Roemer Topf

The best German restaurant around. They have the food and the beer down so well you’ll say, «Achtung, am I in Germany right now.»

I love it. Brought us right back to Germany days! Everything about it was European from the building to the décor — also the waitress had little German outfits and they also had a guy playing music with a banjo. Would definitely come back here again

The best German food for the price that i could find in a long time.
We plan on making this our little get away since it is about 2 hours away
from our home.
But its Germany with out going there.

When it gets busy the wait times for food can be longer than usual, but the jaegerschnitzel is always worth the wait. The music, German memorabilia and friendly staff makes the Roemer Topf feel like a little bit of Germany in the states.

This place is awesome! The food is phenomenal and staff is very friendly. They have great outside seating area and tasty cold German beers on draft.
I loved loved loved their split pea soup! It has sausage and is very flavorful. The bread is fresh and they have very authentic German dishes. Highly recommend!

(A sidebar here: In case you are wondering about the name of the place, a Roemer Topf is a clay pot used in Germany for oven roasting food.)
We had dinner here last night and it was so good as always! I had a cup of the Gulasch Soup which is their homemade soup with BIG chunks of tender beef, potatoes, tomatoes & bell peppers and it was very hearty and full of big chunks of beef in a rich gravy-​like broth that was so good I was forced the wipe the bowl with the bread to make sure I got every MOLECULE of the delicious soup! It was so good I could have rubbed it in my HAIR! Their split pea soup is delicious too, but it won’t be what you are used to getting, it’s totally unique!
I had the beer-​braised pork roast (Dark Bier Roast Pork) with Kässpätzle (which is an upcharge and well worth it) and red cabbage. They also have a good selection of German beers, bottled and draft. The pork roast was delicious, perfectly seasoned and fork tender with a delicious savory gravy. The Kässpätzle which is spätzle baked with Swiss cheese and is always to-​DIE-​for delicious. It can be ordered as an entrée for vegetarian folk and is without a doubt my favorite side dish and occasional entrée. The red cabbage was also delicious with a hint of cinnamon and clove in addition to the sweet and sour flavors in the dish that were perfectly balanced, not too sweet and not too sour. I am embarrassed to admit that I wolfed down my dinner, chowhound that I am, and then stole a few bites from John’s plate when he wasn’t looking. Too full for desserts, I’m unable to tell you about them other than they are made on premises and looked delicious. Where else can you get peach Melba?
Beloved husband John had the Rahm Schnitzel which is their pork Schnitzel topped with a delicious cream gravy, and the bite I snagged (before being slapped away from the plate) was tender and tasty, and their gravies are SO good – obviously made with real cream and butter – are never overpowering or over salted. The other couple we dined with (Nick and Patrice) had Schwaben Teller which is grilled pork tenderloins topped with mushroom cream sauce, served with Kässpätzle and Pat had Champignon Braten which is pork roast topped with mushroom cream gravy and they both loved it as always (we dine here frequently but I didn’t realize i hadn’t updated in YEARS!). I wouldn’t have any problem going back again for dinner tonight and tomorrow night either – it’s SO GOOD! It’s a little tricky to find as it’s on the public golf course, but if you take IL-​177 to Legion Road (by the American Legion, natch) make a right and follow it around, you’ll be in their parking lot.
Just some background:
My beloved stepmother is a German national (now a US citizen) and she is a super cook. Visiting the ‘rents in South Florida has been a tour of Germany for years as Elke loves to cook and it’s all I can do to get them to let me take them out to dinner. It’s definitely the best gasthaus in the USA, and it’s how I know the food at Roemer Topf is authentic as well as delicious! Elke is an awesome cook but the food here is just as good as at Dad’s house – and that is HIGH praise!

I eat at Roemer Topf every couple of months or so. I am so glad it exists. Having traveled to Germany several times for extended periods, I fell in love with German food. I have been to many other German restaurants in the States, but none do it for me quite like Roemer Topf. Their food is so genuine to what I had in my travels in Germany. The jaeger schnitzel and spaetzle are amazing. The currywurst is exactly like you would get at an imbiss in Deutschland. Thanks for being there Roemer Topf!

I LOVE German food. It is comfort food at its finest. This little joint hits the spot every time I get that craving. I will caveat that it is a German place in rural souther Illinois so no it is not perfection or heaven but it is darn close. Keep that in mind, this place has the closest German cuisine I have tasted within the United States. Their Wiener Schnitzel is great and their spaetzel is phenomenal. I particularly enjoy their strudel and ice cream after filling up on the aforementioned delicacies.
The staff is courteous and polite and we are always seated and served quickly. hey also do a great buffet for special event like going away lunches, etc. I have been to 3 of them now and they are always well organized and most importantly, tasty.

Schönes Gasthaus! Great atmosphere. I had the Schwaben Teller and it was delicious. Don’t come here (or any German restaurant for that matter) if you are trying to lose weight! For dessert, I had the Apfel Strüdel Cheesecake. I’m not a huge fan of the raisins, but it was great anyway.
Nice selection of beers, although I didn’t drink any. I was the driver and wouldn’t risk it.
Emma was my server and she did a good job with a full house. I like that she could speak German, but it did seem like not all of the servers do. That’s okay. Other German Restaurants I’ve been to don’t speak any.
I’ll be back.

THIS is what I’m talking’ about, now this place is FUN. It is impossible to walk into this restaurant and not smile/​laugh at the awesome Schlager music they pipe in.
It was a great place for a fun date with the hubby who I see about once a month now :(
I would classify Roemer Topf as our splurge/​special occasion date-​night place whenever he flies into town. It is not completely inexpensive, but everything was executed perfectly and the chef was very accommodating of my special diet. Worth every cent!
The owner came around to our table to make sure everything was to our satisfaction, and it was awesome to get to speak with her auf Deutsch for a bit. She was so sweet. Even though it is no longer holiday time, she made me some Gluehwein (Spiced /​spiked mulled wine)-and in these arctic temperatures that really hit the spot. (Technically it is not on the menu at this time of the year, but if you beg… :-)
Hubby gleefully ordered a beer the size of his head and some meat, cabbage and speatzle dish that left him full and grinning.
I ordered some wonderful veggie sides of beets, cabbage spaetzle (it’s homemade here, yo!) and soup (trying to slim down for a PT test).
Everything was wonderful-​and don’t even get me started on the freshly baked bread and butter they bring out to start with… Just go!!!

Pretty Authentic… it was a gorgeous afternoon so we mostly sat outside and enjoyed their «beergarten»… until the mosquitos which were a nuisance but our own fault for not bug spraying ourselves… went inside and enjoyed live music… the owner is very funny and tries hard so everyone has a good time… the beers are awesome and the dark ale kicked my husbands rear… would def be back

We were looking forward to trying this German restaurant, instead we left very disappointed.
I ordered the Rouladen hoping to enjoy a meal my Mom always made (I am German, my parents are German) and I have made myself. I know what German food looks and tastes like very well having eaten it for close to 50 years.
When it came out it looked pretty good. Two rouladen on a plate with red cabbage and spaetzle. Unfortunately that was just a ruse, what I received were two paper thin pieces of meat with a hint of bacon and pickle and at least a half cup of sliced up onions in each! I guess the taste was ok if you like alot of onions. NOTHING like what rouladen looks or tastes like AT ALL.
My husband’s meal and our other two guests meat portions were small. They ordered pork dishes. The taste was ok. Although the spaetzle and red cabbage tasted ok, I believe everyone’s food came out warm.
Their beer selection was really good I’ll give credit for that. Our waitress was pleasant.
There is not much of a German atmosphere, what you might think one would be like. But when we came in I thought, if the food was delicious as we had read it would make up for the lack of character to the place.
Go if you like, but just remember, the main portion of your dish is not what I consider authentic German. Unfortunately it was not worth the trip from St Louis. The best part of our evening was the drive back through the backroads of Illinois.

Great German food and service. Atmosphere was excellent on the Saturday we went. They had a wise German man on the accordion. The wait staff also had traditional October fest wear. Food and desserts were on par with traditional German food. Definitely will return.

Ive had better german food in bigger cities. Not a fan of the sauces on the schnitzel. Nice service however.

I recently visited Roemer Topf. It was a pleasant drive up 158 from Columbia Illinois after coming across the JB Bridge.
The restaurant is located in a sorta odd area, but that being said once you enter you are warmly greeted. The waitress wore a traditional German outfit that one might see in a Bier Garten in Muchen.
I was with my Mom and sister for lunch. My 3.5 star rating is based on the service, food, and $$.
I had the Jäger Schnitzel — basically a mushroom cream sauce that I felt lacked flavor and really served no purpose to the dish. It was a generous portion with spatlze. I preferred the sauce on the Rahm schnitzel. The schnitzel itself was good and so was the spatlze.
The best thing I had was the Bavarian potatoes (extra side) I couldn’t resist. Golden potatoes with onions. OMG — might be worth the drive for these alone.
I ordered dessert, Apfel Strudel — Apple strudel served with ice cream, and whipped cream.
There was only one waitress handling about 5 tables so at times it seemed a little slow, but the waitress was pleasant and friendly.
It was a bit pricey though, but that was our fault for ordering desserts (that we didn’t need).

Took a drive over to Mascoutah for a birthday road trip. It was well worth it. We were a little worried when we rolled up and there were only a few cars on the parking lot… granted it was a Wednesday afternoon.
Cute interior. Adorable waitress in authentic dress. Nice atmosphere. You can tell by the number of tables, indoors and out, that they must be very busy on the weekends and during warm weather.
I had the Rahm Schnitzel and it was delicious. I expected a larger cutlet but it was plenty. The sauce was flavorful, the pork was tender and crispy, and the spaetzel was yummy.
I substituted the German potato salad for the salad and was not disappointed. I don’t think it was worth the 2.00 up-​charge for substitutions though. My sister ordered the Bavarian skillet potatoes on the side and she let me try a bite. Drat! She out ordered me again. They were amazing! I would give them 5 stars for sure!
I ended with the bread pudding and It was just ok. I should have figured that out first, at $ 6.50! Truth is, I didn’t really need the dessert anyway as I was full!
Overall a great experience, I’d be happy to go back and happy to recommend it to friends.

I have to give this place a five star woohoo because it is TRUE German food. i haven’t had German food in 3 years and when i had the sausage and sauerkraut, mash potato’s and gravy took me back to how Germans make and like there food
The Staff here is AMAZING, they have the most amazing German atmosphere and our waitress was German and had the accent and all :)
If you are in the mood for some out of this world amazing food that is different than anyplace around, then take some time to stop by this place and enjoy the evening away. they also had a band going with good German music and people were up dancing so if you are in the mood to learn a German dance I’m sure someone will teach you.
also its not that big of a place so get here kinda early for dinner i bet they get a good waiting list and when it was busy the service slowed down a bit… it went from not crowded to packed while i was there

I have not had any german food in the Illinois/​St. Louis area, but this place is fantastic. I love the atmosphere of this place. When you drive up it is secluded and has a cute little mountain rustic cabin look from the outside (This place is very wheelchair accesible they have a door for those that cannot walk stairs). On the inside there is german flair everywhere and a waitress was even all dressed up in german attire.
I had the Jaeger Schnitzel and i thought it was good, it is not the best i’ve had but i can’t complain, the spatezel was as good as it can get.
This place also hosts holiday themed events, over a few days so that it doesn’t get to crowded, you can even call ahead and reserve a table.
Very kid friendly.
German beers galore, if that is your taste!

When I moved to St. Louis 6 years ago I had yet to find a great German restaurant. I moved over to the Metro East 3 years ago and just found this little Gem. My favorite has always been the Jäger Schnitzel which is what I have always tried first. Yum! It’s great. Breaded and fried, yet tender pork tenderloin with gravy and mushrooms, served with spatezel (a potato dumpling like an egg noodle).
My husband had the rouladen. He did like it, although it had a little more onions than anything else I have ever had with it before. It was still good though.
Service was excellent and on key before any needs were even there. I also loved the women server’s little german outfits. There were quite a few servers that had German accents as well.
As far as a previous review’s comment about their selection of beer? Macoutah has a population of 7,000. What do you expect? German food isn’t something someone should or could eat every day especially with a population like that. I believe this place is a find, and as long as my gut stays in check I will come to this place anytime my diet gives me a «cheat» day.

I was there for a going away for someone a few weeks back and was intrigued as I had heard a lot about this place by a German guy that works for me. I’ll be the first to admit that I am no authority what so ever on German food, so take this for what you will. The hostess/​waitress was decked out in what I assume was a traditional Bavarian outfit and very friendly.
Several people recommended the Rahm Schnitzel, but I decided to play it safe and just went with the Wiener Schnitzel. The pork was nice tender and was rather good. I will admit that as I looked around to what everyone else ordered, I wished I had gone with something else as several of the dishes looked very good.
The service was good, the food was good and the prices were not bad. It’s a bit out of my way to visit again, but if someone suggested it I would definitely tag along.