Vegas Food Finds Loves Viennese Street Food

Vienna is known, among other things, for its fantastic little stands (Würstlstand in "Austrian") that sell sausages of all kinds. Late-night opera goers, dressed in evening gowns, have been known to grab a snack at these humble, very egalitarian places, and I've loved them since I was a kid. Sure, they are not fancy, and you have to stand while eating your Käsekrainer (a sausage with cheese), but it's, well, very Austrian. And it's really good, albeit not healthy. During my seven weeks in Europe, we've made many stops at these little stands, mainly in the first district.

The selection is usually pretty good, and there are sausages of all kinds, with a strong emphasis on Frankfurter, Käsekrainer, Bratwurst, Weisswurst, etc. The mini-meal usually comes with your choice of a slice of fabulous dark bread or Semmel (roll) and a portion of sweet or spicey mustard (or ketchup, but mustard works much better). And yes, extra mustard is, well, extra. The plates are either covered in plastic or which a big piece of wax paper (sounds familiar from Mexican taco stands?) for easy cleaning. I've always loved the small, organized microcosmos that is the Würstlstand, and it's a true Austrian icon. It used to be really cheap, but it's really not anymore -- one sausage, including bread, usually runs in the 3 - 4 Euro range.

--By Judy Jenner

Vegas Food Finds Goes to Vienna

During my six-week work/vacation combination to Austria and Germany, I have eaten many fantastic things. Delicious little food stands with amazing street food are around very corner, and don't even get me started on all the Torten, Topfengolatschen, Krapfen, multi-grain bread (the kind you have to cut with a knife). I am in foodie heaven!

Today we went to a very hip place in Vienna's 9th district, which opened a few years to much media attention and skepticism/doubt about its survival. It's one of those restaurants where you pay whatever you think is fair. Here, in a poor Denglisch (German/English) line, this+
is called "Pay as you wish", but you get the point. The place is very chic and bohemian, and it's billed as Pakistani food. I am a frequent and passionate eater of Indian food, and couldn't quite tell the difference, which is not surprising.

Deewan offers a-la-carte drinks, even wine and beer (heck, in Austria even the kepab place at the corner has a liquor license), and we had delicious mango lassi: my drink of choice in these places. The food is served buffet-style, very reminiscent of Vegas Indian buffetts (India Palace, India Oven, Gandhi), and consists of five or six main dishes (two curries, lentils, spinach, etc.) and a sweet dish, which we didn't try as we were headed to the bakery instead. Everything is very fresh and the place is appealing as soon as you walk in. It's a little bit like walking into a private home: it feels that nice and cozy, and the aroma is great.

As expected, people here are young, forward-thinking and dress the part: we saw lots of cute summer dresses with tights and warm cardigans, skinny jeans and high-heeled boots. It's a fun place that deserves to continue doing very well. For the record, we both ate a small plate of food and paid 6 euro each.

Der Wiener Deewan
Liechtensteinstr. 10
9th District, Vienna
Subway stop: Schottentor (U2)
Tel.: 01/9251185

--By Judy Jenner