first look: wurstküche
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UPDATE: Wurstkuche is now open.
Cousins and sausage connoisseurs Joseph Pitruzzelli and Tyler Wilson have partnered up to bring us Wurstküche, a gourmet sausage restaurant in the works at 3rd and Traction in the heart of the Arts District.
Meaning “sausage kitchen” in German, Wurstküche caters to epicurean tastes in a town more likely to savor the conventional Pink’s or Tommy’s hot dogs over gourmet grillers.
“We wanted to focus on something we knew how to do well,” Pitruzzelli said, explaining that he came up with the concept last year while cooking sausages for friends in Austin. “No one expected them to taste good, but everyone ended up loving them.”
Pitruzzelli is originally from San Francisco where his Triphora Design company was involved in several high-end barrooms, including Element Lounge and Etiquette Lounge. He has parlayed that experience into a first-time venture with Wilson, whose familiarity with the local scene and background at USC were an impetus for steering the eatery to Downtown.
Wurstküche is set to open in three phases: a kitchen and dining area, a bar and finally a rooftop lounge creating a sizable 3,300-square-foot venue inside a nondescript structure with charming historic brick walls. The first phase should be open by the end of June (interior demolition now underway) and will consist of the kitchen, grill, small deli counter, sidewalk seating and takeout area.
The bar and dining room components will take design cues from the aforementioned Element Lounge space, such as the exposed brick, soft lighting, stonework and other natural materials.
With a strong residential base in the immediate area — and three new housing projects coming online this spring — the team has high hopes for their role in the neighborhood. Enhancing street life and engaging adjacent businesses along Traction Avenue have been recognized as a priority.
Wurst-Case Scenario
Though Belgian fries with strawberry ketchup (and other flavors) will be a side choice, Pitruzzelli’s famed sausage sandwiches take top honors on the menu, all to be priced between $5.75 and $6.75.
Even at that inexpensive price point, these won’t be your average wieners.
Expect exotic sausages such as seafood, seitan, alligator & apricot, rattlesnake and pheasant & cranberry.
Additionally, the team will present custom-ground creations delivered special for the restaurant. Apparently any creature in the animal kingdom is acceptable to be minced, spiced and molded into a tube steak, so the possibilities are endless.
Throw in some grilled onions and sweet peppers, then top it all with gourmet mustard and homemade mayo, Wurstküche will be dishing out some seriously original links.
A Social Setting: the Missing Link
Belgian beers will be a staple, but a full line of alcohol is planned for the bar. The owners are aiming to make kitchen service available 24 hours (pending City approval of the permit), a smart move to recapture some of the hungry bar crowd after 2:00am.
Not sure the crowds will be lining up for sausages in a bun after last call?
Look no further than LA’s storied mobile food carts, where a decent bacon-wrapped hot dog is akin to a religious experience following a night of dancing and drinking. And as more and more tapas eateries grace our headlines, a standout joint like Wurstküche is sure to make an instant name for itself on the local dining scene.
Aren’t you already curious to see how that alligator & apricot sausage tastes?
Wurstküche
800 E Traction Avenue @ 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
wurstkucherestaurant.com
19 comments
What a brilliant idea!
I love it!
there better be some currywurst to be had, or else… ;)
I really like Element lounge (SF’s outer Van Ness Corridor/Tenderloin District). I would love a spot like that in downtown.
Letter to owners,
I dont mind what fancy sausage they have so long as they at least keep a great brat.
PLEASE get the best belgian and german beer!!!!
Poeple in LA really do love great beer, so don’t skimp on the beer menu. Please consult library bar, boneyard bistro, lucky devil’s, or brussels in laguna beach for ideas on a good beer menu!
Imagine this: a nice brat, good beer on the rooftop deck on a summer night…. i can dig it.
…and I can’t wait for Belgian fries, yum
Can’t wait to try it! Love that you’ll have the seitan, since I’m a veggie.
Reminds me of the famous Top Dog in Berkeley except more classy, serves beer and alcohol, and has lots of space to stretch out! If the sausages here are as good as Top Dog, I will be there religiously.
first zip, then the lofts now wurst!!! arts coming up, i cant wait. roof top patio is key!!!! and 24 hours is also prime in my book. not enough late night DT eateries.
You have a supporter in the neighborhood in me! Looking forward to it. Any updates? I ride by everyday and it looks like there’s work, but not close to opening….
Thanks for all the support, the construction was held up temporarily, waiting for a delivery of structural beams. They are in place now and we are working as hard as we can to get it open by mid september, and in time for Oktoberfest.
I’ve been watching the progress,and can’t wait for your opening. You can’t imagine all the buzz in the downtown about your unique concept of gourmet sausages,Belgian beers,and Belgian fries.My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Hey Tyler Your Uncle Tom (inlaw) loves sausage! Be sure to let us know when you open and we will be there!!
I am dying to eat at this place! Hope it opens soon, I am planning on making this a local haunt, as I live just up the street at the Hikari.
its the best exotic sausage lounge in EVER!! The owners are awesome, the food is great, and the place has a great feel. Highly recommended.
There is a taste for every bud on the tongue available at Wurstkuche! Even for all you vegeterians and vegans out there is are tasty sausage alternatives! The food is deliciously gourment, yet affordable and filling at that! Where can you get such deal this days! Another impressive item about this place is there 24 beers on tap. Not only do these guys know their sasauges, but beers as well! Even for you girly girls out there “who hate beer” you will be pleasantly surprised- Just ask for the BumbleBee. Lastly the vibe is definitely an added plus. Its has neighborhood friendly appeal in the heart of the new upcoming Art’s District. Again this is Highly Recommended!
Okay, so we went there Sat. night. Cashier not so friendly, took her three tries to pour draft beer correctly. Sausages really good, toppings good, fries not quite right. Beer was outstanding.
But they need some sort of appetizer—pretzels with mustard, or pickles—as it takes a while to get food. Also, need espresso and dessert.
Front of place cold and forlorn, back pretty cool, fraternal table needs pencils so you can doodle on the paper. Back bar chick very nice and friendly. The back area could use something else—projected films or jukebox or something.
And I live within walking distance, so I know I’ll be back.
it’s a restaurant, not a day care center for children
too much blogging leave you socially bankrupt?
the beer is excellent!
this place definitely has good sausages. brings some much needed non-Japanese food to the Little Tokyo/Art district area. the help isn’t very friendly or good at what they do. the complicated sides and sauces makes ordering soooo slow and lines are starting to go out the door down the block. i love the sausage, but i’m not down for waiting 45 minutes to order. simplify the menu, get another register, or do something.
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