Eric F.
Yelp
This is a must try place even with 3 stars. I would give it five if it were only for the history, decor, and concept. But the food is only okay, even if the experience is great, and very Viennese
This is essentially a sandwich shop, begun by a Polish cook in 1901. It is elegant in a late 19th century way... with marble top tables and high ceilings. However most people stand to eat their lunch here... so it is more of a snack shop or a local experience to have rather than being counted as one of your real meals while in the city.
The offerings are limited but fun. There is a refrigerated glass in which lay about 17 types of sandwich, all open faced, all on about a third of a slice or bread, and all based on a tasty although salty egg salad. Everything else lays on top of this, and there are lots of toppings to choose from.
My favorites are the liver, the Swedish herring, the mushroom, marinated cucumber. And one does not fill you up so expect to get at least four if not eight, so you can try all the types you want. Think of it as a late 19th century Hapsburg Empire version of White Castle sliders.
They offer a small narrow glass of beer with your lunch, but like the slider/sandwiches, you may want about six. Beware of the crab egg sandwich... its fishy. And unless you know and love Mat)es Herring, beware of that too because it is extra salty (as is most food in Vienna).
Sandwiches will set you back about $2.40 each. But the best thing is... when you are done, you walk out full (albeit a little puffy from the salt), and you are in the center of Vienna, only yards from Stephansplatz, and Stephansdom. And you can't beat that... at any price.