Chip's American Jerky - Spicy Southwest

Next in the series on Chip's American Jerky is this Spicy Southwest variety. See my previous review of their Mild Midwest.

Chip's American Jerky is a brand of Chip's American Jerky Co, LLC, of Pikesville, MD. The company has been around since 2003, but didn't get it's first product on the market until 2008.

Chip Forward, the founder of the company, is a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, who started making jerky in the service back in the 1980s. Thus far, the two varieties he offers under his new company is geographically themed, "Spicy Southwest", "Mild Midwest", which makes me wonder what's in store for Northwest, or New England, etc.

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Choppin' Block Beef Jerky - Hot

Next in the series on Choppin' Block beef jerky is this Hot variety. See my previous review of their Mesquite Smoked variety.

Choppin' Block is a brand name of Robertson's Hams of Salado, TX. Robertson's Hams is an outlet store for a brand of smoked meats called "Robertson's Hams". Robertson's Hams has six outlets across Texas and Oklahoma. Refer to my above linked review of the Mesquite Smoked variety for a detailed explanation between the two entities.

This Hot variety along with the Mesquite Smoked are the only two beef jerky varieties the Salado, TX outlet offers; they also have a turkey jerky which I didn't purchase. This Hot variety is also labeled as mesquite smoked.

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Datil Daddy's Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

Next in the series on Datil Daddy's Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous review of their Datil Pepper.

Datil Daddy's is a brand of St. Augustine Originals, LLC, based out of Saint Augustine, FL. The brand has been around for a little more than a year. The brand specializes in the Datil Pepper, a chile pepper comparable to the habanero in terms of heat, but is said to be more sweet and fruity.

This Teriyaki variety, along with all of their varieties, include datil pepper sauce as an ingredient. The company sent was to send me each of their three varieties for review, but sent me one package of their Datil Pepper, and two packages of Teriyaki instead. So unless they can send me their Datil Hickory, there won't be any further reviews.

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Hickory Hollow Jerky - Teriyaki

Next in the series on Hickory Hollow Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous review of their Original.

Hickory Hollow Jerky is a brand of Hickory Hollow Jekry, LLC, based out of Eufaula, AL. It's run by a guy named Russ Robbins, who by day is a full time Baptist Minister, but at night runs Hickory Hollow, making and selling beef jerky through his own USDA inspected facility.

While Russ has been making jerky for over 30 years, Hickory Hollow Jerky has only been around since November 2008. Russ hand cuts every piece of jerky in the ancient tradition of his forebearers, random in shape in size, but consistent overall. He says he trims off all the excessive sinews and fat.

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Wild Bill's Beef Jerky - Sweet 'N Smokin'

Next in the series on Wild Bill's is this Sweet 'N Smokin' variety. See my previous review of their Hickory Smoked.

Wild Bill's is a brand of Monogram Food Solutions based out of Memphis, TN. The company has been around since 1955, starting out as "Balwell's Butcher Shop". Balwell's started offering meat snacks in 1983.

The brand offers several lines of jerky, including a Premium line, as well as Tender Tips, and shredded jerky. What I'm reviewing here is from their "Tender Tips" line.

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Famous Dave's Beef Jerky - Original

Famous Dave's is a brand of Famous Products, Inc., based out of Eden Prairie, MN. Famous Dave's is known mostly for its line of award winning BBQ sauces and its chain of 170+ restaurants.

Dave Anderson started the well known restaurant chain in 1994, and just a year later, took first place for his BBQ sauce at the American Royal International Barbecue Contest. Since then, award after award has been bestowed on him for his sauces and food.

This particular Original variety is said to contain Famous Dave's "Steak & Burger" seasoning. The actual manufacturer of this jerky is Jerky Snack Brands, of Mankato, MN.

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Joe's Beef Jerky - Hot

Next in the series on Joe's Beef Jerky is this Hot variety. See my previous review of their Regular variety.

Joe's Beef Jerky is a brand of Joe's Beef Jerky, Inc., based out of Statesville, NC. It's a small, family run business in operation for several years, at least as far back as 1996. They make jerky in their own USDA inspected facility, and is a member of the "Goodness Grows in NC", where all of the ingredients must be grown in North Carolina.

Joe's uses top round, cut to 3/16" thick, and marinated for 24 hours. They use no additives, preservatives, or nitrates.

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Big Bull Jerky - Regular

Big Bull Jerky is a brand of Joes Beef Jerky Enterprises, based out of St. Paul Park, MN, and run by a guy named Joe Hinz. The brand has been around for several years, at least as far back as 2003 according to one reference I found.

The company claims their jerky is hand-crafted using a process that locks in the flavor and "brings out the marriage of beef and spices in a way that no other does". They make jerky out of their own USDA approved facility.

This regular variety is just one 15 different varieties in their standard line, in addition to another 4 varieties in their grass-fed line. Their standard line actually has more varieties than that, because their Habanero comes in a "Hot 50" and a "Hot 100", both of which I'll be reviewing later.

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Island Preserve Marlin Jerky - Chili Pepper

Next in the series on Island Preserve marlin jerky is this Chili Pepper variety. See my previous of review of their Pepper Teriyaki.

Island Preserve is a brand name of AIR, Inc., based out of Pearl City, HI. AIR, Inc. is best known as "Made in Hawaii Foods", a retailer of food products made in Hawaii.

This Chili Pepper variety is just one of four varieties they offer. They also have the Pepper Teriyaki I mentioned above, and then a regular Teriyaki, and a regular smoked. I didn't order the last two, so this is the final review of the series unless the company wants to send me the others.

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Datil Daddy's Beef Jerky - Datil Pepper

Datil Daddy's is a brand of St. Augustine Originals, LLC, based out of Saint Augustine, FL. The brand has been around for a little more than a year.

The brand specializes in the Datil Pepper, a chile pepper comparable to the habanero in terms of heat, but is said to be more sweet and fruity. While grown all over the USA, the town of St. Augustine, FL is particularly known for its datils.

St. Augustine Originals, LLC makes jerky in their own USDA approved facility, and they claim to use 100% Black Angus beef, marinating the meat for 24 hours. They offer three different varities under the Datil Daddy's brand, including this "Datil Pepper" variety, along with a Datil Hickory, and a Datil Teriyaki. They were going to send me one each, but ended up sending two Teriyakis instead.

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Hickory Hollow Jerky - Original

Hickory Hollow Jerky is a brand of Hickory Hollow Jekry, LLC, based out of Eufaula, AL. It's run by a guy named Russ Robbins, who by day is a full time Baptist Minister, but at night runs Hickory Hollow, making and selling beef jerky through his own USDA inspected facility.

While Russ has been making jerky for over 30 years, Hickory Hollow Jerky has only been around since November 2008. Russ hand cuts every piece of jerky in the ancient tradition of his forebearers, random in shape in size, but consistent overall. He says he trims off all the excessive sinews and fat.

He does mostly beef, but will also do turkey and venison by special order. Hickory Hollow currently sells three varieties from its website, this Original, a Teriyaki, and a "Hot Shot", all of which I'll be reviewing over the next couple of weeks.

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Alien Fresh Jerky - Whiskey Jerky

Next in the series on Alien Fresh Jerky is this Whiskey Jerky variety. You can see all the previous reviews I've done on Alien Fresh here.

Alien Fresh Jerky is mostly known for its unique store located in the tiny desert town of Baker, CA. The town is an oasis for Southern Californians travelling to Las Vegas, with restaurants, gas stations, and curio shops. The Alien Fresh store not only sells a wide variety of jerky, but all the cool alien gear, like shirts, mugs, toys, etc.

This Whiskey Jerky variety actually lists bourbon as an ingredient. Alien Fresh claims that it's marinated in bourbon, and is one of their best sellers.

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Holston Mountain Beef Jerky - Hawaiian

Next in the series on Holston Mountain Beef Jerky is this Hawaiian variety. See my previous review of their Original variety.

Holston's Hawaiian variety seems to be a very popular commodity, at least everytime I visited their website in the past, I'd see a notice that said "out of stock". So when I finally saw it listed without that notice, I figured I'd better buy some right now. As it turned out, they didn't have any in stock, but asked if I'd be willing to wait. Of course I said, "yes".

Holston Mountain is a small jerky manufacturer based out of Bluff City, TN, run by a guy named Gary Graybeal, who had been making jerky for himself for several years, until friends urged him to start selling it. Holston has been in operation for the past six years.

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Bourgeois Smokehouse - Cajun Beef Jerky

Bourgeois Smokehouse is a brand of Bourgeois Smokehouse, LLC based out of Thibodaux, LA.

The business has been around since 2008, started by John Bourgeois. His roots in the meat business goes back to 1895 with his grandfather, who ran a meat market in Louisiana. That was passed down to his son, who then passed it to John. Bourgeois Smokehouse is a separate business from the meat market, specializing in beef jerky and sausage.

Bourgeois makes jerky in his own USDA approved facility. This Cajun beef jerky appears to be the only jerky variety Bourgeois offers. He claims its cut from inside round, marinated in his own cajun seasoning blend, and slow smoked over oak wood.

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Choppin' Block Beef Jerky - Mesquite Smoked

Choppin' Block is a brand name of Robertson's Hams of Salado, TX. There's actually two different business entities using the "Robertson's Hams" name. There's this entity, which is a store in Salado, TX. And there is a manufacturer of smoked meats based in Baird, TX. The manufacturer has six franchised outlets selling its smoked meats, and Robertson's Hams of Salado, TX is one of them.

The "Choppin' Block" name is specific for that one store in Salado, TX, and is owned by that store. Choppin' Block jerky is not the same as Robertson's Real Beef Jerky. Choppin' Block jerky is not made by Robertson's Hams of Baird, TX, but by a different meat processor. There's a lot of confusion because the use of the "Robertson's" name on the Choppin' Block labels and store front.

Choppin' Block offers a wide variety of foods under its label. In addition to this Mesquite Smoked jerky, they also have a Hot Mesquite Smoked, which I'll review later, and they have a turkey jerky.

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Chip's American Jerky - Mild Midwest

Chip's American Jerky is a brand of Chip's American Jerky Co, LLC, of Pikesville, MD. The company has been around since 2003, but didn't get it's first product on the market until 2008.

Chip Forward, the founder of the company, is a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, who started making jerky in the service back in the 1980s. As he honed his jerky skills, his friends asked if they could buy some jerky off of him. He discovered people either wanted a mild jerky, or a spicy one. And hence, he created one of each.

Today, his company offers the same two varieties, this "Mild Midwest" and a "Spicy Southwest", which I'll be reviewing later.

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Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co - Buffalo Jerky Sticks

Last in this series on Jackson Hole Buffalo Meat Co. are these "Buffalo Jerky Sticks". See my previous reviews of their Wild Times, Original, and Elk Jerky.

These Buffalo Jerky Sticks is a chopped & formed jerky, which the company describes as being "finest lean 100% Ground Buffalo".

Based in Jackson Hole, WY, the company has been around since 1947 supplying buffalo and elk meat products to consumers and retailers. Today it has a shop in Jackson Hole, WY, and sells its meat products through its catalog and website.

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Wild Bill's Beef Jerky - Hickory Smoked

Wild Bill's is a brand of Wild Bill's Foods, Inc., based out of Lancaster, PA. The company has been around since 1955, starting out as "Balwell's Butcher Shop". Balwell's started offering meat snacks in 1983. By 1988, the company changed its name to Wild Bill's Foods, Inc.

In 1997, Wild Bill's was acquired by Clemens Family Corporation, which owns several companies in the business of meat processing, storage, and delivery, helping Wild Bill's reach greater distribution and production.  Today, it's owned by Monogram Food Solutions, makers of several major jerky brands.

The brand currently offers several lines of jerky, including a Premium line, as well as Tender Tips, and shredded jerky. What I'm reviewing here is from their "Tender Tips" line.

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Island Preserve Marlin Jerky - Pepper Teriyaki

Island Preserve is a brand name of AIR, Inc., based out of Pearl City, HI. AIR, Inc. is best known as "Made in Hawaii Foods", a retailer of food products made in Hawaii.

The company has been around since 1992, but it wasn't until 1995 that they developed the "Island Preserve" brand name and started making their own line of products. They seem to be well known for their cream cheese, jams, jellies, and flavored vinegar. In 2004 they opened up a factory outlet store in Pearl City.

This marlin jerky is one of their products as well. In addition to this Pepper Teriyaki, they also have plain Teriyaki, as well as Chili Pepper, and Smoked Style. I'll be reviewing the Chili Pepper later.

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Joe's Beef Jerky - Regular

Joe's Beef Jerky is a brand of, interestingly enough, Joe's Beef Jerky, Inc., based out of Statesville, NC.

It's a small, family run business in operation for several years (I found a reference online saying it received its USDA certification in 1996). Joe's makes jerky in their own USDA inspected facility, and is a member of the "Goodness Grows in NC", where all of the ingredients must be grown in North Carolina.

Despite their amateurish-looking website, plain labels, and Ziploc sandwich bags (which are machine sealed), Joe's Beef Jerky appears to have the credentials of a large corporate food processor, but just much smaller in scale.

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Holston Mountain Beef Jerky - Original

Holston Mountain Beef Jerky is a small jerky manufacturer based out of Bluff City, TN, run by a guy named Gary Graybeal.

Gary had been making jerky for several years, and shared it with his co-workers. His co-workers liked it so much, that Gary tried his hand at selling it. Holston Mountain has been in operation for the past six years now.

Gary says he uses select Black Canyon Angus, using top inside round, and marinates it for 24 hours, then dries in dehydrators. Apparently, orders are coming in so fast, that he's never been able to test the shelf life on his jerky. His Hawaiian jerky, which I'll review later on, is apparently very popular that if you were to buy some it'll only be a few days old.

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Alien Fresh Jerky - Teriyaki Pork

During my last weekend-getaway to Las Vegas, I stopped in the town of Baker as I always do, to check out the latest stuff at Alien Fresh Jerky. I picked up this package of Teriyaki Pork jerky.

Pork jerky seems to be gaining popularity lately, at least in that I'm seeing more brands carrying it. Lately, Oh Boy! Oberto released a pork jerky which I reviewed here. I don't have all the consumer demographics, but I'm guessing there's an asian population that really loves sweetened pork snacks.

Alien Fresh Jerky has a website where they sell their products online, but I didn't see this pork jerky there. Maybe they'll get it on there soon. For now, you'll have to make the trek out to Baker, CA if you really need to have this.

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Robertson's Real Beef Jerky - Hickory Smoked

Robertson's Real Beef Jerky is a brand of Robertson's Hams based out of Baird, TX.

Robertson's Hams has been around since 1946, focusing on ham, bacon, and sausage. But they've developed quite a reputation for their beef jerky. Since the 1950s they made a practice of advertising their smoked meats on highway billboards, and once the Interstate system came around in the 1960s, it sent Robertson's business skyrocketing.

Today, they operate six stores throughout Texas and Oklahoma, and offer a wide variety of foods. One of their stores in Salado, TX offers another brand called "Choppin' Block", which I'll review later. Robertson's claims they source their beef from Kansas and Texas.

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Black Forest Bison - Double Black Diamond

Finishing up the series on Black Forest Bison is this "Double Black Diamond" variety, essentially the company's black peppered flavor. See my previous reviews of their Tombstone Teriyaki, Caliente Canyon, Rocky Mountain Red, and Gunsmoke varieties.

Black Forest Bison is a family run bison ranch located outside of Colorado Springs, CO. They raise grass-fed bison, use no hormones, steroids, or antibiotics. They sell steaks, chops, roasts, sausage, and jerky.

This Double Black Diamond was the 2nd place winner in the "Best Jerky" contest at the 2007 Fiery Foods Challenge in Ft Worth, Texas. Black Forest Bison has won awards for its other varieties as well.

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