Editor’s note: The bottom photo was used with permission from Steve Schroeder from May 2021. Comments from customers on day one are at the end of the article.
The restaurant at Morrison-Rockwood State Park’s Lake Carlton, 18301 Lake Road, Morrison, IL, is under new ownership. Bud and Stephanie Benson reside in Thomson, IL, with their children: Ivy, 5; Obie, 4; Grace, 2.
To usher in their new enterprise–Benson’s on Lake Carlton–doors opened for a “soft” opening, Tuesday, May 25, 2021, and will remain open from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
There are jobs available, with Cook a priority. Call 815-631-5341 for information.
The restaurant phone is 815-772-9090. Email Stephanie at stheid@gmail.com or see http://bensonsonlakecarlton.com.
They had opened Benson’s on the Mississippi restaurant the last part of 2020, in Albany, IL. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic still was in full force and businesses remained closed, Bud reported, “People came.”
In early 2021, the couple drove to the previous Morrison-Rockwood Marina & Restaurant, to purchase a fryer from owner Mary Steinhaus. Her five-year State lease of the business was soon-to-expire, and she did not plan to renew. The Bensons learned of the opportunity to lease the business and did so the first of April.
On their Facebook page Stephanie had written, “We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving everyone at Rockwood!”
For campers and fishers, “we have firewood, ice, bait [only worms this week, with minnows to come], toiletries,” some tackle, and small rods. “Coffee, cappuccino, slushies, soft drinks, water, and the following [items] are on our menu this week. Once we get going, we will add to our menu.” This will include beer.
There is no breakfast menu, fish fries, or soft-serve ice cream as yet.
She added, “We have Jon Boats, Kayaks, and Pedal Boats for rent.”
On Sunday, May 23, the family purchased an eight-week-old Australian Sheepdog, Kate. Bud stated, “We got her specifically to be the lake dog.”
BBQ
3 Beef BarbacoaTacos $8; Pulled Chicken Sandwich $6; Pulled Chicken Tacos $8; Nachos (Chips & Cheese) $4; Loaded Nachos (Beef or Chicken) $8; Klements Grilled Brat $5.50; Benson’s Apple Brat $6.50; Black Angus Hot Dog $4.50; Benson’s Big Red Beef Sausage $6.
SIDES
Potato Salad $3; California Pasta Salad $3; Creamy Pasta Salad $3; Macaroni Salad $3; Bag of Chips $1.
ICE CREAM
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Mint Chip, Lemon Raspberry, Cookies ‘N Cream, Moose Tracks, Butter Pecan
1 Scoop (cone or cup) $2.25; 2 Scoops (cone or cup) $3.25; 1 Scoop (sugar cone) $2.50; 2 Scoops (sugar cone) $3.50
COMMENTS OF CUSTOMERS
“We have such high hopes for this place.”
“I had the Barbecue Chicken with Cheese Nachos. These were wonderful! So much meat!”
A State Park employee purchased Benson’s Big Red Beef Sausage sandwich. It was “bright red and fantastic!”
The Editor enjoyed a juicy, lean, Black Angus Hot Dog with (optional) Boetjes Stone Ground Mustard. It was grilled, but not burned.
