Der Wienerschnitzel Makes Cultural History In L.A.

Los Angeles has many architectural and historical landmarks but few hold the kind of memories created in the original Der Wienerschnitzel outlet. Last month, the L.A. City Council added the nondescript, flat-roofed drive-through, the first of more than 350 opened by the Wienerschnitzel chain, to its registry of historic-cultural monuments. While admitting it is a modest structure, the board called the barely 600-sq.-ft. building “a very intact example of an early drive-through and walk-up food stand associated with Los Angeles car culture.” The Wienerschnitzel unit, built on Pacific Coast Highway in 1961, is only the second roadside food stand to receive such an honor; the Munch Box in the west San Fernando Valley became a landmark in 2003.