I haven`t bought jerky since the 80`s. Started making it by hanging it with toothpicks in the oven and then graduated to a dehydrator when I started making some real money . Finally hit the lottery and now I use my RecTec pellet smoker for the best jerky ever.
IMO most of the big-name store-bought SUCK. No man’s land is almost tolerable - that’s about my base level. I either make my own with Hi Mountain jerky kits and thinly sliced rump roast or buy high-end like Jackson Bros in Post, TX.