Hot Links, where to find the best ???

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Phildelmar)

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:37:55 GMT

Any sources in the Delaware area?

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (ScreenBear)

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:15:37 GMT

Those porky Chicago South Side hot links are talking to me, informing that they are the best of everything squeezed into a casing. Had I known about them when I was in the Windy City in July I would have added them to my itinerary of Chicago Hot Dogs and Deep Dish Pizza.

The Bear

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Twinwillow)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:15:30 GMT

Thanks, Michael. The fries look especially yummy smothered in sauce.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Michael Stern)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:14:42 GMT

Twinwillow

Although they're not from "East Texas" I'm nuts for the smoked links (sausage?) from Louie Mueller BBQ in central Texas.
But, the next time out Tyler way, I'll look for some of the above mentioned "East Texas hot links".

...which are completely different from porky Chicago South Side hot links (just to add a bit of confusion) with barbecue sauce and French fries:

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Twinwillow)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:03:58 GMT

Although they're not from "East Texas" I'm nuts for the smoked links (sausage?) from Louie Mueller BBQ in central Texas.
But, the next time out Tyler way, I'll look for some of the above mentioned "East Texas hot links".

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Michael Stern)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:35:50 GMT

Foodbme

[The push bar on the door says Butter-Nut Bread. Hadn't heard or seen that name in a long time! Do they still make it?

I just checked the Hostess website and, yes, it is listed among "regional favorites." That picture, BTW, was taken about 25 years ago.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:45:13 GMT

Michael Stern

Caymandoc, might the pharmacy in Pittsburg have been Franklin's?

The push bar on the door says Butter-Nut Bread. Hadn't heard or seen that name in a long time! Do they still make it?

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Michael Stern)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:40:24 GMT

Caymandoc, might the pharmacy in Pittsburg have been Franklin's?

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (kozel)

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:09:50 GMT

Nice report, Welcome!

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:28:37 GMT

CaymanDoc,
Welcome to Roadfood! It's good to have a resident expert on Hot Links on Board. A very good report!
Since you are a Newbee and are on Double Secret Probation and can't post links yet I'll help you out. Couldn't find a web site for Doc's Hot Links since they probably don't need one and live by their reputation, I'll post a urbanspoon link for them.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/202/1045016/restaurant/Longview/Docs-Hot-Links-Gilmer
Pittsburg, without the "H" youze yenzers, does have a web site. http://www.pittsburghotlinks.net/
We have commercial hot links out here but nothing like the real deal.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Caymandoc)

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:26:46 GMT

Greetings everyone, I am a new user so bear with me. I just had to chime in on this one. I have family living in East Texas and have since forever. I have been known to make special trips to East Texas JUST to "get linked" as it's become known in my family. Essentially, there are two East Texas hot link purveyors of note. I'm not talking about mass produced Earl Campbell types of links here. In fact, if the EC type of link is your thing you may not like East Texas hot links. E.T. Links are smaller, coarser in texture, and not really all that spicy until they're served with the accompanying hot sauce made specifically for them. The owner of Pittsburg Hot Links told me that the sauce was simply equal parts water, cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper, but they bottle and sell it there. These link makers also make a "chili" from the links that many folks insist is a must as an accompaniment--I agree. As far as which one is best, my personal opinion is Doc's Hot Links, Gilmer, Texas. They are larger, tastier, and juicier, than Pittsburg's (not to mention less expensive) and they serve the best whole jalapenos around. That said, Pittsburg Hot Links has more on the menu--and their hot link chili is better--but, if we're talking about who has the best links, I go with Doc's every time. A bit of trivia: There used to be a pharmacy in Pittsburg, TX, named Fredrick's, I believe. Their links were awesome. Their "secret" was that they used Doc's, but cooked them in an old wood-burning oven. On this note I have to say that cooking ANY East Texas Link is always better on the grill, over cool smoke. Regardless how you cook them, I suggest you preheat them in an oven until they plump up and then stick them with a fork or knife to drain the copious amounts of grease out of them before you grill or eat them or you will either end up with a pool of oil in your plate or a bonfire in your BBQ pit--or both! Just remember to always order and serve them with the hot sauce or they just aren't the same. They should both be willing to ship. I know a little mexican market on Singleton in West Dallas that sells Pittsburg brand hot links, but I can't vouch for the freshness (although I buy them when I'm in the area anyway).

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (PapaJoe8)

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:48:48 GMT

FoodB, so you couldn't find out who made that jalapeno sausage? BarS makes at hot sausage that I get allot. They come in a BIG pack and are cheep. Hey, not bad. I have not seen their hot links.

P Paul, I'm bettin someone sells a cooked hot link somewhere around Houston. I also bet there are some meat shops that make them.

Mayor Al, those Louisiana hot links you found at Sam's sound great!!!! Sorta like the ones I mentioned at the start of this thread. But... who makes them???

Pimple, those JV New Orleans sausages are Andouille. Hard to comapare to anything else. I buy them all tha time. I have allot of sausage lovers in my familly. They all wrap them in a flour tortilla though. Many prefer my jalapeno mayo as a condament. Hey Guys, were in Texas so that is ok! Tha tortilla and... tha mayo!

Don't forget my tast test from earlier in this thread of store baught hot links. 30 folks voted. Hillshire Farm All Beef won. Earl Campbell came in 2nd.

Hilshire Farms, Eckrich, and Johnsonville are all pretty good store brand sausages. Oh, and Earl Campbell.

Earl's sausages have their own FB fan page!
Joe

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:50:13 GMT

pimple2

How [and by how much] does Johnsonville New Orleans Brand Smoked Sausage compare with/differ from their BOLD Beef Hot Links? We get the first but not the second in our area. Thanks.

Couldn't tell ya. We don't get either in AZ----at least I've not seen them anywhere.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (pimple2)

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:58:21 GMT

How [and by how much] does Johnsonville New Orleans Brand Smoked Sausage compare with/differ from their BOLD Beef Hot Links? We get the first but not the second in our area. Thanks.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (mayor al)

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 20:23:54 GMT

I believe there is a major difference in the mass-produced links we find in markets all over the place, and the limited-production links made by the craftsmen/women in many of the Sausage making businesss around the country.

When you find a restaurant or meat shop that makes their own, it can be a real treasure to be treated with great respect. Even big operations can be known for very good products...I would put Usinger's Meats in that catagory.

For Supermarket Links, we have recently found the Louisiana Hot Links at Costco to be a real 'Winner Wiener". Plenty of snap in the casing when browned, a good coarse texture, and an excellent spice to flavor ratio make them a pretty good deal for us!

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Pirate Paul)

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:51:02 GMT

   To the other Paul from NY, I'm not a bit surprised your cousin didn't have a clue what a genuine Texas dog is, even though he's from here. After I moved away to California for many years, I found barbecue hot links available at virtually all the barbecue and soul food places.
   Back here again, I find they are practically non-existent outside of grocery store meat sections! Unbelievable.    The original poster didn't say, so I don't know if he wants to eat them in a restaurant or buy them for home. First, you have to specify hot links, not "sausage links," which are long rings often called rope sausage.
   Hot links look like fat hot dogs, and are referred to as Texas or Lousiana hot links, the latter sometimes being andouille. I have made both at home.
   If you want to buy them, make sure to read the labels and insist on pork and/or beef only, not mechanically dismembered chicken parts or other stuff that once had feathers.
   My favorite commercial brands are Blue Ribbon and Johnsonville, both made in Texas, but there are many other good ones (and just as many that are not).

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (surrycounty)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:32:22 GMT

Last month I made my first ( and I dearly hope not last ) visit to Louie Mueller's Barbecue in Taylor, Texas. Boy oh boy, what an incredible restaurant! The place is, architecturally, an amazing time machine, and the staff is one of the most friendly and accommodating that I've ever encountered. It's the food, however, that really knocked my socks off. Both the brisket and the hot links are simply wonderful, and the sides that I sampled were very good. Mueller's came close to displacing the original Doe's Eat Place in MS as my favorite eatery on planet Earth, but I finally decided that Louie's place would just have to settle for the #2 spot. Close contest though.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:31:37 GMT

I just Googled "Hot Links Sausage' and came up with a bunch of info. Including Bar S Hotlinks available at Sams Club as well as a link to make your own-
http://www.bbq-porch.org/recipes/html/r1657.htm

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:18:37 GMT

PapaJoe8

Thanks Foodb. Do they just call it a spicy sausage? I guess a tridetional hot link has a casing? Although Hillshire Farm hot links have been around for many years and they have no casing. The old style hot links had a great snap to them.
Joe

I'll go to Circle K & QT tomorrow to verify the names and will report!

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (PapaJoe8)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:55:33 GMT

Plb, thanks! If it comes up right see if you can weisel out of them who makes that jalapeno sausage.

I guess not so many places sell hot links any more. :~(
Joe

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (plb)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:23:51 GMT

The QT on Preston in Plano calls it a smoked jalapeño sausage.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (PapaJoe8)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:08:57 GMT

Thanks Foodb. Do they just call it a spicy sausage? I guess a tridetional hot link has a casing? Although Hillshire Farm hot links have been around for many years and they have no casing. The old style hot links had a great snap to them.
Joe

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:07:17 GMT

PapaJoe8

HD, so no more hot links at QT?

I saw a new thread about QT but could not tell from their web site if they sell hot links or what kinds of hot dogs / wieners / sausages they sell.... anyone?

What about Circle K.

None of you hot dog pros sell hot links???
Joe

Out here in AZ, Circle K and QT serve a Spicy hot dog/sausage but it's not a traditional hot link.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (PapaJoe8)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:42:35 GMT

HD, so no more hot links at QT?

I saw a new thread about QT but could not tell from their web site if they sell hot links or what kinds of hot dogs / wieners / sausages they sell.... anyone?

What about Circle K.

None of you hot dog pros sell hot links???
Joe

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:44:09 GMT

bill voss

Foodbme

bill voss

I wish we had Quik Trips out in the West. Superior stores.

We have QT Stores in AZ & we're "Out West"!. They're building a bunch of them in the Phoenix area. And yes, their take out food service is terrific!

OK! even Further West!
I guess you could really say they're a Western chain anyway. Maybe they want to become the Wawa
of the West. (Say that 3 times fast)

Circle K owned the market out here until QT came to town. Now Circle K is scrambling to keep up. They're Remodeling all their stores to upgrade their foodservice sections

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (1bbqboy)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:34:41 GMT

Foodbme

bill voss

I wish we had Quik Trips out in the West. Superior stores.

We have QT Stores in AZ & we're "Out West"!. They're building a bunch of them in the Phoenix area. And yes, their take out food service is terrific!

OK! even Further West!
I guess you could really say they're a Western chain anyway. Maybe they want to become the Wawa
of the West. (Say that 3 times fast)

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (BR)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:29:53 GMT

I agree with tiki on the JC Potters Hot Links. I don't care for their Smoked Sausage but the Hot Links are just the right spice and heat for my taste.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (edwmax)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:09:07 GMT

Pirate Paul
..................
Well, at least most of you you didn't use "sausage" and "hot links" in the same sentence. They are not the same thing at all, .....

...says who????

Mr. Webster's definition of sausage: : a highly seasoned minced meat usually stuffed in casings of prepared animal intestine; also : a link or patty of sausage

A "hot link" is nothing but an over seasoned (hot) & over sized wiener. In my area it is very hard to find a good one that does not contain chicken. A "hot link" is a sausage.

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (Foodbme)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:36:48 GMT

bill voss

I wish we had Quik Trips out in the West. Superior stores.

We have QT Stores in AZ & we're "Out West"!. They're building a bunch of them in the Phoenix area. And yes, their take out food service is terrific!

Re:Hot Links, where to find the best ??? (joerogo)

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:25:52 GMT

bill voss

I wish we had Quik Trips out in the West. Superior stores.

West? I thought you were in Florida.