Ninety-seven years is a long time to keep a sauerbraten recipe consistent, but that’s exactly what one family in Washtenaw County has managed to do. A German immigrant baker named Wilhelm Metzger opened his doors on West Washington Street back in 1928, and his descendants are still ladling out the same sour cream gravy today, just from a different address.
Metzger’s German Restaurant has survived Prohibition mishaps, wartime rumors, and a full relocation, and it’s now settled into a spacious spot on North Zeeb Road near I-94. It’s become a go-to stop for Ann Arbor locals craving schnitzel, and for University of Michigan alumni who make a point of swinging by whenever they’re back in town. Four generations of the Metzger family have kept the kitchen running, and the result is a menu that still tastes like it was pulled straight out of Württemberg.
What to Order
The sauerbraten is the dish most people build their visit around, a marinated roast beef simmered down into a tangy, sour cream gravy that’s been the house signature since day one. Rouladen, thin beef rolled around bacon, onion, pickle, and mustard, is another standout for anyone who wants a heartier, savory bite with real depth of flavor.
Wiener schnitzel shows up on nearly every table, and it’s easy to see why: a breaded, golden pork cutlet that’s crisp on the outside and tender underneath. The sausage lineup deserves attention too, with bratwurst, knackwurst, and mettwurst all made in-house and served with the kind of snap that tells you they weren’t shipped in frozen.
Sides carry just as much weight as the entrees here. The German potato salad, served warm with a vinegar tang, and the spatzen noodles both show up as favorites, while the potato pancakes get singled out again and again as one of the best things on the menu. Save room for the Black Forest torte if you can, it’s a rich, cherry-studded finish to a meal that’s already heavy in the best way.
Beer is treated with the same seriousness as the food. Genuine German imports and regional Rieslings round out the list, and the restaurant serves select beers in clay mugs and even clay boots, a quirky bit of tableware that turns a regular pour into a bit of a novelty. In colder months, keep an eye out for the warm Glüh Wine, a spiced German hot wine that’s a nice seasonal touch.
Atmosphere & Décor
Step inside and the space leans hard into old-world German character. Cuckoo clocks line the walls, oversized beer steins sit in display cases, and carved wooden accents and antiques fill in the rest, much of it donated by loyal customers over the decades. When the original downtown location closed in 1999, regulars who’d bought pieces of the old décor at auction actually brought them back so they could be hung in the new building, which says a lot about how attached people get to this place.
The current Zeeb Road building is roomier than the old downtown spot, with plenty of space for large groups, private parties, and the kind of long, unhurried dinners German cuisine tends to invite. It still manages to feel warm and lived-in rather than sterile, more like a well-loved beer hall than a chain restaurant dressed up in borrowed theming.
Other Considerations
Do I need a reservation? For smaller groups you can typically walk in, but reservations are accepted and recommended for parties of six or more; the restaurant prefers you call rather than email for that.
Is it good for groups and special occasions? Yes, the larger dining room and banquet-friendly layout make it a popular choice for birthdays, reunions, and family gatherings, especially around the holidays when the German food feels particularly fitting.
What are the hours? Metzger’s is open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm, and Sunday from 11am to 7pm.
Can I bring the whole family? Absolutely. It’s a full-service, sit-down restaurant that welcomes kids, and the hearty, familiar flavors of schnitzel and sausage tend to be crowd-pleasers even for pickier eaters.
Metzger’s German Restaurant
📍 305 N Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Website: https://metzgers.net/
