Virginia Shoppers Keep Coming Back To This Meat Market For Its Impressive Selection

Camel, ostrich, and alligator share butcher-case space with country ham at one small-town shop. There are also two full cases of jerky, running from camel all the way to mushroom.

The story behind it starts on a ferry. Back in 1926, a ferryboat captain sold ham sandwiches to his passengers, and those sandwiches built a family legacy.

I actually prefer places like this to giant grocery stores. A single stop in Virginia can cover steaks for the grill, a deli sub big enough for tomorrow, and a slice of carrot cake for the ride home.

It always leaves me wondering why every town doesn’t have one.

I am not trying to oversell a meat counter. Still, a shop holding a 4.9-star rating across more than 3,000 Google reviews earns some attention.

So what exactly keeps people pulling off the road here?

A Ferry Captain’s Ham Sandwiches Started This Whole Thing

Back in the mid-1920s, S. Wallace Edwards Sr. captained a ferryboat across the James River between Jamestown and Surry County.

He started selling ham sandwiches to passengers, using hams cured with his family’s farm methods.

Those sandwiches became a hit fast. Demand grew so much that he eventually switched to curing and selling hams full-time.

That legacy lives on at Meats Of Virginia Butcher Shop & DELI (Formerly Edwards Ham Shop). The name has changed, but the shop still carries a story that stretches back nearly a century.

It’s a fun reminder that big things can start with one good sandwich.

These days, Edwards hams are cured in smokehouses that follow the family’s exact methods, keeping the classic Virginia ham flavor going without waiting on the weather. Smart move, honestly.

You can still find Edwards Ham products on the shelves here. Options include Petite Country Ham, Large Country Ham Boneless, Sliced Country Ham, and Smoked Sausage Links.

Grab one of those country hams if you want a true taste of the shop’s roots. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves Southern cooking.

It also gives you a delicious way to connect with a piece of local food history, right in your own kitchen.

The Butcher Case Reads Like A Passport Stamp Collection

Elk, bison, alligator, camel, and ostrich all show up here. So do venison, wild boar, buffalo, goat, lamb, and rabbit.

Most meat counters stop at chicken and ground beef. This one keeps going, and it’s a little thrilling to read the labels.

Adventurous cooks will feel right at home. Picking up alligator for a weekend cookout gives you an instant story to tell your friends.

Camel burgers? That’s a conversation starter for sure.

You don’t have to be bold to shop here, though. The case also holds familiar choices like pork, local Virginia poultry, and house-made sausages.

Your picky eaters will still find something they recognize.

Here’s a helpful tip for first-timers. Ask the staff how to cook any exotic cut before you leave.

Lean meats like bison and venison usually need different handling than regular beef.

Planning a themed dinner night is a fun way to use this selection. Try a different exotic meat each month with your family.

Before long, your kids might be bragging at school about eating ostrich. That beats talking about plain old chicken nuggets any day.

Grill Season Gets A Serious Upgrade With These Hand-Cut Steaks

Fresh steaks get cut by hand every day at Meats Of Virginia Butcher Shop & DELI. The lineup includes USDA Choice New York Strip and Ribeye.

Gourmet burgers and grill sausages are cut daily too. That means you can stock an entire cookout with one quick stop.

Campers nearby have figured this out. The shop is a handy place to grab steaks or burgers before a night around the campfire grill.

Nobody wants sad, thin patties when the coals are perfect.

Bacon fans should pay close attention. The butcher bacon has become a customer favorite, and some people make the drive just for it.

That’s real bacon loyalty.

Custom meat boxes are another clever option. You pick the meats yourself, which helps you stock your freezer with exactly what your family eats.

Want a whole hog for a big party? The shop offers them year-round, from 6-pound suckling pigs up to 160-pound hogs.

That’s a pig roast waiting to happen.

Plan ahead for big orders, and give the butchers some notice. A little planning keeps your backyard event running smoothly.

Bring A Friend Because These Subs Refuse To Be Small

Piled-high meat is the calling card at this New York-style deli counter, and the Italian sub might be the biggest showoff of them all.

The subs here are famously huge. Many are big enough to stretch into two meals, so your fridge gets lunch for tomorrow.

The menu covers plenty of deli classics. You’ll find Reubens, turkey Reubens, hot pastrami, and Philly steak options.

Each one arrives piled high with meat.

Local flavor makes an appearance too. The Virginia pulled pork barbecue sandwich comes with a tangy vinegar-based sauce, which is a true regional style.

Combo meals add even more value. They include a drink, chips, and your choice of a side or dessert.

House-made coleslaw and macaroni are both solid side picks.

Here’s my honest advice. Split a sub with a friend, or plan to save half for later.

Your stomach will thank you, and so will your wallet.

Hungry teenagers may disagree and try to finish one alone. That’s a brave choice, and maybe a fun family challenge.

Just keep some napkins close, because these sandwiches do not come neat or tidy.

Two Whole Cases Of Jerky Might Test Your Willpower

Most stores give jerky one lonely rack near the checkout. This shop gives it two full cases.

The flavors go way beyond basic beef. You can pick from camel, alligator, buffalo, venison, and even spicy Cajun fish jerky.

Not a meat eater? Mushroom jerky is on the list too.

That makes it easy to bring home snacks for everyone in the car.

Jerky makes a smart road trip food. It packs well, stays fresh, and doesn’t make a mess like a giant sub might.

Toss a few bags in your cooler bag or glove box.

It also makes a fun gift. Think about the friend who already has everything.

A bag of alligator jerky will probably surprise them.

Try buying a small sampler of different kinds. Then hold a taste test at home with your family.

Rank them from favorite to “maybe never again.” It’s a cheap, silly way to spend an evening together.

Spicy Cajun fish jerky might be the wildcard winner. You won’t know until you try it, right?

Adventure tastes better when it fits in your pocket.

Seafood Lovers Get Their Own Reason To Stop

Meat might be in the name, but seafood gets plenty of love here too. The shop carries fresh Virginia and North Carolina seafood.

Shellfish fans have lots to choose from. The lineup includes blue crabs, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crab legs, scallops, and crawfish.

The fish list is just as long. Whiting, croaker, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, flounder, and red drum all appear.

So do speckled trout, spot, blue fish, sea mullet, and black sea bass.

That variety helps when you’re planning a seafood boil. Grab crawfish, shrimp, and crab legs in one trip.

Add some sausage from the butcher side, and dinner is basically done.

Fresh whole oysters are also available. They’re a classic choice for anyone who loves coastal Virginia flavors.

A simple tip goes a long way. Bring a cooler with ice if you’re driving far, especially in summer.

Seafood stays happiest when it stays cold.

Can’t make the trip right now? Online ordering and front-door delivery are available for meats and seafood.

That’s a handy backup when your crab cravings show up on a busy week.

The Shelves Are Packed With Things Your Grocery Store Forgot

Homemade sauces, jams, and honey line the shelves. Local Virginia peanuts sit nearby, which feels just right for this part of the state.

The store has a cozy country store feel. Yet it carries a much bigger meat selection than most country stores ever could.

Browsing is part of the fun here. While your sandwich is being made, wander the aisles and spot unique grocery items.

Many aren’t found at regular markets.

Then there’s the dessert case. Pastries and cakes, including carrot cake, make it hard to leave empty-handed. Willpower is optional here.

A smart move is to pick up a jar of jam or local honey for later. These make easy gifts for teachers, neighbors, or grandparents.

They travel well, too.

Virginia peanuts also make a perfect car snack. They’re crunchy, salty, and a nice break from all that meat.

Give yourself a few extra minutes for shopping. Rushing through means missing the fun little finds tucked on each shelf.

Some of the best things here aren’t behind the counter at all. They’re sitting quietly on a shelf, waiting for you.

Hometown Pride Runs Deep At This Veteran-Owned Counter

Family-owned, veteran-owned, and locally run. Those three things shape the whole personality of Meats Of Virginia Butcher Shop & DELI (Formerly Edwards Ham Shop).

The shop proudly leans into its hometown identity. Friendly service is a big part of why it holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 3,000 Google reviews.

That kind of rating doesn’t happen by accident. It takes steady care, day after day, to earn trust from that many shoppers.

Supporting a local business also helps the whole community. Your money stays closer to home and helps keep small-town Virginia lively.

The front porch adds a relaxed touch. You can enjoy your food right there or take it to go.

On a nice day, porch dining sounds hard to beat.

Got questions about a cut or a menu item? Ask away.

Staff at a shop like this usually know their products well, and they can help you pick wisely.

Shopping here feels more personal than a big chain store. That’s a big part of the charm, and probably why so many people return.

Your Ferry Ride Just Found Its Perfect Snack Stop

Ferry passengers built this shop’s reputation back in 1926. Fittingly, travelers on the Jamestown ferry still make it a regular stop today.

You’ll find it at 11381 Rolfe Hwy, Surry, VA 23883. It sits on the main road through Surry, which makes it easy to reach.

That location fits a great day trip. Explore the Jamestown area, ride the ferry across the James River, then grab lunch here.

It’s a tasty way to wrap up a history-filled outing.

Campers staying nearby also benefit. Swing by for dinner supplies, snacks, and dessert before heading back to your site.

Hours are easy to remember. The shop opens daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, seven days a week.

No need to worry about a surprise closed sign on weekends.

Plan your stop around mealtime if you can. Then order a sub, grab some jerky, and pick up steaks for later. Do it all in one visit.

A ferry ride, a giant sandwich, and a bag of alligator jerky? That’s a pretty great Virginia afternoon, if you ask me.