Local restaurant offers taste of Germany

The Bayern Stube restaurant is a destination attraction for Gibson City visitors from miles away.

Opened by Erika and Peter Schnabel 17 years ago, their daughter and son-in-law now take care of most of the day-to-day work.

Its three dining rooms are like taking a trip to the Taunus Mountain region near Frankfurt, where chef Erika's father was a game warden. Animal trophies, German antiques and more than 500 steins are on display.

Waitresses are super efficient and friendly.

And the food is a gourmet version of anything German. The menu features pork, veal, beef, sausages, fish and poultry. Each entree comes with a choice of two sides. Traditional German ones are spatzle, red cabbage, sauerkraut and potato pancakes.

Each meal starts with a complimentary basket of bread and a smoked beef spread. Desserts include Erika's fruit strudel with flaky, light crusts that melt in your mouth.

The restaurant has special festival weekends and, if you eat too much, there is a bed and breakfast upstairs.