Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Smith.
Hi Devin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
TX 28 Beef Jerky started long before it ever became a business. It began in our backyard with the Owner, Chuck Smith — a true Texas patio guy. He’s always had more flat-tops, smokers, grills, and kettles than actual patio space. Cooking has always been his passion, especially Texas food done the Texas way, and barbecue has always been at the center of that.
In 2012, he began making beef jerky purely as a hobby. Around that same time, our family took a road trip across Texas and quickly realized that the jerky we were finding on store shelves just didn’t represent what Texas stands for. The flavor was off, the texture was inconsistent, and it smelled and tasted like typical mass-produced and disconnected from the bold, balanced quality we associate with Texas food. That realization stuck with him, and he went back to the grill determined to make something better — starting with what is now our Original flavor.
For years, friends and family kept pushing him, telling him the same thing over and over: “You should sell this.” Eventually, after a lot of encouragement and a big leap of faith, TX 28 Beef Jerky was officially born in August of 2022. The name reflects our pride in Texas — “TX” for our home, and “28” because Texas was the 28th state annexed into the United States (when America became America, as we like to joke).
From the beginning, TX 28 has been a family effort. Chuck is the owner and recipe developer. Devin is a co-owner and handle cooking the jerky and sales. Chuck’s wife – Colleen, is a co-owner and our operational manager. Amber and her husband Jimmy handle marketing and branding. Even our kids help with small tasks, teaching them work ethic, responsibility, and pride in what we’re building together. Our faith in God has been a constant foundation for us, especially during moments when the odds felt stacked against us.
One of the moments that made everything feel real was our first farmers market in Krugerville, Texas. We sold out. Seeing complete strangers connect with our product — and watching them come back to tell us it reminded them of what jerky should taste like — confirmed that we were onto something special.
We’ve taken big risks along the way. We invested heavily into starting the business, had countless trial-and-error batches, and threw away more product than we care to admit — especially while perfecting our Honey Whiskey Infused and Baby-Back Rib flavors. There were long nights where we worked from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. just to get jerky made and orders shipped. But we never compromised on quality.
Texas-made isn’t just a label for us — it’s a standard. We source the majority of our ingredients from Texas-based and mom-and-pop businesses, and we focus on bold, balanced flavors that represent Texas pride. Our two novelty flavors — Honey Whiskey Infused (made with a Texas-brand whiskey) and Baby-Back Rib (designed to taste like a true Texas rib) are perfect examples of that commitment.
Today, we’re preparing to partner with skilled artisans who specialize in handcrafted jerky to help us meet growing demand while maintaining the quality and authenticity that built our customer base. Our vision is to grow responsibly, stay true to our mom-and-pop roots, and expand into new products like beef sticks and other unique offerings we know our supporters will love.
At the end of the day, TX 28 Beef Jerky exists to be a brand that represents high-quality Texas standards — built on family, faith, hard work, and a genuine love for doing things the right way and following the ‘American Dream’.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We invested a significant amount of our own money into starting TX 28 Beef Jerky with no guarantees, which made every decision feel personal and high-stakes for our entire family.
Perfecting our recipes at scale was another major hurdle. Developing flavors like Honey Whiskey Infused and Baby-Back Rib involved extensive trial and error, and there were times we had to discard full batches because they didn’t meet our standards. We chose quality over convenience every time, even when it was costly.
The time and physical demands were also intense. Many days, we worked long overnight hours — sometimes from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. — to produce jerky and ship orders while balancing family life. There were moments of doubt, but our faith in God and strong family support kept us grounded and moving forward.
Those challenges ultimately shaped who we are as a brand, reinforcing our commitment to quality, authenticity, and doing things the right way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At our core, we specialize in handcrafted beef jerky that reflects true Texas quality, flavor, and pride. We focus on bold but balanced seasoning, clean texture, and consistency — the kind of jerky we believe Texas deserves. Our lineup includes traditional flavors like Original Gluten & Keto-Friendly (Hickory Smoke), Teriyaki, Black Pepper, Chipotle, and Habanero, along with unique offerings like Honey Whiskey Infused and Baby-Back Rib.
What we’re known for is our commitment to authenticity. TX 28 Beef Jerky is truly family-built — from recipe development and production to operations, sales, and branding. We source the majority of our ingredients from Texas-based and mom-and-pop businesses, and we hold ourselves to a “Texas-made” standard that prioritizes quality and production.
What we’re most proud of is that our family is the backbone of the business. Even our children help with small tasks, learning responsibility, work ethic, and pride in what they’re part of. Our faith and values guide how we grow and how we treat our customers.
What sets us apart is that we don’t chase shortcuts. We blend tradition with creativity, stay rooted in Texas, and build real relationships with our customers. TX 28 Beef Jerky is a reflection of our family, our faith, and our commitment to doing things the right way.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We offer variety sizes and bundles on our website:
2.5oz bag
5.25oz bag
10.5oz bag
16oz bag
we even offer bulk discounts on our 25 bag case & 50 bag case of (2.5oz or 5.25oz bags).
Pricing:
- Sample Bundle (4-2.5oz) – $36.99
- Chuck Bundle (2-5.25oz) – $35.99
- 10.5oz bag – $34.99
- 16oz bag – $44.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texas28beefjerky.com
- Instagram: @TX28BEEFJERKY
- Facebook: @TEXAS28BEEFJERKY
- Youtube: @TX28BeefJerky
Image Credits
Amber Smith
