Ask anyone raised on the west side of Cincinnati about mett, and you will probably get a strong opinion before you finish the question. This smoky, coarse-ground pork sausage is a German-rooted favorite that shows up at cookouts, festivals, and family dinners all over the region.
It sits right alongside goetta and chili as part of the local food identity, yet plenty of newcomers have never tried one. The good news is that a handful of old-school butcher counters still make metts in-house, and at least one riverside tavern serves them on a plate with kraut.
Some of these spots sell links by the pound for your grill, while others will cook one up for lunch on the spot. Each stop below brings something a little different to the table, from spicy recipes to Sunday hours.
Grab a cooler and read on.
1. Wassler Meats, Cincinnati, OH
Harrison Avenue has been a sausage lover’s street for a long time, and Wassler Meats is a big reason why. This long-standing butcher shop makes its own metts, wieners, Italian sausage, and brats right on site.
The selection is the headline here. The case holds a large lineup of house-made brats and metts, so it is easy to grab a few different styles for one cookout and let everyone pick a favorite.
Goetta is on the shelves too, which makes this a handy one-stop shop for a true Cincinnati breakfast and dinner in the same trip. Deli lunch specials round things out if you show up hungry.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with Sundays closed. Saturdays get busy, so a weekday morning is the calmer choice.
A free parking lot makes it a quick in-and-out errand. I would save this one for the day before a backyard grill session.
2. Humbert’s Meats, Cincinnati, OH
Spice fans, this one is for you. Humbert’s Meats in Finneytown is known for its Super Hott Metts, a fiery take on the classic link that has earned a loyal following around the city.
Beyond the heat, the shop offers fresh meats and deli-style prepared goods, so you can build a whole meal from one counter.
Here is a practical bonus: Humbert’s is open on Sundays from 9 AM to 2 PM. Weekday hours are 9 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday runs 9 AM to 4 PM, which makes it one of the easier shops on this list to fit into a weekend.
Afternoons tend to be the busiest stretch on weekdays. A free on-site lot keeps parking simple at the Winton Road location.
If your crew likes a little kick at the grill, pick up a pack of the hot metts next to a few milder ones and see who taps out first.
3. Avril & Bleh Meat Market, Cincinnati, OH
Downtown workers have a lunch secret on Court Street. Avril & Bleh Meat Market does more than sell homemade sausages, it cooks them for you too.
The market grills the meats it makes in-house, including burgers, hot dogs, brats, metts, chorizo, and Italian and Polish sausages. Toppings are your call, with choices like sauerkraut, peppers, onions, mustard, and ketchup.
That makes it the best stop here for tasting a mett before buying a bundle to take home. Try one hot off the grill, then walk back to the counter for more.
The shop is closed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday through Friday it opens at 8 AM and closes at 5:30 PM, and Saturday runs 7 AM to 4 PM.
Parking is typical downtown, with paid garages, lots, and street spots nearby. Saturdays bring the biggest crowds, so plan a little extra time.
4. Kreimer’s Bier Haus, Cleves, OH
Family-owned since 1982, Kreimer’s Bier Haus brings old-world German flair to the small village of Cleves along the Great Miami River.
This is the sit-down option on the list. Mett and kraut is a menu favorite and has shown up as a dinner special, and there is also a bier cheese mett for anyone who wants extra richness.
The rest of the menu leans German and American. Look for schnitzel, Bavarian pork chops, chicken cordon bleu, scalloped apples, potato pancakes, and a Bavarian jumbo pretzel.
The sauerkraut balls get a lot of attention, and they make a smart shareable starter for the table. Expect around $20 to $30 per person.
Kids are welcome, with high chairs and a kids’ menu available. There is a fireplace inside, outdoor seating out back, and live music on some nights.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 3 to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to 10 PM, and Sunday noon to 8 PM. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
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