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Gunther's Edelweiss

11055 Gateway West
El Paso, TX
(915) 592-1084

Gunther's Edelweiss

For many years Fort Bliss has had a training facility for the German Air Force, and as a result there has been a large enough German population to support some very good German restaurants. Several of the other German restaurants have now closed, but Gunther's Edelweiss Restaurant, the oldest and largest, is still operating. Many have long considered Gunther's to be the best example of German cuisine in the city, and have appreciated its Biergarten as much as the restaurant. Live German music is sometimes played, and Gunther's is a comfortable place to converse and enjoy a beer. It is usually the food, though, that brings people in the door.

As of early 2008 the owner of Gunther's has announced that the restaurant will be closing at some point unless someone can take over. The hours have been cut back so that it is open only on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), and only in the evening. Some customers may drive by during the week and think that it has already closed, but this is not the case.

I used to enjoy the smaller lunch portions, which are no longer served. The dinner menu, though, has not changed, and the quantity served is not excessive compared to other restaurants.

Lentil soup served with bread from Marina's Bakery

Like most good German restaurants, the food here tastes fresh, with very simple ingredients providing the flavors. Dinners start out with bread and soup, and if you go on a day when Lentil Soup is being served you are in for a real taste treat--this soup is as good or better than any of the "lent special" soups served in Mexican restaurants, mainly due to the fresh ingredients used. It tastes as if it is made from scratch, and I am sure this is the case.

The bread is excellent as well, but I learned a tip several years ago--you can buy the bread at Marina's German Bakery on Trawood. Gunther's serves several types of bread, and it always tastes as if it had been baked the same day.

German salad is actually several different salads and appetizers

The dinners also come with a German Salad--a mixture of several simple but flavorful greens. Like the soup and bread, this is one of the best parts of the meal.

Wienerschnitzel is the specialty of Gunther's

While I consider the appetizers to be comparable with the best German restaurants in the country, the entrées do not quite have the same flavor I have experienced elsewhere (although the ones at Gunther's are probably comparable in quality and freshness). The Wienerschnitzel had a good flavor, but not quite as I have experienced elsewhere. Schnitzels are one of the specialties of the restaurant, and several types are available. Although two cutlets are served on the dinner plate, this is probably about right for the normal appetite (I preferred the lunch plates that only included one).

The Chicken Schnitzel has always been one of my favorites here, but this may be influenced by the fact that I tend to prefer chicken over other types of meat.

Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten had a good sauce and good quality meat, but it was not as memorable as German food I have had in Oklahoma and other places. This is not something to avoid, it was just not my favorite.

I am not a big sausage eater, but I believe this is one of the other specialties of the restaurant. Fish is available (which I recall was pretty good), and I have enjoyed other things I have tried. A friend of mine really liked the rouladen, but I do not remember enough about it to recommend it as one of the best dishes.

Gunther's Edelweiss represents a cuisine that was once very popular in El Paso and throughout the country, but which seems to be seldom patronized these days. I can tell you, though, that a lot of people are missing out if they do not take advantage of this restaurant that has really become an institution in the city. The total experience of the bread, soup, appetizers, and meal (and the beer, if you are so inclined) is one of the most enjoyable I have had in El Paso.