I definitely agree with others who say it's not as good as it used to be. I used to work at Hickory farms back when their beef stick was three times the size it is now and the flavor was just...better. Granted, if you've tried any other summer sausage you'd realize that even with the changes in taste, This one is by far superior. Don't hesitate to purchase. Beef stick on crackers is one of my favorite snacks.