We found the most expensive schnitzel in the country, served on a plastic plate

A few months ago, everyone was buzzing about the opening of Oscar's, a trendy Tel Aviv schnitzel spot by Tal Rashevsky, where chicken or corn schnitzel costs 88 shekels and veal schnitzel is 109 shekels. Many claimed it was overpriced, but the public voted with their feet, forming long lines. Perhaps it was the white tablecloths, the unlimited mashed potato cart, or the excellent quality that justified the price. This week, however, we encountered something even more expensive.

In the Pninat Eilat shopping center, 200 meters from the Hof HaYam mall, we found the Dubi'le restaurant, which charges 92 shekels for a schnitzel portion. What do you get for that price? The schnitzel is served in disposable dishes, eaten at outdoor tables without air conditioning, using plastic cutlery. It is a large portion—about 400 grams (five pieces)—but the quality is far from impressive. It consists of chicken breast pieces, including cartilage and bones. The breading is basic, lacking seasoning, which leaves a strong aftertaste of frying. There was no trace of salt. The mountain of schnitzel is served on a plastic plate with fat-soaked parchment paper. It is essentially cafeteria-level food, with no care or thought put into the preparation.

Alongside the schnitzel, the cheapest type of chips is served, lacking any hint of potato flavor. The price includes side dishes from the display: egg salad, fried eggplant, eggplant in mayonnaise, chopped vegetable salad, avocado spread, corn salad, hummus, tahini, tomato salad, matbucha, sauerkraut, and red onion, all served in small disposable bowls on a cardboard tray. The vegetables appeared wilted, and the eggplant was heavily soaked in oil.

And this is in a city without VAT? The menu reveals other steep prices: chicken breast on a plate (92 shekels), Jerusalem mixed grill (96 shekels), kebab (96 shekels), pargit (96 shekels), chicken sausages (72 shekels), and merguez (96 shekels). The same portions in a baguette cost 62–66 shekels. Some places in Eilat charge high prices simply because they can. Conversely, the newly opened Asia restaurant in Eilat offers relatively reasonable prices given the investment in design and service.

How is it that a place without air conditioning or service, using disposable containers, commands such prices? And why was it packed at 10:00 PM? For comparison, an excellent schnitzel at Cafe Noir in Tel Aviv or Sebastian in Herzliya costs 82 shekels with full service. A huge schnitzel at Nordoy-Dizengoff costs 59 shekels, at Cafe Nona it is 78 shekels, and at Keton it is 79 shekels. All of these are flawlessly prepared. Is the price at Dubi'le justified? You decide.

Address: Pninat Eilat, 2 Dorban St., Eilat.