WINNING WIENER
SAUSAGE KING
Seconds after McEwan samples this super hot pork and beef chorizo sausage from Sausage King, beads of sweat appear on his brow. “I love a good sausage. I love when they’re a bit fatty, which flies in the face of what most people want. But like fat relates to a steak, it relates to a sausage,” says the star chef.
By the time he’s done, McEwan is fully flushed, but that doesn’t sway his vote. “It had a little more heat than I wanted, but it had a really good construction about it, great moisture level, and it had a good texture on my tongue. Just less chili. You’re killing me! It takes me about 20 minutes to stop sweating.” Price: $4.99/lb, St. Lawrence Market, 92 Front St. E.
Click here to watch McEwan pick his favourite sausage
NEARLY TOP DOG
Nortown Foods, 303 York Mills Rd.
This hot turkey sausage from Nortown has a nice level of fat, good moisture and a finer grind than the others. “A nice smoky taste — chili or paprika,” says McEwan. “Pure eating pleasure.” Price: $5.49/lb
TOTALLY TUBULAR
Healthy Butcher, 298 Eglinton Ave. W.
The robust flavour of this bratwurst from the Healthy Butcher impresses McEwan. “A good meatiness about it,” he says. The only downside is the lack of distinctive seasoning. In all, a good sausage at a midrange price. Price: $8.79/lb
SUPER SAUSAGE
Pusateri’s Fine Foods, 1539 Avenue Rd.
This Italian-style hot sausage from Pusateri’s offers a good non-grainy texture, a bold kick of chili and a nice general background spice. “It’d be great on a bun with lots of mustard on it,” says McEwan. Price: $4.59/lb
THE MISSING LINK
Cumbrae’s, 1636 Bayview Ave.
Cumbrae’s Berkshire pork sausage with Dijon, sweet mustard, roasted garlic, thyme and shallots is superbly constructed, “almost the moistest of the sausages. I really like the flavours,” says McEwan. Price: $8.99/lb