The Cutlet of Your Dreams is at the International House of Schnitzel

It's safe to say schnitzel are not as buzz-worthy as pancakes, the

specialty of another, well-known International House. But when you

think about it, the breaded cutlet is even more popular worldwide. In

Austria and Germany, schnitzel is typically a thin, pan-fried veal

cutlet. But just south in Italy, it's known as cotaletta alla milanese. In dozens of Spanish speaking countries it's called milanesa,

and it's hugely popular. No matter the country of origin, the schnitzel

is a working class staple, even if may not always get the recognition

it deserves.

IHOS's

owner, Rudi Pollak is trying to change all that. A Romanian-born

Israeli who grew up in Dusseldorf, Germany, Pollak has had a long-time

love affair with the cutlet. "If you look all over the world, I'd say

about 70 percent of the countries make schnitzel," he says. "In

America, you call it a chicken cutlet. It's very simple, and everyone

can eat it."

The almost universal appeal of schnitzel, along

with the stagnant economy, is what prompted Pollak to open IHOS along

with his business partner Eli Hershkovich. Each day, the pair creates

their entire menu from scratch; everything from the schnitzel to

homemade garlic mayonnaise for their custom sandwiches and burgers.

Hershkovich creates the restaurant's signature apple strudel and

knishes by hand, which IHOS ships out to customers across the U.S.,

while Pollak works his schnitzel magic, using quality chicken cutlets

instead of veal. "Where I grew up in Dusseldorf we used chicken instead

of veal or pork," he says. "Plus, where other restaurants sell their

schnitzel for $12 I can sell mine for $5."

Pollak is a 30-year

industry veteran who's done everything from food

and beverage management to executive cheffing throughout Europe and the

U.S. His genuine enthusiasm for food is a result of years of following

his dream. "The great thing about food is you can completely change

what you do. It's also the great thing about life," he says.

I sampled two of IHOS's many specialty schnitzels at the tiny, cafe-style restaurant:

the Holstein, seen above, and the Kaiser, with Swiss cheese and

mustard. Each schnitzel was tender enough to cut with a fork, and

thoroughly crispy. With the Holstein, I really loved the saltiness of

the anchovies against the creamy eggs

-- swiping bites of schnitzel through the yolk was awesome. The one

side effect of the toppings, however, was the cutlet went soggy

slightly faster than I could eat it. I'm eager to try Pollak's

favorites, the jaeger schnitzel with a "hunter's-style" mushroom sauce

and the gispy, a spicy Italian take on the cutlet.

Most

of the platters at IHOS come with some great sides. If you like red

cabbage, Pollak's version is otherworldly. The German dish can either be too

sour or too sweet, but as served here it's perfectly balanced. You can

really taste the fresh apples Pollak adds to the mix. His mashed potatoes are even better;

tangy, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned without adding anything at all.

I had to ask him what his potato secret is. "The secret is there's no secret," he says. "I peel and boil potatoes

every morning, and mash them with a little milk and real butter, not

margarine. It's just real, fresh potatoes."

The

restaurant also serves killer schnitzel sandwiches with that custom

mayo, subs, burgers, and salads. Breakfast is served all day, as are

homemade soups including goulash. For dessert, a slice of

Herschkovich's sweet and flaky apple strudel for just $2.50 is amazing;

as good as any German grandmother could make.

With the low

prices and old-school, homemade dishes, I could see the quirky little

International House of Schnitzel garnering some buzz. Could schnitzel

finally be getting the respect it deserves? At least for me, that's a

yes.

International House of Schnitzel
4820 N. Dixie Hwy., Oakland Park 33334
954-626-0723