Where are the hot links of yesteryear?
June 17, 2023 1:19 PM Subscribe
When I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would occasionally get spicy pork sausages - about the same size and shape as generic hot dogs, but very spicy, very greasy, and with a very snappy skin. I don't remember the brand name, but they were easily available in most supermarkets. They were not marketed as "Italian" or "Polish", etc. Now I live in New York City and I haven't been able to find the like for years. (1) What were they called, and (2) what is the easily-purchased Northeastern equivalent, if any?
Bonus question: what's the closest supermarket equivalent to the "hot sausage" sold by NYC park hot dog vendors?
Bonus question: what's the closest supermarket equivalent to the "hot sausage" sold by NYC park hot dog vendors?
Response by poster: There was one bbq place in my neighborhood that had their own version of hot links for a while. Not the same, but at least reminiscent. But they stopped selling hot links, and then they went out of business. Serves them right.
I agree, andouille isn’t the same, nor chorizo, nor Aidell’s habanero sausage.
posted by moonmilk at 1:51 PM on June 17, 2023
I agree, andouille isn’t the same, nor chorizo, nor Aidell’s habanero sausage.
posted by moonmilk at 1:51 PM on June 17, 2023
In the grocery stores near me (Bay Area) they currently have Farmer John, Hillshire Farms, Bar M, Bar S, Silva and EverGood varieties of hot links.
I'm also pretty sure I've seen Zenner around here on more than one occasion.
Do any of them look familiar? If so, you can then track down local retailers by contacting the manufacturers directly.
posted by aramaic at 2:36 PM on June 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
I'm also pretty sure I've seen Zenner around here on more than one occasion.
Do any of them look familiar? If so, you can then track down local retailers by contacting the manufacturers directly.
posted by aramaic at 2:36 PM on June 17, 2023 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, aramaic, that's very helpful! I now believe that "Louisiana hot links" is the style I'm looking for, and Bar M might be one of the brands I used to get. It also looks like Louisiana hot links are a west coast thing - even "New York Style Sausage brand Louisiana Hot Links" are made in California and not available here!
Hillshire Farms hot links (without the "Louisiana") may be available near me, so I'll give them a try, and keep looking for the elusive Louisiana.
posted by moonmilk at 3:09 PM on June 17, 2023
Hillshire Farms hot links (without the "Louisiana") may be available near me, so I'll give them a try, and keep looking for the elusive Louisiana.
posted by moonmilk at 3:09 PM on June 17, 2023
I'm in the Bay Area and have been wondering the same thing! I grew up in the South and used to love those spicy, bright red sausages sliced up on crackers with cheese.
You're right that "Louisiana" is a term that will get you closer to what you're looking for. But even then, beware: the fancy brands with these labels are just not the same. The one I remember disappointing me most recently was the Evergood brand someone else mentioned above.
The Farmer Brown Red Hots look promising!
posted by rhiannonstone at 4:06 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
You're right that "Louisiana" is a term that will get you closer to what you're looking for. But even then, beware: the fancy brands with these labels are just not the same. The one I remember disappointing me most recently was the Evergood brand someone else mentioned above.
The Farmer Brown Red Hots look promising!
posted by rhiannonstone at 4:06 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
These are my favorite links of all time. I get them shipped out once a year or so. The franks are wonderful too.
posted by erebora at 5:59 PM on June 17, 2023
posted by erebora at 5:59 PM on June 17, 2023
My first thought was evergood! I live those and their hot links are pretty great.
posted by Carillon at 6:17 PM on June 17, 2023
posted by Carillon at 6:17 PM on June 17, 2023
The best are Top Dog's Louisiana Hot Links with a mountain of sauerkraut. So good!
Of course, you have to go to Berkeley to get them, but some things are worth the sacrifice.
posted by katmai at 6:49 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Of course, you have to go to Berkeley to get them, but some things are worth the sacrifice.
posted by katmai at 6:49 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I went to school in Berkeley and miss Top Dog very much. But how am I gonna get them to open a branch in Brooklyn!?
posted by moonmilk at 7:09 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by moonmilk at 7:09 PM on June 17, 2023 [1 favorite]
I spent a long time trying to figure this out years ago. I remember finding a source manufacturer for the good ones, but now can’t track them down. I believe the fact that the good ones of these are called “Louisiana brand” matters. Going to keep googling …
Also yes, Top Dog 4eva
posted by wemayfreeze at 9:36 AM on June 18, 2023
Also yes, Top Dog 4eva
posted by wemayfreeze at 9:36 AM on June 18, 2023
Could it have been New York Style Sausages (made in Sunnyvale)?
Or Casper's?
posted by JDC8 at 9:56 PM on June 18, 2023
Or Casper's?
posted by JDC8 at 9:56 PM on June 18, 2023
Response by poster: None of the brands linked here are a definitive match, which just means that my memory isn't very good, but you all have established that "Louisiana Hot" style is definitely the answer. Why Louisiana Red Hots seem to be a west coast thing and aren't available in New York City is a deeper mystery. I can't get great sourdough here either, but at least they try!
posted by moonmilk at 6:46 AM on June 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by moonmilk at 6:46 AM on June 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
« Older Comic Book Filter: Abe Lincoln tears off Jack... | Good, easy way to let people connect after an... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by wintersweet at 1:44 PM on June 17, 2023