Schaller’s Stube Sausage Bar Keeps That Old Yorkville Spirit Alive
The Upper East Side community of Yorkville was for decades one of New York City's largest and most vibrant German enclaves, with beer gardens and wurst- and schnitzel-shops the norm between 96th and 79th Streets, from Third Avenue to the East River. Today, of course, much has changed in this neck of the woods, but there is a notable pair of old-school eateries carrying the Germantown torch: Heidelberg Restaurant (which has been around for more than 100 years) and, right next door, the legendary sausage shop and charcuterie Schaller and Weber. Both of these vital neighborhood institutions have recently been hit with Second Avenue Subway construction fallout and deserve your support no matter what, but Schaller and Weber is also being aggressive in its efforts to remain relevant in its long-time home, with the recent opening of the fun and even a bit funky quick-bites offshoot, Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar.
Yorkville's Schaller's Stube
Schaller's Stube is housed in a one-time meat locker, and they've done a terrific job with the space. The front of the place is, smartly, open to the sidewalk, and this where you do your ordering from the Stube menu, which includes nine different types of sausage (bratwurst, weisswurst, kielbasa, spicy cheddar brat, etc.). on top of which you can pile everything from sauerkraut and pickles to daikon-carrot slaw, frisse, and chicharones. If you don't feel like many a million decisions, Schaller's Stube also has about a half dozen suggested combos, including the Steuben Rueben, the King Ludwig (with grilled leberkase) and what is apparently the most popular item on the menu, the Saigon Special, which is like a German banh mi. There's a bench right outside if you're not doing the to-go thing, as well as a surprisingly stylish back room with stools, counters, and the full typography treatment. Very cool and comfortable. Bonus: the playlist during my meal was 100% Clash
What To Eat At Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar
There was a steady stream of customers when I ate at Schaller's Stube in the early evening, but most were ordering take-out. More room for me in the awesome dining area! I went with one of Stube's suggested sandwiches, the Schaller Double, which features a bacon cheddar brat topped with additional cheese, additional bacon, pickles, tomato and the creamy Stube sauce. It was a little overwhelming, everything competing for my attention like that, but would serve particularly well as an before-bed bite on your way home from the bar. But the stealth winner on the Stube menu has to Mrs. Schaller's Fried Chicken, which is inexpensive and straightforward (both welcome, and increasingly rare, qualities for any food these days), the bird itself plump and juicy (at least, the dark meat pieces were, which is what I always order), the coating nicely seasoned and super-crisp. Great stuff.
For Menu and More Information on Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar
Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar is located on Second Avenue between 86th and 85th Streets, right behind all that construction debris on the east side. Stube is open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., except for Sundays when it closes at 5:00.
Posted in manhattan living, NYC Dining, Upper East Side | Tagged german cuisine • sausage • schaller's stube • upper east side • yorkville
