Down the Hatch: Fassler Hall

The best 'wurst place in Tulsa

I love Fassler Hall. It’s just gritty enough that I don’t feel like a priss hanging out there; it’s affordable enough I can satiate my appetite for beer or duck fat fries or gin (sometimes all three); it’s big enough for private convos or losing yourself in a crowd; and homey enough that when I first moved to Tulsa, I found it so comfortable and welcoming that I ate there nearly once a week for two months. 

A few weeks ago I commented to a friend, “I’m really craving Fassler.” It was in the air, and the air was October—Fassler’s favorite month. 

All over the world—from Australia to Canada, Brazil to Hong Kong—people celebrate the Bavarian Oktoberfest with beer and bratwurst, music and dancing. Tulsa has its own annual world-famous celebration west of the river, but at Fassler, it’s Oktoberfest every day of the year. 

Fassler offers eight Euro/German beers on draft (and of course the delicious, local Marshall Dunkel), house-made bratwurst and cheddarwurst (among other sausages), and a schnitzel sandwich (breaded, deep fried pork loin on German rye with smoked Gouda and mustard) that is just stupid. Confession: I once drunkenly helped myself to a schnitzel left unattended on the bar. It’s that good. 

Whether you don lederhosen or a dirndl, play the accordion or drink out of a stein, Fassler Hall is the ideal place for a month that celebrates a cultural tradition of rich food, decadent drink and great company. Jawohl!

In “Down the Hatch,” assistant editor Liz Blood offers a look inside Tulsa’s many bars, pubs, saloons and gin joints. Send suggestions for future columns to liz@langdonpublishing.com or @lizblood on Twitter. For another sip, read Liz's article on the winning cocktails of Philbrook MIX.