Weisswurst, Nürnberger, Leberkäse, and even vinegar head cheese share the same deli case at one Oregon shop. That lineup alone tells you this place takes its sausage very seriously.
The links are made in house. So is a clover honey beef jerky that people seem to bring up again and again.
Then there’s a house mustard that one fan ranked above meals eaten in Germany.
The shop also packs European groceries, cheeses, breads, and a candy aisle into a compact space. There are booths up front for a hearty sausage plate.
I like how a grocery run here can quietly turn into lunch.
I can’t imagine leaving with just one item. Most people seem to walk out with a stash.
So what exactly makes this little deli feel so far from home?
A Bavarian Deli Hiding In Plain Sight On Portland’s East Side
Southeast Portland is famous for chasing the newest food trend. Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen does the opposite, and that’s the whole charm.
The shop calls itself a Bavarian deli and specialty-foods market. It makes its own sausages and charcuterie, then surrounds them with a wide range of European groceries.
Think of it as a butcher counter, a grocery, and a lunch spot rolled into one. You can stock your fridge, browse the shelves, and grab a hot meal without changing buildings.
That combination is pretty rare in Oregon. Most delis pick one lane, but this one happily runs in three.
The space is compact, clean, and well lit. Shelves are organized tightly, so every corner seems to hold something worth reading the label on.
German food is the big draw here. It’s the most talked-about topic tied to the shop, with friendly staff and sausages close behind.
Some customers have been shopping here for decades. One longtime fan mentions more than 30 years of coming back on and off.
That kind of loyalty says plenty about consistency. A shop doesn’t keep folks returning for three decades by accident, especially in a city that loves the next shiny thing.
Handmade Links With Names You May Need To Practice Saying
Weisswurst, bratwurst, Nürnberger, bier sausage, chili cheese. The sausage roster reads like a tasting tour across Germany with one tasty Oregon twist.
Every link here is made in house, which is the heart of the whole operation. Sausages rank among the most mentioned topics, and weisswurst and bratwurst both earn their own fan clubs.
Weisswurst is the mild, pale Bavarian classic. For first-timers, it’s a fun way to taste something you rarely find in a typical grocery store.
The chili cheese sausage gets a lot of love too. One lunch guest called it phenomenal and cooked perfectly, which is a strong endorsement for a sausage with a playful name.
Cold cuts deserve attention as well. Gelbwurst, Leberkäse, and Lyoner sit alongside the more daring vinegar head cheese.
Smoked meats round things out for anyone building a serious spread. Black Forest ham and kielbasa also show up in descriptions of the counter.
Here’s a smart move for families. Pick one familiar sausage and one brand-new name, then let everyone vote on the winner at home.
Bring a cooler if you can. More than one shopper wished they had packed one after seeing the full selection.
Lunch Plates Big Enough To Make You Rethink Dinner
Hungry? Good, because the hot food counter is not shy about portions.
The hearty meal comes with two sausages and two sides. One diner paired weisswurst and chili cheese with Rotkohl and German potato salad, then called the portions huge.
Rotkohl is braised red cabbage, a German staple. If your kids have never tried it, this is a friendly place for that experiment.
Schnitzel shows up too, both as a platter and on a sandwich. A bier sausage on a bun with kraut is another option worth considering.
The German potato salad gets some of the warmest praise in the building. Two friends who grew up with family versions both called it perfect, though not every palate agrees.
Food is made to order, so plan for a short wait. You can browse the shop while your plate comes together, which turns waiting into window shopping.
There’s even clam chowder on the radar, described as very meaty. It’s an unexpected Pacific Northwest touch inside a Bavarian deli.
Splitting is a real strategy here. With plates this generous, sharing can stretch your lunch budget and still leave everyone happily full.
The Reuben That Earned Its Own Following
Sixty-seven mentions is a lot of chatter for one sandwich. The Reuben at Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen has clearly earned its place in the spotlight.
Diners describe it as loaded with meat, sauerkraut, and cheese. One person found it a touch mild, so flavor fans might add a swipe of mustard.
Size is the real headline. Two visitors split one sandwich, and half alone left one of them very stuffed.
That makes sandwiches a solid family move. Order a couple, cut them up, and let everyone sample without overspending.
The sandwich counter goes beyond the Reuben. Schnitzel sandwiches appear on the menu, and towering pastrami or liverwurst builds have caught attention too.
Because the deli makes its own meats, sandwiches get the same quality as the counter. That’s a nice perk compared to standard lunch spots.
Pair your sandwich with hot German potato salad for a classic combo. Several fans ordered exactly that and left planning a return trip.
One pro tip helps here. If you want counter items afterward, grab a number when you arrive so you aren’t waiting twice.
Mustard, Jerky, And Other Things You Will Absolutely Add To The Basket
Some people come for sausage and leave obsessed with mustard. Heidi’s House mustard has that effect.
It’s served as a condiment with the in-house food. Small tubs also sit in the cold case for takeaway, which is dangerous news for your fridge space.
One fan called it their favorite mustard ever. They said that right after eating their way through Germany, so the bar was high.
Then there’s the beef jerky. The shop makes its own, and the clover honey version gets described as the best jerky some people have tasted.
In fact, one family visited only because a friend shared that jerky. They ended up staying for sandwiches too, which seems to be a common pattern here.
Jerky makes a great road snack for Oregon drives. Toss a bag in the car before heading out toward the coast or the Gorge.
Fresh bread also tempts shoppers. One customer grabbed a loaf with Manchego and Butterkäse and called the bread very impressive.
Pretzels show up in conversation as well. Between bread, mustard, and jerky, you could build an entire picnic in five minutes.
An Aisle Of European Candy That Kids Will Find Instantly
Kids have radar for this stuff. The candy selection is one of the most talked-about features, with 43 mentions and counting.
Haribo gummies are part of the lineup. One shopper said there’s enough selection to keep coming back again and again.
Chocolates sit on the shelves too, alongside other packaged sweets. It’s an easy way to let each kid pick one treat without a battle.
Beyond candy, the grocery side runs deep. Expect pickles, spices, spaetzle, mustards, and imported European staples.
Cheeses round out the haul, with raclette among the finds. That opens the door to a fun family cheese night at home.
Some longtime shoppers note that certain items have changed over the years, as ownership shifted. One mentioned missing Quark for German cheesecake, so check before planning a recipe.
Shoppers who have lived in Germany often say the store reminds them of home. That makes it a lovely stop with grandparents who carry those memories.
Prices on imports can run on the higher side. Setting a candy budget before entering might save a few dollars and a lot of negotiating.
Cozy Booths And A Take-A-Number System Worth Learning Fast
Grab a number first. That single tip comes up repeatedly, and it really does make the visit smoother.
Counter service for meats, cheeses, and bread runs on a numbered system. If you skip it, you may end up standing around while others get helped.
The dining area is small, with booths at the front of the store. One estimate puts seating at roughly 15 people.
That means larger families might need patience at lunchtime. Smaller groups can usually slide right into the flow.
The shop itself feels compact and tightly organized. Space near the display case can get snug, so take turns peeking at the goods.
The atmosphere leans quiet and clean. It’s a calm place for exploring German and European foods without feeling rushed.
Staff get plenty of praise for friendliness, with over 100 mentions. They’ve been known to walk newcomers through unfamiliar items, which helps if you don’t know Lyoner from Leberkäse.
Service pace can vary on busy days. A little patience fits the old-world vibe anyway, and the food tends to reward the wait.
Hours, Parking, And The Closing Time You Should Take Seriously
Monday through Saturday, the doors open at 9 AM and close at 6 PM. Sundays are closed, so don’t plan a weekend brunch run then.
The shop sits at 3119 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97202. It’s an easy hop from downtown across the river into Southeast.
Parking is limited, and that can be a little tricky. Arriving close to opening may give you better luck finding a spot.
Closing time is firm. Staff have made clear they can’t help customers who arrive right at 6, so aim to shop well before.
Calling ahead is possible for orders. Some regulars pick up pre-ordered items, which is handy for holiday meals or big family dinners.
Budget-wise, lunch plates and sandwiches feel generous for the size. Imported groceries can run higher, so decide early how much stocking up you plan to do.
Prices and hours may change over time. A quick check before leaving home keeps surprises to a minimum.
Toss a cooler in the trunk if you’re driving from elsewhere in Oregon. Your sausages will thank you on the ride home.
Why This Little Shop Deserves A Spot On Your Oregon Itinerary
A 4.6-star rating across more than 1,700 reviews is hard to argue with. Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen has clearly built something people trust.
Its appeal comes from doing old things well. Handmade sausage, house jerky, a famous mustard, and a cozy lunch counter cover a lot of ground.
Families get a little adventure without a plane ticket. Kids can try Rotkohl, pick German candy, and learn a few new food words.
Food lovers get a real butcher counter with serious variety. Many say it’s the widest selection of German deli meats they’ve seen.
It also makes a great add-on to a Portland day trip in Oregon. Pair it with a park visit or museum stop, then head home with dinner sorted.
Not every moment is flawless. Service can feel brisk at times, and the space gets cramped, but the food keeps winning people back.
Longtime fans hope it never closes. After decades of loyal shoppers, that wish feels completely understandable.
So grab a number, order the weisswurst, and save room for a pretzel. Your next family outing might just taste like Bavaria.
