Big Vic's Smokies

Big Vic's Smokies is the creation of Jodie and Brad Main of Freeburg, IL. It's a new business that's just barely off the ground.

Brad was raised on his grandparent's farm, which had been in the family for over 150 years. The smoke house located on that farm has been there ever since, where sausage and smokies have been prepared.

Long a treat for family and friends, they produce about 600 pounds of these slow-cooked meat sticks each year, and have many others begging them to make more.

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Dole Plantation Brand Ham Jerky - Pineapple

In my recent trip to Hawaii I found these bags of Dole Plantation Brand Ham Jerky selling inside the ABC Stores. Dole is the famous producer of tropical fruits like pineapple, banana, and mango.

This Ham Jerky is actually the product of Bric-A-Brac, Inc., based out of Las Vegas, NV. You might be familiar with their Winchester brand of jerky that I reviewed in 2008. The jerky itself, however, was manufactured by Monogram Meat Snacks, who makes jerky for hundreds of other companies.

In addition to this Pineapple flavored Ham Jerky, Bric-A-Brac also offers a Hickory Smoked Jerky made from beef & chicken, which I'll review later.

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Nomad Grass-Fed Beef Jerky - Black Pepper

Nomad Grass-Fed Beef Jerky is a relatively new jerky brand based out of West Des Moines, IA. The company was founded by Bill Van Werden, who had been making jerky for 15 years for friends and family.

The recent "Paleolithic Diet" caused Van Werden to focus on using grass-fed beef, sourced from cattle in Dorchester, IA. Even the name "Nomad" suggests the concept of early man traveling with herds of caribou and woolly mammoths.

Thus far the company produces only two flavors, this Black Pepper, and a Chipotle Curry.

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JW's Beef Jerky - Medium

JW's Jerky is a brand owned by Jerry Wilkinson of Oklahoma City, OK. The brand has been selling in trade shows, fairs, and festivals for the past 10 years throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas.

JW's doesn't quite have a website yet, though they are working on one at www.jwsjerky.com, but for now they are online via Facebook, and orders can be placed by phone or e-mail.

Jerry makes all the jerky himself, trims it by hand, and marinates the beef in vacuum tumblers. Orders placed via phone or e-mail are made fresh to order. Currently he has three flavors, this Medium, a Cajun, and an Original. He can also do Ghost Pepper upon request.

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Geronimo Jerky - Original

Geronimo Jerky is a brand found only in Australia. The company, based in Brisbane, was founded by Mark Hoyle, an American who settled in Australia.

Hoyle's jerky is based on a recipe handed down to him from his mother. His "American style" jerky is made from local ingredients, and do not contain preservatives, additives, artificial colorings, and is gluten free.

This Original variety is just one of eight varieties in all, and is used as the base for all of the company's jerky.

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Stewart's Meat Market - Famous Beef Jerky

Stewart'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.

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Perky Jerky - Turkey

While 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.

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Burning-O Jerky - Spicy Lemongrass

Burning-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.

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Jerky Hut - Sweet with Habanero

Next 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!"

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Jeff's Famous Jerky - Cranberry Jalapeno

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.

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