Conecuh Sausage Co

Why Alabama’s Conecuh Sausage Has a Cult Following | Eater

"A family-owned meat producer founded by Henry Sessions about 75 years ago that grew from a cold-storage locker into a roadside production facility and massive gift shop off I-65. The operation is famous for its hickory-smoked links made to an unchanged, secret seasoning blend that yields a mild, balanced flavor with flecks of red pepper; the heavy, farm-style hickory smoke is the defining characteristic. Tourists stop on their way to the Gulf Shores and Panhandle to buy fresh links, pose with the outsized pig mascot on the lawn chair, sip sandwiches on the porch, and load coolers with specialty and hard-to-find varieties; the on-site shop sells samples, fresh hot dogs, rotating specials like cheesesteaks and mac and cheese, and seasonal rarities. The brand inspires intense local devotion — fans stockpile packs, trade recipes in online communities, and use the sausage to boost gumbo, baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, collards and more — and the company stages an October sausage festival with rodeos, a car show and 100+ vendors. While product shortages have occurred recently, the best selection is still found at the factory store, which helped the product become a regional staple and an official smoked-sausage partner of major college football programs." - Sarra Sedghi