Saturday, December 17, 2011

Stewart's Meat Market - Famous Beef Jerky

stewarts meat market beef jerkyStewart's Meat Market is a fixture at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle, offering up batches of smoked beef jerky, buffalo jerky, and sausage.

The company began in 1929 by Emmett Stewart and was carried forward by his daughter Dorothy, whose recipes are still used by the company today. Stewart's Meat Market is now run by Dorothy's son and daughter-in-law.

Stewart's doesn't sell any of their products online. You have to visit one of their outlets, either the main store in Yelm, WA, the Pike Place Market in Seattle, or the Farmer's Market in Olympia, WA.

This particular "Famous Beef Jerky" is the company's original variety. They also do Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Maple, Alder Garlic, and Teriyaki.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Perky Jerky - Turkey

perky jerky turkeyWhile the makers of Perky Jerky have been bringing energy-infused strips of beef to those who need a perking up to their meat-chewing experience, fans of turkey jerky have felt a little left out in the cold.

But not anymore. Now there's Turkey Perky Jerky, adding some "uumph" and "aargh" to your gobble gobble.

Just like with its mooo counterparts, Turkey Perky Jerky comes with no MSG, no nitrates, and no preservatives. It relies on Guarana as its energy-inducing ingredient.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Burning-O Jerky - Spicy Lemongrass

burning-o jerkyBurning-O Jerky is a relatively new brand that appears to have launched within the last couple of years. The package I received offered very little information about the company other aside from the owner claiming to "feel out the market" to see if it's feasible to make a business out of it.

The company, which is based out of Ankeny, IA, currently offers only one flavor, this Spicy Lemongrass.

A couple of other websites have produced video reviews, but no one yet has published anything comprehensive, so here's my shot at it.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Jerky Hut - Sweet with Habanero

jerky hut beef jerkyNext in the series on Jerky Hut is this Sweet with Habanero variety. See my previous reviews of their other flavors.

Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago. Whiskey Hill Smokehouse runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Chernobyl is described by the company as, "Jerky Hut prime cut, thick beef jerky. This little princess is hot! (That's because we added some habanero chiles to the mix.) If you like your jerky a little on the spicy side, this one is "too-good" to pass up! This is our Golden Nugget with a single serving of habanero!"

Monday, October 31, 2011

Jeff's Famous Jerky - Cranberry Jalapeno

jeffs famous jerky
The newest flavor from Jeff's Famous Beef Jerky is this Cranberry Jalapeno. See previous reviews of Jeff's Famous here.

Jeff's Famous Jerky, which previously was branded as "Jeff's Gourmet Jerky", is led by Jeff Richards of Mission Viejo, CA. Jeff has been making beef jerky since the 1970s. His love for cooking took him into the restaurant business for over 20 years. In 2006 he started working on creating his own beef jerky brand, and just last year saw the launch of his new company.

This new Cranberry Jalapeno variety is described as having a refreshing taste of cranberry that blends with a subtle jalapeno flavor and mild heat.

Monday, August 15, 2011

KP's Beef Jerky - Spicy Onion & Garlic

kps beef jerkyLast in the series on KP's Beef Jerky is this Spicy Onion & Garlic. See my previous review of their Original and Jalapeno & Lemon.

KP's Beef Jerky is a new brand of jerky that launched earlier this year, distributed by Skyhawk Solutions LTD, based out of Woodbridge, IL. They claim their jerky is made in small batches, and they offer three flavors, this Spicy Onion & Garlic, the Original, and the Jalapeno & Lemon.

The company mentioned to me that this Spicy Onion & Garlic variety is their best seller, and describes it as "The flavor of onion, garlic & the zip of red pepper make this an unmistakable tasty treat."

Friday, August 12, 2011

KP's Beef Jerky - Jalapeno & Lemon

kps beef jerkyNext in the series on KP's Beef Jerky is this Jalapeno & Lemon variety. See my previous review of their Original.

KP's Beef Jerky is a new brand of jerky that launched earlier this year, distributed by Skyhawk Solutions LTD, based out of Woodbridge, IL. They claim their jerky is made in small batches, and they offer three flavors, this Jalapeno & Lemon, the Original, and a Spicy Onion & Garlic.

The company describes this Jalapeno & Lemon variety as, "Fire up your taste experience with this blend of jalapeño bits and a tangy twist of lemon."

Monday, June 20, 2011

Bacon Forever - Backdraft

bacon jerkyNext in the series on Bacon Forever is this Backdraft variety, dubbed "Spicy" on the package. See my previous review of their Smoky Original.

Stemming from their love of bacon, the couple had created and sold t-shirts emblazoned with the words "Bacon Forever", and found some surprising success. It lead to a discussion of what other ways could they extend their bacon business boom, and somehow it lead to jerky.

This Backdraft variety is the company's hottest, made with cayenne pepper and red chile flakes.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Tomahawk Jerky - Pepper Cured

tomahawk jerkyLast in the series on Tomahawk Jerky is this Pepper Cured turkey jerky. See my previous review of their Spicy Turkey.

The company was started by Steve Swift who was introduced to jerky as a kid in the late 1960s. He and his dad used to make sun dried venison by hanging them on racks and setting them on the roof of their house.

Today, he uses a dehydrator, and chose to focus on turkey jerky because he likes the flavor and texture. Tomahawk Jerky is sold at shows and expos around the Boise, ID area, and online through its website.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Mike's Jerky - Green Chile

mikes jerkyNext in the series on Mike's Jerky is this Green Chile variety. See my previous reviews of their Black Pepper, Santa Fe, Lemon Pepper, and Special Pineapple varieties.

Mike's Jerky is a brand of Old World Beef Company based out of Albuquerque, NM. The company was started by Mike and Brenda Grier in 2008. The couple had been making jerky for many years and were always told that they ought to go into business selling it, except they were already busy running an RV dealership. But when the bad economy hit, their dealership went out of business, and that cleared the way for them to start Old World Beef Company.

This Green Chile variety is described by the company as having been made with green chiles grown in New Mexico, which have a reputation of being the best green chiles around.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Full Metal Jerky - Original

full metal jerkyFull Metal Jerky is a brand of JerkCo, LLC, based in Owings Mills, MD. The brand original started out as "Bin Lami Salami", and then changed names to Ken's Chophouse Jerky in October 2010. This year, it changed names again to Full Metal Jerky.

Based on what I can see, Full Metal Jerky has the same set of ingredients as Ken's Chophouse Jerky, and should be exactly the same jerky as what I reviewed last November.

Ken Blum, who started the company, got into making jerky in the early 1990s after buying a Ronco Food Dehydrator, and fifteen years later decided to get into the business of selling jerky. It's manufactured in a USDA inspected facility, and currently sells in select stores throughout Maryland and New Jersey as well as its own website.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Tomahawk Jerky - Spicy Turkey

tomahawk jerkyTomahawk Jerky is a brand of turkey jerky produced by Big West Foods in Eagle, ID.

The company was started by Steve Swift who was introduced to jerky as a kid in the late 1960s. He and his dad used to make sun dried venison by hanging them on racks and setting them on the roof of their house.

Today, he uses a dehydrator, and chose to focus on turkey jerky because he likes the flavor and texture. Tomahawk Jerky is sold at shows and expos around the Boise, ID area, and online through its website. I have the Spicy and the Pepper Cured varieties to review.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Jenny's Jerky - Honey Teriyaki

jennys jerky honey teriyakiLast in the series on Jenny's Jerky is this Honey Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews of their Original and Spicy varieties.

Jenny's Jerky is owned by CorLa Foods based out of Alameda, CA. It was started by Jenny Ma, who with her family would make frequent trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles down the coast, stopping at shops and stores and picking up bags of jerky to much on. But not finding anything that really knocked her out, Jenny decided to try her hand at making her own jerky. So after a few years of experimenting with various recipes, Jenny's Jerky was born.

This Honey Teriyaki variety is described by the company as their "MamaSweeta", packing a teriyaki flavor, followed by the gentle sweetness of honey, ending with a hint of garlic and onion.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Mike's Jerky - Special Pineapple

mikes jerkyNext in the series on Mike's Jerky is this Special Pineapple. See my previous reviews of their Lemon Pepper, Santa Fe, and Black Pepper varieties.

Mike's Jerky is a brand of Old World Beef Company based out of Albuquerque, NM. The company was started by Mike and Brenda Grier in 2008. The couple had been making jerky for many years and were always told that they ought to go into business selling it, except they were already busy running an RV dealership. But when the bad economy hit, their dealership went out of business, and that cleared the way for them to start Old World Beef Company.

This Special Pineapple variety is described by the company as "Crushed pineapples with sweet seasonings straight from the Hawaiian Islands."

Monday, May 2, 2011

Carnivore Candy Beef Jerky - Original Peppered

carnivore candy beef jerkyCarnivore Candy is a brand of Boyd Specialties, LLC based out of Colton, CA. It was started by Robert Boyd along with his brother Jae last year using a recipe that's been in the Boyd family for a half-century.

They make their own jerky in their own USDA inspected facility enlisting the help of three-generations of family members, making the same jerky their grandfather made. Much of their jerky is sold at stores, fairs, and local events in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, as well as through their website.

Currently the company offers three flavors, this Original Peppered, a Barbecue Mesquite, and an Orange Teriyaki, which I'll be reviewing later on.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Green Light Jerky - The Ultimate Teriyaki

green light beef jerkyNext in the series on Green Light Jerky is this variety dubbed, "The Ultimate Teriyaki". See my previous reviews of their Classic, Garlic Parmesan, and Jamaican Jerk varieties.

Green Light Jerky is a brand of Green Light Jerky Company of Redwood City, CA. It's a unique brand in that it focuses on unusual flavors in a stylish design and concept. They claim to add no preservatives, no MSG, no thickening agents, and no food colorings, going on to say they use such name-brand ingredients as The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley, George Chiala Farms in Morgan Hill, and Grandma's Molasses. Their products are sold through specialty stores in northern California, and from their website.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Bacon Forever - Smoky Original

bacon foreverBacon Forever is a brand of Bacon Forever, LLC based in Kent, WA. It was started by Chris and Tina Lally.

Stemming from their love of bacon, the couple had created and sold t-shirts emblazoned with the words "Bacon Forever", and found some surprising success. It lead to a discussion of what other ways could they extend their bacon business boom, and somehow it lead to jerky.

The company offers four different flavors of bacon jerky, including this Smoky Original, along with a Flapjack, Backdraft, and Muddy Pig. This Smoky Original is described as "Crunchy & chewy textures (dry rub used) with a sweet & smoky flavor."

Friday, April 15, 2011

KP's Beef Jerky - Original

kps beef jerkyKP's Beef Jerky appears to be a new brand of jerky that's hitting the market as of late. I don't have a lot of background info on the company, other than what they present on their packages. It appears to be distributed by Skyhawk Solutions LTD, based out of Woodbridge, IL.

The company's website says its made in small batches, and they offer three flavors, this Original, a Spicy Onion & Garlic, and a Jalapeno & Lemon, all of which I'll be reviewing.

This Original variety is described by the company as "Perfectly seasoned with a distinct hickory smoked flavor make this a classic snack."

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Jerky Hut - Chernobyl

jerky hut
Next in the series on Jerky Hut is this Chernobyl variety. See my previous reviews of their Cowboy, Golden Nuggets, and Mild Teriyaki varieties.

Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago. Whiskey Hill Smokehouse runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Chernobyl is described by the company as "The Total Meltdown" and "Painfully Hot". It's part of their Habanero line of beef jerky, which includes the Montezuma's Revenge (1x habanero), and the Nitro (2x habanero). This Chernobyl is 3x habanero.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Jim's Jerky - BBQ Bites

jims jerkyLast in the series on Jim's Jerky are these BBQ Bites. See my previous reviews of their Garlic, Chilli, and Safari varieties.

Jim's Jerky is a brand of Temba Meats based out of Charlton, Queensland, Australia. Read my previous review of their biltong. The company is run by Jim and Cathie Tanner who bought the meat processor in 2004. Temba Meats is what produces Jim's Biltong and Jim's Jerky. Temba Meats was previously operated by a South African couple who made biltong and jerky in small quantities.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Papa Jay's Jerky - Teriyaki

papa jays jerkyNext in the series on Papa Jay's Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous review of their Original.

Papa Jay's Jerky is run by the couple of Mary and Richard Penrod based out of Clifton, ID. The brand was originally started in 1996 by Mary's father Jay Moyle after he retired from selling dairy equipment. Jay was big into hunting and smoking meats and bought several smokers, and finally bought a little country store in Clifton and converted the garage into a jerky production facility. When Jay passed away in 2004, Mary and her husband took over.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Jenny's Jerky - Spicy

jennys jerkyNext in the series on Jenny's Jerky is this Spicy variety. See my previous review of their Original.

Jenny's Jerky is owned by CorLa Foods based out of Alameda, CA. It was started by Jenny Ma, who with her family would make frequent trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles down the coast, stopping at shops and stores and picking up bags of jerky to much on. But not finding anything that really knocked her out, Jenny decided to try her hand at making her own jerky. So after a few years of experimenting with various recipes, Jenny's Jerky was born.

This Spicy variety is described by the company as being the "Hot Mama", and "not your average spicy jerky", offering a chile pepper flavor in addition to a burn.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Jim's Jerky - Safari Bites

jims jerkyNext in the series on Jim's Jerky are these Safari Bites. See my previous reviews of their Garlic and Chilli varieties.

Jim's Jerky is a brand of Temba Meats based out of Charlton, Queensland, Australia. Read my previous review of their biltong. The company is run by Jim and Cathie Tanner who bought the meat processor in 2004. Temba Meats is what produces Jim's Biltong and Jim's Jerky. Temba Meats was previously operated by a South African couple who made biltong and jerky in small quantities.

There's nothing on this package to explain what "Safari" is supposed to taste like, or what it's supposed to reflect or represent. We'll just have to find out what it tastes like.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Mama Mia's Beef Jerky - Original

mama mias beef jerkyMama Mia's Beef Jerky is a new brand of jerky based out of Corona, CA, started by Mia Styles.

She credits her father, an avid meat smoker, for having made smoked meats for his family over the years. When a family friend tasted some of his jerky, he wanted to know how he could get more. From there, it spurned Mia into turning her dad's jerky into a business, and thus was born Mama Mia's Beef Jerky.

Presently the brand offers only this Original variety.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Mike's Jerky - Lemon Pepper

mikes jerkyNext up in the series on Mike's Jerky is this Lemon Pepper variety. See my previous reviews of Mike's Santa Fe and Black Pepper varieties.

Mike's Jerky is a brand of Old World Beef Company based out of Albuquerque, NM. The company was started by Mike and Brenda Grier in 2008. The couple had been making jerky for many years and were always told that they ought to go into business selling it, except they were already busy running an RV dealership. But when the bad economy hit, their dealership went out of business, and that cleared the way for them to start Old World Beef Company.

This Lemon Pepper variety is described by the company as having "...just the right amount of citrus lemon to compliment the pepper."

Monday, March 7, 2011

Silverhawks Journey Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

silverhawks journey beef jerkySilverhawks Journey is an online store that sells Native American keepsakes, clothing, jewelry and jerky, run by Jennifer Martin and Sean Symanski of East Stroudsburg, PA.

The two have been making beef jerky for quite some time, and then in 2009 saw the birth of their son whom they named Silverhawk, and from there his journey became theirs. To date, the family has been selling wares on eBay, but are looking to get their product in other stores.

Silverhawks Journey currently produces five flavors of jerky, including this Teriyaki, along with a Hot & Spicy BBQ, a regular BBQ, a Hickory Brown Sugar, and their Original. As of this writing, I only have the Teriyaki to review.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Papa Jay's Jerky - Original

papa jays jerkyPapa Jay's Jerky is run by the couple of Mary and Richard Penrod based out of Clifton, ID. The brand was originally started in 1996 by Mary's father Jay Moyle after he retired from selling dairy equipment.

Jay was big into hunting and smoking meats and bought several smokers, and finally bought a little country store in Clifton and converted the garage into a jerky production facility. When Jay passed away in 2004, Mary and her husband took over.

Papa Jay's Jerky offers four flavors, this Original, as well as Teriyaki, Peppered, and Honey. I'll be reviewing all four over the next several weeks.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Jenny's Jerky - Original

jennys jerkyJenny's Jerky is one of the newest jerky brands on the market, it's owned by CorLa Foods based out of Alameda, CA.

The company was started by Jenny Ma, who with her family would make frequent trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles down the coast, stopping at shops and stores and picking up bags of jerky to much on. But not finding anything that really knocked her out, Jenny decided to try her hand at making her own jerky.

So after a few years of experimenting with various recipes, Jenny's Jerky was born. The brand currently offers three flavors, this Original, along with a Honey Teriyaki and a Spicy.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Jerky Hut - Mild Teriyaki Beef Jerky

the jerky hut
Next up in the series on Jerky Hut is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews on their Cowboy Beef Jerky and their Golden Nuggets Beef Jerky.

Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started back in the 1980s. Whiskey Hill Smokehouse runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Mild Teriyaki is described by the company as thick cuts of beef jerky seasoned with their special tropical teriyaki goodness, and is one of their top sellers.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Green Light Jerky - The Classic (Improved)

green light jerkyGreen Light Jerky was one of the first brands of jerky I reviewed, nearly three years ago. Since then, the company claims to have improved its jerky and resubmitted four of their flavors for review. It didn't specify exactly how it was improved.

However back in 2009 they claimed to have made improvements by extending the marinade to a full 24 hours.

Green Light Jerky is a brand of Green Light Jerky Company of Redwood City, CA. It's a unique brand in that it focuses on unusual flavors such as Garlic Parmesan, Jamaican Jerky, and Prime Rib Dinner, all of which I've reviewed earlier.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Jeff's Famous Jerky - Orange-A-Peel

jeffs famous jerky
The newest flavor from Jeff's Famous Jerky is this Orange-A-Peel. It's described as a mild, but spicy sweet orange peel marinade, then slow cooked to Jeff's standards of excellence.

See my previous reviews of Jeff's Famous Jerky varieties here: http://www.bestbeefjerky.org/search/ label/Jeffs-Gourmet-Jerky

Jeff's Famous Jerky is a brand owned and operated by Jeff Richards, out of Big Bear City, CA. Jeff has been making beef jerky since the 1970s. His love for cooking took him into the restaurant business for over 20 years. In 2006 he started working on creating his own beef jerky brand, and just last year saw the launch of his new company.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Mike's Jerky - Santa Fe

mikes jerkyNext in the series on Mike's Jerky is this Santa Fe variety. See my previous review of their Black Pepper.

Mike's Jerky is a brand of Old World Beef Company based out of Albuquerque, NM. The company was started by Mike and Brenda Grier in 2008. The couple had been making jerky for many years and were always told that they ought to go into business selling it, except they were already busy running an RV dealership. But when the bad economy hit, their dealership went out of business, and that cleared the way for them to start Old World Beef Company.

This Santa Fe variety is described by the company as "A taste of the Southwest! A very flavorful blend of seasonings with a touch of habanero for a nice little kick."

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Jim's Jerky - Chilli

jims jerkyNext in the series on Jim's Jerky is this Chilli variety. See my previous reviews of their Garlic Jerky and their Biltong.

Jim's Jerky is a brand of Temba Meats based out of Charlton, Queensland, Australia. Read my previous review of their biltong. The company is run by Jim and Cathie Tanner who bought the meat processor in 2004. Temba Meats is what produces Jim's Biltong and Jim's Jerky. Temba Meats was previously operated by a South African couple who made biltong and jerky in small quantities.

This Chilli variety is described by the company as "EXTRA EXTRA HOT", claiming it to be "eye watering jerky".

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Stubby's Jerky - BBQ Pork Jerky

stubbys jerkyStubby's Jerky Smokehouse & Specialty Meats is based out of Vicksburg, MI. It's a family-run smokehouse producing smoked meats and cheeses covering the greater Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas of Michigan.

The business was started back in 2005 but the family has been making jerky for the past twenty years perfecting the craft of smoked meats.

This package of BBQ Pork Jerky was actually sent to me by Vicksburg General Store, an online retailer focusing on products made locally in the town of Vicksburg.

Monday, January 24, 2011

The Jerky Hut - Sweet Golden Nuggets

the jerky hut
Next in the series on Jerky Hut are these Sweet Golden Nuggets. See my previous review of their Cowboy Beef Jerky.

Jerky Hut is a brand of Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, LLC, based out of Hubbard, OR. The brand which is often seen at boat shows, gun shows, car shows, and trade shows of every kind, was started over 30 years ago. Whiskey Hill Smokehouse runs its own USDA inspected facility.

These Golden Nuggets are the brand's signature product, sweetened with brown sugar and described as tasting like barbecue ribs.

Friday, January 21, 2011

People's Choice Beef Jerky - Original

peoples choice beef jerkyPeople's Choice Beef Jerky is a brand of Peoples Sausage Company, Inc. based out of Los Angeles, CA. It's a family-run business that's been around since 1929 originally focusing on sausage, and then moving into restaurant distribution. It wasn't until recent years when the founder's grandson took over the business and branched into beef jerky.

Recently the company adopted new packaging and new brand imaging, and submitted this Original flavor as well as their Teriyaki for review. I had previously reviewed their Hot & Spicy and their Natural Angus Teriyaki.

They're also launching new 100% all beef sticks.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Mike's Jerky - Black Pepper

mikes jerkyMike's Jerky is a brand of Old World Beef Company based out of Albuquerque, NM. The company was started by Mike and Brenda Grier in 2008.

The couple had been making jerky for many years and were always told that they ought to go into business selling it, except they were already busy running an RV dealership. But when the bad economy hit, their dealership went out of business, and that cleared the way for them to start Old World Beef Company.

The company offers 16 different jerky flavors in all. I have 8 of them to review over the next couple of months. All of their jerky is thin-sliced, and dry.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Mike's Country Meats - Hot Jamaican Style

mikes country meatsLast in the series on Mike's Country Meats is this "Hot Jamaican Style" beef jerky. See my previous reviews of their Regular and Peppered varieties.

Mike's Country Meats, LLC is a state-inspected beef jerky manufacturer based in Campbellsport, WI. The company has been making jerky since 2002.

It's actually been in operation since 1984 as Mike's Wild Game Processing serving local deer hunters. Slowly over the years business expanded and by 1998 they had constructed a larger facility. In 2002 they opened up their own store selling fresh cuts of meat and sausage, as well as beef jerky. The jerky business took off quickly and soon became the company's primary focus.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Jim's Jerky - Garlic

jims jerkyJim's Jerky is a brand of Temba Meats based out of Charlton, Queensland, Australia. Read my previous review of their biltong.

The company is run by Jim and Cathie Tanner who bought the meat processor in 2004. Temba Meats is what produces Jim's Biltong and Jim's Jerky. Temba Meats was previously operated by a South African couple who made biltong and jerky in small quantities.

Beef jerky is still somewhat new in places like Australia, South Africa, and England, who've been more accustomed to Biltong, a similar meat snack with a clearly different flavor and texture. Where biltong tends to spoil more quickly, jerky tends to remain shelf-stable for much longer periods, making it more conducive to the retail market.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Sturgis Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

sturgis beef jerkyLast in the series on Sturgis Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews of their Original and Peppered varieties.

Sturgis Beef Jerky is a brand of G&G Enterprises, Inc. based out of Sturgis, SD. The company original started in 1964 by the Gap family and over the years grew their brand by selling to local residents, ranchers, and many bikers who attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They credit their loyal fans for helping them refine their recipe into what they currently sell today.

In 2002 they incorporated into G&G Enterprises, Inc. and now manufacture jerky in their own USDA inspected facility.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Lando's Jerky - Sweet & Spicy

landos jerkyNext in the series on Lando's Jerky is this Sweet & Spicy variety. See my previous reviews of their Hickory, Garlic Pepper, and Inferno varieties.

Lando's Jerky is run by Alex Landers of Chicago, IL, who's been making jerky for years and started selling it to his co-workers. Since then he's set up an eBay store to sell his jerky to the public, and now has launched his own website.

All of his jerky is made fresh to order using USDA choice grade angus from his local meat market, marinates for 24 hours, and then finally slow-cooks and smokes it for 6 hours.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Papa Dan's Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

papa dans beef jerkyNext in the series on Papa Dan's Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous reviews of their Carne Asada, Ring of Fire, Old Fashioned, Sweet N' Hot, and Real Backyard BBQ varieties.

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. At one time Papa Dan's was manufactured in its own USDA facility, but is now produced by Monrovia, CA-based TM Jerky & Processing, which coincidentally now owns Papa Dan's old manufacturing facility.

This Teriyaki variety is actually the last of the varieties I have to review for Papa Dan's, unless they sent me more flavors. They actually have more flavors that I haven't reviewed.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky - Red Pepper

wildervilles beef jerkyLast in the series on Wilderville's Country Beef Jerky is this Red Pepper variety. See my previous reviews of their Original, Black Pepper, Teriyaki, and Black Pepper Teriyaki varieties.

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.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Snow's Beef Jerky - Hot

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

Snow's Beef Jerky is based in Peru, IN, ran by a guy named Lane Shelton who's been making it under this brand for the past 15 years.

They offer four flavors as of this writing, but have plans to introduce several others soon, including many other varieties of hot. I only have their Regular and this Hot variety.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Mike's Country Meats - Pepper Style

mikes country meatsNext in the series on Mike's Coutry Meats is this Pepper Style. See my previous review of their Regular Beef Jerky.

Mike's Country Meats, LLC is a state-inspected beef jerky manufacturer based in Campbellsport, WI. The company has been making jerky since 2002.

It's actually been in operation since 1984 as Mike's Wild Game Processing serving local deer hunters. Slowly over the years business expanded and by 1998 they had constructed a larger facility. In 2002 they opened up their own store selling fresh cuts of meat and sausage, as well as beef jerky. The jerky business took off quickly and soon became the company's primary focus.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Sturgis Beef Jerky - Peppered

Sturgis Beef JerkyNext up in the series on Sturgis Beef Jerky is this Peppered variety. See my previous review of their Original variety.

Sturgis Beef Jerky is a brand of G&G Enterprises, Inc. based out of Sturgis, SD. The company original started in 1964 by the Gap family and over the years grew their brand by selling to local residents, ranchers, and many bikers who attend the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. They credit their loyal fans for helping them refine their recipe into what they currently sell today.

In 2002 they incorporated into G&G Enterprises, Inc. and now manufacture jerky in their own USDA inspected facility.