Always have an amazing selection. The people are nice. And the place looks like a deli. Great great great brats. Highly recommend

This is a great place. Everything is fresh and good quality. Their hot dog stand is a staple with many choices. They also have many German specialties. read more

Super small store with lots of European items inside (was a tad crowded so I couldn't take pics) there's a bakery with cold cuts as well as cheese, candy, seasoning etc things my mother in law always wants to head out to queens for? Was right here all along. Good to know! Workers were very acknowledged about the bread and told us where we can go for things that weren't sold there. Out front they're grilling lots of sausages. We had the kielbasa and Hungarian sausage with everything. Holy crap it's messy haha but so good! Def big enough to only have half and save for later! Came here a few times and never disappointed! read more

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Nothing like sneaking in a great hot dog from Karl Elmer's! Quality is best bar none! And just the overall experience of getting it out side at the cart brings it all together! Service is always great. read more

Best German meats. Great service. Outside grill for a quick meal on the go. Meats are brought in from nyc and pa best factories. read more

This delightful hot dog cart, parked outside Karl Ehmer Meats, serves an array of delicious hot dogs, sausages, and bottled sodas. Standouts include the spicy Hungarian sausage, the flavorful and rich Kobe hot dog, and the slightly spicy chorizo--all absolutely delicious! You can customize your order with fantastic toppings like tangy sauerkraut, a variety of mustards, onions, and peppers, elevating the experience. The sweet elderly woman who once ran the stand has retired, but the food quality remains consistently outstanding, and the service is still wonderfully friendly. Visit on a nice day and enjoy your meal across the street at the park. read more

The kind of old fashioned neighborhood butcher that you don't really see much any more. The staff is very friendly, and the meat is of the highest quality. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary, like the main ingredient in Hasenpfeffer, or Venison, they can hook you up. Five Stars. read more

Outstanding high quality German cuisine I love all the products Can't get these German product elsewhere read more

Hillsdale and Westwood provided an ideal combo on a day when I didn't want to travel far but wanted to see some trees. But with more attention to the travel than food, it was after 3pm and breakfast was long overdue. Karl Ehmer did a spectacular job at the easing the hangriness. This is a simple but excellent spot. Not all of the sausages will be hot at any given moment but many are available. The Hungarian kielbasa looks amazing yet too intimidating for a three sausage-order. I revisited the classic bratwurst and also enjoyed the andouille and a spicy hot dog. Before you go, take some time to contemplate condiments or lack thereof, as the sauerkraut helps turn pure meat into a more balanced meal, yet you might be interested in unadorned meat purity. Tables are available at the park across the street. read more

Finding a good hot dog/sausage is much harder than you would think. This place is a good solution for that. It's a little stand outside of a butcher shop. There is a line basically all of the time. Is it earth shattering? No. But if you want a brat and want it grilled up nicely, this is your place. Kielbasa is $10. It's huge, pretty good but skip it for something else like the brat. The brat is $4. Worth it. read more

Karl Ehmer - Lol my order came in an old used Martins potato roll bag. Love it. - Meat Shops Near Me - Hillsdale, New Jersey

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Disappointed in stale Chrusciki which I bought as part of over $100 worth of meat and deli. Haven't tried the kielbasa yet but better be as good as before since I bought one for a neighbor who I told how good it was! I made a special stop at the store traveling from Jersey City to Maine, so the rest of my purchases had better be worth it! read more

I think this is my favorite food store in Bergen county. Yes it's smaller but it specializes in delicious meats, primarily sausages. Lots of German condiments, cookies, and sides too. As an added bonus, the store frequently features items from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. If you aren't aware, that's a great spot for more specialty foods, especially Italian. The staff are incredibly friendly too. Become a regular and I'm sure they will know you by name. Also, I was told that they will get some turkeys for Thanksgiving! Yea, I'll be here often. read more

Solid establishment, no wonder they lasted over 90 years. I hope this place is still around for another 90 years. Got to love great quality food.... read more

Great looking spot I have only eaten the hot dogs and sausage from the outside stand But they were awesome Nice website and looks very foodie friendly read more

I have incredibly fond memories of visiting the hot dog truck with my dad whenever we were in the area. A coffee from the Starbucks down the street and a brat from Karl Ehmer became a tradition for us. I'd always try a different sausage every time and they'd always be delicious. They hit the spot on a warm day, eating either next to the cart or finding a place to sit in the park across the street. I haven't gone in a few years, life got in the way, but I think it might be time to make another pilgrimage. read more

In our continuing quest for hot dog perfection my coworker and I drove up to northeast Jersey today and hit two locations...with Karl Ehmer's being the first stop. We've wanted to try this place for years and a slow summer Friday seemed the perfect time. We were lucky enough to get a spot right in front of the store and though it was drizzling we weren't going to let it stop us from this tastiness. We stepped up to the cart/grill and the great lady doing all the cooking showed us everything she was making...such a great selection of cased meats. After her descriptions I chose a cheddar Brat with kraut and mustard and a beef and pork natural casing hotdog with chili. My coworker ordered an all beef dog with mustard and chili and a regular brat with mustard and kraut. Disappointed we hadn't made this trek before today because the food was phenomenal. Both the brats were home runs-great snap and crispness from the casing and grill marks. My coworker said his all beef dog was great and my pork and beef dog was good (I liked the beat better), but the chili pushed it over the top. Oh, and any place that has Boylan's soda gets a nod in my book. Loved this place-would definitely come back. read more

Well stocked but pricing for their non-brand items including deli, sausages and meats is neither transparent nor consistent. I bought bratwurst which tasted excellent but very close to expiration date. read more

Outdoor food cart, outside of premium butcher shop, with the best hot dogs, brats, and wide variety of other sausages!! The best!!

Perfection. Best roast beef sandwich I have had in 50 years. The meat case is mind bogggling, and top quality. Besides the usual "wursts" they have unusual sausages and other meats. Craving olive loaf or liverwurst? They have them. Take time to browse the grocery shelves- a magic trove of German sweets, pickles, mustards etc etc. read more

Earlier today, I was in the Westwood area at a Dr's. appointment just minutes from Hillsdale, so I had to stop by Karl Ehmer's Prime Meats for one of my favorite sándwiches... German Kielbasa on a roll with sauerkraut and mustard!!!! That sandwich never ever disappoints and is just soooo delicious! read more

Karl Ehmer - Meat Shops Near Me - Hillsdale, New Jersey

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Ordered filets for a nice family dinner. My wife & I are high risk so requested curbside pickup. No issues whatsoever, I called when I arrived and the butcher carried the steaks outside for me and met me at my car. I had called the butcher in Westwood initially and they said they would not offer curbside pickup. Amazing customer service...will be going back again & again! Steaks were awesome! read more

Ugh, I forking LOVE this place! Come early so you can get whatever you want otherwise they do run out of stuff. We love the German dogs, cheddar brats, polish and German kielbasa and wagu dogs but that's because I haven't tried them all yet. The all beef is awesome too, not salty. The mustard has a bit of a bite so if spicy isn't your thing, maybe pass on the mustard but otherwise it's a good sting! Everyone here treats you like family. Idk who Karl Ehmer is but I'm obsessed! read more

Karl Ehmer - Random but also best hot dog cart/stand anywhere. - Meat Shops Near Me - Hillsdale, New Jersey

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There are fewer places like this around. It's a dying breed. We pretend places like whole foods can provide fresh meat like they do. I stumbled upon here after eating at the hole in the wall Mexican place 2 doors down. They sell cooked food outside and sell it uncooked inside. I came back a few days and picked up wiesswurst and hotdogs for dinner later that day. This is not your Oscar mayor crap I'm so used to eating. Next time when I get more hot dogs. I will boil it in oil and top off with diced onions and chili from Libby's on a potato bun. Yes, that's right. Boiled in oil (inside joke). I will always buy from here and Lutz in Union, NJ when I have to pickup food for tailgates. A and S in Paterson when I feel Italian. "Support your local business". I feel we need places like this. Even though most times, the old guys behind the counter gives me a look like I have two heads. It's nice to know that I made their day that a China man bought sausages from him ;) hahahah read more

Best hotdogs in NJ!! Love all the toppings, quality stuff!! Looking forward to trying the German dog next time read more

Karl Ehmer - Hotdog with onions - Meat Shops Near Me - Hillsdale, New Jersey

I'm writing about the hot dog cart this establishment has as I have never actually been inside the store. I have been getting hotdogs/brats/sausage from this cart for as long as I can remember, & I truly believe that I have never had a bad one. The same sweet little old lady has been behind the cart for years & she always greets you with a, "Hi hun what would you like today?" All the food is fresh & if you order something that is not currently on the grill, she has no problem throwing one on for you. The prices are all very reasonable & all the food is worth the money. I have tried almost everything on the menu & I would say my two favorites are the cheddar brat & the regular hotdog (both with sauerkraut, ketchup, & mustard of course). Today when I went I got the cheddar brat & it was delicious. It was loaded with sauerkraut (which I like), the brat was extremely crunch, & there was the perfect amount of cheese inside of it. I easily devoured it in three bites. This hot dog cart has been a staple in Hillsdale for many years. Everyone I know raves about it & I for one will continue to grab a hot dog/brat/sausage from here as long as I live in Hillsdale! read more

Karl Ehmer - Cheddar Brat with sauerkraut, ketchup, & mustard: Karl Ehmer, Hillsdale NJ - Meat Shops Near Me - Hillsdale, New Jersey

I hear there's an actual store behind the brats/sausage stand (AKA the Holy Meat Shrine) out front. Maybe it's some inner sanctum you need the sacred password or handshake to enter... But I swear on the grave Hiram Abiff the grilled eats from the cart are just amazing. All kinds of German, Polish and Hungarian varieties, all delicious. Even good old American hot dogs so my kid can eat something. And the quality is excellent, flavorful seasonings and not at all greasy. It can be a little overwhelming there are so many to choose from. Good thing there's this wonderful older lady behind the grill. Listen to her. Ask for a sample. She knows her meats. read more

A real butcher, Home made German sausages and items, this is a last of a dying gem. This place has great prime meats, great sausages, and hard to find German food items. The cart out fron't doesn't lie. read more

Great selection of German foods and products. Butcher and fresh foods, have since moved out of area but used to frequent it.

Karl Ehmer is kind of a throwback to the days when northern New Jersey had a thriving German community, with a wide variety of German foodstuffs from chocolate to kraut to mustard crammed into a modest-sized space. They also feature one of the finest selections of specialty deli in the area, especially the sausages and cheeses that fill the meat case. But that's not why I'm writing this review. I'm writing about the hot dog stand out front. It's the best place to get a hot dog in the northern half of Bergen County. All-beef, snappy, spicy German franks, grilled to order by a lady who must know half of Hillsdale from being out on that sidewalk six days a week all year long. They don't stop at hot dogs, either, with andouille, bratwurst, chorizo, kielbasa, italian, and more on the menu. You name the sausage, they either have one grilled for you or will throw one on. Be forewarned that the line can take ten minutes or more to get through on a nice day, when the most popular lunch in town is a hot dog and a root beer on a park bench across the street in Veterans' Park. But the neverending flow of giddy people onto that line should tell you it's worth it. read more

This place is great both for the dogs outside and the steaks you can take home and make yourself. Plus everyone here is very honest and dutiful with there recommendations. read more

I've been dating a guy who lives in Hillsdale for over a year now, and I only just experienced the wonder of Karl Ehmer--something is not right. The bf and I came here on a sunny Saturday afternoon and bought a bratwurst, Polish kielbasa, and bauerwurst all with mustard and sauerkraut to go. We watched the man at the cart carefully pack each one into a little tinfoil missile ready to eat, and when we got home we got to enjoy. Holy crap, this is fresh sausage. Each one was better than the last, all juicy, perfectly charred, and smothered in some great tangy sauerkraut, and the potato rolls were the perfect vehicle for all of this pork wonderfulness. If you want to just get one sausage, I would recommend the bratwurst for its great texture and fresh taste, but the other two were really tasty too. read more

went to this place and bought meat on Tuesday (4/14) to cook this weekend on 4/19. I bought frankfurters for almost 10 dollar a pop per package. I didn't even look at the date because I knew I was going to cook these this weekend. I opened up the packaging to find the casing too large with the franks wrinkled. Due to their altered appearance I found the date of expiration 4/3. I guess shame on me for not looking. I had bought 3 packages in total. At first I thought, well this was an honest mistake, I'm gonna take it back to the store. Then I saw on all 3 packages he deliberately put the price sticker over the expiration date. So I am now not returning these items. Instead, I'm leaving this review. Only a greedy person would be willing to risk your health and wellness to turn a profit. Mind you I brought nearly a hundred dollars of product from this guy. Didn't trust any of it and threw it all away. Again he put the price sticker over the expiration on all three packages proving his actions were deliberate. Not to mention i dragged myself there during this pandemic to get food for my family. I don't trust this guy. I don't trust his quality. He is willing to kill you to not lose money. Stay away at all costs. read more

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That woman working the outside booth is proof that family businesses thrive and survive! Excellent quality! read more

I've been coming to this place for years for their hotdogs and brats, but I have never step foot inside the place (except for this one time when the little lady wasn't outside and I popped my head in to see her greet me and kicked me back out for the tasty treats). Well fast forward to now and I needed meat for a friend's BBQ; my contribution - Vietnamese style pork chops. I figured I will give this place a try since I needed speciality cuts (0.25" cut pork butt). I do have to say that although I was a bit skeptical since most American cuts are 1"+ and I wasn't sure what kind of reception I'd get. Little did I know, watching the butcher work his knives was like watching Houdini work his magic or watching Van Gogh paint. The attention to details and the skillfulness of removing pieces of excess fat but not others is an art in itself! I will definitely come back again when I pull my smoker out for some BBQ. read more

Clearly the best butcher around! I always love getting a hotdog or bratwurst 'to go' It's absolutely fabulous grocery store that's supplies A lot of my favorite German foods. read more

Decided to come here and forgo the supermarket during corona pandemic. So glad I came. The hot dogs were the best and loved their bacon and breakfast sausage. We've tried a lot a different breakfast sausage and hands down these are the best! read more

There in nothing better than stopping by Karl Ehmer's on a Saturday afternoon and getting a couple dogs, brats, chicken sausages, Kielbasa. The Kielbasa is the best I've ever had. His fresh sliced bacon is something I religiously bring to BBQ's year round, sliced thin or thick, it doesn't matter. Every Saturday they make a fresh Pork Loin that cooks in spicy Italian seasoning for 5 hours at 250 degrees. I took home a 3lb piece and heated it up for 1 hour at 250 degrees. The party literally went nuts for it. The homemade sauerkraut is a work of art and the deli counter is all boars head! The outside Cart speaks for it self and the little lady out front top its off with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin playing all day... It would be impossible to be disappointed by this place! read more

This place has the best fresh hotdogs. The lady that works there is sweet and it's just a great place to pick up a bite for the road.

As a former owner of a Karl Ehmer store (now retired) I could not have been more disappointed. The KE products I purchased were old and on the verge of going bad or spoiled. I threw away a couple of the items I purchased. The items I was able to eat were not anything like the quality product of day's gone by. A disgrace to a once proud, and tasty, line of German products. read more

This review is for the sausage cart outside and not for the store inside. The lady outside is very nice! She has a small little cart that she grills up different sausages and brats. I had the chicken sausage with peppers and onions. Very good. She uses potato roll or Italian bread if you like. Street parking only and no seats but there's a small little park right in front of the cart and plenty of benches to sit out on a beautiful day. read more