I ordered take-out from the St. Augustine location of Bono's BBQ yesterday, Sunday, January 15th, at 12:04 pm, and the order was a total disappointment.
I had been in Jacksonville overnight for a somber family event, which was held at 10:00 Sunday morning, and then I immediately began driving back to Ft. Lauderdale on I-95. Knowing that I wouldn't have time to sit down in a Jacksonville Bono's because I had to be back in Broward County by 5:00 pm, I researched & planned my drive south with the intention of getting off I-95 southbound on SR 207 specifically to stop at the Bono's St. Augustine location, on US 1.
I placed my order inside the restaurant, paid for & picked up the order, got in my SUV, made my way south on US 1 to SR 206, and then got back on I-95 south, to again continue on my way to South Florida.
For the record, I have been eating Bono's BBQ since 1962, when the ONLY location available was on Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville. My brother had been eating there for several years earlier, in high school, and I was introduced to the restaurant by my brother & continued the tradition all through high school. In fact, my entire, extended crowd would come in on Friday & Saturday nights before and / or after dates and, often, on Sundays too. We would go in so frequently in those years that, when we didn't have enough money to pay for our meal, we would borrow money from the Waiters, who knew us individually by name, and pay them back the next time we stopped in -- which wouldn't be more than 4 or 5 days later -- and give them a generous tip for their courtesy.
In 1998 I was involved in planning a wide-ranging reunion for students who attended Landon High School -- when Landon WAS a High School, from 1960-1965 -- and our Friday night reunion reception & dinner event was held in Bono's on Beach Boulevard. Since graduating from Landon in 1963, I make a point of eating in Bono's or taking out food from Bono's every time I'm in Jacksonville, which has been frequent over the years that I've lived in South Florida. Needless to say, I've been a die-hard fan of Bono's since my days in high school
Yesterday I ordered a large beef brisket platter with cole slaw & Brunswick Stew, and sweet tea. Once on I-95 south again, I opened the take-out bag & settled in for what I had been looking forward to for more than a week, when I first planned my stop at Bono's in St. Augustine. Foolishly, I suppose, I didn't check the order before leaving the restaurant. After opening it while driving south, I found the fattiest beef brisket I've ever seen. Some of the meat had an outer 'shell' which was so charred, it couldn't be eaten. Between the fatty meat & the charring, I feel cheated. There was NO Brunswick Stew -- that had been replaced by baked beans, which I don't eat & had to totally throw away.
As far as I'm concerned, the $17.77 (or whatever the accurate change was) that I paid with my debit card represented the most expensive piece of bread, small portion of cole slaw & cup of ice tea ever recorded. My experience with Bono's yesterday was a major disappointment... one that has been in the making for more than 55 years, with expectations of a great BBQ meal dashed by poor quality & poor attention to detail.
I'm taking the time now to file this complaint because I sincerely believe it's better for patrons who are disappointed with what they receive to let Management know -- and, other people at large -- rather than to voice their displeasure by simply not coming in again. read more