In 1952, my Grandfather, John D, began barbecuing chicken to bring attention to the Valley’s poultry farmers. We still use his original charcoal chicken pits and grills today for special occasions!

During the 1950s and 1960s, John D. and my grandmother Joanna, traversed the Commonwealth with their trusty food trailer, The Chicken Palace, attending various festivals and fairs. They also began serving BBQ Chicken at the Shenandoah County Fair in 1956 and the tradition continues today.

In the late 1970s, the smoke was passed to my father, George. He grew the barbecue operation into a full-time business in the early 1990s catering events both large and small - including an unforgettable feast for 5,000 people outside Atoka, VA.

Growing up surrounded by the family business, I particularly enjoyed the camaraderie and community spirit that our BBQ inspired. After my adventures flying helicopters in the U.S. Navy and starting a food truck in Arlington, my wife Julie and I decided to put down roots in Winchester. Our circus tent is currently located in a charming 1760 native Virginia limestone house and our three children Sam, CeCe, and Ruby keep it real every day.

In July 2016, fate led us to a 1956 gas station just a few miles away in Middletown. With a ton of support from our friends and a healthy dose of hard work, we transformed it into Shaffer's BBQ & Market. The smoke rises daily and we are open from 9AM-7PM, Monday through Saturday. Our BBQ & Market is a treasure trove of local products, craft beer, meats, and of course, Big Julie's famous BBQ sauces and rub.

As the story of our family business continues to evolve, we proudly uphold the values of Quality, Service, and Value that have been the pillars of Shaffer businesses for generations. Julie, Sam, CeCe, Ruby and I appreciate the opportunity to carry on the family tradition and look forward to sharing our hospitality with you in Middletown.