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Is Schnitzel & Things really worth all the fuss?
Posted: 2:25 pm, October 26th, 2009 in Midtown Eating
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36 Comments
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That's odd. You should be sure to talk to them.
I've been a loyal fan since they started working on 52'nd. I haven't had the Eggplant since, well, I don't see the value in paying so much a super inexpensive vegetable.
But I've had:
- Veal Schnitzel: it was a great cut of meat, prepared perfectly.
- Cod Schnitzel: A bit small if you compare it to Aunt Kim's, but much more fresh and better quality than the fish there (though this is an apples/oranges, or rather a cod/whiting+flounder comparison).
- Burger Schnitzel: This thing separates them from every other player out there. Best burger I've had, hands down.What time did you go there? Was it at the end of the day? Maybe some of the stuff was laying around too long?
Each time I've been there it was when they first opened.
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It was today and I was about 10th in line. It was just strinkingly similar to the eggplant experience, with the paper-thin, dry "innards".
I was really disappointed - again, I'm afraid.
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its not as good as schnitzel you can make yourself at home.
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I've only had good experiences at the Schnitzel truck. I've never gotten a sandwich, so I'm not sure what the sauce ratio is like, but the amount they give you when they order the platter is usually more than enough, especially seeing as I also really like it just with the lemon.
I tend to go around 1:30, and there's rarely a line, so maybe it helps that they have a little bit more time to spend on each order?
If you try it again, I would recommend trying a meat schnitzel, and having it as a platter. You might like that better. -
Steve, it's much better than schnitzel you make at home the night before, lug to work the next day, then reheat in the microwave :p
Unless you have a fryolator at your desk, then I'll concede :p
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How do you quantify and place a value on fuss? I guess I don't agree with the premise, but until we get to that we can't say what this level of fuss should equal, in terms of shnitzel quality.
My impression was that it's supposed to be pounded very thin. I'll leave it to a real foodie to contribute on that.
Here's what I do know:
1. It's unique
2. It's tasty
3. It's somewhat scarce
4. The truck has been promoted and has thrown itself into come controversies.I think all of that will automatically generate some attention. Along with which, as sure as night follows day, will come someone pointing out that they just don't think it's all that great, especially given the amount of heat they are generating in the food truck world. It's the eternal cycle of hype, worthy or not.
I had the chicken schnitz (at 2:30 PM, end of day) and the cod much earlier. No problems with the end of day quality. My chicken Schnitzel was dry and thin. Thing is, that's EXACTLY how I like it. So we each got the same food, but I liked mine quite a bit and you didn't. So it's hard to judge.
I agree with adam about the cod piece (heh heh) A little small, but high quality. (That's what she said...sorry I couldn't resist)
As an aside: Emperor's new clothes? No personal affront meant here, but can we retire that moronic phrase from food blogs? Let's not forget the emperor in the fable was wearing nothing, not a suit that one person loved and to which another said "meh" It's the 'cupcake' of food blogging comments - overused, silly and doesn't really mean anything. After all, there IS a Schnitzel in the bowl when you order it. We just disagree on the quality.
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Do some of the offerings have meat that's more that 1/8" thick (at most) and moist? Maybe I just got bad ones both times.
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I do wish they would keep the cold wet things (cucumber salad) away from the hot dry things (fries) in the bowl.
I like both, but the cucumber salad 'juice' ruins half my fries every time. Maybe small cups inside the bowl for the cuke salad? They could even fill them in the prep work and shave a few seconds off the final packaging time, ala Daisy Mae slaw.
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Actually Adam. I do have a fryolater at my desk, right next to my inbox and stapler.
deep frying some butter right now.
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Cod. Some may find the pieces small. But it was tasty and a bit more moist than the chicken. You may like that. I liked it a lot and may try it on a sandwich next time.
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Forgot to look at my list of acceptable blogging terms. Sorry!
Cliche or not, it was exactly how I meant to ask it since "mass hysteria" would certainly have been too harsh.
I do get, and respect, the "to each his own" factor, though. (oops. another cliche)
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Actually, mass hysteria seems more accurate to me. I hate the emperor one because it's an easy dismissal and because, well, there's IS something there on the plate; it's just a matter of taste.
To each his own cliche, I guess! Que sera sera. Live and learn. Have a nice day.
:-)
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Maybe it's not as good when eaten in sandwich form? Topped with a squeeze of lemon, and eaten with two sides, I enjoyed all the meat schnitzels (haven't tried the fish or eggplant yet)
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My mother always taught me that if I had nothing nice to say, to say nothing, but I really need to ask. The Schnitzel folks are certainly enjoying a wave of popularity and publicity, but I don't get it.
When they first arrived in Midtown I rushed down and tried their eggplant schnitzel. The taste was pleasant enough but the eggplant was pounded so thin that it was very dry and barely recognizable as eggplant. At a friend's urging I went back today to give them another try and I ordered the pork schnitzel sandwich. The experience was almost identical. The pork was nearly anhydrous, and so chewy my jaw ached. There wasn't nearly enough sauce and I almost exhausted my Diet Dr. Pepper before the sandwich was gone.
What am I missing? Is it me, or a huge emperor's new clothes phenomenon?