Pastrami Sandwich Review for Wienerschnitzel

Before anyone’s mouth starts to water thinking that this is a review for of a New York City style deli, all I can say is that Wienerschnitzel is about as a far from New York City and a deli as possible. Wienerschnitzel is a fast food hotdog drive through / walk up chain that started in California.

Wienerschnitzel Logo on a Take Out Paper Bag

A few weeks ago I was driving past a Wienerschnitzel and had a craving for hotdogs. While I ordering I saw that they were promoting their Pastrami Sandwich. I knew that I would have to come back and try the sandwich. After the disappointing experience with the Arby’s Reuben Sandwich, I really could not see how the Pastrami Sandwich from Wienerschnitzel could be worse.

I watched through the order window as the employee prepared my sandwich. Down went the first slice of seeded rye, then the yellow mustard, sliced pickles, a slice of cheese, then a mound of steaming Pastrami and then topped with another slice of seeded rye bread. Then the employee wrapped the sandwich, sliced it in half and placed it in a paper container. I was actually getting excited not just because it looked good, but I knew that I was going to be able to take a good picture of the sandwich.

Wienerschnitzel Pastrami Sandwich

In the grand scheme of fast food sandwiches, it was not bad at all. In no way was it worthy of a deli style Pastrami Sandwich, but it was not unacceptable. The Pastrami was nicely seasoned and you could taste the black pepper. The meat was greasy, but then we are talking about a brisket and this is a fast food restaurant. The seeded rye was also fair and you could taste the distinctiveness of the rye. In comparison to the Hot Pastrami offered by Subway, it was better on all levels; meat, bread and overall flavor. All things being equal, if the bread had been toasted, it would have been a much better sandwich.

The Pastrami Sandwich from Wienerschnitzel is available for a limited time and when compared to other fast food offerings, it is better then most non-traditional fast food offerings. The one thing that does make me curious is that Arby’s, Subway and Wienerschnitzel all offering cured brisket sandwiches this Spring. Do they all share the same marketing firm (note sarcasm font), or some other reason as in they do these promotions every year and market this sandwich around Saint Patty’s Day?

Wienerschnitzel is predominately located on the West Coast (California and Arizona) with a few other scattered locations. In Texas they appear to be in most cities with the exception of Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.