Mickey Staeckeler was raised in a family of cooks, working in the family deli in New York.
“I grew up getting baths in the kitchen sink,” Mickey said with a chuckle. “As soon as I was old enough I was mopping floors, filling soda boxes, working behind the counter, and in the kitchen.”
Mickey says he learned how to cook from his mother and grandmother.
“My background and roots in cooking is German,” added Mickey. “My family came to the States in the ‘60s from Germany.”
Mickey says he spent every other summer in Germany since he was born. Then as an adult, he moved to the European country to further his culinary skills.
“I lived in Lübeck for six years working for bars and restaurants, and I learned a lot there,” said Mickey.
“I’M ITCHING TO TRAVEL BACK TO GERMANY. THERE’S SO MUCH TO SEE.”
-MICKEY STAECKELER
Upon moving back to New York from Lubeck, and then to South Dakota, the well-versed traveler wanted to share his cooking style with the Midwest.
Berlin, aptly named after the capital of Germany, brings a slice of Europe to the heart of Spearfish.
The restaurant, located on West Jackson Avenue, aims to provide a distinctive dining experience by blending traditional German recipes with a modern twist.
Mickey is passionate about sharing the rich culinary heritage of his family’s homeland with his new community.
“My wife, Beth, and I moved to Spearfish last year, and it’s a great city, but we wanted to bring something a little different to the Black Hills.”
Mickey and Beth, who previously owned The Sled Haus in Lead, wanted to introduce a big-city feel to the Hills’ culinary scene.
“We wanted something more intimate, different than the Midwest feel,” explained Mickey. “We’re bringing a little of the vibe from Denver, Arizona, and New York.”
The typical rustic aesthetic of surrounding eateries isn’t found in Berlin. Instead, it brings an ’80s punk rock theme.
The interior and décor have been thoughtfully designed to evoke the charm of the German capital.
“The city of Berlin is similar to New York—it’s very eclectic,” explained Mickey. “You have every walk of life there, and it’s a very artistic and musical city.”
The industrial exterior is matched with a black wall interior, splattered with graffiti artwork and pop-art canvases of a young Queen Elizabeth II and David Bowie, all complimented by low lighting.
“BERLIN, LONDON, & NEW YORK ARE MY THREE FAVORITE CITIES IN THE WORLD.” -MICKEY STAECKELER
The urban feel seeps into the restaurant further with a faux-cherry tree sprouting from the center of the dining room, pink accents scattered throughout the bar, a bright neon sign, and chill EDM house music.
“In Berlin, you’re going to get the gritty city, the artwork, the trains and buses, and I wanted my restaurant to have the same industrial feel,” said Mickey.
A touch of Mickey’s artistic work lines the walls with his photography from his various adventures across the globe.
“I’m a hobby photographer enthusiast, and now I get to use my restaurant as a gallery, which is great,” shared Mickey.
His family also makes an artistic appearance in the dining room, with black and white photographs of his mom and grandfather from 1957.
“She’s on a motorcycle and was probably about 11 or 12 years old, and I just thought it was a unique photo that she’s had all of these years,” said Mickey. “The photograph of my grandfather with him and his friends.”
Other artwork throughout the eatery is inspired work from Russian street artist, Banksy, and German photographer Helmut Newton.
The menu in Berlin features a variety of elevated German dishes, a series of special sandwiches, and more, split between a lunch and dinner menu.
The lunch menu was designed for the “working man,” and features hot and cold sandwiches and specialty burgers.
The Cuban, The Italian, The BBQ Chicken, The Cheese, and The Shae are just a few of the mid-day menu items.
“Our lunch menu focuses on the New York deli vibe,” stated Mickey.
By night, Berlin introduces the dinner menu, featuring authentic German items including bratwursts, pretzels, and three different types of schnitzel.
“We also offer seafood, French-style mussels, and creole mussels,” said Mickey.
MORE ON THE MENU
LUNCH
» American Special
Turkey, ham, roast beef, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and onion.
» Cheesesteak
Grilled roast beef, provolone, grilled onions, and pesto aioli.
BURGERS
» The Cheese
Old-fashioned cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, tomato, and pickle.
» Pastrami
Grilled pastrami melted Swiss slaw with Russian dressing.
HAPPY HOUR
» Haus Chips
A pile of haus cut chips, tossed in-house rub with chipotle ranch dip.
» Wurst Board
One brat and one kielbasa with spicy haus pickles and mustard.
DINNER
» Schnitzel Jaeger
Breaded veal cutlet, jager gravy, German noodles, and red cabbage.
» Bauern (Farmer)
Breaded veal cutlet, topped with grilled mushroom, onion, ham, fried egg, and served with home fries, and red cabbage.
» Bratwurst
Includes German home fries, sauerkraut, and mustard.
» Schweinshaxe (Pork Shank)
Slow-cooked, then crisped shank with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and jager gravy.
Order the Oktoberfest Pretzel, Wurst Board, Bratwurst, Jager, or Berlin Creole.
“On the weekends we’ll offer specials, and that’s when we’ll bring in other German or European dishes,” explained Mickey.
Along with Mickey’s take on the German classics enjoy frothy pints of German beer.
With 12 in-house beers, the tap line contains four German beers and eight domestic, with Ayinger taking place as the house beer.
“Some other focal point beers we have are Spaten Premium Lager, Hof bräu München, and Erdinger Weissbier,” said Mickey. “When local breweries around us offer their German beers, we’ll bring those in as well.”
Berlin celebrated its grand opening in August 2024, and Mickey hopes the locals and visitors enjoy the food and atmosphere.
“I want customers to be able to come in where it feels like home and where they want to hang out,” expressed Mickey.
Whether patrons are looking for a casual spot to grab lunch or dress up for date night for dinner on the weekend, they will always feel comfortable.
“We want you to come here, relax, have a great night, and enjoy some different food you’re not going to find in the area,” shared Mickey.
