Why HoneyBaked Hams are the best in the business

HoneyBaked Ham claims to be the world’s best ham, and Corpus Christi store owner Les Pierce has some compelling facts to back that up. Each ham is smoked for 20-24 hours over a special mix of wood chips that only HoneyBaked uses. After those carefully cooked hams are received at the HoneyBaked Ham Cafe at 502 Airline Drive, master glazers melt a sweet, crunchy glaze on top, adding a proprietary mix of spices that are also unique to the brand. 
“There’s something special about marrying that smoky flavor, that sweet crunchy glaze and those spices together,” Pierce said. “That’s what gives the ham that delicious, mouth-watering taste. That’s what makes you say, ‘Wow, this is indeed the world’s best ham.’” 
Although no longer unique to HoneyBaked Hams, the famous spiral cut makes all that tasty goodness easy to serve and snack on. Now found on many other brands, the spiral cut originated with the company in 1950. 
Once all that preparation is done — the smoking, glazing and cutting — the hams are wrapped in gold foil, a nice touch that does more than contain the freshness and flavor.
“It’s wrapped in that wonderful gold foil for an excellent presentation for families and individuals making memories and celebrating holidays,” Pierce said with enthusiasm. “Everyone else tries to imitate it, but they can’t.” 
After 10 years of operating the Corpus Christi store, Pierce knows his ham. The best way to serve a HoneyBaked Ham, he recommends, is at room temperature. 
“You set it out 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat it,” he said. “Let it come to room temperature for the best flavor.” 
For those who want a hot ham, he suggests 10 minutes per pound at 275 degrees. 

HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS

As a holiday favorite, HoneyBaked Hams also come with some limited-time-only specialty desserts and side dishes, which are available on demand in the store. New this year to the LTO dessert list is a Belgian chocolate mousse cake. Longtime holiday favorites making a return include candied pecans, orange walnut cranberry chutney, strawberry and blueberry preserves and red pepper jelly along with cocktail rye and sourdough breads. 
You don’t have to wait for a holiday, however. HoneyBaked Hams and many of its accompanying side dishes are available year-round in the cafe. Side dishes include broccoli and rice, cornbread dressing, mac and cheese, and green bean casserole. 
And don’t forget the special sauces such as the raspberry honey mustard pretzel dip along with a variety of Terrapin Ridge Farm sauces used on the cafe’s lunchtime sandwich menu. 
In other words, you can savor a delicious ham sandwich any day of the week, any time of the year. HoneyBaked Ham Cafe in Corpus Christi is open daily and serves homemade soups (cooked with ham bones, of course), sandwiches and deli sides, all made in house. 
Soup mixes and ham bones are available for sale for customers who want to cook up a bigger batch at home. Pierce said many of his customers come in year-round when they want a good hot meal and don’t have time to prepare it. He offers more than ham as a main dish, too.
“We sell beef pot roast, pork roast and ribs, all fully cooked,” he said. “You can get the whole meal right here.” 
For Thanksgiving, turkey lovers can still find all they need at the HoneyBaked Ham Cafe. Pierce sells whole turkeys in three flavors: Cajun, roasted or smoked. 

A GOOD WILL GIFT

The world’s best hams may also be the world’s greatest gift, Pierce said. He offers a business-to-business discount that many companies give to employees and customers. 
“It’s a great signature gift to underscore your commitment to your employees, your clients, your friends,” Pierce said. “I like to say you can even give them to your enemies. It’s a great way to restore a relationship.” 
Now, THAT’S the spirit of the season!