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    Sonny's BBQ

    2.6 (121 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

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    SONNY'S BBQ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    John B.

    This trip to Sonny's BBQ was ok. The food was filling and the ambiance was ok. Our server was the best part of the experience. My wife and I visited this Lakeland Sonny's around 1pm with our infant daughter and our friends. We were sat immediately. The place wasn't super busy. No accommodations were made at all for our infant child in a car seat. We weren't offered a place to sit her. We've been to other Sonny's locations that had a place to put a infant seat. We were brought to a table that didn't offer an easy way to sit with her. We asked to be moved. They did. Our server was great. She was friendly, personable and honest. She took all our orders quickly and correctly and was prompt with bringing items, refilling drinks and clearing the table. We noticed this place lacked cleanliness. Our drinks were served in styrofoam cups because the plastic restaurant cups were dirty. The plates brought out to use for our corn nuggets appetizer had caked on old food still. We asked for plastic utensils for fear of how unclean the forks and knives would be. The lights were also half out. We were sat in the back and luckily there was a window. So many lights were out that it was half dark in here. It seems that the care for cleanliness and upkeep of the building is not being tended to. Our food was up quick for a group of 6. I ordered a pit master picks. 3 meats. Chopped brisket, pulled pork and smoked turkey. Fries and coleslaw for my sides. I also got garlic bread. The chopped brisket was more fat than anything. It lacked flavor. There was a few decent pieces in here but I didn't finish it. The smoked turkey was decent. Not dry but it also lacked flavor. This was the only meat I finished. The pulled pork was fatty, lacked flavor and also didn't finish it. I doused everything in sauces and it kinda helped. The coleslaw was ok but after I found a hair in it, I stopped eating it. The fries were the best part of the meal. I finished those. The service from our waitress was the best part of our trip. We were pretty surprised that Sonny's offers no accommodations for small children. We had to pull two chairs together to put the car seat on. Sonny's redid the locations that are left but at this one, it seems to lack any care for the inside or the food. The food and location gets 2 stars but our waitress brought it up to a 3.

    Ordered food for curbside delivery, showed up 3-4 minutes after pickup time ("asap" pickup time was exactly 5 minutes after ordering) texted the number on the sign in the curbside spot, and waited 20 minutes before calling to ask if I needed to come in and being told "We never got your text saying you'd arrived. You don't have to come in. We'll be right out". waited ANOTHER 11 minutes before food came out (completely cold) and lady dropped it into my hands with an attitude and not even an apology. I didn't expect it to be ready in the projected 5 minutes, but 40 is crazy and to not get an apology or even a "thank you so much for your patience"? terrible customer service. It sucks because the food is solid when it hasn't sat in the expo window for 30 minutes.

    Sweet Carolina sandwich and Mac & Cheese
    Kerry C.

    Arrived after opening for lunch and was seated soon afterwards. People in line with us were saying that since it's remodel, this Sonny's is their favorite. The place is bright and clean, with a bar in front where the old cashier stand was and lowered booths (no more high backs). The waitress was very efficient and polite. The restaurant filled up fast. All we wanted was sandwiches and Sonny's delivered. My husband had the Brisket Grilled Cheese and it was super cheesy and delicious. The brisket was very tender. The potato salad was good but on the average side. I had the Sweet Carolina (which thankfully wasn't sweet); pulled pork and mustard Carolina sauce with just the right amount of savory coleslaw on top. The macaroni and cheese was very good too. We both had a draft beer with our lunch. Not many choices available but it still was a nice surprise to finally have a beer at Sonny's. Good food and good attitudes from the workers; this is a great place to stop and eat.

    The restaurant was clean and comfortable.
    Mary H.

    Great stop for lunch near Orlando Sanford Airport. The brisket was terrific. The restaurant was clean and comfortable. Kid-friendliness: Family friendly

    the condiments on the counter
    Jonathan D.

    It was very hot in the restaurant for starters! We ordered the nachos as a starter and I do recommend them, but it was so hot we couldn't really enjoy them. I felt really bad for the staff, they were all sweating and you could tell they were very uncomfortable! Our waitress Tiffany was amazing despite the uncomfortable environment she had to work in. We took out entree to go, and had one beer! Unfortunately, I was really disappointed in Management, they did nothing to ease the discomfort the employees and customers felt! Hopefully they get the AC fixed soon to have a better customer and employee experience!

    Elizabeth H.

    The smell of smoked meats welcomes you when you walk in. I haven't eaten here in years because I just moved back to the east coast. Sonny's hasn't lost "their touch" ribs were tender and juicy and the corn on the Cobb was sweet and cooked perfectly. The only thing bad was that the smoked wings were a bit over cooked. Other than that it was good.

    Dry ribs, literally... dry...

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    4 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    9 months ago

    I really didn't enjoy the food... over rated. Over priced. Much better BBQ in Lakeland.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Food was amazing! Service could've been better tho. The place was nice. This one lady service was Alr

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    6 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Expensive and mid. Grease all over the bag and packaging silverware and sides container

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Carry outs check your food my ribs were dry and burn wasn't going to wasted my gas taking it back Bartow area

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    9 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Sonny's BBQ

    Review Highlights - Sonny's BBQ

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