I went here to pick up an order for someone else and discovered they have VEGAN burnt ends. I was pretty excited about that. The vegan burnt ends are seasoned well and taste pretty good. I put them in my Salad and it made my salad taste amazing. If you don't eat meat and you're craving some BBQ , definitely give this place a try. I also tried their grits, macaroni and cornbread. The grits were pretty good -- I wasn't a huge fan of the macaroni but my kids loved it so that's all that matters. Overall this place seems pretty popular and the customer service is pretty good. read more

In my quest to try all bbq in the area, up on deck today was 4 Rivers and they didn't disappoint. I chose the 3 meat combo to get a variety to review. Ribs, brisket and pulled pork with baked beans, mac n cheese and cornbread. The ribs were meaty, rubbed with a great seasoning & fall off the bone tender. I didn't even need to put bbq sauce on them! The brisket melted in my mouth like butter and the pulled pork had great flavor too! The baked beans were sweet but not overpowering and the mac n cheese was the common you would expect with bbq. The restaurant is really open inside drawing your eyes to where you order. Tables inside are long to seat many people but they do have smaller ones too. It would be nice if they had more small table seating though. Prices are in range with other bbq restaurants. My only complaint was they made my tray of food minus the brisket as they were getting a fresh one out just made. They left my tray sitting with my food losing temperature. Fortunately it wasn't too long but they could use a heat lamp to hold food waiting for an extra hot item. Otherwise, Overall I was pleased and would go back again for sure. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - 3 meat bbq meal (ribs, brisket & pork) - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

One of my 6 coworkers wanted BBQ so he found this place "4Rivers Smoke House". So the 7 of us arrived here and we were greeted by an older female who was extremely welcoming. I personally had the 2x2 with brisket and three ribs. My sides were mac & cheese, french fries and cornbread. Everything on my plate was delicious, especially the meats. The brisket was very tender and juicy and the ribs were very meaty and tender. The mac & cheese was okay, better than average but the cornbread was my favorite only because these place jalapeños inside and I'm not allowed to eat spicy foods ( so use cation ). I'm not sure what my other buddies had, only that it was a variety of things offered by the restaurant. All but one of my buddies enjoyed his meal but he's spoiled lol. We all also had lots of food on trays and a few of us took food home. The cost was pretty good, I paid for the seven of us and the total really surprised me. To have as much food as I had as well as some of the other guys trays. I feel like this was very economical especially for a family. The customer service was really good and there's plenty of parking, outdoor seating and a welcoming atmosphere. If your craving BBQ, then do far this is my favorite place I've discovered since moving to Tampa read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - 2x2 with brisket and ribs - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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This is a reminder to myself what I should and shouldn't get. We came on a Sunday at around 12:30 p.m. The parking lot was pretty empty so it was easy to get a parking spot, even though the lot is small. I think a lot of people may walk here from church which keeps the parking lot manageable. There are long rows of tables, but it was empty enough that nobody was sitting next to anyone if they didn't want to be. Also, there is outside seating and right now (in November) the weather is nice enough to sit outside. We got the three meats and two sides. This was perfect for my family (my husband, my younger son and me. The older one was at a child's only event.) We went with the brisket (moist, you have a choice of fatty or lean, moist = fatty), burnt ends (which is beef and pork burnt ends so I didn't get to eat it), pulled chicken. Then our sides were green beans (which also has pork so I didn't eat it) and I waffled on what the second side should be. The mac and cheese is spicy so we skipped that, I thought cheesy potatoes would be close enough that my younger son would eat it. He didn't. So next time, I should just get what I want, which is coleslaw. Don't get me wrong, the cheesy potatoes are delicious, but they were heavy and I would have appreciated coleslaw more. We also got my son a chocolate chip cookie. They are giant. He loved it. The brisket was perfectly fatty and delicious. My son ate a ton of it. He wouldn't touch the burnt ends or pulled chicken surprisingly. The chicken was also good. We kept the roll instead of upgrading it. I saw someone with a biscuit, so next time I'll ask about that. I know you can upgrade to cornbread, but the cornbread is spicy so we skipped. This place is great to grab fast BBQ. I highly recommend it. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

The brisket is king of the show here. Of all the options they had, that was by far my favorite. I went with the lean cut which was still fairly moist and portion size was decent. I also enjoyed the burnt ends though they were smothered in a lot of sauce. Sides were okay. The collard greens and okra were fine and the cornbread too (but not the wow factor). The restaurant has a modern western vibe to it and was a nice place to stop in and eat. Lunch time wasn't very busy - just a few customers. Service was friendly. read more

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One of the best restaurants around! The messy piggy sandwich is a must have! Just look at it's happy little face! The street corn, bread pudding, coleslaw, alllll the sauces , get everything! The service was top notch too read more

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I specifically asked for the leanest brisket for our kids. Asked for as little gristle as possible. This is what we got. It's 85% pure fat. And inedible. Kids got about 3 bites of edible meat. And this is not the 1st time. They routinely give us the fattiest cuts, despite requesting the leanest meat. Their brisket is good when you get a nice lean piece with a good bark. But to say it is hit or miss, is an understatement. They also failed to put our okra in our order today. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - 85% gristle - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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It's the spot a couple that we spend time with loves. The service is great and food is good. Initially, I was gonna keep them 4. But I came back three more times but different sets of friends and my wife. The place knocked my socks off. Michigan is the best that I've had in the Tampa Bay area. The ribs I want the best I've had. Their desserts are fantastic. read more

Sooo this tough, wanted to like it but this "bbq chain" is no different from Mission BBQ. Ya know, ya know. Difference is this food is worst, but the service is 1000 times better. Been a long time since a random service asked to clean/take away my plate while I was still at the table. Drunkin Noodle: had some new Corona Sunset beer...blah!!..stay away from it ehhww. read more

This is a review based off the holiday cater pickup meal. We ordered a half brisket, some turkey, sides, and salmon. Everything was great (turkey was flavorful, salmon was good, mashed potatoes and stuffing also very good) - except the near 100.00 half brisket was just a large blob of fat. Stringy like jerky. We couldn't even eat it. Dry, dry, dry. The computer page where you order accidentally put our order through twice so we were charged twice - upon pickup they said they had 'no number to call' to confirm two of the same orders but when I looked at my receipt my number was on there. They gave us a number for catering when we got there to pick up to get the refund and after calling, leaving a voicemail, emailing, nobody has gotten back to us. So our 230.00 holiday meal has turned into a near 500.00 one with no refund yet. We are from out of town and we're looking forward to this experience but next year we will just make our own dinner or pick elsewhere. read more

4 Rivers is exactly what it needs to be - quick service barbecue. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and they know how to get their stuff out fast. I am vegetarian now, but let me tell you. I keep going back for the farmhouse salad. Something about the tomato vinegarette and the corn bread croutons keep me coming back for more! Even before I was vegetarian, I came here for the barbecue and the Cheerwine. We love to see a fountain with Cheerwine, and it's always a great spot hitter. This location is spacious, and there's plenty of seating for a quick bite. read more

From our experience the last two visits, employees are more interested in socializing than ensuring a good experience for the customer. This time, our to-go order was shorted greens and fried okra. Called when we got home at 8 PM, but no answer; left a message with no response. During the visit before this one, the guys at the order counter continued socializing and completely disengaged with the customer. They backed away socializing and just left the food sitting there. The cashier apologized for the delay in getting the food. Very disappointing and frustrating. There is too much competition to allow poor customer service. read more

The quality at this location has seriously gone downhill. Instead of receiving the chicken which we ordered they gave us brisket, which we don't eat. The okra was so overly fried it was hard and burnt. We returned for a refund. We won't return to 4Rivers. Our last time here the pulled pork was a huge glob of fat and relatively no meat and the ribs were dry. How can they not see this when preparing the order?! read more

We went there for some take out last night. I've been here before but this time it was just ok, sadly. We ordered a full rack of ribs with the fried okra, coleslaw and some cornbread. The ribs were dry and flavorless for the most part. Lots of meat however. The okra had flavor but was soggy. I even snuck some out like people do French fries when I got to my truck. The slaw was ....... Just not good. I won't ever get that again. The cornbread was fantastic great flavor and fluff. That's a must get for sure. The service was good and fast. Very friendly staff. The ambiance was a big restaurant that can feed a lot of people if needed. I'll go back but I might try another spot to see if I can get I step better. read more

First impressions: place is nice, clean, and smells good. This is a large FL Chain but does have a cool story on how they started. Customer service was great, and they have great ice! We ordered the 1/2 rack, and a Cowboy Combo that came with 3 meats and 2 sides. Meats are pulled chicken, burnt ends, and sausage. Sides of fried okra and baked beans. Ribs: had a little sauce as served, but good flavor and came off bone well Pulled Chicken: good flavor but a little sweet for me. Definitely has a brown sugar taste. And the meat was a little tough. Burnt ends: lightly sauced as served, good flavor but again a little tough. Sausage: great flavor. Okra was great, and baked beans really good. Overall I would say this is a good place to eat but some meats are a little tough. The sauces on the table are good. And the snowball in the one pic is a coconut cake we got to go. It's delicious but for me has to be eaten small amounts at a time. We would go again. read more

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Wings tasted great minus the feathers Mac and cheese definitely tasted processed and cooked in a bag but you get what you pay for. Meat quality was pretty good and Cole slaw was pretty basic nothing extra ordinary Great and friendly staff! read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Smokehouse wings - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Had a good lunch for a reasonable price.. ribs were tender and chicken moist . Loved the breaded fried okra.. not greasy.. sweet potato casserole was very tasty and collards were good also.. we'll make this a regular for barbeque.. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Yummy barbecue chicken and ribs combo dinner!! - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Nice and hot! Very tasty! Self-service. The ambiance is very "Texas". Beware corn bread has jalapeño.

Went in at a slow time. I have a family member with cognitive issues and requires a little more time and patience. The group behind the counter literally tripped over themselves to welcome my family member. They described items, offered samples and then offered their favorites. One worker helped us to the table and checked in several times to see if she could help. The food was good, but that kind of service is impossible to find these days. I had to thank the manager for having such friendly staff. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

Very g bbq for a food chain. I stop whenever I see it. Hard to find a chain that serves good food

A personal favorite. Never disappointed when trying new menu items. So many Texas-style BBQ choices. We ordered, what we thought was, pork belly burnt ends and made the mistake of asking for burnt ends which are not as specific. I believe what we ordered is actually beef but nonetheless very good. A member of the staff checked on us after we seated and was very attentive to our needs. The restaurant is very clean and well kept. This is a highly recommend from me. I can't wait to return! The birthday bomb looks amazing! read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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THE BEST BBQ! The meats are one thing, but let's not forget all their SIDES! Made with love and packed with taste. The whole menu satisfies- including their deserts/ homemade pastries. Attentive customer service too! Outdoor seating with shade . Professional staff. Manager JOHN P. was present, attentive, and friendly ensuring the food AND experience was on point. And it was! . Will be back soon! Check this place out y'all! Support your small business owners! read more

FANTASTIC BBQ! That's really all that needs to be said, but for the occasional BBQ diner I can elaborate as I personally cook a lot of the same proteins 4 Rivers serves. Cooking these different meats low & slow is truly a Cooking Art Form. 4 Rivers has been in business for many years and expanded the locations because they truly serve EXCELLENT BBQ! The BBQ restaurant business is difficult and diners should realize that because of the few choices to enjoy a dedicated variety of proteins like they offer is few and far between and may competitors come and go regularly, even some decades long chains close franchise locations because of failure to serve consistent quality at reasonable prices. This location if the Original that started the 4 Rivers popularity. They've developed their own rubs (seasoning) that sell in nationwide grocery stores, because it's that DELICIOUS! 4 Rivers locations are consistent with quality and customer service. The restaurant decor is a mixture of classic BBQ and a splash of modern. Clean, Quality Proteins, EXCELLENT Taste and portions at a reasonable price isn't why they stand out and are successful! Highly Recommended! read more

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I haven't been here in awhile since I moved out of South Tampa. Got takeout as my husband was craving BBQ. I've been trying to eat a more plant based diet and was happy to see a vegan burnt ends sandwich on the menu which was really great! Nice texture, sweet BBQ sauce, sizeable portion. Always need a side of cornbread when coming here. read more

4 Rivers never disappoints! I recently went and got their brisket tacos, red velvet and chocolate cake. The tacos were so juicy and delicious! The cake was also very sweet and moist. The service has always been very pleasant and efficient. I'm looking forward to going back! read more

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I came in for lunch today and it was extremely busy, but the team handled everything amazingly well. Despite the rush, the service was fast and efficient -- we were in and out without feeling rushed. The food was fantastic, and everything came out just right. You can tell this is a well-run place, even under pressure. It's not easy to keep things running smoothly when it's that busy, but they really pulled it off. Pete the manager even came by to check in and ask how we were doing, which I really appreciated. That kind of personal touch makes a big difference. I also really appreciate that they seem to make an effort to take care of their employees -- it shows in how the whole team works together. Overall, a great experience. I'll definitely be back! read more

Fast friendly service with solid bbq The only issue I had was the temperature of the food. I arrived shortly after 12 and the food was lukewarm which I don't understand. Brisket, Ribs, and sausage were very tasty. I liked their homemade bbq sauces. The baked beans might be the best I have had. The Mac n cheese was so so. Communal style seating The hostess was very friendly and provided a history of the bbq chain. I would go back but I would definitely ask for the meat to be hot. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - 2 meat plate with 2 sides and an added quarter rack. - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

4 Rivers BBQ was dry and disappointing, but the service was friendly, fast, and great. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - 2x2 - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

Love that they offer a vegan option, the burnt end sandwich is so good! Sad it costs more than the meat options but I'll take what I can get. Service was friendly and quick. Inside was pretty hot, opted for outdoor seating. Bathrooms were clean. read more

This is a great place for BBQ! Reasonable prices and delicious food. Great brisket especially! Smoked sausage, St Louis ribs, all your artery clogging favorites just like you like em! There own parking lot is another big plus read more

The Messy Pig: It's hard to make a mess the best, but the messy pig was an amazing sandwich, and I enjoyed every bite of succulent pulled pork, creamy coleslaw, puckery pickles, and spicy jalapenos, all on a decent bun and flavorful sauce. Fried Okra: First batch of Okra was a bit stale but we had no trouble getting a fresh batch thanks to good service, which had well-seasoned batter surrounding flavorful okra. Smoked wings/w buffalo sauce: The smoke wings were not too special but the sauce made it worthwhile. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

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Do not order catering! We ordered food for 10 people when we only had eight. There was not nearly enough food for even eight people. The restaurant is 15 minutes from us and * ALL the food was brought room temperature!* When we called the central office, sends you to the restaurant, the phone rings about three times, then hangs up on you saying that no one is available to take the call. read more

I went in today to pick up food as a care package for a family. Not sure what I was wanting to do Amy, Simone and Katheryn walked me thru and helped me pick the perfect meal package, they even let me sample the coleslaw before I purchased to make sure that it was something that I liked. Absolute fantastic service!!! Thank you sooo much for the recommendations ladies. read more

Great job 4 Rivers! For the first time in a while you had everything in our order we paid for. NOTHING MISSING! We love the food but stopped our catering events just in response because when our family ordered for pickup there was always a missing sandwich . Thank you for double checking and increasing your quality control. read more

Excellent food and service. Curbside is always on time! It's our go to for BBQ. The brisket is the best !

My husband and I have been to the South Tampa location multiple times and I'm never disappointed. Today I had the 2x2 platter with pulled pork brisket Mac and cheese collard greens and jalapeño poppers with sweet tea. Food was delicious I just wish that I had more. Customer service is always up to par. We were welcomed as soon as we walked in. Items were recommended to us. Employees were so polite and smiled throughout our experience. The atmosphere is always mellow and inviting. It's been a while since our last visit but we always remember to enjoy the food and atmosphere. read more

4 Rivers Smokehouse - My 2x2 platter - Barbeque Near Me - Tampa Bay, Florida

Food was great. Quick service and as often BBQ is always a great way to go. Enjoyed the Texas kick also.

The BBQ baked beans here are bomb as is the corn bread. The pulled pork was above average. I thought the mac & cheese was awful, burnt ends weren't good, and the brisket was very average. I liked the mustard sauce and the signature sauce. I'm glad that the meats come plain and you can add in sauce as necessary. Overall the meat is really cheap. You can get discounted gift cards at CostCo. I think it was $74.99 for $100. read more

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Brandon was super friendly, fast and helpful. Food was very good as well. We will be back

Ordered a quarter slab of ribs with fried okra and baked beans. The baked beans were very good and tasty, but the okra was rubbery and chewy. The ribs on the lean side were tasty but very chewy almost not edible. The backside had the silver skin still attached and a piece of meat with fat was not edible. Not sure if it's just this location, but I would not be ordering from there again. read more