LAWTON – Petra Edmonson, a self-described “German-born Army brat,” wouldn’t change anything that’s happened on her 11-year journey as the owner of Mutti’s German Restaurant in Lawton.
Edmonson, with the help of her two daughters and grandchildren, will celebrate the eatery’s 11th anniversary in April. Along the way, Edmonson has made a lot of friends who start- ed as loyal customers. In many cases, the waitresses know before the customers sit down what they will drink and eat.
“Everybody knows what everyone wants,” she said. “The waitresses know what they’re going to order before they (customers) take a seat. We have a lot of members from the German-American Club who come in on Wednesday and Saturday and they visit for a few hours. They’ve been doing that for years. The best part about this is seeing my customers.”
The restaurant is filled with decorations from “old Army times” and German music, allowing for a “laid back” atmosphere where “everybody talks to everybody. There’s always a lot of people socializing,” Edmonson said.
Located at 1410 SW Sheridan Road, Mutti’s offers the usual Bavarian fare, plus a few American entrees. If online reviews are any indication, the restaurant has been a tremendous success, which keeps Edmonson energized every day.
One patron wrote on tripadvisor.com that their experience at Mutti’s was “absolutely wonderful.” “We had the beer battered brat for an appetizer and the Jaeger Schnitzel for dinner. It was completely authentic,” the customer wrote.
Another customer from Amarillo, Texas, wrote, “Wonderful German food! We loved the atmosphere and the food at this Lawton restaurant! The beer battered brat was amazing as an appetizer; the mustard sauce that came with it was amazing also. We had the schnitzel, and it was the best I’ve ever had. The sides we got were spätzle and the potatoes. Both were delicious. We were too full for dessert, but had to take some to-go. The Black Forest Cake (which is THE chocolate cake from Germany) and the almond bread pudding were both fabulous choices!!”
Before she bought the German restaurant, which was previously known as Anna’s German Quick Stop, Edmonson had limited experience in the food service industry.
“I had been a waitress at The Kettle and I was a cook at an A&W location,” she recalled. “I had always been interested in having a restaurant and then this came open. A Mexican restaurant was also up for sale in Elgin, but I was more familiar with German food and my heritage.”
Edmonson’s mother was born and raised in East Germany. Since buying the restaurant, Edmonson has had few major struggles.
“It was scary to start with, but either you do it or you don’t. It was a great decision to buy it,” she said. “I think some of the biggest problems revolved around the finances, knowing what and when to spend, but it all seemed to work out. I’ve never regretted my decision. I would encourage anyone to give their dream a try when it’s something they really want to do.”
Her biggest challenge as a business owner has been devoted to employee retention.
“I’ve gone through so many employees it’s awful,” Edmonson said. “I’m constantly hiring new people and some don’t even show up.”
Naturally, there have been some equipment failures and repairs during the last decade, but the restaurant has never shut down – not even for a day. The good luck has enabled Edmonson and her staff to continue serving the delicious German cuisine that everyone enjoys.
The menu has a variety of schnitzel dinners, bratwurst, knackwurst, Currywurst, beer batter brats, Spaetzle dinners, salads and homemade desserts that include cakes prepared by a German chef, strudel and Almond bread pudding. Beverages include authentic German beer.
For the time being, Edmonson isn’t planning any big changes for herself or the restaurant.
“I enjoy traveling, but I can’t retire anytime soon. I have two customers, one is 88 and the other is 94, and both of those ladies tell me I can’t leave here until they go,” she said, with a chuckle.
Mutti’s is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.