German food in the USA

Michael When it comes to traditional German food, we haven't suffered any shortage so far, as there are two German stores just two streets away from our apartment. One of them offers German beer mugs, beauty products (Fa shower gel, unfortunately no Cliff), and during Christmas time, nutcrackers and Santa Clauses. The other store, which is connected to the restaurant "Speckmann's," carries all sorts of German beers, potato salad, frozen pretzels, sauerkraut, white sausages, Händlmaier mustard (by the way, the package says "Händelmaier's," is it the same in Germany, can someone verify that?) and Vienna sausages, which are called "German Franks" there.

Anyone who has been to the USA knows that such places only appear every 2000 kilometers! About every two months, a magical force draws me into the store, and the Austrian grandma there has to give me "German Franks," mustard, and pretzels. Recently, I gave her a 20-dollar bill, and she gave me change: "Zwööfe, droizähne, vierzähne, funfzähne, zwonsgte!" The bread problem, traditionally a tricky topic in the USA because Americans tend to prefer it soft and sweet rather than crusty and sour, doesn't arise in our neighborhood, as there is a rich selection of Italian, French, and yes, even German bread available. However, when we recently visited a place that had long been on our wish list, the "Suppenküche" at the corner of Laguna/Hayes Street, I was finally able to enjoy a beef roulade with two mugs of Franziskaner wheat beer after more than two years, it was incredible! With homemade spaetzle and red cabbage - it was amazing, oh homeland, oh homeland! The place quickly filled up, was packed by eight, and people clearly enjoyed drinking beer from liter mugs and even larger "boots." And this in San Francisco! Besides Spaten/Franziskaner, there were also Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr beers available. Spaten had to find other distribution channels because no one drinks it in Munich due to its reputation for causing headaches, and it has actually established a foothold here -- every third pub serves it. And I've actually been living for over two years without Augustiner Edelstoff! Who will bring me someee ... :) ?