Grumpy Jerky

Grumpy Bears’ Resort

Kennedy Meadows

2B No. 4

Inyokern, Calif. 93527

(619) 371-6538

MasterCard, Visa

We may drink Coca Cola and eat hamburgers and apple pie, but Americans really like is beef jerky. Even Sandra Day O’Connor is a fan of the petrified meat. The U.S. Supreme Court justice sends her colleagues gift-wrapped packages of homemade jerky during the Christmas holidays.

At Grumpy Bears’ Resort, located in Kennedy Meadows (pop. 45), owners Jan and Pat Gant make about 400 pounds of intensely flavored beef jerky per week. USDA inspectors travel three hours from Bakersfield to the remote mountaintop community just to supervise the operation. As if they weren’t busy enough, the Gants also host barbecues, chili cook-offs and holiday events at their resort.

The chewy beef jerky, made from hand-sliced and hand-trimmed beef, is available in three flavors: regular, hot and teriyaki. A half-pound runs $12; a pound costs $23, plus $5 shipping charge per order. There’s just one problem: There is no electricity or regular telephone service in Kennedy Meadows (generators, solar energy and wind provide power and water), so you must either order the jerky by mail or call and leave a message. No wonder the bears get grumpy.