JV Jerky - Hawaiian Style

Next in the series on JV Jerky is this Hawaiian Style. See my previous reviews of their Mild, Habanero, Teriyaki, and Hot Cajun styles.

JV Jerky is a brand of JV Jerky, Inc. based out of Lodi, OH. It's actually more well known by locals in the North East Ohio area as part of Mack's Food Center, a fixture in Medina County since 1947 as a combination grocery store, deer processor, and meat locker. Both Mack's Food Center and JV Jerky are owned by John Vanni, the son of the original owners. The company manufacturers its jerky in a smokehouse next to Mack's Food Center, using real hickory wood.

This Hawaiian Style is described by JV Jerky as "Our Hawaiian Beef Strips are marinated with a natural unsweetened pineapple juice and brown sugar then gently smoked. The result is a taste like old-fashioned baked ham."

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Remington Trail Steaks - Smoked Venison

Last in the series on Remington Trail Steaks is this Smoked Venison. See my previous reviews of their Blazin' Hot Smoked Beef and their Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey.

Remington Trail Steaks is a brand of Trailsteaks, LLC based out of Chattanooga, TN, and first debuted in May 2008 at the All Candy Expo in Chicago, IL. The company licenses the Remington brand from RA Brands, LLC, which is the licensing branch of Remington Arms Company, Inc., the gun manufacturer.

This package of Smoked Venison is also marked with the words, "Beef Added", yet it's not a chopped & formed jerky. I'm assuming tiny fragments of beef are added to the marinade so that this product can escape exotic meat inspection.

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Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky - Black Pepper

Next in the series on Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky is this Black Pepper variety. See last week's review of their Original variety.

Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky is a small, USDA inspected meat processor based in Grants Pass, OR.

The company was started by Jim and Sally Lawson in August 2008 with the goal of making beef jerky that tastes great and is not hard to chew. Launching the new business allowed Jim to come off the road from long haul trucking after more than 30 years. The Lawsons sell their beef jerky at farmers markets and from their website

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Papa Dan's Beef Jerky - Old Fashioned

I had first reviewed Papa Dan's Beef Jerky in March 2009 with their Carne Asada and Ring of Fire varieties. Recently the company contacted me about getting more of their jerky reviewed and submitted four more flavors.

Papa Dan's is a brand of Batistelli Foods, based in Fullerton, CA. The brand was started by David Batistelli along with his father in 1988, rather than 1997 as I had mentioned in the previous reviews. Originally they ran it under a company called DSD Enterprises based in Brea, CA, and operated their own manufacturing facility. Later, David closed the facility and for awhile Papa Dan's was manufactured by Old Settler in West Covina.

Eventually, David got out of the beef jerky business, but later on got back in after a friend of his, who runs Monrovia, CA-based TM Jerky & Processing, purchased his old Brea facility.

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Ken's Chophouse Jerky - Original

Ken's Chophouse Jerky is a brand of JerkCo, LLC based out of Owings Mills, MD. The brand launched last October.

Ken Blum got started making jerky in the early 1990s after buying a Ronco Food Dehydrator, and fifteen years later he decided to get into the business of selling jerky. Fans of his earlier creations might remember his first brand name "Bin Lami Salami", which sponsored his race car team. The new name, "Ken's Chophouse Jerky", seems better suited for retail sales.

This Original variety is currently the only flavor the company offers. It's manufactured in a USDA inspected facility, and currently selling through select stores in Maryland and New Jersey as well as its own website.

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Remington Trail Steaks - Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey

Next in the series on Remington Trail Steaks is this Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey. See last week's review of their Blazin' Hot Smoked Beef.

Remington Trail Steaks is a brand of Trailsteaks, LLC based out of Chattanooga, TN. The company licenses the Remington brand from RA Brands, LLC, which is the licensing branch of Remington Arms Company, Inc., the gun manufacturer.

Remington Trail Steaks was first launched in May 2008 at the All Candy Expo in Chicago, IL, and is marketed through sporting good stores, parks and resorts, and other outdoor enthusiast retailers, as well some online outlets.

According to the company, this Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey is their number one selling product. It was provided to me for review by Jedidiah's Jerky, who's one of their retailers.

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Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky - Original

Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky is a small, USDA inspected meat processor based in Grants Pass, OR.

The company was started by Jim and Sally Lawson in August 2008 with the goal of making beef jerky that tastes great and is not hard to chew. Launching the new business allowed Jim to come off the road from long haul trucking after more than 30 years.

The Lawsons sell their beef jerky at farmers markets and from their website. Currently they offer five flavors, including this Original, along with Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Teriyaki, and Black Pepper Teriyaki, which I'll be reviewing over the next several weeks.

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JV Jerky - Hot Cajun Style

Next in the series on JV Jerky is this Hot Cajun Style. See my previous reviews of their Mild, Habanero, and Teriyaki varieties.

JV Jerky is a brand of JV Jerky, Inc. based out of Lodi, OH. It's actually more well known by locals in the North East Ohio area as part of Mack's Food Center, a fixture in Medina County since 1947 as a combination grocery store, deer processor, and meat locker. Both Mack's Food Center and JV Jerky are owned by John Vanni, the son of the original owners. The company manufacturers its jerky in a smokehouse next to Mack's Food Center, using real hickory wood.

This Hot Cajun Style is described by JV Jerky as "Our Cajun style beef strips are seasoned with our secret "Louisiana Cajun" flavorings and red, white and black pepper. The strips are smoked in our stone smokehouse to give you that spicy deep south Louisiana taste. Great flavor and good heat, but it's not going to hurt you. A favorite of all spicy food lovers."

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Sweet Baby Ray's Beef Jerky - Original

About two years ago I wrote a review of Sweet Baby Ray's Beef Jerky - Honey Chipotle, but never managed to review their Original variety. The company who makes this jerky, Bridgford Food Corp, recently sent me a sample package.

Sweet Baby Ray's is actually a brand of barbecue sauces and marinades that has been on the market since the 1990s. In addition to extending their brand to beef jerky, they've also extended into potato chips.

This particular original variety is said to be based on Sweet Baby Ray's original barbecue sauce, the same sauce that made Sweet Baby Ray's famous.

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Halal Jerky - Original Soft Chew Nuggets

Last in the series on Halal Jerky are these Soft Chew Nuggets in Original flavor. See my previous reviews of their Original, Teriyaki, and Hot Hickory slab-style jerky.

These Soft Chew Nuggets are not yet available for sale from Halal Jerky's website, but according to the company are said to be "coming soon".

The name "halal" refers to any product or activity that's in compliance with Islamic Law. In the case of meats, animals must be "zabihah", which is a specific method and ritual in which animals are slaughtered. The folks at Halal Jerky, LLC claim that they have personally inspected the way in which cattle have been slaughtered, and their packaging carries a Zabihah stamp.

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Jesse James Beef Jerky - Original

Jesse James Beef Jerky is a brand of JJS Co, LLC based out of Austin, TX. It's been on the market for about a year. They also sell a line of steak sauces, BBQ sauces, and drink mixes under the same brand at www.jessejamessauces.com.

The company was founded by Steve Gunn, a Hollywood cameraman, art director, photographer and trained gourmet chef. The entire Jesse James product line sells in approximately 1,000 stores nationwide, and is expanding into a wholesale distributor and online retailer.

Their beef jerky comes in only one flavor, Original. It's smoked over real hickory wood, and manufactured in a USDA inspected facility. Steve Gunn claims it has a flavor comparable to "fine smoked hard salami", and is based on a "top secret Old West recipe".

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Remington Trail Steaks - Blazin' Hot Smoked Beef

Remington Trail Steaks is a brand of Trailsteaks, LLC based out of Chattanooga, TN. The company licenses the Remington brand from RA Brands, LLC, which is the licensing branch of Remington Arms Company, Inc., the gun manufacturer.

Remington Trail Steaks was first launched in May 2008 at the All Candy Expo in Chicago, IL, and is marketed through sporting good stores, parks and resorts, and other outdoor enthusiast retailers, as well some online outlets.

This "Blazin' Hot Smoked Beef" along with two other varieties which I'll review later, "Smoked Venison" and "Cherry Maple Flavored Smoked Turkey" were provided to me for review by Jedidiah's Jerky.

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Itsumo Ahi Tuna Jerky - Spicy

Last in the series on Itsumo Ahi Tuna Jerky is this Spicy variety. See last week's review of their Sweet variety.

Itsumo Ahi Tuna Jerky is a new product that launched last month at the National Association of Convenience Stores expo. The name Itsumo is a brand name, owned by DML Venture Enterprises. DML is a partner company of Pesca Rich Manufacturing. The two companies combined capture, process and distribute sashimi grade tuna to grocery stores and restaurants all over the world.

This new jerky snack expands upon the Itsumo brand.

The tuna used in this jerky is all hand caught by line, and is claimed to be dolphin safe. As they process the tuna into sashimi, the left over pieces are used to make jerky.

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JV Jerky - Teriyaki Style

Next in the series on JV Jerky is this Teriyaki Style. See my previous reviews of their Mild and Habanero varieties.

JV Jerky is a brand of JV Jerky, Inc. based out of Lodi, OH. It's actually more well known by locals in the North East Ohio area as part of Mack's Food Center, a fixture in Medina County since 1947 as a combination grocery store, deer processor, and meat locker. Both Mack's Food Center and JV Jerky are owned by John Vanni, the son of the original owners. The company manufacturers its jerky in a smokehouse next to Mack's Food Center, using real hickory wood.

JV Jerky's website describes this Teriyaki Style by saying, "For those of you who crave an oriental taste try our Teriyaki Strips. We blend together rich oriental seasonings for a mild and pleasing marinade. The marinated strips are then slowly smoked to perfection."

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SlantShack Jerky - Hot & Smoky with Brown Sugar Glaze

Last in the series on SlantShack Jerky is this Hot & Smoky variety with Brown Sugar Glaze. See my reviews of their Original, and Jerk McGurk's Wild Rubdown varieties.

SlantShack Jerky is a brand of SlantShack Jerky, LLC based out of Jersey City, NJ. The company, which has been selling it's jerky to the public for a year now, was the creation of Josh Kace, a Columbia University graduate who brought in some friends to get the business going.

The company offers a "Build A Jerky" feature on their website where you get to choose your jerky upgrades and options. Today's review is based on their Hot & Smoky beef jerky, which the company describes as "a smouldering blend of peppers and spices", but adding the Brown Sugar Glaze for an extra $1.00 per 4oz package.

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Halal Jerky - Hot Hickory

Next in the series on Halal Jerky is this Hot Hickory variety. See my previous reviews of their Original and Teriyaki varieties.

Halal Jerky is a brand of Halal Jerky, LLC based out of Corona, CA. It's a new brand having launched in February 2010.

The name "halal" refers to any product or activity that's in compliance with Islamic Law. In the case of meats, animals must be "zabihah", which is a specific method and ritual in which animals are slaughtered. The folks at Halal Jerky, LLC claim that they have personally inspected the way in which cattle have been slaughtered, and their packaging carries a Zabihah stamp.

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Itsumo Ahi Tuna Jerky - Sweet

Itsumo Ahi Tuna Jerky is a new product that launched last month at the National Association of Convenience Stores expo. The name Itsumo is a brand name, owned by DML Venture Enterprises. DML is a partner company of Pesca Rich Manufacturing. The two companies combined capture, process and distribute sashimi grade tuna to grocery stores and restaurants all over the world.

This new jerky snack expands upon the Itsumo brand.

The tuna used in this jerky is all hand caught by line, and is claimed to be dolphin safe. As they process the tuna into sashimi, the left over pieces are used to make jerky.

In addition to this Sweet tuna jerky, they also market a Spicy tuna jerky that I'll review next week.

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Steve's Original - Paleokit Original

Last in the series on Steve's Original is this Paleokit Original. See my previous reviews of their Paleokit Coconut Pineapple and Just Jerky.

Steve's Original is the creation of Steve Liberati, the founder of Steve's Club, a fitness center for disadvantaged youth. Steve's Club was started in Camden, NJ to teach kids about health and fitness, and keep them off the streets.

The "Paleokit" is his flagship product, a mixture of jerky, nuts, and fruit based on the Paleo Diet, a concept in eating foods consumed in the paleolithic era when humans just hunted and gathered. The beef comes from grass-fed and free-range cattle.

This Paleokit Original is a mixture of cranberries, strawberries, almonds, pecans and macadamia nuts.

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Black Knight Bison Bar

Black Knight Bison Bar appears to be a brand of Black Knight Bison Ranch, Inc. based in Norfolk, NY, and seems to have launched this year. I tried to call the company for additional information, but I got a recording for "Paradico Farms and Resort", and told me I needed to leave a message.

But it seems the company is aggressively trying to market their new Bison Bars, which are actually a blend of bison and beef, though I couldn't find the exact ratio between the two. The company's website says they are mailing out a free Bison Bar to anyone who wants one.

Black Knight Bison Ranch is using the soft and moist chewing of these bars as its primary selling point, noting that other brands of jerky are "hard leather like pieces". Their blog goes on to say their bars tease your taste buds with "an explosive hickory flavor."

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Ripken Power Shred - Teriyaki

Last in the series on Ripken Power Shred is this Teriyaki variety. See last week's review of their Sweet n' Spicy. Note that they also have an Original variety, but they were out of stock at the time.

Ripken Power Shred is a brand of Florio Sports, LLC based out of Long Valley, NJ. The company partnered with Cal Ripken Jr. to offer up a beef jerky snack that bears the name and number of the Iron Man of Baseball. It launched last month at the 2010 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) trade show in Atlanta, GA.

Ripken Power Shred uses a smaller 3oz package resembling a pouch of tobacco chew that reminds me of the Big League Chew bubblegum. They also offer the standard 0.32oz jerky chew canisters.

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JV Jerky - Habanero Beef Jerky

Next in the series on JV Jerky is this Habanero Beef Jerky. See last week's review of their Mild Beef Jerky.

JV Jerky is a brand of JV Jerky, Inc. based out of Lodi, OH. It's actually more well known by locals in the North East Ohio area as part of Mack's Food Center, a fixture in Medina County since 1947 as a combination grocery store, deer processor, and meat locker. Both Mack's Food Center and JV Jerky are owned by John Vanni, the son of the original owners. The company manufacturers its jerky in a smokehouse next to Mack's Food Center, using real hickory wood.

JV Jerky's website says this Habanero Beef Jerky is flavored with red savino habenero chiles, and warns that this jerky is for folks like a really hot fiery flavor.

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