re: What is the absolute best beef jerky there is in this country?

Like GG I can't say that I've sampled extensively across the entire nation - but there are a few standouts that I enjoy.

The regular jerky from the House of Jerky. It's a small national chain that ships but I usually pick some up when I'm out in Pennsylvania. They ship.

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In NYC there is the "Jerky Triangle" in Chinatown - Ling Kee, Malaysian Beef Jerky, Ping's Dried Beef and New Beef Corp all within about a 10 minute walk of each other. I've not done a side by side taste off but I tend to gravitate to the square style (vs sliced style) spicy beef variety at Malaysian Beef. Whenever I bring some to a poker night it is the first thing to disappear. It's not bark-like so if you enjoy gnawing endlessly at your snack the style may not be for you. Almost all these spots run about $20 a pound, most are cash only. Serious Eats did a write up a while back - here's a link.

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Looks like Malaysia Beef Jerky now ships...
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Another friend brings along African biltong style beef jerky from a place in the West Village called Jonty Jacobs. I can't recall the exact variety he picks up but it is another short lived hit when the cards are being thrown. Just checked - they ship.

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I'm curious to see what else comes up. Is there anything local worth trying?