This Tennessee Roadside Stop Might Serve the Best Smoked Brisket in the State
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Summertown, Tennessee, there’s a roadside stop that’s turning heads and winning hearts across the state.
Shaffer Farms Texas Bar-B-Q has earned a reputation for serving brisket so tender and flavorful that BBQ fans drive hours just to get a taste. With a near-perfect 4.8-star rating from nearly 700 reviews, this family-run spot combines Texas-style smoking techniques with genuine Southern hospitality.
Where to Find Shaffer Farms Texas Bar-B-Q in Summertown, Tennessee
Nestled at 4 Vaughn Staggs Road in Summertown, Shaffer Farms sits in a quiet corner of Lawrence County that many travelers might miss if they weren’t looking for it. The location feels miles away from the busy highways and tourist traps that dot the Tennessee landscape.
The rustic setup features a charming porch with rocking chairs where guests can relax before or after their meal. Inside, you’ll discover both a full-service butcher shop and a casual dining area decorated with old-time country charm.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Monday with the same hours, the spot closes on Sundays. The drive might feel like a journey into the countryside, but that’s exactly what makes discovering this gem so rewarding for BBQ enthusiasts and road trip adventurers alike.
Why This Unassuming Spot Has BBQ Lovers Talking
Word travels fast when someone discovers truly exceptional BBQ, and Shaffer Farms has become the subject of countless conversations among meat lovers. Locals have been singing its praises for years, treating it as their secret weapon when out-of-town guests visit. Now, the secret is out, and travelers from Nashville, Memphis, and beyond are making special trips just to taste what everyone’s raving about.
The buzz isn’t just about the food itself but the entire experience. Customers mention the generous samples offered to first-timers, the friendly staff who treat everyone like family, and the authentic atmosphere that feels genuinely welcoming.
This combination of outstanding food and warm hospitality creates loyal fans who can’t stop telling others about their discovery.
The Smoked Brisket Everyone Swears By
Walk up to the counter at Shaffer Farms and order the sliced brisket—not the chopped—and you’ll understand why people make such a fuss. The meat arrives at your table with a beautiful pink smoke ring visible along the edges, proof of the long smoking process. Each slice practically falls apart at the touch of a fork, melting on your tongue with rich, smoky flavor that needs no sauce to shine.
The brisket comes with pickles, onions, and a jalapeño on the side, plus your choice of two sides and bread. Many customers specifically praise the swamp bread as the perfect companion.
What sets this brisket apart from typical Tennessee BBQ is the Texas-style approach. While Tennessee is famous for pulled pork and ribs, Shaffer Farms has mastered the art of low-and-slow beef smoking. The result is brisket that rivals what you’d find in the best Texas BBQ joints, right here in rural Tennessee.
How Shaffer Farms Smokes Its Brisket to Perfection
According to customer reports, Shaffer Farms commits to smoking their meats for 22 to 24 hours—an investment of time that most restaurants won’t make. This extended smoking period at low temperatures allows the tough connective tissues in brisket to break down completely, creating that signature tenderness everyone raves about. The process can’t be rushed or faked, which is why the results taste so different from mass-produced BBQ.
Quality starts with the meat selection itself. As both a butcher shop and restaurant, Shaffer Farms has direct control over sourcing their beef. They understand which cuts will yield the best results and how to trim them properly before the smoking begins.
The seasoning philosophy appears to focus on enhancing rather than masking the natural beef flavor. While they offer BBQ sauce on the side, many regulars insist the brisket needs nothing added. The smoke flavor penetrates deep into the meat, creating layers of taste that develop over those long hours in the smoker.
More Than Brisket: What Else to Order
While brisket steals the spotlight, Shaffer Farms offers a full lineup of smoked meats and sides that deserve attention. The pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, and smoked bologna all receive praise from customers.
The sides menu features Southern classics done right. Ranch potatoes get mentioned repeatedly as a customer favorite. The white beans, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad all provide tasty accompaniments.
Don’t overlook the cornbread, especially the swamp bread variety that pairs perfectly with the smoky meats.
Beyond the restaurant menu, the butcher shop stocks fresh cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and even specialty items like big shrimp and bone-in ribeye steaks. You can purchase raw briskets to smoke at home.
The shop also carries BBQ sauces, spices, cooking gear, homemade pies, jellies, jams, beef jerky, and even pecan bourbon brittle for the road.
A Family-Run Operation With Deep Tennessee Roots
Shaffer Farms represents the kind of family business that built rural Tennessee communities. The operation combines old-fashioned butchering skills with modern BBQ techniques, creating something special that honors tradition while delivering outstanding results.
The staff’s approach reflects genuine Southern hospitality rather than corporate training. Even when busy, the employees maintain their friendly demeanor and make sure everyone feels welcome.
This isn’t a flashy franchise trying to replicate success across multiple locations. It’s a single spot where the same people show up day after day, smoking meat the right way and serving their community. That consistency and commitment to quality have built a loyal following that spans generations.
Local families have been coming for years, and now they’re bringing their own children to experience the same great food and warm service they remember from their youth.
What Locals and First-Time Visitors Are Saying
“By far the best brisket in Tennessee!” declares one regular customer who drives two hours and is never disappointed.
Even customers who had never tried Texas-style BBQ before become instant converts. The generous samples help newcomers decide what to order, and the affordable prices make it easy to try multiple items.
Why This Roadside Stop Is Worth the Drive
If you’re a serious BBQ enthusiast, Shaffer Farms belongs at the top of your Tennessee bucket list. The combination of exceptional brisket, reasonable prices, and authentic atmosphere creates an experience you won’t find at chain restaurants or tourist-focused BBQ joints.
First-timers should definitely order the sliced brisket plate with ranch potatoes and white beans, then add some swamp bread to complete the experience. If you’re bringing a group, consider ordering multiple meats to share so everyone can sample the variety.
Don’t forget to browse the butcher shop before leaving, where you can stock up on fresh cuts and specialty items to take home.
The location makes it perfect for a weekend road trip or a detour during longer travels through Middle Tennessee. You might arrive skeptical about whether any roadside stop could truly serve the state’s best brisket, but you’ll likely leave as another convert spreading the word about this remarkable place.
