Mattern’s Sausage & Deli — Restaurant in Orange

Visited because I have a friend from Germany and I wanted to have a traditional German meal with her. It was an okay experience. My friend said the sandwiches weren't really traditional German, but she really liked hers. She got the Reuben, the most popular sandwich, I tried the cold cut po boy which the workers had mentioned was another popular order. She also had the German potato salad side. I ordered a few extra sandwiches for family members which they really liked too (a smoked bratwurst sandwich and a spicy polish sandwich). My sandwich was good, but in hindsight I should have gone with the reuben, cold cut isn't my favorite and it wasn't anything too special. I did not encounter any German staff, I was hoping my friend would be able to spark a conversation with a German native. I'm not sure if this is standard for deli shops but the various components of the sandwich were microwaved (for the hot sandwiches) then put together in the sandwich, that was a bit off-putting to me. Sandwiches were sort of pricy so it's not something I would buy regularly, and I don't think the menu I saw online reflected the menu they actually had in store. That was a bit disappointing because we based wanting to come here from pictures of the menu we saw online, and once we were there the staff member seemed like they could have been a little more patient with us not knowing what to order. I would definitely come back for a reuben but the price combined with my friend saying that it wasn't really authentic German (but food was still good) is why I gave a 3 star review. As well as the fact that I purchased some Milka bars that I realized were passed the best by/sell by date by about 2 months and my family member told me I should've paid attention before I bought them- the flavor was fine though. I wouldn't let my review discourage you if you're interested in trying. The sandwiches are pretty good, but because this was a place I thought would be a home run to visit while my German friend was in town, that is why my review...

Mattern is probably my favorite of the German/European delis in the area. They have what is seemingly an ever-more elusive combination of quality, value, and vibe. Their sandwiches are delicious and feel like they're twice the size of the competition. Fresh baked goods are available and come from a nearby German bakery. I almost always pick up bread, a pastry, and a pretzel to be shared with the family. Their fresh bread makes a huge difference on your sandwich, trust me.

Speaking of their sandwiches, a cold cut with everything is ~$10, which is comparable to Old World and Continental, but it's a more substantial offering. Globe Deli is now at a ridiculous $16 for their cold cut sandwich. Upland Deli is cheaper ($7-8), but it feels like a sandwich my mom used to make when I was in elementary school.

Potato salad is always flavorful, and the deli cooler is well-stocked with fresh sausages, cheese, and cold cuts.

It's a smaller place with a good selection of items, on par with Continental, Upland, and Globe, but smaller than Old World.

Everyone there is friendly and service moves quickly. Google Pay and other NFC options mean I'm on my way quickly after being rung up, with no hassles.

So while I can recommend Continental Deli in La Habra and the German Deli at Old World, Mattern continues to be my...

Willie and his wife have owned Mattern's Meats for over 25 years. There is a reason that their shop is packed around lunch time: it's because their sandwiches are delicious. And yes, they prepare all of the meats and sausages themselves.

My favorite sandwich is the "smoked turkey on rye with everything." Some folks like the roll, but I prefer the rye because you can't get it anywhere else. It is not strong, but has a delicate flavor; it's thin-sliced without the seeds. I would not eat it on it's own as toast, but it is an incredible complement for the sandwiches. Give it a try. The sandwiches also come with a mild tasting sour pickle. The sour pickles are different from Kosher dills, and part of what makes the whole sandwich experience at Mattern's so unique.

Another great sandwich is the "hot pastrami with everything." Firefighters are in the shop, which is a good sign for any store -- good prices, good food and clean. See if Willie will let you order a "Firefighter Special." If he does, you will never order anything else, or go anywhere else...

So order ahead and get it to go; see if you can chat with Willie if he's there and not too busy; put their number on your speed dial, because you...