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Categories: Meat Shops, Cheese Shops [Edit]
142 BroadwayKarls is now open Mondays from 9am until 6pm for November and December. Check out the holidays goodies!
Mon-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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Karl's Sausage makes me happy, but then who wouldn't want his sausage? Wait, what?
Despite being on the lovely Route 1 (I know, its so scenic you take Sunday drives), Karl's is an awesome spot! The outside looks like a shady 70's motel where one might take a hooker or two, but I assure you the inside is nice, clean, and smells like the Hofbrauhaus. So many different fresh sausages, tons of German goodies and specialties, and a super friendly older man who knows his meat. Although, the only thing they were missing was authentic German men.......sexy... Anyways..
We bought four sausages, two different Brats; one kind was white-ish in color and the other was darker. Both were excellent and tasted real. Nothing like the nasty ass sausages you get from dirty old Italians in the North End.
auerordentlich!
Prime German real estate I tell ya. Yo Karl, CALL MEEEE!
Ich fuhle dass ich eine Kritik auf Deutsch schreiben soll. Also, gebe Ich Karls 5 Sterne weil sie alles Deutsche verkaufen! Ja, stimmt dass es ein bisschen teuer ist, aber mir ist den Kauf wert!
Es geben Wuerste, Sosspaketen, Sauerkraut, Rotkraut, Senf, Schockolade (Ritter Sport und Milka sind lecker!!), das Brot, Schweizerbrezelbroetchen (Swiss Pretzel rolls! YUM Oh they are called Laugenbroetchen), Marmelade usw..you get the point right?
Ok so I love Karl's, the minute I walked in I felt like I was at the Metzgerei in Holzgerlingen. The smokey smell, the meat, the sausages...everything was nice. They also had a lot of samples out, about 5 kinds of cheese, 4 kinds of mustard and because of the sample I almost bought some mustard, but I didn't. Luckily I live close enough that I can just mosey on over.
I spoke with a woman who worked there and we spoke German of course, it was a lot of fun. She told me about the history of the store and that they make on site the Wurste (sausage), the Ausschnitte (coldcuts), they smoke their own meats. The prices weren't too bad for the meats but the imported goods were high, its worth it though because they have Ritter Sport chocolate in flavors that I have NEVER seen in america (unless its at a european store like Karl's). I also bought some cucumber salad which I haven't had in about 8 years and it brought me back to those fun times.
The home made cold cuts looked amazing and the sausages. Holy crap. It is small in there and can get busy so try to take your time and look around at everything and then make your way to the counter.
I can't wait to come back, wish they were open Sundays too. Bis bald!
One of the few things I've missed in Boston is really good German and Polish sausage. I just didn't find any for years, and would instead take a day trip to NYC when I needed to get my fix. Fortunately, a friend pointed me towards Karl's, and I now have a local sausage source.
The weisswurst, knockwurst, kielbasa, and other cured or smoked meats at Karl's are second to none. In addition to the meat, they have a fine selection of imported mustards, cheeses, and other sundries. I was particularly happy that they leave out a sample platter of mustards, because the size of the selection there was a bit daunting. The samples helped me pick out a strong, yet flavorful mustard that'snow one of my favorite condiments.
Easily the best sausage i have ever had in my entire life. I particularly like the Adouille and Hot Chorizo. I live in Philadelphia, but now having had the pleasure of eating the sausage that my friend brought from Boston, i am considering moving!!! THAT GOOD.
Karl's is legendary for a reason. If you have spent any serious amount of time abroad in northern Europe, you will be amazed at the great snacks, meats, jams and other terrific Euro-comestibles here.
I'm always able to find favorite items from Sweden, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark and other places where I have lived or visted at Karl's. The quality is excellent and the service is friendly and helpful. They seem to do a good job stocking what their customers want and they can also special order items for you.
I know many people who shop here exclusively prior to the holidays, especially Christmas and Easter, as I used to. Now, I realize that it is important to support a great specialized local business like this in order to ensure that they stay going strong and available as a rare resource year 'round.
There's nothing I can say about Karl's that hasn't been said before.
When I first came here, all I knew about sausage was Italian, kielbasa, chorizo, and hot dogs. Karl's has widened my sausage spectrum. Every time I come, I grab something new. I suggest you do the same.
A bonus is that you leave smelling a bit smokey and delicious!
Karl's was my last stop on a three day whirlwind of yelp-related fun, and it was the best way to end it. If you've never been to Karl's and you like good sausages, prepare yourself. Your life is about to change.
Bratwurst, chorizo, kielbasa, brats, franks, Italian sausage - just name it. They make it here and they make it fresh. No fillers, MSG, or anything that isn't supposed to be there This place is for real. I was hoping we'd be able to stop at Karl's so I brought a cooler to help keep everything fresh. The cooler was full when we left.
But there's more. This isn't just Karl's Sausage Kitchen. It's Karl's Sausage Kitchen AND European Market. There's candy, chocolate, about a hundred types of mustard and nearly as many types of sauerkraut. And then there's the bread, preserves, and sauces. There's more too, but I think I've made my point.
Finally, I've found a reason to go to Saugus. Karl's.
Except for the sporadic hours this place is amazing. The food is terrific, super fresh, yummy and it has an old world feel you just don't get anywhere else locally.
Karl's is the best place for REAL german cold cuts, sausages, and frankfurters, hands down. In Germany there are places like Karl's in every town. Even though I live over an hour away, I still try go to Karl's once every 2-3 months. Just the smell of that place is heavenly. I buy the cold cuts (try the biershinken, it's awesome), knockwurst, bratwurst, liverwurst, and of course my favorite the frankfurters. Their franks are unlike anything bought in the supermarket. Their franks are soo tasty, smokey, & fresh it's amazing. I buy the small soft rolls or rye bread and eat them cold on the way home. Karl's is a bit on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for and then some.
Bring a pillow for your jaw because it will be on the floor when you walk in. Karl's wide assortment of homemade sausage delights and European goodies will make you very happy, unless you're a vegetarian or vegan.
From head cheese to churizo to imported sweets, there's something for everyone. We tried some head cheese, smoked Polish sausage, fresh Polish sausage and churizo. Hubby enjoyed the head cheese and we both were gobsmacked with the sausages, the chruizo were especially good with eggs.
Most definitely will return to further explore their sausage cornucopia as well as their other great looking meaty goodness, like bacon and meat cuts.
FYI- Just watch out as you leave the parking lot as it's difficult to see the cars coming over the crest of the hill on Rt.1. You want to get home in one piece to enjoy your tasty delights.
Tune up the Oom-pah band, we're going to Karl's.
Yup, you can get authentic German food, if you are willing to truck your butt up to Saugus.
Schinken Speck! Ich liebe schinken speck! Karl's is triple smoked, which is un-frickin-believably good. (This is Bacon).
I think they carry about every wurst (sausage) that the German's make. I thrilled my Dad by giving him a hamper of stuff from Karl's on his birthday this year.
They have smoked pork chops, and if you haven't tried that yet, you are missing out on something special (though Blood Farm's are a little better, as they are bigger, and thicker).
And get the beerwurst. You'll thank me later.
Oh, and many pickled delights. (Carrie, you listening?)
If you know any German, use it. Trust me. I found extra goodies tucked in with what I ordered, when I got home.
With modest encouragement, Karl's could persuade a Muslim to eat its epicurean banquet of pork specialties. Yeah Allah, their homemade goodies are that fantastic. You should try the beerwurst, smoked pork chops, landjaeger, schinken speck, smoked bacon, bauernwurst, and taste for yourself. Don't worry, your secret will be safe with me.
P.S. They don't ship, but only Mohammed could recognize you. No worries.
Wow, I have such a crush on Karl's. The previous reviews pretty much tell it like it is... A few notes from me: Monday hours are only in effect during November and December. Wednesday morning is sausage-making day, so head in that afternoon or Thursday for the freshest selection. The beerwurst is so completely wonderful and will have you eating it with a slice of muenster and some Bavarian-style sweet mustard between two slices of rye at 2.30 in the morning... making you sad on Saturday night because you finished it off at some stupid hour the day before and won't be able to acquire more until Tuesday. It's bologna, but way more awesome. The liverwurst... I don't even -like- liverwurst! At least, I didn't think I did.
The counter people are super-nice and will give you samples of any of the meats to try. Of course, if you're anything like me you'll end up buying everything you try, so tread carefully.
Also: no preservatives or fillers! Triple-smoked bacon! Great selection of jams, honeys, fruit syrups, other imported goods. Spaetzle in a box! (note: I have no idea why this concept amuses me so) Chocolate and marzipan and licorice and and and ! There's a product list on their website; go take a gander and head up rt. 1. I promise it will be worth it.
Karl's is so odd to me: a German store on Route 1 in Saugus? I wouldn't have gone in but a friend told me that he loves it, so I had to explore. The store doesn't have a huge variety of products- mostly some jams and tinned goods- but the deli case... ohmygod! Lots of different brats and sausages, cheeses, bacon... and all very good- well seasoned, not too greasy (for sausage.) And the people who work there are very helpful and friendly. A great place for people who like their sausages!
I lived in Germany for almost 7 years and this is the best in the area that reminds me of "home". They even carry hard to find Gelbwurst! Most of the ladies behind the counter are from Germany and are fluent.
Aside from the wonderful meat, deli and cheese selections they carry a good variety of German Condiments, fresh bread, boxed side dishes and haribo candy!
I agree wholeheartedly with all of these reviews. My husband and I love German food and so we knew we had to stop by.
They have wonderful smoked pork chops, smoked bacon, sausages galore (duh!) and a really great German Potato Salad. They do all of the smoke curing themselves (just ask, if you don't believe me) and stuffing of the sausages.
Yummy! They also have unique European products (for example, I was able to find Swedish Lingonberry sauce which I have only seen in IKEA).
Great little treasure!
I can't believe I didn't review this earlier!
This place is AWESOME! I'd give them 5 stars for the kick ass sign alone! One day I finally went in and they had a crazy assortment of stuff. My husband's mom is a hardcore German, so he's a sausage snob, but this place passed with flying colors.
I'm not a fan of German style potato salad, but if you are this place has the best stuff!
Its the real deal yummy
Planning a Quality Cookout? This is the place to get your meat from. Their Brats are not from this planet......
It is the most authentic German meat shop in the Boston area; not much more needs to be said about Karl's. Even if you are unfamiliar with German food, try the black forest ham. Cured and smokey, it is more like an Italian Prosciutto than anything you may have had from a deli counter. Brats sell out fast during the summer grilling season so you may want to call in an order ahead of time. The shop is not open on Sunday.
Karl's has no equal. While the names have been changed (the ham hock is actually pig knuckle in germany, etc) the product is tops. Close you eyes and remember that liter of Helles and Pork Knuckle at Andech's in Munich.
truly amazing stuff, stuffed into hog casing.
can be a language barrier mid-week.
go.
This place is a must visit for anyone who enjoys grilling... The assortment of meat products is simply out of this world. A tailgater's heaven...
A Route 1 landmark that offers plenty for the curious meat eater. They specialize in German meat products such as landejaeger, liverwurst, smoked pork chops, head cheese, you name it. The smell of the store alone makes you want to light your grill. Plenty of offerings from German gummi candy, chocolate, sauerkraut, delicious pickles and bread. A must visit when you want to great a masterpiece on the grill!
You have to go here. They have the best authentic German food around. You can not go wrong with anything you get here. My top picks are the knockwurst, liverwurst, head cheese, and schicken. Also try the hanutas and duplos..great chocolate snack. I can not raive enough about this place.
karl's sausage kitchen is one of those places that makes you do a double take, even on the notoriously gaudy strip known as rt 1 in saugus. but this place is a real find, and will teach you what a great sausage really is. the mix of german, swedish, norwegian, danish, finnish, etc etc food stuffs is jaw-droppingly fan-tastic. i must have spent twenty minutes prowling the meat counter like a jungle cat.
twenty-four dollars later, i headed home with triple smoked bacon (made in store), liverwurst (made in store), bratwurst (made in store), black forest ham (imported... i think), an interesting caramel-colored norwegian cheese that works really well with the ham, and some hard to find "nasty-factor" finnish salty licorice. every single thing was wonderful. stop and shop sausages be damned. sexy meat emporium. unparalleled excellence. um... any and all synonyms for awesome.
by the way, the staff is wonderful. the person at the counter was very proud of the store made items, and more than happy to let us sample anything we ordered, as well as his recommendations. definitely worth the ride to saugus.
I have passed by here thousands of times - never stopping. Always, sort of poking fun at Karls. We'd comment - "hey, let's go get some sausage at Karls" - in a sarcastic sort of voice. Well, finally after an excursion to Boston, we stopped at Karls to have some fun and are kicking ourselves for not going sooner. The variety of sausages is overwhelming, so many types of sausages! Smoked. Fresh. Triple smoked bacon. All made at Karls too. Oh my gosh. They have other stuff too - like a ton of German type cookies and candies. And, important things, like a calendar of the days Karls is closed/open. But I really only had eyes for the sausage. We got 4 different types and ate them as soon as we got home. So YUMMY!! We will be back.
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