Unraveling the Mystery: Where is Patton’s Famous Hot Sausage Actually Made?

Patton’s hot sausage holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of sausage lovers, especially those hailing from Louisiana This iconic sausage has been tantalizing taste buds since 1947 with its signature blend of spices and smoky, meaty flavor But despite its widespread popularity, many fans don’t actually know where this beloved sausage is made.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of Patton’s hot sausage, its growth from a small family business to a sausage empire, and finally reveal the location where this famous sausage links are crafted and shipped out to fans across the country.

A Family Recipe Passed Down Through Generations

Patton’s hot sausage can trace its origins back to A.P. Patton, a businessman and politician in Opelousas, Louisiana. In 1942, Patton opened a family grocery store and sausage factory, where he perfected his own special blend of Cajun-style hot sausage. Patton’s mission was simple – to create the most delicious hot sausage using only the freshest ingredients.

Patton passed his secret family recipe down to his children, who continued expanding the company’s reach. In 1947, Patton’s son opened the first wholesale distribution center in New Orleans, shipping the links across Louisiana. Throughout the years, Patton’s has remained a family-run business, now operated by A.P. Patton’s grandchildren.

Growth from Local Shop to National Brand

While Patton’s hot sausage started as a humble local business, its popularity skyrocketed over the decades. By the 1960s, Patton’s distinctive red and white buckets of sausage links were being sold in grocery stores across New Orleans. Locals and tourists alike couldn’t get enough of the spicy, smoky links.

As demand grew, Patton’s expanded, opening a production facility in New Orleans to increase output. To appeal to broader tastes, they introduced a beef and pork blend in addition to their traditional all-pork recipe.

Today, Patton’s ships their sausage across the country, directly to consumers looking for an authentic taste of Louisiana. Their mail order business has allowed Patton’s to reach new heights, cementing their status as a national brand cherished by hot sausage aficionados from all over.

The Secret’s Out: Patton’s Facility in Bogalusa, LA

So where exactly is the facility producing millions of pounds of these famous sausage links each year? The Patton’s factory is located in Bogalusa, Louisiana.

In the 1980s, Patton’s relocated their production operations from New Orleans to a state-of-the-art facility in Bogalusa. This provided the capacity, technology, and quality control needed as Patton’s experienced rapid growth.

At the 60,000 square foot Bogalusa facility, Patton’s makes both their traditional pork sausage and beef/pork blend in links and patties. Each batch follows A.P. Patton’s original recipe, ensuring the same authentic spice blend and smoky flavor profile.

The facility employs over 100 people and ships out Patton’s sausage across America and beyond. Whether it’s in local Louisiana supermarkets or delivered to doorsteps thousands of miles away, each Patton’s hot sausage can be traced back to the Bogalusa facility.

Keeping Quality Consistent As Production Scales

One of the major challenges Patton’s has faced with growth is maintaining quality and consistency. As they’ve expanded from a small family operation to mass production, Patton’s has implemented stringent quality control processes.

At the Bogalusa facility, the sausage mixture is tested at multiple stages throughout production. The meat is examined to ensure the right lean-to-fat ratio. Spice blends are meticulously measured to guarantee each batch has the proper seasoning. The sausage links are regularly tasted and tested for texture, spice level, and smoke flavor.

Thanks to this rigorous quality control, each Patton’s hot sausage stays true to A.P. Patton’s original recipe. The sausage you buy today matches what loyal customers have enjoyed for over 70 years.

Bringing a Taste of Louisiana nationwide

Part of Patton’s widespread appeal is its status as an iconic Louisiana brand. By centralizing operations in Bogalusa, Patton’s has been able to scale production while retaining their Louisiana roots.

The Bogalusa facility employs local Louisiana residents, sources ingredients from nearby suppliers, and follows time-honored Cajun traditions for crafting sausage. This ensures that unmistakable Louisiana style infuses each bite of Patton’s hot sausage.

With national distribution capabilities matched with Louisiana passion, Patton’s delivers the authentic, scrumptious taste of Louisiana anywhere their sausage is shipped. For sausage lovers not fortunate enough to live in the Pelican State, sinking your teeth into a Patton’s hot sausage link is a taste of home.

What’s Next for Patton’s Hot Sausage

With over 70 years under their belt, Patton’s shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, America’s appetite for their signature hot sausage continues to grow.

To meet demand, Patton’s recently invested in expanding and upgrading their Bogalusa facility with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. This expanded capacity will allow Patton’s to spread their Louisiana flavor even farther.

As more consumers discover the magic of Patton’s hot sausage, this family-owned company is poised to achieve even greater success. But no matter how big they grow, Patton’s will continue paying homage to A.P. Patton’s original recipes and their Louisiana roots where it all began.

So next time you bite into a Patton’s hot sausage, you can appreciate the history, passion and dedication that goes into bringing this iconic sausage from Bogalusa straight to your plate!