Opa’s seemed to be the official sausage supplier in Fredericksburg. Menus at German restaurants and biergartens all over town featured Opa’s bratwurst, knackwurst and “Opa sausage,” the local nickname for a coarse ground pork and beef link officially known as “Opa’s Country Blend Smoked Sausage.” I frequently buy Opa sausage at Houston supermarkets so I couldn’t resist visiting the Opa’s Smoked Meats retail store.

The shelves were loaded with an awesome array of smoked sausages, pork loins, and all kinds of hams. A couple of white-haired ladies were cranking out some nice-looking sandwiches behind the counter. But my attention was riveted to a hot dog machine loaded with Opa sausages and bratwursts. I got an Opa sausage link on a bun with mustard for lunch.

I also picked up a catalog. I plan to order a couple of pounds of liver sausage and some of the exotic offerings like chicken and sun-dried tomato and chipotle sausage. – Robb Walsh

• Pot Luck