Schnitzel or Wurst?

After doing my sightseeing in Heidelberg, it was time to eat.  I had found a restaurant on Google Maps that received very good reviews called "Schnitzelbank".  It is a tiny place located on a little side street off the "Hauptstrasse".

As the name implies, the specialty is schnitzel.  One of my friends back in Ohio keeps telling me, "Eat schnitzel, eat schnitzel!"  Meanwhile, Alejandro keeps telling me, "Eat wurst, eat wurst!"  Since I had schnitzel the day before, I decided to accede to Alejandro's demand. 

Since it was a bit chilly outside, I went inside to eat.  The place is dark, rustic and cozy... it reminded me of a cellar restaurant, except that it was on the ground floor.

 The smaller tables were all taken, but the waiter directed me to a longer table that seats six.

I ordered "apfelschorle" (apple juice with sparkling water) to drink, and I began with tomato soup with cream and croutons.  Very good.

For my main dish I ordered bratwurst, served on top of sauerkraut with roasted potatoes on the side.  There was a large dollop of "senf" (mustard) for the wurst.  Everything was delicious, and the sauerkraut was mild... not too salty.

While I was eating, a gentleman and his son sat down at my table.  I assumed that they were tourists, but in fact, he is a resident of Heidelberg.  We began conversing (in English).  He told me that he was born in Sri Lanka, and left the country when he was a youth during the civil war there.  He lived in France for a while and then settled in Germany.  He is a chef, and he owns an Indian restaurant in Heidelberg.  This place is his favorite German restaurant in town, and he knows the owners.

So, I not only had a very good meal, but interesting dinner conversation as well.