BBQ restaurant and butcher in Summertown: Shaffer Farms Custom Meat

Overview of Shaffer Farms Custom Meat

Shaffer Farms Custom Meat is a combined barbecue restaurant and meat market located at 4 Vaughn Staggs Rd, Summertown, TN 38483, USA. As a local destination for smoked meats and fresh cuts, it attracts both travelers and residents looking for authentic Texas-style barbecue and a well-stocked butcher counter. This establishment suits families, road-trippers, and anyone seeking hearty portions of brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and specialty smoked items. For those searching for the best barbecue in Summertown or a reliable butcher shop in Summertown, Shaffer Farms is frequently recommended by visitors and locals alike.

What Shaffer Farms Custom Meat offers

Shaffer Farms Custom Meat blends a sit-down barbecue experience with a retail meat market. The restaurant side serves plates, sandwiches, and specials featuring meats smoked for long, low-and-slow periods (many guests note 22–24 hours of smoking), accompanied by classic Southern sides. The market sells a wide range of fresh meats, packaged cuts, sauces, spices, cooking gear, and local sweets such as pecan treats and homemade pies. This makes it practical for customers who want a meal on-site or prefer to take home premium cuts and barbecue essentials.

Visitors who want to book a table in Summertown or plan a picnic can benefit from the option to order bulk cooked meats from an outdoor service window that provides plates and utensils for al fresco dining. For those comparing prices for brisket plate in Summertown, one guest indicated a full brisket plate with a drink cost around $20, while other visitors noted affordable bulk meat pricing at the market.

Menu and specialties

The menu centers on smoked brisket—both sliced and chopped—pulled pork, ribs, smoked bologna, and a rotating selection of specials such as large pulled pork sandwiches. Sides are frequently described as homemade and include baked beans, pinto beans, coleslaw, potato salad, ranch potatoes, mac and cheese, and cornbread. House-made sauces and a popular lemonade and sweet tea round out beverages. Guests praise the regular and specialty sauces and note that the brisket is a standout item.

Starters and sides: ranch potatoes, baked beans, pinto beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw.
Main meats: sliced brisket, chopped brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked bologna, wings (with mixed feedback), occasional steaks and shrimp.
Market offerings: whole briskets, various packaged cuts, sauces, spices, cooking tools, jelly and jams, and desserts like pecan bourbon brittle and homemade pies.
Dining formats: dine-in (inside and on a porch with rockers), outdoor picnic-style plates from the outside service, and to-go orders from the market counter.

Those seeking to book a table at Shaffer Farms Custom Meat or check the lunch menu in Summertown should plan ahead during peak travel times, as wait times can be significant but many find the food worth the wait.

Customer experience

Overall impressions from visitors emphasize flavorful, tender meats and warm Southern hospitality. Multiple guests describe the brisket as the best they’ve had in Tennessee or Middle Tennessee, praising both sliced brisket for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and chopped brisket sandwiches. The market’s fresh meat selection and value for bulk purchases receive consistent praise, with one group reporting a large brisket purchase for under $100.

Service is frequently described as friendly and helpful, with staff making customers feel welcome—many visitors note that the team treats patrons like family. The porch with rocking chairs and old-time decor contributes to a relaxed, nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to families and travelers looking for a genuine local stop.

Balanced criticisms reported by customers include occasional long waits when busy, some instances of missing items from to-go orders (with at least one guest reporting repeated mistakes), and a few comments about cleanliness issues such as flies in the dining room. A small number of diners mentioned that certain items (wings or reheated sides) were disappointing or seemed prepackaged. A couple of visitors also felt pricing had risen and would welcome loyalty discounts.

Practical tips before you go

Plan visits around typical peak times: weekends and midday on travel days tend to be busiest. If time is limited, the outdoor service window for bulk cooked meat and picnic-style plates is a good option to avoid interior waits. For families or larger groups seeking value, consider ordering plates with two sides or market quantities of meat for sharing.

To minimize the risk of missing items, customers should check to-go bags before leaving the counter. For those who prioritize table seating and the porch atmosphere, arriving earlier in the lunch window or mid-afternoon can improve chances of a quick seat. Visitors looking for a premium cut to take home will find a wide selection in the meat market, but comparing prices and asking staff for recommendations is advised for the best value.

Because hours are not always posted in third-party listings, it is recommended to call ahead when possible or check current local listings before planning a trip to Shaffer Farms Custom Meat.

Reviews and ratings

Extremely positive: Brisket praised as outstanding—many guests call it the best brisket in Tennessee, noting tender sliced brisket and flavorful chopped brisket sandwiches.
Extremely positive: Friendly, family-style service and a welcoming atmosphere with porch rockers and classic decor make dining feel like a local tradition.
Extremely positive: The meat market offers excellent value for bulk purchases and a large selection of sauces, spices, and homemade desserts.
More neutral: Wait times can be long during busy periods; plan accordingly if on a tight schedule.
More neutral: A few guests reported service mistakes with to-go orders and occasional issues with flies in the dining area or inconsistent quality on specific items like wings or reheated sides.

Frequently asked questions and how to choose a BBQ restaurant and butcher shop in Summertown

When deciding on a BBQ restaurant in Summertown or a butcher shop in Summertown, customers often ask about prices, portion sizes, and whether to sit inside or take food to-go. Typical questions include: What are the brisket plate prices in Summertown? Is this the best brisket in Summertown? Is there a BBQ for families in Summertown?

Expect a hearty portion for a plate—one visitor mentioned that a brisket plate with a drink cost around $20, and another noted a bulk brisket purchase that offered strong value (for example, a large brisket for under $100). For those specifically searching for smoked meats in Summertown or brisket to-go in Summertown, the market and outdoor service window are convenient options that let customers take cooked meat or raw cuts home.

If the priority is seating and atmosphere, choosing the restaurant side will satisfy those wanting to enjoy the porch and rockers; for shoppers hunting for supplies, the meat market provides sauces, spices, and cooking gear. People comparing local options often look for best BBQ in Summertown, BBQ near Summertown, and butcher shop with smoked meats in Summertown—Shaffer Farms commonly appears in such searches due to its combined restaurant and market offering.

Booking is not typically required for small parties, but groups or visitors arriving during peak travel times should plan ahead or consider the outside service to avoid long lines. For those weighing value versus frequency, checking specials or asking staff about bulk pricing can help stretch a family budget. Finally, visitors concerned about quality or order accuracy should verify to-go contents before departing and, when time allows, enjoy a sit-down meal to sample the brisket and homemade sides fresh from the smoker.