True North Jerky Company offers artisan jerky and sausage

If you happen to visit True North Jerky Company in the Oak Tree Plaza on a day when the on-site smoking is taking place, you’ll be completely engulfed by the fabulous aroma of the artisan jerky and sausage cooking.

Brothers Al and Joe Wesolowski bought the company in April from Phil Tolliver and kept the name.

Joe Wesolowski says he and his brother take turns manning the store and cooking, and in addition, they have expanded the retail store’s offerings since acquiring it.

“We’re trying to be more than just jerky products,” Joe Wesolowski said, explaining that they have added smoked chicken, pork loins, beef and sausages, which are all made on site.

Visitors will find packages of smoked beef, chicken, buffalo, and venison from $6-$9 per package in tastes such as sweet BBQ, Teriyaki, Bloody Mary, hickory, peppered, hot Italian, mesquite, maple, garlic and Habanero. In fact, there are about 14 different flavors, including several types of hunter sausage.

There are also cheese curds and a variety of cheeses from Wisconsin, assorted varieties of sauces, and occasionally small bags of dog treats.

Located at 12855 Old US-12, Joe Wesolowski says that both U-M and MSU football fans frequently drop in to purchase items for tailgating and parents stop in for family or lunch box treats.

And as holiday season gets closer, the meats and cheeses can be turned into unique party plates.

“I’m amazed at the number of people who stop in and say they’ve never been inside before.”

Joe Wesolowski says he’s been making sausage and jerky since he was a kid and yup, there are secret family recipes involved.

For hunters, True North Jerky also processes venison, elk, turkey, goose and pheasant in separate batches. “The meat you bring in is the meat you take home,” he says. It’s freezer ready and in vacuum-sealed packages.

Plus, if you’re looking for a different type of gift for someone who likes jerky, there are gift certificates available so they can choose their own flavors, or, there is a Jerky of the Month Club.

Here’s how the club works. Members join for $75 and then in January, February and March and on the first week of the month, they receive a pound of beef jerky in the mailbox. There are three deliveries of six different beef jerky flavors, each in ½-pound packages.

The brothers will take club applications through Dec. 30, and you can find out more by clicking here or by calling 475-1300.