Pork fat and sausage cases in Ann Arbor MI?
Hi,
We live near Ann Arbor, Michigan and have been driven crazy trying to find fatback and/or sausage casings. If anyone knows a place that either delivers or is about 30 mins drive from Ann Arbor we (me and my husband that is) would be really, truly grateful.
Irene
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re: caromass
Hallelujah.
I used to buy at Sparrow. I did, in fact, have to cajole and almost beg to get casings. It was a little ridiculous. Today they just told me flat out - "we have some but won't sell them to you".
I called Hiller's (a place I have never been to before) on the suggestion of caromass. They have them in stock and they require no begging. I am on my way.
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JanPrimus
Jul 14, 2010 03:03 PM
Talk to the fine people at Sparrow Meats in Kerrytown. If they can not help you...check out Butcher and Packer in the Eastern Market area of Detroit.
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re: JanPrimus
JP, This past weekend Butcher & Packer closed up shop in Detroit and relocated to 14 Mile at Dequindre (yes, same intersection as Trizest Sichuan Restaurant). The B&P website is not yet updated as such. In any event, I'm sure you're right about Sparrow's being able to hook up Renio with BOTH casings and fatback...unless Renio is inflexible and demands a particular diameter in a particular material (natural, synthetic...).
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re: vtombrown
First of all the important stuff: Thank you both!
I'm afraid Sparrow's can't help me with either (said they don't get fatback and they use all their casings themselves). I guess I will have to look on-line?P.S. To tell you the truth I hadn't even thought about the whole diameter thing. Hmmmm
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re: Renio
JanPrimus
Jul 15, 2010 04:49 AM
Reneo....Butcher and Packer will still be your best bet. I am sure the current website sure is still taking orders. As for Sparrow's answers....I find that odd since he most likely if making sausages himself would need the back fat for when he is using some of the cuts he turns into sausage. Boar, duck and lamb are way to lean too not use Backfat as a agent. As for casings...he can't add on to his current order?
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re: Renio
momskitchen
Jul 17, 2010 06:26 PM
Hillers will sell you sausage casings...I never tried to get fat back, but I am sure you could get something there, too.
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re: Renio
Hi Renio, I was in Sparrow's today and spoke with Casey at the meat counter. He said that they have a scheme for managing their various animal parts, to keep things in balance. They don't want to sell a whole bunch of fat, without selling some corresponding lean meat. Otherwise, they could end up with a bunch of lean trimmings and not be able to make them into sausage. Their modest inventory doesn't provide much of a buffer for leeway.
However, he said that if you are getting your lean sausage component from Sparrow's, they typically (sometimes not on a particular day) will be able to hook you up with fat that will make you all happy. I'm not sure what was your plan for the lean components, but I certainly can recommend Sparrows, unless you have something else great going...and by great, I ain't talkin' Sam's Club bulk boston butt with "solution added"...maybe your fiancee has some frozen venison or something?
Finally, I can say that Sparrow's will sell you casings, but you just need to convey that you are a "woman on a mission." Sparrow's casings are not highly processed and dry packed in salt (which requires reconstitution). The Sparrow's casings are a little funky and come in a water brine. Casey said that inexperienced sausage makers get put-off by the funky smell out of the jar (which somewhat lessens with a good rinse), and then ask the store to take them back.
Because Sparrow's is not truly in the casings business, they don't mark them up. Rather, they sell them for a nominal amount as a customer service. Thus, when they have to give a customer refund and trash the return, there are no margins to cover the loss. So...you have to kind of prod them to get them to sell you the casings. But, they WILL do it. :-)
PS--Today, I got (supposedly) locally/humanely raised dry aged prime rib (USDA Prime!) from Sparrow's for $6.99/LB. Schwinggggg!!
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re: JanPrimus
I have been reading this post out of curiosity since I'm planning on making sausage soon. Sparrow's looks like an awesome butcher. I'd like to find something somewhat closer to where I am though. (I'm in Clarkston, MI) Can anyone suggest a butcher around Clarkston, Waterford, Auburn Hills or Rochester that would have sausage casings and pork fat? It would be awesome if they had some duck and duck fat too. :) (I'm a huge duck fan and miss it alot)
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re: DirdenT
JanPrimus
Aug 31, 2010 10:00 AM
May I also suggest mail ordering....I have have gotten GREAT product from places such as Mosefund Farms. Best pork I have ever cooked by a country mile. I say that as someone who is known as "The Pork Dork" in my family.
http://www.mosefundfarm.com/mosefund_mangalitsa.html
Also Fossil Farms....
Duck Fat is $25 for 7.5 pound buckets.
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re: DirdenT
Hi DirdenT, My friend raves about Rochester's "B&G Prime Meats," at 630 Woodward Ave
Rochester, MI 48307 (Don't be thrown off by the street name of Woodward, because this place is in the heart of Rochester, northwest of Main and University). 248-656-3057.
Again, I've not been there, myself. I know it is bad form to mention places not personally visited, but an unconfirmed lead is better than no local lead whatsoever. I do plan to go to B&G after Christmas, so if you don't beat me there, I'll report back for you.PS--Did you see the size of the jowls on the pig at JanPrimus' suggested website from Washington state? I might do me some mail ordering.
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