Walk in to Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q and you will be immersed in a smoky barbecue aroma and greeted by friendly staff. Founded in 1979, Li’l Porgy’s has embraced an old-fashioned, Southern-style barbecue that has been long forgotten elsewhere.

“Everything is home-cooked on hickory wood. It’s like a giant version of an outside grill. Many restaurants don’t hold this tradition,” said Dennis Reed, managing partner. Reed said this cooking style enhances the natural meat flavor and is topped off with a homemade barbecue sauce available in mild, hot or mixed. Customers can watch their order being cooked on the grill before enjoying the authentic taste of homemade barbecue. The most popular menu items include the pork sandwich, half chicken and rib tips.

Li’l Porgy’s originated in Urbana but opened its second location in Champaign in 1983. Customers can dine-in, carry out or cater their next meal.

While Reed admits that customers eventually leave CU, that doesn’t mean they forget about Li’l Porgy’s.

“We have sent bottles of our barbecue sauce to customers, which satisfies their craving,” said Reed.

This locally owned and operated restaurant invites customers to a home feel with several delicious non-barbecue options, including the popular lemon shake-up.

Quick and reliable service at affordable prices truly makes Li’l Porgy’s one of a kind. Li’l Porgy’s Bar-B-Q slogan may say it all: “Incredibly Good ‘Cause We Cook on Wood.”