What's at Opa's Deli & Market: A Visitor's Walkthrough

The first thing you notice when you walk into Opa's Deli & Market on a weekday morning is the aroma. Slow smoke. Onion crisping on a griddle. The faint sweetness of fresh-baked goods drifting in from somewhere. Then the visual layer catches up — the deli case stretching down the right side of the room, the tasting station running sausages within easy reach of anyone curious, the market shelves on the left, the prep counter where the made-fresh sides are restocked through the day. It's a working deli, not a museum, and the flow of the space tells you that within ten seconds.

What follows is a section-by-section walkthrough — what's in each part of the store, what makes it worth knowing about, and what to grab depending on what brought you in. Whether you're a first-time visitor planning a Fredericksburg trip or a regular who wants to know what's been added to the case lately, this is the practical guide.

The Deli Case — The Full Smoked Meat Lineup

The deli case is the centerpiece of the store and the reason most people walk in. It runs the full lineup of products made at the smokehouse on site, displayed cold, ready to slice or take home whole. The case rotates with seasonal additions, but the core inventory holds steady year-round.

Smoked sausage. Eight grocery varieties, seven smoked plus the cooked Bratwurst: Country Blend (the original recipe), Beef, Bratwurst, Hatch Green Chile, Habanero, Jalapeño, Jalapeño Cheddar, and Chicken Poblano Monterey Jack Smoked Sausage. Knackwurst — a fine-grind German-style link not carried in grocery — is available here at the deli and online. Sold by the link or by the pound, with specialty seasonal varieties cycling in and out of the case as well.

Smoked tenderloins. Beef and pork. Both peppered, both fully cooked, both vacuum-sealed and ready to slice. The Peppered Smoked Tenderloin Combo bundles one of each — one of the most popular gift options in the store and a centerpiece-worthy product for entertaining.

Smoked hams. Seven hams across three styles. Bone-in Hickory Smoked, spiral sliced (half and whole). Bone-in Honey Glazed, spiral sliced (half and whole). Boneless Peppered, in three sizes (Holiday at 2–3 lbs, Half at 3–4 lbs, Whole at 5–8 lbs). All fully cooked, all available year-round. Worth knowing about whenever you have people coming.

Summer sausage. Opa's Summer Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar, in chub and pre-sliced formats. The travel-friendly option — slice cold, pack for a cooler, eat without cooking. Refrigerator-stable in sealed packaging for several months.

Cured Peppered Smoked Beef and Turkey Breast. Peppered, cured beef and turkey — more tender and higher in moisture than jerky. Board-ready and built to slice thin. The professional-grade choice for a charcuterie board.

Bacon. Peppered bacon (the only raw product in the case — cook before serving) and Canadian bacon (fully smoked, ready to eat or warm).

Smoked poultry. Smoked turkey legs and smoked whole chickens. The pink color near the bone in smoked poultry is from the cure reaction, not undercooking — it's a normal feature of properly smoked product.

Heritage German specialties. Head cheese and liverwurst — Texas-German specialties made the way they've always been made — along with other items that connect the case directly to the heritage that built the brand. These have anchored the deli case from the beginning, and they're the ones longtime customers come back for first.

Every meat product Opa's makes is gluten free, the cooked Bratwurst and Knackwurst included. Most are fully cooked and ready to eat (peppered bacon being the single exception).

The Tasting Station — Try Before You Buy

Just past the deli case sits the tasting station — a small griddle running 4 different smoked sausage flavors at any given time, with toothpicks and napkins set out for anyone who wants to try before they commit. The varieties on the griddle rotate through the lineup over the course of the week, so a regular who comes in often ends up tasting the entire case across the year.

The tasting station is the move that converts most first-time visitors into regulars. People walk in unsure which sausage to start with, taste two or three, find the one that lands, and walk out with a pound of it under their arm. The Jalapeño Cheddar is the most consistently surprising one for visitors — bold flavor, balanced heat, the cheddar incorporated through the link rather than stuffed in pockets. The original Country Blend and Beef is the one that pleases everybody. Both are usually on the griddle.

Take advantage. The tasting station exists for a reason, and the deli staff is happy to keep refilling the toothpicks. Picking what you actually like is better than guessing.

The Butcher Counter — Fresh Cuts for the Grill

Behind the deli case is the butcher counter, where fresh cuts are available for anyone planning to cook at home. The walk-in selection covers the basics — steaks, chops, fresh sausage links, and rotating cuts that come in based on demand and season. For specialty cuts and larger orders, the butcher counter takes advance orders with at least 36 hours of lead time. That's enough notice to bring in exactly what you need rather than working from what happens to be on hand.

If you're planning a backyard cookout, a Sunday roast, or a holiday meal, calling ahead is the right move. The deli phone is 830-997-3358. Tell the team what you're cooking, when you're cooking it, and roughly how many people you're feeding — they'll handle the rest.

The butcher counter is also where to ask about products that aren't visible in the case. Some specialty items, larger-format products, and seasonal additions live behind the counter or in the back cooler and are available on request.

House-Made Sides, Salads & Sweets

The deli kitchen makes a rotating selection of sides and salads in-house, fresh daily. These are the perfect add-ons to any sandwich, the lighter alternative to a full meal, and the dishes that round out a deli-built dinner at home. Sold by the half-pound or pound.

German Potato Salad. German-style, savory with a hint of brightness. Traditionally enjoyed warm and perfect with any smoked meat or deli spread.

Smoked Chicken Salad. Made with Opa's signature smoked chicken for a rich, savory flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. A long-time deli favorite.

Honey Chicken Salad. Tender chicken with crisp celery, cranberries, and pecans in a creamy, honey-kissed dressing. Sweet-savory and satisfying — the second chicken salad option for the audience that wants a fruit-forward note.

Pimiento Cheese Salad. A deli classic made with sharp cheddar, diced pimentos, and a rich cream-cheese base. Bold, sharp, perfectly spreadable. Excellent on crackers, in a sandwich, or stirred into a board.

Pasta Salad. Al dente pasta tossed with crisp veggies and a zesty house dressing. The classic side for any spread.

Deviled Eggs. A timeless favorite with a creamy, tangy yolk filling. Sold by the half-dozen — bite-size crowd-pleasers.

Cookies. A rotating sweet selection for the end of the meal or the drive home. Recurring favorites include Sugar, White Chocolate Cranberry, Oatmeal Raisin, and Lemon Poppyseed. Stop by the case before you check out.

These items don't ship — they're available exclusively at the deli. If you've ordered Opa's online before and never had the German Potato Salad or the Smoked Chicken Salad, those are the items most worth seeking out on a Fredericksburg visit.

Boards, Trays & Platters — Built for Sharing

The signature catering offerings are some of the most distinctive things on the menu — built for entertaining, family gatherings, corporate meetings, holidays, and the kind of group meals where you want something that feeds a crowd without spending the day in the kitchen. Three sizes available across the lineup. Pickup only; these are not products that ship.

Charcuterie Board. Curated cured meats and artisan cheeses with fresh fruit, olives, roasted nuts, and a hint of honey. Made for sharing. The most popular board for entertaining and gifting.

Cheese Board. An assortment of artisan cheeses with dried fruits, toasted nuts, crisp crackers, and touches like fig jam and pickled accents. The vegetarian-friendly companion to the charcuterie.

Sliced Meat & Cheese Tray. Thinly sliced deli meats and cheeses with crisp grapes and briny olives. Excellent for grazing, group lunches, and entertaining.

Cubed Meat & Cheese Tray. Bite-size cubes of deli meats and cheeses with cherry tomatoes and olives. The easy-snacking option for meetings, parties, and casual get-togethers.

Veggie Platter. Fresh, crisp vegetables — carrots, celery, broccoli, and more — served with a classic creamy dip. The lighter complement to a meat-and-cheese spread.

Fruit Platter. A vibrant mix of seasonal fruit served with a sweet, creamy dip. Pairs naturally with cured meats and aged cheeses.

Order ahead — boards, trays, and platters can be reserved up to two weeks in advance. For larger events or unusual sizing, call the deli directly to coordinate. The two-week window gives the kitchen the time it needs to source the right ingredients and build the spread to the standard the deli expects to send out.

The Sandwich Counter

The sandwich counter at the deli serves made-to-order sandwiches built on the same smoked meats that fill the case. Reubens, hams, turkeys, custom builds, and box lunches with sides and a drink for grab-and-go convenience. Sandwich platters and group orders are available with advance notice — wraps work especially well for larger groups, with capacity for parties up to 150 people.

The sandwich counter has its own walkthrough in a separate guide — including the daily specials, the build-your-own options, and the catering specifics that come with planning a group lunch. If sandwiches are the reason you're stopping in, that's the post to read.

The Market Side — Cheese, Mustards, Beverages & More

The left side of the store is the market — the retail browse worth giving an extra ten minutes to even if you came in for sausage. The market side is curated rather than comprehensive, which means the items on the shelf were chosen because they pair well with what's in the deli case, not because they fill space.

Cheese selection. Artisan cheeses, rotating with the season. Sharp aged cheddars, soft Brie, manchego, fresh goat cheese, occasional smoked options — the kind of selection that makes building a board straightforward without leaving the store. Worth asking the staff for recommendations on what's been coming in lately.

Mustards. German Düsseldorf-style mustards, stone-ground and whole-grain options, house Texas-style mustards, and the kind of specialty jarred condiments that elevate a basic sausage plate into something more considered. Two jars of mustard are also included in the Sausage Sampler shipped from the online store, and the in-deli selection is the deeper version of that.

Texas beverages. A beverage case stocked with Texas-bottled options — sodas, sparkling waters, root beers, and other regional drinks that pair with a sausage plate or pack into a cooler for the wineries. A practical category for anyone planning a Fredericksburg day.

Pantry items. Specialty crackers, jarred preserves, fig jams, honey, pickled accompaniments, and the kind of pantry staples worth taking home for the next time you build a board. Curated selection rather than a full grocery shelf.

Knife section. A small selection of high-quality kitchen knives and cutting accessories — the kind of items the staff uses behind the counter and recommends to customers who want to slice their own summer sausage at home or build a charcuterie board the right way.

Branded apparel. Caps, T-shirts, and the small-item retail that locals and longtime customers tend to pick up as a way to take a piece of the brand home. Worth a glance on your way to the register.

Custom Gift Baskets

For gifts that need to land — corporate gifts, holiday gifts, hostess gifts for a Fredericksburg trip — the deli builds custom gift baskets to order. The baskets pull from across the store: smoked meats from the deli case, cheeses and condiments from the market side, sweets from the cookie selection, branded items if relevant. Pickup only — gift baskets are not products that ship.

The lead time for a custom basket depends on the size and complexity. A small basket from what’s in the case can often be built the same day; for anything bigger, call ahead and the counter will give you a pickup time. For larger or more customized builds, call the deli a week or more in advance to give the team room to source and assemble. The deli phone is 830-997-3358.

For gifts that ship rather than pickup, the online store at opassmokedmeats.com handles digital gift cards and shippable gift combos. The in-deli custom basket service and the online gift options are different products designed for different occasions.

What to Get: A Few Quick Recommendations

First-time visitor with no plan. Start at the tasting station. Try whatever's on the griddle. Pick whichever sausage lands best, plus a chub of summer sausage, plus a half-pound of German potato salad, plus a wedge of cheese from the market side. That's a complete deli haul and a real introduction to what the store does well.

Family meal at home. Smoked whole chicken or smoked tenderloin (your choice of beef or pork), plus two house-made sides, plus a loaf of bread or rolls. Most of the work has already been done at the smokehouse — the meal comes together in twenty minutes.

Cooler for the wineries. Summer sausage chub, Cured Peppered Smoked Beef, an aged cheese from the market case, crackers, mustard, and a couple of cold beverages. Pack the cooler before you head out. Best lunch you'll have all day.

Gift to take home. Sausage Sampler from the deli, or a custom basket if you want something larger. Gift cards are also available.

Group entertaining. Charcuterie Board or Sliced Meat & Cheese Tray, plus a Veggie Platter for variety. Order at least 24 hours in advance, more if it's a holiday weekend.

Heritage shopper. Head cheese, liverwurst, and one of the heritage German specialties from the case — the items the deli has made its name on, and the products longtime customers buy without thinking.

Hours, Address & Visit Info

Opa's Deli & Market is at 410 South Washington Street in Fredericksburg, a few blocks off Main Street, on Highway 87. The deli is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Closed Sunday.

The deli phone is 830-997-3358 — call ahead for advance butcher orders, custom gift baskets, board and tray reservations, or anything else that benefits from giving the team a heads-up. Email at info@opasfbg.com.

Parking is on site. Outside the door there's a couple of benches outside for anyone who wants to eat what they bought before getting back in the car. Inside, plan to spend at least 20 minutes — the case alone earns more time than people expect to give it on the way in. Most leave with more than they came for. That's part of the experience.

Small Batch. Craft Made. Texas-German tradition — since 1947.

Visit Opa's Deli & Market at 410 S Washington St in Fredericksburg. Open Monday–Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM, Saturday 8 AM–4 PM. Call 830-997-3358.

Can't make it to Fredericksburg? Shop the full Opa's lineup at opassmokedmeats.com. Ships nationwide.

Looking for Opa's at your local grocery? Use the store locator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What products does Opa's Deli & Market sell?

Opa's Deli & Market in Fredericksburg sells the full lineup of smoked meats made at the on-site smokehouse — sausage in eight grocery varieties (plus Knackwurst, available at the deli and online, and seasonal specialties), smoked beef and pork tenderloins, seven hams across three styles (bone-in hickory spiral sliced, bone-in honey glazed spiral sliced, and boneless peppered in three sizes), summer sausage, Cured Peppered Smoked Beef and Turkey Breast, peppered bacon, Canadian bacon, smoked turkey legs, smoked whole chickens, head cheese, liverwurst, and sausage on a stick. The deli also offers fresh butcher cuts, made-to-order sandwiches, house-made sides and salads, signature charcuterie boards and trays, custom gift baskets, and a curated market side with artisan cheeses, mustards, Texas beverages, and pantry items.

Do I need to order ahead at Opa's Deli?

Walk-in service is available for the full deli case, sandwich counter, and most market items. Advance orders are recommended for specialty butcher cuts (at least 36 hours), custom gift baskets (a few days for small, a week or more for larger), and signature boards, trays, and platters (up to two weeks in advance, especially for holiday weekends). Call 830-997-3358 to coordinate.

What's only available at the Opa's Deli (not online)?

Several items are available exclusively at the deli and don't ship: the made-fresh sides and salads (German potato salad, smoked chicken salad, honey chicken salad, pimiento cheese, pasta salad, deviled eggs), the rotating cookies, the made-to-order sandwiches and box lunches, the signature boards and trays, custom gift baskets, and most of the market side items including the artisan cheese case and Texas beverage selection. The smoked meats themselves are available both at the deli and online at opassmokedmeats.com.

Does Opa's Deli have a butcher counter?

Yes. Opa's has a butcher counter behind the deli case with fresh cuts available walk-in and specialty or larger orders available with at least 36 hours of lead time. Call 830-997-3358 to coordinate special orders.

Can I order a charcuterie board from Opa's Deli?

Yes. Opa's makes signature charcuterie boards, cheese boards, sliced meat and cheese trays, cubed meat and cheese trays, veggie platters, and fruit platters in three sizes. Boards and trays are pickup only — they don't ship — and can be reserved up to two weeks in advance. For holiday weekends or large events, call as far ahead as possible.

What are Opa's Deli & Market hours?

Opa's Deli & Market is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM, and is closed Sunday. The deli is at 410 South Washington Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Call 830-997-3358.

This post is part of The Fredericksburg Guides — Opa’s local guide to visiting Fredericksburg, Texas.