Restaurant Review: Zum Schusterjungen, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany

I'm currently living in Berlin, and a few weeks ago my housemate (a native Ostberlinerin), wanted to introduce me to some good old-fashioned German cooking, like her mother used to make. So, we set out in Prenzlauer Berg (a now-trendy neighborhood in former East Berlin) to find a place that specialized in Gemütlichkeit and authentic German food. Lucky for me, she knew just the spot - a little restaurant called Zum Schusterjungen.

"Schusterjunge" means orphan in German, which isn't exactly an appealing title, so I'm not sure how the restaurant got its name. However, Zum Schusterjungen has been around forever, and it seems that very little has changed since its inception. Zum Schusterjungen has a very homey, comfortable feel with dim lighting, dark wooden tables and deep booths. There are some kitschy touches as well, like fake plastic flowers and beer steins for decoration, but overall the atmosphere is welcoming and enjoyable.

As for the food, Zum Schusterjungen offers a wide variety of German specialties, from well-known dishes like Wienerschnitzel and Sauerbraten to slightly more esoteric specialties, like Lammkeule (lamb shanks) and Eisbein (a smoked and roasted pork shank, served on a spit). Beer and wine are abundant, cheap and delicious.

Since my friend grew up with this cuisine, I asked her for some recommendations. We started our meal with Soljanka, which is a sweet-and-sour vegetable soup, seasoned with chunks of bacon or other smoked pork. This eastern European specialty was absolutely delicious - the sweet and tangy flavor was addictive and kept me coming back for another bite. For our main courses, she ordered Rindergoulash (beef goulash) and directed me to Kasselerbraten, a smoked and roasted pork loin smothered in gravy and served with Konigsberger Klöpse, a special type of potato dumpling. The Klöpse at Zum Schusterjungen were made with grated raw potatoes, which gave them a particular texture. They soaked up the delicious gravy perfectly.

Portions at Zum Schusterjungen are more than generous, so we were far too stuffed for dessert. Prices are extremely reasonable as well - our bill, including a beer for each of us, was only around 24 Euros total, including tax. Tipping in Germany is different than in the US - a 10% tip is more than sufficient, in fact most people simply round up a Euro or two.

Zum Schusterjungen is slightly off the beaten path in Berlin, so it doesn't really cater to tourists. However, for those looking to discover the real Berlin, that is a definite advantage! If you are in Prenzlauer Berg, Zum Schusterjungen is more than worth a visit. Bon appétit!