Carlsbad Rotary Oktoberfest

So disappointed. Having grown up in Carlsbad and having been to most of the Rotary’s annual Oktoberfest’s this one was a waste of time and money. The food was cold, like scary is this safe to eat cold, and not very German, potatoes not the former German style potato salad but just chopped up red potatoes that were undercooked with no seasoning. The kraut was tasteless and not crisp. The beer selection had nothing German which is just a crime in a day and age when North County is full of craft breweries one would think if you can not get a real German beer then maybe a selection of local craft beers, but no just awful generic Budweiser, Shock Top and Goose IPA. And worst for me was the strudel… OMG after years of going just to take home some strudel whoever you had take over was no baker, yuk. It was undercooked, dough and apples, and who puts glaze on a proper strudel. What happened to my favorite flakey powdered sugar laced strudel. As for the music, the German band was great as always, but the rest should find other work. This event has taken a turn for the worst and the last straw was a cover charge for the first time in my memory and for what. No one could or would explain that. Seriously if you are going to charge a cover then it should be for bringing in real authentic German food, beer, and music for the event. You completely ruined what used to be a great local event, might as well just advertise it as a community picnic and kid fest, not an Oktoberfest. Das no good.

My first time at an Oktoberfest in San Diego. We arrived around the start of the event where they had a DJ playing pop music. The event offered a free shuttle from the Carlsbad mall which was helpful. They also had lots of available seating. The food and alcohol selection was limited. The event seemed to cater more toward families. My wife said this was a watered down version. Next time we will visit the Oktoberfest in La Mesa.

Horrible. In no way is this an Oktoberfest. Rock and country music bands, ran out of food other than hot dogs at 6:30pm (close at 10pm), also no German beer.

Don’t waste your time or money. $ 28 later I got 2 cold sausages, potatoes that weren’t edible and kraut! 2 domestic beers and hot dog. Lame and boring pretty much summed it up, left after 20 minutes.
They have bounce house for babies and a few other things but the «entertainment» was a joke and there were cops literally every 5 – 6 feet.

Good family fun!!! Great food, music and plenty for the kids to do! Oh yeah, and don’t forget the beer! Get your tickets from your local Rotarian or at the event!

Lots of German food (Tip-​top Meats), beer and yodeling! The full dinner will set you back $ 12 and each beer is $ 6. Seems pricey but they also setup everything and there is no fee to get in. You have to buy tickets first and this year they were $ 1 for one ticket.
The real value is the German band and folk-​dancing. If you’re German like me (well, half) this is a nice culture shock ;-)