What to Eat in Freiburg, Germany: Lange Rote
Special to Road Trips for Foodies
From Historic Germany
and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe
The ‘Lange Rote’ (long red) is a traditional grilled sausage in and around Freiburg, typically found at the Münsterplatz market, or Cathedral Square.
The sausage got its name because of its impressive length of 35 cm (about 14 inches), and its slightly red, gently browned complexion. It’s often served with fried onions on top.
In 1949, baker Josef Föhrenbach began offering sausages from a kettle in addition to his baked goods. Two years later, when these sausages migrated from the kettle to the grill, they became very popular among market visitors.
Even today, Freiburgers and visitors patiently queue up for the traditional barbecue sausage at the now seven stands in the Cathedral market. You’ll be asked “With or without onions” when you place your order, as Josef Föhrenbach began frying them together with the sausage back in 1951 for even more flavor.
The decision of “with” or “without” is a real question of faith among Freiburg’s citizens. But one thing is clear: Those who order the “Lange Rote” bent in half (“geknickt”) will definitely give themselves away as tourists, as a true Bobbele (a native-born Freiburger) always eats their favorite sausage as a whole, even if it sticks out of the ends of the bread roll.
(Photo courtesy of Historic Cities of Germany)
