my favorite
as an american student in heidelberg, with little cash and a great appetite for schnitzel and black beer, i often frequented ye olde vinegar house. for about $10 i got a small green salad, a clear broth with croutons, and aforementioned schnitzel and fries. service was always friendly. my friend martin would smoke up a storm as we discussed philosophy and politics, either inside or out back on the pleasant patio, which i esp. recommend on warm summer evenings. cozy, filled with solid german citizens eating solid german fare.    [07 Nov 2003 23:39:12]

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Recommended Dishes: wiener schnitzel or jaeger schnitzel

     ­Anonymous   

Poor service detracts from otherwise decent Restaurant
This places serves good beer (Pils, Export, Alt, and the great Schwarzbier Koestritzer), food covers the spectrum from cheap student fare (soups, sandwiches in the 5 Euro range) to fish, schnitzel and steaks (in the 10 to 15 Euro range).
The outside courtyard is nice in the summer and the place has that traditional old European feel on the inside.
Food is decent, however steaks tend to be done too well so take that into account when ordering. Soup is ok (but cheap) and the sandwiches tend to have soggy toast (sitting in the kitchen too long).
Plan on waiting a long time to get food and drinks. On two seperate occasions (out of a total of four visits) we had waitresses that I would characterize as unfriendly. Orders were mixed up, the proper orders took too long to arrive, and the drinks were slow in coming.
There are other establishments in the Heidelberg downtown area that will keep my patronage, but not this place.    [25 Jul 2004 08:49:43]

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Recommended Dishes: Rump steak, schnitzel

     ­Anonymous   

Authentic German Food at a Great Price
Most of the meals are between 8 and 10 Euro and include the soup of the day, a small mixed salad and a large main dish. Main dishes are for the most part, typically German - various schnitzels served with french fries, Sauerbraten (marinated pot roast) with Spaetzle (noodles), Wildschweinbraten (wild pork roast) with Knoedel (potato dumplings) and some surprisingly good fish dishes such as trout amandine or poached salmon in a somewhat heavy herb sauce.

The restaurant also offers several large salads which are full of fresh veggies and either, grilled salmon, turkey, pork or chicken livers. They also have several vegetarian offerings such as the Kaesespaetzle (cheesy noodles) with fried onions on top.    [03 Aug 2005 03:43:46]

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Recommended Dishes: Wildschweinbraten (wild pork roast) with Knoedel (potato dumplings), poached salmon, Cordon Bleu

     ­American-local, Heidelberg   

Great Price and Great Food!!
One of my colleagues recommended Essighaus to me when my parents were visiting me here in HD and I wanted a 'traditional German restaurant'. The layout of the restaurant is pretty simple and I would advise sitting in the main room (right of main entrance) rather than the other room as it's cosier and a bit warmer (characterwise and temperature).

Food is German and is excellent. For €7 one can order Soup of the day, Salad and main meal. Other dishes such as Steak run at €13.50. There's outdoor seating in the back biergarten which is great for those summer evenings.

Thoroughly recommend it and am going with visitors tomorrow!    [16 Feb 2006 13:22:39]

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     ­ranunculo1979