The Dakota Inn Rathskeller

Stop in for lunch at this Detroit landmark and, once again, exceeded my expectations. Winter Wheat beer, huge Ruebens and a great sampling Combo plate. We had a great time thanks to Karen who waits tables, pours the beer and answers the phone at the lunch hour. If you like a quaint Bavarian ambience and great food, try the Dakota Inn. Don’t be put off because the neighborhood looks like Berlin must have in 1945.

Atmosphere, that’s what it’s about here. Inside! Piano playing was good for the first set. Food was just ok. Service was very good.
I know they can’t help that there are hookers around there but when we left we saw a guy without pants pooping in the lot next to the parking. Hahaha. I guess it’s kind of funny, until you realize you just spent a lot of money for mediocre food and an unexpected sad show.

For the most part, a disappointing experience.
For starters the menu is very limited. I get it that they’re trying to offer you strictly a German food experience. But I think a few more combinations of different things would be nice.
I was very disappointed with the skimpy portions, especially considering the prices we were paying. $ 14 gets you a single piece of sausage and a small amount of potatoes, and sauerkraut.
Additionally, I was very disappointed that they do not offer free refills on soda, which my kids drink like crazy. I was forced to buy two pictures of soda, and felt extremely ripped off in the process.
The service was a little slow as well, which is never a good thing. To be fair, the server was actually quite pleasant, and I could tell she was trying.
About the only redeeming part of the experience was the absolutely wonderful red kraut. I have a feeling we won’t be back.

Great ambiance. It feels homey and quaint. The older gentleman playing the piano was really enjoyable. You can’t beat that.
The potato pancakes were phenomenal. How can something so simple be so good?! We got the herring too. It’s not everyday you eat it so we got it and really enjoyed it with the saltine crackers that come with it. It’s not everyday you get Reuben soup either! It was great! I definitely recommend it. I ordered the combo plate with 2 types of sausages, sauerkraut and potato salad. I enjoyed the sausages a little less than I thought. I guess I was expecting something a little more greasy and crunchy but everything else was very tasty. We ended it with the strudel and German chocolate cake. Strudel was delicious. Now I’ve never had good German chocolate cake and I think I can say I’ve had plenty but this one was absolutely AMAZING! So good I swear id come back just for the cake!
Coming back for sure!

Try the Dakota twister sandwich. Corn beef and Swiss on potato cakes I get it without the kraut. Great old building and atmosphere. Reminds me of frankenmuth without the hassle and shitty chicken. Service is friendly but not very fast. Would definitely recommend it just not if your on a strict lunch period. I’m looking forward to bringing friends soon!

Always a fun time in the fall. Good food, great beer. A must if you dare venture into the D. Bitter, baby!

This place is fantastic! Love the potato pancakes!

A lot of fun if you’re here for the music and beer. Don’t go for the food. The absolute worst, tasteless sauerbratten I’ve ever tasted.

First time at the Dakota Rathskeller. It was sing-​a-​long night. Had a great time.
Loved the authentic German atmosphere. This is definitely one of Detroit’s gems.

The Dakota Inn Rathskeller had an amazing combo plate that I had the opportunity to check out last Thursday. The Combo Plate had One bratwurst and one Knackwurst, served with hot German potato salad and home cooked sauerkraut. It was absolutely delicious and came in just under $ 8 for lunch. Do be aware that they do not have their whole menu available for lunch — just a select few items.
But the food was great and I ordered a hot German potato salad to go.
I would love to come back here on a weekend night!

I couldn’t wait for my return trip to the Dakota Inn, but they sorely missed the mark this time
We arrived at 6pm on a Friday night and were stopped at the entry way by a waitress and she asked if we had a reservation. No. We didn’t. I didn’t know this was such an exclusive venue… We were told that we could have a table, but we had to be gone by 7:30. Not very welcoming…
Our waitress was a run of the mill order taker that didn’t seem to care how we were doing. Perhaps if we were in the Dakota Inn’s club, we would have been treated better, as every other party that arrived was greeted cheerfully and promptly accommodated.
My food was OK, but my wife’s was stone cold. The waitress asked if she would like it warmed up… Of course she wanted s new one made, since all of the food is premade anyway, what’s the harm in pulling anther one of the fridge?
It took 10 minutes to microwave the food… I saw the waitress waiting for it and it was returned lukewarm.
I can’t believe that an institution of Detroit, such as the Dakota Inn, runs on such drab standards.
I think we would have had better experience if at were in their club. We felt like such outcasts. I understand having to leave the table by a certain time if it’s booked, but they weren’t pleasant about it, yet they treated other guests like family and served us cold food, and they weren’t decent enough to remake the dish.
Sorry for bringing in money that you’re weren’t expecting. We won’t let it happen again.
The Dakota Inn: Off the list.

Cold food — colder service.
We walked in before 6pm on a Friday, and the place is empty. When the hostess asked if we had a reservation we said No. She looks down at her reservation list and points to a table saying «You can sit here but you have to be out by 7:30.». Wow. Could you be any more boorish?! It’s not even 6 yet, and there are only 2 of us, I think we can mange to be out by 7:30. With that warm welcome we sat.
We decided to try something different since we always get the Schnitzel. Hubs got the Sauerbraten and for me, the Schweinefleisch (Roast Pork). Hubs said his was good. Mine was ice cold. When our server finally came back around I told her it was cold, she just takes the plate from my spot and says «I’ll warm this up, back in 2 seconds.» Translation «I’ll throw this in the microwave.» Sure enough identical plae comes back, still cold. The pork was tender, but didn’t have any taste at all. I could have gotten a better meal from a high school cafeteria. It was such a let down!
Our service was horrid. Normally, we’ve come during the entertainment and we can understand if they are busy and service can be a bit slow with a packed house. There we literally 6 other customers in the entire place and it think my cold dinner was warmer than our service. The servers were all too busy talking to the regulars. So if you aren’t «in», your are shit outta luck! The whole time we were there, we noticed them turning away more people because they didnt have reservations and the dining room completly empty. They turned away a woman and she said «Well what about the bar?» Hostess says «Well if you want.». This isn’t «around the corner» for most of your customers. Wouldn’t you at least TRY and seat them instead of turning money away?!
the atmosphere of this place on a busy night is hard to beat, but after our last visit, I don’t think we will be back to try again. :(

Are you now, or have you ever been, German?
Have you ever wanted to be German?
Do you at least like German food and stuff?
If those are all «no», then just turn around and walk away, and nobody gets hurt.
Great, truly great, authentic German food, vibe and environment. Good German beer on multiple taps, and an awesome time to be had here.
Come, enjoy, and don’t be afraid to point at the menu and say «I want that» without trying to pronounce it :)

Suck that place. Expensive and crappy «German» food. I lived in Germ Land for a few years so I know the good shiza. This is not it. Stay away.

I lived in Germany for 3 years. If you have been to Germany and want to go back, the Ratskeller ist Super! Good music and service. The menu is a little limited, but Germans are not known for their food. You come here for the atmosphere and German Bier!

Thanks to Unilocal I ventured out from work to this German gem I would not have known about otherwise. A real slice of Germany from inside out nestled in a less traveled part of the D.
I opted for bean soup and some tasty potato pancakes.
I will return and plan to get into the German beers after work. Reuben soup isn’t served until after 5pm, looking forward to it.

Love The Dakota Inn!
Authentic German food, beer, and atmosphere!
Not in the best neighborhood, but there is fenced-​in parking which is guarded at night. Certainly is a diamond in the rough.

It’s been a Detroit institution for 80 years. I can only imagine what the neighborhood looked like back then. Today the Dakota Inn sits in stark contrast to the crumbling buildings that surround it. But enough with the gloom and doom, let’s get on to the beer. There’s lit and guarded parking so ignore the blight like a true Detroiter and get your party on. Inside the Rathskeller you’re transported back in time. Grab a seat at a wooden table and a 23 oz pour of ice cold weiss. Friday nights are especially lively with a free organ concert. If you haven’t been to the Dakota Inn you’re missing out on one of Detroit’s cultural institutions.

German to the extreme. I’m talking, all up in your face German. No escaping it, German. But, no one’s saying that’s a bad thing!
You may not be able to pronounce everything on the menu, but the descriptions will be clear and your waitress with her heavy German accent (that’s all of them) will know what you mean. The food has a rustic presentation and feel, like you’re eating a from-​scratch meal in a family’s kitchen in Hamburg. It won’t be fancy, it won’t even be pretty, but it’ll be delicious and filling.
Reservations are preferred, and even required on a lot of nights, I believe. It’s small in here, and seating is close. So get your reservation and leave all unnecessaries in the car, for the most comfortable experience.
Stay late on weekends to sing along to German folk songs played live on the organ in the dining room.
Parking is free and guarded, but the lot WILL fill up and if the restuarant is full, there may be no spots left for you to park. If you must take your chances on the street, I bid Godspeed to you and your vehicle, because this is not the greatest area. Still, a super authentic, old school German biergarten right in the midst of the hood somehow adds to the charm of it all. Totally unique, and totally Detroit.

this is not your high-​heels and fancy pants type of place, which is one of the reasons i love it. This is a gem of detroit and a place that knows how to make an impression.
german food, german beer, german songs, german folk. it’s a unique experience, so it’s best to read up ahead of time to know what you’re getting yourself into. a great place for small-​ish groups, and if you don’t mind community tables, a great place for a fun date night (if you know your date). Oktoberfest is especially busy so call ahead for reservations. they also have great holiday sing-​alongs not to be missed after thanksgiving.
get your navigation skills in tact before heading to this place; it’s easy to get to, but you’ll be thankful you planned ahead. and pay your ‘danke’ to the wonderful gentleman who keeps an eye on your car in their parking lot. oh, and order the potato pancakes!

Ist das nicht eine schnitzel bank? Ya das ist eine schnitzel bank!
I went here after the 2010 Birmingham Winter Markt– Bham had run out of gluwein just before serving me. Stupid. I ate my sauerkraut balls and then I was ghost.
I was bitter as hell about missing out on gluwein, thus prompting the decision to brave the McNichols/​JohnR hood and stop in at the Rathskeller. I’m so glad I did– one look at the gritty old guy watching over the parking lot and I knew that I was totally safe.
Upon entry, I was greeted by singing. The atmosphere was infinitely more festive than the uptight WASP’s could muster in Birmingham. I had the reuben soup, and my companion had the herring in sour cream. The soup was great, and, even though I initially gagged a little, the herring was pretty solid too.
But the gluwein– oh my! After being spoiled by years of expensive French wines, I didn’t expect to be so completely wowed by some sweet mulled wine. It was wonderfully warm, immediately chasing away the chill that had hounded me all night.
I can’t imagine this place without the singing and merriment. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, talking to other tables and participating in all the singalongs. Even my antisocial nature got pushed aside when asked to participate in the 12 Days of Christmas singalong (it may have helped that I was given an old coffee can to bang like a drum).
Next time I come here I’ll definitely want to bring a group– it’s that sort of place.