Anytime I pass through McGaheysville on Rt. 33 heading to Harrisonburg, I stop by Gayle’s Market. Last week after we played Heritage Oaks Golf Course and were heading back to Charlottesville, I convinced my golf buddies to pull over and check out the country ham sandwiches at Gayle’s. The small rural store keeps them stacked high in a small refrigerator beside the counter, and we quickly reduced their inventory by a half dozen. Greg picked up a large package of sliced country ham on my recommendation and when they fried up some ham for a weekend breakfast, the Leffler’s became believers.
I am also a believer. I believe that Gayle’s Hams are the best there are – better than Kites, better than Turner’s, better than any country ham on the market and they cost far less per pound.
Who would believe that such great meat, cheese and produce would be found in such an unpretentious place? It’s an old gas station turned into a farmer’s market with a cooler full of hams.
Gayle’s Market has the freshest of fresh vegetables. They get Hanover tomatoes before Hanover does. They have great melons – every time. They also have homemade cheeses, candy and fresh hen eggs – the whole nine yards. But their hams are clearly the stars of the show.
Gayle’s gets their hogs from two farms in Carolina and they are most picky about the hams and how they are seasoned – the same way they have been doing it for nearly 50 years.
I have written about Gayle’s Market on several occasions. That’s because this is one of the most unique shopping and food destinations in all of Virginia. If you pass through McGaheysville (Penn Laird actually) about five miles east of Harrisonburg on Rt. 33 be sure to stop by, treat yourself to a country ham sandwich and check out all the goodies.
The GPS address is 5439 Spotswood Trail, Penn Laird, VA. Don’t wait too late in the day to stop by. They close at 7 and they are closed on Sunday. Call them at (540) 433-3464 to order a ham or for more information.