Most people think curry and they think of spicy Indian food or rich Thai dishes. But curry can refer to many different ethnic spiced dishes.
And the words bratwurst, schnitzel, and pretzel that appear on Wechsler’s menu make it clear that we are not anywhere near Asia. No, Weschsler’s in the East Village serves German food, hearty gutbomby German food.
The place consists of a small counter/bar where you place your order and then just a couple of tables to enjoy your sausages. The staff was surprisingly very friendly and accommodating. I was relieved that this place wasn’t too crowded because I would imagine when it gets busy you can’t tell your bratwurst from the next person’s.
The currywurst that we came for is a sliced up pork sausage that’s smothered in a savory, but slightly sweet tomato-y curry sauce. It comes with a side of delicious fries and should be consumed with a beer ending in the words braü or weisse.
The wurst was far from it – it was some of the best. The meat was well seasoned and cooked, giving it just the right amount of pop. And the curry sauce was warming and addicting. And the fries that didn’t immediately make it in my mouth ended up dipped in the sauce and then made it into my mouth.
Would Wechsler’s currywurst make my Top 100 of the year? The sausage is hearty and firm and the flavorful sauce just puts it over the edge. It might not be the best German wurst I’ve had in the city, but it’s up there. It gets an 8 out of 10.
