The pineapple schnitzel at Metzgers' Kich in Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Germany, is available only sporadically because it's one of the items on the special "schnitzel week" menu. The sweet fruit is a nice foil to the salty and crispy cutlet topped with cheese. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

Amid the raging widespread debate about pineapple as a pizza topping, a Bavarian eatery has upped the ante by pairing the sweet tropical fruit with a beloved German staple.

Metzgers’ Kich in Neustadt an der Waldnaab keeps its menu fresh with alternating weekly themes and variations on typical dishes. It ended 2025 with what was dubbed “schnitzel week.”

The menu standout then for this fan of Hawaiian pizza was a fried cutlet topped with large slices of pineapple and melted cheese. My family accompanied me for this meal at the establishment, which is about 15 miles east of Grafenwoehr.

The restaurant featured three other specialty schnitzels: one made of turkey, one topped with Italian meat sauce and melted cheese, and another with bacon and a fried egg. All dishes were served with a side salad and french fries.

But once I saw the pineapple schnitzel on the menu, I could not bring myself to order anything else. Before it arrived, though, I worried that it would be a soggy mess.

That worry proved unfounded, as the giant breaded slab of meat arrived crisp and clean, without a single drop of juice or water on the plate, which was heaped with fries seasoned right on the money for my tastes.

Metzgers’ Kich in Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Germany, offers a weekly themed menu, which at the end of 2025 had the theme “schnitzel week.” This schnitzel topped with minced meat, sauce and cheese tasted a lot like veal Parmesan. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

With its uniform glaze of cheese, the schnitzel looked almost too perfect, like one of the plastic display meals I used to see in restaurant windows when I lived in Japan.

The pineapple slices were circular and appeared to be from a can. The pounded cutlet was expertly cooked medium, moist inside with a crispy, pan-fried exterior.

I experienced an explosion of flavor as I bit into the unique pairing. The subtle sweetness of the tropical fruit complemented the salty and savory breading and cheese. It was a match made in heaven.

I have to credit the chef at Metzgers’ Kich, because in previous Hawaiian pizza experiences I had yet to see someone adequately deal with the juice leaking from the fruit, even after being baked or grilled. It was an impressive feat.

My son chose the schnitzel topped with minced meat, a tomato-based sauce and the same cheese that had topped my plate. His too was crispy and had the cheese evenly melted over the entire dish. The thin layer of savory sauce made the dish taste almost like veal Parmesan.

My wife ordered the plain schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce off the regular menu. The combination of moist pork, flavorful sauce and spaetzle, which offered a textural counterpoint, was delicious.

The chocolate cake at Metzgers’ Kich in Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Germany, was rich and decadent. The presentation included an artistic dusting of powdered sugar. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

For dessert, my son ordered a scoop of strawberry ice cream, and it was gone before I could take a picture of it. My wife and I split a piece of the chocolate cake, which was moist and decadent with a thick and rich fudge frosting.

The staff at Metzgers’ Kich was engaging and friendly. We found the dining room spacious and homey, despite the clinical cafeteria-style floor tiles that came with the building.

Another distinctive feature of the restaurant is its recurring “snack” weeks, which begin on the first Wednesday of every month and run through the following Sunday, with expanded hours Wednesday through Saturday.

On those days, regional snacks and fresh beer are served then from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., while Sunday follows the regular hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

People interested in trying the dish I ordered will have to wait for the next schnitzel week. Metzgers’ Kich plans to finish January with burger, fish and pasta week options. I can’t wait to try their other themed menus.

For now, I’ll just say pineapple schnitzel was delicious. Let the debate begin.

The plain schnitzel with mushroom cream sauce off the regular menu at Metzgers' Kich delighted with its creaminess and rich, earthy mushroom flavor. The spaetzle offered a brilliant textural counterpoint. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

Address: Am Hofgarten 1, Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Germany

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays and public holidays; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Prices: The schnitzels cost between 15.90 and 18.90 euros. One scoop of strawberry ice cream was 1.70 euros. A variety of toppings are available for extra. The chocolate cake was 2.90 euros.

Information: Phone: +49 9602-918-455; online: www.metzgerskich.de