FAQ

Opa's is a family-owned smokehouse in Fredericksburg, Texas, in business since 1947 and rooted in the town's Texas-German food tradition. We make handcrafted smoked sausages and specialty meats in small batches.

Our Deli & Market is at 410 S Washington St, Fredericksburg, TX — a few blocks off Main Street, on Highway 87. Open Monday–Friday 8 AM–5:30 PM and Saturday 8 AM–4 PM. Closed Sundays.

Since 1947. Opa's started as a meat locker and market in Fredericksburg; the smoked sausage line and the Deli & Market followed in the 1970s. Same location, same family, and the Country Blend is still the original family recipe.

Yes. The same family that founded Opa's in 1947 still runs it, now in its third generation — same Fredericksburg location, same commitment to small-batch craft, same Texas-German roots.

Everything we make is made at our smokehouse at 410 South Washington Street in Fredericksburg, in small batches, on site. The pantry jars sold under the Opa's label are made for us to our specification.

The smokehouse itself isn't open to the public, in keeping with USDA food-safety rules. The Deli & Market at the same address is open to visitors for smoked sausage, sandwiches, boards, and the market.

Our legal business name is Fredericksburg Lockers, Inc. — it dates back to the original meat locker where Opa's was founded in 1947. Opa's Smoked Meats is the name you know us by. Same company, same family.

Three ways. In stores: at leading grocery stores across Texas, the South and Southwest, including Walmart Supercenters, H-E-B, Central Market, United Supermarkets, Market Street, Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Brookshire's, Lowe's Market, select Sam's Clubs, and independent grocers through Affiliated Foods. Selection varies by store, so check the store locator. Online: everything ships nationwide from opassmokedmeats.com. In person: the Deli & Market at 410 South Washington Street in Fredericksburg.

No. Most stores carry our smoked sausage, and many also carry summer sausage, smoked chicken and turkey legs. The full range — Knackwurst, hams, whole smoked turkeys, tenderloins, cured meats, head cheese, liverwurst, and bacon — is online and at the Deli & Market. The store locator shows what's near you.

In the refrigerated meat section, usually near the bacon, breakfast sausage, and hot dogs. Placement varies by store.

Ask the meat department. Lowe's Market stores can bring Opa's in on request. If you'd like your store to carry us, tell the store, or have the manager contact info@opasfbg.com.

Most of them, yes. All nine sausages (seven smoked, plus the Bratwurst and Knackwurst, which are cooked, not smoked), summer sausage, all hams, whole smoked turkey, smoked chicken, turkey legs, tenderloins, Canadian bacon, head cheese, liverwurst, Peppered Cured Smoked Beef, and Peppered Cured Smoked Turkey Breast are fully cooked. The one exception: Peppered Bacon is raw and must be cooked before eating.

That's normal. The pink tint comes from the cure and the smoke, not from undercooking, and a little pink or red liquid in the package is from the cure too. Our smoked poultry is fully cooked; warm it gently so it stays moist.

Yes. Every meat product we make is gluten free: all nine sausages (seven smoked, plus the Bratwurst and Knackwurst, which are cooked, not smoked), hams, bacon, tenderloins, smoked poultry, cured meats, summer sausage, head cheese, and liverwurst. We use natural pork casings, no wheat-based fillers, and no gluten-containing seasonings. The pantry jars sold under the Opa's label, breads, and prepared foods go by their own labels.

The ones to know are milk, soy, and mustard. Milk: Jalapeño Cheddar, Chicken Poblano Monterey Jack, and Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage contain cheese. Soy: Jalapeño and Jalapeño Cheddar contain a small amount of soybean oil, which comes with the jalapeño peppers. Mustard: Bratwurst. The meat products we make contain no wheat or gluten and no tree nuts or peanuts. Always check the ingredient statement on the package.

Most are. The exceptions: our Jalapeño Cheddar Smoked Sausage and Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage (both contain cheddar cheese), and our Chicken Poblano Monterey Jack Smoked Sausage (contains Monterey Jack). All other smoked sausages, hams, bacon, tenderloins, smoked poultry, cured meats, head cheese, and liverwurst are dairy-free.

Most are. Our smoked sausage is very low in carbohydrates and built on protein and fat, the profile keto eaters look for, and the lineup as a whole fits a keto diet. The exception is anything with added sugar, like the Honey Glazed Ham and sweeter pantry items such as BBQ sauces, preserves, and candied jalapeños. Exact nutrition for each product is on its label.

Natural pork casings, on every link — including the Beef sausage. The natural casing gives the sausage its snap, and it's gluten free.

Heat varies by variety. No heat: Country Blend, Beef, Bratwurst, and Knackwurst. Mild: Hatch Green Chile and Chicken Poblano Monterey Jack. Medium: Jalapeño Cheddar. Medium-plus: Jalapeño. Hottest: Habanero. If you're heat-sensitive, start with Country Blend or Beef; if you chase heat, the Habanero is the one.

No. It's made year-round and available in stores, online, and at the Deli & Market.

Jalapeño Cheddar is our most popular by a wide margin — real cheddar and jalapeño in a coarse-ground link with our signature smoke. If you're new to Opa's and want the crowd-pleaser, start there.

Natural pork casings — that's what gives you the snap when you bite in. A coarse grind on the smoked links, so you're eating real pieces of seasoned meat, not a uniform paste. A spice blend that's balanced rather than loud. And a consistent, rich smoke flavor in every batch. Small batch, craft made.

Unopened in the refrigerator, it keeps until the best-by date on the package. Once opened, keep it wrapped airtight and use it within five to seven days. Frozen in its sealed package by the best-by date, it keeps up to a year. Thaw it in the refrigerator, not on the counter.

No. We're known for smoked sausage, hams, poultry, tenderloins, and cured meats, but brisket isn't one of ours.

Yes. Everything on opassmokedmeats.com ships directly to your door anywhere in the U.S. Smoked meats are packed with insulation and gel packs to keep them cold in transit.

Anywhere in the continental U.S. by UPS, and to Alaska and Hawaii by UPS expedited service. We need a street address; UPS can't deliver to P.O. boxes, and we can't ship to APO, FPO, or DPO addresses or outside the U.S.

Out-of-state orders ship Monday and Tuesday. Texas orders ship Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This limited schedule is intentional — it keeps perishable boxes from sitting in a warehouse over the weekend.

Open it right away and move everything to the refrigerator or freezer. The gel packs may be partly or fully thawed; that's normal, and the insulated box keeps the meat cold in transit. If the product itself arrives warm or damaged, contact us within 24 hours of delivery with photos.

Yes, for an added charge based on your address and UPS rates. Call 830-997-3358 before your order ships and we'll confirm timing and cost.

Because perishable shipping is different from shipping a book or a t-shirt. Every order with smoked meats is packed with insulated packaging and gel packs — materials that add weight and cost but are necessary to protect the product. We'd rather explain the real cost clearly than cut corners on packaging.

We don't offer free shipping. The cost of safely shipping perishable smoked meats — with insulated packaging and gel packs — can't be absorbed into our pricing without compromising quality. What we can promise is that every order is packed to arrive the way it should.

Changes to items, quantities, or the shipping address are accepted up to 48 hours before the ship date; after that, the order ships as placed. An order that hasn't shipped can be cancelled for a full refund. Email info@opasfbg.com or call 830-997-3358.

Major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also order by phone at 830-997-3358.

Yes. This year's ship-by dates are on our Shipping & Delivery page and the homepage, and they update on their own as each cutoff passes. We pause shipping over the holiday weekends so no box sits on a truck or in a warehouse. Sign up for our emails to get reminders.

Yes. On the cart page, tick “Is this a gift?” and add your message. We include it on a typed card, and no prices go in the box. During the holiday season, shipped gift orders also include a keepsake ornament.

Yes. On the cart page, choose “Ship to Multiple Addresses.” Each address gets its own gift message on a typed card, and no prices go in the box.

Digital gift cards are sent by email, in nine amounts from $25 to $1,000. They never expire; they aren't refundable or redeemable for cash.

When sausage is the main dish on buns, plan about two links per person; with plenty of sides, about one and a half. If there's another meat on the grill, one link each is plenty. For a board, about half a link per person. Each package is four links, so for twenty guests: eight to ten packages if sausage is the meal, five if something else is on the grill, three for a board.

It's fully cooked — you're heating it through, not cooking it. Medium heat, never high, turned often, and don't prick the casing. Let the links sit out 10–15 minutes first so they heat evenly. Grill: indirect heat, 8–10 minutes. Skillet: ½ inch of water at a simmer for about 12 minutes, then pour it off and give the links 1–2 minutes dry. Oven: 375°F on a baking sheet, about 10 minutes, flip halfway. Air fryer: 300°F, no preheat, 7 minutes. Microwave is not recommended. The full guide, every product: How to Heat Our Products.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove from packaging. Place in a roasting pan with 1/3 cup of water. Cover with foil. For best results, let it sit out of the refrigerator for 1 hour before warming. Heat approximately 1 hour for a whole ham or 30 minutes for a half ham. Let stand before carving.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove from packaging. Place breast-side up in a roasting pan with 1/3 cup of water. Cover with foil. Heat 6–8 minutes per pound until the breast reaches 140°F. Do not overheat — overheating removes moisture.

Yes. Both are fully cooked and excellent cold, sliced thin. Warming is a preference, not a requirement.

Slice thin against the grain. Cold from the refrigerator is fine; room temperature is better — the flavor opens up. If you prefer it warm, keep it whole in a low oven, covered, with a little water in the pan, just long enough to take the chill off — warm to the touch, never hot. It's a lean cut, so stop early.

Shop the full Opa's lineup beyond what grocery stores carry, order lunch from our sandwich counter, explore the gourmet food and gift shop, pick up trays and boards for a gathering, sample sausages at the tasting station, browse the butcher counter for fresh cuts, and build a custom in-store gift. There's enough to stay for a while.

Yes. Our tasting station runs four rotating sausages on the griddle throughout the day. Try before you buy, ask questions, and compare flavors. It's one of the best parts of visiting in person.

A warm flour tortilla wrapped around one of our smoked sausage links, any flavor. The counter makes them all day.

Yes. The Deli & Market offers charcuterie boards, meat and cheese trays (sliced and cubed), cheese boards, fruit trays, and snack packs, for pickup. Order ahead online or call 830-997-3358. For larger groups, see catering below: no minimum, and a day's notice is enough for most orders.

Yes: charcuterie boards, meat and cheese trays, box lunches, sandwich platters and wraps, and prepared salads. No minimum, and a day's notice is enough for most orders. Order by phone at 830-997-3358 or online. Catering is mostly pickup; we can deliver within Fredericksburg for a fee. We don't set up; everything comes ready to serve. Call for pricing. More on our Catering page.

Order online on our Order Ahead page, or call 830-997-3358. Sandwiches are ready the same day; boards, trays, and box lunches need a day's notice. Please pick up at least 30 minutes before close (5:30 PM weekdays, 4:00 PM Saturdays). Pickup orders don't ship.

No. Trays and boards are available for in-store pickup only. For gifts that ship, shop our gift boxes and sampler combos online.

Yes, for in-store pickup. Our team can help you build a custom gift from the market — smoked meats, specialty cheeses, Opa's branded items, German imports, mustards, and more. Walk in and tell us who you're shopping for. Custom baskets can't be shipped.

Yes. Our butcher counter is open to the public. We carry boneless pork, BBQ cuts, pork chops, fresh whole chickens, and ribeye steaks. Walk in for standard quantities, or call at least 36 hours ahead for larger orders at 830-997-3358.

We don't have indoor seating, but there are a couple of benches outside that guests are welcome to use.

Yes, a free parking lot right beside the building, with room out front for a bus.

Dogs are welcome on the benches outside. Inside, service animals only.

Yes. Subscribe & Save works on anything in our online store that ships: pick every 4, 8, or 12 weeks and save 5%. Change, skip, or cancel up to 48 hours before it ships, from the link in your order confirmation email.

Absolutely. It's a strong option for birthdays, client thank-yous, employee gifts, and ongoing appreciation. Add a personal message on the cart page.

Yes. Opa's works with businesses for client gifts, employee recognition, holiday programs, and bulk orders. Order online from our gift box selection, or contact us directly for custom assortments, larger lists, and multi-address shipping.

Contact us at 830-997-3358 or info@opasfbg.com, or see the Corporate Gifting page for the order form. For Christmas delivery, send your list by Monday, December 7. Earlier is better for large programs.

Contact us within 24 hours of the UPS delivered scan at info@opasfbg.com or 830-997-3358. Include your order number, what happened, and photos of the box, the gel packs, and the product. We'll make it right.

Because our meats are perishable, we don't ask you to send anything back. Damage in transit, spoilage on arrival (reported within 24 hours of delivery), the wrong product, or a quality concern: send photos and a short description and we'll work it out with you.

If tracking shows no movement for five or more business days, or UPS marks it lost, email info@opasfbg.com. We'll file the claim with UPS and take care of you.

Start with the store's return policy. For taste or quality concerns on anything we make, contact us at info@opasfbg.com as well; a photo of the label helps, but reach out even without one.

Yes, to grocery retailers, restaurants, specialty markets, wineries, and foodservice operators. Email info@opasfbg.com or call 830-997-3358 and ask for the wholesale team.

Contact info@opasfbg.com or 830-997-3358 and ask for the wholesale team. It helps to have your business name and type, location, and the products and volume you're interested in.