Scout Notes: As you step out into the brisk November air, it hits you. Seductively, the mingling...

As you step out into the brisk November air, it hits you. Seductively, the mingling scent of onions and bacon draws you closer. As you cautiously approach that dangerously enticing tin pan hot dog stand, you wonder, isn’t there a better way? Dear Scoutmobbers, yes there is. Venture west, and wander the friendly streets of Venice until you find yourself staring up at a beautiful typographical sign that you can’t pronounce. If it begins with a W, you smell smoke (the good kind), and there’s a line out the door, then you’ve arrived.

Wurstküche is the brilliant brainchild of a detail-devoted designer and a forward thinking USC business alum. With the debut of their first location in DTLA in 2008, the duo originally intended to open a bar that sold gourmet sausages as pub food. Little did they know that those sausages, a welcome artisanal alternative to LA street food, would become so wildly popular that they would have to shift the entire focus of the business to center around those saucy little links. Now, less than three years later, they’ve opened an artfully designed second location to a very happy Venice. Long, gorgeous lines of natural wood are accented by beautiful and unusual light installations, sourced by one of the owners. Geometrically inspired stools stand in rows along both sides of heavy tables lined with kraft paper. Tall squeeze bottles of four different mustard options plus one for ketchup stand guard at the head of each table.

Snag a tall dark glass of Spaten Optimator to wash down that boldly seasoned, coriander-spiked Bratwurst, or how about a Hot Italian (you get one of those two free with this deal). Thick, double dipped Belgium Fries come out piping hot in a lovely red checked paper cone. Try not to burn the roof of your mouth as you run your double blind taste test comparison between the Chipotle Aioli and Thai Peanut dipping sauces. You may need another order of fries to be sure. When feeling adventurous, try the seasonal Rattlesnake & Rabbit with Jalapeno Peppers, or the rich, complex and explosive flavor of the Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Peppers. It’s clear that these sausages are delicious, but more importantly, the owners of Wurstküche genuinely care about the integrity of their food. Some of their meat comes from cruelty free farms and they use organic ingredients whenever possible. They care about these details all the way down to their eco-minded brown paper bag + foil to- go packaging. You can’t fake that kind of commitment to quality and you needn’t look any further than Wurstküche to find it.

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Menu Highlights:
Hot Italian, $5.75 (free with this deal!)
Bratwurst, $5.75 (free with this deal!)
Double dipped Belgium Fries, SM $3.50 LG $5.50
Duck & Bacon with Jalapeno Peppers, $7.50
Spaten Optimator, $6

Hours:

 Open daily, Monday - Sunday, 11 am – 12 am (kitchen) 2AM (bar)