Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handmade Smoked Sausages & European Deli in Chicago
Since 1972, Gene's Sausage Shop has been a cornerstone of Chicago's culinary landscape, rooted in tradition and family heritage. Founded by Polish immigrant brothers John and Gene Luszcz, our shop began as a small deli specializing in homemade smoked sausages and Polish delicacies, drawing from generations-old recipes and smoking techniques. Over five decades, we've expanded our offerings while maintaining the same commitment to quality, using fresh, hormone-free meats and natural casings to craft over 40 varieties of smoked sausages daily.Our team of European-trained sausage makers and butchers continues this legacy, sourcing premium ingredients globally while supporting local farmers. Recognized nationally through media features on the Frugal Gourmet Show, Fox News, and more, we've grown to include a 20,000-square-foot European market and rooftop beer garden. Today, we remain dedicated to preserving Old World craftsmanship while innovating with seasonal specialties and modern culinary experiences, serving both everyday shoppers and event planners with equal passion.
Services
Smoked Sausages
Gift Baskets
Catering Services
Imported Specialties
Rooftop Garden
Online Shipping
Deli Meats
Holiday Ham
European Market
Custom Orders
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We use 50-year-old family recipes for authentic smoked sausages
- Our butchers source hormone-free, grass-fed beef from Uruguay
- We offer over 40 varieties of daily fresh-made smoked sausages
- Our European market features hard-to-find imported specialties
- We provide full-service catering with traditional Polish cuisine
Services
Smoked Sausages
Gene's Sausage Shop crafts over 40 varieties of homemade natural wood-smoked sausages daily using traditional European methods. Our sausage makers use fresh pork and beef with natural casings, avoiding preservatives while employing three in-house smokehouses for perfect flavor. Customers can choose from Polish, German, and Chicago-style varieties, with options available for shipping nationwide.
Gift Baskets
Our handcrafted gift baskets feature imported European delicacies, smoked meats, and artisan products for special occasions. Available with customizable options or pre-selected themes like Easter, Christmas, and Oktoberfest, baskets include gourmet foods, wines, and seasonal specialties. Gift cards in various denominations are also available at our Lincoln Square location.
Catering Services
Gene's provides full-service catering for corporate events and private parties with traditional Polish and European cuisine. Our menu includes cold cut platters, Bavarian meat boards, homemade pierogi, stuffed cabbage rolls, and entrees like Swedish meatballs or veal schnitzel. Custom menus require 48-hour notice with deposits, and seasonal holiday options are available.
Imported Specialties
We offer a wide selection of hard-to-find European groceries including cheeses, chocolates, mustards, and preserved meats. Our shelves feature brands like Koenemann and Stieglmeier alongside specialty items such as German limburger cheese, Polish kiszka sausage, and Dutch chocolate clogs. The store also carries international wines, beers, and spirits for retail purchase.
Rooftop Garden
The European-style rooftop beer and wine garden serves wood-grilled sausages, bratwurst, and Polish specialties in a casual setting. Open seasonally, it features communal seating, imported and domestic beers on tap, global wine selections, and daily specials like pierogi or hunter's stew. Food service ends one hour before closing during regular hours.
Questions
Do you offer shipping for gift baskets and sausages?
Yes, Gene's Sausage Shop offers nationwide shipping for our smoked meats and gift baskets. Custom orders require advance notice and must be placed by phone.
What catering options are available for large events?
We provide customizable catering menus featuring traditional Polish dishes, cold platters, and European specialties. Minimum notice of 48 hours is required for all catering orders.
Are your sausages made with natural ingredients?
All sausages use fresh pork and beef with natural casings, no preservatives, and are smoked daily using traditional European methods in our in-house smokehouses.
Do you carry authentic European grocery items?
Yes, our European market features imported cheeses, chocolates, mustards, and specialty foods from Germany, Poland, Switzerland, and other European countries.
Is the rooftop beer garden open year-round?
The rooftop beer and wine garden operates seasonally, typically from spring through fall, with specific hours Friday-Sunday during its open period.
Can I purchase gift cards for Gene's Sausage Shop?
Gift cards are available in $25, $50, $75, and $100 denominations at our Lincoln Square location and can be used for in-store purchases only.
Reviews (5)
Leslie
Jan 21, 2022
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Whenever I have a friend visit me, I always take them here to pick out some sausages for dinner. I'm very fond of the spicy bockwurst. If I'm making a stew, I go for the hunter's sausage. If you need refreshment to go with your meat, they have a huge selection of alcohol on the second floor. Very easy to find something for even the pickiest of drinkers. The picture attached is the selection that my friends chose for dinner!
Mahshid Mir
Jan 11, 2022
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Great variety of different meat products, best place to find a delicious meat snack for a party or small munchies, as well as cooking a good steak! Loved it.
Rich
Dec 19, 2021
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One of the best places to get authentic made meats. Very good selection of grocery items, wines, beer. And when it's ipen the roof dining is incredible.
Robert Hull
Nov 27, 2021
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It had been a long time since we had been to Gene's Sausage Shop and didn't know that it had moved to a new location. However the new location was great with the 2 story store front with the meat counter,deli and coolers on the first floor and food goods and wine and other adult beverages on the second floor. It was great to pick up some dry goods that we hadn't had for awhile and of course some meat and cheeses from the deli which were excellent as had always been. Great seeing the new location and the staff were friendly and helpful as always.
Blake V.
Nov 14, 2021
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Great neighborhood niche grocer serving a wide variety of European snacks, meats, and deli items. Also maintains a diverse beer and wine collection that is local and European based. Hand made sausages and cold deli items are a huge plus. A bit pricy, but quality is very high.
