German delis were established in the US when German immigrants began settling in the country in the 1920s. The wave of immigrants brought their own rich culture and cuisine that was alien to the US before then.
Although the first few German delis were only popular with European immigrants, nowadays, delicatessens all over the country serve delicious offerings that are made using recipes that have been handed down through generations.
Here are the top 20 German delis in the United States.
Top 20 German Delis in the United States
20. Stammtisch Pork Store
Based in New York, Stammtisch Pork Store is one of the oldest establishments selling German fare. Homemade German dishes, bratwursts, and imported German grocery items are a few common customer favorites.
Their most popular offerings are the saitenwurst and the knackwurst, which taste amazing when paired with German mustard. Be sure to check out our German Mustard Guide.
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19. Paulina Market
Paulina Market is a beloved spot for Chicago locals who visit the location to pick out various German and European products. You can purchase seasoned, cured, and smoked meat products at Paulina market and various fresh dishes.
Although the market was started in 1949, it is still one of the best spots in the city to get gourmet and traditional German ingredients and dishes.
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18. Thuringer Meats
Thuringer Meats started in 1973 in Chicago as a German butcher shop but quickly grew into a full meat market that offers customers all kinds of marinated, cured, and fresh meat delicacies.
You can buy various types of sausages and special cuts of meat at Thuringer Meats and have everything prepared using fresh and authentic ingredients.
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17. Reichenbach Hall
Reichenbach Hall is one of the best German delis in New York, where you can find German deli food made with high-quality ingredients. You can enjoy warm pretzels, schnitzels, German dumplings, bratwursts, currywursts, schapps, Jägermeister, and German beer at Reichenbach Hall.
The interior design of the eatery is inviting, and you can easily invite your friends to Reichenbach Hall to catch up.
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16. Gene’s Sausage Shop
For authentic German deli food in Chicago, there’s no better place to check out than Gene’s Sausage Shop.
The staff at the deli makes fresh German sausages and offers a large variety of European fare, including beer, chocolates, cheese, and more. You can even pick out a few delicious pastries from their shop if you have a sweet tooth.
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15. Schreiner’s Fine Sausages
Schreiner’s Fine Sausages is based in Glendale and was established in 1952. It offers patrons an old-school vibe as the staff serves customers while donning dirndls, the traditional dress of southern Germany and Austria.
You can find a variety of smoked and fresh meats at Schreiner’s Fine Sausages, including bratwursts and knockwursts, and even special treats such as German mustard, sauerkraut, and German bread.
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14. German Guys
German Guys is an amazing eatery in Stockton that proudly serves traditional German recipes. It has been listed as one of Yelp’s top German eateries in the country.
Although it is a long drive to reach German Guys, the food is fantastic, and you will always leave the establishment with a full stomach and a warm heart.
Their dinner menu includes a variety of schnitzel, including lemon schnitzel and gypsy schnitzel, which comes with a sweet and creamy bell pepper, onion, and tomato sauce.
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13. Naschmarkt
Naschmarkt is situated in Campbell and is a great eatery that made it to Yelp’s top German spots in the country.
At Naschmarkt, you can find German staples like pretzels, wursts, spaetzles, and more. The beef goulash is tender, and the traditionally-prepared apple strudel is one of the best delicacies offered at the deli.
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12. German deli
Established in 1978 by Josef Bischof, German Deli in Los Angeles offers a one-of-a-kind experience to patrons as they enjoy tasty sausages, award-winning cakes, German bread, and cheese in a picturesque Bavarian-style location.
The variety of imported German items available at German deli make it one of LA’s most popular German food locations. You can try German food like Stollen, Wiener Wurstchen. Schokolade, Lebkuchen, sauerkraut, and more for dinner at the German deli.
11. Continental Gourmet Sausage
Established in 1963, Continental Gourmet Sausage is another location in Los Angeles that offers German deli specialties like currywurst, Jaeger schnitzel, potato salad, bratwurst, Reuben sandwiches, and sauerkraut.
The deli has a courteous and friendly staff that can guide you regarding the menu and help you make the best choice.
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10. Walzwerk
Walzwerk serves some of the most traditional German fare in San Francisco. The eatery is loved by Germans in America, as well as locals who love the traditional delicacies prepared fresh for each patron.
The most popular items you need to try from their menu are the Jaeger Schnitzel, Kartoffelpuffer, and beef roulade.
9. Wirtshaus
Wirtshaus is a German eatery in Los Angeles that specializes in German beer and authentic German meals.
They serve freshly tapper beer to customers as well as various types of German sausages, potato pancakes, schnitzel, currywurst, and pretzels. You can also find kid-friendly and vegetarian dishes at Wirtshaus.
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8. Mattern Sausage & Deli
Mattern Sausage & Deli is situated in Orange and serves patrons some of the most delicious German cold cuts, cheeses, and sausages.
The best items you can order at Mattern Sausage & Deli are their German salami, smoked bratwursts, salami sandwich, or a poor boy sandwich.
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7. Morscher’s Pork Store
Morscher’s Pork Store serves a range of premium quality German meats and sausages in Ridgewood Queens, New York.
You can try tasty sausages, mustards, cheese, groceries, and other German food items at Morscher’s.
The meat prices are much more reasonable than other eateries, making it a great spot to visit in the city if you’re on a budget.
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6. Lehr’s German Specialties
Lehr’s German Specialties is a great spot for buying German groceries and goodies. You can purchase different types of wursts, such as frankfurters, knockwursts, teewursts, and other types of German foods.
If you are craving something sweet, you can choose your favorite German candy, high-quality chocolates, or cake from the store as well.
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5. Suppenküche
Suppenküche is a German eatery based in the Bay Area that offers customers a delicious beer selection and a variety of German delicacies.
You can try their jaeger schnitzel made traditionally or choose some of their other tasty offerings made using original recipes.
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4. Karl Ehmer
Karl Ehmer is one of the most famous German delis in New York that offers customers authentic German ingredients, dishes, and sweets.
The deli started in 1932 and has been successfully serving patrons in the Tri-state area for almost a century.
Their high-quality products set them apart from the competitors, and their amazing original recipes keep customers coming back again and again.
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3. Schnitzel Platz
Schnitzel Platz is a German deli-style restaurant in Chicago that has been serving amazing German cuisine to locals for more than two decades.
Their German beer and schnitzel are their specialties, and you can enjoy steaks, potato pancakes, apple strudel, and more when you visit Schnitzel Platz.
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2. Wurstküche
At Wurstküche in Los Angeles, you can enjoy various gourmet sausages, exotic meats, and a range of Belgian and German beers.
The deli serves freshly prepared sides along with specialties such as Hot Italian, Kielbasa, Bratwurst, and more. For first-time visitors, their German sausages with chipotle aioli are a must-try.
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1. Schaller and Weber
Schaller and Weber is a well-known New York deli that has been offering patrons amazing dishes since 1937. It has the charm of old-school butcher shops and allows patrons to choose from a variety of beef and pork products.
Aside from delicious marinated and cured meats, you can find German chocolates, cheese, beer, and other German fare at Schaller and Weber.
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These Are Hands Down the Best 15 Delis in the U.S.
Ready to devour some of the best food that top delis in the U.S. have to offer? Check out our top picks of American delicatessens serving some of the most delicious dishes.
Top 20 German Delis in the United States – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the foodie capital of the US?
New York City is known as a foodie’s haven as you can enjoy a variety of cuisines from all around the world in the city. From falafels to delicious pastrami sandwiches, you can find amazing food all across New York City’s five boroughs.
Which are some popular German dishes in America?
Beef on weck, bierock, bratwurst, and berger cookies are some of America’s most popular German food items.
What is the most iconic deli in the US?
Katz’s Delicatessen is the most famous deli in all of the US. It serves some of the best food and is also an important part of pop culture.
Summary
Many people are unaware of how amazing the food at German delis can be. Although the number of German delis in the United States is far less than that of Jewish or Italian delis, they offer their unique specialties to customers looking for authentic German sausages and other fare.
If you want to sample some classic German dishes and eat different types of wursts, try visiting some of the best German delis in the United States mentioned above. We guarantee they won’t disappoint you.<
My name is Jay and I started this website to share my love of Deli Food. I am Jewish with Italian ancestry and grandparents who emigrated to the US from Poland, Russia and Turkey. This website is my celebration of the delicious flavors of international deli culture. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and feedback through the contact form.
