Old World Delicacies in Waldoboro, Maine
We wait many months for our beloved Maine summer. Then, once it is here, we often find ourselves leaving town on the weekends, going out of state to meet family or friends. This summer, we made a concerted effort to explore more of Maine on day trips, and check off some “to-dos” from our list. This is where our journey to Morse’s Sauerkraut in Waldoboro began. We have been up the coast many times, but rarely head to the inland areas of MidCoast. As we crested the hill on Route 220 and looked down upon Morse’s, my fiancé and I were brimming with excitement about what we might find inside. This European deli is situated in a relatively remote area of Maine, and seems like an unlikely place to hold such specialty items. Their sauerkraut has been created the same way since their inception in 1918 and is a must-try. We grabbed a basket and began filling it with summer sausage, traditional German mustard, knockwurst, tinned fish, imported Riesling, Underberg digestifs, pate, licorice, pickles, cheeses and everything else that caught our eye.
We knew that the restaurant, aptly titled, “Kraut Haus,” was closed for the 2021 season, but that didn’t make our visit any less enjoyable. We filled up on old-world and European classics, loaded the cooler, and began to make our way back down Route 1. As we headed toward home, we stopped at Elmer’s Barn, which if time allows, is more than a worthwhile stop. There are several floors and rooms of oddities, knickknacks, and other unique items. What was intended as a quick stop turned into an hour and a half. After our car ride home discussing how to best pair elements of our haul, we decided on a charcuterie board and some wine on our deck. Every single thing we brought home was unbelievable. As we leaned back, full in our chairs, we both agreed that an annual pilgrimage to Morse’s had been born.
Kevin Smith lives in Southern Maine with his fiancee, Sam, and their dog, Watson.
