When a particular food has been a citywide tradition for over a century, you know it’s gonna be good. The tiny East Texas town of Pittsburg, population 4700, has been cooking up hot links since 1897. They’re something of a delicacy now, attracting folks from all over to experience the deliciousness. A hearty meal in a historic building with friendly waitstaff and a no-frills atmosphere – what more could we ask for?
The history of hot links in Pittsburg can be traced back over a century to Charlie Hasselback, a German immigrant who brought the recipe to America with him in 1897.
Google Maps He opened a restaurant in 1918, and the links quickly became a delicacy to railroad crews and other travelers who made frequent stops in the city for work. Neighboring towns caught wind of the hype and tried making their own version of the delicious sausages, but their efforts were highly unsuccessful.
At one point, there were three separate restaurants serving hot links in town, but Pittsburg Hot Links is the only one that stood the test of time.
Google/Sierra Hamilton Ain’t nothing fancy about the atmosphere, but us Texans know these kinds of places are where the best food is found. If you saw an old picture of the building’s interior, it would look exactly like this.
Orders are placed at this counter, much like they were in Mr. Hasselback’s eatery.
Google/Sierra Hamilton Fun fact: his business originally operated as a meat market where links were sold raw for cooking at home. Upon realizing how popular they were becoming, he decided to turn the store into a restaurant - who knows if Pittsburg Hot Links would exist today if not for Hasselback’s genius idea?
Nothing about the recipe has changed over the years. It certainly ain’t broke, so there’s no sense in fixing it!
YouTube/Texas Chronicles Four links go for a whopping $2.92, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll be able to stop there. Up to 5 dozen can be ordered at a time, and the restaurant even sells five and 31-pound boxes of raw links in case you want to stash some away in the freezer (trust us, you will.)
If you need a little kick to satisfy those Texas taste buds, give Hot Link Chili a try!
Google/Teddy Newton It’s chopped links topped with chili, cheese, bacon bits, and jalapeno slices. The flavor combination is unreal and has to be experienced to be fully understood.
People of all ages love hot links, so gather up the whole family and come on down.
Google/Anna C Even the pickiest little eaters have no problem scarfing down a full meal. Plus, the no-frills atmosphere is great for conversations!
The meat already has a fair amount of heat to it, but each table has an emergency bottle of hot sauce if it isn’t quite spicy enough.
Google/Laurie Rials Serve it up with some crackers and a Dr Pepper, and you have yourself a well-balanced meal (minus, y’know, green stuff, but this isn’t the time or place for it).
Want to try hot links but don’t have time to visit Pittsburg? Don’t fret, the restaurant ships both raw and cooked products!
TripAdvisor/management Everyone knows a good assortment of meat is essential for holiday celebrations, so get your hands on some before Thanksgiving & Christmas roll around!
The restaurant is located at 136 W. Marshall Street, Pittsburg, TX 75686.
Google Maps
He opened a restaurant in 1918, and the links quickly became a delicacy to railroad crews and other travelers who made frequent stops in the city for work. Neighboring towns caught wind of the hype and tried making their own version of the delicious sausages, but their efforts were highly unsuccessful.
Google/Sierra Hamilton
Ain’t nothing fancy about the atmosphere, but us Texans know these kinds of places are where the best food is found. If you saw an old picture of the building’s interior, it would look exactly like this.
Fun fact: his business originally operated as a meat market where links were sold raw for cooking at home. Upon realizing how popular they were becoming, he decided to turn the store into a restaurant - who knows if Pittsburg Hot Links would exist today if not for Hasselback’s genius idea?
YouTube/Texas Chronicles
Four links go for a whopping $2.92, but don’t fool yourself into thinking you’ll be able to stop there. Up to 5 dozen can be ordered at a time, and the restaurant even sells five and 31-pound boxes of raw links in case you want to stash some away in the freezer (trust us, you will.)
Google/Teddy Newton
It’s chopped links topped with chili, cheese, bacon bits, and jalapeno slices. The flavor combination is unreal and has to be experienced to be fully understood.
Google/Anna C
Even the pickiest little eaters have no problem scarfing down a full meal. Plus, the no-frills atmosphere is great for conversations!
Google/Laurie Rials
Serve it up with some crackers and a Dr Pepper, and you have yourself a well-balanced meal (minus, y’know, green stuff, but this isn’t the time or place for it).
TripAdvisor/management
Everyone knows a good assortment of meat is essential for holiday celebrations, so get your hands on some before Thanksgiving & Christmas roll around!
Have you ever been to Pittsburg Hot Links? What’s your favorite small-town Texas restaurant?
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