Italian Sausage Co. | Kansas City MO

I am so mad because I went to New Orleans, tried a few muffulettas, but found one 20 times better in Kansas City. 😤 Italian Sausage Company in Gladstone MO(15 mins north from KCMO) is such a gem!

This is definitely a place only the insiders know, but probably won’t stay hidden much longer. The Italian Sausage Company is located in a very unassuming strip mall in a suburb of Kansas City, it’s easy to overlook if you didn’t know what you’re looking for.

Owner Michelle Brancato and #22 Creator Chef James Chang | Italian Sausage Co.

Italian Sausage Company is a mini Italian grocery store, an Italian sausage making facility, and a deli with a variety of hot and cold sandwiches. I love eating at small grocery stores- you know they’ll have quality ingredients for their food!

Sandwich #22

@jchang.kitchen, a Taiwanese-American chef did a chili oil sandwich collaboration with @italiansausageco and it reallllyyyy slapped. Never in my mind would I have thought of adding chili oil in pickles and making Italian style sandos with them.

The #22- Jchang.kitchen chili oil infused into Italian Sausage Co. house made red wine olives, pastrami, salami, red wine oil, garlic aioli, tomato, shredded lettuce, burrata cheese, black pepper, piled high on a freshly baked demi baguette.

In James’s words “This sando slaps harder than a nun in Sunday school.”

The way Michelle (the owner) and James chatted about collaborations also made me so happy, locally owned small businesses coming together to support each other is one of my favorite things. Local supporting local. I can’t wait for whatever’s coming next and my next visit.

The Muffuletta

Everyone said “get a muffuletta while you’re in New Orleans!” I did, and I wondered what the fuss was about. Yes, I got a muffuletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans. Cold, salty sandwich was my first impression to a muffuletta. It was fine, but it also felt very distant, like you’re only supposed to get it because it’s famous, not because it’s the best sandwich ever.

The muffuletta at Italian Sausage Co., is a completely different story. It’s layered, balanced, toasted, and flavorful. REALLY flavorful. You can taste all the ingredients, the salty olives, perfectly spiced meats, melty cheese, and toasted white sesame all come together to celebrate the greatness of this sandwich. It’s made with love.