Hook-N-Ladder Jerky is a family owned meat snack company founded in 2018 by retired Cleveland firefighter Mark Bauman, whose lifelong appreciation for smoked meats began while growing up in Cleveland’s historic Slavic Village neighborhood. Influenced by the old world butcher shops and Eastern European smokehouses of Northeast Ohio during the 1960s and 1970s, Bauman spent years searching for the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors before creating his own line of handcrafted beef jerky and “Smokies” beef sticks. Drawing on both his culinary background and 33 year career with the Cleveland Fire Department, he built the brand around premium USDA inspected American beef, traditional smokehouse flavor, and small batch quality.
The company’s firehouse inspired identity reflects Bauman’s deep roots in the firefighting community. Hook-N-Ladder Jerky not only celebrates firefighter culture through its branding and storytelling but also supports local preservation efforts connected to Cleveland fire service history. A portion of proceeds from every product sold is donated to the Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center, where Bauman volunteers, helping restore historic fire stations and preserve firefighting heritage. The business remains family operated with support from his wife Diane, their children, grandchildren, and extended family members.
Hook-N-Ladder Jerky combines regional pride, family tradition, and authentic smoked meat craftsmanship into a brand that stands out in the specialty jerky market. By blending classic Northeast Ohio smokehouse traditions with modern jerky flavors and community involvement, the company has created a product line that reflects both Bauman’s personal history and his commitment to quality, service, and local heritage.
This Hook-N-Ladder Jerky brand is distributed under the same name of Hook-N-Ladder Jerky, located in Northfield, Ohio. This jerky is manufactured by Just Mike’s Jerky Company and is located in Medina, Ohio.
The next review on Hook-N-Ladder Jerky will focus on a 4 ounce/113 gram bag of Jalapeno Cheddar flavored beef jerky. This jerky was graciously submitted for review by Owner Mark Bauman.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Pasteurized Cheddar Cheese [Cheddar Cheese, Paseurized Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Cream, Sodium Phosophates, Salt, Vegetable Color [Annatto, Paprika Extract Blend], Enzymes), Powdered Cellulose (To Prevent Caking), Potassium Sorbate and Natamycin (Preservatives), Corn Syrup Solids, Dried Jalapeno, Encapsulated Citric Acid, Lctic Acid, Sodium Nitrite.
The Angus beef used is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle have partial free range access to roam about and graze on grass as nature intended. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
Some healthy ingredients added are annatto, paprika extract, and Jalapeno powder.
The sugar level is acceptable at 2 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is high at 460mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky to lose a rating. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.
This jerky does not qualify to have no sodium nitrite, as sodium nitrite is used outright as a preservative to lose a rating. Admirably, this jerky does qualify to have no MSG added.
Decent (7/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
HOOK-N-LADDER JERKY – JALAPENO CHEDDAR BEEF STICK
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I smell the jalapeño and the cheddar. The meat stick is chopped up into little pieces. There are seven pieces of the meat stick. The morsels look like most other meat sticks, save for the fact that they are already cut into small pieces. There is no oily residue left on your fingers.
When I bite into one of the pieces, I taste salt at a good level, minimal sweetness, also a good thing. However, when I bite into the pieces, I notice pretty much no “snap” in the collagen casing. I also taste pepper, at a good level, along with garlic and a hint of onion. As stated earlier, not only do I smell the cheddar and the jalapeño, I also taste both in spades. It is a very tasty meat stick, I am really enjoying it.
Overall, I would rate this meat stick a 9/10, deducting a point only for the lack of snap in the collagen casing. Gentlemen?
Here is what Mark had to say about this Jalapeno Cheddar beef jerky flavor from Hook-N-Ladder Jerky: “Thanks Paul for the candid taste review. I pretty much agree with everything stated. While I am not denying that the taste exists, I was not able to pick up much of the cheddar flavor, but cheese is not my strong suit. The taste of jalapeno peppers is present but not with all that much heat, which is not unusual for a jalapeno based flavor. The heat would rate a 1 out of 4 on a heat scale.”
“As Paul noted, there is not much ‘snap’ to the texture. I am not so certain that there is black pepper, onion, or garlic present. The overall taste profile is rather simple as Paul stated, smelling mainly of jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese. However, the combination turned out to be quite delectable, making it difficult not to finish my portion in one sitting. A unanimous Very Good (9/10) taste rating will be awarded.”
A 4 ounce/113 gram bag of jerky sells online for $5.49, which equates to $1.37 an ounce. That rates as a cheap price.
Very Good (9/10) – Taste Rating
Bag Review
This black plastic resealable bag has a label affixed to the front and the nutrition facts table on the back. The Hook-N-Ladder Jerky logo has a fire department logo.
There are no slogans printed. Some facts printed are “Smokies”, “Ohio Proud”, “Contains Dairy”, and “No MSG Added”.
The only missing bag category is a blurb about this jerky or flavor.
Order their jerky online: www.hook-n-ladderjerky.com
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