Old-World German Cooking, Made with Oma's Hands

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A Little Piece of Germany on US-87

Oma's Schnitzel Ranch is exactly what it sounds like: a family running a real German kitchen out of a small, cozy dining room in Smiley, Texas. The owners spent years in Germany before bringing their recipes home to the Texas hill country, and that history shows up everywhere — in the framed photo of the family in the German mountains, in the shelves of imported goods, and in dishes that taste like they were made by someone's grandmother, because they were.

Everything is cooked the slow way. The sauerbraten marinates for five days before it ever reaches a plate. The spaetzle is rolled by hand, which means every noodle looks a little different — a good sign you're eating something real, not something from a bag. Portions are generous, and the kitchen leans on classics: schnitzel, currywurst, maultaschen, and a rotating case of German cakes that regulars plan their visit around.

It's a small place — it seats around 40 — and it's often busy, so reservations are a good idea, especially if you're making the drive from San Antonio, Austin, or further. Bring your appetite, bring your patience for a wait on a Friday afternoon, and expect to leave with a slice of cake for the road.