|
Subject: Re: Schitzelbank Grand Rapids Michigan recipes
From: Fred
Date: 11/1/2018 11:18 AM
To: phaedrus@hungrybrowser.com
On 10/31/2018 7:00 PM, Fred wrote:
Hi Uncle Phaedrus...
You've done really well tracking down recipes from this "Amazing" restaurant... I actually
have the original GR Press newspaper article giving these recipes. The thing that's driving
me nuts is that, I've been totally unsuccessful in locating the other recipes that "were
stated by the Press" were issued soon after at: mlive.com/grpress
As background, my father started going to the Schnizelbank right after World War 2 (where
it began, at a nearby corner drugstore). My Dad went there for lunch every day thereafter,
we became friends with the owner... And forever after we went to this wonderful restaurant
whenever we could.
In Grand Rapids it became a tradition (I'm now 67 years old)...
Everything about it was unique and precious. And sadly when it closed, no one knew it was
coming.
In any case, the one recipe they offered every day, in limited quantities for lunch, (and
only once a week as a featured meal) was their German baby back ribs... And guaranteed they
were always sold out unless you got there quickly.
This could be the jewel in your crown, and multitude of people would sing your praises (if
you could find it).
As for me, I think I believe I am the closest person to having figured it out... But, if you
don't mind... Could you try and find theirs...??? I will happily give you the cooking methods
"I know", which is the key. And all that remains is the appropriate spices
Fred S
Hello Fred,
Well, I had no success finding the Schnitzelbank's ribs recipe, no mention at all of "baby
back ribs." Your use of that term bothered me. I just could not imagine a traditional German
restaurant using that term. The American term "baby back ribs" was unknown before 1981. It
gained popularity when a national chain started using it in their TV commercials in the late
90s or early 2000s.
I found a scan of a Schnitzelbank's menu here:
Schnitzelbank's Menu
There is no menu listing for "baby back ribs" on it. However, under "Our Weekly Schedule of
Old Favorites" there is an item like this: "Monday - Baked Spareribs." Is that what you mean?
Yes, I know they are the same thing, but when you are searching for recipes, you have to use
the name that the dish was given. I did a thorough search for both "Schnitzelbank's Baby Back
Ribs" and "Schnitzelbank's Baked Spareribs", but I found no mention either way. Sorry.
When Schnitzelbank's closed in 2006, two of the chefs, a father and son, went on to open
"Dill's German American Restaurant" in Middleville, Michigan. That would have probably been
your best bet to find the ribs again and to possible obtain a recipe, but Dill's closed in
2012 and the younger chef Dill moved to Hawaii to work in a restaurant there, "Hula Grill"
in Kaanapali, Hawaii.
I'll post this for reader input.
Phaed
|
