Zenner’s Sausage Co. since 1927
March 23rd, 2009
Zenner's German sausage breakfast at home
I’ve been a big fan of Zenner’s since I moved to Portland in 2002. I first had one of their sausages at a short-lived little sausage/dog cafe on Southeast Belmont called Java Dogs. I was just starting to make my own sauerkraut at the time and after listening to Java Dogs owner Steve Yazzolino wax poetic about Zenner’s sausage, and then trying a couple myself, I returned with a jar of red kraut with juniper berries for him. I was hoping he’d like it so much that he’d incorporate it into his dog topping line-up. The sad reality: several weeks later he closed shop due to a difficult family situation.
The next memorable Zenner’s sausages I ate, when I knew they were in fact Zenner’s, were at Helser’s on Northeast Alberta. Their sausage breakfast is one of my favorite PDX breakfasts. I usually order one Louisiana red hot and one chicken apple sausage (they also have bratwurst) with their potato cakes, a ramekin of creme fraiche, two eggs any style and a small side of fruit.
Last Friday I stopped by Zenner’s and talked with the good folks there all about their 80-plus years of crafting small batch (130-240 pounds at a time) sausage, and smoked/cured meats in Portland. It was an amazing slice of local restaurants past since the company has been a small, family-run friend of local restaurants and markets since the 1920s. George Zenner Sr. started the business and George Zenner Jr. runs it today. Restaurants that we spoke of that regularly serve Zenner’s sausages and meats included Besaw’s, Serratto, the Rheinlander, Sanborn’s, Helser’s, The Original Pancake House, Highland Still House and many more.
The Zenner’s door is always open for walk-ins even though they don’t operate a store-front. They’ll sell you any of their wholesale products by the case and sometimes if you’re nice they’ll even break a case for you.
Zenner’s Sausage Company
2131 NW Kearney St.
503.241.4113
www.zennerssausage.com
A slew of Zenner's sausages -- photo courtesy of Zenner's
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
My father’s sister, Emily Zenner has been gone
for years, as has been my father, Arnold Krafft. I tried to bring up the Zenner history
on the net but it would not respond.
I would love to hear about the family. I am
now 81 years old and have been out of touch
for too long. I visited Sister Frances at St.
Mary’s years ago and I feel sure she is in
heaven now, too.
thanks for any info. Muriel Krafft Warning
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I sent you an email with the contact info. I have. Good luck contacting your family members Muriel.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
My husband and I went to Shari’s restaurant in Nampa, Idaho for breakfast. My husband ordered eggs and sausage. I took one bite of his sausage and I was in heaven. I love the flavor of the sausage. It is the best I have ever eaten. I want to know where I can buy some? Thank you, Rosie Staggs
March 11th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Hi Rosie —
I bet you had their pork maple links — so good! I’d just give Zenner’s a ring. I’m guessing that there’s somewhere nearby that you can get some Zenner’s products. Good luck and let me know what you find out.
September 29th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I am not sure how this thing works, but here goes. I would love to respond to the women who say’s she is related to Emily Kraft Zenner. This would be my Great Grandmother, and my Grandfather was her oldest boy born in 1903, his name sake was Arnold Stephen Zenner. I know that he was given these names from his uncles on both sides of the Kraft and the Zenner sides. My dear Great Aunt Sister Francis has passed on to Heaven as you mentioned a couple of years ago. I would be very interested in hearing from you, My father is Richard Arnold Zenner who is now 76 and living just outside of Portland. I believe my Father is now the oldest living male Zenner. You may reach me at Lance@zepak.com.
Hope to hear from you.