Swiss, Austrian, Bavarian, and Germanic delights in Boise found at Das Alphenhaus Delikatessen

BY APRIL NEALE

Jamie Webster, Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen’s owner, grew up in Idaho and obtained dual citizenship in his father’s homeland of Bavaria, Germany. After a 2015 trip to the motherland, his love of the culture and the food inspired him to open a proper delikatessen, German-style, in Boise.

The shop is cheerful, colorful, quaint, and filled with gustatory delights, including 150+ beers. You can find crispy paprika potato chips alongside freshly baked German-style bread and desserts, seasonal treats like marzipan-filled stollen as well as frozen currywurst along with the proper currywurst sauce, or a stupefying selection of chocolates and grocery items that would make any visiting German feel right at home.

Webster’s eatery and the market are laden with traditional fare from Germany and the surrounding Alpine regions, as he sells imported food products from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

However, according to Webster, his true calling card is his addictive Schnitzel Sandwich. He says, “It is a piece of pork loin that is pounded thin, egg-washed, breaded, and flash-fried and served on a German pretzel bun, dressed in mayo, spicy brown mustard, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and onions with a couple of German pickle spears on the side. We don’t usually serve any of our dishes with a side because they are filling enough on their own. However, we initially decided to go with the Schnitzel Sandwich—one of our first signature items—because folks wanted Schnitzel a lot, and we decided that, in true deli form, a Schnitzel Sandwich would be the way to go. The rest is history.”

A Bench stalwart since late 2015, Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen has plans to expand, and Webster says the original restaurant footprint will enlarge sooner rather than later.

Displayed European beers and wines are housed in a small cave-like nook at the back of the cold cases, and communal tables and seating make it a great place to meet like-minded fans of the cuisine and vibe.

Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen

(208) 426-0773 - 1340

S Vista Ave, Boise, ID 83705