Best Source For Christmas Ham?

I’m slowing taking over various holiday traditions from my parents, with this year being the first Christmas we host at our place.

I think we’ve settled on ham for Christmas dinner but I’m at a loss of where I should go to buy my ham. I know just enough to be aware that ham qualities, amount of injected liquids, and things like that vary a lot. And many butchers I’d go to and just do whatever they suggest (like Zier’s or Paulina) don’t seem to carry ham. Paulina has a fresh ham, Zier’s doesn’t seem to have ham, period.

I should add I’m looking for a fully cooked, spiral sliced ham. Nueske, Smithfield, and Harrington’s are all brands that come to mind.

Is there a certain brand that’s worth the money? Or a certain butcher you prefer? I’m in Park Ridge so Fresh Farms is near, as it Costco, Whole Foods...pretty much anywhere. Open to shipping one in as well.

Where does a guy go to buy a good quality ham at a reasonable price?

Nueske hams are great. Sunset Foods sell them.

That's great to know - I was trying to find a store locator for Nueske but couldn't. I like the idea of a (relatively) local ham but didn't want to pay $$ for shipping, and I sure as hell am not driving up to their store just to pick one up.

I'd call Publican Quality Meat and/or Butcher and Larder (at Local Foods). I bought a good one from PQM a number of years ago that was a big hit.

I believe Hofherr Meat Co. in Northfield has smoked ham. You may have to order in advance.

I like Nueske and it used to be my favorite until . . . I had one of Colonel Bill Newsom's BBQ Preacher Hams. Newsom makes a variety of top-tier country hams but the Preacher is more in line with what one might typically find on a holiday dinner table. I think it's more delicious than Nueske and less sweet, too. And they're not sliced, either. In any case, it's probably too late for this year but certainly something to keep in mind for the future.

=R=

Country Ham

Missouri:
Berger http://www.smokehouse.com/

Virgina:
Edwards http://www.edwardsvaham.com/
Smithfield http://www.smithfieldhams.com
Calhoun's http://www.calhounhams.com
Gwaltney http://www.gwaltneyfoods.com/
Surry Farms http://www.surryfarms.com/ (Edwards)
Kites Ham http://kiteshams.com/

Kentucky:
Fathers http://www.fatherscountryhams.com/
Newsom http://www.newsomscountryham.com/
Scott Hams http://www.scotthams.com/
Broadbent's http://www.broadbenthams.com/
Finchville Farms http://www.finchvillefarms.com/
Meacham http://www.meachamhams.com/
Harper's http://www.hamtastic.com/

Tennesse:
Benton's http://bentonscountryhams2.com/
Tripp http://www.countryhams.com/
Rice http://www.ricescountryhams.com/
Clifty Farm http://www.cliftyfarm.com/
G. W. Hamery http://www.thehamery.com/
Phillips Brothers http://phillipsbrotherscountryhams.com/

NC:
Goodnight http://goodnightbrothers.com/shop/?prodid=1
Johnston http://www.countrycuredhams.com/ (out of business)

Oh yeah Benton's! I visited them a fist full of years ago and I can still remember the wonderful aroma of pork and smoke.

We have had several excellent hams from Butcher & Larder at Local Foods.

Scott Hams closed a few years ago.
Sad as their smoked breakfast sausage and sides of bacon were always in our house.
After trying many Country Hams, we have come down to Rice’s.
A little milder in salt and we really like the taste.
I think that each Country Ham producer has their own strain of bacteria that provide a slight unique taste on aging.
Benton’s hams are very nice and their bacon is now our go to bacon.
For a City Ham, you just can’t beat Nueske’s!
I’ll have to try some Newsome’s!
-Richard

Thanks for all the great suggestions - Nueske spiral sliced ham from Sunset hits all the criteria. Less than $8/lb, the right flavor and style I’m looking for, reputable brand, and easy pick up at a nearby store known for a good butcher department.

Just called to have one set aside for pick up on Monday

Dreymiller and Kray out in Hampshire has some nice hams and other smoked meats. Not exactly close to where you are but if you find yourself in the area it’s a cool old school country butcher shop to check out. https://dreymillerandkray.com/

DClose wrote:Zier’s doesn’t seem to have ham, period.

I don't know where you got your information but it's incorrect and nothing could be further from the truth. Not only does Zier's carry commercially produced, spiral-cut hams but Dave Zier also cures and smokes his own hams in house . . .


Dave Zier showing off some House-Made Hams

I picked up a 4-pound half at Zier's today and it's sensational.

=R=

Zier's Prime Meats & Poultry
813 Ridge Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-4000