Like you, I am a beef jerky connossieur.
I'm always seeking out new jerky.
Costco has the Grimm's packs for about $10 which is average. They also have those steak nuggets which are really good but the msg or whatever it is will make you feel like shinguard after. Oberto is ok too.
There are 2 kinds of Longview beef jerky. To get the real deal good stuff you have to drive to Longview. The owners had a falling out or something and they split the company in two. The one guy can only sell his Longview beef jerky from Longview and the other stuff has the major distribution deal. Go to longview and pick up a couple $20 packs which should tide you over for a while.
There is a meat shop in High River (Foothills Meats I believe) that has good jerky for a good price.
Some of the local butcher shops make their own, which is often pretty good, but can be expensive. The grocery store deli stuff is the same as the Grimm's they sell at Costco I think, it's not bad.
I don't like that ground up 'hamburger' jerkey a la Big Chief. It has to be real strips of meat.
I've made my own as well, in the oven. It's good stuff but makes a mess of the oven and I usually eat it in a few days so that's like eating a big roast by myself.
Take a drive out to Longview to pick some up, it's God's country out there, you'll enjoy the scenery.
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