Beef Jerky Outlet in Strip joins growing industry

In a memorable 1997 episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza obsesses over a missed opportunity for a sharp comeback to a colleague, wishing he’d said, “Well, the Jerk Store called, and they’re running out of you.”

Rest assured, they will not soon run out of jerks — or rather jerky — in the Strip District anytime soon.

Venison. Buffalo. Elk. Alligator. Salmon. Crawfish. Cherry maple. Bourbon. They are among the hundreds of varieties and flavors available at Beef Jerky Outlet, which opened recently on 18th Street.

Having long graduated from the gas station counter, jerky is big business, fueled by its popularity as a snack for people on high protein and/or low carbohydrate meal plans like paleo, keto and Whole 30 diets. The dried meats are filling, and low in fat, calories and cholesterol, although high in sodium.

According to Inc. magazine, jerky was a $1.4 billion industry in the United States last year, with continued growth forecasted and increasingly gourmet — and not inexpensive — options like those at Beef Jerky Outlet. For instance, a one-pound bag of smoked beef jerky made with a facemeltingly hot Carolina Reaper pepper powder is $32.99, or just about $2 an ounce.

Local franchisee Doug Young of Robinson said he discovered the existence of the chain while driving through West Virginia near the Greenbrier resort and was intrigued. The store also sells an array of hot and barbecue sauces, marinades and dry rubs.

Based in Seymour, Tenn., outside of Knoxville, the company was founded in 2010 by Paul Lyons, and there are more than 100 locations nationwide. In Western Pennsylvania, there are also locations at the Tanger Outlets shopping center in Washington, Pa., and at Grove City Premium Outlets in Mercer County.