Parker House Sausage Company

My buddy brought over a 10lb box of hand tied hot links from Parker House Sausage company (believe he said it is at 60th and State) that I threw on my smoker yesterday. Gotta say they were fantastic, good spice and and a great "pop". These were a finer ground than I normally see, and had a good bit of sage in them. My friend stated that they don't always make these links as they were reserved for big grill holidays.
The name sounded familiar, does this company make links for restaurants?
Jamie

Jamieson22 wrote:My buddy brought over a 10lb box of hand tied hot links from Parker House Sausage company (believe he said it is at 60th and State) . . .

Sixtieth and State? That’s Elmo’s Tombstone Service (“Tombstones Made While You Wait”) not Parker House.

I’m glad you mentioned Parker House. I thought about including it in A Guide to East 47th Street but decided against it because it’s a block north. Parker House Sausage, at 4605 S State Street, is a rather historic business. I don’t know when it began but it was at that location in the mid-1950s (according to the Sausage section of the Yellow Pages). It’s been Black-owned for many years (maybe since its founding) and was something of a pioneer in gaining a wider distribution for their products. Their sausages can be found in some supermarkets and are featured on the menus of many soul food restaurants. Very often the breakfast links, hot or mild, are from Parker House. Just the thing to go with your wheatcakes and (at one time) Joe Louis milk.

I’m not sure if I ever had a Parker House hot link (I assume they’re different from the hot breakfast sausage). I’d be curious to find out how many different types of sausage they make.

Parker House Sausage Company
4605 S State St
Chicago
773-538-1112

Thanks for the info ReneG!
Not really sure if these hot links are different from their breakfast sausage as I have never had either before this past weekend. I was told that they didn't always make these links, so makes me believe they are different in some way. They did definately have a breakfast sausage taste to them, but were large (30 of them in a 10lb box, about the size of a typical link), and came in pairs tied together.
Jamie

Hi,

I was at Peoria Packing House to buy some hot links for a graduation party. I bought their best deal available in the freezer case: two 5-lb boxes of hot links for $7.99. If you buy hot links fresh from the fresh meat area, then they are $1.69 per pound.

In the open freezer case next to the deli meat counter at Peoria Packing House, I saw a 10 pound box of Parker House hot links for $39.99. I asked the owner what was the difference between his hot links and those from Parker House. He advised Parker House hot links are similar to smoked Polish sausage, while his Peoria Packing House hot links are fresh.

I learned the owner of Peoria Packing House does not like his hot links smoked, though his friends do it. He prefers them grilled. He also favors the spicier hot links over the Italian sausage, which he thinks is too mild.

Peoria Packing Butcher Shop
1300 West Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60607
312-738-1800
Monday - Saturday: 6am-5pm
Sunday: 9am-3pm

Regards,

Cathy, this is valuable information indeed. Thanks for posting.

Rene G wrote:Their sausages can be found in some supermarkets and are featured on the menus of many soul food restaurants.

Sausage Case at Hyde Park Coop

Sagey Souse, Hot Head Cheese, Polish Sausage, and Original Smoked Sausage were the four in stock.

Window Sign at Tre’s

Tre’s Pancake House was at 63rd and Harper but it’s closed now. You might just be able to make out the very faded red Parker House sitting in the pan.

Hi,

I was at Peoria Packing House today to pick up their fresh hot links for next week's picnic.

Last weekend in beautiful NW Indiana, I bought two pounds of cooked hot links from Piatak Butchers. When I inquired how their hot links compared to Parker House, they claimed theirs was better and hotter.

I have seen 10 pound boxes of Parker House hot links at Peoria Packing House for $40. Simply because I have never tried them, I wasn't very interested in buying a lot until I knew better. I bought 1.5 pounds of Parker House hot links and another 1.5 pounds of Scott Petersen hot links, because they are both of the precooked variety on par with Piatak Brothers. All these will be available to sample at the picnic.

Checking out of Peoria Packing House, I asked the owner how did Parker House compare to Scott Petersen's hot links. He never had a chance to answer, a black patron started chuckling proclaiming, "That is not a fair comparison. There is nothing better than Parker House hot links."

I also inquired if anyone had heard of Bolshevik sausage. While the owner of Peoria Packing House did not know the precise sausage, he guessed it was Polish in origin. To be continued ...

Regards,

Indeed, Parker House and Scott Peterson is an unfair comparison in my opinion as well. Parker House is a star that hard to out shine by any sausage maker. If you've never tasted one you need to try it.

If you've never tasted one you need to try it

Indeed I plan to at the picnic next week. In your opinion, what is the best way to cook these? I presume grilling them to reheat.

Regards,

Yes, grilling is a good choice also. I've also had the hot ones split down the middle and fried with cheese and mayo or cheese, eggs and mayo on toast for and unbelievably scrumptious tasting sandwich.

Hi,

A few months ago while taking pictures on the south side, Rene G and I passed the Parker House Sausage Company building. There was a side door designated as the factory outlet store. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

They make the following sausages:
- Polish
- Smoked
- Hot links
- Headcheese, souse or known in Northwest Indiana as Bolshevik.

I talked to their distributor in Memphis, TN who answered the phone when Chicago didn't. I was very, very impressed when he knew of Bolshevik sausage.

The prices at the outlet store are supposed to be pretty good. I hope someday to find out for myself.

Regards,