Slog
News & ArtsMonday, June 29, 2009
Chow Today in Sandwiches: Impending Sorrow
Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 12:03 PM
The Continental Store European Delicatessen at 50th 52nd and Roosevelt is closing. Ingrid Lectenberg, the owner, is retiring. We reached Nancy at the deli, who confirmed that it is for sale and is likely to be shuttered at the end of July. "Seattle's German community (and lovers of fine potato salad) are really going to miss this place," says Slog tipper Rhias.
The Continental Store's sandwiches and Ingrid's tough-love service have been making people happy for approximately an eternity; that it is not included in this week's paean to Seattle sandwiches "Sandwiches We Have Loved: The Staff of The Stranger Sings the Praises of the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread" is an unforgivable oversight. The following is from Rachel Kessler's 2002 tribute to this treasure of our city. Go there and have a sandwich before it's too late.
...When asked which sandwich she recommended, the German lady behind the counter replied sternly, "All of my sandwiches are very good."I sighed and pointed at some peppered ham. Of this she approved, and moved about, slicing meat and cheese and giant, homemade bread 'n' butter pickles. A large, round brown bun held a strapping German-lad-sized portion of tasty ham and all its accoutrements, bound with mayo and sweet mustard: a miracle of simplicity....
...the store has changed hands, but the new owner is reputed to be a very close friend of the old owner—certainly their sandwiches' origins lie in corresponding philosophies. Our new Lady of the Sandwiches sticks to the succinct in conversation, yet exudes friendliness in sandwiches, and finally warmed up to me when I ordered both kinds of potato salad. "It's hard to choose," she acknowledged, "both are excellent. One has the vinegar and the bacon... one has the hard-boiled eggs and pickles."
The Continental Store European Delicatessen
50145200 Roosevelt Way NE (U-District), 523-0606
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Guess I've got to make it before it closes, now.
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They have super great pretzels. I don't know what I'll do if they close. Will the pretzels be available elsewhere?
My most vivid (although probably not favorite) memory of the place was when the mob of old German women working the counter goaded me into trying a piece of head cheese, and then cackled with amusement when I turned a little green...good times...
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