Some food cravings refuse to be ignored. When you want a sandwich that feels filling in the soul as much as the stomach or a bratwurst that actually tastes the way it should there is one Portland spot that comes up again and again. It does not rely on trends or flash. It simply does things the old way. That is exactly why it works.
From the moment you step inside Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen, it is clear this place is built on more than recipes alone. The smell of smoked meats hangs in the air. Shelves are tightly packed with imported goods. Regulars chat easily with the staff as numbers are called. It feels lived in and welcoming, like a neighborhood institution rather than a destination trying to impress.
What many visitors do not realize at first is that Edelweiss exists because of a leap of faith and a deep commitment to heritage.
A Family Story Behind the Counter
Edelweiss is rooted in the journey of George Baier, a trained butcher and sausage maker who immigrated from Germany to the Pacific Northwest in 1959 with just one hundred dollars in his pocket. He brought with him a strong belief in craftsmanship, quality, and fairness. Those values would later become the foundation of the shop.
In 1981, while visiting family and traveling along the Rhine in Germany, George met someone from the United States who mentioned that a recently built deli in Portland was looking for a buyer. George and his wife Marylou sold everything they had and took the chance. What followed was not just a business but a lifelong dream brought to life…