The University of Houston community got a taste of Germany cuisine during this month’s Oktoberfest celebration at Moody Dining Commons as part of UH Dining Services’ Culinary Inspired Event Series.
While not an original event in the series, this year marks the second consecutive year that Oktoberfest is celebrated. And like last year, the celebration was in partnership with musical performers Das Ist Lustig, the Modern and Classical Language Department, and the Learning Abroad program.
UH Dining Services District Marketing Manager Alexcis Mendoza said bringing back the celebration was important to for the UH community noting that departments like Modern & Classical Languages in the College of Liberal Arts, and the Learning Abroad team look forward to participating in it.
“While it may not be our most attended cultural event, it’s certainly one that is so beloved,” said Mendoza.
One of the beloved parts of the Oktoberfest celebration that was a hit last year – the large pretzels – were once again an in-demand item for Moody Dining Common attendees.
Freshman Ayonna Davis went to Moody Dining Commons specifically for the Oktoberfest celebration and the picture of the large pretzel on the promotional materials convinced her to attend.
Did it live up to expectations?
“Yes, it did,” said the History major. “It was way better than I thought it was going to be.”
The pretzels also brought sophomore Simon Ellison to the Oktoberfest celebration. Ellison said he waited hours before lunch services started so he could be among the first to get a crack at the large pretzels.
Ellison, a self-proclaimed pretzel connoisseur, has high standards for pretzels, and while he enjoyed the ones at Oktoberfest, he said he’s had better. Ellison did praise the stone ground mustard sauce, and cheese sauce that paired well with the pretzels.
While Davis and Ellison visited the Oktoberfest celebration for the pretzels, both also sampled the other German eats with Davis pointing out the schnitzel as a standout item.
The schnitzel made a return after featuring in last year’s Oktoberfest, and this year’s version also highlighted different German food.
“There were some fan favorites that we’ve left on there just based on feedback from last time, but we did try to add a couple of new things this year,” said Mendoza. “We want to stay authentic and consistent but luckily there are so many flavors to explore and choose from.”