Currywurst Restaurants In L.A.

L.A.'s new crop of German restaurants

If a rash of recent openings and expansions is any indication, currywurst was merely the beginning of L.A.'s newfound infatuation with Germanic food:

Brats Brothers Roland and Peter Radler, this restaurant's namesakes, relocated down Ventura Boulevard to add space and 12 taps of German and Belgian beer. A giant pretzel and framed lederhosen greet you at door of the beer hall, an oddball room that features a chandelier made from a Christmas wreath and faux sausages. Over a dozen links anchor the menu, including exotic alligator ($6.50), spicy Hungarian pork (pictured; $5.50) and the Barnyard, a new addition that combines beef, pork, lamb and turkey ($7.50). Sausages come on a soft hoagie roll, which you can–and should–supercharge with onion-rich liverwurst ($1). Brats Brothers, 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; 818-986-4020 or bratsbrothers.com

Wirtshaus Longtime friends Bjoern Risse and Bülent Yildirim recently opened this indoor-outdoor beer garden. In addition to 35 predominantly German beers, refreshing Radlers (beer with Sprite) and Alsters (beer with Fanta) are available. Chef Kenny Seliger slings several sausages, but the showstopper is the Schnitzel Broetchen ($8), a massive fried pork tenderloin layered with tangy sauerkraut, crunchy cabbage, mayonnaise and whole-grain mustard on sourdough. Bonus: The fried potatoes feature onions and bacon. Double bonus: There's a Ping-Pong table in back. Wirtshaus, 345 N. La Brea Ave., Mid-City; 323-931-9291 or wirtshausla.com