Lakeside deli serves up nostalgia with traditional German cuisine

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Christel Pfeifer’s red cabbage is so good, it’s enough to make a man forget his Fraulein adorned in a traditional hoisted-up German Dirndl dress. Pfeifer’s Sausage & More European Delicatessen in Lakeside serves up that and more.

German born, but currently residing in Rancho Penasquitos, customer Daniela Ito, drove all the way to Lakeside to shop and eat at Pfeifer’s deli.

Christel Pfeifer’s red cabbage is so good, it’s enough to make a man forget his Fraulein adorned in a traditional hoisted-up German Dirndl dress. Pfeifer’s Sausage & More European Delicatessen in Lakeside serves up that and more.

German born, but currently residing in Rancho Penasquitos, customer Daniela Ito, drove all the way to Lakeside to shop and eat at Pfeifer’s deli.

Ito ordered the sausage plate to dine in on, but she said that she had every intention of taking home a variety of German cheeses, strudels, meats, and other items from the deli and store sections.
German-born Pfeifer co-owns the store with her American-born brother, Jack Bransford. They reported that they will soon be expanding their Lakeside location, adding around twenty more seats when they take over the vacant space next door to them.

According to Pfeifer, “Her client base includes persons of backgrounds including German, German-American, Americans who spent time in Germany or married a German spouse, and of course many others including Lakeside residents.
Pfeifer states her ‘secret ingredients’ include using bacon and onions in her sausage.
The German American Society (GAS) of El Cajon is familiar with, and trusts her culinary skills well enough to enlist her as a chef at their annual Oktoberfest.

Pfeifer stated the region of Germany she comes from did not celebrate Oktoberfest. However, since coming to the States she often participates in the El Cajon festival.
When asked, what would constitute a romantic-style German dinner? Pfeifer responded, “Schnitzel and beef roulade with red cabbage.” She explained that the combination best expresses Ich liebe dich , which translates into I love you.

“I was a butcher in Germany,” Pfeifer said, which may explain why her Bratwurst-loving customers have followed her to Lakeside from her previous location in San Diego.
Pfeifer cites the fact that her food is “very authentic, like the Old Country, and provides nostalgic German memories.”

Those German memories include products available at the deli such as Kommiss rye bread, Krugermann Berlin-style fresh packed pickles, gooseberry jam, Hungarian hot paprika, and Salmiak Finnnish Sweet Licorice.
In addition to Pfeifer’s offerings of packaged and freshly prepared foods, customers can also purchase German CD’s such as music from Hansi Keiesler, another expression of Ich habe dich gerne or I love and care for you.

Sausage & More European Delicatessen is located at 12241 Woodside Avenue in Lakeside. For information, call (619) 390-1514 or visit www.sausageandmore.com.

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