We tried this Phenix City restaurant serving authentic German food. Our review
When I went to the University of Alabama, I was fortunate enough to become friends with a German guy who was one of the nicest people I’ve met in my life. We bonded over our shared interests of tennis, golf and playing guitar.
While at Bama he also introduced me to German foods for the first time. The other day, I found out Phenix City has a restaurant serving the German foods I had all those years ago. So, I had to head across the 13th Street Bridge to The Schnitzel Lot/German Food Gifts & More.
A restaurant in Tuscaloosa used to serve a huge Bavarian-style pretzel I’d split with my buddies when we’d go out to eat back in the day. So, when I saw the Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese on the menu at The Schnitzel Lot, I had to try it for old times sake.
The pretzel was amazing. The outside of the pretzel was a golden brown that gave a satisfying slight crunch as I bit down. After the initial crunch, the inside was soft, warm and perfectly moist. The cheese was rich with a nice bite that paired well with the salt on the pretzel.
For my entree, I went with the traditional German bratwurst and German potato salad served with German mustard and a German bread roll.
The bratwurst had a slight salty taste with peppery notes. The savory initial taste would be replaced with a slightly sweet aftertaste. I could easily have eaten a half dozen in one sitting. The bratwurst was incredible, and I even debated ordering an extra link or two.
The German potato salad stole the show for me. The potato salad was vinegary, with potatoes that were so soft they seemed to melt on your tongue.
I also tasted what I thought was onion and garlic and a little bit of parsley adding a fresh note to the side. I’m definitely going to have to try to make this dish.
The German mustard was mild and didn’t have the sharp flavor of the typical yellow mustard you’re used to putting on your hot dog. The mustard perfectly enhanced the flavor of the bratwurst without overshadowing the sausage’s natural flavor.
The German roll was incredibly soft and tasted really good with the leftover mustard I put on it.
I also tried some of the pickled red cabbage L-E visual journalist Mike Haskey ordered. The cabbage was vinegary with an overall sweet flavor. I’d definitely recommend pairing it with a bite of the bratwurst.
So, if you like German food or want to expand your culinary horizons, I’d suggest checking out The Schnitzel Lot at German Food Gifts & More, 505 13th St., in Phenix City.
