Gold Covered Beef Jerky Looks Like A Million Bucks But Doesn't Taste Like It

Los Angeles based jerky purveyor Three Jerks has rolled out a new way to chow down on dehydrated meat—and it's covered in pure 24 karat gold.

"We've sold a bunch. A handful to celebs, we've sold to some big name business people. While we were kidding with the description, it seems like we've really nailed the demographic," joked Three Jerks co-founder Daniel Fogelson. Three Jerks calls its made-to-order Golden Meat Box the perfect gift for the "hedge fund d-bag, a run of the mill billionaire, [or] royalty."

But you'll have to be a 1 percenter to afford the $500 price tag.

Fogelson, along with co-founder Jordan Barrocas are building a mini meat empire, largely buoyed by the press garnered from the gilded jerky.

In July 2013, they launched a Kickstarter featuring 24 karat gold leafed filet mignon jerky and surpassed their goal of $45,000. Most recently, the duo secured an investment from Shark Tank's Daymond John for $100,000—but Three Jerks isn't really about outshining the competition. It's about making a different kind of jerky.

"Filet mignon is the most tender, buttery delicious cut," explained Barrocas. It's also one of the most expensive cuts of meat, going for almost triple the price of typical jerky cuts like flank or bottom round. Three Jerks is also gluten-free, and free of nitrates and artificial preservatives.

But not everyone is on board with the idea of filet jerky.

"Filet doesn't really have any flavor to begin with," says Roxanne Spruance, executive chef of Kingsley restaurant opening Wednesday in New York City. Though she admitted the gold plated jerky has an impressively shiny hue, she wasn't blown away by the taste.

"Gold leaf doesn't really have a taste other than being metallic," said Spruance. "Most of the [gold] just comes off your fingers anyway."

The tender, moist jerky also felt short of her expectation for a dried meat snack. "I like jerky with some bite, it should be hardier."

But most Chew on This tasters loved the melt-in-your mouth Three Jerks texture that doesn't require superhuman jaw strength to rip apart.

"This is definitely the most tender jerky I've ever tried," said one taster of the original flavor.

"The spice in this in perfect. It's smoky and sweet," said another of the Memphis BBQ.

Even the hamburger flavor—based on Fogelson's signature backyard grill specialty—was a big hit.

While most tasters enjoyed the buttery texture of Three Jerks five flavors, most were caught off guard by the price. The Golden Meat kit does come with a made-to-order aluminum case that can presumably be used to hold your $50s and $100s once the meat is gone.

For the average Joe, a two ounce package of Three Jerks non-gilded flavors goes for $12.

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This article was originally published on November 30, 2015 by Ali Rosen, Sky McCarthy