Miss Lil Benny’s Smokehouse in Macon? Now you can bring their seasonings to your table

For fans of the former Lil Benny’s Smokehouse restaurant in Macon, the seasonings that brought those wonderful flavors to their barbecue meats are now available to bring to your table.

Once a popular spot on Wimbish Road known for its ribs, barbecue pulled pork and pulled chicken and Brunswick stew, the restaurant wasn’t able to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite a five-year stint of success from 2015 to 2020, the restaurant was heavily dependent on dine-in, and catering sales and takeout sales were just not enough to cut it. When the lease came up in May 2020, owners Benny and Bernice Burks decided to close down.

Passion for BBQ

But the Burks — affectionately known as “Lil Benny and Ms. Benny” — never gave up on their passion for barbecue.

In March, they started to market and sell their Lil Benny’s Smokehouse Seasonings online and at farmers markets across Middle Georgia.

“It’s an opportunity for us to reach back to the customers that we love so much and we miss,” Bernice Burks said.

Thursday, Benny Burks was out at the International City Farmer’s Market in Warner Robins with their three seasonings: Lil Benny’s Smokehouse Southern All Purpose Seasoning, Lil Benny’s Georgia Poultry Rub and Lil Benny’s Deluxe Steak & Brisket Seasoning.

“It means a fresh start,” Burks said. “Lil Benny’s has been known for fine quality and now we have another fine quality product with excellent customer service along with a reasonable price.”

The seasonings are $9 each.

The couple often can be found selling their seasonings at the Forsyth Farmers Market, the Gray Farmer’s Market, the Wesleyan Market and Market Days at Center Park in Centerville. Also, they expect to join the Poplar Street Farmers Market in downtown Macon in the future. Their schedule is listed on their website.

Multi-generational

Lil Benny’s Smokehouse Seasonings were born from the seasonings used in their BBQ restaurant.

His grandmother taught him to cook and his grandmother was taught by her grandmother, who was enslaved, according to their website.

Lil Benny’s Smokehouse Seasonings ingredients have larger granules that they believe give their seasoning a more robust flavor than alternatives made with powdery ingredients.

Their brand name comes from their motto that a “lil goes a long way,” according to their website.

Their versatile seasonings are geared for barbecue, grilling, smoking, baking and roasting and the seasonings are labeled as “All-Natural, Gluten-Free, No MSG, Non-Irradiated and Non-GMO ingredients.”

Their seasonings also are available for wholesale distribution. Sandy Point Grocery in Lizella carries their seasonings.

Additionally, they offer eGift cards online via a link on their website.

So far, their seasoning sales are “coming along,” and they’re already thinking about marketing and selling their sauces next.