Edelweiss House

Pros

• The deli makes amazingly good and creative sausages.
• They offer a large selection of in-house made, cured, and smoked meats.
• They know their cheese well.
• Spaetzle, proper mustard, and cold beer are available.
• The staff are nice and always friendly.
• The market is a wonderful little German delicatessen.
• Heidi's House mustard is exceptionally good.
• The Reuben is to die for and the schnitzel is delicious.
• Their deli meats are fantastic.

Cons

• The grill area was essentially closed at closing time, leaving only a couple sausages and a lukewarm wurst in a room-temperature bun.
• One K?lsch had expired by several months, calling into question the beer's freshness.
• Several reviewers described staff as impatient or rude, with at least one server being horribly rude and ruining the experience.
• Shelf items were frequently expired, and the overall selection was not ideal for a true German experience; prices were perceived as gouging (e.g., nearly $5 for a can of Spezi).
• Bakery offerings were lacking, with no br?tchen available and bread considered essential in German culture.
• German Hellas beer was often unavailable, with only non-German options like Stiegl appearing.
• A purchase, such as brown Schwager, arrived spoiled for a customer.
• The potato salad was not tasty, detracting from the meal.
• Several comments suggest a decline from previously friendly and fast service.

Review

Edelweiss is the kind of place that feels like a small, well-tuned European pantry tucked into the corner of a city block. Its shelves glisten with a serious selection of sausages, cheeses, and cured meats, many of them made in-house or sourced with an eye for authenticity. The deli case is a showcase: a parade of smoked and cured meats, a confident assortment of European groceries, and a cheese counter that seems to know its varieties as well as a sommelier knows wine. The atmosphere and the offerings invite you to linger, to study the daily specials, to imagine a perfect platter, and to dream of a meal that could transport you straight to a German-market table.

What stands out most in the chorus of opinions is the meat program. The sausages are often described as amazing and creative, with a sense that Edelweiss takes pride in small-batch craftsmanship rather than mass-market production. Several reviewers repeatedly praise the in-house items - meat that's cured and smoked with a clear attention to technique. The deli counter is seen as a bright spot, a place where the quality of the meat items feels consistently high, even when other parts of the experience dip. For many, this is the anchor of the visit: a place to stock up on the kinds of sausages, wurst, mortadella, and cold cuts that remind them of markets abroad and the meals they crave back home.

Beyond the meat, the store earns love for the breadth of its non-meat offerings and its knowledge base. One respondent notes how well the staff understand cheese, another calls out particular German condiments and snacks that elevate a simple meal into something more authentic. Heidi's House mustard is singled out as a standout - something that exceeds mere add-on status and becomes a star in its own right, available in-store and as a take-home staple. The bar for quality is high here, with desserts (Milka chocolate) and German snacks that excite even seasoned visitors who've spent time in Europe. The overall impression is that Edelweiss is more than a market; it's a curated gateway to Central European flavors.

Meals in the dining area have a mixed reputation, shaped largely by timing and execution. A common thread is that the ambiance and the core menu items - things like schnitzel, potato salad, sauerkraut, and Reuben sandwiches - sound delicious in theory and, for many, deliver in practice. A number of diners leave impressed by the flavors and the authenticity of the dishes, praising the comfort and familiarity of a well-made plate. Yet some visits arrive at a moment when the kitchen is winding down - the grill area can be essentially closed near closing time, offerings are thin, and a room-temperature wurst in a soft bun can dampen the experience. One reviewer, reflecting after a late arrival, describes a dinner that was tasty but not up to the promise of the shop's quality, with the warm-up and toasting steps either skipped or rushed.

That contrast between promise and execution isn't the only source of nuance. Several guests applaud the staff for friendliness, patience, and helpful knowledge - describing the employees as a notable strength and a reason to return. Others recount experiences that felt less welcoming or even rude at times, underscoring that service quality isn't entirely consistent. A few mentions of impatience or abrasive moments in the kitchen or at the counter remind readers that even a beloved neighborhood spot is subject to human variability. Taken together, these notes create a portrait of a place beloved for its products and potential, but still navigating the challenge of delivering flawless service every day.

The breadth of Edelweiss's offerings also invites critique. Some patrons lament shelf-life issues and a sense that certain products aren't as fresh as they should be, pointing to expired items or limited variety in what should be a richer German pantry. The criticism isn't universal, but it's pointed enough to matter to those who invest time and money in stocking up for authentic experiences at home. Price sensitivity also surfaces in some comments, with a few items cited as pricey relative to expectations (for example, specialty beverages like Spezi). There's also a call for more German specialty beers - particularly Hellas - and for a bakery lineup that includes proper br?tchen, which many German-inclined shoppers consider an essential component of the culinary landscape. These notes don't erase Edelweiss's strengths, but they sketch a wish list that could push the store from good to great in the eyes of its most devoted customers.

The grocery side of Edelweiss earns equally varied praise. Many shoppers are drawn in by the "remarkably humble" vibe of a deli and market that still manages to surprise with its range - ranging from roasted and pickled vegetables to shelves of German chocolates and a well-curated selection of kitchen staples. Some walk away with a sense of having revisited childhood meals, others with a plan to recreate beloved dishes at home, and still others simply delighted by the sheer density of German and Central European options. For frequent travelers and bi-cultural cooks, Edelweiss acts as a bridge between continents, a place to find familiar comforts or to discover new favorites in equal measure.

If you're planning a visit, you'll want to treat Edelweiss as a destination with time to spare. The experience shines when you arrive during business hours with a mood to browse, sample, and pick up ready-to-eat items as well as pantry staples. The lunch rush can be lively, with a line that testifies to the deli's popularity and the size of its sandwich offerings. But a strategized approach - eating a little earlier in the day, taking a stroll through the aisles, sampling a few morsels, and then grabbing a to-go treat or a container of mustard - tends to deliver the richest, most satisfying experience. There's something to be said for walking away with a small stash of German memories: a loaf of rye, a jar of sauerkraut, an assortment of sausages, and a bottle of beer with a date on it that might be closer to yesterday than yesterday's memory, but still perfectly enjoyable.

In the end, Edelweiss reads like a tribute to what a true German deli and market can be: robust meat selections, thoughtful and often excellent non-meat offerings, and a community space that feels both familiar and a little adventurous. It's a place that inspires nostalgia and encourages exploration, rewarding guests who come with patience and a willingness to explore. While some visits will be challenged by closing-time limitations, occasional inconsistent service, or the occasional expired shelf item, the overwhelming sentiment remains clear: this is a special, beloved spot for German deli culture in the neighborhood - a place that often hits its lofty promises and, even when it doesn't, makes a strong case for returning to try again. For many, Edelweiss is not just a market; it's a doorway to the flavors, textures, and memories of a time and place that continue to hold a cherished place at the heart of their kitchen.

This part of Portland, Oregon offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors. With multiple pharmacies located within a short distance, access to healthcare services is readily available. There are also several restaurants and cafes nearby, providing opportunities for dining out or enjoying a cup of coffee with friends. The neighborhood boasts several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation, as well as easy access to public transportation for exploring the city. Additionally, there are hospitals and physicians' offices in close proximity for medical needs. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational options that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible living environment in Portland.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.8 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Restaurants

• H.K. Cafe (0.6 miles)
• Bodega PDX (0.7 miles)
• Thunderbird (1 miles)
• Super Deluxe (1.2 miles)
• Bipartisan Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Roscoe's (1.6 miles)
• Element Lounge (2 miles)

Theaters

• Century 16 Eastport Plaza (0.6 miles)
• Hollywood Theatre (3.2 miles)
• Regal Pioneer Place (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Mt. Tabor Park - Off Leash Area (0.9 miles)
• Lents Park (1 miles)
• Mt. Tabor Park (1.6 miles)
• Laurelhurst Park (2.4 miles)
• Normandale Park (2.7 miles)
• Oregon Park (3.2 miles)
• Colonel Summers Park (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Keeper Coffee Co. (1.6 miles)
• Common Grounds Coffee House (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Portland Cà Phê (2.5 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.6 miles)
• Coava Coffee Roasters (3.7 miles)
• Peet's Coffee and Tea (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Adventist Medical Center (1.7 miles)
• Providence Milwaukie Hospital (3.8 miles)
• Portland VA Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Doernbecher Children's Hospital (4.8 miles)

Physicians

• Richmond Family Health Center (1.8 miles)
• Adventist Medical Pavilion (1.8 miles)
• Eye Health Northwest (2.3 miles)
• The Oregon Clinic (2.7 miles)
• Metropolitan Pediatrics (3 miles)
• Family Medical Group, PC (3.8 miles)
• ZoomCare (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center (3 miles)
• Amtrak (4.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Rose Catholic Church (3.3 miles)