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We saw the banner for Vienna Lux several weeks ago. On a black background with red flames, the slogan read: “Always hot and juicy.” WTF? We couldn’t tell if it was going to be a new dance club, a strip bar, or a hot dog stand.
Turns out all our guesses were wrong. Vienna Lux is an Austrian cafe that serves gigantic schnitzels at a ridiculously low price ($6.95). The menu is basic but who needs a complicated one when everything is made from scratch and tastes so good?
The traditional wiener schnitzel is breaded with spices and then deep fried to a crunchy scrumptiousness. TWO pieces of the veal are crammed into one of the softest, freshest Kaiser buns in recent memory. Vienna Lux also does schnitzel in chicken and pork.
Equally delicious was the famous beef sandwich ($6.95) with pieces of tender pot roast in a tangy “special sauce.”
A fried eggplant sandwich ($6.95) is the only real option for vegetarians.
Other places would be trying to make money on extras but all sandwiches at Vienna Lux come with your choice of free sides: sautéed mushrooms, red cabbage, sauerkraut, pickles, sautéed onions, or hot peppers. Cheese is an extra dollar.
Gulya, or goulash, ($6.95) is thick with pieces of beef, dumplings and subtle hints of paprika and caraway.
The biggest surprise was dessert which is baked fresh daily. A peach lemon poppy seed cake ($2.49) was light and fluffy but not overly sweet. My kind of cake!
Olga, presumably one of the owners, insisted that both our takeout dessert containers have a red and white polka dotted ribbon on it. “Sexy, eh?” she laughed.
Vienna Lux is licensed, so far offering domestic and imported beers.
Even though it’s located in a drab apartment building, there’s a decent patio and ample seating inside for both lunch and dinner.
Vienna Lux, 821-4th Ave. SW, (403) 452-3737. Open Monday & Tuesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday to Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 12-9 p.m., closed Sunday.
This place is moving to the top of my list for new places to try.
That Schniztel looks amazing. Veal to boot?
I can’t wait to try this place. It looks so yummy but quite bad on my expanding waistline!
Great find Andree! Kudos!
Tried the wiener schnitzel sandwich at lunch today (Friday Sept 10). H-U-G-E portion (Holy Smokes! I thought when I received the order wrapped in foil – Can feed family of four). The photos do not provide a hint of the size. The bun is about 6 inches (15.2 cm to be politically correct) across and the schnitzelS spilt past the bun circumference. Andree, a twoonie placed next to the bun would help in the photo next time. The fried schnitzel was “tender and juicy” (freshly cooked) and coated in a tomato sauce. I’d like to try it without the sauce next time. The sides are all flavourful: I tried sauteed mushroom, red cabbage and pickles.
Yummo. I’ll be back for sure.
A “new age” soup of the day (carrot with coconut milk) was offered along with the usual goulash soup. Sure to try next time. Too full to do it today.
Best go there SOON before price goes up!
Celiac Husband- they do all of chicken, pork, and yes, veal schnitzels. I had the chicken and added fried eggplant and was just slayed. Absolutely delicious. So happy.
Andree on little thing- and first, thank you for publicizing this place, seriously!- but schnitzel is traditionally pan-fried, not deep-fried. Think of it like you would a fish fillet, lovingly dipped in an egg then flour then panko. And then pan fried.
What would be great, as we’ve discussed on chowhound, is if this place would offer schnitzel on its own, on a plate with potatoes or with spaetzel. That would be amaaazing.
John: Thanks for clarification on pan-fried/deep-fried.
If they had schnitzel with potatoes or spaetzel on the menu, I’d be there every day. I’d never leave.
LOVE the schnitzel there!
Finally went today.
Agree that they should do Schnitzel sans bun, with sides.
Great crew and owners.
Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a place in Calgary that serves Schnitzel both fried and breaded, with your choice of Pork or Chicken, as well as Spaetzle. Check out Wiener Schnitzel Haus.
Heading to Vienna Lux for lunch today – thanks for the info. Can’t wait!!
As for Weiner Schnitzel Haus, if you’re talking about the one in Bowness I’ve tried to go there many times and it’s always CLOSED. Very frustrating. Gave up awhile ago.
Vienna Lux is currently clossed but is re-opening soon under new management, and a new name – That Schnitzel Place. We will be serving the same big, great tasting schnitzel sandwiches and some new and exciting twists. Hope to be open by September 1. Email if you would like to receive a discount coupon when we re-open.