Oak Chalet to close in Bellmore after more than 40 years
The German restaurant Oak Chalet in Bellmore is closing after more than 40 years. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
One of Long Island's oldest German restaurants, Oak Chalet in Bellmore, has been serving the hearty foods of southern Germany's Bavaria region since 1981. But owner Gisela Wedel said after the death of her husband, Dieter Reinking, the family plans to sell the business and close on Jan. 4.
"I had a very long run, and I would like to run it longer but at this time I'm 84 years old, so it's time," she said Friday.
Wedel's extended family has been helping her run the restaurant since Reinking died in February. But lately, Wedel said, it's been very expensive to maintain the business and more difficult to find good staff. Many of Oak Chalet's employees have been working there for more than three decades, she said. And she's hoping the new owners of the business will find a way to keep them on. She also said the spot will probably not remain a German restaurant.
Kasseler Rippchen, smoked pork chops served with french fries, at Oak Chalet in Bellmore. Credit: Daniel Brennan
The stone building is known for its Old World atmosphere and collection of Bavarian objects, like boot-shaped ceramic beer steins. The menu includes Wiener schnitzels, smoked pork chops, sauerbraten and red cabbage, bratwurst and more.
"The restaurant, we built from scratch, my husband and I," Wedel said.
Wedel added that she has been very busy with the outpouring of support that Oak Chalet has received since word of the impending closure has gotten around. During a short conversation, the phone could be heard ringing off the hook in the background.
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