Sonny’s BBQ

Food is always pretty good but Rhonda the bartender is the worst server I’ve ever had!!! I don’t recall ever having a server square off with customer when we questioned the bill She made a scene and made things very uncomfortable.(here mistake by the way) and then another waitress decided to chime in and stick up for someone that made a mistake. This was the second time we had her the first time she forgot to put our order in and blamed it on the kitchen… needless to say we got our food to go after an hour and half of waiting. She might of noticed that the whole dining room was served but us but she never noticed we didn’t have food or drinks because she never checked on us. I think Sonny’s can do better.

We got in right before closing. But the barbecue tasted just as good as it would have at the opening of the day. Bigger portions then I’ve seen at most barbecue restaurants and I eat barbecue a lot! Several choices of barbecue sauce which is made fresh every week. Very friendly and quick service.

This is the second time I have been to this restaurant. The first time was fine but this time it was awful. We were waited on (party of four) pretty quickly but it was down hill from there. The forks were in a paper basket on the table — no knives or spoons. We placed our orders and when they came two out of three baked potatoes were over cooked and actually brownish in color on the inside — the ribs were very fatty and the grilled chicken breast that I ordered were ice cold. We asked the waitress Kim for knives and she didn’t bring them immediately my husband had to go and look for her to get the knives and she only brought three knives. Kim never returned to fill our coffee cups, water or soda. Had to chase her down to refill the coffee — found her having coffee at the bar. When she brought us our checks she never bused our table — had to sit there with dirty dishes. I will never never go back to this restaurant or any other Sonny’s.

Living in The Villages, I have eaten at this Sonny’s a few times. Each time, I swear it’s the last. This visit will definitely be the last. Waited 8 minutes (I timed it) just to be seated. No reason for this that I could see, there were only three tables seated, mid afternoon. After being seated, order was taken and wait was longer than it should have been for a sandwich and fries. Sandwich was good, as always, pulled pork is some of the best anywhere; however, fries were so loaded with salt that they were inedible. I would have sent them back, but once my food was dropped off, the waitress was invisible until 15 minutes later when she dropped my check. Had she asked how everything was, I would have mentioned the fries, but since she didn’t seem to be interested, I just paid my bill and left. I did hear another table complaining about over-​salted fries as well, after I received my meal. Seems to be a common complaint. This is a senior community; don’t over-​season foods, especially with salt! This is really disappointing, as Sonny’s (other locations) are always top-​notch. There are too many good restaurants in The Villages to frequent an inadequate one.

Ate at Sonnys in The Villages at Brownwood and it was our first time, people had said their pulled pork or ribs were excellent, but I have to tell you not only was our server the worse ever but the pulled pork tasted like it was marinated in water! I specifically asked our server what and how it was cooked, her name was I believe Claudia, and she said they slow cook it in a sweet bar b que sauce, YUK YUK YUK is all I can say! It came out cold and our server disappears after serving this and my had husband asked for another glass of tea (which never came until he asked a third time) not only all that but had to request our check 3 times… never ever again will we waste time or money there!

I agree with Peter O. on Oakwood BBQ on US 441 in Lady Lake/​The Villages. Best ribs in the area by far! Full rack specials Sundays thru Wednesdays.

Had Been Out of the country for a while and just wanted some good ribs Had them before at sonnys and was decent, but these «fall off the bone ribs» had to be gnawed off of the bone. Server did apologize and talked to manager was first offered another slab, (must have been kidding,) and manager comped meal without even slowing up at the table to say sorry and to please try us again! Where do they get these people?

I’ve have eaten at many sonny’s in my time, but this is s first. Walking in I noticed they have outside searing and a bar, looks great considering where it is. I was seated as normal but she didn’t take my drink order, odd bit not big deal. After a little time the server came over, took my drink and food order. Food shows up about 20 minutes later minus the fries, she was waiting on them and decided to bring everything else. Fries show up after a while but has salt & PEPPER, I asked her when did they start doing this… 6 months ago. Is this an isolated thing or is ALL sonny’s doing this?
It changes the flavor of the sauce on your meal. Was not impressed with this place.

I use to go to Sonny’s before they changed now they changed the food it’s not that good now. Most servers are friendly and fast but a couple are slow. I would rather go to Oakwood for the price of the food.

Had another great meal! Alicia was a great server! Wish there was a Sonny’s in New Hampshire.

The service is absolutely horrible. Took for ever to get our food. Waitresses dress like slobs. Will NOT return!

Been there five times, good food each time. The staff is great! Fun place. You will enjoy.

I’ve dine-​in once and have had take-​out twice. The food has always been great! The time I dined in was during lunch and our waitress took a bit to come pick up the check but overall the staff I have come across has always been nice.

My first Sonny’s BBQ experience.
I have eaten at a LOT of BBQ pits… NC, TN, TX, KC… This was up there with the best. Possibly the best overall BBQ experience I’ve had. Ever.
I take my smoked meat seriously, and pride myself on being a pretty good amateur pit master myself. I have an «ugly drum smoker.»
The atmosphere felt a bit like a cafeteria overall… But given that this particular location is in The Villages in FL, I’ll give the atmosphere a pass.
I ordered a sampler platter that included a pile of pulled pork (sliced was also an option), sliced brisket, ¼ chicken (dark), and a couple of ribs (dry rub.) Baked beans and cole slaw, and a slice of corn bread. Washed it all down with a sweet tea.
The pulled pork was slightly sauced upon arrival. Just enough to add some flavor, but not to overpower the simple flavor of the meat. The brisket was solid, maybe a little dry, but still very good. The ribs were HUGE and cooked to perfection. I LOVE smoked chicken, and theirs didn’t disappoint.
The baked beans were amazing with some pork included (I think). The cole slaw was not too sweet, not too sour. For me, cole slaw is a must-​have with bbq… as I favor NC style bbq. (Even though NC sauce is very vinegary, a little sweet and slightly spicy.)
The corn bread was moist and just sweet enough.
The sweet spicy sauce was my favorite of the four on the table. I was told a mustard based sauce was available upon request, but I didn’t bother.
Overall, this was one of the best BBQ experiences I’ve had. I enjoyed every bite of every item.
It’s worth mentioning that they had a special, all you can eat ribs for $ 13.99. A great deal, but I bet you can’t eat more than a dozen!
Oh, our server was friendly and helpful.

My husband and I were vacationing, visiting his parents, who live in The Villages with our 2.5 year old last week. On our «date night» we headed to Sonny’s with high hopes for a relaxed fun evening together with great BBQ. We were not disappointed.
We sat at the bar outside and were quickly greeted by the younger female bartender who took our drink order. Not long afterwards the other bartender (Jimmy) came to take our dinner order. He immediately pegged us as visiting parents, out for a much needed date night with his parents watching our little one. Amazingly he even correctly guessed we were from Ohio. Seriously, I cannot overstate the great service we got that night. We felt like regulars even though we were just in town for a week. The food was great. We both ordered the baby back ribs and had zero complaints.
We highly recommend checking Sonny’s out for good BBQ and great service especially if you see the sign at the bar that exclaims «Jimmy’s Working» seriously there is a sign!

BBQ is just ok and service is always at the hand and mood of your server. Food is quick to come out from kitchen. Could be classed as fast food BBQ

Loved our waiter but the good took forEVER and it wasn’t really busy at all. Wondering if they had to pull some half cooked ribs out of the smoker to finish. The ribs were decent I had the St. Louis. Also have baby back that didn’t seem much better (both my kids got them). For a place that specializes in ribs if have thought they’d be better. I had both the dry rub and sauced. They were fatty. I think they could have cooked longer and slower. I wanted to love this place but I have to say I was disappointed. The corn bread was really good but looking for a bit more in a rib place.

For the money excellent. Great chicken Caesar salad. Dewers $ 3.50 a shot. Outside bar very friendly.

When I lived in Central Florida 84 – 92 I would always get the all you can eat rib plate.
Don’t get me wrong it ain’t the best BBQ, but for commercial oven/​smokers and prefab kinda setups Sonny’s is a real good bargain and good food.
You just gotta understand that Sonny’s is sorta like McDs, its a corporation/​business that is more about speed and profit then a real pit BBQ joint like we have in Texas

Came here today… been to a Sonny’s in southern FL years ago. Review is based on today’s visit.
Wanted beef brisket… came here because Oakwood doesn’t have it… they have sliced roast beef but it’s not brisket (at least the last time I was there).
Brisket was excellent, but a tad bit dry. So i didn’t discount the rating because others might find it perfect. I ordered the «senior special» for $ 5.99 and it was outstanding. The beef brisket portion was about eight slices. I had a nice baked sweet potato, broccoli, and corn bread, and I was stuffed. A drink is included in that price too. Compare that to «fast food” – you cant. This is in a whole ‘nother ballpark.
The waitress was Cyn, and her timeliness, courtesy, and helpfulness to make sure everything was perfect made this most memorable… and I let the manager know, who also came by twice during our meal.
I would come back any time and try anything else on the menu. The baby back ribs at the nes