OUR STORY
The Kiolbassa Difference
There are many sausage companies and sausage brands. But there’s only one that’s as BIG AND BOLD as the state of Texas itself: Kiolbassa Smoked Meats. Genuine. Honest. Always delicious.
Since 1949, the Kiolbassa family has been devoted to the time-honored tradition of hand-crafting sausage and bacon the slow, authentic way. We use only the finest cuts of meats and the freshest spices. We slow-craft our meats in small batches, then it’s smoked over hardwood. It’s never hurried, never compromised and contains no MSG or fillers. Just real, authentic meats crafted the old-fashioned Texas way. Bold. Hearty. And so satisfying. You’ll want to take your time enjoying Kiolbassa Smoked Meats. Because we sure took our time making them.
Kiolbassa Culture
Our History
In October of 1949, Kiolbassa opened its doors to the Southwest side of San Antonio and began selling their smoked sausages. It would be slowly smoked with natural hardwoods, and made only in small batches.
Rufus and Juanita continued to run the Kiolbassa plant until his untimely passing in 1960. Following the death of his father, Robert Kiolbassa took the reins of the business and led the business to become a staple in the San Antonio area.
Coming up quickly behind him, Robert’s son Michael started as a salesman within the company in 1987. He quickly learned the ropes of the business and the meat industry, and knew it was important to begin building partnerships with other local grocers.
After investing a lot of time and effort into networking, Kiolbassa became available in a few select HEB stores across San Antonio. Michael began delivering the product to HEB from his own truck, and as Kiolbassa gained popularity, it was picked up in HEB distribution centers. A few years later, Kiolbassa was able to gain distribution to Costco stores around the country.
Our products got the attention of Publix partners, a grocery store in the South, and we were soon selling our smoked sausage, bacon and breakfast links in stores.
Since then, Kiolbassa can be found stocked in stores like Meijer, Jewel Osco, Walmart and Kroger. None of these successes could be possible without our dedication to family tradition, our mission and our values.
Through trials and celebrations, Kiolbassa has remained grounded in our family values and was able to celebrate 70 years of business in the fall of 2019. From a single production plant in San Antonio, Kiolbassa Provision Company has matured into one of the fastest growing sausage
brands in the nation.
Bobby’s Legacy
“Be generous. Live generously.”
Bobby Kiolbassa
Robert Alfred (Bobby) Kiolbassa was born to Rufus and Juanita Kiolbassa on January 10, 1937, in San Antonio. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954 and attended St. Mary’s University leaving just shy of his graduation to take over his family’s business, Kiolbassa Provision Company, when his father became ill. In 2003, St. Mary’s University awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award and in May 2021, conferred an Honorary Doctor of Commerce degree for his lifetime achievement in business and commitment to the San Antonio community.
Bobby led Kiolbassa Provision for over 60 years in various roles from General Manager to President, to his last role as CEO which is the title that he held when he passed away. He became the leader of the company at the young age of 21 after his father became ill and grew the company steadily over the years. His reputation for integrity, hard work, creativity, and generosity drove the company’s success and he was a strong influence in the company until he passed away in July 2021. He was a remarkable leader who put people first in everything he did. He was generous to all who needed help and quick to donate sausage to anyone trying to raise money for a worthy cause. He created a legacy of generosity that will continue to live on through the company that he built.
Bobby’s Legacy is the San Antonio based Kiolbassa Fundraiser and Non-Profit Support Program created in honor. Through this program, Kiolbassa Smoked Meats provides a helping hand to fundraising events and non-profit organizations in San Antonio looking to support their organization through sausage sales.
Kiolbassa will donate one box of Polish Sausage, for every two boxes purchased.
You are eligible to participate in this program if you are:
- Hosting a charitable event or non-profit fundraiser
- Military
- First Responders (Police, Firefighters, Healthcare)
- School
- Church
For more information, contact us at (210) 226-8127 or by email to [email protected].
Our Promise
We Exist to Enrich Lives
We provide a safe, empowering and fulfilling work environment.
We create memorable eating experiences.
We strive to deliver legendary customer experiences.
We are passionately involved in our community.
Our Promise
A product as bold and hearty as Kiolbassa Smoked Meats deserves an equally honest and straight-forward guarantee – and it has one:
“The best sausage you’ve ever eaten, or your money back – guaranteed.”
Enough said!
