Are Schnitzel And Chicken-Fried Steak The Same Thing?

Although schnitzel has much in common with Texas' iconic chicken fried steak, the two dishes aren't quite the same.

A schnitzel is a meat cutlet, usually breaded and fried. The broader range of schnitzel is a variation of the original — the fried veal cutlet known as Wienerschnitzel.

When Germans began immigrating to Texas in the 19th century, they found veal hard to produce there. They started using the much more cost-effective beef for their schnitzel.

Over time, schnitzel's breading also underwent several tweaks. These continuous changes would lead to the modern chicken-fried steak with its own distinct characteristics.