Best Places To Celebrate Oktoberfest 2012 In Orange County
Oktoberfest is more than an excuse to party: It's a great excuse to party. Orange County offers some of the best Oktoberfest gatherings in the country. Use this list to find a venue that is primed and ready to serve you the best celebratory drink, food and service possible.
Old World Village
7561 Center Ave.
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 213-1108
www.oldworld.ws/
Date: Sept. 9 to Oct. 28
You cannot talk about Oktoberfest in Orange County without starting at Old World. For almost 40 years, the nearly two-month event has been held and perfected in Huntington Beach using a combination of the best German drinks, tastiest German food and hottest shot girls this side of the Berlin Wall. This place is cash only, so no ATM or credit cards to pay for your Okktoberfest celebration.
The Phoenix Club
1340 S. Sanderson Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 563-4166
www.thephoenixclub.com
Date: Sept. 14 to Oct. 28
Beyond the normal food and drink, the Phoenix Club strives to bring a sense of authenticity to a celebration that has been hijacked by drunks with nothing to do in September and October. It also provides fun for the whole family, with free polka dance classes and pony rides for the kiddos. This event lasts all day and all through October, so stop by at least once to get a taste of the real holiday, sans the German drinking songs.
Rathskeller
7561 Center Ave. Suite 48
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 894-6612
www.rathskeller.us
If gigantic parties are not your scene, slip away and get some authentic German cuisine. Rathskeller provides a simple menu loaded with German classics such as schnitzel and leberkase, which pair well with the frothy dark ales on tap. The TVs will blast soccer games and play German music, or an accordion master may play some tunes while you dine. Either way, your Oktoberfest will be vastly different than those seeking style over substance.
Jagerhaus
2525 E. Ball Road
Anaheim, CA 92806
(714) 520-9500
www.jagerhaus.net
Keeping in tradition of authentic German food, Jagerhaus is going to give you the perfect hangover remedy with one of its massive and tasty breakfast platters or help fill a stomach that is soon to be full of German libations. This place has the hole-in-the-wall vibe, but with more than two decades of experience serving Orange County, Oktoberfest is just another month in the year. Everything is made from scratch and the hospitality is off the charts here, so come for an idyllic time.
Globe European Delicatessen
1928 Harbor Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 642-3784
www.globedeli.com
If you've spent all of your cash, ruined your liver, and just need some classic German food to recover from going to all of the aforementioned locales, then the Globe Deli is going to seem like heaven. This place is super tiny, super helpful and stocked with the best Black Forest ham and bratwursts in Orange County. It does offer some bottled German beers, but it is the authentic bread, fresh meat, and specialty German mustard and sauces that you just won't find elsewhere.
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Jesse Seilhan is a writer, editor and photographer from the California Bay Area. After moving to Long Beach, Jesse continues his passion for writing and music by covering concerts, interviewing top artists, and giving a dose of wisdom in a crazy, mixed-up musical world. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
