If there’s one food most closely associated with Vienna, then it’s the Wiener Schnitzel.
- Vegetarians and vegans look away (I’m one, too)
- Fried, breaded escalopes typically made of pork, veal, turkey or chicken
- Side dishes in restaurants can be more or less just decoration: it’s all about the meat
- Book a concert & dinner* for Vienna
- Look for “+ dinner” among the listings
- See also:
What is a Wiener Schnitzel?
(Homemade Schnitzel. Admire the beautiful presentation)
Traditionally, a Wiener Schnitzel is a cutlet of veal pounded thin by a meat tenderizer, then dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs (in that order), and fried until golden.
Wiener means “Viennese” in German, but the concept behind the Wiener Schnitzel likely first appeared elsewhere (I’ve read in Milan, Italy). Just don’t tell the Viennese that.
The dish is not one of those traditions only found in tourism brochures. It really is a hugely popular meal in Austrian homes, though most families use pork rather than veal (see later).
So, if you’re OK with eating meat, having a Wiener Schnitzel certainly counts toward your collection of authentic Viennese experiences.
This popularity becomes evident when you enter any restaurant. You find Schnitzel on just about every single menu in the city (which makes it perfect for comparing prices across establishments).
Some locations, such as Figlmüller, might consider the dish as their raison d’être. And even places specialising in foreign cuisine may still offer it as an option.
Ad:
With time, various derivatives of the basic format have appeared.
The most popular alternative is probably the Cordon Bleu, which takes the basic Schnitzel and adds a filling of melted cheese and chopped ham. You also find Naturschnitzel on menus, which is a cutlet without the coating.
The dish even has its own snack version: the Schnitzelsemmel is a roll and exactly as it sounds: a bread roll with a piece of Schnitzel as filling.
Pork or veal?
(If you’re looking for the side salad, it’s the piece of lemon)
If a restaurant sells Schnitzel made from some other meat than veal, then they have to say so. In other words, assume your Schnitzel is veal if not otherwise labelled in the menu.
You’ll soon discover that veal is actually relatively rare in restaurants, not least because of the expense.
Most places have a pork version instead (or in addition). Look for Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein in menus; vom Schwein means “from the pig”.
That menu might also feature a turkey (Putenschnitzel) or chicken (Huhnerschnitzel) option, too.
As for what else comes with your meat, well, good luck with that. Most restaurants give you a slice of lemon to squeeze over the dish.
And that’s about it. I’m (almost) serious.
Don’t be surprised to get a near pizza-sized piece of Schnitzel deposited on your plate with the only vegetable in sight a sprig of parsley as a garnish.
On a serious note, do check what your order comes with: you may need to add a side dish. A traditional complement would be a potato salad, though fries and rice are popular, too.
FAQs
History and etymology
In the popular southern German cookbook by Katharina Prato, it was mentioned as eingebröselte Kalbsschnitzchen (roughly, "breaded veal cutlets"). According to a tale, Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz brought the recipe from Italy to Vienna in 1857.
What is the Wienerschnitzel made of? ›
Traditionally, a Wiener Schnitzel is a cutlet of veal pounded thin by a meat tenderizer, then dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs (in that order), and fried until golden. Wiener means “Viennese” in German, but the concept behind the Wiener Schnitzel likely first appeared elsewhere (I've read in Milan, Italy).
What does Wienerschnitzel mean in German? ›
Wiener schnitzel means "Viennese cutlet" in German, and it is one of Austria's most traditional and representative dishes. So much so, in fact, that its definition is fiercely protected by Austrian law. It must be made of veal; when made with any other type of meat, it cannot technically be called Wiener schnitzel.
Is Wienerschnitzel only in California? ›
Wienerschnitzel locations are found predominantly in California and Texas, though others are located in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Washington.
What is the difference between schnitzel and Wienerschnitzel? ›
Basically, all schnitzels are breaded and fried thin pieces of meat, but only wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Cooking term: Schnitzel is a cooking term used to describe any meat pounded thin, then breaded and fried. Key ingredient: Schnitzel is made with pork, chicken, beef, or veal.
What does Wienerschnitzel mean in slang? ›
In English, wiener is a colloquial name for a hot dog, which is sometimes called Wiener Würstchen ("little Viennese sausage") in German. The specific phrase Wiener Schnitzel denotes a "Viennese breaded veal cutlet", something the restaurant chain has served briefly as a limited menu item in 2017.
What do Americans call schnitzel? ›
schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak. schnitzel.
What do you eat with Wiener Schnitzel? ›
Arrange the schnitzel on the plate and garnish with slices of lemon before serving. Serve with parsley potatoes, rice, potato salad or mixed salad.
Does Wienerschnitzel use real meat? ›
Wienerschnitzel dogs are made with USDA approved cuts of quality meat and seasoned with a zesty blend of spices to ensure every bite is delicious and juicy.
What kind of hot dogs does Weinersnitchel use? ›
Hot dogs are the backbone of the menu, and every version is offered with a choice of the original pork and beef blend or a 100% beef version.
The primary differences between a pork tenderloin sandwich and a Wiener Schnitzel are that the pork tenderloin sandwich is made exclusively using pork loin and it is deep fried instead of pan fried. The pork tenderloin sandwich is also usually served on a bun.
Is schnitzel healthy? ›
Schnitzel is usually fried, which isn't the healthiest thing, but if you have no weight issues or cardiac markers, it won't hurt you. The chicken in schnitzel is skinless white meat, which is high in protein and low in fat. And spinach is one of the healthiest foods you can eat if you d...
Why are hot dogs called wieners? ›
"Wiener" refers to Vienna, Austria (German: Wien), home to a sausage made of a mixture of pork and beef. Johann Georg Lahner, an 18th/19th century butcher from the Franconian city of Coburg, is said to have brought the Frankfurter Würstchen to Vienna, where he added beef to the mixture and simply called it Frankfurter.
Is Wienerschnitzel chicken or pork? ›
Wiener schnitzel is a popular Viennese dish made of veal and traditionally garnished with a slice of lemon and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter. In Austria and Germany, Wiener Schnitzel must be made of veal.
What is the biggest hot dog chain? ›
Founded in 1961 by John Galardi with a single location in Southern California, Wienerschnitzel has grown to be the world's largest hot dog chain serving more than 120 million hot dogs a year; and we're über famous for our delicious secret-recipe chili that we like to smother on fries, hot dogs and burgers.
What is the history of the schnitzel? ›
The history of schnitzel starts in Austria
The dish quickly spread throughout Austria and Germany, and became a staple of traditional German and Austrian cuisine. It was often served with potatoes, cabbage, or other hearty side dishes, and was a popular choice for family meals and celebrations.
What is the plot of schnitzel? ›
Synopsis. An extraterrestrial visitor from outer space lands in a supermarket and decides to take the form of a schnitzel.
