The Jerky Connection - Spicy Southwest BBQ

Next in the series on The Jerky Connection is this Spicy Southwest BBQ. See our reviews of their other flavors here.

Run by Tom Greineder, The Jerky Connection is a new business that launched last June, based out of Wrightsville, PA, boasting several flavors ranging from mild to insanely hot, including a line of jerky dubbed, "7 Gates of Hell".

This Spicy Southwest BBQ beef jekry is described by the company as "A sweet tangy treat with a pinch of habanero", claiming to put a little spice in your BBQ.

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Phil's Beef Jerky - Hickory

Next in the series on Phil's Beef Jerky is this Hickory variety. See my previous reviews of their Mild beef jerky and Teriyaki beef jerky.

Phil's Beef Jerky is based out of Tye, TX, having been in operation the past four years. It was started by Phillip Morgan, who like many others in the jerky business, started out small but began to grow. He soon expanded into a larger facility, gained USDA inspection approval, and now supplies jerky to hundreds of service men and women at nearby Dyess AFB.

This Hickory variety is described by Phil as having a, "great taste and a smooth flavor for folks who do not like it spicy, but a great hickory flavor that you will enjoy snacking on."

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Dried and True Beef Jerky - Korean BBQ

Dried and True is a brand of all natural, artisan beef jerky based in Venice, CA. The brand was launched in August 2012 by Matt Lauster.

Focusing on all natural ingredients and using 100% USDA Choice Sirloin, Lauster has managed to create a following in his hometown. He sells his jerky at local farmer's markets and small specialty stores in Venice. Lauster claims to have sold out at the recent 150,000+ strong Abbot Kinney Festival, also in Venice.

This Korean BBQ variety is said to be Dried and True's best selling flavor. Lauster describes it as, "savory, sweet, and just a little spicy", and is made using his own homemade sriracha sauce.

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Uncle Zip's Beef Jerky - Original

Uncle Zip's Beef Jerky is based out of Hope Mills, NC, run by Ken Howell.

It started in 1995 by his father Bill Howell, who got a dehydrator for Christmas and started making jerky. Bill was able to sell his product at a few places around town. His son Ken joined the business and the two created, "Uncle Zip's Beef Jerky". In 2008, Ken's father, mother, and nephew died, leaving him in a state of depression, and nearly ending the business.

But Ken persevered, and last year was featured on the television show, "Shark Tank", where he pitched his beef jerky business to a panel of judges included Jeff Foxworthy, who coincidentally had his own brand of beef jerky (see our review).

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Golden Island Beef Jerky - Hickory Black Pepper

Next in the series on Golden Island Beef Jerky is this Hickory Black Pepper variety. See my reviews of their other flavors here.

Golden Island Beef Jerky is a brand of Formosa Meat Co., Inc. based out of Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I had originally reviewed Golden Island back in 2008, but just recently the company unveiled a new package design, reformulated recipes, and eliminated the use of preservatives.

This Hickory Black Pepper jerky is described by the company as, "Spicy cracked black pepper with a touch of smoky flavor. A unique and tasty treat, each piece of jerky is carefully sliced and perfectly seasoned with savory black pepper. From the first bite, the blast of pepper will wake up your taste buds while the smoky flavor will keep you coming back for more."

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Clint & Sons Beef Jerky - Chile Lime

Next in the series on Clint & Sons Beef Jerky is this Chile Lime variety. See our reviews of their other flavors.

Clint & Sons is a meat processing facility located in White Deer, TX. It's a family run business that goes back to 1944 when Clint Freeman opened it up. Today it's run by his sons and grandchildren. The company recently upgraded from state inspection to federal inspection, allowing them to sell jerky across all 50 states.

This Chile Lime variety is described as a tender cut that has been slow marinated in a unique blend of seasoning, and then slow smoked over real hickory, and finally hit with a hint of lime.

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Phil's Beef Jerky - Teriyaki

Next in the series on Phil's Beef Jerky is this Teriyaki variety. See my previous review of their Mild beef jerky.

Phil's Beef Jerky is based in Tye, TX, in operation for about four years, and owned by Phillip Morgan. Like many others in the jerky business, Phil's Beef Jerky started out small but began to grow. Phil soon expanded into a larger facility, gained USDA inspection approval, and now supplies jerky to hundreds of service men and women at nearby Dyess AFB.

This Teriyaki is described by Phil as having, "...a great flavor, just sweet enough with Honey to make your mouth want to take another bite."

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Slim Jim Dare Beef Jerky

Slim Jim's "Dare" line of meat snacks was launched in June 2011, designed to fulfill a growing demographic of male snackers tired of eating bland food in a world becoming increasingly conscious of health, food allergies, and weight gain. With flavors like "Kinda Hot Chili Pepper", "Freakin' Hot Jalapeno", and "Really Freakin' Hot Habanero", and emblazoned with colorful, eye-catching graphics, it's part of a new marketing campaign called, "Male Spice Loss", positioning Slim Jim our last hope against a trend of palate-pansies.

I only wanted to find out exactly how hot these three bold flavors names are in comparison with gourmet brands like Ed's Roadhouse, The Jerky Connection, and others, and not really intending to do my usual detailed review.

For those of you who've followed us over the past four years, you'll recall my previous review of Slim Jim's Jalapeno Jerky I did in April 2008.

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Beef Jerky Recipe Contest

We want your homemade beef jerky recipe!

If you love to make beef jerky, and you think you have a really good recipe, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RECIPE TO US!

All recipes we receive will be posted and categorized on our sister-website howtomakejerky.org for others to try.

We will pick up to 10 lucky winners.

Each will winner receive a 6-pack of Golden Island Beef Jerky.  Golden Island Beef Jerky is known for their unique asian-style flavors like Mandarin Orange, Korean Barbecue, and Grilled Pork, plus others.

The contest runs from November 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012.

E-mail your recipe to us at:





Contest Rules

1. When you submit a recipe to us, you are hereby certifying that you created this recipe or have permission to submit it to us.

2. All recipes submitted to us will be published on howtomakejerky.org for the public to see and use.

3. You can submit as many recipes you want.

4. Each recipe must have a name (e.g. "Mike's Famous Beef Jerky", "Hot Teriyaki Jerky", etc.

5. You must include one or more photos with each recipe, and it must pertain to that recipe (ingredients, making, finished product, etc)

6. You must include your first & last name.

7. You must include your mailing address (not a P.O. box)

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Phil's Beef Jerky - Mild

Phil's Beef Jerky is a small jerky manufacturer based in Tye, TX, in operation for about four years.

It's owned by Phillip Morgan, who like many others in the jerky business, started out small but began to grow. He soon expanded into a larger facility, gained USDA inspection approval, and now supplies jerky to hundreds of service men and women at nearby Dyess AFB.

Phil's Beef Jerky offers four different flavors, of which I have three to review over the coming weeks, including this Mild, a Teriyaki, and a Hickory. Phil's also has a Hot.

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