Downtown State College is a maze in some areas and, as with any labyrinth, there are surprises.

Herwig's Bistro, 129 S. Fraser Street, is one of them.

Hiding in the shadow of the Fraser Plaza Garage is an eclectic little eatery that combines Old World charm with intriguing business practices and, at the end of the day, provides a good meal.

Herwig's is a small place with about 10 booths in close quarters and the kitchen right out in the open.

Orders, which are taken at the counter as soon as you walk in, are difficult because of the menu's authenticity.

Not only is there not much time to mull over the menu, you also won't find any Americanized names of traditional dishes here.

Everything is in German, and if you can't pronounce it, you won't be eating.

The menu consisted of 10 different entrees as well as some tempting desserts.

I saw something I recognized and ordered it just to save myself some embarrassment -- the Bratwurstplatte -- which I was hoping meant that I would get a bratwurst platter.

I squeezed into a booth underneath a picture of an Austrian resort and took stock of my surroundings cozy surrounding.

They really push the Austrian motif to the max inside the restaurant.

There were pictures and figurines, and all other kinds of Austrian artifacts all over the place.

The proprietors are quite judicious about their customers finishing everything that is served to them.

The options for people who don't go the distance are a bit extreme -- you can either pay $35 for a doggie bag, pay double for the food you didn't finish or take the traditional Austrian punishment of being hit with a big wooden stick.

My meal came out quickly. There really isn't too much traditional service at Herwig's.

Orders are taken at the counter, somebody brings out your food, and that's it.

The platter consisted of two bratwursts, some potatoes and sauerkraut -- I was in a bit of trouble.

Cabbage and I don't get along very well, but if I didn't finish everything, I would probably find myself getting acquainted with a large wooden stick before leaving the establishment.

The bratwurst was amazing.

Not only was it tasty, it was really quality stuff, too -- not the processed brats that can be picked up at the supermarket.

They had a lot of meat and lot of kick to them. I really enjoyed them, so the stomach discomfort they later caused was worth every bite.

The potatoes really didn't jive with me since there was some strange seasoning on them that I couldn't place, but I was determined to finish as much of the meal as I could.

After I finished the meat and potatoes, it was time to face the music.

My avoidance of the sauerkraut did not go unnoticed, and my server took the big red stick of the wall.

He told me to make sure to order sans kraut next time and picked up my unfinished plate with the stick.

I got off easy.

Herwig's is a one-of-a-kind experience, and if you're a meat and potatoes fan, check it out.

Just brush up on your German and don't order anything you know you won't be eating.