Portman Continental Butchers and Delicatessen has been an Oakleigh institution since 1956 that was initially run by German butchers. However, it was not until 1985 when Stan Kresojevic, together with his brother Steve, did this enchanting old style butcher’s shop really come to be known as one of the finest purveyors of quality meat and smallgoods and has since been affectionately known as ‘the German Butcher’ in Portman street.
Stan’s passion for the butchery industry and small goods was ignited whilst growing up in Yugoslavia. As a child he delighted in helping, watching and learning about his food traditions from his parents, preparing the farm raised pork, making a plethora of spiced sausages, cured pork belly and a myriad of smoked meats.It is only natural that such a provedore of fine quality meats and small goods should find itself established in the cultural epicentre, that is, Oakleigh.
Today’s customers are on the constant Epicurean search for natural, organic products across all echelons of the food panorama. Stan’s beef is all grass fed, from the lush green pastures of Gippsland, and only female pork is used in the manufacture of their smallgoods. There is an ethereal old world charm when you step into Stan’s shop.
First, there is the warm smell of the smoking room, as everything is made on the premises, that is fired by sawdust only, not nasty liquid smokers, which invites you in. This nudges you gently to the window of expertly cut meat, whilst your eyes adjust to the colourful jars of German berry jams, fiery hot chilli pastes, peppery but sweet paprika and buttery Dutch biscuits.