Mattern Sausage & Deli

Delicious, fresh brats for the grill and German beer for Father’s Day. Plan to wait a bit, but totally WORTH it!

My boyfriend and I along with our 10 month old son came here a few days ago and had a lovely experience. My boyfriends mother was from Germany, her side of the family still lives there so we have a special place in our hearts for everything German. From the moment you walk in you are greeted with a warm welcome from the owners. We got two Ruben sandwiches with warm German potato salad and coleslaw. All were very tasty. My bf was super excited they had his favorite German butter cookies so we got some of those as well along with some German beer. 10 bucks for a six pack of great German beer is a great price. We are going to incorporate German dishes into our everyday life so that our son can proudly know where he came from. We will definitely be back shortly and can’t wait.

German food is considered to be sad, lacking taste and excitement. German dishes have the charisma of rejected baby food. A trip to an average European supermarket almost anywhere in California brings to mind the great depression, looking into the eyes of old Polish cashiers is a tragic reminder of World War II. Piles and piles of beige deli meats, sad, flavorless potato dishes… Because Germans put potatoes in everything, they are not creative people, they fear spice and fresh herbs, they hate colors, and the food reflects this sad, bland, uninteresting nation.
Well…This is obviously all wrong!
Sure, German food may not be known for its jolts a flavor, but Germans can certainly claim to excel at the almighty Wurst. Germans, arguably, can prepare pork better than any other nation on earth. (Austrians would probably disagree, but Austrians disagree with everything!)
To me, the beauty of German food is it’s simplicity and the ability to create the best out of basically nothing.
Food has always been a major part of German culture, even in fairytales like Hansel and Gretel! In short, Germans know how to eat and what to do with the most limited ingredients.
Just look at the potato, a staple in the German diet. Germans survived food shortages caused by wars and hardship twice during the 20^th century, yet they managed to create many different varieties of preparing a simple potato.
Germany has very fertile terrain, ample water sources and a very productive climate which leads to rich sources in beef, dairy cattle, sheep and pigs; the national favorite used in more dishes than any other livestock.
Since Germany is one of the few European countries abundant in meat, they had to figure out a way to fix this problem of storing the meat before it turned rotten or not edible. This gave way to smoking, marinating and salting procedures so that the meat can be stored for a long time. This is why there is so much emphasis on sausages and preserved foods in German cuisine.
Sauerkraut perhaps, the best-​known German food was developed to preserve cabbage.
Most days, when German food is all I can think about, I head over to Mattern Sausage & Deli.
Authentic German ingredients can be difficult to find in California, but Mattern has pretty much everything you need.
From many kinds of cheeses including Limburger, Münster, Räucherkäse, the sticky Rotschmeirkäse, the creamy Tilsiter, Butterkäse, Weisslacker, & even Quark, to the ever beautiful selection of hams and sausages…
Rohschinken («raw», prosciutto-​like ham) with its unmistakable smoky flavor and dark red color framed by a thin, white layer of fat, Westfaelischer Schinken, a ham gently flavored and smoked over juniper wood, the famous Fleischwurst (Bologna), the hard to find Blutwurst (blood sausage), the popular Bratwurst, perfect for grilling, Leberwurst (liver sausage), Salami, pork belly, and anything else you can possibly imagine…
This deli is small, but they manage to have a decent selection of very good German beer you cannot find in other markets.
The individual beer bottles are self-​served for those who would like to enjoy one with their lunch. Mattern makes one of the best smoked pork chop sandwiches (on rye bread, of course) I’ve ever put in my mouth!
If you feel like having a beer, there is a small bottle opener hanging on the side of the deli counter. Keep the bottle, you will pay after you are done with your sandwich. They keep track of all orders, so you don’t have to pay ahead. If you purchase any deli meats, you pay for them after you finish your lunch! They keep it behind the counter for you until you’re ready.
As for condiments, they have all the typical things like curry ketchup, Bavarian & Düsseldorf mustard, Würze, etc. Sadly, not a huge selection of bread, cookies, seafood or pickles. There are some fruit preserves and jams, but not much. It’s not a big deal, because I don’t go to a German deli for chocolate or fish!
I highly recommend their bacon. It’s cut super thick and there are no words to describe how amazing it tastes.
I really can’t complain about the limited bread or pickle selection, considering how small this deli really is. This place is family owned and operated, and they’ve been in business for many many years. If you go there during lunch, prepare yourself to wait in line for at least an hour. seating is very limited, but again, this is not a restaurant! Trust me, once you bite into that juicy pork chop sandwich you’ll realize that everything was worth the wait!
I cook a lot of traditional German foods & 100% of my pork always comes from Mattern.
Don’t be fooled by the ugly building & old-​school interior of this place. Germans are masters of surprises!

Grew up back east in heavy German n Polish neighborhood, lotsa good sausage n meats back there, however, not as good as Mattern.
Simply the most delish brats and kielbasa u will ever eat. The bacon? Thick and soooo tasty — literally best ever and at bargain pricing v thin crap they sell in grocery stores.
AMAZINGLY delish sausages and bacon, with a nice beer n mustard selection too.
WARNING: u eat these homemade delights and u’ll never enjoy store bought offerings again — MATTERN u r THE BEST!

Man, oh man! This is a ‘ma and ‘pa deli that is a must-​go-​to if you are in the area. We purchased three of the different sausages (all made in-​house) and each of them was excellent in their own way. My personal favorite was the bratwurst. I’m pretty sure all of their food is amazing and I can’t wait to return to try even more.
I also purchased a reuben sandwich since so many people were raving about it on Unilocal.It did not disappoint! This is one of those places where you can’t go wrong. In the words of the Terminator, «I’ll be bock».

If you gave this place less than a 5 star review, then sorry, you don’t know what’s good! Been a customer since the early 90’s and never had a poor experience. Food is consistently good and the customer service is top notch! They can get bust at peak hours and that means a wait, but that tells you something about a place. I’ll be a customer for life.

Awesome place, great food. The best candy, sausages, German foods. Mom and pop shop, be prepared to wait.

When I want to indulge in meats, this is place I like to go to. I love this place for their brats, their selection of sausages and meats, and their Ruben sandwiches.
Their Ruben sandwiches are a carnivore’s dream! There’s a good ratio of meat and sauerkraut that will leave you happy and full. I also recommend getting a side to go with your Ruben… You should also get the German Potato Salad warmed up! I dislike regular potato salad (probably because of the massive amounts of mayo used), but German Potato Salad is bombbbb. I believe they use vinegar rather than mayo and there little pieces of meat in it too! My boyfriend and I usually get 2 lbs of it to last us a few days when we stop by Mattern Deli.
I hope this small mom and pop shop stays open for years to come! This place rocks!

Wonderful family deli! Extremely fresh and delicious! The Ruben was awesome! We will definitely be coming back!

Great sandwiches! The employees are friendly and helpful. It’s a little hard to see from the street and shares a lot with Wienerschnitzel.

Picked up some sandwiches yesterday. My first time trying this place. Really good. Got the pastrami Reuben, smoked turkey and poor boy, potato salad and macaroni salad. All really good. Cool hidden jewel. Nice staff. I’ll be back for sure.

If I had to pick two words to describe this little ma and pa deli it would be, «epic experience.» Hidden on the busy street of Chapman, next to a Wienerschnitzel, you’d miss it if you were driving by too fast. It’s an authentic German deli and butcher shop, very friendly owners that greet you with a warm smile and a old fashion style ordering system. With that comes proud in the service and product they provide to their customers.
I ordered the grilled pastrami and a side of mashed potatoes. Choice quality of meat, perfectly layered and presented on cafeteria plates, but looked like a gourmet sandwich. The mashed potatoes, to die for! I can honestly say that was the best mashed potatoes I have ever tasted in my entire life. And for the price of under $ 10 is a steal. The meal was one thing, but to see the display of meats at the counter would make any barbeque artist drool with contentment.
This place is honestly a hidden gem. Can’t wait to try it again soon!

I used to work right down the street from here and I feel ashamed that I never went here until after I left CA. I finally made a visit and it was worth it. The service is very old school — you take a ticket and wait until your number is called. I had the pork chop sandwich which takes a little while to make it but it’s worth the wait. They fry up the pork chop right there and then throw in the bone with the sandwich on the side. The pork chop is delicious so it’s hard to mess up the sandwich. Nothing special around the pork chop except quality ingredients. Best sandwich that I’ve ate in awhile. I only wish I came here more when I lived here.

Liebe diesen Ort! A must have-​to-​stop-​if-​in-​OC.
Small authentic German deli with a wide assortment of sausages and meats all of which can be bought direct or in sandwiches. Great service by family that has been running it forever.
This time ’round we loaded up on wurst, wurst and more wurst. Tea wurst, gelbwurst, coarse and fine liver wurst and onion liver wurst. All made in-​house.

Best German sandwich in OC. No question about it.
Fresh and reasonable price with good services.

WURST deli ever, ha, get it? It’s all about the processed meats here at Mattern and the sweet German grandma, well, she’s just part of the experience! From the moment I stepped in the door and Oma Mattern (that’s German for grandma) started stuffing my kids with free and delicious German bologna slices, I was hooked! That bologna is AMAZING, and I usually find sliced hot dog, err, I mean, bologna pretty gross. Now I always get a few bologna sandwiches to-​go, I wouldn’t recommend dining here though, there’s a just few tables and it’s very crowded.
Now on to the good stuff, the sausages! I haven’t tried one yet that wasn’t the very best sausage I have ever had. My favorite is the knockwurst, my second favorite is the spicy keilbasa. The prices are a bit high compared to Farmer John’s bratwurst party packs, but what did you expect? This is quality stuff. Don’t miss the fresh-​made strudel either, it’s off the chain.

Ther are not many original German delis in Southern California anymore. This place is so cool! The meats, the cheeses, the German mini grocery store! Such a delight. We waited ½ and hour because the line was so long! The sandwiches are huge but you can also order ½ a sandwich which was more than enough. We had the Ruben with Sauerkraut and Swiss cheese! Excellent!
The owners are so sweet and hilarious. You won’t be disappointed with anything you order. Must try this place especially when you’re getting bored of the same old same old. Be prepared to wait, but it’s worth it!

We love this place! Brats, sausage, deli meats and fresh deli sandwiches. My absolute favorite is a dried sausage (regular & spicy). It’s kind of like a slim jim but much better! We like to slice it up and take with us on road trips for a little snack with some string cheese — YUM!
We also enjoy their pastrami! And they slice it up real nice for you!
They make great made to order sandwiches too! And they usually have pretzels and danish but they run out if you don’t get there early.
They have great spicy brats too. I’ve heard that the Orange Internation street fair gets their brats here.
Also, don’t forget to take a number when you first walk in, and be prepared to wait. But trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Another note, the parking is share with the Weinerschnitzel — and it fills up pretty fast.

We order all of our meat for larger parties and the Holidays from Mattern’s. The meat is fresh, it is good, it is tasty and cut or made as requested. We order Rouladen for the Holidays, Bratwurst and Wieners for BBQs (i.e. 30 pounds of it for 85 people). The lunch meat is exceptional, flavorful, and can’t be compared to supermarket fair where everything tastes the same.
The orders are always ready, the service is old country and personable, and did I mention the meat is fresh!
You’ve got to pick up one of their sandwiches when you pick up your orders. European and German breads just do the trick and are the perfect match for that lunch meat. Don’t forget to buy some of the loaves and the rolls.
Be prepared for a crowd. Other folks love the place just as much as we do. Engage in conversation with the other patrons, many of whom travel quite a few miles to this truly authentic German butcher shop and deli.
Larger orders: Call a few days ahead.
Always bring a cooler or insulated bag to carry your purchases home in.
No fanciness here, just deliciousness and a great selection of German have-​to-​have condiments and specialties.
Guten Appetit.

Authentic German deli, not too many like this around limited hours opened till 5 pm closed Sun, Mon. There is always a line and wait for a reason so don’t come here if you are in a hurry. This is a 5 star gem, small but classic, many of the deli items sold here are made in house.
The wait here is rather a treat for me. Each time I am here waiting for my number to be called, I inevitably end up chatting with really nice people and get their tips on favored items here. For instance, today I found out from a nice German gent about their large boxed authentic German Chocolate covered marshmallows with a wafer on the bottom, I’ve never seen them before but I eyed his box with curiosity as he held it like it was a prized possession while waiting for his number to be called. Apparently these are authentic and sell out fast so he was happy they were in stock today. Who knew? I’ve already mentally added the marshmallows on my list of gift treats for Christmastime.
So they have all sorts of cold cuts, and sausages but I mostly stop in when I’m in the mood for a Reuben, and boy do they make it right. Pastrami and Corned Beef or Peppered Beef are the choices. Today I went for a half Reuben sandwich with pastrami $ 3.45, filling enough and what a deal! When I was done eating I almost wished I ordered a whole one it was so good but then I remembered how absolutely filling these sandwiches are and was content with my half. The Rye was grilled and buttered to perfection, their homemade sauerkraut offered the perfect zing, and the Swiss cheese was melted perfectly and delicious. I tried the pastrami for the first time, it is actually less salty than the corned beef and it is cut somewhat thin and literally melts in your mouth.
Here’s the deal:
1. Grab a number
2 .Wait-I’ve seen many people walk out due to long waits… come here when you have time (5 to 20 minutes) there is always a wait. This is a good time to browse the aisles or chat it up or sit at the tables and wait if you don’t feel like standing.
3. Order at the counter when your number is called
4. If dining in, take a seat in their casual dining area while food is being prepared, grab a cold German beverage right out of the cooler and pop the top off if necessary with a bottle opener hanging from the right side of the cheese case.
5. after eating, take your empty bottle or can with you to the counter with your bill and pay, Cash or CC.