Anybody know where to buy uncooked Chicago hot links on the North Side?

[cajundave]

The only places I have found that sell Chicago style hot links are Moo and Oink (south side) and Peoria Packing's (west loop). I would like to get them fresh if possible. Any BBQ pros out there care to share your secret source?

[The Dame]

Try Blue Ribbon Meat market in Oak Park at Lake St and Austin, 1-708- 524-9766. Ask for Ron or Russ, they have a lot of other types of dogs and sausages, hot links, turkey, lamb, the big red beef dogs, fresh bratwurst, they make most of their "encased" meats there. There stuff is fresh.

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Blue Ribbon Restaurant
201 S Main St, Bartlett, IL 60103

[gordeaux]

Cajundave -
I apologize, as I don't have a spot for you, but a suggestion:

I'm VERY particular about my hot links. I only buy Moo&Oink turkey hot links, or, for pork/beef hot links, I only buy them from my favorite Chicago BBQ spot. The proprietor sells them raw but frozen in either 15 or 30 lb boxes. My suggestion would be to inquire about buying them from your favorite Chicago BBQ spot near you. Perhaps Robert over at Honey 1 will sell some to you?

Now that I think about it, it IS kinda surprising that so few grocery stores sell Chicago hot links in the Chicagoland area. If you are not dead set on the sagey flavor of Chicago hot links, then I'd suggest you try Parker House hot sausage links which are sold at almost every big grocer. Parker House links are right up there with my two favorites I've listed, but they definitely do not have that sagey thing going on thgat Chicago Hot links have. Hopefully others can point you to a specific place. Please report back!

[cajundave]

Gordeaux,

Thanks for your reply.

I'll have to try the turkey hot links at Moo and Oinks, I've only had the pork which have the sage and pepper and they are good but not great. My 2nd cousin owned the BBQ joint in Evanston before he sold it to Hecky. He had a real pit boss and I watched him make pork hot links from the rib trimmings. Sage, hot pepper flakes, garlic powder salt and pepper, thats it. They were great. Now I'm spoiled.

I have an email in to Craig aka meathead at the amazing ribs website, maybe he can help. He's a Chicagoan and a recognized BBQ expert. I plan to email Burt aka abf005. If they don't know I am going to have to make the hot links myself or buy them from some BBQ joint.

Whatever I find out I will post for all of us BBQ junkies.

It is ironic that I can get 100 types on eastern European sausages, which i like, in Niles and Chicago but I can't get Chicago style hot links in Chicago unless I drive to the Southside.

[Roger Spark]

I have seen frozen Moo & Oink links at the Morse Avenue Market. Call first.

Morse Fruit & Meat Market
1430 W Morse Ave
(between Glenwood Ave & Greenview Ave)
Chicago, IL 60626
[phone]

[cajundave]

Thanks Roger,

I got an email from Burt abf005 who said he was able to get them from Super Wallmart in the Waukegan Fountian Square. I am going up there today to see if they have them.

Thanks again everybody.

[cajundave]

I confirmed that they have Moo and Oink hot links at the Wal-Mart in Waukegan on Waukegan road and Belvedere ( route 120). They have frozen 2.5 lb pkg (5 links) of turkey pork and beef, hot and mild. I smoked some hot pork links over the weekend and they were pretty good, although not much sage and not very spicy. The butcher said it's a regular item and they always have them.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[loftlady]

I think you can order the hot links from Moo & Oink's web site. Also they have a west side location. The web site also gives a list of stores were the product is available. And I love their bbq sauce.