- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Wurstküche
Categories: Restaurants Hot Dogs Restaurants German Restaurants Gastropubs Hot Dogs, German, Gastropubs [Edit]
800 E 3rd StLos Angeles, CA 90013
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(213) 687-4444
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
3328 reviews for Wurstküche
Review Highlights
-
"Rattlesnake and rabbit is extremely juicy & flavorful." In 553 reviews -
"There belgian fries are ridiculously delicious." In 415 reviews -
"The duck and bacon was pretty delicious too." In 378 reviews
Loading...
- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
3326 reviews in English
-
Review from Beeni M.
Selden, NY
5/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
OMG. I will never roll my eyes at seeing 3000 reviews again.
Best tip I can give - go during an off hour. Try a lunch on a weekday. The whole place will be triple your money's worth when you're not dealing with a line. Let it be about the food - the juicy sausages, crunchy fries and amazing beer.
My mouth is watering all over again. Mmmmm -
Review from Visvamitra L.
Pomona, CA
5/25/2012
I was surprised by the fascinating decor/space of this place. Very sleek modern German meets biergarten meets picnic. Striking really. Very kraftwerk. Ya.
All the staff we worked with were personable and helpful.
Prices were reasonable. Self serve vats of cucumber water and giant tubes of mustard were unique.
Got a couple beers, fries, the Pilipino, bratwurst and duck bacon sausages. The first two were tasty, especially the brat. The duck was very underwhelming. Peppers and caramelized onions could have been a little more flavorful too.
Chipotle mayo was incredible. Curry ketchup better than that traditional German curry ketchup. Fries were alright.
Bf and I liked this this place and would return. -
Review from Annie W.
La Habra, CA
5/25/2012
I am not a huge fan of sausages, so I was actually anticipating not enjoying this place all that much.
It's right around the corner from a super neat Brewery/Art Gallery, so I would highly recommend looking to visiting Angel City Brewery while you're in the area!
There was quite a long line out the door when we arrived, but they got us in pretty quickly and gave out samples while we waited. I almost changed my entire order based on what they gave out in line!
I ended up ordering their Veal, Rabbit, & Pork in White Wine and it was so delicious. I got sauerkraut and sweet peppers-- so so good. I also ordered a Russian Imperial Stout and they gave it to me very promptly.
I thought the prices were beyond reasonable and their fries are absolutely incredible. Their dipping sauces are also astounding!!
The seating is kinda funny, but I think it adds a fun element to the dining experience. You meet new people, and leave full and satisfied.
I loved everything about this place. No complaints whatsoever. Go. It is a must! -
Review from Kayla V.
We took my sisters out to lunch and decided on Wurstkuche since we were sick of all the usual restaurants. I hadn't been back for a while, but luckily it's still as good as I remembered. With so many choices, I think you just have to find the perfect sausage for you. So many people love the Bratwurst, but it's bland and boring to me. You can stick to pork or go crazy and order rattlesnack or alligator. Whatever you do, don't forget to order fries! There is a bar in the back dining room for all you beer lovers, but I like to try one of their soda offerings. Sit indoors and enjoy the cool a/c or soak up some rays outdoors.
Bratwurst - Jimmy and I did not like this and felt that it lacked flavor
Filipino Maharlika - I loved mine! Sweet and kind of spicy, lots of flavor and delicious
Buffalo, Beef & Pork with Chipotle Peppers - Sydney and Grace loved it and complimented the smokey flavors!
Rabbit, Veal & Pork Seasoned with White Wine - Allys loved hers and was the first to finish!
Groot belgian fries with white truffle oil glaze - We wanted more! So good and satisfying. The sauces didn't go well with the fries since we already had the white truffle oil glaze, but it went wonderfully with ketchup. Yum! -
Review from Crystal K.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012
I'm glad I waited until after a few visits to write this review, otherwise it probably would've gotten a 5 star review from me.
The quality just isn't like it use to be. The duck + bacon dog was too salty. The service was horrible. The girl taking our order was RUDE with a stick up her you know what. She opened up a glass soda pop for my friend. Because of her inability to operate a bottle opener correctly, the glass cut my friend's lip. You'd think she'd have some sort of remorse but honestly, she couldn't give a rats you know what.
Seating is difficult to find during peak hours.
Honestly, I'd rather have a dirty dog like the ones you find on Hollywood Blvd after clubbing. So much better. -
Review from Christina S.
Campbell, CA
5/24/2012
If it weren't for their prices, I'd be gettin' my sausage on here EVERY NIGHT. ...And I am not even normally a fan of sausage.
We waited outside for nearly an hour and even despite that I was not grumpy with this eating experience. The wait proves it's trendy enough and the samples in line kept everyone cheerful. Plus our group definitely needed the extra time to peruse the extensive German and Belgian beer menu. Once we got inside the tiny foyer to continue to wait, but in warmth, a server came around and took our drink orders so we could guzzle our delicious beers while waiting to order our tubular meats. ...I actually ended up getting the vegetarian apple sausage, but my oh my it was tasty.
The back area is extensive and feels very communal and friendly.
I'll be back soon! -
Review from Tiffany C.
Alhambra, CA
5/21/2012
I've been wanting to try this place foreverrrr and I finally came this weekend with a group of friends. Super random and sort of creepy location! I felt like this when I was going to Urth Cafe, which surprisingly isn't that far from here. I have come to the conclusion that this somewhat creepy neighborhood is the home to some delicious eateries! Street parking- somewhat of a pain as it's pretty crowded on a Saturday night.
I like (and I'm sure everyone else does too) that you get your alky drink in your grubby hands even before you get to the cashier! Pretty sweet. The line was pretty long that night but the drinks came out with a quickness. I had the strawberry beer and it was yum-O. I was so disappointed that the alligator sausage wasn't available! I eventually ended up ordering the rattlesnake and rabbit with caramelized onions and spicy peppers. It was super juicy and flavorful! The inside was moist but the outside had a good texture and bite. Next time around, I would probably go with just the caramelized onions as a topping. I feel like too much toppings overpower the flavor of the sausage. I was not a fan of the belgian fries. I love my fries crunchy but they were soft. I sort of felt like the consistency was comparable to a baked potato. Very.. potato-ey and mushy.
The environment of Wurstkuche was interesting and nothing of what I expected. You order at the front and bring your number to your table. There's a bunch of benches and booths in the back. The place was poppin'! They have a bar, dj and even security! It's definitely a fun place to go with a group of friends. I hope they have the alligator sausage the next time around! -
Review from Lance T.
Monterey Park, CA
5/18/2012
I don't care how cool you think you are, it is never O.K to brag about how small your sausage is. And just because you use a bigger bun, doesn't make your sausage look any bigger. Two inches of bun on each side of the sausage? come on, now.
***News Flash!*** I think I actually spotted the elusive Bigfoot in walking down the street!! And he was wearing tight jeans!! But my eyes have fooled me in the past before - I'm sure it was some smelly hippy with a horrible beard.
First things first, the beer selection is pretty good! Now back to the little weenies. I don't mind paying $9+ for sausage but it was pretty dry and bland. Yes, they have fancy names that sound good on paper but in the end, its just a mish mash of ingredients which is hard to distinctly separate the taste from.
The sauces are pretty tasty but its pretty gross that you have to pass the community condiments back and forth touching the same sticky area where people have just licked their fingers clean.
I'm liking the festive atmosphere, but they have to fix the area where you go up to order your food. Which way is the line going??? where does it start? Mad chaos is never good environs to stimulate your palate. -
Review from Christina T.
Los Angeles, CA
5/20/2012
Driving here was interesting. We turned onto a dark street and my friend and I looked at each other with wary. "Where are we going??? Where is this place???" Then came the light. There were several restaurants nestled in this little cute neighborhood. Upon entering, it looks like a super small restaurant with limited seating. The line fills the inside and curls out the door. A dreadlocked man comes around and hands menus to each person. After you get several minutes perusing the wursts and beers on the menu, he returns to get your drink order. You order your food, you pay, then you go down the hallway to the seating area. It's dark and there's a DJ and a bar and even security! It's like a club but more relaxed! I really liked the atmosphere. Twas very hip and laid back. You seat yourself and place your number on your table awaiting the arrival of your sausage.
You can choose two toppings (of 4 toppings) to put on your dog. You can have caramelized onions, hot peppers, sweet peppers, and sauerkraut. They have original wursts and some exotic ones, including alligator (though they ran out of that when we were there sadly), rabbit, veal, buffalo, etc. I ordered the mango and jalapeno topped with caramelized onions and hot peppers ($6.50). It was DELICIOUS! A perfect marriage between spicy and sweet. Yum yum. There are also several condiments you can use on your dog if you want the extra flavor: ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, whole grain (mustard), spicy brown (mustard). Whole grain was yummy! But the highlight of my meal was the Floris Apple Ale ($9). It was the best drink ever! It was sweet and just a great beverage to hydrate with. I love apple flavors and I love alcohol, so it was just perfect!
I'd love to come back to try the Alligator and I'd also like to go across the street to try the Pie Hole! -
Review from Eva R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012
I heard a lot about Wurstkuche before I visited so I was scared; it's like loving a celebrity for a long time and then seeing them in person and realizing they're not as beautiful. Thankfully, Wurstkuche was as gorgeous as I'd imagined.
Firstly, the place is affordable. I expected it to be much more expensive because it was new and trendy. Secondly, the atmosphere is something else. I love noise and being able to laugh loudly and yell at my friends and this space is perfect for that. It's definitely what pops into my head now when I'm itching to eat somewhere late. Even if you go for their fries, you'll get your money's worth.
The selection is incredible with both hot dogs and beers - thought I haven't bought any of the latter. Prepare to be pretty close to strangers and maybe fight for your seats. I loved this though - it felt communal and fun. One night, a few people got up to dance along with the DJ's tunes. Nothing like a late night in Downtown. -
Review from Michael K.
Los Angeles, CA
5/19/2012
I had a rattlesnake and rabbit sausage. That speaks volumes in itself.
Parking was a nightmare, the wait sucked, and I am not legal drinking age. Blast!
Also the seating situation is picnic table like so you have to sit with strangers. It was an awkward situation. High school all over again! As such I sat outside like a goober.
The sausage took a while but I appreciated them bringing it to you and finding you through the masses. The guy passing out menus while you're in line conveniently forgot my party but the self-serve cucumber water thing was cool enough to forgive him for his blindness.
The sausage itself was quite juicy and had an interesting zest to it. Didn't taste as out of the ordinary as you would expect though. Probably because they give you the sausagey parts of a snake and rabbit. Not the high grade snake parts.
But seriously, the sausage was tasty and filling. There were ample fries as well and the meal was very satisfying. The place is an experience and I would definitely come again!
Probably would've been better with some fancy beer...hmm... -
Review from Liz T.
Loma Linda, CA
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh...get the spicy Austin...super cute decor and huge hidden seated area...Love it...and get a beer to pair with that awesome sausage. I would recommend getting rid of the bread, it kinda over powered the sausage for me. Love the Spicy Austin and my glass of beer :)
The Fries are a must, they are like fat crunchy fries. like bitting into a real potato but with a nice crunchy exterior....it was great, we finished a large basket! -
Review from Dawn S.
San Jose, CA
5/18/2012
YUM.
The line was long, but so worth it! Came here for my birthday dinner and had the chicken and apple sausage with an apple beer. Huge bun with two sausages in it, and the beer tasted like sweet cider - not the nasty Hornsby's type, but really delicious. It complimented the sausages perfectly!
Boyfriend had the duck and bacon, which he said was excellent, and the St. Bernard's beer. We also got a rabbit, veal, and pork sausage to split - super yummy and flavorful!
Service was friendly and this place has a cool atmosphere. The decor is neat - it looks like a big old garage with lots of brick and tables. Will definitely be back next time we take a trip to SoCal! -
Review from Tracy N.
Los Angeles, CA
5/10/2012
One of the most hipster places that I've set foot in--in LA! I honestly would've expected something like this in San Francisco but you know what?! I'm okay with this. A bit of hipster to LA only shows how diverse us Angelinos are. The seating is really really chill and they even have a DJ booth.
I went here during a weeknight with one of my very good friends! I was stoked to go here since I heard so many good things about it! I can just say that the hype is well worth it. The line was pouring out the door when we finally arrived...which is always a good sign! The lady at the door greeted us with a warm welcome and handed us a menu and took our drink orders while we waited! They have an amazing selection of beers and I definitely will have to go back and try more of their flavorful beers. I got an apple ale which reminded me of Bruxelles and my time in Europe.
The food is just as great but I was really saddened by the "Belgian" fries. I mean--no doubt were these fries good but incredibly misleading! I expected skinny, battered, fried goodness and the fries that I ordered were basically steak fries. Meh. I definitely was expecting some "Belgian" fries and not some generic rendition.
As for the actual meal I had...Bockwurst was ahhhmazzzing! It was very flavorful and satisfying. I will mos def come back to tantalize my taste buds with some more exotic meats. I played it safe!
All in all, I am going to come back! I'm sure my white friends will enjoy how much they fit in here hahaha -
Review from Shoko O.
Los Angeles, CA
5/12/2012
Fight on to Wurstkuche for being founded by one of our very own Trojan!
The place is really adorable. And pretty unique, well lit, and really nice for a nice but casual dinner out with your friends and your date. You walk through to see brick walls and order at the front. Then you can move towards the back where they have a lot of wooden, long tables and chairs and an awesome bar. The ambience is NOT like any other ordinary hotdog joint.
I ordered mango and jalapeno hotdog, while my friends ordered kielbasa and my roomie got rattlesnake and rabbit- yes. Snake and rabbit in a dog, everyone. They have all sorts of funky hotdogs- duck and bacon, buffalo, pork, beef, alligator... every edible animal possible. It's cray, and I don't really know how they tasted, but seeing my roomie's expression I'm sure the food was dabombDOTcom.
With your hotdog you get 2 toppings, ranging from caramelized onions to spicy peppers- I got caramelized onions and sauerkraut on mine, which were both very very good. The dog comes on a pretty awesome hotdog bun, too- soft, but slightly toasted crunchy, just the way I like it.
My roomie also ordered belgian fries, which were nice and crispy and yummm-ay. I think I'll be getting some next time I visit. It comes with curry ketchup- the flavor here could have been maybe better...? I feel like it lacks a tiny bit of flavor.
They also boast a TON of types of mustards- spicy, normal, honey mustard, etc. It's fun to try them on your hotdog with each bite you take, which I loved.
Reasons why I gave it 4 stars
1. I only tried one of their dog so I'd like to come back some other time to try others, see if they're all good
2. I WANT TO TRY THE BELGIAN/GERMAN BIERS. I WANT TO GO TO THEIR BAR. BADLY. I THINK THIS PLACE WILL BE MY 21ST BIRTHDAY DINNER!
Definitely coming back! Plus the location is very cool- in the Arts District of DTLA surrounded by amazing graffiti walls and paintings. Very awesome.Listed in: Los Angeles, I'm Yours
-
Review from Irene K.
West Covina, CA
5/10/2012 2 Check-ins Here
All come with fat caramelized onions; seating is in the back in communal bench areas. All the sauces are on the table for sharing. Free water. Bonus: near groovy Art District!
SAUSAUGES
Alligator is tough, tastes fine;
Rattlesnake and rabbit is very buttery and fatty - delicious;
The duck and bacon was delicious as well;
Buffalo was the most normal tasting sausage - the one closes to "normal hot dogs."
My favorite would be rattlesnake and rabbit.
Fries are good, but nothing special. -
Review from Brad F.
Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2012
I'm tempted to write "meh" because I feel like this place is far too hyped, and their signature dish disappoints.
The fries are good, but the sausages are only marginally better than indifferent. The sauces for the fries are... ok. I like the curry ketchup, but it didn't wow me, and none of the others were great.
However the ambiance is good, when it isn't overcrowded, and the music can be exceptionally good (it's been assorted groovy electronic every time I've been there). And the beer is fantastic. So, despite its shortcomings, I guess it makes one of the nicer hangouts on the fringes of downtown, kind of like a Silver Lake joint in a gritty, but up and coming, neighborhood. For a lazy Sunday afternoon, it's a good choice. For a hectic Friday night, maybe less so. -
Review from John O.
Honolulu, HI
5/24/2012
Dont remember what I ordered, but I really enjoyed the food and tap draft, so did wifey. Similar to a cafeteria type atmosphere, but the outdoor is pleasant and entertaining sometimes. it did seem like the wait staff was quite occupied with taking orders rather than helping out cleaning and wiping down tables. just a small minor thing i guess.
Havent gone back yet, but will soon to experiment on the other interesting foods.
Also, clean bathrooms. a heavy plus.
=) -
Review from Lillian N.
Orange County, CA
5/14/2012
Whoever is responsible for creating the concept for this place did a really good job at mastering 3 key things that make a restaurant a place that you want to keep coming back to:
1) Atmosphere
2) Speed
3) Customer Service
(The food was good too... but we'll get to that later)
Atmosphere - After ordering, you walk through a nondescript corridor that takes you to a large open area of wooden tables and modern decor. There's a very vibrant and bustling vibe in the place, and the buzz of people and mixture of sounds and conversation make it an exciting and casual place to have food. There's also a long bar area that you can sit at
Efficiency - The service is smart and fast. There's a person who mans the line and is there solely to get the line moving. We had our alcoholic beverages in our hands before we even got to the register to say our orders. I liked that.
Customer Service - Quick and efficient, and friendly..
This is a really unique place that seems to fit best for the 21-30something year old who just wants to have good conversations over some good beer and good food. It's an interesting place, since even after ordering and having your food, you are left with the feeling that there are many more selections that you have yet to try (but want to come back to try).
Just a tip - I found that the spicy peppers ended up overpowering the sausage. So, a tip would be to settle on toppings that are a little more subtle so that you can get a better taste of it. The taste of the sausage was diluted when we paired it with the spicy peppers. It was a bad call on our part because we didn't have a chance to get the full affect of the rabbit and duck sausage that we ordered. Belgian fries were good, though. It had a creamy texture to it.
Another tip - The Floris Apple Ale was delicious. Served in a small goblet with a pinkish color to it, it had a delicious and sweet taste to it that would probably go with a person who has a lighter palette.
I'll come back and try more things next time :) -
Review from Ming L.
Irvine, CA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cool, trendy and hip place located in J-town. A big warehouse turned into restaurant. The place is definitely on the higher end for what you get, but the ambiance is awesome. I love the outdoor patio on a sunny day drinking the wide selection of beers they offer.They also have a wide selection of hot dogs from the normal hotlink to the exotic rattlesnake. I tried the kielbasa and I thought it was okay . I prefer the buns to be a little toasty. What separates this place is their sauces. They have so many different sauces that make you come back for more. Belgian fries were delicious.
A cool hang out place. I would definitely come back to try all their sauces and some of their exotic dogs. Had to go safe the first time. =P -
Review from Diane S.
Studio City, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite places - great beer and ale selection (even for a non-beer drinker like me) and delicious sausages. Choice of communal or individual tables. Fun place
-
Review from Chris W.
5/1/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Their menu is not for the faint of heart... Rattlesnake and Rabbit Wieners aren't on most people's diet.
Wurstküche's atmosphere is hip and European. Long tables that are shared. Loud music of the Urban Outfitters variety blares through the room attempting to drown out your conversation; so the room gets even louder with every song.
The beer selection is a wide variety of imports and domestics, with everything from Spaten to PBR (Giant Mug of PBR is only $5!)
I opt for the simple things in life: The Chicken Apple Sausage, Fries and Spaten are my fav selection.
You'll easily get out of here under $20 if you keep your cool with the beers. -
Review from Julie S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2012
What happened to this place? This review is for the downtown location.
They used to have, 3 or so years ago, the best, lightest, crispiest fries.
The buns on the hot dogs used to be delicious. When I went there last night with 3 friends, the quality of the food reflected some kind of change.
The fries were soggy. None of them were crisp. The dogs were OK, but the buns were cold and flavorless. Cheap.
The staff was cheerful, helpful and the barmaid let us sample different beers. It was a relatively quiet Monday night. That's the reason this review has 2 stars instead of one.
But I'm sad that one of my favorite restaurants has changed beyond recognition.
I can't recommend Wurstkuche anymore. -
Review from Rachael K.
Saratoga, CA
Updated - 5/5/2012 3 photos
Occasion: LACI Seniors Dinner
What I Had:
Rattlesnake & Rabbit Jalapeno Pepper 'Exotic' Hot Dog ($7.50)
Alligator & Pork Andouille 'Exotic' Hot Dog ($7.50)
Food Review: My dear friend Frances and I split our 2 hot dogs so we could try a little bit of both. We got caramelized onions on both hot dogs, but sweet peppers on the alligator & pork and sauerkraut on the rattlesnake & rabbit. Both hot dogs were delicious! The alligator & pork was slightly milder with a more herb-like flavor, whereas the rattlesnake & rabbit had some more kick to it because of the jalapeno peppers. Although I'm not a huge fan of tons of sauerkraut, I will say that I was surprised how well the sauerkraut complemented the spicy, salty sausage. Even the bread of the hot dog buns was different from your typical Costco hot dog buns. I think the bread could be improved, perhaps softer and less dry, with slightly toasted edges, but overall I loved both hot dogs.
Service Review: Unlike the last time I was here, there was a young lady passing out menus, explaining drink options, and telling us what the essential decisions we needed to make by the time we got to the register (2 toppings + 1 fries dressing). Definitely streamlined the process!
Venue Review: The venue hasn't changed since my last visit: still long tables, dispersed smaller tables at the edges of the dining room, bar to the back, and self-serve water and utensils at the end of the bar. Although parking is mostly street, since a friend dropped us off we didn't have any issues.
Overall Impression: If you're looking for a quality hot dog experience (as much of an oxymoron as it sounds), this is the first place that comes to my mind. The variety of crazy meats (e.g., rattlesnake!!) definitely bump this little establishment up to 5-stars in my book. Although I'll admit it's difficult to tell the assorted meats apart by taste alone, each sausage has a distinctly different flavor that so far I've always enjoyed.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/18/2012
Occasion: Late night dinner with LACI friends, Steph and Sid
What I Had: Mango Jalapeño with chicken… Read more »
-
-
Review from Bill E.
Seattle, WA
5/22/2012
The food was good, almost too many choices for a sausage joint, but what we had rocked. In addition, the whole neighborhood is rad and I dig it's resurgence!
-
Review from jon p.
Los Angeles, CA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here with a friend to get some grub (we love our sausage.) We balked a little at the length of the line coming from this place, but were pleasantly surprised when the employees came around with fries and sausage bits for everyone to try. The beer list here is great; they have belgian, german, domestic and other kinds of beers (they even have pints of PBR for $2.50 for those on a budget.) I ended up ordering the buffalo and beef sausage with sauerkraut and hot peppers (the sweet ones are better, fyi), and it was tasty (though I might get the jack cheese sausage next time that my friend recommended). We also got an order of large belgian-style fries with chipotle ketchup and sun dried tomato mayo (also delicious).
They also had a live DJ there playing an amazing set, and the atmosphere is just amazing. I have to say, this is my new favorite hangout. Would definitely recommend to all my friends. -
Review from Jodi C.
Walnut, CA
5/13/2012
I consider Wurstkuche a gem in my book. Great selection of bratwurst, belgian beers, & in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. What more can you ask for?
Atmosphere: Dim, very chill vibe music, a bit hipster-ish
Pros: Feeling adventurous? Try the exotic sausages. They have a great flavorful selection of duck, alligator, and rabbit. All which i've had and love. Are you a fan of belgian beers? Get a glass of the one you can't pronounce! That's usually the best belgian (lol) Always get a side of fries, they are cooked to perfection. I suggest the thai peanut aioli and the pesto mayo aioli.
Cons: If you go during peak hours, seating can get a little crowded.
Best time to go: Lunch or a late dinner.
This place is GREAT for:
- Catching up with friends
- 2nd dates
- college students
- foodies
Happy eating! - Jodi -
Review from Tim C.
Palmdale, CA
5/2/2012
Came here en route of the Beerathon
Place was packed, busiest spot of the entire beerathon. Line wrapped around the inside of the place, and out the door maybe 50 feet!
Guess I have to wait in line, I am not skipping beerathon stops this early.
The line went pretty quickly, and they took my order while we waited in line, so the food was being prepared as I waited in line to pay and I had a beer to drink, the Erdinger Dunkelweizen, which is an unfiltered amber hefe. MMM so tasty.
I ordered the rattlesnake and rabbit sausage, going all out since I was already pretty buzzed up and this is the way almost psychotic people eat psychopathic food....
I got caramelized onions and sweet peppers on the sausage, with french fries that came with two dipping sauces, so I ordered Tzatziki and blue cheese, walnut and bacon. Both dipping sauces were really really good, but I quickly got tired of the blue cheese...too bold of flavors. The Tzatziki was perfect though!
**oh and quick side note, order the fries with their truffle glaze! The fries will come out crispier and much more flavorful**** Damn good fries
I ordered another beer by this point, Reissdorf Kolsh, which is a classic summer style German beer, which accompanied my food perfectly, especially now since I had devoured the fries and was getting ready to man up to my snake and rabbit sausage.
First bite, nervousness throughout, wondering how this will taste somehow blocked out any initial flavor. Second bite, meaty, juicy, double fried sausage. Third bite, caramelized onions, sweet peppers and whole grain/honey mustard combination...fantastic.
I killed this sausage, satisfying my appetite as well as gave me a little more to work with for the beerathon...6 places down....21 to go at this point LOL It was a looooooong day to say the least. -
Review from Ethan F.
Los Angeles, CA
5/5/2012 2 photos
Wurstküche (Sausage kitchen) Is a great place if you're craving good beer (there's plenty to choose from) and amazing Wurst.
I have been to Germany a couple times and this place does traditional German cuisine justice.
Ok, so let's cut to the chase. Why would you spend 15$+ here?
1. The Belgian fries alone are an excuse to come here. Perfectly seasoned, cooked and balanced to go along the diversified grilled sausages.
2. The actual Wurst is tender, juicy and big. ( Duck and bacon is my personal favorite)
3. The beer. There's plenty to choose from, I recommend the Blond Belgian.
4. The mood. If you've ever been to a Gastropub before you will be right at home here. If not, imagine a contemporary school cafeteria. Nothing here is pretentious or ostentatious, the focus is set on the hot dogs and nothing else.
Four pros and no cons, this is my sausage place of predilection. :) -
Review from Marisol S.
Chula Vista, CA
5/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Came here with another foodie friend of mine. Even when I came here super full from another restaurant 2 hours prior, the food was still AAAMAZING!
My friend ordered the 2 exotics: duck and bacon with jalapeño peppers & the rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeño peppers and both have caramelized onions! Both were juicy and very tasty! The rattlesnake and the rabbit sausage was mild in flavor but pretty tasty and the duck bacon had a bolder flavor that was also tasty. Not fatty at all as one might think with duck and bacon.
We also ordered with truffle fries with the pesto mayo sauce and the blue cheese walnut and bacon! My favorite sauce was the pesto mayo!! It was creamy and pesto was not overpowering at all. The blue cheese walnut and bacon was good too. Blue cheese did not really stand out for me. Both were creamy sauces.
Let me just say.... It seems like their truffle fries was powdered with cocaine bec I was addicted!! Regardless of how full I was! I couldn't stop eating like a major PORKER!
I loved their unique choices of bottled soda, they have box water, and even cucumber soda? Wth? Pretty cool but I helped myself with their complimentary Cucumber water. So refreshing!!
It was cool seeing people being served beer or whatever they wanted to drink while waiting in line to order. The dining area had a modern chic cafeteria style seating that would be perfect for large groups! I wish they had a DJ when we went but it was still early.
This is a spot where I would definitely love to go to all the time to eat, drink and be merry with my friends in San Diego, if they would open one there. Till then, I guess I will have to get myself to drive hours and hours to come back and enjoy this lovely place. :(
I wanted to add... This is definitely way better quality than Pinks hot dogs! Don't listen to those people that says pinks is better. Haha totally different caliber of sausage and hot dogs! This is like creme brûlée and pinks is like jello caliber hahaha jk. I like both places but this is definitely better quality. So I guess I don't mind it being a bit more pricey. -
Review from Leigh G.
5/3/2012
There is nothing I could add. I just want the world to know that I love this place.
My husband used to insist on Philippes as his quick, cheap downtown eats. Wurstkuche turned it around...and I feel quite victorious for it. -
Review from Haehae L.
5/13/2012
Love the game meat!
Rabbit, rattlesnake, alligator yummmm :)))
There's a bar area that it next to the place you order the food. Good place to go at night to get a drink, but it's so loud and dark and crowded in there. I think it's a self seating place so it's hard to find a spot sometimes.
I'd go back to try everything else on the menu.
They have a lot of sauces to go on your wurst! Loveeee eet -
Review from Albert K.
5/3/2012 1 photo
Delicious sausages, great beer selection, and fantastic design/decor. There was a line when we went over the weekend, but love the service of getting a beer while you wait to order. Had to go hipster and get 2 PBR drafts, $2.50 each! Fries are delicious, especially with the chipotle aioli. Love the buffalo, beef, & pork with chipotle peppers, and will be back to try many more. We sat outside, but loved the inside setup.
Also just like saying the name over and over, to the dismay of my friends. =) -
Review from Isabel M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/1/2012
Sausage, pommes frites, and beer in a communal beergarden-style seating arrangement. The food and drinks are great at this place, but I HATE waiting in line. They don't do happy hour, and there's no parking, but people still come here (because it's that good)!
Make sure you lock your cars & leave valuables out of sight, because people have had their cars broken into in this area. -
Review from Sara C.
Los Angeles, CA
Wurstkuche is a humble restaurant with a hipster ambiance in Downtown Los Angeles's Arts District dedicated to serving "exotic grilled sausages" and stunning Belgian and German "Biers."
We got here at around 5:45 pm, with no line to order whatsoever. Looking over the menu, I knew I wanted to try something... different. I decided to order their signature rattlesnake and rabbit sausage with sweet peppers and caramelized onions as well as a small order of Belgian fries and curry ketchup.
My friends, on the other hand, were not quite as adventurous. One friend, who onced owned an adorable pet rabbit, could not stand the thought of eating a rabbit in a bratwurst. So she decided to get the Kielbasa with sweet peppers. My other friend went for the mango jalapeno bratwurst.
I was about to sit at the counter in the front of the store when one of my friends told me that there was more room in the back. So we followed her and found an open space, with long, wooden tables and more tables on a raised surface. People wearing fedoras and plaid shirts laughed while taking bites from their brats and swigs from their biers. The sunlight filtered through the glass windows.
This other side of the restaurant really was beautiful.
When all of our food came, we could not wait and started to dig into our meaty and juicy bratwursts, with the peppers and onions falling off with every bite, and balanced the bottles of various mustards in our hands and, like artists, dressed up our brats.
There was silence among us as we ate. The flavors were not overly powerful, but they were smoky and delicious and came together to make one really amazing bratwurst.
How could I forget the Belgian fries? Crispy and with a slight curry seasoning, these fries were all too addictive. I probably could have eaten a large order by myself...
Overall verdict? Wurstkuche is a place I could go to over and over and I probably would never get sick of it. There is SO much variety and the food is just so, so good... plus, Wurstkuche was founded by a USC alumnus!!
I have a feeling that I will be visiting Wurstkuche regularly! -
Review from Big H.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012
Would have given it 4 stars but its way too damn crowded nowadays. Great food, love the reclaim wood but dont go at peak hours. Solo fine, but not with a group of friends, you will have a hard time grabbing a large table and its loud! Usually a line OUT THE DOOR on friday nights and saturdays.
-
Review from Sally K.
Buena Park, CA
5/22/2012
First time last week and decided to be 'daring' to try the Rattlesnake & Rabbit, (with the Fruli and Belgian fries). It was good, but personally didn't live up to the hype for me. The Rattlesnake was just as described though, buttery with a tad smoky flavor and a touch of spice. My friend had the Buffalo, Beef, and Pork and she was raving about it. The fries were great with the chipotle aoli and their variety of condiments were perfect for their gourmet sausages. I'll need to give it another chance. Service was great and I thought the atmosphere of the place made for a good local spot.
-
Review from Dorie L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/6/2012
Hands down one of the most interesting places I have ever eaten in a while. Tucked inside of Little Tokyo's outskirts. You walk into a line where you are given their long list of hot dogs and good beer to order from.
After you get your number and self seat yourselves in a high school cafeteria style spot, you sit and eat "exotic" hot dogs like rattlesnake and rabbit jalapeno pepper.
I was only adventurous enough to eat the mango jalapeno made with turkey. It was the best hot dog I have ever had. My friend had the rabbit veal hot dog. Juicy and perfect in size. Not too pricey. They also have a whole grain option for the mustard flavor.
It gets super interesting crowd observing in there. It's like a hipster high school cafeteria, with really good sausages, mixed with fancy beer, with music that makes you want to dance, with security guards walking around and bouncers outside a hot dog stand?
So you forget if you are at a cafeteria, mall, restaurant, bar or a club. -
Review from Scott D.
Signal Hill, CA
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Had a photo shoot in the area because of the cool art work in the neighborhood. After the shoot, I was invited to go to Wurstkuche for lunch.
I had the mango and jalapeno sausage/dog, with white truffle oil glazed fries. Loved everything.
Was pretty crowded and would probably go at a more off time, if there is one.
Had know idea what I was in for. I was really surprised and can't wait to go back and be a little more adventurous. I even see the package to go, so you can grill at home. Sounds good! -
Review from Niño M.
Pros:
- My favorite thing here are the Fries with TRUFFLE OIL and CURRY KETCHUP. holy smokes. i wish i could just have the fries dowsed in that condiment!! drooool.
- Alligator Sausage with Onions and Red Peppers : Kinda too lean for me. Darn those alligators and their low body fat %!!
- Rattlesnack Sausage ($7.50) - this was delicious. I'd definitely recommend this for you daring / adventurous carnivores
- Beer selection and prices are phenomenal!
- Staff (except for one of the female bartenders with exposed tats) are super friendly. A couple people at the bar were sayin she's gotta stick up her butt. *dohhh!* good thing i had one of the friendly dudes help me out!
Cons:
- Parking
- Not enough seating in the dining room
- Line is about 20 deep on a friday / saturday night
Read more reviews for this business:
German (1),
Spanish (1)
