This Tiny Nevada Smokehouse Has Been Making Beef Jerky The Same Way For Decades

A jerky shop that also smokes prime rib on an outdoor grill? That sounds like a place that many of us would stick around.

This Nevada spot started in 1999 with a man who kept getting requests for his venison jerky. His marinade became so popular that nearby businesses began stocking his beef and venison jerky.

Then a storefront opened up in 2003, and the doors swung open on Mother’s Day.

Today his daughter runs the business. I like how a family recipe grew into a smokehouse with a patio, sauces, and a full barbecue menu.

Who knew a deer meat marinade could launch an entire barbecue joint? Few Nevada food stories start this humbly.

So what happens when jerky makers start smoking ribs and tri-tip too?

A Jerky Story That Began With Venison Requests

Virginia City Jerky Co began in 1999, and the idea came from friends asking for more. Founder Bob Williamson made venison jerky with his own marinade, and word spread fast.

Soon he was selling beef and venison jerky to local businesses in Reno and Carson City, Nevada.

That is a pretty great start for a small food business. Nobody drew up a big plan on a napkin.

People just kept asking for more of the good stuff, and he kept making it.

His children, Troy and Tamara, joined in and learned both the jerky process and the barbecue side of the work. That training matters today, because the family touch is still part of the story.

Tamara now runs the business, while Bob and Troy have retired from daily work.

Here is a fun detail. The family may still show up near the grill now and then.

So the next time you grab a bag, you are tasting a recipe that grew from a simple request.

Not bad for a marinade that started with deer meat.

Opening Day Landed On Mother’s Day

Some openings come with ribbon cuttings. This one came with Mother’s Day.

In 2003, a space became available in Virginia City, and the Virginia City Jerky Company and Smokehouse opened its doors.

That date turned a wholesale jerky operation into a place where people could walk up and eat. The family could now sell bags of jerky and serve hot barbecue under one roof.

That is a smart upgrade from supplying other shops.

You will find the smokehouse at 204 S C St, Virginia City, NV 89440. It sits on the historic main street area that visitors already love to explore.

That makes it an easy stop between old buildings and souvenir shops.

Hours matter here, so plan ahead. The current schedule runs 11 am to 4 pm Thursday through Sunday, and 11 am to 3 pm on Monday and Wednesday.

Tuesday is a closed day.

In winter, check the Facebook page before heading up if snow is in the forecast.

Cooked To Perfection, Not Dehydrated

Here is the claim that sets this jerky apart. The shop says it makes premium jerky fresh each week, using an old-fashioned way.

The meat is cooked, not dehydrated.

The ingredient list is short on the scary stuff. The company says there are no preservatives, MSG, nitrites, artificial colors, or flavor enhancers.

They start with whole premium cuts of meat and quality ingredients.

Making jerky the same way for decades means sticking with a method that already works. Fancy shortcuts are not the point here.

It also makes the jerky a handy protein snack for the road. Virginia City sits up on a hillside, and a bag of jerky travels well in a daypack or glove box.

Bags come in three ounce, half pound, and one pound sizes.

Planning a gift? The jerky can also be shipped, so friends back home can taste Nevada too.

Four Beef Flavors To Pick From

Original comes first, and it uses the family marinade with black pepper. If the whole story started with one recipe, this is where to begin.

It is the classic.

Teriyaki balances mild black pepper with a sweet teriyaki flavor. Sweet and savory fans will probably gravitate there.

It is a friendly choice for anyone who wants a gentler bite.

Hot is for brave snackers. It blends cayenne pepper with habanero chile, and the heat is part of the plan.

Keep a drink nearby.

Ol’ Mexico uses chile powder for bold flavor with less heat. That makes it a smart pick if you want punch without the fire.

Mixing a few bags could turn into a fun taste test on the drive home.

The shop has also offered exotic jerky, including shark and yak. Shark has been listed as sold out, and the yak jerky contains soy and wheat.

Availability changes, so ask when you visit.

Tri-Tip Takes Center Stage On The Sandwich Menu

Jerky may be the headline, but the sandwiches deserve a seat at the table. Every sandwich comes with bread and chips or a side of your choice.

Mac and cheese costs extra as an upgrade.

The Beef Tri-Tip uses mahogany smoked beef, thinly sliced on a toasted roll. Want a dunk?

The Tri-Tip Dip adds au jus on the side. The V.C. cheese steak takes that tri-tip and adds melted cheddar.

Pork fans have choices too. The BBQ Pulled Pork uses hickory smoked pork with the Original BBQ sauce.

The Spicy Pork gets a vinegar-based hot sauce for a sharper kick.

Then there is Pastrami and Swiss. The pastrami is apple wood smoked and topped with melted Swiss cheese.

It is a nice change if you have already had your fill of barbecue.

Popular items on the map listing include the tri-tip sandwich and pulled pork, so you have a starting point if the menu feels big.

Ribs, Firecrackers, And Chili Dogs

Ribs get their own spotlight. The menu lists apple wood smoked pork ribs, usually four bones with a side.

You can also go for a half rack or whole rack.

Not into ribs? Try the V.C. firecracker, a spicy Polish sausage on a toasted roll.

The name makes the warning pretty clear.

The hot dog is a quarter-pound Nathan’s all-beef dog. Turn it into a Chili Dog and it comes smothered in homemade chili, cheese, and onions.

The chili is made with beans and the shop’s own chorizo.

Chili shows up in more places than you might expect. Chili Mac layers it over mac and cheese, and Frito Pie tops Fritos with chili and cheese.

BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos stack tortilla chips with choice of BBQ or spicy pulled pork, chili, and nacho cheese.

Hungry groups can even look into barbecued whole beef shoulder. That is a serious meal for a crowd.

Three Sauces Ready To Test

Barbecue sauce can start a friendly debate, and this smokehouse has three to choose from. Original is the flavor familiar from the sandwiches and ribs.

Smokey brings an intense smokehouse taste with hints of molasses and chilies.

Hot is a vinegar-based sauce with a spreading heat. Notice the word spreading.

It builds instead of hitting all at once.

Try them one at a time on a bite of pulled pork or a rib. That is an easy way to find your favorite.

Then pick up a bottle, because the sauces are sold separately.

The shop also sells a meat rub, so home cooks can bring a little of the smokehouse back to the backyard. Sides round out the plate, with beans, slaw, cornbread, potato salad, mac and cheese, and chips all on the list.

Potato salad and cornbread both show up as popular topics on the map listing. Pair them with a sandwich and you have a classic barbecue plate.

Patio Seating With Misters

Nevada summers can get warm, and this patio has a plan. Outdoor seating comes with misters for hot days.

That is a thoughtful touch when you are eating a hot plate of barbecue.

The vibe is casual, cozy, and kid-friendly. Families can settle in without fuss.

An outdoor grill is also often used for roasting prime rib, so the cooking is part of the scenery.

The place also handles bigger plans. Catering, parties, and events are all on the list of services.

If you need barbecue for a gathering, that is worth a conversation.

Short on time? Gift cards and an online shop are available, so you can shop for jerky, sauces, meat rub, and apparel.

Street parking is the main option in town. Weekdays may be easier than weekends.

The shop is closed on Tuesdays

Make It Part Of A Virginia City Day

Virginia City is known as one of America’s most haunted cities. That alone makes for a memorable day trip in Nevada.

Add a smokehouse stop and the itinerary almost writes itself.

Start with a walk along the historic street, then head to Virginia City Jerky Co when lunch calls. The shop’s hours mean midday is the sweet spot.

Closing time is 3 pm on Monday and Wednesday, and 4 pm Thursday through Sunday.

Bring a cooler bag if you plan to take jerky home. Grab a few flavors, a bottle of sauce, and maybe some meat rub.

Those make easy souvenirs for people who love food.

The business says visitors who find it once may get hooked. Maybe even become a local for a daily barbecue fix.

That is a bold promise, but the menu gives it a fair shot.

Check the Facebook page for winter weather updates before you make the drive.