Wagyu beef jerky while supplies last!
Head to the CRITTERS JERKY STAND pop-up in Shinsaibashi PARCO

Hello! Maido!
Shen here and I’ve got something delicious to share. Beef jerky!
This flavorful snack is fun to chew and is the perfect compliment to a refreshing beer. And I’ve found a new pop-up stand that makes their own, CRITTERS JERKY STAND at Shinsaibashi Parco.

■Hints of BBQ give Critters Jerky an unmistakable flavor!

CRITTERS JERKY STAND is a pop-up from CRITTERS BURGER, a high-quality burger shop that made a name for itself serving delicious food at events throughout Kansai and sending takeout from their location in Shinsaibashi on the backs of cyclists, well before Uber Eats became a thing.

Here’s the Mozzarella Mushroom Bacon Burger. See what I mean by the “high-quality burgers” label. You can’t set up a burger shop in the heart of Ame-mura without delivering the goods. The same Critters people, the Kurita brothers, also run CRITTERS PIZZA and WEST WOOD BAKERS, which will both get your tastebuds watering too!

But let’s get back to the jerky. This isn’t just any jerky and they don’t want you to consider it just another snack.

After visiting Miyazaki on a surf trip, the brothers tasted the flavor in locally-produced Arita beef and decided to make something of their own with it. And that is how it all got started.
When you taste it, you’ll see, there is a softness to the beef, almost like you get with a barbecue.
And it isn’t dry at all, which is the mark of a good jerky in my book. I’m so glad they went on that surf trip!

■Near Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro

Near Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro
The idea is to have beef jerky whenever you want it and wherever you want it, and thus the CRITTERS JERKY STAND was born. They’ll be in Shinsaibashi Parco on the basement 1st floor until March 2, open 10am to 8pm.
It’s easy to get to too. It’s just steps away from the South Ticket Gate of Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro.

The jerky comes in two flavors—Original and Smoke.
A lot of beef jerky is doused in spices like black pepper that can be overpowering, but this “Original” flavor really tastes like meat. Flavorings are great, don’t get me wrong, but the whole point of eating beef jerky is the beef flavor, right?
It’s soft and juicy and oozing with flavor. I’m a huge fan of this original flavor profile.
Now, let’s talk about the “Smoke” flavor. It’s made from round tip and is perfectly balanced with delicate flavor and the richness of an exclusive cut. Aromatic Japanese cherry chips are used to infuse the beef with an amazing aroma during the smoking process. That moment just before you take a bite, the rich aroma greets you and the fine marbling in this red meat will leave you satisfied.
It’s surprising how the smoked jerky stands up to the original. It’s a bit tougher, but still fabulous. Try them both and see which you like more!
I couldn’t decide. I’m hooked on both!

You’ll never believe how cute the packages for this jerky are♥
They’re cute enough to give as gifts, and since the shop is right in Ame-mura, near Dotonbori, you can pop right in and pick up a few!

■ Beef jerky as a diet food?! Is it really good for you?

I bet you imagine beef jerky as a fattening food. Or perhaps you think it is unhealthy. Well here’s the thing, it is actually considered a good food for your diet, because it is full of protein. Maybe it gets such a bad rap because of all the additives that are usually in it.
But Critters Jerky is different! They only use natural salt as a preservative and keep all of those other chemical additives out of their beef.

The beef comes from Arita in Miyazaki Prefecture and the cattle are housed in barns that are well-ventilated and adequate sunlight. They are raised on natural mineral water that is pumped up from 100 meters below ground. The cows are fed on carefully selected whole grains and hay. So without depending on medicine to keep the cows healthy, they are raised in a stress-free environment.
Arita beef is then sliced thick and dried using an original process. And this is how they get such a fine finished product, juicy to the last bite and rich in flavor.
Have I changed your mind about it being good for you?

■ What’s with all the pop-ups?

If this sounds good to you, definitely visit the CRITTERS JERKY STAND!
I was going to finish on that note, but there’s just one more thing. Pop-ups are great for businesses who are starting something new. They require less time, money, and risk than suddenly opening a new shop, so the low costs are one of the reasons businesses choose to go this route. It allows them to try out new brands and products and see how well they are received by the public.
And personally, I am excited to see new products popping up in the city!

So what about the CRITTERS JERKY STAND?
Honestly, I have now idea how well they are doing with the pop-up, but I do know one thing—the beef jerky is amazing! If you like jerky already or aren’t a jerky fan yet, this one is definitely worth a try.
It is absolutely delicious!

CRITTERS JERKY STAND

(Opening hours)

Feb. 26–Mar. 2
10am–8pm

(Location)

1st Floor Basement, Shinsaibashi PARCO
1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka

(Other info)

Cash and credit cards accepted

*Business hours may be subject to change.
*To prevent the spread of Covid, customers are asked to wear a mask, use sanitizer, and understand that the shop uses acrylic barriers. However, depending on the current situation, business hours may change and the shop may be closed. Thank you for your understanding.

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