In keeping with current foodie tendencies toward
simple eats, diners are discovering a newfound love of
currywurst. This popular German street food consists of sliced pork sausage doused in curry ketchup, a humble preparation that has nonetheless risen to
museum-level standing in Berlin. Now restaurants are popping up from coast to coast (and across the pond) to prepare the street staple in all of its unrefined glory.
Berlin Currywurst: This husband-and-wife-owned enterprise
opened in LA in February to such a strong showing that a second location is rumored to be in the works—and a
competitor has already emerged. The snack-stand-inspired space boasts a minimalist design and a simple mix-and-match
menu: customers choose one of eight sausage varieties, and can opt to flavor their curry sauce with additional spices, including chipotle, garlic, and ginger-orange. Brave curry-lovers also have the option to amp up the heat, choosing levels of intensity that range from 1 (Berlin Calling) to 4 (Break the Wall). Levels 3 and 4 are deemed dangerously spicy, so eat at your own risk.
Currywurst Bros.: This much-anticipated Bleecker Street storefront opened its doors in May to instant crowds and
fast acclaim. Though not the first currywurst shop to open in NYC—
Wechsler’s launched in 2009 and brought forth a similar flurry of Germanic enthusiasm—fans of Currywurst Bros. are particularly excited about the shop’s selection of
curry powders. The powders, which are sprinkled on top of the bratwurst and curry sauce, vary in heat from “exotic & fresh” to “fiery but not danger” to “extremely hot...endure the fire.” As at LA’s Berlin Currywurst, personalization is a draw for diners who wish to customize their preferred ‘wurst with just the right amount of spice.
Herman ze German: A multicultural street food movement is
booming in London, and the UK already has more than its share of Anglo-fusion cuisine. Still, the city isn’t above letting a good thing be. West London storefront Herman ze German serves up traditional currywurst for Germanophiles and drunk pub crawlers alike. Reviews across the web tout the 4-pound-50-pence special as “classic,” “authentic,” and “the best ‘wurst in town” (a sentiment that Herman echoes in its official slogan). All told, fans seem to like this German specialty shop as much as its owners must like
Herman Rarebell, the former Scorpions drummer for whom the shop was presumably named.
