My Surprising Pit Stop On The Way To The Gulf Coast

You really haven’t tried smoked sausage until you’ve tasted the Conecuh brand. The company, which started in 1947 in Conecuh County, Alabama, has a potent combination of enticing hickory smoke and a patented blend of seasonings that set their products apart from the usual offerings in the grocery-store meat case. So when I found out they had a retail store in Evergreen, Alabama, I had to plan a stop on my next trip from Birmingham to the coast. While smoked sausage may not be the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating a road trip to the beach, the Conecuh Sausage Gift Shop is a must in my book. It’s located right off 1-65 beneath a “Welcome to Evergreen” water tower, and you’ll know for sure you’re there when you see O’Henry, a comical, larger-than-life pink pig statue, greeting you by the parking lot.

Savory Plus Sweet

Walk into the 7,000-square-foot lodge-style building, and you’re met by the unmistakable scent of sizzling sausage. It’s beloved by lawn chair grillers and game-day tailgaters across the South, and many make the pilgrimage to Evergreen to get it in person (750 to 1,000 visitors a day). They serve it fresh off the grill for breakfast and lunch (7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday). Round out your sausage dog meal with a wide array of toppings—plus soups, chips, and an assortment of sweets. Their dessert case features delectable treats made by Dean’s Cake House, which is based in nearby Andalusia. Take your spread outside to enjoy it at a table on their broad front porch, complete with ceiling fans—ideal for its Southern locale.

Something For Later

Although this company is famous for their original sausage, they have a few other tricks up their sleeve that you might not have seen at your local grocery store. In this shop, you’ll find six varieties of Conecuh sausage (including Spicy & Hot and Cracked Black Pepper versions) plus smoked turkey, ham, bacon, and fresh meats. While you’re there, also grab some bottles of cane syrup and jars of jellies and jams. If you have a beach rental with a kitchen, you can pick up some Cajun sausage that will be perfect for adding a little extra kick to a shrimp or crawfish boil made with seafood fresh from the Gulf. Conecuh Seafood Boil seasoning is a spicy, garlicky, oniony mix that will flavor 10 to 15 pounds of shrimp.

Splendid Surprises

In addition to providing your fill of food, they offer Conecuh-branded T-shirts, hats, aprons, and hoodies to give to your favorite carnivores. On my visit, I was pleasantly surprised by their wide assortment of non-pig-related gifts, accessories, and home-decor items, including jewelry and clothing from Simply Southern. Plus, you can find Yeti and Pelican coolers, Big Green Egg grills, and even hunting gear.

When Pigs Fly

If you don’t have a trip to the coast in the works and want a taste of pork perfection, you can order sausage, seasonings, and even smoked turkeys sent to you via airmail. But you have to plan ahead, because they ship only on Mondays and Tuesdays. The products will arrive on your doorstep in a foam cooler on ice.