Patrick Lijnders’ mission to eat at every Schnitz store in Australia

Eight years ago, this Knoxfield man ate at his first Schnitz restaurant. Now, he’s visited most of the eatery’s franchises across the country — this is how he got the idea for his marathon mission.

Knoxfield travel agent Patrick Lijnders doubles as Schnitz’s biggest superfan — making it his mission to travel around Australia to visit every Schnitz restaurant around the country. Picture: George Salpigtidis

A suggestion from a mate sparked an eight-year mission for Knoxfield travel agent Patrick Lijnders — to eat at every Schnitz restaurant in the country.

The huge schnitzel fan was 21 in 2011 when he first spotted a Schnitz store, and it was the start of a beautiful love affair.

“I remember walking past the store and saying ‘Schnitzel: schnitzel was always my favourite food’,” Mr Lijnders said.

“When I saw it I got love heart eyes for sure.”

The idea to eat in all of the Schnitz stores across the country came about after discussions with mates.

“We sat down and there was only 20 stores at the time, Knox was one of the first,” he said.

“I started enjoying (eating at the store), and I spread my love to friends and family.

“I would visit close friends that lived in different parts of Melbourne and tick off eating at different stores.

“Then my mate was like ‘Why don’t you try to go to all of them?’ and I was like ‘OK challenge accepted.”

Knoxfield travel agent Patrick Lijnders at the Knox Schnitz store. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Mr Lijnders has now eaten at 72 out of a total 77 Schnitz stores across the country, although some stores have now closed.

“We’ve lost a few along the way which was very emotional,” he said.

He still has three stores to visit in regional Queensland, and two new outlets in Melbourne before he achieves his mission.

The challenge has taken him all over Australia.

“I’m very passionate about music and sporting events, so I make time to tick off Schnitz stores on my trips,” Mr Lijnders said.

“It’s a fun, quirky thing I can bring up at social events and people ask why I’m doing it and I say I don’t know.”

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He said his favourite store was a large outlet in Epping, describing it as “like Schnitz heaven”.

Mr Lijnders said he had been through whole menu on his journey, and had a couple of go-to items, including the plain and simple schnitzel. And he always makes sure to have chips.

“The chips are probably Schnitz’s golden child; they’re probably the best chips out there,” he said.

Head of marketing at Schnitz Amanda Bevan said its customers were at the forefront of everything they do.

“So to find someone like Patrick who is incredibly passionate about Schnitz brings real joy to the team,” Ms Bevan said.

“It makes what we do worthwhile and we can’t wait to see Patrick complete his mission of visiting every Schnitz location across the country.”