Papa Dan’s Jerky, founded in 1988 by David Batistelli and his father, is a family-run brand. The company is dedicated to producing high-quality jerky using fresh, premium cuts of meat, all crafted in Southern California. Papa Dan’s Jerky offers diverse jerky cuts, including thick cut, traditional thin, and bite-sized nuggets, catering to various texture preferences. Their product line features a variety of meats such as beef, buffalo, venison, turkey, and even tuna, providing a broad selection for jerky enthusiasts.
With over 21 distinct flavors, Papa Dan’s Jerky delivers a mix of bold and classic tastes, including their best-selling “Ring of Fire,” the tangy “Teriyaki Hot Lime,” and the smoky “Whiskey BBQ.” The brand also offers Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper varieties for those who enjoy intense heat. Committed to quality and customer satisfaction, Papa Dan’s Jerky treats its customers like family and ensures that each product meets high standards. This Papa Dan’s Jerky brand is distributed under the name of Batistelli Foods, located in Fullerton, California. The jerky is manufactured by Settler’s Jerky, located in Walnut, California.
The first review on Papa Dan’s Jerky will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of Sweet Garlic flavored beef jerky. This bag was purchased at a market in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a thoughtful Christmas gift.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Sugar, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt, Sodium Benzoate Less Than 1/10 of 1% as Preservative), Garlic, Honey, Corn Syrup Solids, Worcestershire Sauce (Water, Distilled Vinegar, Soy Sauce (Molasses, Caramel Color, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Extract, Salt), Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Salt, Citric Acid, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind Natural Flavor), Vinegar, Black Pepper, Lemon Juice, Liquid Smoke, Sodium Nitrite. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
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.
The liquid marinade is comprised of an average brand of soy sauce, healthy honey, a poor brand of Worcestershire sauce, healthy vinegar, healthy lemon juice, and liquid smoke.
Some healthy ingredients are garlic and black pepper.
The sugar level is acceptable at 4 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky for a sweet based flavor, as we have here. The salt level is a little high at 400mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less per 28 grams of jerky. Highly processed high fructose corn syrup is used in the Worcestershire sauce to lose another rating.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite added as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. This jerky does not qualify to have no MSG added because hydrolyzed soy protein extract is used in the Worcestershire sauce to lose another rating.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
PAPA DAN’S JERKY – SWEET GARLIC BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell very little. The jerky is large in size, and it is sliced to a medium thickness. The jerky is soft and fairly moist, and it leaves an oily residue on your fingers.
When I bite into the jerky I am met with more sweetness than salt, minimal pepper, and garlic. For a stated garlic flavor, it is sorely missing, for the most part. While not ridiculous, the sweet is taking the front stage here, as advertised, but the garlic flavor is lacking.
I am not all that impressed with this flavor, and I can go no higher than a 7/10, more like a 6.5/10, not much of a fan.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Sweet Garlic beef jerky flavor from Papa Dan’s Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. I too was hoping for a higher level of garlic. The garlic taste is noticeable but by no means in the forefront. While sweet tasting, the sweetness level is at an acceptable level with Sweet in the flavor name. The soy flavor is fairly strong, and there are a lot of flavors in the background.”
“The natural taste of beef is at a normal level with no hint of being processed tasting. I cannot say that I picked up on the smokiness, where the sweetness tends to mute all other flavors. While the overall taste profile is fairly well balanced and tastes good, this flavor comes across as a teriyaki or original flavor rather than a garlic flavor. With Paul at a 7 and myself at an 8, a Good (8/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
This 4 ounce/113 gram bag of jerky sells online for $13.00, which equates to $3.25 an ounce. That rates as an average price.
Bag Review
This silver plastic resealable bag has a label affixed to the front and nothing on the back. The Papa Dan’s Jerky logo is a man with jerky in his hands sitting on what appears to be a buffalo with wings.
There are no slogans displayed on this bag. Some facts printed are “Premium” and “Liquid Smoke Flavoring Added”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about this jerky or flavor.
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