MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — If you give a Mitchell resident Cookies, they just might ask for a side of mac and cheese and beans.
While not quite as catchy as the 1985 children’s book, the return of the famous barbecue sauce company’s smoker trailer is already luring people to the County Fair on W. Havens Ave. A limited menu was up for purchase on Wednesday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The mobile rib joint will be ready to serve smoked ribs pork loins (a Mitchell favorite), pulled pork sandwiches, and sides Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cookies Food Products was started 50 years ago, its moniker based on a nickname for the original founder. It ran into financial difficulties nearly immediately and the bank turned to Speed Herrig, who had experience in sales at a car dealership and car parts. Under his guidance, their manufacturing facility in Wall Lake, Iowa went from 5,000 square feet to 125,000 square feet today. Along the way, he was able to buy out the other investors and become a powerhouse in the industry. The company can make as much as 6,000 gallons of sauce when filling orders for retail giants like Wal-Mart.
Between April and October each year, Herrig takes Cookies on the road. Mitchell has become a favorite stop. The saucemaker has put down its tent in the Palace City for 17 years now, always near Father’s Day weekend in June. Mitchell is one of only 12 to 14 cities Cookies will visit each year with its traveling food stand.
Mitchell has become like a business family reunion to Herrig. He says County Fair store manager Justin Luther and his crew are old friends now. Some former employees that are retired even make sure to stop back in to renew acquaintances.
Herrig, like most in the barbecue game, is serious about his craft. Most items are original formula and verge on the sweeter side as they are tomato-based. He tells Mitchell Now that you can’t go wrong with the sweet hickory flavor. He also recommends the flavor enhancer all-purpose seasoning with a dash of Korean sauce on salmon.
Herrig is an inductee into the American Royal Association Barbecue Hall of Fame. He was selected in 2012 alongside Guy Fieri, among others. For two days, a world-class pitmaster is plying his craft in our backyard.
