Sick and tired of Penzeys Spices’ CEO ranting and raving against Republicans? We were a long time ago. But what are the alternatives? It turns out there are a lot of good options, from a veteran-owned business to one that mocks Joe Biden. There are also good alternatives that just keep politics out of the spice business completely.
If you’re googling “Penzeys Spices near me,” consider these options instead unless you prefer vile politics and name-calling with your spice rub.
In case you missed it, Penzeys Spices’ unhinged CEO, Bill Penzey, publicized a weekend offer called “Republicans Are Racist!” We then revealed that Penzey has a mansion in Wauwatosa and NO stores located in Milwaukee’s inner city. That means he’s not just a jerk; he’s also a hypocrite.
We asked our loyal readers for ideas for other spice vendors people can use INSTEAD of Penzeys Spices.
Here’s the List of Alternatives to Penzeys Spices Near Me
1. Frag Out Flavor
Frag Out Flavor is a veteran-owned spice company located out of Colorado. “We provide America-loving patriots with quality seasonings for meals that bring families and friends together.”
The about me page explains, “Frag Out Flavor was founded in 2017 by Patrick Flynn, a combat veteran who served as a 12B (Combat Engineer) in the Army.”
He sells spices called things like “Freedom Spice” (Honey BBQ) and “Liberator” (lemon garlic).
Find the website for Frag Out Flavor here. Find the company’s Facebook page here.
You can shop for their products online.
2. #FJBbq Seasoning
Yeah, FJB means f*** Joe Biden.
You can order the barbeque seasoning here. For good measure, you can buy Trump “Miss Me Yet?” stickers.
3. PS Seasonings
PS Seasonings is a Wisconsin company based out of Iron Ridge Wisconsin.
They sell a variety of items, including meat and cheese, but they also sell seasonings, rubs, and spices.
The company explains, “For almost 60 years, four generations of the Hanni family have been dedicated to mastering the craft of smoking and seasoning. PS Seasoning was formed in 1986 as a natural progression from our industrial meat smoker company: Pro Smoker ‘N Roaster formed in 1977 but our experience dates back well before our companies were born.”
You can buy their products online.
Find the website for PS Seasonings here. Find their Facebook page here.
4. The Spice House
The Spice House originated from the same family as Bill Penzey, and it’s run by his sister. But she’s gone a different route, staying away from politics, and Bill Penzey isn’t involved in The Spice House. Its Facebook page just sells spices – not WOKE politics.
A Washington Examiner story explained:
“Bill Penzey’s sister Patty Erd ran a rival spice blend business, The Spice House, at the time of the 2016 election; she offered a promotion then, too. ‘My husband and I are very careful to never bring politics or personal opinions into our spice company, they have no business there,’ Erd wrote, in the days after her brother’s initial letter decrying racist Republicans.
The promotional code ‘NOPOLITICS’ would secure free shipping, Erd added, for anyone who’d recently found themselves wondering what spice blends have to do with presidential elections. Their sibling rivalry wasn’t new: Bill Penzey Sr. opened The Spice House in 1957. Bill Jr. struck out on his own and incorporated Penzeys in 1986, leaving his sister and her husband to take over the family business in 1992—as his competition.”
You can also buy their products online here.
The company explains, “Founded in 1957, The Spice House is a purveyor of the finest spices, herbs, blends, and extracts to customers ranging from renowned Michelin-star chefs to home cooks everywhere. We’ve spent over 60 years curating our global network of premium growers and distributors in order to offer our customers unrivaled quality and selection. Our products range from essential and rare spice varietals to proprietary rubs and blends.”
Here are the Wisconsin locations and hours:
Milwaukee
1031 N Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Drive 53203
414-272-0977
Hours
Open for in-store shopping and pick up.
Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Milwaukee Public Market
400 North Water Street
414-431-0835
Hours
Open for in-store shopping.
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
5. Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning
The company has an outlet store located at 2109 Ward Avenue, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
“Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning has been in business in La Crosse, WI since 1952. We are a small family-owned and operated business, specializing in seasoning blends for everything from our popular All-Purpose Pleasoning to Bloody Mary Mix, Bar-B-Que Seasoning, Garlic-Garlic, Low-Sodium blends and more! Our special seasoning blends can be viewed in our Shop area,” its website says.
It explains, “Pleasoning has been in business in La Crosse, WI. since 1952. Frank Italiano worked the business until age 83 and passed away in 2006. His wife, Lenore, retired from Pleasoning in 2007. Their daughter, Kathy, and son-in-law, Paul Boarman (1955-2021) took over the business in 2005. Kathy and her son Dominic now own and operate the business. They are the only employees.”
You can shop for its products online.
Find the website for Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning here. Find their Facebook page here.
6. The Spice & Tea Exchange of Mequon
The Spice & Tea Exchange of Mequon is located at 1412 W Mequon Rd., Mequon, Wisconsin.
You can find its website here. They offer local pickup or delivery.
You can also buy their products online here. The Facebook page can be find here.
7. Starla’s Seasoning’s Dips and Mixes
You can find Starla’s website here.
The website touts, “We are so privileged to be: 2018 & 2019 Wisconsin State Fair Grand Champion Eats & Treats Herbal Blend 1st & 2nd Place Winners!.”
Their Facebook page explains, “We are a Wisconsin family-run business. Every seasoning, beer bread mix and dip mix package is made with the finest quality ingredients we can find and is hand-packed and labeled.”
You can buy their product online. The website adds, “I am a female-owned and Wisconsin family-run business. Every package is made with the finest quality ingredients I can find and is hand-packed and labeled.”
8. Curt’s Spice Co. & Oilerie, LLC
Curt’s Spice Co. & Oilerie, LLC, is located 2064 Lime Kiln Rd, Unit 4, Green Bay, WI 54311.
The website can be found here.
He writes, “Since 1993, Curt has been selling his own proprietary master blend of seasoning, Curt’s Table Spice is best on veggies, potatoes, eggs & beef. Curt’s Cooking Spice enhances pork, poultry, veal, lamb & game. Most excellent with tomatoes!”
You can order from his website here.
The owners also have a series of olive oil bars throughout Wisconsin. Find that website here. That website explains, “Amy Jo and Curt Campbell pioneered the olive oil bar concept in America in 2003 so they could deliver premium Italian cooking ingredients like extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and Italian Balsamic vinegar online or in person at stores to the people who want them.”
9. Epicure
Epicure’s website explains, “Sylvie Rochette founded Epicure in 1997 with a passion to share the healthy eating solutions she had created for her family. Today, Sylvie and her daughter, CEO Amelia Warren, are uniting time-starved families that want to reconnect across the table to share good food, eat healthier, and live better.”
You can buy their products online, including spices, here. The company is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
10. Karl’s Country Market
You can find Karl’s website here. After a reader suggested it, we called the store, and were told they have a lot of spices to choose from.
The store is located at W156 N5646 Pilgrim Road Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
They say,
“Welcome to Karl’s Country Market, a business built on hard work, dedication and old-fashioned values. Since we opened our doors in 1965 it has been our goal is to offer each customer the finest quality and service possible, and we are committed to seeing that you come back again and again.
We are pleased to offer a full-line grocery store featuring hard-to-find imported foods, a fresh produce department, liquor department, full-service meat department (that will cut your items to your liking) and, of course, the World Gold Medal Championship Sausages that have earned Karl’s its respect, reputation and over 150 awards.”
