Fermented cabbage, rolled into a ball, breaded, and dropped in a fryer sounds like a dare. In Ohio, it’s a beloved appetizer.
One Akron restaurant flat out calls sauerkraut balls an Akron original. Another Cleveland kitchen makes a spicy version with curry ketchup on the side.
Some cooks fold in corned beef, others use ham, sausage, or even bratwurst.
That range is what hooks me. The same humble snack changes personality depending on whose kitchen it comes out of.
I’d love to line up a few baskets and compare the dipping sauces alone.
So I went looking for the neighborhood places still frying them up today. The list stretches from old German halls to a quirky deli and a pub with live bands.
Which version would win you over first?
1. Der Braumeister Restaurant
Two sauces on the side means double the dipping decisions. The Classic Sauerkraut Balls here arrive with cocktail sauce and German mustard.
Inside, you’ll find smoked ham and sauerkraut, hand-rolled, breaded, and deep-fried. That’s the old-school formula many Clevelanders grew up on.
Feeling bolder? The Spicy Sauerkraut Balls skip the meat for potato and spicy kraut.
House-made curry ketchup comes along for the ride.
The family-owned restaurant has run on Lorain Avenue since 1983. The dining room leans rustic, with cypress wood walls, deer heads, and a solid oak bar.
Plan around the schedule, since it’s closed Sunday through Tuesday. Reservations are a smart move if you’re aiming for a busy evening.
Address: 13046 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111
2. Das Schnitzel Haus
Kraut Kugeln is a fun name to say out loud before lunch. On the Parma menu, those Kraut Kugeln are simply kraut balls.
They come out crispy, with an aioli finish on top. It’s a nice twist if you usually reach for mustard.
The rest of the menu reads like a German comfort-food greatest hits list. Think Jaeger schnitzel, sauerbraten, chicken paprikash, pierogies, and red cabbage.
Visiting when the weather turns chilly? A covered and heated patio gives you an outdoor option anyway, and there’s a fireplace too.
Address: 5728 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44129
3. Gasoline Alley
Reuben pizza on the same menu as kraut balls tells you this kitchen loves its corned beef. The Bath Township spot has an old-school, nostalgic feel.
Kraut balls here come with honey mustard. Order them next to a corned beef sandwich and you’ve got a very on-theme lunch.
Greater Akron is sauerkraut ball country, and this place leans into that local habit. The rest of the menu runs from bacon fat boy burgers to pastrami and a catfish sandwich.
Reservations aren’t taken, so just roll in. It’s closed Sundays.
Address: 870 N Cleveland Massillon Rd, Akron, OH 44333
4. Iron Grill
Fried pickle spears and sauerkraut balls make a pretty great starter tag team. At this relaxed Akron grill, both sit on the appetizer list.
Iron Grill is an American restaurant first, with a menu stretching from Reubens to chicken parm. The sauerkraut balls hold their own among the heartier plates.
Want to build a full meal around them? Smothered steak and a porterhouse pork chop are part of the lineup too.
It’s open daily, with later hours on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are accepted if you’re bringing a crew.
Address: 2215 E Waterloo Rd #408, Akron, OH 44312
5. Loby’s Bar & Grille
Live bands on the patio and kraut balls in a basket sound like a solid weekend plan. Loby’s is a laid-back neighborhood pub in Canton.
Sauerkraut Balls share the menu with pepperoni rolls, smash burgers, and fish and chips. It’s classic pub grub with a Northeast Ohio accent.
Beyond the food, you’ll find TVs, bar games, and karaoke. Weekend hours stretch late, opening at 10 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday.
No reservations here, so wander over when the craving hits.
Address: 4736 Hills and Dales Rd NW, Canton, OH 44708
6. New Berlin Brewing Company
Not sour at all is a surprising thing to hear about a kraut snack. The homemade sauerkraut balls in North Canton have earned exactly that reputation.
The kitchen focuses on modern German fare. Next to the kraut balls, you’ll spot a Colossal Pretzel, currywurst, and spaetzle with brown mushroom gravy.
Check the hours before you drive, since it’s closed Tuesdays. Sunday runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so an early visit works best.
Address: 1664 N Main St, North Canton, OH 44720
7. Plank’s Bier Garten
German Village in Columbus feels like a fitting home for a fried kraut snack. Plank’s has been a longtime fixture on South High Street.
Sauerkraut Balls headline a menu that mixes German dishes with pub favorites. You could pair them with BBQ pork fries, a patty melt, or something called the Meatza.
The big draw is the sizable outdoor area. Pups are welcome outside, and there’s a trivia night if you like quiz games with your appetizers.
Reservations aren’t accepted, but on-site parking helps. After a stroll down the brick streets of German Village, a hot basket sounds about right.
Address: 888 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206