Established in 2013, Smokehouse Jerky Co. has grown significantly over the past decade, becoming a leading private label provider for over 150 jerky and snack companies. Franco and Patti Fonseca assumed company ownership in 2017 and have since been dedicated to refining their jerky and snack lines. Operating under the name Tender Heifer Snack Co., Smokehouse Jerky Co. actively seeks new distributors nationwide and also offers private label services.
With a diverse product range, Smokehouse Jerky Co. presents an array of options, including beef, bacon, game, and exotic jerky, as well as meat sticks. The brand Smokehouse Jerky Co. is distributed by Tender Heifer Snack Co., which is headquartered in Beaumont, California.
The next review on Smokehouse Jerky Co. will focus on a 3.5 ounce/99 gram bag of their Maple Bacon flavored pork sticks. This flavor is described as being flavored with a blend of sweet maple and savory bacon. The pork stick was graciously submitted for review by co-owner Franco Fonseca.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Pork, Water, Sugar, Salt, Honey Powder (Cane Sugar, Honey), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein (Contains Salt, Caramel Color, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor Contains Maltodextrin), Encapsulated Citric Acid (Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Oil), Natural and Artificial Maple Flavor (Contains Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite. Stuffed in Colored Collagen Casing ).
The pork used is guaranteed to be raised ethically with no antibiotics or added hormones. This pork is not guaranteed to have at least partial free range access to roam outside. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The only healthy ingredient listed is honey powder. The vague term natural flavors is listed, which can contain healthy and unhealthy ingredients.
The artificial maple flavor is listed to lose a rating.
The artificial color red #40 or an equivalent is likely used in the collagen casing to lose a rating.
The sugar level is good at 2 grams of sugar per 25 grams of meat stick. The salt level is low at 170mg of salt per 25 grams of meat stick.
Unhealthy sodium nitrite is used as a preservative in this meat stick along with sodium erythorbate to lose a rating. Admirably, this meat stick has no MSG added.
Alright (6/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
SMOKEHOUSE JERKY CO. – MAPLE BACON PORK STICK
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell vinegar, and not much else, if anything.
The meat stick is identical in color and shape to most all other meat sticks. There is a very slight oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into the meat stick I taste salt, pepper, garlic, and natural pork. I am not really picking up any bacon flavor, maybe slight maple, but not prominent. There is no “snap” to the collagen casing, which will cause me to deduct one point.
Besides that, this meat stick is quite tasty, yet I am not really picking up on any bacon flavor. Pork maybe, but not necessarily bacon. And the maple flavor is mild.
While the taste may accurately reflect a 9/10, the collagen casing and the lack of bacon flavor will ultimately more accurately reflect an 8/10. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
Smokehouse Jerky Co. Meat Sticks Snack Maple Bacon Flavored is sweet, I pick up on the smoky/bacony flavor. The sweetness is at a fair level, and I can’t really taste the maple. The pork is also present, and the flavor profile lacks depth and complexity.
This meat stick tastes alright, and I am not over the moon. The aroma, texture, and flavor of the meat stick are unremarkable. I’d rate this meat stick a 7 taste rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Maple Bacon pork stick flavor from Smokehouse Jerky Co.: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the honest taste reviews. I am perplexed that you guys did not pick up the maple better, where I thought the maple flavor came across well. As for the bacon flavor, that is questionable. This flavor somewhat resembles bacon if you use your imagination.”
“The pork flavor tasted genuine. As mentioned, this pork stick texture has no ‘snap’. The sweetness is at a mild level, and all other flavors are at a light level. I can’t entirely agree with Stéphane that this pork stick lacks depth and complexity. With Paul and I at an 8, Stéphane at a 7, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of meat sticks sells online for $6.99. That works out to $2.50 an ounce, which rates as an expensive price.
Bag Review
This non-resealable plastic bag has a label affixed to both the front and back. The label has a fairly detailed picture of a wooden shack with a “Smokehouse” sign.
There are no slogans printed on this bag. The only fact printed on this bag is “Made in U.S.A.”
The only missing bag category is a best before date. There is a batch number printed, which can translate to the best before date.
Order their jerky online: www.smokehousejerkyco.com
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