5514 Frederica Road, Saint Simon's Island, GA (912) 638-2844

Bennie's Red Barn is the oldest, privately owned restaurant on St. Simon's Island. Don's father, Bennie Gentile, built this building to be a restaurant. (Yes, he rented it for one year to someone who sold boats here). The wood in the main structure was cut and milled here on St. Simon's. The Barn opened for dinner New Year's Eve, 1954. The Escorts' Club had their party here that night and still has an annual party each winter. Bennie's brother, Frank, was the manager here for about 15 years. Mac Miller's dad, Franklin, was the manager for about 10 years. Alvin came from the old Frederica Yacht Club with Bennie, and has been here ever since. Alphonzo worked here until he opened his Old Plantation Supper Club. Bennie and Franklin both passed away in March 1994.

We have big, roaring fires in the wintertime. We have a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the dining room. For more than 40 years, many Island families attend church services then have dinner here on Christmas Eve. Scores of people became engaged in front of our fireplace and still return each year for anniversaries. There was no sign, and the Red Barn did not advertise until the fall of 1993. When Bennie opened the Red Barn, the King and Prince Surf Hotel and Sea Island Yacht Club were the only other comparable places to eat. Roosevelt makes pecan pies and key lime pies. Terrance makes the peach cobbler. In the winter we have bread pudding. In 1998, Chef Paul gave Don some tips on getting the bread pudding "Just Right."

 

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