9.14.2009

"Listen All You New Yorkers": Part II

Pret a Manger? Au Bon Pain? Certé? Any of you frequent these places when you're stuck in Midtown Manhattan and need lunch? Well, now on Monday, you have an out-of-this-world alternative: Schnitzel & Things.

This food truck has gotten a lot of hype: here, here, here, and here. Then last week came the spot on Good Day NY. Previously their location was announced the dayof each appearance via Twitter, and then they'd pull up anywhere from the Upper West Side all the way down to Brooklyn. No more. They have a page announcing the week's schedule and, even better, a permanent Monday location at 52nd St. between 6th and 7th Ave. Conveniently located super close to my work!

It was because of this that I was able to eat there for the first time today and, honestly, the food is worth every ounce of hype. I ordered the chicken schnitzel platter which comes with two sides at the bargain price of $9. I chose the mesclun salad and the sauerkraut...which was odd because I have never tried sauerkraut in my life. But I figured it was going to be good from them and not the lumpy, stringy mess I'm used to seeing elsewhere. Here's what I got:


The chicken was hot, super fresh, and moist - I don't know if I've ever had anything fried that was so light. The salad was serviceable - it's hard to mess up a mesclun salad with a vinaigrette. The sauerkraut? I'm so glad that I lost my sauerkraut virginity with Schnitzel & Things! There was still some bite to the cabbage - it was al dente, if you will. There was a vinegary bite to it, in addition to caraway seeds sprinkled throughout. Add the sauerkraut to a bite of chicken schnitz? Shazam.

You also get your choice of a condiment, and I chose the pesto mayo. That was my one misstep. It's not that it was bad but, when compared with the 'kraut, the mayo paled in comparison. I think next time I'll try the garlic, scallion, and ginger relish. They also have a spicy sriracha sauce I want to order...but first I have to learn how to pronounce the damn word. They also have potato salad as a side, which I never order usually because so many places crap it up with gobs of mayo, but I'm going to give theirs a shot. I have high hopes.

I have only had schnitzel one other place in NYC - Café Steinhof - and it has to be said: Schnitzel & Things KILLS Steinhof. And that's hard for me to say because I have felt particularly loyal to Café Steinhof. Try Schnitzel & Things, you Brooklynites, and let me know if you agree.

This is officially part of my Monday routine, visiting the truck. What a fantastic way to start the week.

Eat, drink, and "get your schnitz on"!



NOTE: And I can't resist noting that the guys who run the truck? They're adorable so you can also have a friendly side of flirtation with your lunch.

1 comment:

amy said...

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