As a graduate of U of M , I knew we had a connection there,but when i read your tribute to your grandfather, and his and your Polish heritage, Hamtramck, and Kowalski Sausage Co., I realized it was a larger one.
I grew up in Hamtramck in the 50s and am well familiar with KQS, the facility on Carpenter St, & the plant on Holbrook. I recall walking past their building on Carpenter as a child an simply being intoxicated by the aroma of the sausages, spices and smoked meats that wafted through the air.
We also had a similar event at the plant on Holbrook when our school treated the safety patrol to hot dogs and root beer before taking us to watch the tigers play. I’ll never forget, the unique excellent taste and snap of biting into that first natural casing frank. I’ve had a lot of Chicago Style hot dogs since, but non can really compare. My girlfriend, a Chicago native, tells me they are the best frank she’s ever had and that they remind her of the sausages you get in Vienna.
By the way, did you know you can sometimes get a 2lb bag of Kowalski natural casing franks at Costco? Food heaven! Now all I have to do is find a place in Chicago that carries the Kowalski blood and tongue sausage. Thanks for your excellent writing!

Sincerely,

Barry Strum