Our History
At the age of 12, our founder Jason Wilga began
working in his grandfather’s convenience store and full-service
gas station in Alger, Michigan. Harry Wilga’s store was unique
because it was the only place in the county that provided full-service
at the pumps. It was also where the locals went to buy hand-cut
cheese and beef jerky sold by the pound. Before long people from
nearby cities found out what the locals already knew: this little
store had the best beef jerky anywhere around.
Soon travelers from the surrounding cities as well as travelers
from Southern Michigan began stopping in Grandpa Wilga’s
store to purchase his jerky. Word spread quickly and before long,
he was selling hundreds of pounds of jerky each week.
Grandpa Wilga’s jerky became so popular that he began
receiving orders from all across the country asking him if he
would ship his jerky through the mail. Now remember, this was
before the days of the Internet. Back then Grandpa Wilga would
receive hand written letters along with cash or maybe a check,
asking him to send as much of his jerky as their money would
buy.
As the popularity of the jerky grew, Grandpa began expanding
his jerky line to include turkey, buffalo and venison, as well
as introducing flavors such as teriyaki, peppercorn and the
now well-known cherry maple.
Today this once small out-of-the-way store has become the
catalyst of the fresh jerky movement in the United States. His
grandson Jason continues the tradition of selling the best
tasting freshest jerky made. Jason’s goal is to share
this same quality of tender jerky with every jerky and smoked
meat snack lover in America. Over the years there have been
many imitators, but there will always be only one true original:
The TrailSteaks Recipe.
Grandpa Wilga is no longer with us, but his spirit continues
to live on in every package of TrailSteaks meat snacks that
we sell today. We are very proud to carry on the tradition of
making the best jerky snacks ever. As Grandpa Wilga always said,
“Give ‘em one taste, and they’ll never buy
anything else!”