Contest Rules

Which restaurants are eligible to compete?
Any restaurant located in the United States of America may compete provided they meet the following criteria:

A typical diner would classify the restaurant as being a “German restaurant” because the focus of the restaurant is serving classic German cuisine.

The restaurant markets itself primarily as a “German restaurant”. Austrian and Swiss restaurants are also included since many of the dishes are similar.

The restaurant’s culinary efforts are supported by its setting and atmosphere to provide the diner with a “German (Austrian, Swiss)” dining experience.

What would disqualify a restaurant from receiving an honor?
Refusing, avoiding, or failing a health department inspection in the current inspection year.

Not offering food for consumption on premises or discontinuing food service.

Being unwilling to accept the honor in the event they are selected to receive recognition.

Being unwilling to allow any publicity or media attention should the restaurant win.

Being unwilling to accept the award.

Tainting the outcome of the competition by using underhanded tactics to influence votes.

How do you decide a winner?
The purpose of the competition is to recognize those restaurants in the USA that best represent the ethnic German heritage of delicious German cuisine, served in an enjoyable atmosphere of old-fashioned German "Gemütlichkeit" and good cheer. Our objective is to find the restaurant that best fits that description. Voting occurs during the official voting period (see home page for the current year's voting period) and lasts for 30 days. Total votes cast for each restaurant will be tallied after the voting closes at midnight (CDT) on the last day of the official voting period.

The tally will provide the judging committee with a basis of information about the popularity of any given restaurant. The most popular restaurants (based on votes) will then be scheduled for an on-site visit by a panel of independent "undercover" judges. The judges will visit the top restaurants anonymously to evaluate the restaurant based on the following criteria:

Menu options (Does the restaurant offer primarily authentic German, Swiss, or Austrian cuisine?)

Quality of food (Are the meals prepared to perfection?)

Service (Is the staff courteous, prompt, and efficient?)

Cleanliness (Are the tables, chairs, menus, floors, restrooms, etc. clean?)

Standards (Does the restaurant have a good record with its local Public Health Department?)

Value (Are the prices fair considering what you are getting?)

Ambiance (Is the environment inviting, pleasant, and enjoyable?)

Overall experience (Is this a memorable experience that makes you look forward to your next visit?)

The judging committee (comprised of professional German chefs, German "foodies", gourmet food writers, and others) will then evaluate the top restaurants based on popular vote and the feedback from the under-cover judges. The top 5 candidate restaurants may then get one more undercover visit to determine the one restaurant that is most worthy to receive the title.

For additional information or concerns contact: Inga@Germandeli.com