Jerky Review: Chinese Brand Beef Jerky

Despite the fact that I prefer jerky to sausage, all the reviews here at MSR have been of sausage. Quite a surprising coincidence. Here is our first jerky review, and I expect jerky to be featured here more prominently in the future.

Chinese Brand Beef Jerky
1.5 oz package
Montclair, CA

Noteworthy Ingredients: Wine, MSG, Soy Sauce

Taste: Anyone who has sampled Asian-style meat snacks knows that they are usually more sweet than salty. This is no exception. Slightly sweet and not any saltiness. Overall, the taste is very mild...in fact, it is rather tasteless on some chews.

Texture: Dry, but not hard. It has a ragged, shredded appearance, almost like it was half way to becoming Jerky Snuff. Overall, it is a pleasant and unique texture and an easy chew.

Overall: Nothing too special, but a satisfying meat-eating experience for the carnivore on the go.

Have you tried this meat snack? Let us know what you think of it in the comments.

NASCAR Salami Sticks vs. Jack Link's Jerky Chew

The vending machine at my workplace has these NASCAR salami sticks for 85 cents. The last time I bought this, I vowed never again. I broke that vow so I can conduct this review. According to this fascinating article, these are only available in vending machines.

Paired with the salami sticks for this review is a can of jerky chew from the drug store.


Officially Licensed NASCAR Salami Sticks (Beef and Pork)
Chandler, MN

Noteworthy Ingredients: Mustard, MSG, Chili Pepper, Natural Smoke Flavor, Paprika

Texture: These sticks seemingly have little to no casing, as my sunk in with no added pressure. It has a soft, even chew, though a little rubbery perhaps. In my youth I once bit a rubber super-bouncy ball, and this salami stick reminded me of that.

Taste: Maybe kinda like pepperoni? I detect the added smoke flavor. There is a weird fizzy sensation if you press the tip of your tongue to the salami. It's a little like touching your tongue to the posts of a 9 volt battery (also something I did in my youth and as recently as last year).


Jack Link's Beef Jerky Chew
Minong, WI (Proud to say that I've driven past the Jack Link's factory a couple times in my life.)

Noteworthy Ingredients: Chicken Stock, MSG, Maple Flavor

Texture: This is "shredded" beef in a plastic can, so there isn't much to say about the texture. Actually, it's not exactly shredded. "Pulverized" would be a more accurate description. It would be easier to eat if it were less powdery, because putting a pinch of this into your mouth is a little messy. I prefer to just dip my wet tongue into the can and see what sticks.

Taste: Like chicken soup.

Verdict: The novelty of the jerky chew, and the fact that it reminds me of my Kirk Gibson baseball mitt, gives it the nod.

Have you tried either of these? Let us know what you think of them in the comments.

Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe vs. Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe

There is a decent butcher shop here in Rochester called the Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe (est. 1974). My wife orders special cuts of pork there for summer grilling and I like their grill sausages too. We also get our Easter ham there, and that's why we stopped in yesterday. Of course, I seldom walk out without a meat snack too.


Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe
Rochester, MN
1oz Beef Sticks

Noteworthy ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Red Pepper

Taste: At first taste, this is a what I consider sweet beef stick. Not sweet like a cupcake, but sweet like a dinner roll. After a few chews, the peppery flavor emerges and lingers.

Texture: On the bite, the stick compresses before my teeth break through, suggesting sponginess. The casing is slightly rubbery, but after a few chews this stick has a nice texture.

Overall: This beef stick reminds me more of a venison stick. It's good in that context, but nothing special. I think this stick would improve with some aging...just snip a corner off the bag and let sit in the fridge for a few days.


Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe
Rochester, MN
"Naturally Smoked" Beef Jerky

Noteworthy ingredients: Brown Sugar Cure, Sugar, Maple Syrup, Worcestershire

Taste: Despite an apparent preponderance of sweet ingredients, this jerky isn't sweet. It is satisfyingly salty. It claims to be "naturally smoked" and one of the ingredients is "hickory smoked salt", but any smoky flavor was subtle at most.

Texture: These are solid strips of lean beef, not chopped. It is very dry but sliced at the right angle with the grain of the meat to facilitate a nice bite and chew.

Overall: This is a top notch beef jerky. If it is too salty or dry for your tastes, then pair with strawberries or beer. I have noticed some inconsistency in this jerky over the past few years, severely affecting the taste and texture. The last few bags have been good, so I hope they've got things straightened out.


Conclusion: I'm reaching for the beef jerky at the Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe. They have a variety of other meats and flavors in their meat snack cooler, so there is plenty more to explore.

Have you tried either of these? Let us know what you think of them in the comments.