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Flammkuche has that “locals only” sort of vibe even though it’s popular among Americans in the know.

Flammkuche has that “locals only” sort of vibe even though it’s popular among Americans in the know. (Steve Mraz / S&S)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — There’s no mystery what this restaurant is known for serving.

Surprise, surprise Flammkuche makes flammkuchen.

But the mystery is in hearing about this place and finding it (My wife didn’t want me to write a story getting the word out about Flammkuche because she sees it as our secret spot). The restaurant has that "locals only" sort of vibe even though it’s popular among Americans in the know. It’s small and dark with large wooden tables and vaulted ceilings — somewhat of a medieval feel.

Even though the restaurant is located near the main pedestrian area in K-town, it’s off a side street and definitely one of those places that’s easier to find if you’re going with someone who’s been there before.

If you aren’t familiar with flammkuchen (I’m now talking about the dish, not the restaurant), it’s a tasty, pizza-ish creation that uses a sour cream-instead of tomato sauce. Translated directly, it means "flame cake." Traditionally, flammkuchen are large, rectangular and served on wooden trays. Typical toppings on the crispy thin-crusted, oven-baked offering are cheese and bacon. Normally, they are cooked in wood-burning ovens.

Flammkuchen — again the food, not the restaurant — is an Alsatian creation that’s known in France as tarte flambée or flammekueche. For those of you rusty on your European geography, the Alsace region lies in the extreme northeast of France and borders Germany. Actually, Alsace is not all that far from the Ramstein/Kaiserslautern area.

But in lieu of driving to the region that’s home to the dish, you can head to downtown Kaiserslautern. Flammkuche offers all the normal varieties of its namesake culinary delight. If you go with a group or a few couples, order different kinds of flammkuchen and sample from each other. In addition to main course flammkuchen, the restaurant has an incredible desert flammkuchen made with pears. Sounds a little odd, but — as food diva Rachel Ray would say — it is dee-lish.

To wash down your dinner, order a wine or beer from the menu. The times I’ve been there several people are sipping wine, quietly chatting and nibbling pieces of flammkuchen.

Because the place is small, it can fill up quick. If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday night, call ahead and make reservations.

Flammkuche

Kaiserslautern, Germany

Hours: Daily, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Prices: About 5 to 8 euros per flammkuchen.

Specialty: Flammkuchen.

Clientele: Mostly German.

Dress: Casual.

Address: Ludwigstrasse 40.

Directions: It’s on the south side of Ludwigstrasse between city hall and the large fountain at the end of the pedestrian zone. It faces Ludwigstrasse but doesn’t have a large flashy sign so keep a keen eye for one of those old-school dark metal European signs hanging up out front. Parking can be problem on the weekends so your best bet is to park in the area and then hoof it.

Phone: 0631-65875.

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