• Independence, Missouri, the state's fourth-largest city, offers visitors attractions ranging from the Harry. S. Truman Library and Museum to the National Frontier Trails Museum and Leila's Hair Museum, according to VisitIndependence.com. Although Independence only has one German restaurant, those in the area can find other restaurants specializing in this cuisine between a half-hour and an hour's drive away.
  
  

Rheinland

• Sporting the only authentic German cuisine within the city limits of Independence, owners Heinz and Rosie Heinzelman opened Rheinland in 1991. The restaurant offer six varieties of schnitzel, side dishes of spaetzle and glass boots of beer. The food served at Rheinland represents many regions of Germany, and the authentic Friday night polkas add to the feel. Patrons can try the roulade--beef filled with pickles, bacon, mustard, onions and spices--or the currywurst--bratwurst served with home fries and curry sauce. Guests can finish off their meal with apple strudel.
  
  Rheinland
  208 N Main St
  Independence, MO 64050
  816-461-5383
  rheinlandrestaurant.com
  
  

Charlemagne's

• Charlemagne's in Weston, about an hour from Independence, offers German choices for those looking to have a bit of variety from the single German restaurant available in Independence. Charlemagne's offers American favorites like the Philly cheesesteak alongside German delicacies like Bavarian schnitzel to please picky eaters. The third Saturday of every month, the restaurant sets up a German buffet--a chance for diners to try lots of dishes for one price. German favorites on the menu include Jaegar schnitzel, duck spatzle and crab strudel. The service is nearly as good as the German potato salad.
  
  Charlemagne's
  616 Thomas St.
  Weston, MO 64098
  816-640-2608
  charlemagnesrestaurant.com
  
  

Werner's Specialty Foods Ltd.

• A lunch restaurant, butcher shop and German foods market, Werner's Specialty Foods offers specialty sandwiches like the Werner's U-Boat and the special schnitzel to top off German food shopping. The special schnitzel is a fresh breaded and fried pork tenderloin sandwich. Werner's is hot on the weekends with an outdoor grill and cheap bratwursts for a long line of customers craving German food. Guests can grab a couple of authentic Kinder candy products for dessert to get the full experience. Werner's is about a half hour from Independence.
  
  Werner's Specialty Foods Ltd.
  5736 Johnson Drive
  Mission, KS 66202
  913-362-5955
  wernerswurst.com