First stop on my currywurst crusade is Kreuzberg street food institution: Curry 36.
This late night takeaway started as a cart back in 1980 building a reputation as a reliable and affordable pit stop for cabbies and clubbers. These days, Curry 36 is a brick-and-mortar operation with stand-up tables out front – and usually a queue of folks waiting to order their currywurst, bockwurst, fries and such. The place is among the most famous of classic currywurst joints. It’s where celebs, dignitaries and the like are taken to taste the real thing. Despite its popularity, Curry 36 retains a very “of the street” feel.
Taxi drivers, weekend warriors and all sorts of locals were there when I visited fairly early (at least by Berlin standards) on a Saturday night, alongside throngs of out-of-towners. I understood the fuss within the first bite of my swiftly served paper tray of two currywursts with fries, curry sauce and mayonnaise (€5.20). Sausages were juicy. Fries were crisp. Sauce and mayo were amply dolloped and delicious.
Located just outside U Mehringdamm station, the eatery was a handy spot for a quick bite at the end of my night.
Look for Curry 36 at Mehringdamm 36, 10961 Berlin. There’s a branch at Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten as well. Find out more at curry36.de.
Keep an eye out for more Best of the Wurst posts coming soon.
