Hess Bakery & Deli

For Washington residents seeking an authentic taste of Europe right here in the Pacific Northwest, **Hess Bakery & Deli** stands as a cherished and vital landmark. Located in Lakewood, just south of Tacoma, this establishment is far more than a typical local business; it is a true cultural destination and a generations-long tradition for many Washington families of German descent and food enthusiasts alike. Operating as both a **Bakery** and a full-service **Deli**, Hess has been faithfully serving the community with scratch-made German delicacies since 1968. The enduring quality and dedication to traditional recipes have fostered incredible loyalty, with customer testimonials proudly mentioning four generations visiting the shop for their authentic German fix.

The bakery side of the business is famously known for its daily commitment to fresh, traditional German breads and rolls. Bakers are on-site daily, ensuring that when the doors open, customers are met with the aroma of freshly baked goods. Their signature items include a variety of hearty rye breads like the **Westfalian Sourdough Bread (Bauernbrot)** and the slightly lighter **German Rye (Mischbrot)**, all baked using traditional methods, including a steam baking style that helps give the bread its distinctive moist texture. However, the true crowd-pleasers are often the pretzels and pretzel breads—praised by locals as some of the best, most authentic German pretzels to be found in the entire region.

The full deli section in the back of the store completes the authentic German experience. It is stocked with a massive selection of fine meats, cheeses, and a wide assortment of uncooked and cooked German-style sausages, including specialties like **Landjaeger**, which one customer specifically noted as a traditional favorite. The deli also offers delicious, traditional sandwiches—or "belegtes brots"—that are simple, fresh, and authentically German, focusing on the quality of the bread, meat, and cheese, without the typical American additions like lettuce or tomato.

Hess Bakery & Deli is a small, family-owned and operated business, a key aspect that contributes to its friendly, personal, and authentic atmosphere. It’s an easy, welcoming stop for a **quick visit**, whether you are grabbing a sandwich for lunch, picking up a specialty sausage, or stocking up on German-imported groceries that are a rare find in the Pacific Northwest. The store’s ability to transport visitors to a little slice of Germany makes it an essential stop for anyone craving a truly European culinary experience in the Washington area.

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Hess Bakery & Deli is a well-established fixture in the city of Lakewood, Washington, conveniently located within the commercial hub known as **European Square**. This location is easily accessible for residents across Pierce County and beyond, making it a reliable destination for authentic European provisions.

The physical address is:

European Square, 6108 Mt Tacoma Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, USA

Accessibility is a priority for this family-friendly establishment. The location features a **Free parking lot**, making a trip for specialty groceries or baked goods hassle-free. The business is fully equipped to accommodate all visitors, with specific features that include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• Wheelchair accessible seating (for those dining in or enjoying a quick snack)

The central location in Lakewood allows for easy integration into daily routines, whether stopping by for an essential bread loaf or taking time to browse the extensive collection of imported goods.

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Hess Bakery & Deli provides a wide array of services, ensuring a full and authentic German shopping and dining experience for the local Washington community.

• In-store Shopping: Customers can browse and purchase freshly baked goods, deli items, and imported German groceries.
• Takeout: Convenient service for ordering sandwiches, sliced meats/cheeses, and baked goods to go.
• Onsite Services (Dine-in): The shop offers seating areas for customers to enjoy deli sandwiches, fresh pretzels, and other treats right on the premises.
• Authentic German Deli: Features a large, fully stocked counter with a vast selection of fresh meats, cheeses, and various sausages, including specific mentions of Landjaeger and uncooked sausages.
• Specialty German Grocery: Sells a wide assortment of authentic imported German goods, including chocolates, cookies, beer, wine, mustards, preserves, noodles, and even German toiletries and magazines.
• Sandwich Preparation: Prepares delicious, traditional German sandwiches using the deli's premium meats and the bakery's fresh breads.
• Pre-order Convenience: While not explicitly stated for all products, the structure supports pre-ordering meats and breads, which is highly recommended for large or specific purchases to ensure availability.
• Flexible Payments: Accepts modern payment methods for customer convenience, including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.

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Hess Bakery & Deli stands out in the Washington landscape for its dedication to quality and authenticity, offering several distinct features and highlights:

• Authentic German Scratch Bakery: Every item is proudly made by hand from scratch using time-honored German recipes, offering products like **Pumpernickel Bread** and **German Rye** that are often difficult to find locally.
• Famous German Pretzels: Widely celebrated for their **Pretzels** (available in traditional, rolls, and sticks), which are considered by many to be the best and most authentic in the Pacific Northwest region.
• Multi-Generational Legacy: A **small business** that has been family-owned and operated since 1968, fostering a loyal, multi-generational customer base in the Washington area.
• Full European Grocery: Acts as a one-stop-shop for German staples, stocking an impressive selection of imported goods, from specialty beer and wine to cooking ingredients and unique German snacks.
• Comprehensive Accessibility: Commitment to all customers with **Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and seating**, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive visit.
• Deli Specializing in Landjaeger: The deli features high-quality meats and cheeses, with specific customer praise for the dry-cured sausage, **Landjaeger**, an essential authentic German snack.
• Hearty Bread Selection: Offers a diverse range of healthy and traditional loaves, including **Whole Grain Breads** (Vollkorn, 7-grain, Sovital), along with light options like **French Bread**.

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Customers in the Washington region looking to place an order, inquire about specific deli meats, or learn about daily baked goods can contact the team at Hess Bakery & Deli using the information below:

Address: European Square, 6108 Mt Tacoma Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, USA

Phone: (253) 584-1451

This information is key to connecting with this celebrated local business for all your German culinary needs.

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For Washington customers, choosing **Hess Bakery & Deli** is worth it because it offers an unparalleled, multi-faceted, and genuine German experience that is rare in the American West. It successfully serves three primary functions—bakery, deli, and international grocery—with a level of authenticity that has kept customers coming back for over five decades.

The primary reason to choose Hess is the **authenticity of the baked goods**. The bread is not merely "German-style" but made using traditional methods and recipes, providing hearty, complex flavors found in the Old Country. The **Westfalian Sourdough Bread (Bauernbrot)** and the universally-adored **Pretzels** are must-try items, often hailed as the region's best examples of these German staples. This quality of bread elevates their delicious deli sandwiches, making them a popular and quick lunch option.

Beyond the baked goods, the deli and imported grocery selection creates an immersive shopping experience. Customers frequently rave about the "huge assortment of uncooked sausages" and other specialty meats like **Landjaeger**. The fact that this store stocks a variety of imported German goods, from specialty sodas and mustards to unique chocolates and even European toiletries, makes it an invaluable resource for both the German community and curious food lovers. One reviewer succinctly put it: "Wow this store had all imported German goods. What a delicacy you don't see often in the Pacific NW!"

The experience is further cemented by the welcoming, traditional, and family-oriented service, which has allowed the business to thrive for so long. For locals in the South Sound and greater Washington area looking for a taste of German heritage, whether through a delicious baked good, a traditional deli item, or an authentic imported snack, Hess Bakery & Deli is not just a place to shop—it’s a rewarding culinary tradition.

Hess Bakery & Deli

European Square, 6108 Mt Tacoma Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, USA