I know I can't be the only jerky head out here. I'm running low and looking for something new to try out - has to be available on the web!

My personal favorite is still <a href="http://nbsmokehouse.com/">New Braunfels Smokehouse</a>. This is a Smokehouse out in the middle of nowhere, Texas, which caused a small tourism industry to spring up around it just because of it's jerky. Still my all time favorite.

Second has to be <a href="http://www.bigjohnsbeefjerky.com/">Big John's</a>. They package their jerky a bit differently, it's in thin strips and the bags are so tightly packed that you feel like you're getting a whole lot for your money - unlike some of those other packages where it says 8oz but looks like two pieces. Both the Fiery Hot and regular are very good. The spicy one isn't super hot, it's one of those "building hot" types.

Runners up are the ones that you can get in the stores - you know, for in a cinch :) For store bought stuff, Omaha Steaks actually make some good jerky - but you do have to go to an OS store, so it only partially counts. It's also pretty expensive. Still, if you get a few $ or % off coupons, it's not too bad. Last is Pemmican - but it seems to be hit or miss with these guys. Sometimes it seems like their jerky is soaked and overly tender, and other times really really good.

I stay away from Oberto (or whatever) and the other store brands that look more like rawhide than jerky (yes, there is a difference).

Anyone else make some suggestions on something new to try?

Big John's is great. :)

I'm not the primo-jerkyhead in the family, but I did like the stuff I picked up in Baker, Calif on the way to Vegas last time.

The teriyaki and hot were good if I remember - and they have tons of different stuff. Might have a "sampler" pack....

http://alienfreshjerky.com/

Big Johns is my recommendation, get a good sized amount for the price. The flavor is good, and they even listened to suggestions on lowering the salt amount awhile back. Though, if you like rather salty stuff, go with the Hickory. For a less salty, and kinda mild teriyaki go with that. I haven't tried the hot yet, but getting some teriyaki and hot here real soon, or maybe the three pack =-p

My favorite is the buffalo jerky from Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville, Tx. I haven't tried the other ones mentioned here though. Woody's has a good selection, I just love the buffalo.

Edit for link:
http://www.woodys-smokehouse.com/

Ooo.. another Texas jerky, I'll have to see if I can get a sample of that.
Like I said, Big John's is great, but if you haven't tried NB Smokehouse, give it a try, it's really good - and yes, it's the "tough leather" type jerky - the type that gives your jaw a workout.

I dislike Teriyaki stuff, being Japanese, always felt like a cheesy quasi-Asian cop out - kinda like saying salsa is Mexican. Besides, never liked the taste, way too sweet =/

Homemade Venison Jerky (*drools*)

I've never eaten beef jerky... ever... >< maybe i should try it sometime.

Oboy-O-0berto has a shop a stone throw from my work. Their jerky is good but not the best i dont think. You can buy Jerky direct from the factories for much less money.

I don't care much for Oberto, I like Bridgeford somewhat. Best of all was when I made my own...a big ol chunk of London Broil and whatever I could toss together for a marinade (this often involved Guinness)....

Man, I miss my food dehydrator.

I'll have to try NB smokehouse :). I've never had the teriyaki either, it just doesn't seem right with jerky.

I used to love Jerkey, but I've been getting a bit of TMJ and it really hurts to eat jerky any more :(

That's part of what I like about Big Johns. It's really easy to eat too, it's not the big ole chunks, or the rawhide stuff. It's thin strips, and they're nice and easy to eat.

Homemade Venison Jerky (*drools*)

Ya, I have a homemade food dehydrator, 10 2'x2' shelves, that can do several pounds at a go. I like mixing up my own marinades for experimentation but some of the store bought 'smoke flavor' ones do alright. Bro-in-law gives me venison on occasion but not as often as I'd like.

Bambi over beef any day I say, better flavor.

When I was making jerky at home, I found that the cost was either more or right about the same as buying from a mass producer, so I just figured I'd let them do the footwork (this was pre-dehydrator days, oven only! - PITA). Now that I'm in an area where they apparently think cows are rare animals (damn you $35 NY sirloin), I think premade stuff would actually be cheaper.

I just got some Big Johns. Its pretty good. The original has a nice flavor but it is SOOOO salty. It also seems a lot more chewy than the teriyaki. I'm not crazy about the teriyaki flavor. I haven't tried the fiery one yet. This will be a great snack. I'm going to keep a package in my drawer at work.

My personal favorite is still New Braunfels Smokehouse. This is a Smokehouse out in the middle of nowhere, Texas, which caused a small tourism industry to spring up around it just because of it's jerky. Still my all time favorite. I always thought that New Braunfels built up around their German sausages and (of course) the beer to go with it. New Braunfels is the site of Texas' annual Wurstfest every October! And of course, it's proximity to the University of Texas doesn't hurt the word of mouth when there's beer around. I even came down from SMU for that weekend, back in the day.

But for jerky, ya gotta make your own! :)

I just wanted to commend Big John's. I sent them email about the original flavor being too salty and they're going to replace it with the Fiery Hot variety, which I think is exceptional.

At the end of every deer hunting season, a friend of mine from work brings us deer jerky he makes. Pretty good for homemade jerky.

Having lived in South Texas all my life I am pretty familiar with most of the better smokehouses around here including New Braunsfels. My personal favorite is one called Prasek's Hillje Smokehouse in a little town just south of Houston, they have great jerkies, and I use their dry rubs and spice mixes regularly.

Link : http://www.praseks.com/index.htm

Is Jerkey pretty popular in Texas?

Yes.
Yes it is.

Huh? Jerky? Yeah, my EQ2 framerate isn't exactly brilliant... it does get pretty jerky during a fight :(

I just wanted to throw this up there for people who have been thinking about trying out Big John's, but haven't yet.

I got an email from them saying that they've dropped the price of their 1lb bag down from $19 to $15 for 2-days only (I think the email said it ended tonight at midnight).

Linky - http://bigjohnsbeefjerky.com/

Hope you don't consider this a thread hijack Stormy( and feel free to move this to a new one if ya do ) but if anyone has any good recipes, I'd be interested in seeing them.

I use Eastman Outdoos Jerky Chef Hickory seasoning and Cure