R.C. Nueske of Wittenberg, Wisconsin must have been a marketing savant. In the height of the Depression he decided to start a business selling his smoked ham, bacon, sausage and turkeys, made with time-perfected family recipes. We now know that in uncertain economic times (sound familiar?), comfort food sales spike; and nothing is more comforting than a delicious slab of smoked pork. We’re really glad Nueske’s has kept the smokehouse fires burning, because their applewood smoked bacon, hams and turkeys are still some of the best around.


Nueske’s bacon tastes richly smoky while still maintaining its piggy integrity. Though on the lean side, the bacon cooks up beautifully without shrinking and it is tender and delectable, fantastic for a perfect BLT. Nueske’s makes their bacon with a considerably lower nitrite level than allowed by USDA standards, and the resulting flavor is clean and well-balanced.

In keeping with the sensible nature of their smokehouse operation, their mail order service is friendly, swift and no-nonsense. Product and shipping costs are reasonable and our California order arrived from Wisconsin in just three days. Great gift ideas include a “Northland Gift Pack”, which includes selections of bacon, ham and Canadian bacon, and the “Breakfast Basket”, which features an assortment breakfast meats, pancake mix and a bottle of maple syrup made from the Nueskes own sugar maple trees. There are more glamorous holiday gifts to send; but there won’t be any gift more appreciated than a smoky treat from Nueske’s.