Disappointing at Best I love dining at Sonny's BBQ, and I've enjoyed a lot of signature BBQ, but today was huge disappointment and the quality of the ribs did not live up to my expectations. This was my first- and last-time dining at this location and complete waste of my hard-earned money. On Wednesday November 26, 2025, at 12:26 PM, I placed a takeout order for the St. Louis Sweet & Smokey Ribs with BBQ Baked Beans, Homestyle Mac & Cheese, and Garlic Bread. I also ordered the Kids St. Louis Dry Rubbed Ribs with Homestyle Mac & Cheese and Garlic Bread. The restaurant was cleaned and inviting. The order taker Lacy who took my order was very friendly and outgoing. It took about 25 minutes for the order to be completed. The St. Louis Dry Rubbed Ribs were the worst dry rubbed ribs I have ever seen and tasted. The ribs were not appealing, over cooked, burnt, dry, and lacked in the house dry rub seasoning. The Sweet & Smokey Ribs were HORRIBLE. The ribs were thick and meaty, did not look good, had an unusual taste and the ribs had a bad aroma that made them less than appetizing. I don't mind meaty ribs, but they need to be cooked thoroughly and these were not. I could not eat these ribs and threw them in the trash. This is the first time I have thrown out food from Sonny's BBQ. The ribs were so bad, I didn't even try the mac & cheese, and the BBQ baked beans. The garlic bread was fresh, lightly buttered, perfectly toasted, and tasted very good. Sonny's BBQ 5324 Bruce B Downs Blvd Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 read more

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Only been to Sonny's a few times. Happy to see they still have good food and reasonable prices. Pork plate, side, and drink $10.99. Sauces are awesome. We shall return. See our YouTube channel Coolest Life. read more

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This place is bussin. The bbq is good and the servers are super nice! The inside is very clean and neat. Would recommend! read more

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Tonight was a very different experience in a very positive way. To make sure everything went well, we ordered at the takeout window as opposed online. I think it was a great choice at least for us. And by the way you can order online safely - I think. 5 star service, the person who took our order was very attentive to detail to make sure she got the order right. Which, given the three dinners we were ordering, and all the changes we made, was no easy task. All the food was very enjoyable. I sampled some of everyone's. Two things I particularly enjoyed were the ribs and I love their cornbread. My brisket was excellent as well! Our next visit will be a dine-in. Stay tuned for another review. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Looks good until you realize no onion straws and they ran out of dressing. Other than that whatever? - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

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This location is always a reliable go-to! Their customer service is consistently friendly and helpful, and I absolutely love their sliced turkey and brisket. They've saved the evening more than once with a delicious, easy dinner. My only wish is that the portions were just a bit bigger. Other than that, Sonny's is totally underrated and continue to be a favorite! read more

Sonny's BBQ is not bad at all. I think they have mixed reviews since Bbq is different wherever you are from. For me, I have come to the realization that BBQ is completely different here than where I'm from. Come to find out, Sonny's first location is Gainesville, FL and they specialize in Southern bbq. Nevertheless, I do like their bbq and I love it especially during this time because they have a generous birthday freebie which is a free sandwich combo with drink and side. I get the brisket sandwich with sweet bbq sauce, Arnold Palmer, Mac and cheese. I also received a free banana pudding which was very good. I also ordered a half chicken combo which comes with two sides, no drink. Ordered tater tots and mac and cheese. We were happy and satisfied. They have coupons and freebies on their app from time to time which is nice, and the drive through is most convenient. The one thing that was just ok was the customer service at the Drive Through. She was working super fast multitasking the drive through and the phone so you can't really ask questions. Never ate inside before. Just always take it to go. read more

Yum yum! Sonny's! We miss our Plant City store but I travel for work so I'm lucky to get to eat at Sonny's Bbq frequently! Protein! Yessss! Today we shared the 3 pork special for 17.99 it was amazing. Lola was our server and she was awesome too! Fast & friendly! She was very helpful too! We highly recommend this location and all of them! read more

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Living in Florida means you have or you will eat at a Sonny's BBQ at some point in time. The Wesley Chapel location has been good, it's been really good and it's also been fair to midland. Sometimes a drive thru for smoked wings hits the spot, but other times they overcook or over dry their meats. It's good, but it's not great. read more

Let me start by first saying we have visited this location for years and today may have been the final issue that changes that. My plate was the 2 meat $15.99 with a +2 for brisket and +4 for Baby Back ribs for a $22 plate. Then the picture below arrives, I told the waitress to take it back and either give me better ribs not bones or take them off and give me double brisket for -$2 less. She comes back with the same plate and 2 extra slices of brisket and said my manager is coming by. He shows up and asked what the issue was and I explained and he said he "wanted to do me a favor" and swap out the ribs and I told him I already sent this plate back because of the ribs and you sent it back to me with 2 extra slices of brisket to "make up" for the trash ribs. As a paying customer and paying extra for the ribs & brisket, all I wanted is what I was paying for. If this is the standard now since the new owners took over, it looks like I will we be going to the Z'hills location from now on. So disappointing read more

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One of the best Sonny's I have been to. It has been under new management for the past 6 months, and it is amazing! The dry rub ribs are awesome, as well as all of the sides. The restaurant itself is very clean and the food quality is fantastic. Highly recommend to anyone in Wesley Chapel. read more

Did door dash and received the worst ribs ever! Dry over cooked and small small sized ribs! I would be embarrassed if I were the cook that sent these out for a customer! Buyer beware read more

Seven of us went to Sonny's in Wesley Chapel on January 25, 2026. and none of the food came out hot it was all cold. We asked for the manager and was told she would take the appetizer's off our bill. Well my wife and I did not have appetizers and still paid for our meal and drinks. It use to be very good but it is the second time it has happened so I gave them another chance. Service was bad and I did not finish my meal. I wish them well but if they cannot serve food hot there days will be numbered! read more

Waited 20 mins for drinks then over 45 mins for food server's didn't know who was supposed to be in that area but manager/owner set us only good thing was the food read more

My wife and I decided to grab a bite out after a couple of days without power and storm cleanup thanks to Milton. We were seated right away and the dining room had plenty of seating. Our server Josh was attentive and went out of his way to take care of us. He also took the time to make recommendations and engaged us in some small talk. Started with an appetizer of smoked wings. Good flavor and overall very tasty. I ordered the whole hog sandwich with side of tater-tots. My wife had the chopped brisket sandwich. There were 2 for 1 beers and I tried their Sonny's Amber Ale. Good crisp Ale. Had an opportunity to speak with the manager and discuss post storm cleanup and getting backbto normal. Overall an outstanding experience. Gave us some time to recuperate and recharge. read more

Just got home 30 minutes ago with take out. We ordered 1 appetizer and 2 platters. Nothing special, items off the regular menu. Well needless to say, the food was sub par at best. You need to do some housekeeping in your kitchen with your cooks and food expediters. They suck ! read more

This place is ok but what you expect for fast food bbq. Sandwiches were dry but still pretty tasty. Don't forget to grab sauces as that would help. read more

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New ownership has done a fantastic job getting the store back in order. Bunch of us went tonight 01/25/2026 and was great-- Good job Mr. Snell read more

I love Sonny's. However, today I ordered their brisket. Everything I've ever had there was delicious. But the brisket was mostly fat. It was awful. They should probably take it off the menu before it ruins their reputation. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Fatty brisket - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

Sonny's is a solid place for decent chain style bbq in a laid back friendly setting. My wife and I arrived here for dinner around 7pm. This place was busy. You can't really find a Sonny's anymore in Tampa. They've mostly closed. This location in Wesley Chapel is the closest one to Hillsborough County. We were seated and shortly after a manager came around to grab our drinks order. The server for our area stepped away for some reason. The manager also got our appetizer order of the pulled pork egg rolls. We then placed our dinner order. My wife got the pulled pork dinner with extra crispy fries and Mac and cheese. I order the two meat pit combo with pulled pork and St. Louis style ribs. The standard baked beans, coleslaw and garlic toast accompanied it. The egg rolls were out first. Super crispy and overly greasy. These egg rolls lacked in filling. There were six pieces. Only 2 had pulled pork in them. The others had some coleslaw but were mostly just the greasy fried egg roll dough. Our food took a little bit of time. Our server that had finally returned offered the bring some cornbread for us to snack on. We declined. The food came out and looked good. (I forgot to take pics.) My wife's pulled pork was an ample portion. Mostly tender but a little overcooked, crispy, in some parts. She covered it in the sizzlin sauce and enjoyed it. The fries were not crispy at all. We let the server know and he brought out another basket of fries. They were a little more crispy but still not what my wife was looking for. The Mac and cheese was satisfactory. My plate of food was also pretty good. The ribs were smoky and tender. I got 3 of them. The pile of pulled pork was good, tender and also had some crispier dryer pieces in it. I doused it in the sweet sauce and it was pretty good. The baked beans and coleslaw were fairly standard and nothing outstanding. My wife and I grew up eating Sonny's. My wife worked here for a few years. This place has a certain nostalgia for us. It's changed and has new offerings. No more salad bar, family meals or all you can eat. I give the food here 3 stars but the service and nostalgia bumps it up to a 4. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Pulled pork egg rolls - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

Good chain BBQ. We came here with a party of 7 and easily found seats for all. Very big inside. Service was quick and always on top of getting refills. We had many different dishes, ribs, pulled pork and sausage, pulled pork and wings, the whole hog sandwich . Everyone that has ribs was satisfied. Pulled pork was nice and smoky. Sausage was good. Baked beans were very good. Potato salad ok. Everyone had a good meal. Good place for a large group. read more

Peak Sonny's experience, good food and great service. Smoked pork and chicken were both great.

This was our first time. We ordered the brisket to add to our 4th celebration. It was a hit. Flavorful and savory, each unctuous yet lean bite was very tender. Our food was not overly smokey nor salty, and we did not get it sauced. We did not need to. The brisket stood on its own. Curbside service was polite. I am reserving a star because we haven't experienced more items, nor have we dined in. Once we do that, I'm sure they will earn a full five stars. read more

Had a horrible.dinner there today. No meat on the ribs. Tiny tiny sweet potatoes. Very disappointed all the way around. Told the server what a disappointment the dinner was and it was met with "sorry, here's your check". Will never ever go back. read more

This is not good bbq. It's cheap and plentiful but it is not tasty. There are so many private entrepreneurs with food stands and trucks that make way better bbq. Seriously! The only decent food choice was the Mac and cheese. The Cole slaw was not sweet enough for me. The garlic toast was bland. The smoked chicken didn't taste smoked. The ribs were average at best. The pulled pork was completely dried out. Same with the brisket. We took the food to go. Our cashier was friendly and helpful. And the staff seemed to enjoy their work. The environment was clean. However, for a Friday night, it was not even 25% full. Makes you think. I would look for other alternatives for bbq in the area, especially the independent owners not the chains. read more

Sometimes you just need those familiar flavors, and that's what Sonny's is for me. I remember coming here as a kid and it was something we all look forward to. This Sonny's location is beautiful! I know there aren't many locations around these days so traveling from Tampa was well-worth it! We are so happy we found this place. The indoor space here is beautiful. Lots of available seats for many visitors. They were busy when we visited, but the service was not compromised one bit. Our server was friendly and courteous and the food came out quickly and was great. The only downfall was the bathroom tidiness along with the lack of supplies in the bathroom, but no big deal....lack of staff I get it...it happens. Overall, we enjoyed ourself! I highly recommend this location! read more

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We have ordered takeout food from this location, many times; and the food has always been excellent. Yesterday evening we ordered two barbecue combination, entrées, and a pound of pulled pork. Sadly over 1/4 of the pulled pork pound, was skin and fat; laid on top by whoever filled the order at the restaurant. Very disappointing, we won't order additional meat from this location again through takeout. read more

we walk in and get told by 4 different people that someone will be right with us. After waiting a few mins and being ignored, we decided to go sit at the bar. Then 2 other employees tell us someone will be right with us. At least 5 mins went by before someone came over and we ordered. 5 mins later I'm still waiting on the water that was ordered. In the mean we have got to watch several of the wait staff kick open the door to the kitchen while going in and out. If I was the owner saw my property being treated this poorly I would be pissed. Im not sure what's going on with this location but the last few times we have come here the service has been poor and the wait staff don't seem to care. They act like we are inconveniencing them. I think this will prob be the last time we give it ANOTHER chance. There are plenty of other good BBQ places in the area. read more

Have you ever wanted bbq while visiting wesly chapel? Welol unfortunately you will be disappointed. Not only was the food cold, the server was only slightly shy of being an ass. Bbq sauce was good though. read more

The food was good, portions were decent size, and prices were not too high. Service was fantastic. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Bbq Bowl - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

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Friendly service, good value and the food is always good and consistent. Their specials are numerous and well worth the price.

We've always loved Sonny's but the food on our most recent visit was really subpar. My husband and I both had the beef brisket which we ordered as sliced (for him) and chopped (for me). The meat on this occasion was not tender and was VERY fatty. My biggest complaint about this location however is the hours of operation. It closes at 9 pm - even on Fridays and Saturdays. It's so early. We eat late and OFTEN decline eating here because of this ridiculous closing time. Just an extra hour - at least on week-ends - would make a world of difference. read more

Barbecue light. Don't get me wrong I will go back service was good. Food was out fast. However, the ribs were the smallest ribs I've ever had in my life!!!! Enjoy. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

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Courtesy is something I've grown accustomed to and expect it when I venture out for an early dinner. Sonny's Restaurant at US Hwy 54 and Bruce B Downs Hwy provides that and along with efficiency on finding a table for me (taking into consideration my disabilities), taking my order, immediately bringing me my beverage, and then my dinner. The service is very good (considering the restaurant was not very busy). My dinner was another story. Half rack of baby back ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, and corn bread muffin. The dinner was edible. I use that word carefully. The coleslaw was crisp cabbage, carrot shavings, and a white liquid. No seasonings of any kind and the coleslaw sauce had become the liquid on the bottom of the dish. Sorry, no points. The baked beans had some flavor to them but were still bland. Enough said. The main, and most important part of the dinner were the baby back ribs. Ribs were very meaty and so tender it just fell off the bone. Good tang to the BBQ sauce cooked on the ribs. Didn't need any more. I have to say, I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere except for the music being played. 1. It could have been turned down enough for it to be background, and 2. I realize the desired country style setting Sonny's is portraying but going back 50 years for that twang style music is a bit much. I will be returning. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Half rack of Sonny's Baby Back Ribs, coleslaw, baked beans, and corn bread muffin. - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

This is a cheap BBQ franchise in the Wesley Chapel area. There aren't many BBQ options so this is my go-to. I have ordered to-go multiple times at this location because of its convenience. There are several pork, chicken, brisket, sandwich options as well as many sides. I personally like the green beans, fries and the baked sweet potato. In terms of the meat, i tend to get either the ribs (dry rub), the sliced pork or the sliced brisket. They have a lunch and dinner price. The portions are reasonable. The meat combos come with a garlic bread or corn bread/muffin. If you dine in, inside is pretty generic, not fancy at all. The bathrooms are clean. There is a bar and there are drink specials. Overall, it's casual BBQ dining but the food isn't bad. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Happy Hour drink specials - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

Never been and have heard mixed reviews. So we tried it. Walked in four employees past by looked at us and said nothing. Finally after standing there for a bit someone walked past and said that someone would be right with us. Corn nuggets great. Everything else not so much. The waitress was nice. The meat was super dry and just not good. My brisket was so dry I couldn't eat it. My hubby had sausage and it was also dried out. I told the waitress and she got me new but it was just a dry and tasteless. I don't think I'll go back for the bbq but might drive through for corn nuggets. One star for good waitress and corn nuggets. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Corn Nuggets with powdered sugar. - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

Sonny's has fallen off hard and the staff DGAF. They gave me a drink filled to the top and spilling out the cup and the pulled chicken I ordered tasted so old, like it was rubber chicken. Just so bad, sad to see Sonny's go downhill. read more

I think of a 3 star review as something that is the same as a C in a class. It's average. It's not extraordinary. It's not necessarily needing improvement. The overall score is just...average. This score fits Sonny's perfectly. The BBQ is passable. There's a taste of smoke in it, and there are times when there's a good char on the meat. Not every time you order it, but often. The beverages are large and cold. I would have rated Sonny's a little higher prior to the pandemic because of the salad bar, which was always fresh and delicious. Now that they've made the decision as a company not to have the salad bar anymore (confirmed by Sonny's when I called them), there isn't an additional aspect to the restaurant to put it over the top to a higher star level. In fact, the salads that are available on the menu now are...average. They're fine. The lettuce is fresh, and there's a general sprinkling of fairly normal toppings (carrot, cheese, bacon, croutons). Nothing extraordinary. Even the BBQ salad is...fine. There isn't an element that makes you want to come back. This location in particular has just been renovated, so it's new and shiny. Even still, I've seen the place with more than a few napkins on the ground. Again, nothing that's enough to make it "dirty," but sort of an average amount of detritus on the ground. No one is making an extraordinary effort to keep it clean, but it's not unpalatable. And in general, that's how I would describe the place: not unpalatable. read more

This was my first time walking into a Sonny's. Overall it was a good experience, but they are a franchise. Not that there's anything wrong with that I just don't see anything unique to highlight. The food was good the staff is nice, and the place was very clean. When we come into town we don't mind stopping by because we know they won't disappoint. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

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Running a rib and pork promotion every Wednesday in May. Show up and they are OUT OF RIBS and not even allowing a substitute meat for the offer. Since all the other locations closed due to health violations, had to drive 45 minutes to be told that. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Wesley Chapel, Florida

Every single time you order through Uber, they leave things off the order! Every single time!! And, the employees don't give a crap. No apologies! No nothing! Grrrrrr!!! read more