Black Forest Inn

After passing by this restaurant at least a dozen times my wife and I finally decided to try it out. It’s warm and welcoming inside. We were seated quickly and ordered our beers, which came in very impressive glasses.
Their specials that evening were made up mostly of wild game. My wife ordered boar and I got venison. It was absolutely delicious. Cooked perfectly, presented beautifully. The burgundy wine reduction in which my meat was braised was decadent. As a side I got the red cabbage (warm and yummy) and the potato dumpling. I was expecting basically a potato pancake, but instead it was like a giant gnocchi. Also delish.
I highly recommend this restaurant and can’t wait to go again!

Love this place been going for years, the food is 10 Stars. When I walk into the restaurant I feel like I’m in Germany, then the food … WOW ! great place to take the whole family, a must if you haven’t yet.

This was our third trip, and we have been thrilled each time. Wonderful food and wonderful service. We visited on Thanksgiving and despite it being very busy, the service was quick and everything was exactly right-​I have a hard time believing the other reviews about slow service. The special Thanskgiving/​seasonal items were great. Our waiter, Kevin, is our favorite, but everyone there was so friendly, especially the greeters. We live about an hour away but we gladly made the trip in hopes of having a great alternative thanksgiving and we were not dissappointed. I have had several versions of the schnitzel, and they have all been delicious! We will be back!

Waited two hours to eat then received lukewarm food. We were a party of 12 and HALF of us had lukewarm food. Told the manager and she offers two free desserts or free coffee for table. I had the lobster ravioli. It was bland and dry inside. SO DISAPPOINTED! I’m especially upset because our family spent over $ 5000 here for my father’s 70^th birthday and now we came back to celebrate his life (a year after his death). Never coming back.

Poor management. When something goes wrong, make it right. Not at the Black Forest Inn. I guess they think waiting 1.5−2 hours for cold food is normal. Don’t bother complaining. They don’t seem to care. Their offer to make it right was downright insulting. We won’t be coming back ever. When you can’t keep your German customers happy at a German restaurant, you should probably rethink your business strategy.

Celebrated my dads 75^th Birthday today at your restaurant. The food was outstanding & all the staff helped in making the day special. Thank you to Heinrich Aichem, who answered my email on a request to surprise my dad with a linzar tart for dessert. It was delicious. The meal could not have been any better. Thank you to all the staff to making this a special Birthday. We will definitely be back!

Great German food restaurant. We’ve been there on several occasions. The food is always amazing. Always trying something new.
Last time was for Oktoberfest with a group of 10. Everyone had a great time including the kids.

Went there last night 10−18−15 and all I can say is Wow. Food was awesome. I ordered rouladen and spaetzle with red cabbage. Now let’s get real here, nothing is like mom used to make but they come real close. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated so wasn’t so bad. The waitress Barbara was very nice and the band is great. I have read reviews here about long waits for food to get served. People have to understand German food takes awhile to cook and takes time. If you want to eat 5 minutes after sitting down go to red lobster!

Great food! Friendly staff. Fun atmosphere. Old world dress is nice to see. We had portobello and scallops that were amazing! Mousse for dessert was to die for! I can hardly wait to return!

This is one of my favorite places to eat when I am in NJ. I was first introduced to Black Forest around 1999 during my travels. It was GREAT THEN!
It has been over 15 years since I have been to NJ and was excited to go back for training. One place that was high on my list to eat was HERE! I was about 1 hour east from the place and made sure I was able to eat there at least once.
I was lucky to be able to meet the owner, chef, son, and grandson that night. 3 generations of the BEST GERMAN cooking. The son also let me taste high BBQ/​Wing sauce that was GREAT!
I had the veal plate and savored each bite.
If you are ever in the area, stop by and eat. I am confident you will love this place much as I have.

Just had a delightful authentic German dinner and am so please with food, atmosphere and service. Always forget how much I love it here til I return. Yvonne at the bar gives service with a smile. Can’t wait to return. This is coming from a professional bartender dining with a 5 star chef. The wild boar is absolutely to die for. Loving the Black Forest.

The Jagermeister chicken wings are worth the stop off.

Service was good, courteous and attentive staff. Some German beers available but not a huge list. Décor is by no means modern but has a nice, cozy feel, reminiscent of a hunting lodge. I’ve had the sauerbraten and the rouladen here, both were really good. Portion sizes are ideal, in my opinion. Not massive, and you’re definitely not leaving hungry.
Last time I came I was seated in a room just next to where an older gentleman was playing traditional German music on a keyboard. Within an hour he got the entire room singing and swaying their beer glasses back & forth, definitely added to the experience.
Will keep coming back here, nothing but good experiences.

I’m not sure if I have ever had worse service. The staff here looked like they were running through a maze with no clue what their goal was. It took over an hour to get our meals, and then another 20 minutes of just sitting and waiting for our check.
The food was so salty– I’m sure I’ll have a heart attack soon.
I have absolutely nothing positive to say about this place. Nothing.
For such a niche restaurant, they need to have a stellar menu and even better service.
We drove an hour and a half to give my mom a great, but different Mother’s Day dinner, and it was nothing short of disappointment and embarrassment.

Everything was perfect.
The Black Forest Inn delivered an outstanding, end to end fine German-​Continental dining experience for me and my family, starting with plenty of parking through and including coffee and dessert.
While I have previously visited this restaurant for their buffet, this was my first visit for their à la carte service.
Arriving at the Black Forest Inn’s property, one is immediately brought in to the little slice of Germany that three generations of the Aichem family have created and maintained for over three decades.
The restaurant is in a Tudor style building surrounded by plenty of parking. Walk up the stairs and you’re greeted by a well maintained building with beautiful, heavy wood and glass doors. All meticulously maintained, as I have come to expect from my German compatriots!
Walk inside and you’re greeted by a relaxing, modestly lit environment with a cuckoo clock, deer mount, green and red furniture, stained glass, dark wood and friendly staff, some of who are dressed in traditional German attire.
Once seated, a plate of toasted garlic bread slices was served, drenched in butter and seasoned perfectly. The whiskey sours I ordered were prepared well also, with Maker’s Mark whiskey and plenty of it.
For my appetizer, I ordered their Scandinavian Matjes Herring. This is a smoked filet of herring served with a refreshing horseradish sauce, capers, red onions and a delicious relish. One of the children in my group had a warm traditional Bavarian pretzel with mustard and butter. It received positive reviews!
For my entrée, I chose their sauerbraten with potato dumpling and red cabbage sides. Everything was prepared at the level I have come to expect, having eaten sauerbraten many times in my life. Other members of the family had Icelandic sole and sliced filet Mignon in a shitake Merlot sauce. I tried them both and was blown away not only by the seasoning and tenderness of the dishes, but also by the sheer variety of tastes that the kitchen was able to prepare. Very impressive.
For dessert, I had their warm chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream and what tasted like a pistachio sauce on the side. That, and their chocolate mousse hit the mark, chased down with some very well prepared coffee.
Lastly, The Black Forest Inn advertises a dress code for gentlemen as jeans and a collared shirt minimum, but I recommend respecting this gem of a restaurant with more formal attire.

Went here for a group party and was Incredibly disappointed. My friend talked this place up so much and it was just an overall let down.
First let’s discuss atmosphere… Dated however it could work if they followed through with a proper dress code.
Second attire, I was told we needed to dress «causal but nice» I read that as, wear a polo and slacks. Ok well we were all dressed nicely in our party however there was no need! Witnessed people walking in wearing hoodies, hunting jackets, sweats, and leisure wear.
Third service, service was atrocious. We waited about 15 minutes just to get menus at our table, which was merely a stapled stack of papers. The first waitress was appallingly rude, nasty, and condescending. The second waitress helping our table was very pleasant though. We waited great lengths for our food, and when it was brought out, dishes were forgotten. When asked about the dish not brought (potato pancakes) out waitress one accused the table of eating it already! When we showed the uneaten toppi gs as our defense THEN she believed us. It was as if we had to prove we didn’t eat the dish! We were extremely taken back by this.
The food was average at best. Nothing I would write home about, and certainly not a German meal I would place at a place that specializes in German food.
Combine the average food, poor attire and display, and horrendous service we will NOT be returning to this establisment. How they can charge $ 30 – 40 for a dish and give this kind of image is mindblowing to me. We wanted so badly to like it, but it just does not have anything to return for. I would avoid this place.

I have been going to the Black Forest Inn for about 25 years now and the food is always good The service however varies. We were here for my husbands birthday on the 29^th of March
While the server was nice she was easily distracted our drink orders were slow and when my dinner came (I had ordered the Roast Pork with sauerkraut) it had the pork but no sauerkraut I mentioned it to the waitress and she went back to the kitchen when she came back she said that because I ordered the red cabbage they didn’t think I would want the sauerkraut so I told I did want it She said ok that she would get it for me but then she stopped at the table across from us (I guess she knew the people) and started having a lengthy conversation as I was sitting and waiting while my family continued to eat their meals. I finally got her attention and she said «oh that’s right the sauerkraut) and she went to get it. By that time I was half way through my meal. I would have really liked my entrée to be served all at once in a timely manner. I took the rest of my meal home with the sauerkraut.
PLEASE service personnel
KEEP on track of all of your tables
RETURN with items asked for in a TIMELY manner!
I felt really put out! I love this restaurant
But I tell you poor service can really hurt a business
Please talk to your wait staff!

Absolutely spectacular food and atmosphere. I’ve never tasted such amazing German food, and I’ve frequented quite a few German restaurants. I would highly suggest any of the Weiss beers to accompany their Jagerschnitzel. Outstanding experience overall.

Looking to indulge in German food/​beer? Look no further. (seriously, dont even consider it)
Drinks:
They have every German beer imaginable
After going to Munich, Radlers became our go-​to German drink. Half beer– half lemonade = a whole lot of awesome. Before you judge, try it…
Usually the Black Forest Inn doesnt have lemonade so they used Sprite (not the same). When did have lemonade it was awesome.
Food: to summarize, you just can’t go wrong… all entrees come with 2 sides… the spatzle, sauerkraut, potato, salad are all excellent choices
Apps:
Grilled Marinated Portobello with Field Greens– perfect
½ Dozen Oysters: unforgettable, who would have thought
Tossed House Salad: love the dressing
Entrees:
Filet Pork Medallion Gin Demi Glacé: mmm, good
Schnitzelette: cant go wrong
Pork Schnitzel: not too shabby
Service: steller
Everyone is so wonderful, friendly, and attentive. Been here on Oktoberfest where every table was occupied and still had wonderful service.
Tips:
Eat here.
Make reservations via Opentable… especially for «special» events.
Check out their events, Oktoberfest was SUCH a good time
If youre looking to hear live music on the weekends, ask to sit in the room with the band
They have an early prixe fixed dinner menu which is a great value (M, W, Th, F only). $ 23.75, must be seated by 5:45pm
Closed Tuesdays!

Yet, to be disappointed. The food is great, staff is wonderful, bar tradional, the décor can certainly use an update.
How ever, once you taste the food you wouldn’t care if you were sitting on a milk crate.
While the German food is the way to go; they frequently infuse the menu with seafood specials that are fabulous.
My faves are the schnitzels.
The spaetzle is beyond delish, same room for dessert it’s worth it.