Where can you score an authentic plate of Jaeger schnitzel, red cabbage and warm German potato salad in Savannah?
Nowhere! That’s why I pointed the foodie mobile north and finally eased off the gas in Rincon.
Destination: The Schnitzel Shack. That sounds German enough, but the rest of the story is that this menu is a startling array of classic German dishes (including three kinds of wursts) and Thai food, as well as some fusion dishes.
What? German AND Thai? I’ve been mesmerized for 20 years about a Mexican and Italian place I found in Kentucky, but this one takes the prize for most unlikely combination.
But it works. Owners Joe Weitzle (originally from Darmstadt, Germany) and his wife, Pao, from Thailand, have built a multicultural marriage and a multicultural menu that offers so many great sounding dishes that it’s hard to make a decision — goulash, spatzle, Thai dumplings, curry dishes. A companion tried a fusion dish, garlic and black pepper schnitzel, that was excellent..
We sampled Tom Yum soup, fried shrimp and I savored my Jaeger Schnitzel: a breaded and fried pork dish smothered in brown gravy and mushroom. The red cabbage was tender and perfectly seasoned. German potato salad, which includes pieces of bacon and a hit of vinegar, reminded me of my time around Evansville, Ind., a hotbed of German cuisine.
Of course, we had to sample desserts — we chose rich, moist German Chocolate Cake and creamy and equally fresh Black Forest Cherry Torte Cake. We barely had room for dessert but there wasn’t a bit left on either plate.
The restaurant is small: About five barstools and a total seating capacity of about 50. By Joe’s gregarious greetings, I would say plenty of regulars fill the seats, but the little eatery is still gaining new customers each day.
Draft beer features a nice line up of German brews served in metric mugs or a .7 liter or 1 liter glass “das boot.”
The restaurant is tucked into a strip shopping center. Go through Rincon on Ga. 21. When the road comes back together on Rincon’s north side, make a left into the shopping center — you’re there!
6014 Ga. 21, Rincon/ 295–5544
NOLA morsels
Second Line, the tucked away authentic New Orleans restaurant on Factor’s Walk, has been offering fixed price, multi–course dinners on Wednesday nights recently. The menu changes from week to week, so call ahead to check out the offerings and to make a reservation. There’s limited seating! 335–1754.
