Pony Express Jerky - Original Hickory Smoked

Pony Express Jerky is a brand owned by Pony Express Enterprises based out of New Holland, PA. The brand was started in 2009 by Ted Cundiff, a veteran of the meat snack industry. Cundiff originally launched Wild Bill's Beef Jerky in 1983, a brand that was bought up by Monogram Foods in 2009.

Pony Express is manufactured in its own USDA inspected facility in New Holland, right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The company offers a retail location in Blue Ball, PA.

This "Original Hickory Smoked" is the brand's flagship flavor, and is offered in two meat styles, this smaller cut style reviewed here, and a longer strip style sold in one-pound packages (which we will review later).

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Smokehouse Jerky Co. - Korean Barbecue

Smokehouse Jerky Co. is a brand of Tender Heifer Snack Co., based out of Beaumont, CA. It was started in 2008, and is currently run by a husband and wife team, Franco Fonseca and Patti Fonseca.

The company takes pride in its beef brisket-based jerky, using meat sourced from California. They add no MSG and no preservatives, and focus on small batches at a time.

This "Korean Barbecue" variety is described by the company as showcasing, "the use of Korean barbecue sauce as a main ingredient", going on to say that they, "blended it up with a few more spices", and then fused it with their old fashioned recipe.

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Gringo Bandito Beef Jerky

Gringo Bandito has entered into a deal with Homegrown Meats to offer a new co-branded beef jerky variety.

Gringo Bandito is a popular brand of hot sauces owned by Hungry Punker, Inc., based out of Huntington Beach, CA. It was started by Dexter Holland, singer for the punk rock band The Offspring more than 10 years ago.

Homegrown Meats is a brand of grass-fed beef based out of Palomar Mountain, CA that offers a line of steaks, roasts, sausage, and of course, beef jerky. We actually wrote a review of their, "Good Ol' Traditional" last year.

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Smokehouse Jerky Co. - Original

Smokehouse Jerky Co. is a brand of Tender Heifer Snack Co., based out of Beaumont, CA. It was started in 2008, and is currently run by a husband and wife team, Franco Fonseca and Patti Fonseca.

The company takes pride in its beef brisket-based jerky, using meat sourced from California. They add no MSG and no preservatives, and focus on small batches at a time.

This "Original" variety is described by Smokehouse Jerky Co as, "its mellow smoky flavor complements the jerky’s lean meat", going on to say that it's, "perfect for people who love the classic taste of beef jerky".

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Jerky's Gourmet - Ghost Pepper

Jerky's Gourmet is a new brand of jerky, founded by Tim Gerstman and Andria Taylor, based out of San Diego, CA. Gerstman, who transplated to San Diego from the East Coast 8 years ago, met Andria who also happened to love beef jerky. The two joined forces and launched Jerky's Gourmet.

Their jerky is sold at various shops, bars, and venues across the San Diego area. However the two can be found at the Little Italy Farmers Market on Saturdays, doling out samples of their jerky.

This Ghost Pepper jerky is described as being "soy free" and "gluten free", and is balanced "with subtle hints of honey and pineapple".

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Smokehouse Jerky Co. - Sea Salt, Honey & Pepper

Smokehouse Jerky Co. is a brand of Tender Heifer Snack Co., based out of Beaumont, CA. It was started in 2008, and is currently run by a husband and wife team, Franco Fonseca and Patti Fonseca.

The company takes pride in its beef brisket-based jerky, using meat sourced from California. They add no MSG and no preservatives, and focus on small batches at a time.

This "Sea Salt, Honey & Pepper" variety is described by the company as being, "seasoned with freshly cracked peppercorns, sea salt, spices and sweet honey", going on to say that it, "packs an extra kick to its blend and taste".

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The Jerky Hut - Hot Cowgirl Beef Jerky

The 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.

Much of its jerky is sold through independent "retail licensees", who are the folks running the booths at the shows. It's parent company, Whiskey Hill Smokehouse, runs its own USDA inspected facility.

This Hot Cowgirl Beef Jerky variety is marketed as having a "medium hot heat range due to the infusion of hot crushed red chili peppers", and goes on to say that it has a "rich smoky flavor from Oregon hardwoods".

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Biltong USA - Peri-Peri Sliced Biltong

Biltong USA was among the earliest brands of American-made biltong, dating back to 1996. South African immigrants, Dawid Joubert and Salome Joubert founded the company in Stallings, NC based on the same family recipe that dated back into the 1600s. Over the years, their biltong products helped launched a new meat snack category in the States.

In January 2018, Biltong USA was acquired by a rival biltong brand, Stryve Foods. However, Biltong USA continues on under its own brand, and is still manufactured at its original USDA inspected facility in Stallings.

This Peri-Peri Sliced Biltong refers is the company's lean variety but seasoned with Peri-Peri, a South African style spicy seasoning made from the Piri-Piri pepper. Because Piri-Piri peppers are so difficult to find in the USA, most companies use cayenne. Biltong USA doesn't specify if this contains real Piri-Piri peppers or not. The package is also marked "Gluten Free".

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Divine Swine Bacon Jerky - Bangin' BBQ

This Bangin' BBQ is one of three new bacon jerky varieties now offered by Divine Bovine under their new "Divine Swine" brand.

The Divine Bovine brand has been around since 2001, but company founder Anthony Longo's passion for beef jerky goes back into the 1980s when he would travel back home from Mammoth Mountain in the California Sierras, and stop for some fresh made jerky at a local shop. Since then, he's mastered a unique recipe and built a popular brand that continues to sell in retail outlets across the country. This new bacon jerky line is now among the company's best sellers.

This "Bangin’ BBQ Flavored" is the best selling of Divine Bovine's bacon flavors. They describe it as a, "mild blend of savory spices and Pops’ unique recipe, slightly sweet with natural mesquite and hickory flavors, and a little kick from ginger and cayenne." They go on to say that their bacon jerky is "NON-GMO" and claim it's gluten-free and paleo-friendly.

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4 Seasons Jerky - Lemon Pepper

4 Seasons Jerky is a new brand that hit the market last month. Launched by a guy named, "Thom", short for Thomas, the company is based out of Highland, CA. Thom is an avid outdoorsman, and is outside all year-round, hiking, boating, snowboarding, to name a few.

4 Seasons Jerky uses lean round or flank cuts of meat, marinated for 24 hours.

This Lemon Pepper is described by the company as, "Combined with crushed black pepper and lemons, Lemon Pepper is a great choice who wants both a spicy and tangy taste. "

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Grill Your Ass Off Jerky - Cowboy Style

Grill Your Ass Off is a line of jerky and seasonings that launched in 2016 by Army Veterans, Jason Murff, based out of Hutto, TX. Murff had actually started with a line of seasonings and just now expanded into jerky.

The idea for his brand stems back into his Army days when he developed seasonings for his brothers in arms. After the service, he went into college to sharpen his business skills and went on to launch his new brand. Murff donates a portion of his proceeds to charities that benefit military and first responders.

This Cowboy Style jerky is described by Murff as, "Rugged Trail Delight with just a hint of smoke".

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Pony Express Beef Jerky - Black Peppered

Pony Express Jerky is a brand owned by Pony Express Enterprises based out of New Holland, PA. The brand was started in 2009 by Ted Cundiff, a veteran of the meat snack industry. Cundiff originally launched Wild Bill's Beef Jerky in 1983, a brand that was bought up by Monogram Foods in 2009.

Pony Express is manufactured in its own USDA inspected facility in New Holland, right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The company offers a retail location in Blue Ball, PA.

This "Black Peppered" is described by the company as, "A truly bold Flavor. Our Black Pepper beef jerky will leave you wishing for more."

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Pony Express Beef Jerky - Sweet Heat

Pony Express Jerky is a brand owned by Pony Express Enterprises based out of New Holland, PA. The brand was started in 2009 by Ted Cundiff, a veteran of the meat snack industry. Cundiff originally launched Wild Bill's Beef Jerky in 1983, a brand that was bought up by Monogram Foods in 2009.

Pony Express is manufactured in its own USDA inspected facility in New Holland, right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The company offers a retail location in Blue Ball, PA.

This "Sweet Heat" is described by the company as, "A true American favorite; a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. For those who can’t just pick one."

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Pony Express Jerky - Original Beef Steak

Pony Express Jerky is a brand owned by Pony Express Enterprises based out of New Holland, PA. The brand was started in 2009 by Ted Cundiff, a veteran of the meat snack industry. Cundiff originally launched Wild Bill's Beef Jerky in 1983, a brand that was bought up by Monogram Foods in 2009.

Pony Express is manufactured in its own USDA inspected facility in New Holland, right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The company offers a retail location in Blue Ball, PA.

This "Original Beef Steak" is further labeled, "Monster Sized 2oz", and described by the company as, "Our original beef jerky will transport you back in time. A tradition started in the Wild West..."

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Pony Express Jerky - Original Hickory Smoked Strips

Pony Express Jerky is a brand owned by Pony Express Enterprises based out of New Holland, PA. The brand was started in 2009 by Ted Cundiff, a veteran of the meat snack industry. Cundiff originally launched Wild Bill's Beef Jerky in 1983, a brand that was bought up by Monogram Foods in 2009.

Pony Express is manufactured in its own USDA inspected facility in New Holland, right in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The company offers a retail location in Blue Ball, PA.

This "Original Hickory Smoked" is different than the flavor we reviewed last week in that this is packaged in full length strips, and more importantly, is vacuum-sealed, which tends to hold its flavor and moisture better. It's only sold in one-pound (16 oz) packages. For comparison purposes, see last week's review here. Pony Express recommends you purchase a "Jerky Jar" designed to hold your remaining jerky strips and keep them air sealed.

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Firecreek Jerky - Original

Firecreek Jerky is a brand launched by Ryan Hansen based out of Jerseyville, IL. He got it off the ground in February 2016.

Hansen has been making "small batch" jerky from his family's meat business for the past three years. He makes jerky using USDA Choice Angus Beef. Since then, he's secured a deal with USDA inspected co-packer and is now relaunching the brand.

According to Firecreek Jerky, this Original is marketed as, "...an authentic, beef taste with perfect hints of salt, onion and garlic flavor profiles". It's also labeled as, "all natural" and "minimally processed".

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Smokehouse Jerky Co - "Oh" That's Hot!

Smokehouse Jerky Co. is a brand of Tender Heifer Snack Co., based out of Beaumont, CA. It was started in 2008, and is currently run by a husband and wife team, Franco Fonseca and Patti Fonseca.

The company takes pride in its beef brisket-based jerky, using meat sourced from California. They add no MSG and no preservatives, and focus on small batches at a time.

This "Oh That's Hot!" variety is described by Smokehouse Jerky Co as, "Starts off sweet then gives you a late hit of the Jalapeno heat at the end. Very different but a bit spicier than the rest."

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Crazy Mike's Beef Jerky - Peppered

Crazy Mike's Beef Jerky is a brand started in 2013 by Mike Merwin, a retired US Navy veteran, based out of Altamount, NY.

Mike, who's known by his friends as "Crazy Mike", had been making jerky himself since 1994 when a friend bought him a dehydrator on a BOGO deal after watching a late night infomercial. Mike had been making homebrew and winning chili cook-offs at the time, so making jerky was right up his alley.

Crazy Mike's Beef Jerky is made from USDA Choice Beef, Eye Round, hickory smoked, and then slow cooked. It currently sells online from its website, as well as in one of Mike's friend's bars.

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Smokehouse Jerky Co - Ole Cracked Pepper

Smokehouse Jerky Co. is a brand of Tender Heifer Snack Co., based out of Beaumont, CA. It was started in 2008, and is currently run by a husband and wife team, Franco Fonseca and Patti Fonseca.

The company takes pride in its beef brisket-based jerky, using meat sourced from California. They add no MSG and no preservatives, and focus on small batches at a time.

This "Ole Cracked Pepper" variety is described by Smokehouse Jerky Co as comparable to their "Original" flavor, which I don't have, but with the additional burst of cracked peppercorns, "for an old fashioned peppery bite".

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Golden Island Jerky - Sriracha Barbecue Pork

Golden Island Jerky recently launched three new pork jerky varieties and an additional beef jerky variety, all in the company's Asian & Taiwanese tradition. We have two of these new flavors, including this Sriracha Barbecue Pork Jerky, and the Kung Pao Beef Jerky.

We originally reviewed Golden Island Jerky back in 2008, and then again in 2012 when they did a full rebranding. Since then, the company was purchased by Hillshire Farms in 2013, and then Hillshire Farms was purchased by Tyson Foods in 2014. Because of Tyson Foods' dominance in food distribution, Golden Island Jerky will be seeing increased market penetration, including Ralph Stores in Southern California.

This Sriracha Barbecue Pork Jerky is described by the company as offering the "bold flavors of red chilies and garlic", and is "subtly hot and tender".

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