SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
I had never really eaten any type of “international” food as I was growing up, just what was around Albuquerque. You know – pizza, Mexican food, Chinese. But I don’t remember there being a German restaurant in Albuquerque – at least one I knew about.
So I didn’t really have any kind of frame of reference for what to expect in the way of food when we got to Germany in 1967. I am most happy to report that my experience with German food was off the charts! It was wonderful – or as I used to compliment the server – “Ausgezeichnet” (outstanding!!). That always got a chuckle from the server – whether it was my pronunciation or what the word means, I’m not sure. But I like to think it left a good impression.
And let me make this statement right now: we NEVER had a bad meal in any German restaurant – no matter where it was. It could have been in the town where we were living at the time – or it could have been along the roadside where we would stop as we were traveling. It was ALL good!
Our first experience was in the hotel where we were to stay for about a week when we first arrived in Wiesbaden – the American Arms Hotel. We ate many of our meals there and were pleased. Our military sponsors took us out to eat that first evening, and it was at the zum Keller in Wiesbaden. I had my first taste of schnitzel there, as well as the wonderful salad they make (you know – cucumbers and onions in a vinegar sauce on butter lettuce…yummm!), and the French fries (pomme frites). Wow…my mouth is watering just remembering!
In later years, when we returned for Fred’s second tour of duty in Germany, we found a wonderful restaurant, called Grimmingers, that was just down the street from our apartment. They had the most wonderful schnitzel there – and we each had our favorite. Fred always wanted the Jägerschnitzel (hunter’s schnitzel).
Our daughters both loved the Rahmschnitzel (topped with a cream sauce).
Unfortunately, I can’t remember the exact name of my favorite schnitzel, and it’s possible that it was a house speciality. It was the usual schnitzel with a couple of stalks of Spargle (white asparagus) on top, and covered with a cream sauce. Delicious! Also unfortunately, our daughter, Karen, told us following a visit to Heidelberg in recent years, that the restaurant is no longer there – it is now a bank! Shucks!
In a previous musing, I mentioned that we had a favorite Gasthause, the Schwartzeradler (Black Eagle) where we always stopped on our way to Rothenburg.
It was in a very small village, right on the road we drove on. I believe we always got their schnitzel there, rather than trying to eat somewhere within the walled city of Rothenburg. Our girls didn’t understand that, until we told them that the “local” restaurant had to have good food, or it wouldn’t survive, while the restaurants within cities that attracted tourists didn’t – the tourists probably wouldn’t return, so it didn’t really matter how good the food was. It was an eatery that was well attended by the local population. If the locals didn’t like the food, they wouldn’t return – and this one was well-established.
I have nothing but good memories of food in Germany. It’s one of the things I miss the most about living there. We are grateful God allowed us that time in our lives – and the memories that accompany it.
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
They really knew how to cook!
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