I have tried Johnsonville's Italian sausage, and I don't care for it. The flavor is bland, and seems excessively preserved - which may be what the OP means by "chemical taste."

I also do not care for the texture, which tends to be rubbery.

I really prefer a homemade sausage, but the grocery stores around here don't grind sausage in the stores any more. Some butchers do, though. HEB grocery has a store brand which makes a decent Italian sausage, although not a great one.

Boulder Brats if you can find them.

https://arizonafresh.com/