A Morning Surprise: Meeting Ken Smith of Sting ‘N’ Linger Salsa

The morning of October 25, 2025, began quietly enough—Mesa skies still dim, the dawn breeze carrying that slight autumn crispness. My daughter Bethany and I were wrapping up preparations for our “Everything Is Free” garage sale. With serious downsizing ahead of us and no ability to participate in the HOA’s annual sale event, we decided to take a simpler route: give everything away. We had weekend plans for an outing in downtown Mesa …

Día de los Muertos Festival

Día de los Muertos is an annual event created in collaboration with the Mesa Arts Center and the community. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of Latin American art and culture related to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. The annual free event offers a variety of features, performances, and more in celebration of the memories of the deceased.

Back to the story.

At precisely 6:45 a.m., as I arranged the last few boxes on the driveway, a pickup truck pulled up to the curb. From it stepped a gentleman with an easy grin and a curious spark in his eyes. He gestured toward the handwritten sign—“EVERYTHING IS FREE”—and said with genuine surprise, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this before.”

We quickly struck up conversation, and he introduced himself as Ken Smith, owner of Sting ’N’ Linger Salsa Co. Right then, I realized my early morning visitor was no ordinary bargain hunter—this was a craftsman of flavor whose sauces have seasoned Arizona kitchens for over three decades.

This is how it all started:

• Once a flight attendant with America West Airlines, he sold his first jar of salsa straight from his lunch box to a co-worker at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

• Within weeks, word spread, and he was supplying nearly 80 quarts to airline staff who couldn’t get enough of his homemade recipe.

• By 1992, what started as a hobby had become Sting ’N’ Linger Salsa Company, a Tempe-based business producing small-batch salsas to preserve the homemade taste that started it all.

Before leaving, Ken insisted on gifting me several jars of his salsa—a kindness I won’t forget and one our household will certainly enjoy.

The Flavor That Brings People Together

What began in 1992 as one man’s love for homemade salsa has blossomed into a beloved Arizona brand with a loyal following. Sting ’N’ Linger Salsa Co., founded by Ken Smith, creates an irresistible lineup of handcrafted condiments that capture the spirit of Southwest flavor. Each batch is made with care—salsas, hot sauces, barbecue blends, seasonings, and even Bloody Mary mixes—crafted from all-natural ingredients that deliver real freshness with every bite.

With over 40 unique recipes ranging from mild, garden-bright blends to tongue-tingling varieties that live up to the “sting,” there’s a jar for every kind of taste adventure. In more than three decades, Ken’s team has produced millions of jars, each one sealed with pride and the charm of true homemade quality.

Today, Sting ’N’ Linger products can be found in grocery aisles, online shops, and at vibrant festivals where locals line up to sample the unmistakable kick that started it all. It’s a story of Arizona flavor at its finest—one born from friendship, shared tables, and the joy of giving something delicious back to the community.

About Sting ’N’ Linger Salsa Co.

Founded in 1992, Sting ’N’ Linger has grown from a kitchen passion to a thriving small business celebrated across Arizona and beyond. The company takes pride in crafting each batch by hand, maintaining the fresh, authentic taste that first inspired Ken’s airline colleagues decades ago.

Their offerings include:

• Fresh, small-batch salsas made with all-natural ingredients

• A wide array of hot sauces, BBQ sauces, seasonings, and Bloody Mary mixes

• Over 40 unique recipes—from mild and smoky blends to fiery, flavor-packed favorites

Fast Facts:

• Over 3.5 million jars sold since 1992

• Distributed online, in retail stores, and at festivals and special events

• Operates out of Tempe, Arizona, at:
  1834 East 3rd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
  Phone: 480-966-9555

A Final Word

In a world where mass production often overshadows craftsmanship, Ken Smith’s Sting ’N’ Linger Salsa Co. reminds us that passion and authenticity still build the best brands. What began from a single jar shared between airline friends now flavors tables statewide.

I may have started that crisp October morning giving things away, but thanks to Ken Smith, I ended it having received something even better—a story of generosity, entrepreneurship, and the unmistakable taste of Arizona made by hand.