When Memphis was settled in the 1800s it wasn’t by an overly large German population like some Midwestern cities, say Cincinnati, for example. Cities like Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, have distinct German districts filled with unique restaurants serving Bavarian food, and wonderful German wines and beer. Memphis, on the other hand, has only had a scattered German restaurant here and there through the years.


But in the reborn Overton Square entertainment district, a restaurant is bringing the unique taste of Germany to Memphis in a form that looks to have staying power.

Schweinehaus opened its doors in late summer 2014 on the north side of Overton Square in a standalone building that looks like its straight out of a German village.

The star here at Scweinehaus is the food. It’s German but with a Memphis twist, meaning barbecue has its place here.

The menu starts out with a list of beginners that includes a baked pretzel, German meatballs, potato pancake, sauerkraut balls and fried Brussels. The soup and salad menu includes a beer cheese soup that is creamy and so good.

Sandwiches include unique takes on German staples, from burgers to meatball sandwiches. But the star here might just be the Pulled Pork Reuben, a barbecue sandwich with kraut on marble rye bread. It was fantastic and one of the more unique barbecue sandwiches in a city full of great barbecue sandwiches.

There are also plenty of typical German entrees, but with a unique twist.

The beer menu is a strong list of German varieties and a few Memphis brews that come in a choice of 8-ounce, half liter or one liter sizes. There are also plenty of wines to choose from as well as a full bar and unique cocktail list.

The restaurant was founded by brothers Andy Walker and chef David Scott Walker, who are third-generation Memphians with 40 years of combined restaurant and bar experience. They are joined by executive chef David Todd in creating a menu that is a mix of traditional German cuisine and what they call Memphis soul.

The restaurant is in a nearly 4,000-square-foot space that once housed Paulette’s. Located at 2110 Madison Ave., the space sits in a row of restaurants new and old that have helped turn the neighborhood back into one of the premier dining and entertainment destinations in Memphis.

The restaurant is one large dining room that is somewhat separated into two sections. The front, near the restaurant’s entrance, seems more like a beer garden, although both sections feature seating at large communal tables like a German beer garden in Munich. The larger dining room has a bar on the north end with two TVs above it.

The TVs are part of the uniqueness of Schweinehaus. Yes, if there is a big sporting event, particularly one of the local teams, a game will be on one or both of the sets. But more times than not, the TVs have unique movies airing. For example, on a recent visit “Gremlins 2” was playing on one TV while “Happy Gilmore” was on the other.

In fact, if you have a DVD you’d like to watch, bring it in and chances are they’ll play the movie for everyone to enjoy.

The interior feel of the restaurant is clearly German beer house. However, it’s not kitschy or artificial. Yes, the female servers wear shorter skirts and hose, but they aren’t wearing the revealing and cliché sexy beer maid costume. The tables are long communal picnic tables, much like a typical beer garden.

And if you're looking to enjoy your liter outside, there is a patio for diners as well.

The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.