ode to Germany.

No, that's not a song. It's German culinary delight, aka pork ham hock. Just how did I find the best place to get it in Germany? My best kept secret (well not really, but close) came from a lovely member of an American Airline flight crew. This may have been one of my best inflight location tips yet.

So here's where to go. For a little Weinerschnitz or Schweinhaxe go straight to Gaststätte Baseler Eck (the corner) on Baseler Platz 7, Frankfurt. It is well worth the detour or ideal if you have a long layover at the airport. It's approximately 20 minutes by tram from airport.

Baseler Eck is a family place that fills up every night. You are guaranteed a great meal and a good time. Whenever I’ve brought anyone there, they wanted to return the next night. I admit to being the American who returns for consecutive dining, happily. So repeat business must be their marketing campaign, because they don't have a website. The food is traditional home-cooked German fare. You may have to wait for a table, but it’s fine; wait at the bar and enjoy a perfect Pils. By the way, as with much of Germany, one of the owners does speak English.