Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus In German Village, Columbus, Ohio, By: Charles Worley: A few weeks ago my wife, Alice, and I were leisurely driving on old brick paving, worn thin by years of horse and wagon traffic in the historic German Village, in Columbus Ohio. We were to have lunch with Geoff Schmidt president of Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus, located in a Historic brick livery stable on Kossuth St. and Purdy Alley, and is honored as a Historical Building on the National Register.

When we arrived at the restaurant it had smooth wood floors and brick walls that gave it that that old German flavor. It had many wonderful paintings on the walls, which we found out that many were painted by Geoff’s father George F. Schmidt. George who is in his 80’s loves to paint, play golf and enjoy his great grand children. Geoff told me of his Great Grand Father John Fred Schmidt, son of Peter Schmidt, a shoemaker and mayor of Montabour, Germany, who left Germany at the age of 17 and settled in Columbus, Ohio. He Great Grand Father formed J. Fred Schmidt Packing Company in 1886. The business has been very successful and has been family owned and ran for four generations, making some of the finest sausage and meats in the state.

The Schmidt’s produced and distributed only the finest of products, including pork sausage, meat products, frozen foods and margarine. They created “Montrose Brand” meat products, and were pioneers in the “Range-Top Dinners” in the 1960’s. Form the Ohio State Fair to the Columbus Sports Stadiums, Schmidt’s has one of the finest restaurants in Columbus, Ohio’s historic German Village.

Having to leave us after only 2 hours of great discussion, visitation and personal tour of the historic building, Geoff Schmidt was heading to his grand daughter’s birthday party. After leaving us in the very capable hands of our hostess, Alice and I decided to try the Smorgasbord. It was a wonderful selection of the best of Schmidt’s, all in one delicious meal. We started with Schmidt’s Haus salad which was cool and crisp and very tasty. Then we tried several of their famous sausages and bratwurst, such as the Bahama Mama. By this time Alice was slowing down, but not me, the Schmidt’s special German potato salad was calling my name. We topped it off with Schmidt’s very own famous, award winning Jumbo Vanilla Cream Puff.

Sitting there after the very best German meal I had ever eaten, I realized that I had been talking to a man who is still dedicated to carrying on the family business for over 120 years. Starting now I am going to start a tradition of my own, every time I go to Columbus, Ohio, I am going to enjoy the best original German meal ever; at German Villages own, Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus, since 1886. Schmidt’s Restaurant and Sausage Haus In German Village, Columbus, Ohio also offers Catering Services.