Beef Jerky is a great snack or even meal for truckers. It's easy to eat behind the wheel without making a mess, yet provides enough of a chew so you feel like you've eaten. It doesn't need to be refrigerated, doesn't melt, doesn't get crushed, and takes up little space.

Nutritionally, it's one of the few grab-it-and-go choices high in protein yet low in fat and carbohydrates, so it can fill you up without making you feel sleepy.

With the variety of flavors and forms beef jerky takes nowadays, we picked a few representative samples. As with most things, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to jerky. Some want it spicy, others mild. Some like it tough, to give the jaw something to do, while others want it as tender as possible. With that in mind, what follows are completely subjective reviews.

Slim Jim Beef Jerky
Original
Size: .68 oz.
Price: 69 cents
Slim Jim has branched out from its well-known tubular sausages with this "Giant Jerk," which is the more traditional flat shaped hunk of jerky. This brand has a nice flavor, with plenty of spice. The texture is a winner as well, not too tough, yet providing a nice bite and chew. It's a bit longer than other single-serve jerky strips, but thinner and actually weighs less.

Pemmican Beef Jerky
Long Lasting Style, Original Flavor
Size: 4 oz.
Price: $5.99
This jerky is named for a protein-packed, highly nutritious food source developed by Native Americans that was made from slices of meat. The long-lasting style is supposed to be drier and more rough-cut in texture than Pemmican's other versions. It definitely provides a nice long chew, to the point of making it tough to bite off a piece. The flavor is sweet, without much smokiness. A bit too dry for my taste, but this will keep your jaw busy.

Jack Link's Kippered Beef Steak
Original Flavor
Size: 1 oz.
Price: $1.39
Based in Minong, Wis., Link Snacks makes a variety of beef snacks, including jerky and sausages, but it's their kippered beefsteaks they're best known for. These snacks are made from inside round steak, which is marinated and formed into a flat stick. It has a nice, peppery taste, with no hint of sweetness. The flavor is a bit salty, but the snack has a nice nubby texture that gives your teeth a workout. This stick has a unique flavor that truly tastes like steak, spiced up with pepper.

Slim Jim Deli Style
Smoked
Size: 1.8 oz.
Price: $1.19
The folks at Slim Jim describe this "deli style" treat as thicker and drier than traditional Slim Jim sticks. It's definitely meatier than the company's original snack stick and the size makes it more of a meal. It's got a nice blend of spices and smoky flavor that will keep you chomping. A good choice for when you're looking for something more filling than the smaller traditional snack sticks. Its pleasant texture makes this stick a winner.

Bridgford Beef Jerky
Teriyaki, Natural Style
Size: 5 oz.
Price: $5.99
Anaheim, Calif.-based Bridgford is a relative newcomer to the jerky world, introducing their beef jerky just three years ago. But they've found a winning recipe with uniform pieces that have a nice chew and are full of flavor. There's a hint of sweetness in the teriyaki version, balanced by a salty kick. On a minor point, the zippered top of the bag we purchased was not easy to reseal. That's not a problem if you're going to eat it all at once, but frustrating if you don't want the jerky to dry out for a later snack.

What's Your Favorite?
Sales of beef jerky and other meat snacks continue to soar.