The holiday season is my favorite time of year. Our weather here in the Pacific Northwest can be gloomy, but the sparkling lights, glittery decorations and laughter from family and friends really brightens up these winter months. My husband says it’s the best time of year because it’s the only time we see family that live out of state. And he’s right – spending time with the family is something we just never get enough of, especially during the holidays. The second best part are our traditions, especially when it comes to holiday food.
Julie Pendleton, co-owner of Dick’s Brewing and Northwest Sausage & Deli, loves the holiday season as well. It brings back memories of her father, Dick, who started Dick’s Northwest Sausage & Deli back in 1983. For Julie, working at the deli and brewery are as traditional as turkey and fruitcake. “I was six years old when Dad started the deli. So to me the busy holidays here, seeing all the customers, that is the holiday season,” Julie recalls. “It wouldn’t be Christmas without the fun, bustling time at the deli, making all the gift boxes, smoking the turkeys. When I was in college I’d come back just to work at the deli during the holidays because it was so much fun.”
County-wide Traditions
People throughout Lewis County think of Northwest Sausage & Deli as synonymous with holiday meals. They let Julie’s family provide the food, so they can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their families. When it comes to appetizers or lunches, the deli has many holiday favorites including beef sticks – because it’s seriously not the holiday season without cheese, crackers and beef sticks – as well as sandwiches made from turkey, ham, roast beef and pastrami. “We get a lot of customers that only come to us during the holidays,” says Julie. “Our products are a holiday tradition. So if they don’t have the mild pepperoni in their stocking, it’s just not Christmas, they tell us.”
Their BBQ Pork tray has become something of a local tradition too. “Customers come in all the time and tell us that it’s not Christmas until they have had our BBQ Pork,” she adds. “One customer told us that their grandma used to always order it and now that she’s gone, they come in to order it to continue the tradition and as a way of remembering her. These stories are why I love working during the holidays.”
With the above holiday party favorites, you can choose to have the deli provide the tray, or you can simply get the sliced meats, beef sticks and cheese from the deli to place on grandma’s antique Christmas platter.
For dinner you can buy a whole smoked ham or turkey, precooked, so you don’t have to even turn the oven on, giving you more time to spend with your family. “We do Christmas Eve at our house,” says Julie. “I get one of our smoked turkeys and I don’t even reheat it. We just slice it up and have turkey sandwiches. It’s a wonderful tradition and a simple one!”
If you are looking for something different and even elegant, they also have prime rib cooked or uncooked. Don’t forget to bring home a Growler (64 oz jug) or a Crowler (a 32 oz can) filled fresh from the tap, or a six-pack of your favorite Dick’s Beer.
Julie is so excited for the holidays. She often works up front so she can greet her customers and catch up with those coming in to fulfill their holiday traditions. After all, that’s what makes the holidays for her.
Large Gatherings Made Easy
I have six siblings that are all grown, married and most have children of their own. Add in aunts and uncles, and our house overflows quickly. This makes any type of group meal a challenge. I know I am not the only one with this problem. Thankfully, you can reserve a table (or six!) at Dick’s Brewing for a family get together, or even an office party. You can bring in outside food, but why bother when you can order scrumptious Northwest Sausage & Deli food that will be delivered to Dick’s Brewing for your party. A bartender will be there to serve your guests from their amazing selection of beers, making it easy for you to sit back and enjoy the evening. Just call to make a reservation. You can reserve tables during business hours or after hours for large parties. Brewery guests must be 21 or older.
If you are looking to cater your party at home, you can call or stop in to place your order. You will need to give them 24-48 hours advanced notice for most things, though they have gifts boxes and crowlers ready to purchase at the deli during business hours. Their gift boxes – full of savory meats paired with sweet hot mustard – are another holiday tradition for many in Lewis County. “We get customers in saying their nephew or daughter will be so upset if she doesn’t receive one of our gift boxes because it’s become part of their tradition,” says Julie. People gather to decorate the tree, wrap presents or just snuggle up to watch a holiday movie and snack on cheese, crackers and the deli’s fresh local beef sticks.
Merry Dicksmas
Dick’s Brewing has a tradition of its own that everyone 21 and over is invited to – their annual Ugly Sweater Party. On December 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., don your best, most blinged-out ugly Christmas sweater and come celebrate at Dick’s. The night is in support of the Lewis County Forgotten Children’s Fund, so they ask that you bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. Santa will make an appearance and of course there will be lots of food and drinks. It’s just one more holiday tradition that Julie loves to share with her extended Lewis County family.
Northwest Sausage & Deli will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. They will be open Christmas Eve, Sunday December 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To put in your holiday order, call the deli at 360-736-7760. To reserve a table at Dick’s Brewing, call 360-736-1603. You can check out their party platters and gift boxes on the Northwest Sausage & Deli website.
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