Favorite Chicago Octoberfest Restuarants and Pubs

Chicago has a big German population, and even though some of those Germans have been in the city for generations, they still like an oompah reminder of back home, and even though the traditional Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is held in September, in the Windy City they like to have Octoberfest in... October.

If you can't get to Germany for Oktoberfest, Chicago Octoberfest celebrations are plenty.

This means that the various essen und trinken establishments load up on the lederhosen clad musicians, stock up on schnitzel, and of course, roll out da barrels.

Chef Klaus Peotone Bier Stube (Home of the Giant Schnitzel), 306 N Harlem Ave, Peotone, IL 60468 --708.258.0800

To get to Chef Klaus fun little joint from Chicago, you almost have to drive to Germany, it seems. Reminiscent of the old road houses of Prohibition days, this hard to find but cheery place is a great way to spend an Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon and evening comfortably planted in the authentic outdoor beer garden listening to the traditional German music of Peter the Bavarian Mountain Climber's cow bells or Swiss alp horn.

The menu has a full selection of German favorites, plus some local (meaning American) choices for those who just aren't into the "Giant Schnitzel".

Chef Klaus Peotone Bier Stube

Prost, 2566 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 -773.880-9900.

Prost is the new German kid on the block, open only about a year.

Though new, Prost has that old world German feel. Like it's bigger and much older brother beer hall in Munich, where you bump elbows and mugs with your soon to be best friend, you eat and drink together at long tables.

Prost's menu is loaded with German favorites, including ox-tail soup and pork schnitzel. It's beer list is extensive, so if you are serious about your foreign suds, this is the place.

Expect to do some heavy stein lifting while there. You can raise 2-liter steins to your favorite German drinking song.

Prost

Chicago Brauhaus, 4732 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 --773.784.4444

Steins have been clinking for forty years at this great Chicago mainstay.

This is a great place to step back in time to when many German immigrants were new in Chicago and the country and were homesick for the look, feel and taste of back home. It's dark and comfortable inside, and plenty of gemutlikeit "good cheer".

There are lots of German comfort food as well. Brats, brats and brats are the heros on the menu, but there are plenty of other traditional German dishes to choose as well.

There is a good wine selection here, too, for those who need their Liebfraumilch.

It's easy to get your share of Deutche culture here, with music six days a week.

Chicago Brauhaus

Glunz Bavarian Haus, 4128 N Lincoln ave, Chicago, IL 60618 -- 773.472.4287

How can one area of the city be so blessed as to have two great German establishments so close?

Just a little south of the Chicago Brauhaus is Glunz Bavarian Haus, which is careful to call itself an "Austrian" restaurant and brauhaus.

Great fun and great food is tradition at this Chicago favorite, which traces its history in the city all the way back to 1879.

There is a large selection of beers to wet any whistle wanting a cool swallow of traditional brew.

One of the favorite things about Glunz Bavarian Haus is the outdoor patio or beer garden.

There is live jazz on Tuesday and Thursday nights after 9p.m..

Glunz Bavarian Haus

October is a great month in Chicago. The weather turns a bit crisp, especially at night, and it's a perfect time to warm yourself with friends, food and a favorite stops along the Octoberfest trail in the city.