With the crisp autumn weather comes an annual event that brings people from near and far to Jersey City. Zeppelin Hall’s Oktoberfest is on now through Sunday, October 20. Guests of the popular biergarten can enjoy Oktoberfest beers and menu specialties by the venue’s renowned Executive Chef, Franco Robazetti and his expert culinary team.
The Early Days
So how did Oktoberfest start? It began as a celebration of a wedding more than two centuries ago. Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810. Their nuptials were celebrated with many days of drinking, feasting, and even with horse races. Today, people commemorate the event as they enjoy the tradition of indulging in delicious German foods.
Our Visit
We stopped by Zeppelin Hall early on a Saturday evening for dinner. The restaurant was bustling with weekend revelers, and the service was excellent. With three spacious bars, indoor and outdoor seating, along with musical entertainment on the weekends, there is something for everyone. Even the servers are dressed in festive Oktoberfest outfits. Gather your group and bring the family. Children are welcome until 9:00 p.m.
On the Menu
Zeppelin Hall’s regular menu is in place along with classic and creative German cuisine. Distinctive items include their One Half Oktoberfest Style Chicken, a traditional German fire-roasted chicken served with rosemary red potatoes and blackened Brussels sprouts. The Jägerschnitzel is a dish with breaded pork cutlet fried crisp and golden brown topped with a burgundy wine mushroom sauce, served with German potato salad and fried cabbage. We like their special sausage platter, creatively presented for two or more people.
A savory selection of homemade sausages is accompanied by rye bread and sauerkraut on a serving platter with a small burner that allows you to heat your slices of the tender meat. You and your group can also go all out with the Giant Schweinhaxe that features an entire eight-pound slow-smoked pork shank, served on the bone with French fries, sauerkraut, and spicy red cabbage salad. Don’t miss their gigantic stuffed pretzels that serves six people and go great with drinks.
Let’s Talk about Drinks
Oktoberfest beer choices include fan favorites like their Hofbrau, and you can also order beers in a flight—something we always love to do to get a full taste of the selections. And of course, cocktails, soft drinks and wines are always available.
Beyond Oktoberfest
Zeppelin Hall won best overall dish for their pork belly slider on a pretzel bun at the first ever Bacon and Beer Classic in Jersey City, on Thursday, October 3, at Harborside Atrium.
This is good news for all Zeppelin Hall fans: stop by anytime to enjoy bacon and bacon-garnished menu items, all year round!
Celebrate and Celebrate!
Zeppelin Hall will mark a milestone anniversary in October. They have been a go-to spot for 10 years, and it’s a great time to visit, indulge in the Oktoberfest menu, raise a glass, and toast to their successes and the next decade in Jersey City.
Don’t let Oktoberfest pass you by. Zeppelin Hall is convenient to mass transit lines and offers plenty of free parking.
Zeppelin Hall
88 Liberty View Drive
Jersey City, NJ
201-721-8888
All photos courtesy of Zeppelin Hall.
The Oktoberfest menu at Zeppelin Hall is available now through October 20, and can be found here!