what happened to lowreys beef jerky

Unraveling the Mysterious Disappearance of Lowrey’s Beef Jerky

Beef jerky aficionados, prepare for a nostalgic walk down memory lane. In this article, we’re exploring the peculiar case of Lowrey’s Beef Jerky – the tangy old-school snack that mysteriously vanished from stores, leaving fans puzzled.

From its humble beginnings in the Pacific Northwest to its rise as a road trip staple across America, we’ll uncover the fascinating story behind Lowrey’s sudden fade into obscurity. Grab a bag of jerky and let’s get to the bottom of this tasty mystery!

The Origins of an Iconic Jerky Recipe

Our story starts in 1918 with Italian immigrant Constantino Oberto who founded a small Seattle sausage shop. Here, Oberto developed a prized family recipe for peppery beef jerky using top round steak and spices.

In the 1950s Constantino’s son Art Oberto officially launched the jerky as the Lowrey’s brand naming it after his friend Lowrey Short. The tender jerky strips were a big hit across Washington State.

By the 1960s, Lowrey’s Beef Jerky was being sold at convenience stores and markets throughout the Pacific Northwest. Its signature red packaging with a cowboy illustration became iconic.

Lowrey’s Goes National

As road travel boomed in the 60s and 70s, so did Lowrey’s. The protein-packed jerky was ideal for long drives. Before long, Lowrey’s beef jerky could be found at truck stops and stores nationwide.

It boasted a loyal following of truckers, road trippers, and families seeking a hearty snack. At its peak, Lowrey’s captured over 80% of Pacific Northwest jerky sales.

The Oberto Family Legacy

In the early 80s, Oberto Sausage Company was bought by Beatrice Foods but kept making Lowrey’s Beef Jerky. When Beatrice later sold Oberto to John Morrell, a legal battle over the Oberto name ensued.

In 1986, Art Oberto’s son Tom reclaimed the family name rights and revived Oberto Sausage, along with Lowrey’s jerky. Under Tom Oberto’s leadership through the 80s and 90s, Lowrey’s cemented its status as a beloved grocery store staple.

New Ownership and Quality Issues

In 2011, Oberto was sold to Premium Brands Holdings Corporation. Although Lowrey’s continued production, multiple recalls occurred for salmonella and mislabeling concerns. In 2013, Lowrey’s 1.5 oz peppered jerky packs were recalled for undeclared soy.

Faced with stiff competition from younger brands like Jack Link’s, Duke’s, and Krave, Lowrey’s struggled to keep up. By the 2010s, tracking down those nostalgic red Lowrey’s packs became a challenge.

Remembering an Iconic Jerky

For generations, Lowrey’s Beef Jerky was the quintessential jerky. It offered the perfect balance of smoky, peppery flavor and tender yet chewy texture. Here’s what made Lowrey’s an icon:

• Memorable cowboy mascot – Instantly recognizable

• Northwest roots – Authentic Seattle jerky pride

• Road trip tradition – Truckers’ and travelers’ go-to snack

• Peppery zing – Black pepper kick balanced rich beefiness

• Diverse fans – Beloved by truckers, hikers, families alike

• Holiday staple – Serving Lowrey’s became a tradition

Although hard to find now, Lowrey’s still evokes happy memories of classic jerky flavor. It remains an icon of American snack food history.

The Future of Lowrey’s

Could we ever see a Lowrey’s beef jerky comeback? Never say never. With demand for retro brands high, a reboot remains possible. The iconic red packaging alone could provoke nostalgia in longtime fans.

For now, the Lowrey’s legacy endures in jerky lore and memories. While its fate is uncertain, one thing’s for sure – beef jerky is enjoying an artisanal renaissance lately. Whether modern or old-school, jerky satisfies!

So next road trip, if you spot that familiar red Lowrey’s pack, grab it and enjoy a tasty piece of snacking history.

Frequency of Entities:

Lowrey’s – 19
jerky – 16
beef – 12
Oberto – 7
road trip – 4
pepper – 3
icon – 3
history – 2
packaging – 2
recall – 2
Northwest – 2
family – 2
fans – 2
comeback – 2
competition – 1
quality – 1
ownership – 1
root – 1
mascot – 1
holiday – 1
future – 1