Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen — Restaurant in Portland

In a city celebrated for its boundary-pushing culinary scene, Edelweiss Sausage & Delicatessen stands out as a bastion of old-world tradition. Nestled in Portland's Southeast neighborhood this unassuming shop offers more than just sustenance-it delivers a journey to the heart of Europe, where time-honored recipes and hand-crafted techniques reign supreme.

Walking into Edelweiss, you're immediately greeted by the intoxicating aroma of smoked meats and freshly baked bread, a sensory prelude to the treasures within. The deli counters glisten with an array of sausages, cured meats, and cheeses, each with a story rooted in heritage. Whether it's the garlicky bite of a perfectly spiced bratwurst or the delicate smokiness of their Black Forest ham, every offering showcases a mastery of craft that feels increasingly rare in today's fast-paced world.

The shop's centerpiece is its sausage selection, an ode to the German tradition. Each link is handcrafted, from the mild Bavarian weisswurst to the robustly flavored kielbasa. Sampling these delicacies is akin to stepping into a bustling Munich beer hall, with flavors that are deeply authentic and profoundly satisfying.

But Edelweiss isn't just a butcher shop; it's a cultural enclave. The shelves are lined with imported goods-mustards, pickles, chocolates, and German beers —perfect for assembling a picnic or stocking your pantry with European staples. The welcoming staff, always ready to recommend a pairing or share preparation tips, add to the charm, making every visit feel like catching up with old friends.

Perhaps most impressive is the unpretentious atmosphere. There's no rush here, no pretense-just a quiet dedication to quality and authenticity. It's a place where regulars linger over a sandwich piled high with pastrami or liverwurst, and newcomers quickly realize they've stumbled upon something special.

In a city that often prides itself on reinvention, Edelweiss Sausage & Delicatessen is a gentle reminder that sometimes, the best way forward is to hold onto the past. Whether you're in search of a nostalgic bite or an introduction to the enduring flavors of Europe, Edelweiss delivers...

Well today I visited Edelweiss Delicatessen around 400 pm. I usually travel about 31 miles one way from where I live. Today the visit was the WORST EVER in the many years I have come here. I'm from German parents, and this place offers exactly what we had at home. The place is ridiculously SMALL you are almost on top of the next Guest, standing next to you, then you have to wait until your number is called, and in the mean you can't even move, and it's been like that for years, and you just get used it. But, the SERVICE has always and is very MEDIOCRE, don't expect FRIENDLY SERVICE because it doesn't seem like the Staff has been trained for that or actually expected to do so. So, today like I said upon me entering the place, grabbed my basket, got my number and slowly made myself to the counter with all the meats, sausages etc, etc. It wasn't very busy at that time of the day, but I stood there waiting for my # to be called. There,were,at least 5 to 6 or even more behind the counter(and I had noticed how many new faces there were), so finally this one lady said to me, do you need help? Well, it wasn't like I didn't obviously, and I said yes, and gave her my number. I was already upset at her atitude and so I asked for some bratwurst, she looked around and was going to give something not even close to a brat, so then I pointed to her what I was looking for, and then everything started going downhill. Seems like Management in that place doesn't even exist, or don't care, but this was totally the WORST at this place. Enough is enough, they just think of course that they are the ONLY GERMAN DELICATESSEN in town, and they can allow themselves to be this way. None, but NONE of the staff is friendly period, and they have been like that for years now, you don't even get told a freaking THANK YOU after you pay....

A little late review. During the Christmas season, I stopped by to get 2 boxes of Gluhwein since they always carry a specific brand that I like. They stacked the gluhwein in the very far right corner as always. Since I wanted to pick up a few more items, I swam through narrow and crowded area and brought the wine to the cashier first and asked a 50 plus yr old guy, who could have been an owner, if I could put the two boxes near the cash register and come back with a few other items and pay them all together. Again the store is very small and crowded. The guy said "No, you can't" in a very loud combative tone. I was really shocked by his voice and attitude. I said very politely that I just had to pick up a few more stuff and would be back in a few seconds. After all, I only have two hands, and two boxes the gluhwein were heavy and awkward. Once again, he told me, actually yelled at me louder than before that I could not. I was so dumbfounded by his hostility and rudeness. I even attempted to deescalate in a friendly tone that he must have been stressed because it was so busy during the holidays. He continued to be combative as if I was an enemy. I have been to this store sporadically past 12 years. The service is usually pretty bad and prices are a bit high but I tolerate it in the past and want to support the small business. He sounded like a 5150 hold candidate who was about to have a heart attack. Never again. ...