“Best of the best”

David Jarvis, Lexington a member of Albemarle EMC

This favorite Made in NC product may generate questions about its name, but it’s no secret it’s a Carolina creation. It all goes back to a family brainstorming session of the Winston-Salem Garner family as they were looking to name a spicy new hot sauce they had created.

As the story goes, a marketing advisor recommended “Mexican Joe,” but Sam Garner, the family patriarch, wanted it to have an American name. He looked at one of his sons who went by the nickname “Pete” and promptly declared the new name as “Texas Pete!” That was way back in 1929, and the hot sauce is still going strong, finding its way onto tables in homes and in many establishments across the state. The Texas Pete name is also found on Dust Dry Seasoning, Honey Mustard Sauce, Seafood Cocktail Sauce and at least 10 other products.