Tired of big brand jerky, Shawn Scott set out to do something about it. In October 2019, Shawn launched Local Jerky Plus. I had the opportunity to visit the storefront/plant where the jerky is manufactured. Things are going well with Local Jerky Plus being sold in over 700 stores with designs to expand. Plans are in the works to sell Local Jerky Plus in different provinces. This Local Jerky Plus jerky brand name is located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and is distributed under the same name as Local Jerky Plus.
The next review for Local Jerky Plus will focus on a 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of Firehouse 5 flavoured beef jerky. This jerky was kindly submitted by president Shawn Scott.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Carbonate, Cure: Sodium Bicarbonate and Glycerol (As a Curing Aid), Flavor.
The beef used is not guaranteed to be free of growth hormones or additional antibiotics. Also, the beef is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to graze on grass. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Good (8/10) rating.
There is no liquid marinade used here. Some people would call this old fashioned jerky or a jerky rub.
The sugar level is acceptable at 7 grams of sugar per 80 grams of sugar. The salt level is adequate at 710mg of salt per 80 grams of jerky.
This jerky does not qualify to have any sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright to lose a rating. Commendably, there is no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
LOCAL JERKY PLUS – FIREHOUSE 5 BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell the heat. I only received one piece, but it is a h*ll of a piece. It is large, thin, and hard to chew, just as our forefathers intended. The texture (to me) is perfect.
When you bite into the jerky, you are bombarded with ridiculous amounts of salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and succulent heat, at a quite intense level. This jerky also makes me sweat a bit as I consume more, but it is not at the 5-alarm heat that is advertised.
However, as I consume more, I am picking up on some heat, and possibly it will kick up over time to a more intense kick.
This flavour of jerky presents more than just heat. It has introduced salt, pepper, garlic, onion, natural beef, heat, and many other delectable flavours in the background, which I cannot fully detect.
I am sucking on these morsels (I call them morsels because I ripped them into smaller pieces), and they are insanely tasty, and I am wondering how we can overdo this flavour, and I come up with nothing.
This flavour is in another stratosphere. It is a delicacy on Mars, where forward thinkers have realized the integral importance of having this flavour in their stratosphere.
A definitive 10/10 gentlemen. Give your head a shake if you disagree. A very enthusiastic two thumbs up!!👍👍
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Local Jerky Plus – Firehouse 5 Beef Jerky is not overly spicy at around 2/5. It has decent saltiness without going overboard and a good amount of beefy flavor. The strips are quite leathery and dry, and unfortunately, some of the spices get knocked OFF when trying to tear a bite from a strip.
This jerky is mostly one dimensional. I’d wish there would be more richness and depth of flavor, a dash of acidity or a hint of smokiness, etc., to create a broader range of flavors would be welcome.
The Local Jerky Plus – Firehouse 5 Beef Jerky tastes good. It has a nice little spiciness. I do not really find any hook to this jerky or anything making me reach for the bag. I’d rate this jerky 8/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Firehouse 5 beef jerky flavor from Local Jerky Plus: “Thanks Stéphane and Paul for the candid taste reviews. The heat is at a good level in some bites and not so much in other bites. The seasoning is inconsistent and has the age old problem of spices falling off the strips. The taste profile is simple and subtle.”
“The saltiness is at a good level and sweetness at a mild level. This texture is a challenge to chew, and is somewhat reminiscent of homemade jerky with a good amount of natural beef flavor. With Paul at a 10 rating and Stéphane and I at an 8 rating, a Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 2.8 ounce/80 gram bag of beef jerky sells for $10.99. That works out to $3.93 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This resealable silver coloured bag has a label attached to the front and nothing on the back.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only facts displayed are “Gluten-Free” and “Ontario Made”.
Some missing bag categories are a blurb printed about this jerky, a best before date, and French translations as per Canadian law. A batch number is provided, which could likely translate to a best before date.
Check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LocalJerkyPlus
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