Lately, for whatever reason, I’ve been worried about Evi’s Schnitzel Haus, Shreveport-Bossier’s relatively new German restaurant. After all, they’ve occupied three buildings in a little over two years. The latest location, at 1303 Shreveport-Barksdale Highway in Shreveport, has been a half dozen bars in the last 10 years (including one called Dr. Unk’s). For a brief time, it appeared on social media that they’d changed their name to Biergarten Zum Rotten Fluss, a name that would present obvious marketing challenges. But, as it turns out, there’s no reason to worry: the joint was hopping during my visit on a Tuesday at lunch.
The Bradford family, who run Evi’s Schnitzel Haus, are obviously still settling into their new digs. On one wall, a digital jukebox advertising Jock Jams hangs next to a pastoral painting of a German town. Bud Light-branded pool table lights still hang over some of the tables. On the other hand, holy schnitzel, this place is still really, really good.
While I ate what may be the best schnitzel sandwich on this side of Düsseldorf (a steal at $6.49), I asked B.J. Bradford how the new location has treated him and his family.
“It’s been very good, it’s been prosperous. We’re even closer to (Barksdale Air Force) Base than before, and of course the big change is that we can now serve beer and wine,” Bradford said.
What’s really exciting about this addition is how much German beer and wine they’ve been able to track down from local distributors. There are “about 20 different German beers” here, including four on tap. There’s also a variety of Riesling wines and even a German pinot noir.
Other changes include more seating (there are three 12-seat tables for larger parties, all of which were in use during my visit), a redesigned menu that includes Evi’s story, and a dessert menu (apple strudel! Nutella crepes!). So, if you’ve been wondering about the status of Shreveport’s best and only schnitzel haus, don’t worry – it is alive and better than ever.
And “Zum Rotten Fluss” just means “On the Red River.”
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Love this kind of stuff? Browse the third edition of Eat Here: A Food Lover’s Guide to Shreveport-Bossier.
