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    JL Jerkys

    4.5 (95 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Jerky flavors with spice levels
    Myphuong L.

    I thought I walked into the wrong place at first. It's a mini market with snacks, rice, condiments, candy and clothes. I was expecting aisles of jerky but only a few shelves had it pre-packaged. They are the same owners as Spicy Lao Kitchen in the same plaza so you'll see some packaging from them. They offer 13 jerky flavors that ranges by spice level. Popular flavors are garlic lover and Pineapple xpress. You order at the counter and it gets packaged in the back. Choice of lean or extra fat. We got large lean sweet and spicy which is level 4. There are 4 size options: $13 small - 3.6 ounce $20 large - 5.4 ounce $30 1/2 pound - 8 ounce $55 1 pound - 16 ounce Sweet and spicy lean was a super thin crisp jerky like a chip. We will be back to try other flavors and try the extra fat because it was sold out. I just wished they offered a punch card like the Vietnamese jerky places and offer daily specials.

    Beef jerky
    Dung N.

    I heard such great things about this place and also love jerky so much that I had to check them out. Besides beef jerky, they also carry other snacks, but all I wanted was the beef! I got the small bags of lemongrass, lemon pepper, peppercorn flavors. They are only $5 on Friday's, which are the perfect size to try out all the interesting flavors they have. They also have different levels of fat for the jerky, but i realized I like it lean. All three of the flavors were yummy, but my favorite was probably the lemongrass. Can't wait to try more flavors soon!

    Yummy!!
    Andrea M.

    Right next door to the Anny's. Don't let the mirrored glass deter you from walking in. It's a small store front, jerky and a few other things. My friend bought several packages of the Lemongrass jerky. It was really good and packs some heat. I went with the Pineapple Xpress - heat and sweet. Some of the best beef jerky I've had. Busy parking lot depending on the time of day. Amazing customer service, I'll be back.

    Jacquie H.

    A random craving for jerky popped up and was so lucky to find this Lao jerky shop! They weren't kidding when they advertised it as addicting. So many options to choose from and I love that they have a lean and x-fat option and their spiciness scale is clearly labeled. I've tried about all the flavors and my favorites are mango tajin, Pineapple Express, and spicy mango habanero! I love the hint of fruit you get with each bite. I prefer the lean option but I've never tried the x-fat one. Service is good quick and simple. It's similar to a mom and pop Asian store with additional snacks you can buy!

    Ashley D.

    I was visiting a neighboring restaurant and decided to pop in while my order was being prepared. There were quite a few flavors of jerky to choose from and I ended up picking up one bag (Pineapple Express) after one of the owners told me it was a best seller. I got back to work and I have to say I enjoyed my jerky more than my lunch. First off, what really separates this jerky from others is how thinly sliced it is. Due to the thin sliced pieces, you feel like you get more for the same weight. This is a good thing, because this jerky is not cheap. The second thing that separates the jerky is that there are different options for fat content. You can choose lean jerky or xtra fatty. I wasn't sure about the fatty since most other jerky it's very hard to eat the fat. On my next visit I bought the medium, sweet garlic and garlic. They didn't have any of the garlic out but I asked the owner about it since I don't always love super sweet jerky. She kindly went to the back and made a bag for me. She asked me if I wanted fatty or lean and I was honest and said I didn't know. So she gave me pieces of both. When I got home I ripped open all three bags. All of them were fantastic but the garlic and the medium are now my favorites. I was so glad she gave me some of the fatty, it is amazing. The fat melts in your mouth, unlike any other jerky I've had before. This is my new go-to jerky spot. BTW if you are sensitive to spice levels, be careful, even the mild has a good kick! The owners are so welcoming and are happy to answer any of your questions.

    Lemongrass jerky, lemon pepper jerky, tamarindo, and Lao nam sticks.
    Kevin P.

    JL Jerkys is a little family-owned shop in a business plaza in Clairemont/Kearny Mesa that mainly sells Lao-style jerky as well as some other goods. They sell the jerky in both mini and larger packs (sorry, I forgot the actual measurements), but you can also make custom orders if you want a larger order. They sell a variety of flavors, most of which I believe are on the spicier end. I bought two bags with Lemon Pepper and Lemongrass flavors. Both were seasoned very well and the jerky had a drier consistency but in a good way. I will also note that for the flavors that I purchased, the jerky was on the fattier end (I personally loved it, but know that fattier jerky is not for everyone). The owner was very nice and struck up some polite conversation. From what the owner was thing me, they also plan to open up a restaurant in that same plaza so I look forward to getting to try that soon.

    Arleen A.

    I'm obsessed with the beef jerky at this shop! The fatty brisket jerky is my favorite, and the Thai chili, pepper, and mango habanero are super spicy. They have a great selection of other flavors like Tajin, black peppercorn, lemon pepper, medium, mild, clean, cuts, and fatty cuts. The jerky is extra flavorful, chewy, and thin with southeast Asian flavors. They also sell Lao sticky rice baskets, and silverware. I just picked up a few more batches today for my snacks for the week.

    Large Golden Bags of JLjerkys
    Melissa C.

    Their slogan says it all "The Most Addicting Jerky You'll Ever MEAT!" My favorite flavors are Spicy Mango Habanero & Pineapple Express. The meat is not dry and is packed with flavor! Go ahead and try it for yourself. Tell em' Melissa sent ya! :)

    Julie P.

    I'm disappointed.. I got recommend JL Jerky's from a friend for the pepper chips. I ordered 4 bags. I got my order 3 weeks later (which I understood because the website said it would take up to 3 weeks.) When I received my order, most of the pepper chips were crushed up into powder form and one bag got busted and got all over the box. For $5 a bag and $10 shipping you would think that the packaging would be better.

    I think I went a little overboard with my order for my favorite jerky!
    Lynda S.

    I was introduced to JL jerky by my friend Marilyn who gave me a couple bags late 2020 and swears by it! We were gifted 2 flavors - medium and sweet & mild. MY family was so addicted I kinda went nuts for my first order 20 large bags (pic) of a bunch of different flavors. I had reached out (DM) the owner of JL and asked how many bags can I order to maximize the box out as shipping pricing adds up and since my family of 4 plus my brother were all addicted - I figured we were safe in ordering a ton. I went back and forth with Linda who is one of the owners she is super personable and flexible. Love supporting small businesses that show appreciation to their customers! JL jerky - my goodness - They have so many flavors to accommodate every potential craving! They offer lean, regular and fatty jerky slices! My oldest son can handle the Medium Heat bag which is the perfect heat for us adults and apparently him too! It's spicy, savory and super addictive. It leaves a burn but leaves you salivating for more and you tell yourself just one more and next thing you know, the bag is straight up G-O-N-E! My lil one gets the sweet and mild bag. It's a mix of sweet and savory thin slices of jerky with an abundance of umami flavoring. Personally I like the medium & lemongrass flavors. Lemongrass has a nice subtle hint of the herb and has a mild spice kick I wasn't expecting. It's pretty good. My husband and brother loves the regular Medium spice which gives you just a bit of the fat on the slices that is also marinated and almost melts in your mouth! I'll stick with my lean versions. I tried the Garlic lover today and it is just that, garlicky, and savory and also has a mild kick which my family welcomes. I still have to try peppercorn and the sweet & medium flavor. I think my 20 bags will be gone before the end of the month! It's better to snack on these than on sugary and unhealthy snacks for sure! This beef Jerky establishment does not disappoint. I'll never go back to store bought jerky everrrrr again! Thanks JL jerky for doing your meaty thang!

    Polly H.

    Best jerky hands down! I won't buy any other conventional jerky at the store no more! My bf always offer to get me jerky from stores but I always decline because I only want jl jerky! It's perfectly spicy and sweet and truly addicting!! My favorites are mango habanero and thai chili! Bags are small medium and large. They don't quite show how many oz but regardless it's just never enough because it's so good. My dog won't leave me alone when I'm eating it!

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    Mai W.

    OMGGGG. This is definitely the BEST JERKY EVER. I dare you to fight me on that. WOW, I really can't go back to "regular" jerky after having JL Jerkys. I've been a loyal customer for over 2 years now and eating Jack Links or any other brand of jerky is like eating rubber compared to JL Jerkys. I can't even explain it. The meat is just so salivating, you keep wanting more with every bite. It's easy to consume a bag in about 2 minutes (depending how spicy you like it). They have various flavors all ranging from mild to spicy. I LOVE THEM ALL!!! And I can't get enough. My favorites are probably "Sweet & Spicy" and "Medium". You can even order lean or extra fatty versions of the jerky. It literally is the most addicting jerky you'll ever meat. The only downside to the jerky is that they are so busy, turn aroundtime for the orders can be 5-7 days. But it's WELL worth the wait.

    JL Jerkys at seaworld! My son's all time fave!

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    Ask the Community - JL Jerkys

    Review Highlights - JL Jerkys

    I've tried about all the flavors and my favorites are mango tajin, Pineapple Express, and spicy mango habanero!

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats

    Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats

    4.2
    (505 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$

    Been going here for years. Great sandwiches and always, always helped by a friendly team!…read more Their sandwiches are our go-to for picnics and beach days. They also have a great selection of potato salads and pasta salads. Love that it's a one-stop shop for our picnics and beach days!

    I have been coming here forever. It is not cheap but the quality of everything here is fantastic…read more This is a real butcher shop. There aren't many left in San Diego. Other than its sister store, Iowa Meat Farms, Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad (yes, they have returned), and the Wise Ox, also in Carlsbad, there are hardly any real butcher shops around. But these guys know what they are doing. Try their burgers and meatloaf. They are easy to cook at home. Try their steaks. You can get a legitimately excellent steak here for a fraction of what you would pay at a steakhouse and it will be BETTER than the steakhouse version. Make sure you ask the counter guys to season it for you before they wrap it up. Try their freshly-made sandwiches. Make sure you try their beans behind the deli counter. Their pimento dip in the refrigerated area is legendary and more addictive than crack (or so I have read). They have interesting sodas, craft beers, different mustards, El Indio chips, fresh breads, and a small but very well-curated wine selection. Is there anything they do not do well here? "No," is the answer to that question. They do everything well here. They have their own parking lot but it fills up quickly. There is not much other parking in the area. In the past, I have walked several blocks away in the residential neighborhood to get to the store when there is no parking available. And it was worth it.

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    If ever the phrase "A little slice of heaven" were appropriate, this is it.
    If ever the phrase "A little slice of heaven" were appropriate, this is it.
    Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats
    Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats

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    Tip Top Meats

    Tip Top Meats

    3.9
    (2.4k reviews)
    22.5 mi
    $$

    Tip Top has some of the best hamburgers around. The burgers are always on point, the fries are…read moregreat, and they never disappoint. Service has always been good too. Now, let's talk about the real issue here: WHERE IS THE RANCH? The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because they don't have buttermilk ranch for the fries. They offer Thousand Island, but no ranch? That's a little disappointing Other than that, I have zero complaints. I really hope they consider adding ranch to the menu. They say they don't carry ranch because they don't serve salads but ranch isn't just for salads.

    First time checking out the new place. They moved next to…read moretheir former place of business in the smaller side of the building. They still have the same vibe and the same menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They did raise the prices but still a really good value regardless. Formerly a sit-down restaurant, this is now set-up as a take-out, with few tables outside near the entrance. It is also a small market as well, with a meat counter. We walked in at around 5:00pm on a Wednesday and ordered their BBQ Beef Rib dinner and a slice of pistachio cheesecake. The employees there were really friendly and nice. We didn't get her name at the register but on our receipt it said Gabby was our server and she was sweet. We had a question regarding ordering meat for an upcoming event and Max at the meat counter was very helpful. When we got home, the meal was delicious! The meat on the ribs was juicy and tender, the baked potato was hot! It stayed warm longer than most potatoes we've had and it was good. The mixed veggies were a bit softer than I expected but was fine. It was a good meal. We went back to order 8 BBQ beef rib dinners 3 days later on Saturday, 4th of July. We called in our order 30 minutes before pick up and when we arrived, we waited a few more minutes for our order to be done. The ribs weren't consistently good. Some were good but some were tough and chewy. But the sides of coleslaw & mashed potatoes were really good. Rolls were already cold at pick-up. Overall, it's still a good place and glad they're back.

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    Tip Top Meats
    French Dip with rosemary dipping au jus
    French Dip with rosemary dipping au jus
    Entrees menu

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    Entrees menu
    Imperial Steakhouse

    Imperial Steakhouse

    3.9
    (355 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    We came for their $65 special that is posted on their web site and we got an e-mail for. Our server…read moredidn't know of the special so went to ask the chef. He came back saying the chef said the special had expired. We explained, we got the e-mail only a few days earlier and the special is posted on their web site. Our server said the only side was mashed potatoes. We pointed out the ad clearly states 2 sides not one side. The server also said the only steak option was a ribeye and that it would be a 16oz cut in half. As you can see from the picture, what we got is very different. This made for a rather uncomfortable dining experience. We've never had to justify our meal before. This was a bad dining experience.

    Cons: Inattentive. Neglectful. Worst customer service experience ever. Walked out after ~30 mins…read morewithout receiving any greeting from a server, waiter, host, bus person, no one... no water, no bread, no preparation for our arrival, no drink order, no "hello," no "be right with you," no service, no apology, and no accountability. We were traveling and being impressed by reviews, we secured a RESERVATION days prior to our arrival!!! You'd think someone in the building would've been expecting us! No excuse for not being greeted, and not even getting the bare minimum treatment expected from any random 24/7 diner, let alone a premium steakhouse. Dining experience was disappointing (or nonexistent), and the private Yelp messages from the owner were extremely telling. Can't improve if you don't take care to acknowledge and address areas for opportunity. Customer service is a glaring one. Pro: Convenient parking. Spacious booths Wish we could give an opinion of the food, but we left.

    Photos
    Dining room. All original fixtures and furniture, which a lot has been restored from 1968. It's a walk down memory lane type spot for sure!
    Dining room. All original fixtures and furniture, which a lot has been restored from 1968. It's a walk down memory lane type spot for sure!
    Mushrooms 9/10
    Mushrooms 9/10
    Now visiting with our addition to the fam

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    Now visiting with our addition to the fam

    JL Jerkys - meats - Updated July 2026

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