Konnopke’s Imbiss: The Best of the Wurst!

Located under the U-Bahn track in Prenzlauer Berg, you’ll find Konnopke’s Imbiss.  An institution in East Berlin, this small food stand has been serving up currywurst since the Konnopke family began selling sausages and frankfurters here in 1931.  Over the years, the business has grown from a simple table to a wooden booth and then ultimately into a permanent stand with electricity, water and propane gas.

So, what is currywurst?  Currywurst is a hugely popular and traditional German fast food found at food stands all across Berlin.  The dish is comprised of steamed, then fried pork sausage, which is cut into pieces and slathered with curry ketchup and curry powder.   Usually served with french fries, I decided to go with straight up currywurst because this particular evening I was on my way to the Lucia Christmas market for cookies and cider.  (One of my top three favorite Christmas markets in Berlin, I’ll cover Lucia in a subsequent post.)

Half of the fun, as the saying goes, is in getting there.   Making your way to Konnopke’s from the elevated train, you’ll have to go down a couple of flights of stairs and cross a couple lanes of traffic bustling with cars, buses, bicycles and passersby.   And you’re highly-likely to be distracted by the incredible street art surrounding this amazing little food stand.  So, be careful!   But your efforts will be rewarded.

Once you’ve arrived, check out the menu board.   Written in both German and English, it is well-presented and easy to understand.

When you’re ready, walk up to the window and place your order with one of the friendly German-speaking ladies.   Don’t speak German?   No problem.   While the ladies here may not understand much English, if you speak slowly and point at what you want, they will be able to put together your order.

On the evening of my most recent visit, it was very chilly with a slight mist in the air. Thankfully, in addition to their high-top tables, Konnopke’s offers covered seating which kept me (and my currywurst!) warm and dry.