Back in December 2013, while visiting New York, New York, I purchased this 3.25 ounce/91 gram bag of Nice! bacon jerky. No flavor is stated on the bag, which means this flavor is defaulted to be an original flavored jerky.
Nice! is the brand name for Walgreen Co., located in Deerfield, Illinois. This bag was actually bought at a Duane Reade store, which is a subsidiary store of Walgreen Co. The very large private labeler company Monogram Foods, LLC manufactures this jerky. As a result, this jerky is classified as using a stock recipe.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Cured With Water, Salt, Sugar, Smoke Flavoring, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite
The only liquid used in this marinade is water. This bacon happens to be cured with water, as opposed to cured in open air. Some people will say that curing bacon in water is a healthier method.
On the front of this bag, it states “Natural Smoke Flavor Added”, which probably means that liquid smoked was added. That qualifies to make this jerky smoked.
The sugar level is only 0 grams per 28 grams of jerky, even though sugar is third on the ingredient list by weight. As expected with bacon jerky, the salt level is quite high. Here it is 580mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky, where that is even a bit on the low side for bacon jerky.
We are hit with three sodium based preservatives. None of them are healthy. Salt itself is a preservative, where it just seems to be overkill to use three different other types of preservatives, where this jerky must have a long shelf life. There is no MSG added.
Bad (3/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
These jerky strips are mainly small in size, with a number of very small pieces. The thickness is medium to thin. The texture is dry, but not overly dry, a good texture that makes for easy chewing. Perhaps not surprising being a bacon jerky, there is a fair amount of fat in this jerky. There is an oily residue left on your fingers after handling this jerky, nothing major though.
As soon as you open this bag, the smell of bacon is quite strong. The taste is no different, it is that unmistakable bacon flavor. This jerky is salty, but within reason. Other than that, this jerky more or less tastes similar to any standard bacon you would buy in stores, and not overly cooked, where it would be crispy.
This 3.25 ounce/91 gram bag of jerky cost $5.99. That equates to $1.84 an ounce, which rates as an average price. There are more interesting bacon jerky choices out there.
Bag Review
We have a somewhat plain looking bag here. It is professional looking, with everything imprinted directly on the front and back of this bag. The top of the front and back is lined with pictures of pigs.
The slogans printed on this bag are “ache’n for some bacon” and “smart, quality, everyday.”
All the major are bag categories are addressed here. To the credit of Walgreen Co., they have a 100% satisfaction guaranteed policy.
Probably the worst jerky purchase I have made. Kinda like eating undercooked fatty bacon. I was done after 4 pieces.
Absolutely love this jerky. Was sad to hear Walgreens won’t carry the original flavor only maple. Maple is ok but original is the best. Where can I find product besides Walgreen?