by Hannah Tangeman
The assembly line at GL & L smokehouse stretches across three generations of hands, with son Ches running the slicing machine, Ruth (grandmother) and Blayne (daughter-in-law) wrapping, Nolan and Seth (grandsons) labeling and Wilson (grandfather) collecting and packing the last of the fair pigs that crossed their stainless steel table this summer. There is lively laughter and gentle ribbing that fills their morning work.
Work is no stranger to this family who built the building that houses their business from the ground up in 2003 and 2004 in an amazing four month stretch of intensive labor.
The family, uncles and cousins included, did it all but the cement floor and the plumbing in time to open in February of 2004. They wasted no time in handcrafting the line of meat products that fill the coolers in the front of the shop. They make it all from bacon to smoked turkeys that are a holiday tradition with many in our community.
GL&L was a much loved local brand before it came under the Mallery’s helm – they have kept the cherished recipes and added new standards of their own creative palate.
Ches says the four flavors of Pepperoni sticks and jerky are the favorite sellers, just as Ruth strongly votes for the famous Basque Chorizo the leads the banner of sausages like Bratwurst, Jalapeno Cheddar, Bierwurst, Cajun, Hot Italian, Breakfast sausage and enough other links to keep you grilling for days. They have shipped their signature staples as far away as New York City.
They have 2 smokers, 3 walk-ins, sausage stuffers, meat slicers, and plenty of sharp knives to make their own creations which you can buy weekly at the Lassen Land and Trails Trust Farmers Markets at the Depot from 8am til 1 pm.
They are easily found behind the large pink pig “Hamlet” if you turn by the Highway Patrol at the intersection of highways 36 and 395 then follow Richmond Rd. west to 702-865 Richmond Road on the left hand side.
Remember this week there will be another cooking demonstration at 10 am kindly provided by the Lassen County Health Dept. who use the healthy food at the market to make simple and delicious recipes you can learn to make in your kitchen.
The demo is located under the white shade canopies where you can find chairs to watch them slice and dice making delicious samples they share with their audience.
