Sommerfest -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- World Showcase -- Epcot

*This dining experience took place in February 2014.Sometimes you just want a quick bite to eat and Sommerfest, located in the Germany pavilion in the World Showcase, fits the bill nicely. Offering a limited quick service menu, guests can order bratwurst and frankfurters gluten free. On this particular occasion, I stopped by to get a bratwurst on a gluten free and dairy free bun.Prior to Fall 2013, Sommerfest was carrying the Udi's Gluten Free buns; however, they are not carrying these anymore, but rather the Ener-G buns. The unfortunate part is that they don't seem to know how to heat them properly and 9 times out of 10, they are cold, which makes for a rather unpleasant and almost styrofoamy texture. Still, smother anything in enough sauerkraut I suppose and it won't taste too badly? (That is if you like sauerkraut!)In the past, they also used to get the buns from Biergarten located next door; however, the last two times they have carried the buns in the kiosk itself. In fact, I watched the person preparing the food in the back, and they actually changed gloves and then went into the refrigerator to get my Ener-G bun. Again, the heating factor seemed to be missing on these.As far as taste goes, the bratwurst and the sauerkraut are great. The bun...again not so much. Please heat these guys...I'm begging you! Special Diets people like decent buns too!On a side note, the curry ketchup they serve is supposed to be gluten free & dairy free, so double-check and you might be able to replace that with regular ketchup when enjoying a Frankfurter. I might do that the next time I'm there myself!As always, this location has OK fare - it's something just a little different than burgers. I would rate this particular experience a 6 out of 10. Really because of that darn bun!Have you been to Sommerfest?

Sommerfest -- Quick Service -- Lunch/Dinner -- World Showcase

*This dining experience took place in October 2013.

 Just a brief updated review from Sommerfest located in the Germany pavilion in Epcot. I had a strange craving for a bratwurst with sauerkraut recently and decided to pop by the pavilion for a quick bite. I've sort of been craving German food ever since I made ADRs for Biergarten for December 2 (Candelight Processional dinner package - I can't wait to see Neil Patrick Harris rock it this year...LEGEND...wait for it...DARY!). Thanks to Adam & Andrew from the Disney Hipsters who told me that they have terrific vegetarian options, now I'm dying to try this place out. Plus, they have an Oompah band! That may be more legendary than CP (sorry Neil!). But, I digress...I headed over to Sommerfest for a bratwurst mostly because I could get one on an Udi's bun, which I really like. It's not vegan but it is gluten free & dairy free and it tastes yummy! When I got to the kiosk, I almost asked if the new Currywurst menu item was gluten free, but it was a very very busy Food & Wine Festival evening, so I decided to just go with my standard bratwurst order. On this occasion, I told the cast member that I wanted the bratwurst with the gluten free & dairy free bun, and she told another CM who was in the small kitchen. The last time I went they radioed a chef and they brought out the bun. This time it seemed that they had them on hand in a separate section of the kitchen. Interesting. And even more interesting was that it wasn't Udi's! It looked like Ener-G rolls or something similar because it didn't look at all like the GNI rolls I'd had in the past. *Later it was confirmed that it was an Ener-G bun.

New buns

I've been hearing some rumors percolating that there are new rolls/buns in the mix lately and some say that they are not GNI or Udi's but possibly the OMG It's Gluten Free Brand and that they still contain egg. I've not heard anything first-hand myself, but this was definitely a bun I hadn't had before. (Interesting side note, though I found out it was Ener-G and I've had lots of Ener-G rolls & bread, I've never had the buns! So funny how that happens right?)One big problem was that it was not heated really at all. So it was really crumbly and dry. It was also kind of styrofoamy and hard to chew. I ended up just getting a fork and eating the sauerkraut and bratwurst on its own because the bun was kind of difficult in general. As far as the brat goes, it was quite good. I still like it because it's really mild and doesn't seem to upset my stomach too much.Overall, I'd give this particular experience a 6 out of 10--mostly because the bun wasn't the greatest. I will try to find out if that Currywurst is GF because that sauce sounds & looks amazing (I'm a sucker for all things curry!).Have you noticed new rolls/buns/bread in the parks?

Sommerfest -- Lunch/Dinner -- Quick Service -- Epcot -- World Showcase

*This dining experience took place in June 2013.Forget the pretzels und beer! A visit to Sommerfest will make you forget about those glutenous treats. The menu is extremely limited, but those who are gluten free & dairy free will rejoice in being able to enjoy a bratwurst or frankfurter on a GF/DF bun.

Entrance to Sommerfest

This was my first visit to Sommerfest. I had never thought of going because it didn't seem like they'd be able to really accommodate or even have GF/DF buns. I had heard though that GF/DF diners would indeed be able to get a GF/DF bun and that the bratwurst and frankfurter, as well as the sauerkraut were naturally GF. On a whim, my brother and I decided to go there for a snack.

Limited menu

When you enter the pavilion, you expect a larger QS but really it's more like a kiosk with tables. It's located close to Biergarten, so it can often get busy in there with folks waiting for their ADRs. When I was at the cash register, I said that I was gluten free/dairy free. The CM said that the bratwurst and frankfurters were safe as was the sauerkraut and that they bring out an allergy bun. She said it might take a bit for the bun, as she paged someone--it turned out that they get their buns, etc. from Biergarten.While I waited, I observed how the kiosks runs. I would say if you are a Celiac, you may want to clear your choice with the chef and make sure it comes out from a safe area. I didn't think too much about it, until I realized there are pretzels in the same area, and of course, regular buns. When the chef came out from Biergarten, I confirmed with him again that these options would be safe, and he said "yes."

Bratwurst with sauerkraut on an Udi's GF/DF bun

I have to say, I've been really scoring with the Udi's buns lately. It seems like they are at more locations than I previously thought, or I've just been going to a lot of places where the GNI buns have replaced the Udi's. Man there's a big difference. For those who can have eggs, they are a different world from the GNI buns. I was really glad to see them at Sommerfest because for a bratwurst and sauerkraut you need a sturdy bun.Taste-wise, I found both the bratwurst and sauerkraut to be really mild in flavor. I'm not a big 'kraut fan, but this I could totally eat easily and really enjoyed. They have plain mustard, but make sure to ask for some from the back b/c they are at self serve stations and cross contamination could occur.While this is a pretty basic kiosk, it was great to try something different. I really liked the bratwurst. It was the perfect evening snack. And of course, I was glad to have that Udi's bun!There aren't a lot of options at this location, so I wouldn't consider this a great place for allergies. I'd say it's good for what it is, but not a great spot for a meal. A solid 7 out of 10 for this experience.Have you been to Sommerfest or Biergarten? What was your experience?