As a Texan, Jerky is more than a snack, it’s a religious experience. And whilst you may happen upon decent Jerky in a major grocery store (Trader Joe’s Buffalo jerky is a particular favorite of mine), the best is always personal. You find it in a forgotten town off I-10, 250 miles west of San Antonio, population 73. Sold at the gas station, made by the owner’s brother-in-law whose grampa was full blood Comanche, its rich flavors will feed a part of your soul you didn’t even know was hungry. If this wasn’t extremely obvious by now, we southern boys take our jerky real serious. On a more pragmatic note, jerky has many notable virtues: high in protein, low in fat, relatively mess free, and shelf stable. It’s great on hikes, and while I don’t know that I’d call it a health food, it’s certainly got candy bars beat. So, where can you get your hands on some epiphany-inducing dried meat? Where else? The internet.
Brooklyn and Manhattan were the first flavors I tasted, and as a result, I was prepared to rule New Jerk City a failure. But then something wonderful happened. I tried the Staten Island flavor; Staten Island is AMAZING ($6.75 for 2oz). The vinegar puts you in mind of delicious, tangy Carolina BBQ, and the coriander sings to my Indian heritage. This is the best Jerky I’ve had outside Texas. Queens and the Bronx similarly, were very good: spicy and flavorful yet soothing, the way good jerky is MEANT to be. Queens relies on Asian spices, whereas the Bronx leans on garlic to make its point, but both points are made beautifully.
Ultimately, which of these brands you prefer is up to you. Personally, I’m going on etsy right now and ordering more Staten Island and Bourbon Flavor Deer Tracks.
Photography by Jessica Tupper.