By: Zachary Pottle, Contributing Writer
Established in 1974, Mr. Dunderbak’s German Biergarten and Brewery is not your typical German-style pub. Originally founded as a franchise with over 30 stores spread out across the east coast, Mr. Dunderbak’s Tampa location is the last to remain standing. After more than forty years in business, the small German pub, located just minutes away from the University of South Florida, has grown their restaurant into a truly unique and extremely memorable dining experience.
Mr. Dunderbak’s is a one-stop-shop for all of your Western European needs. What was once a quaint little German pub has expanded to include an in-house brewery, beer garden, delicatessen, sit down restaurant, marketplace, and live music hall. All of this is to say that a trip to Mr. Dunderbak’s is anything but dull.
The food at Mr. Dunderbak’s is a truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Owner James Ellis says, “Our menu is both American and German. You will find my Oma’s [Grandmother’s] recipes a little Americanized but with a clear Swabisch heritage.” With menu items ranging from large, towering sandwiches, to wurst and schnitzel, Mr. Dunderbak’s has all the staples of Western European cuisine. Some of Mr. Dunderbak’s most popular items are their appetizers. Both their warm, soft German Bretzel (pretzel) and their Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) are highly recommended by staff to pair with beer.
With a selection of over 65 draft beers and over 500 different craft and European bottle brands available, Mr. Dunderbak’s biggest draw is their beer garden and brewery, which is sure to offer any beer lover, expert, or apprentice just what they’re looking for. Made in house, Mr.Dunderbak’s currently offers eight of their own ‘Dunderbrau’ (Dunder Beer). Being Tampa’s only German ‘Biergarten,’ their selection of beer includes many beers that are found nowhere else, like Köstritzer Schawrzbier (black beer) – which is made by one of Germany’s oldest breweries – and their specialty housemade Dunderbrau Roggen (German rye beer) – which pairs excellently with Dunderbak’s homemade spaetzle.
It’s not just the food and drinks that are unique to Mr. Dunderbak’s; it’s also their marketplace. Located within the restaurant, lining the walls on shelves and in baskets, are large selections of European goods like candies and canned products, all of which are imported directly from Europe. Customers can browse for items ranging from German gummy bears to Kinder chocolates, and from pre-packaged Polish sausage to one of their most popular items, German mustard.
Located just 30 minutes from Saint Leo University, Mr. Dunderbak’s is a great place for anyone looking to experience authentic German-style cuisine, or just a new place to watch your favorite soccer teams face off while sampling a flight of house made beers. Whatever you’re looking for, Mr. Dunderbak’s is sure to satisfy.
