Step aside, granola bars . There's a new energy bar on the block, and it's on the fast-track to becoming mainstream. Meat-based energy bars are gaining popularity with athletes, paleo dieters, and folks who just really like meat. A small panel of BA staffers—enthusiastic, skeptical, and perhaps a bit reluctant—tasted the most popular brands. See how they fared below. But first, here's the panel:

Rochelle Bilow : Associate web editor. Fan of meat energy bars; eats at least 3 a week, usually before a run. Ex-vegetarian. Very excited for the taste-test.

Christina Chaey : Assistant web editor. Recovering Costco beef jerky addict, hates the texture of dense grain-based granola bars, and just willing enough to suspend disbelief to down a “chicken bar.”

Brad Leone : Test kitchen manager. Avid DIY-er in the kitchen. Meat enthusiast . Was hoping for a texture similar to coarse sausage, and a flavor not overwhelmed by fruit.

Dawn Perry : Digital food editor. Decidedly "not into non-jerky dried meat," but keeping an open mind.

Alex Lau : Staff photographer. Curious about meat energy bars. Notorious for eating anything from the office free table. Imagining a "beef jerky type of death."

Alex Lau

Tanka : Apricot Orange Peel, Slow Smoked Original, and Spicy Pepper Flavors

This was the overwhelming favorite, with only one dissenter. It was largely praised for its moist but not damp or oily texture, and robust, "real meat" flavor.

__Alex: "__This is ketchupy-flavored."

Brad: "This one has great flavors. It's what I was expecting—or hoping—the texture to be like, too. The winner."

Christina: "These are HANDS DOWN the winner. The texture is so pleasantly reminiscent of beef jerky. I'd eat it on the regular."

Dawn: "I really liked these the best. Buffalo is the easiest for me to wrap my head around. It seems like the 'cleanest' meat because it's never been factory farmed."

Rochelle: "I dig how the fruit [cranberries and apricots] make this moist and chewy, but not too sweet."

Alex Lau

Kratos : Zesty Pepper, Original, and Açaí Flavors

This bar came in second place, and was praised for its emulsified texture. The favorite flavors were original and zesty pepper, with açaí coming in last.

Alex: "Beef jerky vibes."

Brad: "It's got a creamy, emulsified texture. I like it!"

Christina: "I…actually love these. I started eating a big hunk of one absentmindedly and finished it all in seconds. Then again, this was before I tried the Tankas."

Dawn: "Zesty pepper! Kind of hot dog-ish in flavor and texture, so obviously I like."

Rochelle: "I like them, but they are so much smaller than I want them to be. There is high potential for me to eat seven of them and then feel really guilty."

Alex Lau

Epic : Beef + Bacon, Lamb, Chicken, and Turkey Flavors

Alex: "A bit wet; otherwise strong, smoky taste. Less like a 'bar' and more like an actual piece of meat."

Brad: "Surprisingly good flavors and texture. You don't always want a sweet snack, and these hit the mark. I just don't know why and how they're so moist."

Christina: "Tasty! There's bacon in it, so you can smell the smokiness. But the texture is a little too reminiscent of cat food for me in its oily chewiness. Then again, if I can channel SPAM, I can see myself chopping this into fried rice."

__Dawn: "__I like the lamb flavor best."

__Rochelle: "__These are my favorite—especially the lamb, currant, and mint flavor. They're super moist, super meaty. I really like that all of their meat is raised without hormones and antibiotics. Admittedly, sometimes I tear these up and put them in salads."

Alex Lau

Omnibar : Chipotle Barbecue, Mango Curry, Roasted Peanut, and Cranberry-Rosemary Flavors

These bars are thinner than most and contain almond butter and puréed sweet potatoes in addition to beef. The team was split on the merits of the thickness, but agreed that there was a nice amount of heat and flavor.

Alex: "The texture reminds me of fruit leathers. Not huge into the curry undertones, though."

Brad: "It tastes like Thanksgiving dessert. I really don't like the fibers in the texture."

Christina: "The thinness of the bars makes them entry-level meat bars. They also don't taste overwhelmingly of beef, which makes them beginner-friendly."

Dawn: "Like these! Both the thinness and the heat are enjoyable. They're like the gateway meat bar."

Rochelle: "I love the flavor—especially the roasted peanut. Plus, I'm a nut butter addict so they score points for that. I just wish they were a little thicker, heftier, and, well, meatier."

Alex Lau

Exo : Blueberry Vanilla, PB&J, Apple Cinnamon, Cocoa Nut Flavors

We have to give these bars an honorable mention—they're not meat-based, but they are made with an "alternative" flour, rich in protein: Cricket flour . The texture was dense and heavy, and ultra-moist—similar to the more traditional grain-based Luna and Clif bars. While we didn't discern any "cricket" flavor, they were sweet and nicely chewy.