Anyone know where I can find tasso?

There was an episode of a Bobby Flay show where he and another man made jambalaya. The recipe calls for tasso, and I don't know where to look for it locally. Any ideas?

Paulina has what they call tasso. My feeling is, stuff like that at Paulina is authentically German whether it should be or not, but it should still be tasty whether or not it's strictly accurate.

Paulina Meat Market
3501 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Tel: (773) 248-6272

Here's a recipe for making tasso:

http://www.gumbopages.com/food/tasso.html

I think I have seen it a Whole Foods but it's been awhile.

LikestoEatout wrote:Here's a recipe for making tasso:

http://www.gumbopages.com/food/tasso.html

I tried making this exact recipe once 7-8 years ago, unmitigated disaster pretty much sums up the experience.

Might have been just me, but I've gone mail-order for tasso ever since.

Enjoy,
Gary

I've purchased a few nice chunks of tasso at Elburn Market aka Reams. It had well balanced seasoning with a good peppery kick. Not sure where you are located as this is about 45 miles west of the city, but it's a great, and well known out here in the far west, meat market for fresh and cured meats. Call first to check their stock of tasso if you plan on making the trip.

Reams Elburn Market
128 North Main Street
Elburn, Illinois
(630) 365-6461

No bright ideas-but the point about Paulina is well taken. As fantastic as the place is, if authenticity is desired, their andouille, Polish, Italian, etc, line of sausages don't really come close.

I have seen tasso at Fox and Obel.

401 E. Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Our larder of Tasso from Lafayette, LA is no more and we are looking for a local place to replenish until our next trip. We have tried Paulina Market and were underwhelmed. Any help would be most appreciated. Thank you.

I'd certainly try Publican Quality Meats if I were in the area (or call them before making a dedicated trip). I have, from time to time, seen some Louisiana-made brands of andouilee and tasso at Treasure Island in Wilmette. These are not particularly artisanal brands but they'll do in a pinch. Big Jones serves a great house-made version on occasion but I'm not sure if they'd sell it.

=R=

PQM
825 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 445-8977

Treasure Island
911 Ridge Rd
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 256-5033

Big Jones
5347 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 275-5725

I've purchased tasso (along with andouille and a whole lot more) from Wayne Jacob's in LaPlace, La. and it's terrific. I suppose if you're just ordering a little tasso it may not be worthwhile, but otherwise it might make sense to give them a call. Here's a thread on Wayne Jacob's.

Thanks for replying Ron and BR. Our two favorite places for Tasso are Bailey's and Jacobs from LaPlace- which we always stock up before heading home.

Several brands are available for delivery from http://cajungrocer.com/

When it comes to something like Tasso, which I have not had a lot of success finding outside the motherland, I'd rather pay the shipping and get it right. Jacobs has worked fine for me in the past.

I'm sure elfin knows about the places in LA. As she posted, she's visited them and even brought me some goods from there. There are times you just want something today. Sometimes that works out. Sometimes it doesn't.

=R=

Heaven on Seven will sell you the Tasso that they use, as well as their andouille, which they get from somewhere in NOLA.

harpua wrote:Heaven on Seven will sell you the Tasso that they use, as well as their andouille, which they get from somewhere in NOLA.

Helpful to know - I'll have to ask them where they get it from.