• Typical bratwurst are made with veal and pork and served with sweet mustardsausages with mustard image by tbel from Fotolia.com
  
  Ventura is situated in southern California, just northwest of Los Angeles. Since the closure of Old Vienna, Ventura has found itself without any eateries offering German food, however neighboring areas -- in particular cosmopolitan LA -- offer a mixture of traditional and experimental German cuisine.
  
  

Old World

• This restaurant is located in Huntington Beach, just south of Los Angeles and around 80 miles away from Ventura. It is located within a large shopping and entertainment center complete with a German food market. The restaurant's menu focuses on food from the Bavarian region, with specialties such as bratwurst, veal cutlets and "rouladen," a slow-cooked steak stuffed with bacon, onion, pickles and mustard. This family-run restaurant celebrates Oktoberfest each year with a special menu and an authentic Oompah band from Germany.
  
  

Brummis

• Brummis is located 25 miles away from Ventura in Santa Barbara, a short distance from the Botanic Gardens and Skofield Park. The menu offers wholesome, filling German dishes such as the famous "bratwurst" or sausages, "schnitzel," a pork or veal cutlet, and gulash, a stew made with pork or beef and noodles. If that seems too heavy, there are light bites on offer as well, such as salads with German cheese and pork ragout and melted cheese sandwiches, among others. Imported German beers and wine are also available.
  
  

Wurstkuche

• This downtown Los Angeles eatery specializes in sausages, and is located 67 miles away from Ventura. There are a number of different types of sausage on offer, among them exotic varieties such as rabbit, pork and white wine and, for the very adventurous, alligator and pork and rattlesnake and pork sausages. More conventional options, such as smoked apple sage, are also available, and diners can choose between a caramelized onion or sweet and spicy pepper topping. Vegetarian sausages are available, however be aware that these are cooked on the same grill as the meat versions. Imported Belgian and German beers are served.
  
  

Brats Brothers

• Brats Brothers is run by two brothers who decided to open an eatery that offers quality bratwurst, free of MSG and made using only the finest ingredients. It is located in Sherman Oaks, roughly 75 miles away from Ventura. As well as traditional veal and pork sausages, this Los Angeles eatery offers an American twist in varieties such as "hot Texan" which has spicy smoked beef and the "rancher" which consists of smoked beef and garlic. Those looking for new and unexpected flavors can try the ostrich and pistachio sausage, smoked elk or sweet duck and fig. Sauerkraut and fries are available as sides and you can bring your own alcohol.