Resi's Bierstube

The number of traditional German taverns in Chicago has waned in recent decades. That's why we paid a call to Resi's Bierstube for an authentic German gastronomical experience. Beer, brats, and beergarten.

Resi's is an old-school German tavern located at 2034 W Irving Park Rd. Opened in 1964 by Herbert and Ingeborg Stober, an immigrant couple originally from Karlsruhe, Germany. Resi's isn't a big, bustling beer hall. It has a hole-in-the wall no-frills tackyness that we found appealing. Here you won't find the historic and festive atmosphere of the Rathskeller, nor the kitsch of the Brauhaus, but if you seek a wide selection of German beers with your shnitzel, Resi's may fit your bill.

It's a pretty average looking elongated tavern with a bar on one side and seating on the other. Cozy, not kitschy. And only German beers are fed to the taps, all 14 of them...

The 12-table beergarten is quaint and comfortable with two mature maple trees providing ample shade and a privacy fence providing, well, privacy. This is, after all, a residential block neighborhood, complete with the occasional dog bark. Although we found ourselves alone in soaking up the sun this Monday afternoon, we could envision a festive atmosphere in the evenings or on weekends.

We began with a couple of beers... a Pilsner and a Lager.

The menu is laden with variations of wurst and schnitzel dishes. This is not a vegetarian friendly restaurant.

The turkey schnitzel was extremely filling and yummy.

We found the service at Resi's to be down to earth. Not that we expected the St. Pauli Girl to fill us with cheer as she took our order, but a greater knowledge of the beer selection from our server would have greatly improved our ability to select the right beer.

Don't go to Resi's if you seek the immersive German experience found at Indy's very own Rathskeller. Resi's is a laid-back watering hole and a real McCoy of German taverns. At least here in Chicago.