentioned that she was interested in going here for German, I couldn’t resist!
It’s a casual atmosphere in Black Forest Adler and a well lit restaurant. It had lots of seating available. The service seemed a little on the slow side but wasn’t too bad.
I ordered a schnitzel with spätzle on the side. It came with a pre dinner salad as well and it was full of surprises. Underneath the lettuce was corn, potato salad, and a Mac salad. I was thrown off by this but didn’t mind it either. The spätzle was exactly what I was expecting but the schnitzel was not seasoned enough for my personal liking. I tried my friends chicken cordon bleu and the chicken was perfectly juicy. Hers came with the fries that taste like they’re double fried (which we both refer to them as the good kind of fries).
I’d like to go back and try it again and will probably try something new!

I had the Holsteiner Schnitzel– meat was great, potato salad different from my usual. Beer selection great, deserts great. Waitress and owners nice people– they spent time to ensure a good experience. Locals joined me as they’ve dined at the Black Forest Adler often. Good experience.

My boyfriend and I have been here so many times that they started to recognize us. We love this place. We try not to go to a single restaurant too much but Black Forest Adler is always our go-​to when we can’t decide or looking for something that’s easy to get to.
They have a good selection of German wines and bottled beer but come here for the food, its delicious. Im not a salad person but the salad that comes with most meals is what I look forward to the most! I don’t know what they add to that dressing but the whole thing is deliciously addictive. I call it the surprise salad, because you don’t know what’s beneath the lettuce on your first bite.
I usually stick with the schnitzel but will try the specials. The portions are huge and whenever I get schnitzel I take half the plate home so I can enjoy it twice!
Their desserts are also so deliciously good so save room. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
5 stars for quality of food, presentation, great service, friendliness of staff, cleanliness, and convenient parking.

Love the food here and have tried almost everything on the menu! Food is authentic to the region the chef/​owner comes from (Swabia) so the potato salad is done in the style of that region. Some people have commented that it is not what they’re used to– but most «German» potato salad found in the states would be not found in Germany! The Maultaschen are super, the Roladen are tasty, Sauerbratten — delicious. Their Sauerkraut & red cabbage are also top notch! I’m not a schnitzel person– so can’t comment on that, but love their soups, salad and deserts! I highly recommend this restaurant if you like authentic German food! Every native German we have brought here has loved it– reminds them of home!
Also love that many options are available Gluten Free– can bring GF friends with no worry that they’ll be limited to a salad.

This place is a must. I have been reading about this place but had not managed to arrange a visit then a sudden stop by the wife and I when we passed on an errand… and we were not disapoonted.
The food is very traditional and absolutely yummy. It is only open for dinner and fills up quickly even in the midweek when we went.
Everything has a robust and fresh taste. It tastes like every morsal came right from farm to table which is amazing in wny in the winter.
I will add details about some of what we partook of later… but the portions are huge!

Black Forest Adler is great. It was a little difficult to get Lee to go at first, because he eats schnitzel all the time at home, so he felt that going out to eat food that he felt he could easily cook at home, it was less of a lure for him.
He was happy to find that he was wrong. He had jaegerschnitzel, and I had their famous goulash, both of which were served with spaetzle. The spaetzle was delicious, tender and very eggy and rich. Lee commented that if he didn’t know better, he would have thought that they were just strips of scrambled egg.
I also discovered something really interesting, that gave me an insight to a salad I had once in West Virginia.
So, they have a house salad here that comes with the dinner. It consists of several different types of salads, served together. There’s leaf salad, and potato salad, and corn and lots of things that you wouldn’t ordinarily find in a salad. Back when I lived in Virginia, I had a similar salad at a restaurant in West Virginia, and thought it was some funny WV affectation. Eating this salad made me think of that place, and also think about how that part of the state was founded by Germans, enough so that for a very long time, there were German language newspapers and such. It’s interesting to find the origins of a particular cuisine that you thought was just regional.
Anyhow, the restaurant itself is adorable, like having dinner inside one of those gorgeously carved cuckoo clocks. The chef, who also is the owner, is incredibly friendly and takes pride in his food and giving a warm welcome to his guests.
The desserts are also incredible. They have their own ice cream flavor supplied by Sweet Jennys. I love local brand synergy. Lee had Black Forest Cake, which is literally his most favorite cake in the world, and he loved it.
So give it a chance and try it!
Oh! They also have a fantastic German beer selection, along with some local micros. The server we had was knowledgeable about the selections, and was happy to offer suggestions!

The Black Forest Adler does a wonderful job with home-​style German cuisine, and lately, also with far more adventurous specials.
The food is hearty and warming, with a very good and high quality selection of sausage, goulash, sauerbraten to die for, smoked pork, pork roast, schnitzels, and wonderful German desserts etc. They also serve a nice selection of German brews and wines.
If you can make it there, do so, and especially when their specials are running. I would say to check their Facebook page. You will not regret visiting.

I really hate to give this two stars, but I just did not have a good experience here.
The meal started off with a little bucket of store bought hard pretzels being placed on our table. There wasn’t enough for more than a few each and they certainly were not fresh. I thought the presentation was cute, but I just didn’t understand the need for this odd «appetizer» if you will.
My boyfriend ordered an appetizer of bratwurst and «curry» sauce. He grew up in Germany and was hoping for something that reminded him of childhood. The appetizer was decent, but the presentation certainly left something to be desired. It wasn’t appetizing and was served with a soft pretzel that was a bit on the hard side.
Next came our salads. These were actually pretty delicious. It’s a different type of salad– ranch dressing, lettuce, corn, macaroni, cucumbers, beans… all types of other stuff mixed together. Both my salad and my boyfriends salad were delicious.
Here’s where things went off the rails…
I ordered the Jäger Schintzel with German potato salad. Boyfriend ordered same but with spatzle and my sister ordered bratwurst with German potato salad.
My schnitzel was tasty, but wasn’t anything that I would feel compelled to come back for. What was truly disappointing was the potato salad. It was cold and not AT ALL like the German potato salad my grandmother made (or that I’ve had at other German establishments in Buffalo). The portion was gigantic, but I just couldn’t eat it. My boyfriends spatzle was delicious, however, and I instantly regretted not ordering that instead.
My sister’s bratwurst was not good. All three of us tried it and agreed that it was overpowering in it’s taste and just wasn’t good. Further, it was covered in a gravy which was not mentioned on the menu. She too had the potato salad and didn’t enjoy it.
Finally, the dessert that we ordered was the special — apple «doughnuts» with a sauce of some kind. These were good, but again — nothing to write home about.
The service was acceptable as well.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is really cute and does feel like Germany. I particularly loved the copies of the German newspaper that were available for free. Great touch.
I am sad to report that I won’t be making a return trip. I had much higher expectations based on what I had read on Unilocal,but maybe it’s just that I am particularly particular about my German food.

Went here just for the dessert menu.
Authentic Black Forest Cake to be had here… that says it all: D

Went to BFA with a group of friends and it was wonderful. The chef came out and made recommendations, being very generous in describing his dishes and how they’re made. Even Chef’s lovely wife came out to visit and share her thoughts.
We shared potato pancakes, a wonderful radish salad, and a sausage selection for appetizers. All were delicious. Pancakes crisp; wieners all different and tasty; the mild radish salad so unusual and delicious.
For main dishes, our folks had 3 different schnitzels and all were wonderful; we passed the plates. A couple of people had the rouladin, which was the special of the evening. Very authentic, stated our group’s German lass. I ordered the sauerbraten; also a delicious, tender dream of beef served with spätzle and cabbage. A symphony in my mouth.
If I were to offer any negative comment, and this is so minor as to be easily dismissed, for my personal taste, I would prefer the food to be slightly less salty. That is why four stars instead of five. But PLEASE– judge for yourself! I would go back weekly!!!

Went for dinner last night. The restaurant area is open so you are not on top of other tables. We started with potato pancakes, the best I have ever had (sorry Mom). They were thin, crispy and oniony. The salad was fabulous. Underneath the dressed romain was shredded carrots, corn, a little bit of cucumber salad, macaroni salad, german potato salad. Very unique. Don had the Wienershnitzel with spaeztel. HUGE portion, the pork was thin and cripy. I had roast pork in beer gravy and it was delicious and fork tender. When we walked in, I saw that the dessert was caramel salted icecream sunday with chocolate sauce and pretzels, but alas I was too full for dessert. If its there next time we go, I am getting a big salad and that dessert.

To be honest, I was slightly disappointed by Black Forest Adler. Maybe it’s my fault-​my boyfriend and I talked this place up for at least a year. We both love learning about our German heritage and it turns out maybe our people dont have the best food after all. (Well, maybe for me personally)
The best part of the meal was the salad. They have a nice dill dressing and underneath the lettuce is a surprise of things good for you (carrots) and things not so good for you (potato salad). It was like playing salad roulette and I didn’t have to feel guilty afterwards.
I’m (mostly) vegetarian, but I make exceptions with chicken if I’m out. Even so, there were only about 3 options on the menu. I got a pretty ho hum chicken dish that came with spetzle. I wasn’t blown away, and it was fairly expensive. If you’re an avid meat-​eater, a lot more opens up for you.
On the plus side, our server Danielle was from Germany and she was very helpful with answering questions. The interior is very warm and cozy-​you wouldnt expect it from the outside. They also have a nice-​looking bar and an extensive beer list.
I might go back to try their desserts. But overall I think I might have inherited my palate from the Spanish side of my family.

I came here with a group some time ago. Then I went back with one person. I may just not care for German food much, but I find the food here a little heavy for my taste. However, the service is with a smile, the prices are reasonable and the noise level perfect.
But the environment is very nice, its fun to try foods from other areas and its fun to look around this restaurant.
Parking is easy in a private lot.

If this was the Black Forest Saddler, then it would be someone that equips horses or bicycles. If it were for Black Forest Straggler, then it would be that one person who can’t keep up with the hike or the jog group, and causes the rest to have to take way more breaks than necessary. If it were the Black Forest Paddler, then it would be someone dressed in latex in a basement administering vanilla, basic S & M punishment to an eager sub, and I don’t mean a sandwich or an underwater boat. But thankfully it is none of those things.
What to get: Goulash, Kluski Noodles.
What else: Schnitzel.
I went here with my friend Alex K, to say he didn’t like it would be an understatement. It was more expensive than he was expecting, whereas it was in line with what I had been told… between 15 and 20 for any given meal. Sides and appetizers are a little cheaper. Portions are good and will fill you up, especially the noodles.
However, I personally absolutely loved it. And I love that we have a good German place to add to our long variety list here in WNY. Every bite was delicious, and while his Schnitzel was very good, I am not a huge Schnitzel fan (not sure why, I’ve had them in Austria, Germany and USA and never really loved one even though it’s the kind of thing I’d expect to love… I think I don’t like it so much when the meat is pounded… so to speak)… it was my Goulash that really stole the show. I think for the Schnitzel I might prefer the pepper version of it, maybe one of these days I’ll give it a try.
The Goulash was hot and hearty and full of delicious tender juicy meat, with a lot of mushrooms and a lot of wet oniony brown gravy which tasted of alcohol (don’t usually like that, but when you eat German food, it’s what you expect), and was filling and hot and good. One of the better Goulasheseses I’ve had anywhere. Not the best but not far off.
The noodles that came with both dishes were absolutely delicious. They’re what the Poles would call «Kluski Noodles» I think, and they’re really creamy and luscious and yummy. If you like Polish noodles you’ll love these, I would say. And while I loved it, my friend (who is Hungarian and grew up on Polish food… not Alex K) had the leftovers and loved it even more than I did. We’ve been to Germany together 2 or 3 times, and I honestly think this was better than many of the places in Germany, although back then I didn’t know how to use Unilocal or how to find the best places.
I also really liked the salad… it was bizarre, and wild, and all over the place, but it was tasty. And tasty is all I ever seem to care about.
I have one small complaint and one large complaint. The small complaint is the opening hours. They’re extremely limited, which is why it took so long for me to finally get here and try it, although thanks to Alex for suggesting it at the last minute and helping me cross another place off my «to try» list.
My large complaint is the prices. Certainly the food is excellent, the ambience and décor are really nice, so there is no reason it shouldn’t be «pricier». The problem is, I just don’t eat at pricier places, because I don’t get it. For example: the Polish Villa in Cheektowaga is excellent homestyle Polish food. It is similar in many ways. BFA might have slightly higher quality ingredients, but essentially they are doing the same thing… same size portions, similar food, taste, similar fun, friendly décor and warm, cozy surroundings… one is in a nice suburb, the other is in a nice suburb. And yet Black Forest Adler is literally, and I mean quite literally, twice the price of Polish Villa. I don’t think German food is twice as good as Polish, in fact they are comparable and it’s quite a good rivalry. So I don’t understand how this place can have such limited hours and be twice as much.
And while it’s totally up to them what they charge and while I am fine with their decision, in my case, first of all, it prevents me from being a regular. If the food was half as much, I’d come back 5 times as much. That’s just the way it goes. As it happens I will hardly ever go here even though I like it, because for me, $ 10 is plenty for a meal… $ 20 is excessive. But I know that to a lot of people, $ 15 or $ 20 for a dinner dish is nothing, so if you are one of those people, try it!
Make sure you also try the spicy beef bowl at Seoul Garden across the street by the way. Lunch time it’s $ 6 or so and enormous… more hearty and filling than even these generous German portions… and a third of the price. ;)
When accountants visit here, it becomes Black Forest Adder. Same thing when they are serving snake on the menu. And if you take your screaming 2 year olds in here, then it becomes Black Forest Toddler. Of course I wouldn’t recommend doing that because you remember what almost happened to Hansel and Gretel. Although now whenever I hear the name Hansel I think of Owen Wilson in Zoolander. How can we teach kids to read if they can’t even fit inside the building?

Gemütlichkeit! Black Forest Adler does a fine job representing this word meaning a peace of mind filled with warmth/​hospitality/​comfort.
Our server was efficient and seemed well versed in the menu. They have a full selection of wine and German beers. I went with the Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier which was poured in the traditional tall Weizen glass. The server also brought out the bottle to look at which was a nice touch. Good value for a large beer! I can highly recommend it as a great accompaniment to your meal. Some pretzel sticks are available for snacking in little barrels on the table.
I ordered the Paprika Schnitzel with Spaetzle for a side. It came with a very nice salad of mainly lettuce, croutons, and some veggie/​macaroni surprises underneath in a tasty dill dressing. The Schnitzel was two very large pieces of the pork. The breading was even and flavorful (thank you for not being too salty), cooked perfectly, and the meat very moist. The pepper sauce on top had a bit of a sweet and sour vibe to it. Some sauteed sweet peppers in it and it was an excellent accompaniment.
The spaetzle is probably the best I have had and was not gummy or mushy. I could eat a whole bowl of just that. I took home half of my meal and it was delicious the next day for lunch. I also had the chance to sample some of the Limburger cheese platter and the potato pancakes and both were tasty and generously sized for appetizer-​portions.
They did not skimp on the desserts, and we split/​shared at the table. The chocolate hazelnut sundae was out of this world. I love anything hazelnut flavored and this hit the spot. I also love apple desserts and the apple strudel had very nicely cooked apples, a flaky crust, and was also served with a generous scoop of ice cream and whipped cream.
The owner/​chef came out to check on our meal which I think we all enjoyed. I have had sampling of German from a friend’s family over the years and have always had an appreciation for it, even if I don’t get to eat it a lot. There are a few places in Buffalo, but I was impressed with everything here. Don’t let the plaza corner spot in the suburbs fool you, this place is very warm and welcoming on the inside.

If you’re craving delicious German food + bier + mind blowing desserts, go to Germany… or come here. No, seriously. Kommen hier.
Tucked away in a hidden plaza on Niagara Falls Blvd, the Black Forest Adler brings a little German spirit to Buffalo. The ambiance is cute, with little nutcracker dolls and German kitsch abundantly displayed and decorated with. The interior is spacious and comfortable with German music lightly coloring the experience.
The food is obviously very German. Wurst, Spaetzle, Schnitzel, potato pancakes. I think the most American thing on the menu is the Chicken Cordon Bleu. I had the Goulash, which was a hearty stew of pork and mushrooms served with Spaetzle (German noodles) and a salad.
The first course — the salad was delicious. Greens dressed in ranch with green peas, carrots, beans and a little German potato salad. Definitely more interesting than the typical «few lettuce leaf» salads that are usually served with a meal. I had a chance to try a friend’s Jäger schnitzel and it was very freshly made and full of flavor. The schnitzel breading was perfectly done and you could tell the meat underneath it was fresh and full of flavor (it’s easy to use lower quality ingredients when so much breading is used, but such was not the case here).
Dessert was the highlight of the meal. This place has really amazing desserts — don’t miss out if you come! I ordered the hazelnut ice cream to share, but also had a chance to try some apple strudel and both items were fantastic.
I came with some Unilocal friends and we had a great time. Service was nice and pleasant. If you’re craving some authentic German cooking, don’t miss out!