The Ogden Weller’s Bistro: Authentic German Family Recipes
NEWS
Images of Weller’s Bistro in Ogden provided
For fans of authentic German cuisine, Weller’s Bistro has opened a second location on 25th Street in The Monarch building, following the success of the restaurant's Layton location. Weller’s Bistro is owned by Jan Weller and is managed by business partner Jessica Wolford. This latest Weller’s location opened in July.
Weller has worked in the food and beverage industry for over 20 years, first in Germany where he worked in various bars and completed a three-year culinary fine dining training. After that, Weller moved to London to work at the Savory Hotel and gain more experience.
Weller moved to Utah in 2002, where he worked at various restaurants based in Park City and Salt Lake City. It then came time that Weller opened his own restaurant, Weller’s Bistro in Layton, which opened in 2019.
“Doing my own place was always on the horizon for me,” Weller said.
The menu from Ogden to Layton is mostly the same except for pizza, which is not offered at the Ogden location. Weller said that most classic cuisine from Germany comes from the southern part of the country, such as pretzels and schnitzel.
“But a lot of it is family recipes, as well; my grandparents cooked a lot,” Weller said.
Staying authentic to German culture is important for a place like Weller’s Bistro. One of the most challenging parts of running an authentic German restaurant in Utah is sourcing specific food items that might not be found in the more well-known food suppliers.
“If I want to find pork knuckle, it is hard to find pork knuckle…your main suppliers don’t really have what we’re looking for,” Weller said. “We get products from Continental Sausage in Denver, Colorado. They make super authentic products.”
With events like the most recent Oktoberfest and the upcoming holiday season, Weller’s switches up the items they serve in honor of German traditions. Weller said that when Oktoberfest started in September, they brought out dishes like pork knuckle and Leberkäse. In the wintertime Weller’s serves Sauerbraten, which is Germany’s national dish.
Ogden Weller’s Bistro is bigger than the Layton location. Ogden features two floors; the bottom floor is the seating area and patio, and the second floor is a bar.
Weller said that he wants to create an environment that feels like home for his customers; it is one of the most important parts of being a restaurant owner.
“I’m sure you have had experience dining out in various establishments and you have a server who takes your order, they bring the food, you get what you ordered. There is nothing wrong, but there is no connection, no hospitality…Hospitality is integral,” Weller said.
While Weller’s has only been open for a few months, the restaurant is already gaining a following in Ogden. Weller said that they are already starting to get regulars, and people who used to drive from Ogden to the Layton location now stop by here instead.
“We are super stoked to be here. Ogden has been great so far…we are excited to be a part of the Ogden food scene,” Weller said.
Weller's Bistro is located at 455 25th Street in Ogden, Utah, and 197 North Main Street in Layton, Utah.