Any given Monday at Benoit’s Country Meat Block in Addis, you’ll find the daily lunch special: hearty meatloaf, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, green beans, and dessert — all for just $10.99. But lately, every plate also comes with a generous helping of hometown pride, thanks to local star John Foster.
Tucked just half a mile from the Mississippi River, Benoit’s Country Meat Block is steeped in Cajun roots. Owned by the family of “American Idol” standout John Foster, the shop’s heritage traces back to Church Point and Lawtell, where his grandparents grew up.
When John headed to Nashville for his “American Idol” audition, he didn’t go empty-handed — he packed care packages filled with boudin, Benoit’s signature seasoning, and house-made beef jerky, straight from the family’s store. The shop is a treasure trove of Cajun specialties: hog head cheese, tasso, hot tamales, three varieties of gumbo, grillades, alligator, and nearly 80 more offerings.
“John’s a big fan of the beef jerky,” says his grandmother, Verbie Benoit. “And someone on ‘American Idol’ loves the seasoning — they ordered a bunch, and I personally delivered it last time we were out there. That’s what Luke Bryan was caught licking off his fingers!”
At 75, Verbie admits she never expected all this excitement around her grandson, and sometimes the whirlwind feels overwhelming. But she’s fully on board — suitcase packed, rosary in hand — as she heads back to Hollywood with 31 family members to cheer John on in the Top 10 live show.
“We’re all there to support him,” she says, “but I’m also praying — not just for him to win, but that God stays by his side.”
Verbie isn’t worried that fame will change John. She says she saw his spark when he was just 4 years old and always believed big things were ahead for him.
Currently in his second semester at LSU studying biology online, John still dreams of becoming a doctor, specifically an oncologist. “He’s got such a good head on his shoulders,” Verbie says proudly. “I can’t imagine him straying from his path — he’s just that kind of kid.”
Sure, she’s proud of his intelligence — co-valedictorian of his high school class — and his musical success on national television. But what matters most to her? “He’s a good Christian boy,” she says.
She even laughs about an old prediction from one of John’s middle school teachers, who once said she thought John would become governor of Louisiana someday. “We always told him he should aim for president,” Verbie chuckles.
Back home behind the meat counter in Addis, the longtime employees have their own stories. Rick Bourgoyne, who’s been with Benoit’s since 1988, wants people to know one important fact: John’s stage name only tells half the story.
“His full name is John Foster Benoit,” Bourgoyne explains. “I told his dad, ‘I hope people don’t think Foster is his last name — he’s a Benoit, through and through.’ His middle name comes from his dad and grandfather — he’s the third generation.”