Bridgford Thick Sliced Pepperoni was on sale this week, and I try and stock up when those little delightful discs of processed pork are discounted.
Bridgford started about 80 years ago in Southern California; its still a family business and headquartered in Anaheim. They were primarily in the bread dough for consumers business (dough, heat and serve) until diversifying through the acquisition of a meat snack plant in Chicago. In addition to those two facilities, the company has plants in Dallas and North Carolina.
In addition to the pepperoni, the meat portion of the company makes jerky, beef sticks, and salami. Products are available nationwide.
But back to the subject. I’m always sampling pepperoni, as I make pizza at home often. I look at the ingredients, flavor, and texture. I most want to avoid pepperoni that cups and chars on top of a pie, tho some people find that a positive attribute.
At our house, the flavor has to be raw, as Mrs. Burgerdogboy prefers her pepperoni right out of the package as a snack – she doesn’t go for it “cooked.”
We like this one for the ingredients: pork, beef, salt, paprika and just the usual sodium based preservatives. No corn syrup, powdered milk or other fillers. Plus it’s got a little “kick.”
It’s made in the Chicago plant, pictured below, which is just a few blocks west of the loop, on Green, right below the Green/Pink lines.
Buy recommendation: Hell, yes! Get some Bridgford Pepp right here).
Bridgford Thick Sliced Pepperoni