Located 90 minutes south of Minneapolis, Austin, Minnesota , is a small town with a big heritage. Home to the headquarters of Hormel Foods Corp., Austin has a unique relationship with America’s favorite canned meat, Spam®. The city, home to about 25,000 people, welcomes more than 6,000 tourists a year from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Get to know Austin’s relationship with Spam by taking a look at these five facts:
Spam Was Introduced in Austin in 1937
Jay Hormel, the son of Hormel Foods founder George Hormel, invented Spam as a way to use an undesirable part of a pig, the pork shoulder. Spam is made with just six ingredients. The name of the product was coined by Ken Digneau, brother of a Hormel executive, and is just a combination of the words “spice” and “ham.”
Austin is known as Spamtown, USA
Austin’s relationship with Hormel Foods goes back more than 125 years. George Hormel moved to Austin and built his meat manufacturing plant here in 1887. Austin remains a large part of Hormel with the town’s Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and the historic Hormel Home as well as the Spam Museum and the company’s largest processing plant. There was even a play, called “Spamtown, USA,” held at the Children’s Theatre in 2020, that detailed the 1985 Hormel worker’s strike from the perspective of the children who experienced it.
Austin is Home to the SPAM Museum
Image via Flickr by Lorie Shaull | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
The 16,000-square-foot Spam Museum, dedicated to all things Spam, features interactive exhibits, guided and virtual tours, and a gift shop that carries all varieties of Spam and over 400 Spam-themed items. Visitors can explore Spam’s influence across the globe, review recipes, and even add their own Spam recipes. Then there are the beloved “Spamples,” cubed pieces of the varieties of Spam, served on pretzel sticks. The Spam Museum offers free admission and free virtual tours.
Location: 101 3rd Ave. NE, Austin
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Hormel’s Largest Manufacturing Plant Is in Austin
The Austin facility is Hormel’s largest plant, occupying more than a million square feet and employing more than 1,800 people. Producing more than 1 billion pounds of products a year, including 350 cans of Spam a minute, the plant is a major employer in Austin, employing about one-third of its residents. It is adjacent to the Spam Museum and offers guided tours and an opportunity to view the Spam assembly line.
More Than a Dozen Austin Restaurants Serve SPAM
Austin is home to 16 restaurants that serve dishes featuring SPAM. Whether you want a burger with Spam on it or a Hawaiian pineapple pizza with Sapm, a restaurant in the city will satisfy your Spam craving. Popular restaurants include:
Barley’s Family Restaurant
A family-style restaurant offering breakfast, lunch , and dinner, with cocktails available. Barley’s has an extensive menu with Spam-infused items. It’s a great option for a laid-back family breakfast before you visit the Spam Museum. The Spam and cheese omelet is a great way to start your day.
Location:1207 N. Main St.
Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday
Steve’s Pizza
Serving piping hot pizza to Austin residents for more than 40 years, Steve’s offers all your pizza shop favorites and a few twists. From homestyle Italian dishes to sandwiches , Steve’s serves authenticity. There’s also a power lunch special , and any pizza can be topped with Spam.
Location: 421 N. Main St.
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 11:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m. Sunday
Piggy Blue’s Bar-B-Que
A beloved BBQ joint serving Austin for over 20 years, Piggy Blue’s specializes in dry-rubbed and slow-smoked meats as well as burgers, appetizers, and gelato. The Spam fries and Spam sandwiches are highly recommended.
Location: 323 S. Main St.
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Open 24 hours on Sunday.
Kenny’s Oak Grill
Celebrating 50 years as an Austin staple, Kenny’s offers modern takes on traditional diner dishes. Stop in for lunch and try their specialty, the Spam De’Melt, a grilled cheese sandwich with spam, bacon , and sour cream.
Location: 307 Oakland Ave. W.
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Closed on Tuesday.
The Old Mill
Famous for its craft beer, wine selections , and steakhouse feel, The Old Mill is a great option if you’re looking to have a late lunch or dinner. Be sure to try the Spam Dunkers, breaded strips of Spam served with Cajun aioli , as a starter.
Location: 3504 11th Pl. NE
Hours: 3:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday
We’re confident that these five Spam-tastic facts will inspire you to plan your next trip to Austin, whether you’re coming for a weekend getaway or a weeklong family vacation. Send us an email if there’s anything Spam-related we missed. Be sure to keep your transportation in mind when you’re planning your trip.
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Tom Kadlec Kia has proudly served the residents of Austin and the surrounding areas, including Rochester and Stewartville, for more than 40 years. Drop by our dealership, or contact us online to find out why Tom Kadlec Kia is the place to go.
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