Schnitz Richmond — Restaurant in Melbourne

Yesterday my brothers and I were in the area and were after a quick bite to eat and we saw schnitz was open - It was about 8pm at this stage. I went to the counter to order first, wrap chips drink etc. If I were to describe the attitude of the individual taking our order towards us in a single word, it would be contempt. She may have had a long day and it may have been approaching closing time but that is no excuse, especially considering the 4 people before you are about to spend $150 and leave within 15mins.

While we're sitting chatting amongst ourselves, we're discretely observing the behaviour of the staff behind the counter. There was absolutely no care whatsoever for their duties as staff, they were more focused on continuing the discussions joking around, etc. That’s not a problem, work should be enjoyable and we as people are social beings. Comradery should be encouraged but not to the point where simple tasks can’t be completed.

When four people walk into a restaurant, they plan to dine together. It isn't unreasonable to put 4 schnitzels down and 4 loads of chips on all at once. 3 times I watched this woman, roll up a single wrap before unwrapping it as she realised she forgot some filings to go in. She’s clearly not concentrating on what she is doing. Music was playing, again not an issue in normal circumstances, but this was so offensively loud for people dining in I couldn’t hear myself think and couldn’t help thinking this was contributing to the demeanour of the staff – I personally couldn’t work in an environment like that but I could only assume that really wasn’t their concern. To top it off the music playing was this god-awful, trap-rap with heavy use of a certain slang term starting with the letter N. I wasn’t deeply offended but this genre of music is never appropriate at a restaurant especially when you have white staff behind the counter.

The store is near empty, very few orders taken in the time we were waiting yet it was 20 minutes before only one of the meals came out. We were hardly shocked at this stage given what we had witnessed until that point. My brother was close to finishing his food before only the second meal came out. I’m curious; if the staff were to dine out together, is this how they would expect to be treated? I wouldn’t think so.

We continue to wait; 2 of us have finished their food and 2 of us have yet to receive ours. Confusing especially as I have seen our food wrapped up 5 minutes earlier. I walk up to the counter to ask what’s the situation. I’m forced to interject while they’re all having a laugh between themselves. “We’re waiting for the chips” is the response I get. No apologies offered while our part of our food is sitting there cold as it was ready 20 minutes ago. I stood there in disbelief, trying to comprehend the multiple levels of stupidity and disrespect I was subject to all at once. Trying to make the best of the situation I said just give us the wraps now and bring out the chips when they’re ready (common sense, yeh?)

So as the two of us are finishing our wraps the chips come out – inedible and more salt than anyone could possibly consume. We’re no longer shocked at this point and feel there’s no point of even addressing the staff who clearly could not give a f*. How any of them are employed is beyond me. No chance would I allow staff of any of my businesses to operate in such a manner, especially in the service industry.

0 stars would be a more accurate rating if...

Schintz, a place that has successfully mastered the art of crafting an excellent schnitzel and fries, yet has somehow failed spectacularly in grasping the fundamental human necessity of hydration. If you are arriving here solely for the food, congratulations, you have made an excellent choice. If, however, you expect to consume your meal without experiencing the early symptoms of dehydration, well, I regret to inform you that you have entered a financial trap designed to exploit your most basic survival instincts.

Let me begin with the positives, as I am, if nothing else, a fair individual. The schnitzel is crisp, well-seasoned, and perfectly cooked, delivering on its one primary obligation, to be delicious. The chips are golden and adequately salted, which is both a culinary achievement and an unfortunate foreshadowing of what is about to come next. Because while the food is commendable, Schintz has adopted a baffling and entirely unnecessary policy of refusing to provide tap water unless, of course, you are willing to pay for it in bottled form like an unsuspecting tourist at an overpriced amusement park.

I must ask, would it physically pain this establishment to fill a few glass jugs with tap water and leave them on the counter with some cups? Are they operating under the assumption that customers should budget an additional few dollars for hydration after already paying for their meals? Have they somehow not received the memo that water is not a luxury but a fundamental requirement for human existence?

One might argue, “Well, many places charge for bottled water,” to which I respond, yes, and many places also recognize that forcing customers to pay for something that literally falls from the sky for free is an unethical business practice disguised as standard procedure. This is not fine dining. This is a schnitzel shop—a place where the primary objective is to provide food, not to see how long a person can endure a dry meal before succumbing to thirst and surrendering their wallet.

Let us be honest, the cost of keeping a few jugs of water and some cups is insignificant compared to the absolute pettiness of forcing customers to purchase bottled water out of necessity rather than choice. The logic is nonexistent, the inconvenience is infuriating, and the audacity is commendable in the worst possible way.

In conclusion, Schintz offers great food, but unless they plan on including a free side of intravenous fluids, I would strongly advise them to reconsider their approach to basic hospitality. Two stars, one for the schnitzel, and one because I have not yet reached the point of deducting stars out of...

The corner store uses the windows very well, and makes it stand out on what has become a tired looking corner. A good place for people watching. I think it is a novel idea, as I am a big chicken fan. Crumbed chicken, except for Kiev, I am not a big eater of. I don't like cheese so avoid Parmas.

It is very much take away food revolving around schnitzels. The names of their dishes are pretty tacky (Thai the Knot, and Hey Habib), but the schnitzel rolls are worth it. The chips were great. Not being a fan of schnitzels, I probably wouldn't go back for another go, as I like trying different things. I would go past for some chips if I needed something while running around town. They had free samples of their chicken and chips, which I thought was great.

Eating a schnitzel roll with chips is never really going to seem all that healthy. But if you don't care about that, or don't do it everyday, that won't matter.

Their web site is very tacky. They state, "Australia's Best Chip*. *As voted by our customers." The chips were great, but nothing to get an ego about.

You can see them cook, and staff were friendly, and it has window seats for excellent people watching. A good place for a quick lunch, non-cooking night or take away. If that's your kind of thing, give it a go.

If they could bulldoze the ugly ANZ bank next door, that would ...