SL Sausage Company opens in Macon. You may be surprised by what all they have to offer

When customers step inside the new SL Sausage Company in Macon, they’ll find not only freshly-sliced meats expected in a quality butcher shop but also aisles of groceries and goods expected in a well-stocked general store.

Founded in 2007 in Cordele in south Georgia, SL Sausage Company is best known for its choice meats, sausage and jerky.

The Macon store is the first licensed SL Sausage Company store, which is owned by business partners Josh Pitts and Benji McLeod.

“Same concept but tailored to the area,” Pitts said of the Macon store at 5615 Zebulon Road.

Benji McLeod, left, and Josh Pitts, business partners and owners of the first licensed SL Sausage Company, which is now open in Macon. Becky Purser/The Telegraph
Benji McLeod, left, and Josh Pitts, business partners and owners of the first licensed SL Sausage Company, which is now open in Macon. Becky Purser/The Telegraph

In addition to their meats, SL Sausage Company offers Georgia grown produce, wine and beer, and specialty products.

Also, the Macon store features baked goods and other goodies from local purveyors such as Oh Honey Baking Co. in Ingleside Village in Macon.

Other area purveyors include Acres & Oak Kitchen with stores in Macon, Perry, Dublin and Tifton, Wilson’s Bakery in Warner Robins, Dickey Farms in Musella, Unadilla celebrity pitmaster Myron Mixon, and Warner Robins-based OdoBan.

“We’re really trying to become part of the fabric of the community,” Pitts said.

Matt Womack holds up a link of sausage at the newly-opened SL Sausage Company in Macon while co-worker Buddy Roper looks on. Becky Purser /The Telegraph
Matt Womack holds up a link of sausage at the newly-opened SL Sausage Company in Macon while co-worker Buddy Roper looks on. Becky Purser /The Telegraph

Here are five suggestions for a first visit to SL Sausage Company:

  • Pick up a couple of steaks. McLeod’s favorite cut of beef offered at the store is the filet mignon. Also popular are their sausage links that are labeled mild, medium, hot, jalapeno cheese and Vidalia onion. Don’t forget their jerky that also comes in a variety of flavors.

  • Try something different such as SL Sausage Company’s okra chips.

  • Support Macon and other Georgia businesses and get a cake from Oh Honey Baking Co. or some divinity from Dawson-based Papa’s Sweet Shoppe.

  • Hungry? Check out the food bar offerings of fried chicken, sausage dawgs, barbecue sandwiches, hot wings and such. A few breakfast options also are available. Other grab-and-go items include Boar’s Head salads, homemade pimento and cheese sandwiches and more.

  • Pick up some Georgia grown fresh vegetables and fruits such as fresh peaches from Dickey Farms.

SL Sausage Company’s Okra Chips. Becky Purser/The Telegraph
SL Sausage Company’s Okra Chips. Becky Purser/The Telegraph

Rick and Suzi Ross, with their 2-year-old daughter, Ellie, in tow, were checking out the Macon store on opening day Wednesday. Their grocery cart included some sausages and food bar items.

“We live just right near here,” he said while also noting that the store’s meat prices were good. “I think we’ll be back.”

Sidney Ledford and Barker Krause, whose fathers are among the three owners of SL Sausage Company stores in Cordele, Leesburg and Valdosta, were helping out out at the Macon store on opening day.

“We’re a family-owned and operated business and we care about the quality of our meats,” Ledford noted.

Wonder what “SL” in the name stands for? “Salt lick,” Ledford said.

Hours of the Macon store are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The number is 478-952-1763.

SL Sausage Company opens at 5615 Zebulon Road in Macon. Becky Purser /The Telegraph
SL Sausage Company opens at 5615 Zebulon Road in Macon. Becky Purser /The Telegraph
SL Sausage Company opens at 5615 Zebulon Road in Macon. Becky Purser/The Telegraph
SL Sausage Company opens at 5615 Zebulon Road in Macon. Becky Purser/The Telegraph