by Bottom Line: It may not bring the heat, but this is a first-rate schnitzel with a nice twist.
Continuing the chronicle of my recent visit to Fredericksburg, on the second day my wife and I dined at a local landmark, the Altdorf Biergarten which is at the end of the main strip. This has been a go-to place for German food and beer for quite a while, and has plenty of the classics you expect like wienerschnitzel, bratwurst, knockwurst, reuben sandwiches, and of course German-style beer. I wanted to stick to the classics but saw a nice variation that I could not pass up with the Texas Spicy Schnitzel.
To start out with, this is a nice-sized schnitzel that is cooked to perfection. The pork filet is breaded and fried up just right so that the crust is crunchy and the meat is flavorful and tender throughout. The cutlet is thick, but not so thick that it becomes tough in the cooking process. And it has a good ratio of breading to meat. Truly a first-rate schnitzel, just as you would expect from a German biergarten!
The spicy sauce is similar to a sweet Asian chili sauce, though it sadly lacks much heat. It does go well with the schnitzel, adding a nice tang and sweetness with just a hint of heat. The few dollops of creme fraiche add to the experience as well, giving just a bit of creaminess to each bite. If they were to amp up the heat just a bit (which I will request next time), this would definitely be a go to dish for spicy food lovers.
The sides are quite good as well. The potatoes are tender with a bit of sweetness, and the buttery sauce adds a bit more goodness to the dish. The cabbage brings plenty of tang with just a bit of sweetness, though not as sweet as the red cabbage you will get across the street at Der Lindenbaum (another great place for German food in Fredericksburg). And that roll is pure pillowy, buttery goodness! Altogether, this made for an excellent meal that satisfied my craving for Deutch cuisine, even if it did not quite bring the heat I was looking for.
Altdorf Biergarten has been a fixture in Fredericksburg for many years and was recently bought up by Gary and Maggie Scripps-Klenzing (thus the reason they are calling it “All New”). It has many of the German classics you would expect and it does them quite well. It also has some Southwestern offerings like Pork and Green Chili Stew, Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and more. The Texas Spicy Schnitzel does not appear to be a regular item as I do not see it listed on the most current menu on their website. But you may be able to ask for it off the menu and I recommend that you request it extra spicy. And in any case, you will definitely get an excellent piece of schnitzel. Altdorf is located at the end of the main strip at 301 West Main.
