Schnitzelbank Restaurant

Jasper, Indiana, sits in the heart of Dubois County, a region heavily settled by German immigrants in the nineteenth century. In 1961, Larry and Hilda Hanselman capitalized on this rich heritage by purchasing a small local tavern called the Schnitzelbank. What began as a modest neighborhood drinking spot gradually evolved into a regional dining destination designed to celebrate traditional German culinary arts and Old World hospitality.

Over the decades, the Hanselman family continuously expanded the restaurant, embellishing the interior with hand-carved woodwork, imported beer steins, and vibrant stained glass. The most eye-catching architectural addition came with the construction of an exterior clock tower featuring an animated glockenspiel. Several times a day, the clock plays music while handcrafted wooden figures emerge to put on a show for waiting diners and passing drivers.

Stepping inside feels like entering a classic Bavarian gasthaus. The atmosphere is warm and intentionally nostalgic, complete with staff dressed in traditional dirndls and lederhosen. The menu centers on authentic German comfort food, including pork and veal schnitzels, sauerbraten, rinderrouladen, and house-made bratwurst, complemented by an extensive selection of imported German beers and a massive, celebrated salad bar.

Today, the Schnitzelbank remains a family-operated institution that draws road-trippers, bus tours, and locals alike. It serves as both a thriving restaurant and a vibrant physical monument to the enduring German heritage of southern Indiana.