Fine Food For The Working Folks
It was once rumored that Fort Collins has more restaurants per capita than San Francisco. While that may not be true, it does have more than any other city in Colorado, which makes Ted Schneider’s success in the fast-casual dining space even more impressive.
His Moe’s Original BBQ restaurant anchored the corner of North College and LaPorte Avenue, offering Alabama-style barbecue for over 15 years to a loyal local crowd. It was with some surprise that he closed it in February of 2025, reopening in spring as Schneider’s Schnitzel Service. So why did he decide to abandon a proven formula in such a competitive environment, especially in Old Town where restaurants are shoulder-to-shoulder?
Success Is More Than The Bottom Line
The drive for self-expression has always been part of Schneider’s life. Before he was a chef, he studied graphic design until he realized he was more passionate about cooking for his roommates than other forms of art. His talent for flavor and creative culinary innovation led him to the Vail Valley, where he cooked for CEOs and a prime minister, and eventually the Grouse Mountain Grill, where he rose to Executive Chef.
His recipes have appeared in Bon Appétit and several cookbooks — and that kind of creativity needed an outlet. When the opportunity came to turn a long-held vision into a reality, he and his wife Ryan Corley took the leap and transformed the location at 181 N. College Avenue into Schneider’s Schnitzel Service.
Scratch-made, Midwest Comfort Food
Schneider’s Schnitzel Service pays homage to—and draws inspiration from—his grandfather’s 1950s service station in upstate New York. Elements of the station infuse the location, from the vintage Texaco sign to the oilcan light fixtures over the stainless steel bar. The concept celebrates “nostalgia, craftsmanship and exceptional flavor.”
While Schneider, Corley, and their staff celebrate and offer German fare, it’s not strictly a German restaurant. They’re a German- and Midwest-inspired spot where “hearty, scratch-made comfort food meets the speed of casual dining.”
The schnitzel is the star, but you’ll find standout supporting dishes on the menu like their house-made Brisket Kielbasa and Aged Cheddar Brat, Cracker-Crusted Walleye, and Wisconsin Cheese Curds.
Schneider’s Schnitzel Service brings a unique and delicious take on Midwest and German fare to the Old Town food scene, a fresh and distinctive addition to a robust downtown market.
When You Go
Schneider’s Schnitzel Service
https://www.focoschnitzel.com/
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday & Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fort Collins Business Digest 
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