edible notables
THE JERKY BROTHERS
Local company distributes from Reno-Tahoe to Hawaii and Guam.
WRITTEN BY PAUL HOPPE
PHOTO BY CHRIS HOLLOMAN
When Lewis and Clark returned to Washington, D.C., from their three-year journey, they had hoped to report the discovery of a westward waterway. But when meeting with President Thomas Jefferson to give him the bad news that they had accomplished no such thing, they softened the blow by presenting him with wonders of the West never seen before by early Americans: exotic flowers, drawings of wild animals, and a product introduced to them by their Shoshone guide, Sacagawea. It was dried buffalo meat that was cured by hanging it over an open bed of hot embers and was called ch’arki.
And thus began a long love affair with jerky in the American West.
This treasure is created right here in Northern Nevada. Jerky Junction, located in Carson City, has been owned and operated by brothers Andy and Ian Baird for 20 years. Andy manages the six-person processing plant while Ian oversees the retail shop in Truckee, housed in a converted red caboose on Donner Pass Road. Ian always is ready with a sample and fascinating local jerky lore.
Andy describes their company as a cut above the average jerky experience.
“We try to make consistently better jerky,” he says, pointing out their use of high-quality, natural ingredients, and better cuts of meat, fish, and game. “Our spices come from a local Reno company called Elite Spice.”
Jerky Junction distributes its more than 30 varieties of jerky (beef, pork, fish, buffalo, elk, and venison) across 20 states, including Hawaii, as well as Guam. The brothers also are proud to have their beef jerky included in the official care packages distributed to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Their most popular jerky is the teriyaki beef, known for its tender texture and mellow flavor. For diehards who want to risk a dental bridge, they still make the old-fashioned, dry, tougher, original style. Be sure to ask about new flavors they always are cooking up. And if five-alarm, sizzling hot is your idea of a joyride, then bite into the habañero and be sure to have a 10-gallon jug of water nearby.
So if you are skiing or hiking Mount Rose, fishing Pyramid Lake, riding your Harley to Yosemite, or cheering on the Reno Aces, grab some local jerky to thrill your taste buds and sustain you on the journey.
Paul Hoppe writes books for kids and movies for everyone. He splits time between Truckee and the beaches of Australia. His favorite food is Italian red wine.
RESOURCES
Jerky Junction
Headquarters: 79 Carry Way, Carson City
775-246-7555
Retail Operation: 11401 Donner Pass Road, Truckee
530-587-4433, http://www.Jerkyjunction.com
