Benson Barbecues

About thirty-five years ago, Jim went to visit a friend in Wheeling, WV. He came home with an idea that he saw at his friend's house. It was a wishing well styled barbecue pit. Shortly thereafter he built THE BBQ Pit in the back yard of our first home. We had massive friends and family parties. This has continued for almost thirty-five years. We would cook and then have a party or reunion. It was very hard work for all of us. Now that we have gotten older it has become mostly cook and carry. There used to be huge amounts of beer consumed---but that has changed to mostly cokes and Diet Dr Peppers. We still have one annual barbecue with dinner afterward the week before Thanksgiving with all of our old friends. We always look forward to it as the beginning of the holidays before everyone gets busy!

He started out cooking chickens and from there it has evolved into hams, pork loins, bologna, bratwurst, sausage, beef brisket and you never know what will be next. He even had the gall to BBQ rabbits one year for Easter. There seemed to be something a little sacreligious with that. Our recipe has been a secret to most people---except our friends the Fergusons. Jim helped him build two pits as we have. One in our first back yard and the second in the house we live in. Squirrel and Debbie moved also, and had to have a new pit. Our special recipe starts with a dry rub, then a vinegar base dip to tenderize the meat and finally Benson's Own Homemade Sauce. Everyone who comes to Owensboro visits Moonlite BBQ which is only a few blocks from our house. We always have a freezer full and the only thing I buy from Moonlite is the sides.

A BBQ is kind of like a quilting bee for men. They arrive early and spend the day. Some of Jim's friends just stop by for lunch or breakfast. Bratwurst and sausage patties are cooked early and the sampling begins. Dom Assalone is notorious for standing around the pit to get the burned "fall off". They enjoy the food---but I think it is more about catching up, telling whoppers and just plain fellowship. The old stories start rolling about 10:00 AM when things get settled down.

Yesterday, Reed came to spend the day in "men's town" at the BBQ. It seems like only a blink of the eye since Reed was Josh and Jim was Lafe. You may have to think about that a little. I refer to my son as Josh in his early years and today he is the man that I try to call Lafe. When I think of the people who have gone on I remember how much they loved the BBQ, especially Jolene, who could polish off a half and Chef Jeff and his fondness for the bologna. So many fond memories. So many children who are now adults. Jim is passing the torch someday to Lafe and Squirrell is passing his torch to Brandon. Maybe Reed will be the next generation. I think we may be the only people who serve BBQ bologna as an appetizer! Stop by and we will give you a sample. IT IS THE BEST!!!