I had a meeting at the Zoo on Friday. The moment I scheduled it I knew I’d also be stopping at the Sausage Shoppe, nearby on Memphis Avenue. I adore Norm Heinle’s leberwurst and it’s been among my favorite sources for German style cured meats ever since I first visited back in the mid 90′s while working on the second edition of Cleveland Ethnic Eats. On my recent visit I got three bags worth of stuff. Ate most of the liver pate, mettwurst, and slices of Sheffler ham that night accompanied by a green salad, a couple of 
crusty stick-thin Parisette loaves from Zoss the Swiss Baker and a really nice bottle of Pinot Noir (Mark West, 2007) on sale at Zagarra’s Marketplace in Cleveland Heights for the bargain price of $11.99. Cooked the white brats and garlic sausage on the grill last night. Heaven.
Not sure yet what I want to do the piece of speck-double smoked bacon. I almost forgot to buy some but was reminded when I ran into Paulius Nasvytis, proprieter of The Velvet Tango Room, recently named one of the 100 best places to enjoy a cocktail (and its sure to be the best cocktail you’ve ever had) in the country by Food and Wine. He was stocking up so he can offer Tango guests a little something to go with their libations-thin slices of the tasty pork belly on dark rye and serves with sweet and spicy mustard.
You never know what local-or national celebrity- you’re going to run into at The Sausage Shoppe. Below is a clip from the day Tony Bourdain, star of the Travel Channel show No Reservations, visited while filming an all-Cleveland segment.
I was standing just out of camera range when it was filmed, and got to taste all the good stuff too!
That was a great episode of No Reservations. I had no idea until I read your blog that you were at the Sausage Shoppe, too! Was that by coincidence or had they contacted you for assistance in putting the show together?
Michael Ruhlman put me in touch with show’s producer. I was able to arrange to interview him, made suggestions about where to go, and hang out with him and camera crew at a couple of places they visited. It was quite an experience.
You can read what I wrote about it in Cleveland Magazine.
By the way, I enjoyed the post on your blog Exploring Food My Way about Kiflis Bakery. I’ll have to get myself there to check it out.
Last Sunday I made a favorite salad for lunch using the double smoked bacon in the dressing. I posted the recipe on our website http://www.sausageshoppe.com/recipes.htm#HotBaconSaladDressing