"German Gourmet" (VA) - I gotta know

[wayne keyser]

Driving past Pollo Campero on Columbia Pike - practically next door is an unassuming front (where's the door?) with a prominent sign: GERMAN GOURMET.

Anybody know anything?

[TreeFrog44]

Steer clear of the 'fresh foods' and stick with meats and canned/packaged goods. We went on Saturday and threw out almost our entire lunch. We purchased 2 different types of bread, both were stale and not even salvagable by toasting. The poppy hamentaschen were stale -- the poppy filling was so hard it could not be cut even with a steak knife. The spaetzle were also old, which was really surprising since they're refrigerated. When we opened the container we were greeted by a smell of curdled milk? We threw away everything except the salami. What a waste of our time and money...shame on them for passing off old food on customers!

[Bob W]

Have you tried the hamantaschen at Heidelberg Bakery? I had one years ago -- apricot, IIRC -- and it was very good. They have poppy (AKA mun) too.

[alkapal]

treefrog, i am quite surprised by your experience. why didn't you take the food back?

i've never had any freshness issue with german gourmet -- at least the other one on lee highway. (but they're the same owners/mgmt, right?). (fyi, there are two locations now).

and.... since this was your first post. let me be the first to welcome you to chowhound!

[Dennis S]

Yeah, I've not had any experience like that either - and I used to drop by there often to stock up for weekend outings, etc. Usually keeping the food for at least a couple of days before eating.

[MikeR]

I've been noticing that place for a few months now, since the sign went up. It looks like the same graphics as the German Gourmet on Lee Highway in Falls Church, the place with the "HOT BRATS TO GO" banner outside. I don't know if this is a second location, a move, or no connection. I guess we'll see when the doors open.

It's the former Dak's Restaurant, but it's been rotated clockwise by 90 degrees, with the front (Columbia Pike) side bricked up and the entrance on what used to be the side.

[Dennis S]

Many recs on the board - latest being http://www.chowhound.com/topics/428286

[Indy 67]

Been there for decades quietly serving as a source for wonderful German deli meats and all manner of jarred and canned items. Unless you're a German food pro, it's somewhat daunting the first time you shop there. Ask for Bratwurst and you'll be asked, "German? Swiss? Pork? Veal? Mixed? Spicy?" Not to worry. The good folks behind the counter will patiently initiate you into the finer points of Bratwurst -- or whatever -- selection. (We buy the Swiss brats, a spicy version.)

[alkapal]

I know the one in Falls Church, but have never seen a place with same name on Col. Pike. What is the cross-street? The one on Lee Hwy. is the real deal, chock full of good deli meats and condiments. Breads. Beer, I can't recall. Special stuff near holidays! Best sausages!

[wayne keyser]

I've been traveling that route at least weekly for several years and never noticed it - it's one of those "hide in plain view" locations - 5838 Columbia Pke.

Of course it would help if they'd put the ColPike location in their own website - http://pages.areaguides.com/german-go...

[MikeR]

The reason you never noticed German Gourmet on Columbia Pike is because it used to be Daks restaurant. They completely re-did the facade, put the front door on the side, and only put up the sign a couple of months ago. I'm not sure it's open yet. I haven't been past there for a couple of weeks.

Alkapal, it's practically across the street from the Acura dealer, just west of Rt. 7.

[alkapal]

Thanks, Wayne and Mike, I see that it is convenient when shopping at that Bailey's Trader Joes -- or eating at Raaga Indian on Rte. 7. Yum!

[MikeR]

I noticed the "Now Open" sign and popped in today. Definitely the same as the Lee Highway shop though a little more spacious. But like on Lee Highway, they still don't have a place to sit down and eat a sandwich. When I want lunch, I don't want to eat it in the car or carry it home, I want to eat it on site. (I miss out on a lot of good Banh Li that way)

And, yes, they have several mustards.

[bogart]

Good german foods. Lots of pantry staples. Also a deli with meats and such. Chocolates. You name it. It can get really packed on Saturdays.