You could be forgiven for thinking that beer is the only form of sustenance served at Oktoberfest.
With stein-wielding waitresses, liquored-up guys in lederhosen and dizzied girls in dirndls getting most of the attention this time of year; it's easy to see why some people would think that food is only an afterthought at the festival.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
From the massive beer tents that serve a full menu of Bavarian specialties to the snack food stands located throughout the fairgrounds, delicious food is everywhere at the festival. And we're not just talking pretzels here, either.
Foodies will have almost as much fun as "beeries" at Oktoberfest. Here are a few of the finest dishes to be on the lookout for:
Weisswurst (Wei?wurst)
Weisswurst is a traditional boiled white sausage beloved in Munich and surrounding regions. The sausage consists of minced back bacon, veal, parsley and an assortment of spices. Weisswurst is typically made fresh each morning without preservatives, so custom states it must be consumed by noon.
Oktoberfest beer tents will extend this for a few hours during the festival though, and you will typically find it paired with mustard, pretzel and a frothy wheat beer.
Roast Chicken (Hendl)
Roast chicken is one of the most ubiquitous foodie treats at Oktoberfest. Most of the big tents have their own rotisseries, so expect the mouthwatering aromas of tender meat and salty seasonings to tempt you from the moment you walk through the door.
The birds are typically served slathered in butter and parsley and are accompanied with a side of potato salad.
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Pork Knuckle (Schweinshaxe)
Since the meat on this slow-cooked cut of pork is speared by a thick round bone, the experience of eating it feels a bit medieval. Expect tender textures inside and crispy skin on the outside.
The pork knuckle will typically be served with a thick and savory gravy and a side of softball-sized potato dumplings.
Cheesy Noodles (K?sesp?tzle)
It's not all about the meat at Oktoberfest, as these hearty egg noodles covered in cheese can compete with any carnivorous treat.
The diminutive noodles are dumpling-like in their shape and texture and cling to the decadent sauce. The cheesy noodles are then topped with crispy fried onions.
Grilled Duck & Suckling Pig (Gegrillte Ente & Spanferkel)
Okay, it definitely is mostly about the meat, and this tasty "pond & turf" combination pops up on quite a few menus at Oktoberfest. It's certainly not for the faint of heart; Expect it to be served with flavorful cabbage and dumplings.
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Cold Platters (Brotzeitbrett)
Several tents plate up huge platters full of cold cuts and assorted sides for sharing.
The platters will usually be filled with items like red and white radishes, meatballs, salami, cheese and pork crackling fat. Bavarian bread typically accompanies this cornucopia of chilled delicacies.
Wiener Schnitzel
You didn't think they'd forget wiener schnitzel, did you? Rest assured, you will be able to find this escalope of breaded and fried veal served with potato salad and cranberries nearly everywhere.
Venison (Hirsch)
Expect to see plenty of venison on Oktoberfest menus, too. Two popular presentations of the meat are to stew it inside a goulash-style soup or braize it and serve it with apples and mashed potatoes.
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