If you crave smoky links that snap and sizzle like the ones your grandpa loved, you are in the right place. Across America, a handful of old world sausage kitchens are still mixing spice by feel and stuffing by hand. You can almost hear the clatter of grinders and smell the slow kiss of hardwood. Come hungry, because these 17 spots still honor time, craft, and honest flavor.
Kramarczuk’s Sausage Co. Inc. – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Walk into Kramarczuk’s and you can smell tradition before you see it. Old world spices bloom from kettles while links rest in tidy ropes, each one hand tied. You get the sense that every recipe was argued over lovingly at a kitchen table long before it hit the smoker.
Try the Ukrainian sausage, juicy and garlicky, with a snap that feels like a nod to Minneapolis winters. The deli cases are packed with pierogi, kraut, and rye that wants butter. You will leave with more than planned, and no regrets.
Ask for advice, because they love to guide you. Grill or pan sear, then finish low. Tradition rewards patience.
Kowalski Sausage Co – Hamtramck, Michigan
Hamtramck runs on Kowalski. The kielbasa here tastes like family reunions, with garlic, marjoram, and smoke in comfortable balance. Bite in and the snap gives way to tender, meaty richness that begs for mustard and a buttered roll.
Order the natural casing links for a classic grill night. They hold up to heat like pros and keep their juices where they belong. If you love smoky, try the double smoked variety, which leans deeper and darker.
This is a place to stock up for holidays and Tigers games alike. Grab sauerkraut, onion rolls, and a jar of horseradish. Your backyard will smell like Detroit pride.
Usinger’s Famous Sausage | Fred Usinger, Inc. – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Usinger’s feels like a time capsule on Old World Third Street. The brats are textbook Milwaukee, plump and expertly seasoned, ready to bathe in beer and onions. You can practically hear polka when the links hit the griddle and bloom with delicate pork sweetness.
Do the brat boil with lager, then finish over high heat for that snap. Their knackwurst and liverwurst deserve space in your cart too. Each one is balanced, never shy, and always honest.
Grab pretzel rolls and a mild mustard, then head to the lakefront. You will taste craftsmanship in every bite. Milwaukee pride travels well in a cooler.
Kaiser Foods Inc – Cincinnati, Ohio
Kaiser Foods brings a German heartbeat to Cincinnati’s sausage scene. Their mettwurst and smoked sausages lean savory, with a peppery backbone that loves onions. You get sturdy textures and confident smoke, perfect for bun, board, or bean pot.
Ask for recommendations, because they know exactly how each link behaves over heat. Grill marks bring out a gentle sweetness that surprises. A little mustard goes a long way, but sauerkraut never hurts.
For game day chili or a backyard spread, these sausages anchor the table. Slice some thin for charcuterie and leave a few whole for mains. Cincinnati comfort comes sizzling.
Mazzaro’s Italian Market – St. Petersburg, Florida
Mazzaro’s is a sensory parade where fresh Italian sausage steals the show. Fennel, garlic, and red pepper bloom as the links sear, sending aromas across the market. You will want crusty bread, olives, and a wedge of provolone immediately.
Choose sweet or hot, then grab sauce from the wall and let dinner plan itself. The butchers are friendly and quick with cooking tips. Roast peppers beside the sausage for a perfect pan of weeknight joy.
Do not skip the bakery or coffee while your order is wrapped. A quick espresso fuels the shopping spree. Florida sunshine meets Nonna’s pantry in one happy stop.
Polana, Inc (Polish Food Online) – Chicago, Illinois
Polana makes old world sausage accessible from a Chicago base to your doorstep. The selection spans kielbasa styles, from hearty wiejska to leaner grillers, all with clean smoke and classic garlic. You can taste the care in the casings and the tidy grind.
Ordering is easy, with packs sized for families or weekend warriors. Pair with mustard, pickles, and black bread for a simple feast. If you love variety, add kabanosy for snacking.
The shipping is reliable, so you can stock the freezer confidently. Warm a few links low and slow, then finish hot for snap. Polish comfort lands right on your porch.
Schaller & Weber – New York, New York
Schaller & Weber keeps Old Yorkville alive with meticulous German sausages. The bratwurst and weisswurst are delicate, tender, and whisper with nutmeg and mace. Everything looks precise, like a butcher learned from a master and never forgot.
Drop weisswurst into hot water, not boiling, then peel and devour with sweet mustard. Brats love a quick sear and a soft bun. The shop also stocks hams and bacons that elevate any breakfast spread.
Grab a jar of curry ketchup for Berlin style fun. You will leave with more ideas than time. New York hustle meets Bavarian patience here.
Lehr’s Prime Market – Milford, Ohio
Lehr’s Prime Market is the kind of place where the butcher remembers your favorite grind. Their sausages lean Midwestern hearty, with balanced seasoning and reliable snap. You can plan an entire cookout from one counter, sides included.
Ask about specials, because seasonal flavors come and go quickly. Jalapeno cheddar links are a local hit on the grill. Traditional brats hold their own with just onions and mustard.
Milford hospitality is real, so do not rush out. They will share cooking tips that work for busy weeknights. Stock up, because leftovers never last long at home.
Von Hansons Meats – Chaska, Minnesota
Von Hansons Meats brings serious sausage energy to Chaska. Expect a wide lineup, from German brats to wild rice blends that nod to Minnesota roots. The texture is always satisfying, with casings that pop and a juicy interior.
Ask for grilling advice and they will set you up for success. Their maple breakfast links make mornings feel like a cabin weekend. For dinner, grab a couple flavors and run a taste test.
This shop is perfect for tailgates, cabin trips, and snow day feasts. Toss a pack in the freezer and thank yourself later. Minnesota nice tastes smoky and savory here.
Siegi’s Sausage Factory – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Siegi’s is part deli, part restaurant, and all about German craft. The knackwurst, bratwurst, and currywurst bring Tulsa a taste of Europe with Oklahoma friendliness. You can sit down for a plate or haul a cooler home stuffed with links.
Try the jalapeno cheddar for a local twist that still respects tradition. The smokers hum all day, lending deep but clean flavor. Sides like potato salad and kraut round everything out.
Ask about special batches because they experiment thoughtfully. Grill hot, finish gentle, and let the juices settle. You will plan your next visit before finishing the last bite.
Stiglmeier Sausage Co – Wheeling, Illinois
Stiglmeier stakes its reputation on precision. Everything from bockwurst to landjaeger tastes like the recipe was tuned over decades. You get delicate seasoning, true smoke, and a texture that holds up beautifully.
Warm bockwurst gently and eat with a pillowy roll. Landjaeger deserves a hike and a pocket knife. Their frankfurters make weeknight dinners effortless, especially with sauerkraut and potatoes.
Order ahead around holidays because demand spikes fast. The team is helpful about cooking methods and storage. You can build a German tasting night that feels transportive without leaving Illinois.
Bavarian Inn Restaurant – Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn makes sausage part of a festive tradition. Plates come laden with bratwurst, knackwurst, and tantalizing sides, all meant for sharing. It feels like a holiday even on a Tuesday afternoon.
Take your time and pair links with warm pretzels, mustard, and a frosty lager. The casings snap, the interiors stay plush, and the kraut ties everything together. You will want to linger for dessert.
Stroll the covered bridge after you eat and let the meal settle. Grab a few provisions from the shop to bring home. This is Michigan’s friendly Bavarian postcard, delicious and sincere.
International Food and Deli – Greenville, South Carolina
International Food and Deli hides treasures in Greenville. The sausage case leans Eastern European, with smoky kielbasa, kabanosy, and specialty links you do not see everywhere. You can build a picnic with just a quick lap of the aisles.
Ask for recommendations and they will steer you to the best batches. A little horseradish goes a long way with these. Pair with pickled mushrooms and rye for a complete plate.
Prices are fair, portions generous, and the flavors feel honest. Stock the freezer and you will eat well for weeks. This is a welcoming stop for curious cooks and homesick travelers.
Edelweiss Sausages & Delicatessen – Portland, Oregon
Edelweiss wraps Portland in the aroma of hardwood smoke and sizzling links. The deli case brims with bratwurst, bierwurst, and smoky bacon that begs for breakfast duty. Grab a sandwich, then load up on sausages for home.
Their spice blends are gentle but distinct, letting the meat speak clearly. Grill or pan roast, then rest before slicing. Sauerkraut and mustard sit ready right by the counter.
Feel free to ask questions, because staff here love talking sausage. They will steer you to sleeper hits. Portland creativity meets German steadiness in every bite.
Joe’s Gourmet Meats – Lindenhurst, New York
Joe’s turns out Italian sausage that tastes like Sunday sauce waiting to happen. Fennel sings, garlic hums, and the grind sits just right for browning. You can smell peppers and onions the moment the package opens.
Choose sweet for pasta night or hot for sandwiches that drip just enough. The butchers move fast but still take time to offer tips. A quick par cook, then a hard sear, locks in juices.
Grab fresh mozzarella and a jar of marinara before you leave. Dinner practically assembles itself. Long Island weeknights just got a lot more delicious and cozy.
Sherman Provision – Barberton, Ohio
Sherman Provision feels built for cooks who like to feed a crowd. The sausages are sturdy, flavorful, and priced for big gatherings. Expect classic Polish styles with straightforward smoke and plenty of garlic.
Game day, grad party, or backyard bash, these links keep people happy. They grill up evenly and stay juicy. Add kraut, onions, and buns, then watch the platter vanish.
Ask about bulk orders and freezer packs to save a trip. The staff gives useful prep advice without fuss. Barberton knows how to keep a table full and spirits high.
Swiss Meat & Sausage Co. – Hermann, Missouri
Swiss Meat & Sausage Co. sits in wine country, and the smokehouse perfume greets you before the door. Their summer sausage, brats, and snack sticks travel perfectly for picnics among the vines. You get clean smoke, honest seasoning, and dependable texture.
Sample widely if you can. The cheddar brats and peppered sticks disappear fast in any crowd. Bring mustard, cheese, and a crusty loaf and you are set.
Tours and tastings help you learn what you love. Pack a cooler and make a day of it. Hermann hospitality pairs beautifully with hardwood smoke and sunshine.