The Cult Following of Conecuh Sausage in Alabama

Nestled in South Alabama, Evergreen spans just 20 square miles and houses a population of 3,591, according to the 2020 U.S. census. While it may lack the historical gravitas of Birmingham and Selma, or the allure of Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center, it boasts a quirky statue of a giant pig lounging in a lawn chair, wielding a grilling fork. This charming figure stands proudly outside the Conecuh Sausage plant, famed for its hickory-smoked links that have garnered devoted fans.

Founded by Henry Sessions as Sessions Quick Freeze 75 years ago, this meat-processing facility started in Evergreen. A few years later, it shifted focus to processing and packaging meats, gaining fame for its hickory-smoked sausages. The name was changed to Conecuh (pronounced “cuh-neck-uh”) Sausage in 1986, relocating to its current location just off I-65's Evergreen exit, midway between Montgomery and Mobile. The establishment now includes a vast gift shop that attracts tourists en route to Alabama’s Gulf Shores or the Florida Panhandle, where visitors enjoy Conecuh dogs on the porch, take pictures with the mascot pig, buy Yeti coolers filled with sausages, and browse through pork-themed Christmas ornaments. Each October, Evergreen celebrates a sausage festival featuring rodeos, a car show (as is tradition in Alabama), and over 100 vendors.

Even when not traveling to Florida or attending a South Alabama sausage festival, locals have a strong affinity for Conecuh. During football season, it’s the favored meat choice. On Saturdays, the scent of grilled sausage fills the air in backyards, living rooms, and stadium parking lots. Tailgating is a cherished ritual in the Yellowhammer State—especially during Bama vs. Auburn games—where the brand has solidified its status as the official smoked sausage and hot dog for the Crimson Tide, the Tigers, and even the Florida Gators.

In the Deep South, pork is taken seriously. Amid a landscape dotted with cheerful pig mascots inviting passersby to savor pulled-pork sandwiches or smoky ribs, Conecuh sausage rises to the occasion as a standout choice.

What makes Conecuh sausage so special?

The company utilizes a unique blend of seasonings, and the Sessions family, who still own the brand, has preserved the original recipe since Henry first created it. The appeal of Conecuh sausage lies in its understated flavor. It offers a mild, balanced taste with just a hint of red pepper for a subtle kick without overwhelming the senses. For many Southerners, it evokes a sense of home, and when prepared correctly, it can enhance a dish without overshadowing its other flavors.

David Webb, a proud Conecuh Sausage enthusiast and founder of the fan group Conecuh Life, has been using this brand for 40 years, keeping 400 packs stocked in his fridge “at all times.” He first encountered it when his father, a retired Coast Guard officer, brought some home from the Coast Guard commissary in Mobile, back when the sausage wasn’t as popular. “Whenever we had family and friends over, we grilled it up, and every time someone tried it, they’d say, ‘Wow, this is really delicious,’” he recalls. Webb estimates he has introduced thousands to its flavors over four decades. “It’s thrilling because I know what their reaction will be before they even take a bite,” he adds. “Every single time, their eyes light up as if they’re about to pop out of their heads.”

While the ingredients play a crucial role, the hallmark of Conecuh sausage is its hickory smoke. “I believe the hickory is likely sourced locally in Evergreen, but it’s the technique of infusing that smoke into the sausages that sets the brand apart,” Webb explains. “It’s similar to having an old-fashioned hickory smokehouse on a farm, imparting that rustic flavor throughout their sausage.”

David Webb’s Conecuh sausages, his dedicated fridge, and his car.

How to enjoy it

Conecuh offers six different sausage varieties, along with bacon, hams, franks, seasoning blends, and even turkeys (Webb endorses all the sausage flavors). Fans often chop the sausage into chunks to enhance gumbo, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and collard greens, or simply grill them and serve in hot dog buns. In online communities like the Conecuh Sausage Fan Club and Conecuh Life, enthusiasts exchange original recipes that incorporate the sausages into dishes like cinnamon roll pigs in a blanket, ground into burgers, mixed into spaghetti or fried rice, and even a sausage-centric version of a shrimp boil called a Conecuh Sausage Throw Down.

“I’ve discovered that allowing the sausage’s flavor to shine is the key to any dish,” shares Ed Williamson, a member of the Conecuh Sausage Fan Club who first tasted the brand at a South Alabama hunting camp in 1967. He has since created his own recipes to share with fellow fans. For many members, Conecuh is the only sausage they’ll use at home, easily replacing andouille, kielbasa, or chorizo in virtually any recipe.

Where to find it

You can find Conecuh sausage at regional and national retailers such as Publix and Amazon. Many fan groups discuss where to purchase it outside the South and recommend restaurants that include Conecuh on their menus.

Note: Like many products in the post-2020 landscape, Conecuh is currently facing supply chain challenges. Some restaurants have had to use substitutes, so it’s a good idea to check with the staff when you see Conecuh available.

Conecuh Sausage Gift Shop

While Conecuh sausage is available in major grocery stores, you’ll discover the widest selection (including rare flavors like cracked black pepper) directly from the source. They offer samples and sell fresh Conecuh dogs, along with rotating specials like cheesesteaks and mac and cheese. 200 Industrial Park, Evergreen, AL, 36401

Satsuma Chevron BBQ

At the Chevron station in Satsuma, Mobile County, you can enjoy breakfast gumbo—a delightful mix of grits, scrambled eggs, bacon, Conecuh sausage, and sliced green onions, all topped with a dash of hot sauce. Each day, hundreds queue up for this affordable breakfast bowl. 6105 Highway 43, Satsuma, AL, 36572

Milo’s Hamburgers

Milo’s, an Alabama-only fast-food chain, is renowned for its hamburgers and sweet tea, which is available by the bottle and gallon in Southern grocery stores and gas stations. If you visit during breakfast hours, you can choose from Conecuh biscuits, sandwiches, burritos, and protein plates at the drive-thru. Located throughout Alabama

Rise

Nestled along Mobile Bay, Rise is a breakfast and brunch destination that serves a true Southern feast. Their signature ‘Bama Bowl features a hearty stack of scrambled eggs, mixed cheese, and Conecuh sausage over biscuits and gravy. For a more refined option, try the ‘Bama Benny, which includes poached eggs, Conecuh sausage, and hollandaise on a biscuit. 10198 U.S. Highway 31, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527