Loved their all you can eat ribs, the sweet sauce made it worth it. Affordable prices and fast service! I've only been once sadly, but I am bound to return. The only down side for me for this place was how the first plate of ribs was 6 pieces when my second round came it dropped to 4 pieces and then my last plate was 2 pieces... that is kind of stingy but i don't know read more

The original Sonny's location is on Waldo Road, just north of the Super WalMart. I was introduced to BBQ via Sonny's my first year of college by my Southern-raised boyfriend. Seriously, before then, I had never had BBQ, just grilled foods. And ever since then, no BBQ place has risen to the occasion like Sonny's. The real reason for my affections: the corn bread. It is like cake! It is large, sweet, and sticky. In fact, I asked for 7 pieces for my 23rd birthday. Yes, it's that good. Today I ordered ribs and chicken. It was $12 and came with 3.5 ribs, half a chicken, cornbread and 2 sides (of which I got a sweet potato-get the cinnamon butter!- and more cornbread). It was a decent portion and I ate about half before giving in. I am now indulging in a leftover cornbread as I type... (their garlic bread kind of rocks too, I had to "try" one of my boyfriend's slices and it disappeared quickly). Ok, so the barbecue is good too, I like the sweet sauce best (you have 4 choices: sweet, mild, sizzlin, and sizzlin sweet). I pour it on all the meat, it's like brown sugar magic. Brisket is okay, a bit dry. Pulled pork is magnificent. Ribs are great. Chicken is awesome, nothing compares to smoked, red meat chicken. Turkey is good, but not the best. C'mon, it's turkey though. We expect that. Overall, my go-to BBQ joint. Way better than Bono's. (Saw Terrel's on the way here... if it were lunch time, I would have considered trying it out since it is ranked so high, but I didn't feel like fast food BBQ for dinner... wanted to sit down) read more

Even though it's the original Sonny's location. They do BBQ like McDonald's does good burgers. Sonny's has gone to the business model, of buy meat cheap, don't put a lot of labor and love and energy costs into smoking it low and slow. So you end up with .. lots of meat yes ! but the quality just stinks. If you think Sonny's is good when it comes to fall of the bone and the (bulk store made) sauces than you need to get some good BBQ. But if you want lots of meat at a low price and don't really care about how it tastes this place is for you. read more

Excellent service!! Great BBQ and very good prices. First time at Sonny's original location, Gainesville, FL and overall great place for BBQ. Just realized they are in more locations and will visit again. read more

You get what you expect at Sonny's! This location especially is just for locals. You walk in and instantly you feel like you are in the South from years ago. The service is very friendly, with their southern charm as always. The baby back ribs are tender and wonderful. Best in the city. Way better than Adams and Davids. They have a nice salad bar and and the desserts are tasty as well. Keeps me going back! read more

Kari Is an awesome server. She so personable and amazing. If you ever want to ask for great service make sure to ask for her. They have great specials there. read more

This Sonny's has the best fried okra I've had since my mom made it when I was a kid! Nicole is a great server too. First visit to the original location. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit. read more

Took my class to lunch here. Anytime I get to an area that has Sonny's I have to eat there at least once since we don't have them back home. Atmosphere: this is a clean and light restaurant with mostly indoor picnic tables for seating. I'm not sure if there are any tables or booths as I've even sat at the picnic tables. There is a good size salad bar along one of the walls and a nice divider breaking the dining area into two separate areas. There are nice windows around the building so it's easy to see outside and receive that outdoor sunshine which simply adds to the experience. Staff: the wait staff is wonderful! Whether I'm dining alone (due to work) or in a group, they make me feel welcome...almost as if I were visiting family. They always make sure we have what we need, never empty our glasses and take that extra step to make sure we are satisfied with our orders. Food: I love it! If I am only going to stop once during my business trips, I get the sliced beef brisket, fries, and whatever else I feel like. Everything is cooked to perfection and they have four different sauces to go with the meat. Everyone ordered something different and thoroughly enjoyed their meals. One thing that apparently changed since my last visit was the corn bread...it was more a corn bread muffin than a cornbread square, but it was still great. This is definitely a great place to go to have some wonderful food with some nice people. read more

So this is the original Sonny's...?! You would think the flagship location might take a little more pride. Visited on a Sunday night at 9 pm. They close at 9:35, so it was late, but the experience was off-putting. Food did not taste fresh (bad, scary flavors), staff seemed like a bunch of unsupervised amateurs, salad bar looked dirty, bathroom unpleasant.... I would not come back here. Note: I emailed them after they responded here on Yelp. I received no response back. read more

I am writing this letter to share my recent experience with you. I placed an order online; my order number was 209510357. The story ends with me abandoning the order and leaving the store, going to another BBQ restaurant nearby. I had an incident with under cooked ribs 3 years ago and write a letter like this to the Manager. He called me back, and sent me a letter that entitled me to 2 free meals. I never redeemed them. I was appreciative, but I would rather a properly cooked meal and good service. Thus I stayed away from Sonny's for nearly two years afterwards. That aside, the problem today was simply a matter of poor customer service and a careless atmosphere. I went inside the store to pick up my To Go order and waited in line behind a few people who were already waiting ahead of me. Most of the wait staff seemed to be running around handling their customers orders, as they should. But the Take Out crew seemed indifferent to me standing there waiting on somebody to greet and help me with my order. I stand at the Take Out from 20 minutes and not one Sonny's employee ever asked me if I was being help or if they could get my order. Just one server was passing by and she stopped to compliment me on my Ugly Christmas Sweater. While I was waiting, an off-duty employee was waiting on his own food and was complaining in jest about how long it was taking and that he wanted the order for free because he had been waiting so long. He and a few on duty employees bantered back and forth about that until that finally got his food to him. Another interaction occurred between the Take Out staff member, a female with light complexion and medium to long length dark hair, and a pair of customers whom she was assembling their order, which seemed to be a large order. I am inclined to think that the customers may have been related because they thanked her and referred to her as Niece or Cousin. I can't remember which one. The staff member that manned the phones worked also between the Take Out Window and the expo window with the cooks. She joked back and forth with them, once in a while mentioning how much she was ready to go home. After 15-20 minutes, everyone got helped and I was still standing there in line by myself and still no one asked me if I needed help. Realizing that if my order had been ready from the time I arrived, that by now it was surely cold and I wouldn't want it. On the other hand if they still needed to prepare it, I had been there long enough and I didn't want to wait any longer. I decided to leave the restaurant without the meal I paid for. I went down to David's BBQ and bought lunch. I believe in giving everyone a chance, but sometimes it isn't worth the hassle and frustration. I can't say that I will never set foot in Sonny's restaurant again, but it could be a few years. My advice to you is to make some staff changes, offer pay and/or benefits to promote great customer service from your employees, and screen applicants more in depth before you hire them. read more

I live near this Sonnys bbq and have been ordering for years. The service and food is gone down significantly. Burned ribs, half done chicken, wrong orders and running out of wings or other items. I ordered food for guests from out of town, mind you it was a call in, out of 4 meals and side items, only one meal was correct. I waited 30 minutes for the last meal. The food was cold and the bag was so greasy, the fried okra was fried mush. I was given a rib dinner in a small box with ribs, no garlic bread and no sides. Of course I voiced my disappointment to no avail. Needless to say, will be a while before I spend 75.00 plus on lousy food. read more

I had the brisket sandwich with fries, he had the baby back ribs. I love Missouri/Texas/Georgia bbq - they have 4 different types of sauce on the table - I tried the "smoking" and while good, it wasn't too spicy (at Mission bbq, I get the KC sauce & it's pretty spicy to me) The Sizzlin bbq sauce was really good. Brisket sandwich was very fatty but the meat was moist and tender. Baby backs were also cooked correct & good. Service was very down home friendly. All this being said, I've lived in NC and missed real bbq. read more

Highly recommend. They take great safety precautions in the age of covid-19. Touchless pickup and always friendly customer service. The food is delicious. read more

Wow!! Best brisket I've had in a very long time! I was pleasantly surprised, everything was cooked to perfection! I'll be back if I'm ever down here again. read more

Regardless of the fact that it was lunch, I stood with my Brother from out town for not 5 mins, not 10 mins but 15 mins to be seated while we counted 5 open tables in various sections of the restaurant we were not greeted nor were we acknowledged, we left and will not be back again, I grew up eating at these establishments. Now I will go elsewhere, not worth my hard earned money anymore. read more

I love this Sonny's and visit often. The food is always good and reasonably priced. Two people could easily dine for $20 or less. I love the Big Deal combos because they include a main dish, side, and a drink for about $8 (and the portions are big). The staff is very friendly. The building is a little old, but the food and service make up for it. read more

Original location that started the business. Looks like the only location that hasn't been remodeled to look like all the others. Lunch gets crowded so come early. Service is good and attentive. Food has always been consistently good. Whenever you are on Waldo road and it's lunch time hit Sonny's and you won't be disappointed. read more

Yum this place is good and the service is prompt and friendly. All of the tables are picnic tables with no backs. I went here with my grandma and we had dinner. I got the sliced pork sandwich with corn on the cob and garlic bread. My grandma had dry rub ribs with coleslaw. All of the meat was juicy and tender. The side dishes were delicious, especially the coleslaw. I ordered the sweet tea and it was the biggest glass I've ever seen! It seemed like a quart, no joke. Our bill was $18 and I'm coming back the next time I'm in Gainesville. read more

If you are in the mood for some killer BarBQ before or after a football game, this is your place. They have multiple TVs with multiple games going on so you can keep up with the daily scores. The service is outstanding and prompt. The food has always been amazing over the past 15 years I've been going to this location. My favorite still is the pulled pork with mac & cheese and fries........the fried squash, although somewhat generic goes great with the killer ranch dressing. read more

I do so miss having Sonny's. I wish they would build one nearer to my new neck of the woods in NC and would hope they make food and have service just like this location! They have Great Prices too! read more

This was much better then our location at home. Every time I get the chicken sandwich at home it is filled with bones so I've given up! My family wanted to go here today so I thought I'd try again. It was perfect today! The people in Panama City must not know what they are doing =/ The staff at this location are v er y nice and the food came out very fast. No complaints=) read more

Real good BBQ. Very tender. I'm from the north...you must don't get BBQ like this up there.

Can't believe all the four ratings I saw. Ribs - tough. Chicken wings - tough. Didnt taste slow cooked at all. Service - slow. Only Sonny's I've been in with no beer. Won't go back. Awful. read more

Good food but if you are real hungry get here early. I was shocked that even though they have a fairly large seating area the entire time we were there people were waiting to come in. Pulled pork was good and when of the gentleman with me had a salad that looked good. The baked beans had nice chunks of pork in them and the Mac and cheese was pretty creamy. read more

Really good BBQ for a chain. This is the original sonny's so it isn't up to date like all of the other sonny's in Gainesville but that doesn't bother me. The food comes out really fast but if you go on Sunday expect to wait awhile because they have a big church crowd. Overall one of the best read more

Friendly ppl. Good food. Eat there mostly everyday kids love it. Love our waitress my mary jane. Always sweet to the kids.

Had a very poor experience w/ takeout. Arrived at the window to see & hear 3 females laughing & playing constantly. One even yelled past me thru the open ordering window to attempt to retrieve the cook who was in the parking lot (in uniform) w/ his girlfriend or future girlfriend for at least 10 min; twice she screamed out to him past my ear. I later arrived home to find just 1 of 3 meats inside my container plus the wrong bread. However, I was given thirteen (yes, 13) sweet barbeque packs for the three small ribs. Called later to explain the mistakes, & had to say & spell my name 3x before the distracted female (same one as before) could write it in "the book"...again lots of laughter & talking in the background. Called a few days later to order my replacement dinner & spoke to a male worker who could not find me in "the book." After 2 attempts, he handed the phone to the restaurant manager who also could not find my name. He looked twice w/ no luck. He said, "You're not in the book" as tho our conversation was over. I finally got forceful, & upon a 3rd look he found my name -- not surprisingly entered incorrectly. I explained the behavior of his staff during my initial pick-up & I received silence. No apology. Nothing. But I was able to get a replacement meal. This time the only thing missing were sweet sauces. Lol. Truly an unprofessional staff that first evening, & a manager who should reel in his employees while they are on the clock plus take a refresher on good customer service. Seriously, it was one of the most unprofessional restaurant experiences I've ever had. read more

Food was really good but my girlfriend and I came in to dine and we were rushed off as if we came in right before close and overheard our server talking about getting out at 10:05pm, we arrived at 7:00pm. Again, we enjoyed the food but felt unwanted and were treated very poorly. read more

We stopped at Sonny's late Sunday afternoon to eat dinner. The restaurant was far from being busy. We were seated and a young lady came to take our drink orders, brought them back and asked to take our order, we told her we were not ready so she said take your time I will be right back. We then waited, waited and waited, never showed up. We finally saw another waitress and asked for our waitress, but she told us she could take our order, she did and once again waited, waited and waited no food to be had. Our original waitress shows up and asks if we have been helped, auuggghhhh. We told her that we had put in our food order but have been waiting for a bit. She goes to check, comes back and says that our order is taking it's time because we order a burger (huh??) seriously? I guess our look of disbelief sent her back to the kitchen, and we see her come out go to another table and asks the people there for the bag full of food they were about to walk out with. Our dinner had been given to another table and had sat there for however long. She takes it to the counter unpacks it, puts it on plates and brings it to us. I will say she was very apologetic, but the fries were cold, the sandwich was soggy and at this point we did not care as we were hungry. The restaurant was not even half full, no manager to be found. $34 wasted on cold food and bad service. read more

Original location service has gone down hill in the evenings, it was not busy. We were seated by a very tall server blonde who sat us in his section, he came to the table a few mins later to get our drink order, and brought them back as he asked us if we were ready to order we told him to give us a mins, he said alright I will check back. We waited, waited and watched him talk to another server which after awhile looked like he was flirting with her. We saw another server which we have seen may times and asked if we could order she said she would get our server, when he finally came back to the table he wasn't as pleasant as if we disturbed him and the other server. Our order was taken, and seemed to come out late, by the time we got it some items were cold. After we got his attention again REALLY again waiting for him to get away from the other server he took our food back to the kitchen. May we remind you this Sonnys was not busy. The food came back in a reasonable time and it wasn't up to standards, ribs were a bit dry. The servers were too busy with flirting or gossip to make this Sonnys a special place to hang-out with friends, family as it use to be. read more

Good BBQ, low prices. Friendly staff. We were passing through and glad we stopped! Building a little old but don't let the looks stop you! Great food awaits! read more

Sorry service very long wait for run of the mill food. All items over cooked and very dry.

Every Saturday my company buys all the employees lunch. Sonny's on Waldo Road used to be our go-to for lunches. In the last year or two it has gone downhill, we now order from Sonny's about once every two months! So, we ordered for 16 people today......When I first called in the order I had my doubts, Taylor that took the order was very nice but did not ring up the orders correctly. She put the sandwiches and sides separate so we ended up paying about $40 more than we normally do. And this may be my fault because I did not say "lunch" but I feel if someone is ordering a sandwich with two sides anyone that works there would think to do a "lunch" or at least ask would you like me to put that in as a lunch? We get our food half was missing the cheese that we paid extra for, no condiments(after being asked for) for our burgers/chicken sandwiches we did receive about 7 packs of sweet bbq sauce for 16 people/meals. A salad that was ordered was totally forgotten about. The turkey which is usually very moist and delicious was dry and did not taste fresh. No butter or cinnamon for sweet potatoes. We had to go back and get the stuff that was forgotten and all of the condiments that we requested and not put in the to-go bag. We are going to try the Sonny's on 39th Ave before giving up on Sonny's completely! read more