Shrink-wrapped meat: it's what's for dinner.
During our recent trip to Alaska, I was dragged to Echo Lake Superior Meats by my husband's Alaskan aunt and uncle because it is the Home of The World Famous Jalapeno Cheese Spread and because we were in the throes of a meat emergency. Apparently, dinner (which was being cooked by the Alaskans) required something called "Reindeer Sticks," and as any Kenai-area native knows, for Reindeer Sticks you go to Echo Lake.
Echo Lake is straight-forward and no-frills, which I imagine is exactly what one seeks in a superior meat shop (since I'm not allowed in the kitchen unless someone needs another martini, it would be a stretch to consider myself skilled in meat-seeking-missions). White floors, white walls, clean white cases full of (you guessed it) meats, smoked local fish, and spreads of all flavors and sizes.
While we browsed the meat aisles, the friendly staff brought out some fresh cajun smoked salmon and asked if we'd like to try some. Yes! Delicious!
That night, in addition to the meat sticks, the family devoured not one but two tubs of Jalapeno Cheese Spread, which is kind of disgusting in retrospect. Man, that stuff is addictive! (It would be perfect for pre-Thanksgiving meal snacking around the fireplace or TV set, depending on how your family rolls). The reindeer sticks were, of course, delectable, with nary a leftover in sight.
While at first glance the meats seem a bit pricey compared to the crap they serve us down here on the mainland, this place offers truly top-notch foodstuffs. I am eager to test out their online ordering system for specialty sausages, gourmet deli treats, smoked alaskan fish, gift boxes, and fresh seafood. Since they ship FedEx overnight, we're already planning on sending one of their Gift Boxes to that certain family member who has everything...and then inviting ourselves over for dinner.
http://www.echolakemeats.com/Smoked_Alaska_Fish.htm read more
