European Deli

Where: 149 N. Fairview Avenue, 805-967-0785

What: German sandwiches and sides plus German food items and a take out counter with bratwurst, etc.

How much? Sandwiches from $3.95-$8.95, platters a couple of bucks more

The dish: Although it’s tucked away between Osh and Radio Shack near one of the area’s worst traffic lights, if you need German food in the wurst way, the European Deli is the spot. An employee will wait on you dressed in a dirndl. You’ll choose from knockwurst, bratwurst, schnitzel, and even liverwurst, with a Reuben and Cordon Bleu along the way. If you splurge the extra bucks for the platter, you get what they call sauerkraut but on at least some days it’s red cabbage, simmered and rich with both oil and vinegar. Not surprisingly this is a haven for lovers of pork and sausage, done in traditional German methods, from light breading for the pork to grilling for the sausage. It’s best to go hungry. You won’t leave that way. And if you get it to-go, which makes sense as the spot has the typical strip mall charm (plus travel posters and two TVs), be careful the very stain-creating cabbage isn’t leaking. Not that this happened to me.