Raclette steals culinary show at Carmel's Christkindlmarkt

What to order: Raclette, obvi. The tradition of scraping melted alpine cheese off a large wheel is infamous at the German-inspired Christkindlmarkt.

• Wurst is big too, but they're not offering a meat-free version of that (yet, ahem).
• With the raclette, you've got a few options. The most popular version is served on a toasted baguette.
• Yes, but: When we went, the line at the Alpenlodge — where the melted cheese is served over boiled potatoes, rather than bread — was a fraction of that at the Raclette Chalet. Hot cheese over seasoned potatoes, what's not to love?

Cost: $15.

Meanwhile, the potato pancakes (with sour cream or applesauce) are another solid option. They were studded with garlic and onions and more flavorful than they looked.

• Other vegetarian options include a cheese dumpling soup, sweet or cheese-filled crepes and soft pretzel with, what else, cheese (or mustard).

If you go: Open 4-9pm Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 8pm Sundays.