Leesburg, Virginia: Mighty Midget Kitchen (In Transition)

The owner of the Mighty Midget, Gordon McDowell, owner of McDowell's Brew Kitchen in Leesburg, has decided to rent the structure to Mom's Apple Pie Bakery at 220 Loudoun St. SE, the original spot where it functioned as a tiny diner in the 1950s. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic it has not been installed yet, but Mom's Apple Pie has promised to get it up and running in its original capacity as soon as possible.

First thing you notice is the orange umbrellas and German pop music playing on the patio. The Mighty Midget Kitchen is still running and it's now called "Döner Bistro," and when we went there for lunch, this place was happening! You can choose to eat inside and watch a "Futbol" game, eat on a huge picnic table outside, or set yourself up at the bar on a keg stool.

The menu includes anything, German from Bratwurst to their famous Doner sandwich -- highly recommended. Tons of imported Deutschland beers, German candies, chocolates, friendly work staff, and a great place to enjoy some authentic wienerschnitzel. Don't expect to use any eating utensils and if you get the Brawt be sure to order it with their homemade pita bread.

The Mighty Midget Kitchen is again open, although the name on the receipt reads Hamburg Doner, and they serve bratwurst and schnitzel instead of barbecue. The neon sign still reads Mighty Midget, however. You place your orders in a house next door, they cook it inside the aluminum structure, and bring it out to you at picnic tables next to both buildings.

I stopped by the Mighty Midget Kitchen and found three men working on the restaurant, which has closed. I spoke to one of them, a reddish-haired fellow with a German accent, who said that they were waiting for one more piece of equipment, and then they would be ready to have their inspection. He thought, if all went well, that the Mighty Midget Kitchen would reopen a week from now.

In December 2007 it was announced the BBQ company needed to vacate, as the Mighty Midget Kitchen will become German food. Those loving B'z BBQ can still enjoy it roughly four miles up the street.