Jack Link's Original Turkey Jerky Review

  This week I am reviewing Jack Link's Original Turkey Jerky, which are strips of lean turkey breast seasoned and smoked to create this snackfood (which is supposedly a better alternative to beef jerky, you might want to read this though). It would seem that the turkey is provided by Master Ridge Farms, however I think this is a marketing trick by Jack Link's as the only thing that comes up when I search for "Master Ridge Farms" is that the name was registered by "Link Snacks Inc.", needless to say I'm a little disappointed in Jack Link's. Anyway, on to the review.

  Taste: I can't really taste the turkey, the biggest reason I eat it is for the fantastic salty taste. Think of the dried out, over-cooked meat you inevitably get when you bake a whole turkey, just super-salted. While I like it, it doesn't have much taste otherwise. 6 out of 10.

  Edibility: This is an area where the jerky falls on its face. It's really tough and can actually cut up your mouth. In addition to that, the fibrous nature of turkey meat also means that if you have a gap in your mouth, you're gonna be picking turkey jerky out of it later. -2 Points.

  Packaging: Standard Jack Link's design, resealable bag and freshness packet. +1 Point.

  In Conclusion: Salty and tough, try it if you like that kind of thing (like me). 5 out of 10 overall.

Review of Matador Original Jerky

  This week I will be reviewing Matador Original Jerky, which is produced by the universally known Jack Link's brand. It tries to sell itself as a "extreme" brand (probably targeted toward young bachelors), but more on that later.

  Taste: While it has a very good and simple peppery and sweet flavor it is certainly not "POWERFULLY BOLD" as the package promises. As much as I like the flavor, it definitely is not the boldest I've had, needs some more spice. 5 out of 10 points.

  Edibility: Now this is an area I feel that the jerky excels. It's not just slices of beef, the pieces are bite sized little machine processed bits & I personally liked that. Plus it gets the most meat for their money, smart move Jack Link's. +1 point.

  Packaging: Like I said before, this is obviously geared toward young men: gigantic (and admittedly cool) bull on the front, bold lettering everywhere and an unmistakably "manly" back with a lot going on and a tiny "Nutrition Facts" panel. Bag does have a freshness packet and it does reseal (and that is really the biggest necessity). +1 point.

  Conclusion: Needs better (bolder) taste, eats awesomely and has nicely done packaging. 7 out of 10 points.

SlimJim Giant Slim: Original

 

I know I was late last week and I am trying to make sure that doesn't happen again. Onto the review:

  This week I am reviewing the SlimJim Giant Slim - Original flavor. On opening I get that spicy SlimJim smell, kinda like how pepperoni smells but better.

  Taste: Tastes like a SlimJim, general pepperoni/meat taste and grease (not like last week) with a small spicy kick for aftertaste. Not the best I've tasted (could be spicier), but tastes really good nonetheless. 8 out of 10.


  Edibility: Not too chewy but gets stuck in-between teeth and braces, gonna have to deduct a point for that. -1 Point.

  Packaging: Easy to open, can eat it like a banana (peal as you eat). Not ingenious, but it works. +1 Point.

  In Conclusion: Tastes and eats like a SlimJim and if you've managed to not have one yet, you're missing out. 8 out of 10 overall.

  Oh, and I think it's cool that it's 11/11/11.

Jack Link's Classics: Original Beef Stick

  First off I want to apologize for the lateness of this review, I was going to post a review on thursday, but plans got changed and I missed a grocery run so I ended up posting it today. I am sorry, I will try harder not to miss a week in the future.

  Anyway, on to the review. This week I am reviewing Jack Link's Classics: Original Beef Stick. Basically, it looks like a giant SlimJim, let's see if it tastes the same. On opening it, I notice a nice pepperoni/SlimJim-ish smell.

Taste: There is no spice at all, and there is way too much neutral grease (flavorless grease). There's not even any salt to it, that could of saved it some points. Worst meat snack I've ever tasted, even thinking about eating it sickens me. 0 out of 10.

  Packaging: Pretty standerd meat stick packaging with plain white, red and black for a "classic" look. Can't add or subtract points. -/+ 0 points.

  Edibility: Eats like a SlimJim, +1 point.

  In Summary: Eats like a SlimJim, tastes like crap. Eat at your own risk. 1 Point.