About

The Gapp family in Sturgis, South Dakota, created Sturgis Beef Jerky around 1964-where the Sturgis Public library is now. Would buy beef rounds to trim and slice on a slicer and cut by hand with a knife. Many of the customers and school kids who stopped by our store helped hone the recipe, until the perfect blend of flavors came to be. The result was our Original flavor of Sturgis Beef Jerky. Since then,we have added Peppered flavor and Teriyaki flavor (seasonal)jerky and an entire line of meat sticks made with our same secret recipe. Now we are the favorite of many local ranchers, school kids and military personnel, and the many bikers that attend the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.

Sturgis Jerky Founder, (The Late John Gapp) with son, Ron Gapp

History

Sturgis Jerky Started out as a local product selling in downtown Sturgis. Then, when the product became state inspected, they refined their cutting method and would sell to bars in the area. As more people became familiar with the product, so did the demand. So, they began supplying stores in the area-and all over South Dakota.

Our Jerky Product “People Tested”

Many Other brands may use flour to add artificial weight or use chopped and formed product to increase profit, but here at Sturgis Meat Service we use 100% beef top round steak from USA Beef and the finest blend of spices. Over the years some things have changed, but our philosophy hasn’t changed.

Came up with initial seasoning formula by making small batches and testing it out on school kids and people coming by the shop. Would adjust as they received opinions on how the jerky tasted-what they liked and didn’t like about it. Once the formula was approved by 99% of the testers they went into large scale production on what now is known as “Sturgis Beef Jerky”

Peak on the Package

The Peak on the package is a representation of Bear Butte-A geological formation located a few miles east of Sturgis.

Bear Butte is part of Bear Butte State Park, which also includes Bear Butte Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy taking the 3 mile hike to the summit.

Health Benefits & Nutrition

Our Jerky is made of lean top round. It is high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Protein is an essential building block and benefits anyone with an active lifestyle.

Jerky is high in sodium and sodium is an electrolyte. If you engage in any sort of aerobics or strenuous activity, you lose sodium and water through sweat. Many military personnel in hot climates of the middle east eat the jerky to help retain more water and replenish electrolytes they lose throughout the day.

Our Location

Sturgis is a small community of 6400+ residents located in Meade County. (largest county in South Dakota)

Sturgis is most famous for being the location of one of the largest annual motorcycle events in the world, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which is held annually on the first full week of August.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:  The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the biggest and most well known motorcycle rally on the planet and is held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota each first full week of August. Between 400,000 and 700,000 motorcycle enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Sturgis for the Rally each year. It was founded on August 14, 1938 by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club who still own and operate the tracks, hill climb, and field areas that the rally is concentrated around.

Other Rallies Sturgis hosts include:

Photo of mountain biker participating in Sturgis' Music on Main race series
Photo of runner participating in the annual Black Hills 100 trail race

Sturgis outdoor recreation is also plentiful. Sturgis is in a unique location at the foothills of the Black Hills. To the North lies beautiful prairie. To the south lies the forested black hills, home of single track trails, lakes and various animals.

Some of the trails include: 

  • Centennial Trail, also the largest single track trail in South Dakota, begins on the outskirts of Sturgis.
  • Fort Meade Recreation Area (25+ miles of trail as well as a rich military history).
  • Deadman Trail System (20+ miles of non motorized trail)

Non-motorized trail events Sturgis hosts Include:

USDA Approved

Sturgis Jerky began to gain popularity from all over the state and outside South Dakota. This meant, to sell outside of South Dakota, Sturgis Meat Service needed to become USDA federally inspected and approved. You’ll see all our products in store and on our website has a USDA inspected symbol.

Certified Organic Meat Processor Since 2006: Sturgis Meat Service is also a certified organic processor. This means that we can process your organic animals.