Illichmann’s Sausage Shop - Calgary, Alberta

I bought two beef tenderloin steaks on this past Saturday. They didn't have any in the display and went into the back behind closed doors to get them. They came out and showed me from a distance, they looked to be ok and the thickness I had asked ... for. My lady and I cooked them up a couple hours later and I had noticed there was a off smell, I discounted this thinking it was a me problem. I tried to eat a small piece, and right away I said to her, there is something wrong, this tastes bad! She asked if I was sure, so I cut another small piece and tried eating it and had to spit it out. I loved this place last time I went there years ago. Did they change ownership? This was so disturbing, honestly I assume they got this meat from a ditch. I am calling the health board tomorrow!!! Would have before now, but long weekend and all. My spouse brought the steaks back, gave tgem to a lady, who took them to the back room never said anything and never came back out. Read more

My mom got very sick after eating a bit of meat from this stablishment, it is great to see that Alberta Health inspected this place, the number of violations were crazy! The owners seem to be german, german people are known for their high standards and organization, this is a ... disgrace. Updated review/response after owner's reply: No you are not an A store, an A store would have never had any health violations to begin with, your store had dozens! Some of the most concerning: Ready to eat meat in contact with raw meat, meat left in the kitchen at room temperature, slicer/grinder not washed, motor oil stored with food products, food stored in dirty containers. You can't be trusted, whatever change you made, it was because it was enforced. https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/eph/Page14648.aspx Read more

From the AHS closure notice dated January 23, 2024. a. The baseboards in the walk-in coolers and freezer were lifting and trapping dirt and moisture. b. There was an accumulation of dirt and debris throughout on floors and walls under and/or behind the food equipment, in the walk-in cooler/freezer and in hard-to-reach areas. c. A ... written cleaning schedule was not available upon request. d. The grinder, band saw and front counter slicer were used throughout the day and were not being dismantled washed and sanitized at 4 hour intervals and/or between meat species. e. Large meat processing equipment stored in the main kitchen area had meat debris and dirt accumulation on the surfaces. One had screws and a screwdriver stored on top. f. Large bins/receptacles used to store raw/brined meat had dirty surfaces. g. The area between the walk-in freezer and the dry storage room was cluttered with a variety of items. h. Items in boxes/containers were piled haphazardly on the dry storage room floor. Non-food items were stored together with food items. i. Some of the food basins used for meat storage were cracked, others were dirty. j. The exterior surfaces of food storage containers in the dry storage room were dirty. k. There was a buildup of dirt and grime on hoses stored on the floor. l. A staff member did not wash their hand before and after handling meat products. m. Unwrapped meat was stored directly on the dirty shelf, and meat in a container was in direct contact with a dirty shelf in the walk-in. n. Many foods items were stored uncovered without any lids or covers in the walk-in coolers and freezers. Frozen meat was stored in a cardboard box without a plastic liner in freezer. o. Open meat containers were directly stacked on top of each other without any barrier or lid in the walk-in cooler and freezer. p. A broken dolly was stored between the shelving unit and equipment in the main kitchen area. q. Ready to eat food was stored in contact with raw meat. r. Food in the walk-in coolers were stored in containers on the floor. s. In the dry food storage area, motor oil bottles were stored among food items. t. Personal items such as a cell phone, personal beverages and eyeglasses were stored on the food contact/equipment surfaces. u. The handwashing sink located in the meat processing area was blocked during inspection. v. A pallet of meat was delivered and remained in the kitchen. The infrared thermometer measurement was between 4-6 degrees C. w. An ingredient scoop was stored directly on the shelf in the dry storage room. x. Utensils and knives were stored under the microwave and in the space between the counter and shelving unit. y. There was no garbage receptacle near the handwashing sink, z. There were deep grooves and stains on the cutting boards and cutting blocks. aa. The top surface of a small wooden stool placed below the meat grinder was in disrepair and absorbent to moisture. When the meat container was removed small pieces of meat and meat juices spilled onto the stool. bb. The surfaces of shelves in the dry storage area were worn. The shelf surfaces were dirty. cc. The surfaces of shelves in walk-in units were worn. There was a buildup of dirt and grime on the shelves.. d. Many food safety processes were not implemented, food safety standards were ignored by food handlers within the food establishment. ee. The back screen door was replaced; however, the new door has gaps along the sides that open to the exterior. ff. The meat cutting table legs were rusty. hh. The gas stove in the facility does not have a ventilation system that adequately removes vapors. There was grease accumulation and discoloration on the wall, ceiling and inside electrical outlet covers on the wall. ii. The wooden border around the cutting board is worn, rendering it absorbent to moisture. ll. The concrete flooring surrounding the wastewater disposal/grease trap, in front of the walk-in freezer at the back, was rough and unfinished. The pits and gaps were collecting dirt and debris. Read more

The cured meats out front are great. Unfortunately you're not given the opportunity to see the other cuts of meat before you purchase. I asked for 2 prime rib steaks, and they just disappeared in the back and came out with the meat already wrapped, weighed it, and sold it ... to me. I didn't get to see it until I had it home, and it was frozen, which was not what I was expecting. The employees also seemed like they were more interested in getting back to work and chatting with each other than in helping me answer my questions. Read more

I only come here once a year, but I should come more often. We come for European meats at Christmas time, and even 2 days before Christmas they had lots of selection available (no course mettwurst but that's my fault for waiting last minute). The staff are so friendly and ... so kind and also very knowledgeable. I appreciate that all the meat have labels so I know what is available without needing to wait and ask. The kind lady helping me didn't have butter cheese but was able to recommend 3 other cheeses similar to it. I imagine everything will taste good, we shall see on Christmas Eve. Thanks ladies for your excellent service! Read more