re: Where to buy Tasso in Dallas or please name a substitute for Tasso in gumbo

A very spicy, smoky sausage will be a fine substitute for tasso. Can you get andouille? It will serve the same purpose as tasso, giving your gumbo a smoky, porky bass note. Smoked ham hocks will also work in a pinch...or for those who avoid pork, smoked turkey wings or necks. (You might have to find a ghetto grocery store to get smoked turkey wings. For some reason, suburban white folks don't understand the magical flavoring properties of smoked turkey wings/necks.)