It all started with a drive down Cuero Main Street in 2007 when Rev. Leofrice Tilley, Jr. was inspired to build a bbq pit out of cinder blocks.
“It was after church and my father and I were coming down Main and there was this old building that had been torn down. There were cinder blocks piled around and I heard the Lord tell me to go build a BBQ pit,” Rev. Tilley said.
Just like Noah with the Ark, Tilley said that God gave him the exact measurements to build this BBQ pit. He said he didn’t know why he was to build it, but that he should just get those blocks and make a pit.
“I asked the owners of that property and they gave me some blocks. I didn’t know how to build one or what size, but the Lord led me again and I went out to the park and got the measurements off those pits out there.”
Tilley added that there were some who were skeptical about cinder blocks for a BBQ pit. “I got cement and put them together and then painted them. I got some tin from that bank building on Esplanade and used that for the lids.”
At his home on T.L. Overture, Tilley built the pit and then put a little building around it.”I could put 10 briskets on it,” he added.
It wasn’t until around 2010 that the Lord once again prompted him in this bbq endeavor and Tilley began selling his cooked and smoked meats. “I started selling just on Fridays. I didn’t advertise. It was all word of mouth.”
He added that there were some negative comments about his capability and the cobbled together pit. “I knew the Lord wanted me to do this so I kept going.”
The first items to be sold were pork ribs, chicken, sausage and his own beans and potato salad. “I had a neighbor, Jim Brown, come by and try my food. He was an older man who told me he had cooked bbq in Seguin for over 40 years. After one bite, he told me all five of the seasonings I was using,” Tilley said, sporting his familiar jolly grin.
“Mr. Brown told me that God had blessed me with a gift. And, he truly has,” the reverend added.
Leofrice Tilley, Jr. was born in Cuero and was even a Cuero Gobbler in high school. After graduation he served eight years in the Army National Guard where he was a tank driver and cook. He was then a pastor for 32 years, including six years at St. John’s Baptist Church in Yoakum. “I am retired now and make my bbq and evangelize for the Lord.”
Blessings have continued when Rev. Terry Brown gave him a log splitter. “I truly needed that for these big logs I get for the pit wood.”
From a small walk-up stand in the side yard, Tilley’s BBQ now has a new location in Cuero. The small building features in-door seating in a comfortable air conditioned setting. Located on Bubba Palmer road, the pit is open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 to 4.
“The lady who owns the property on the highway allowed me to put up a sign. I was blessed by her and meeting local realtor Matt Thigpen, who also has a gospel band. You know, the Lord works in mysterious ways,” he added with his signature smile.
Using only mesquite and oak woods, Tilley’s has a new pit, built just like the old one from cinder blocks and tin for the lid. Rev. Tilley said he has been so blessed to see all the happy faces coming to the new place.
“I am looking forward to blessing people with more smoked meats and good food.”
