
Hours
| Thursday | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–7 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 8140 Valley Pike, Middletown, VA 22645
Phone: (540) 508-4274
Website: http://www.shaffersbbq.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Shaffer’s BBQ – BBQ Restaurant & Marketplace in Middleton, VA
Shaffer’s BBQ & Market | Middletown VA – Facebook
Menus for Shaffer’s BBQ and Market – Middletown – SinglePlatform
Reviews
I asked the person working the counter what I should order, and she mentioned the ribs and mac n’ cheese, so I got a whole rack of ribs and a side of mac n’ cheese. The ribs tasted good, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much meat was on them. I can eat a full rack of ribs from a lot of places where I live because there’s not a lot of meat on them. I had leftovers to take back with me after this one. The mac n’ cheese was also absolutely delicious.
Also gotta give a shoutout to the Tangy Virginia BBQ sauce they make. It’s their own brand, and it has a subtle sweetness with a little kick.
Also bought a chocolate chip cookie, a brownie cookie, and cornbread to take with me for later, and while the cornbread was good, the cookies were definitely homemade and the perfect level of chewiness with a little crunch.
Shaffer’s BBQ is a well established and popular local barbecue spot that’s been serving the community for nearly 75 years. It’s clearly popular with the locals, and we decided to take a little detour to check it out and we’re glad we did.
The atmosphere is no frills and nostalgic, with walls lined with old license plates and vintage signs, giving it that cozy, down home family restaurant vibe, think Cracker Barrel, but more focused on barbecue. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the food really hit the spot. Everything we tried was flavorful and satisfying, exactly what you’d hope for from a classic BBQ place.
This isn’t a fine dining experience, but that’s part of its charm. If you’re craving good barbecue and a laid back atmosphere, it’s definitely worth a visit, even if it means going a bit out of your way.
Before we left, we browsed some of the merchandise and stumbled upon a couple of deeply discounted candles originally $30, marked down to $5, so of course, we couldn’t pass them up. A tasty meal and a bargain to boot!
I am thrilled to say I wasn’t disappointed. Fried chicken was perfectly seasoned and flavored and perfectly crispy. Sides were outstanding, and the kids loved their BBQ (I believe they got the pulled pork). Sauce was great too.
The atmosphere was fantastic too. Super cute general store selling mostly their own products, clearly a lovingly run family operation. Plus, a great view across the Cedar Creek Battlefield and the Valley, who could ask for more.
This place is worth the detour – enough to warrant me taking I-81 every time I need to go South!!!
Nice crunchy fried chicken. The meat in the chopped beef sandwich was smokey and tender. They forgot to pack my pickles, onion and jalapeño so that was sad – could have been an even more elevated experience.
The bbq sauce is vinegar forward – which is normal for BBQ from this part of the country.
The views are beautiful, old county feel, and coveted outdoor seating in the back that is kid and dog friendly.
Upon entering, you can smell the delicious aroma of BBQ meats. The lady behind the counter was very welcoming and patient. She waited while I stared in awe at the extensive menu of delicious items to choose from.
After placing my order, I visited the bathroom to wash my hands. The bathroom was clean and had everything you’d require in it.
Shortly after, our food was ready. They have a variety of spices to accompany your selections with. We took our plates outside and sat in front on their picnic tables.
The food was delicious. All the items ordered were exquisite. The place lived up to its name. The ribs were not overcooked. The fried chicken was juicy also. Their sauces complimented the meats great. Overall, I recommend this place to anyone who can travel to it. It was a nice experience and a very satisfying and delicious meal. Would love to visit again.
There is a nice store with a large variety of spices, seasoning, and different types of rubs you can purchase to attempt to replicate their goodness on your own at home.
Thank you for keeping this place going.
I’ve been eyeballing Shaffer’s BBQ for years—mostly because of the name. Finally made the stop, and while it was a fun experience for this Shaffer, the BBQ had a style all its own. Definitely not Texas, Carolina, Tennessee, or Alabama.
What Stood Out: Coleslaw – Nearly perfect. Finely chopped, great onion bite, and a creamy dressing that wasn’t too sweet. Easily a repeat.
French Fries – Excellent. Crispy, well-seasoned, and fresh. Some of the best fries I’ve had in a long time.
The BBQ: Brisket – Sliced extremely thin, more like cheesesteak than slow-smoked brisket. The flavor was unique, but not something I need to try again. No bark, no bold smoke—just not my kind of brisket.
Pulled Pork – Ground texture, but moist and decently seasoned. What it really needed was a better sauce. If I had a good Texas or Tennessee-style sauce, I’d gladly order it again.
Sauces: “Bold & Sassy” – Strong Worcestershire profile with an odd hot pepper finish.
“Tangy Virginia” – Thin, vinegary, and more like Tabasco than BBQ.
Both were far too runny and didn’t bring the meat to life. A thicker, richer sauce would’ve made a big difference.
Atmosphere: Friendly service, clean space, and a laid-back market vibe. It’s clearly a local institution with 70+ years behind it—and that says a lot.
Bottom Line: Come for the fries and slaw—they’re top notch. Try the BBQ if you’re curious about a truly regional take, but manage expectations if you’re used to Southern smokehouse classics. Glad I finally stopped in. Having my name on the sign made it extra fun—but next time, I’ll stick to the sides. Or maybe try the fried chicken.