The service was good, but the food was gross. Mac and cheese tasted like frozen meal kind. Veggies were burnt. Meat was icky. Hoping I/we won't get sick. I 99% of the time give good reviews, but the entire table hated the food. And my stomach is starting to feel bad. My advice... pick something else! read more

ordered via grub hub. order was on time but they gave the driver the incorrect order. When I called Sonny's to see what I could do they were completely uninterested & the manager actually hung up on me! I was not being unreasonable. All they said was that I had to call grub hub but they were the ones who made the mistake.They made no offer to remedy the situation. I have been a Sonny's customer for over 30 years but service counts & I will certainly not be going there again. Fortunately Grubhub came through & are refunding my money. At least some do care about customer service. read more

We just left there. We both ordered the Pulled Pork meal with 2 sides. It was served almost immediately. Now I see why; it had all been sitting under a heat lamp. The pork was dried up, cold, not juicy at all. The fries were pitiful.. cold cardboard. I complained and then had to wait while they made new ones, so I was done eating the pork and cole slaw by the time they came. The corn on the cob was cold and mushy. The garlic toast, while flavorful, was not hot either. There were only a handful of customers there. So they weren't overbusy. Quite the opposite, that is why they were unloading this old food, that really should have been thrown in the trash. We should never have been served this "food". I have crossed them off my list forever, they don't even exist for me. A real shame, they used to be good. read more

This is my review for their take out. While I have eaten in this location and enjoyed the ribs today purchased take out at around 1:30 pm for my dinner tonight. WHY do restaurants give their burnt dry lousy food for take out orders?? This is not my first experience but my first at Sonny's. I paid $17 plus for st Louis ribs and 2 corn bread. Frankly, the ribs were so dried out they were inedible. This is NOT fair. A total waste of money, now a need to find dinner and sadly, a very disappointing view of what I once thought were good ribs from Sonn I have since learned to order the ribs by the pound and ask for center cut. They have been excellent!!!! read more

I've been to Sonny's a few times now. I find food amazing but so far unless you are getting Lori behind the bar you are not getting good service. Lori is the only one that seems like she wants to be there and had remembered my order every time. Wish they had a wait staff that believes in customer service. read more

Reasonably priced & delicious. Prior to Covid we loved the salad bar which we would have with a sandwich. We have had pulled chicken, pulled pork & brisket, all good. read more

Jessica M was a delight. Love Sonny's. Baby back ribs and corn bread are our go to. Always a favorite when in Sarasota. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Love Sonny's. Jessica M was a delight. Device and food always terrific. - Barbeque Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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If you order from this Sonny BBQ, pick up the food quick when you get to the restaurant before the attitude gets to you first. My friend went to pick up the food, the lady with the red hair was running around like crazy servicing the customers ( you feel sorry for her) while the other lady went to the counter and came across that she did not want to be bothered. My friend wanted to ask her questions about the menu even though He already had the food from the online order ( He was trying to order some more food). The lady gave a short answer - no, did not show him the menu of options, and just said sorry about that...take care. Mind you he wanted to buy some more food, but apparently his money was not good enough. This is the last time We will come to this one....We will drive a few extra miles to Sonny's in Bradenton to get better service. read more

Had some great BBQ with my family here Sunday night. Decent service very nice and attentive. Food was phenomenal, been here before and they were really on there game tonight. read more

Not good! 3rd rate salad bar and less than edible Ribs. The pulled pork was edible but kind of strange. It was more like Kahlua Pig than pulled pork - smokey and wet. Pass on this place. read more

You want good, basic, smokey Southern barbecue? This is the place. Sure it's a big old chain. But it got to be that way because it's damn good. The pork ribs are wonderful -- you certainly shouldn't eat anything worse or pay more than this. There's the smoke ring on the meat, a few different sauces, and tons of sides. Note that you can get all-you-can-eat specials most of the time, even when the table signage says they're not available. Yes, it will make you fat like many of the patrons. So? 3 Oct 2007 Update: People all told me this place has declined. I checked, and it's the SAME, and still good. read more

Makes her happy. She loves the baby back ribs, cornbread, baked beans, mac & cheese, and half of whatever she orders for me. I like the two for one beer deal. read more

Got to love the sweet sauce! I know it's commercial chain but they do a great job consistently with the smoking. I have not used them for catering but would definitely make a call when I have the need. Nice quiet place to meet for lunch. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

My family had a very mixed experience with various items we ordered from Sonnys BBQ. When we ordered for take out we clearly communicated that we had a party of 8 and asked for advice on the portions. Unfortunately, there was not enough food for everyone to eat. The people that received sandwiches really enjoyed their pulled beef and pulled pork. However, the french fries that accompanied them were atrocious reheated freezer spuds. The baby back ribs are comically small, but are flavorful. The dry rub STL ribs are very good as well. The dry rub chicken wings have good texture, though they the rub is a bit too salty. The sides were very disappointing; awful green beans, soggy mac cheese, pasty potatoes & under whelming corn bread. Turned out to be wonderful that the portions were off! read more

After trying Sonny's for the first time in Silver Springs, I was excited about the prospect of trying it again. So here I am in Sarasota and I found so many listings of Sonny's BBQ. After watching a movie today, we stopped by here for a quick dinner. We ordered the 10 piece Chicken Wings and their special for the day, 2 different types of meat (slice or pulled), 2 sides, garlic toast or corn bread for $8.99. We ordered the chicken wing with the sizzling sweet bbq sauce (good balance of sweet and spicy). The wings are still my favorite here. It's perfectly cooked to a crisp with the right amount of moisture and flavor. It's yummy. We also ordered pulled pork and sliced beef briskets, which were moist despite it's appearance. For our sides, we had baked beans and coleslaw. I like their baked beans. Prices were very good. Waiters and Hostess were pleasant and kind as always. Casual dining experience. It closes at 9:35 pm. I thought that was an unusual time to close. read more

For many, many years now, each trip to south Florida means a stop at Sonny's. This is always very much looked forward to, as their food is, I must admit, a family favorite. That is, until tonight's visit. The barbecue was mostly fatty meat, both the sweet and baked potatoes were over cooked as if they had been sitting beneath a warming lamp for far too long, and the sweet tea was anything but. We as a family decided to just pay the check and leave halfway through our dinner. And the worst part of tonight's visit, (after we had told the waitress why we were leaving...) my children asked the waitress if they could have a few cornbread muffins to go, her answer, "I can sell you two for $1.99!" Now, the kids have never, EVER been charged for a couple of these cornbread muffins before, and this about broke their little hearts. This, and as the quality of food has slowly been deteriorating, while the prices have gone up, have ensured that tonight's visit will be our last. So, thank you Sonny's for showing your true colors; while I understand you're in business to make money, would it have sent your restaurant chain into bankruptcy to give the kids a few muffins on the house. Now we know why the chain has been closing locations. read more

The food was extremely good and a big shoutout to our bartender Lori for the absolute fantastic customer service!

Food and. Service good but prices thru the roof. They used to have all you can eat sliced pork on Wednesday but was informed that the sliced pork now 10.99 and $5.00 more for ayce. Guess they feel I have to pay for their remodeling. For $16 can go to a steak house for a complete meal read more

This is good for bbq. Whether with family or friends. I wish they would finish the remodel already. Usually good service however my last visit Saturday wasn't that great. We had a new male waiter, and he seemed a bit put out with attitude. He continued to show up and take plate and empty silverware container as I was using it for empty sweet and low packets. Also when I asked about getting silverware and reminded him we still did not have iced tea we had ordered I received a rather disgusted look from him. Had to snatch my garlic bread off my plate and scarf it down and toss crust back on plate as he showed up and took my plate without asking if I was finished or anything! read more

Dinner here was good and bad. I knew this wouldn't be a gourmet meal but sometimes you need a little guilty pleasure. Unfortunately this location seems to be not very well managed. We arrived at 7 pm on a Thursday. The place was fairly busy but not packed. We waited several minutes while staff hurried past us without saying a word. My hubby finally asked if there was a hostess on duty and the gal said she was really busy and trying to catch up. Obviously they were busy, but I think it could have been handled better. Eventually someone else noticed us waiting and we seated at a clean table with dirty, sticky seats. Our server was really sweet but I don't think she had very extensive training. For example: she brought us bread but no butter, brought us a dessert to share but only one spoon, walked right past us without a glance despite my waving her down, and messed up our bill. She was so cheerful and friendly about it all that we didn't have the heart to say anything. I ordered the salad bar which I always enjoy. I could easily make an entire meal out of their broccoli salad! The salad bar was clean and fresh and yummy. My hubby had a harder time ordering because they had run out of so many items. They had no chicken-on-the-bone, no corn on the cob, and no sweet potatoes. With a some substitutions he got his plate. The food was good, but not what he'd hoped to order. Altogether, it was a pretty good meal, but the experience could have been so much better. read more

Sonny's BBQ - Sampler platter with some substitutions because they were out of stuff. - Barbeque Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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My boyfriend occasionally would bring home ribs or pulled pork for a late dinner and it always tasted okay. So another night when I did not feel like cooking we went to Sonny's. All you could eat deal for $13.99 was a pretty good deal but if your stomach is not big - skip on it - the plate holds enough food to make a body of 118lbs full. I had sliced smoked pork, Cole-slaw, garlic toast and as an appetizer - fried okra. Meat was smoky, juicy and not salty. I also did not taste any million times burned oil on my okra. Service was prompt, place was clean, and noise level for late night - pretty quiet. Definitely will be back another time. Update 2 years after: still love the place - BBQ meat - either pork - pulled or sliced, chicken or ribs - all is great. Also like their Cowboy rolls. You never would leave that place hungry! It is definitely for a long time our local favorite. read more

I have stopped going to Sonny's. A Month ago I walked out because of chaos. The waitress seemed bothered to have another table. She was disappointed that it was only me at a 4 seat table, she complained about other customers and employees to me while cleaning off another table instead of getting my drink order. I was ready to order by the time she got my drink order, but they were out of pulled pork. How the hell does that happen at lunch? Then she came back and asked me to relocate to another table because they had a group coming in. So I did change tables... I found one at The Oaks and was thrilled with their service and food. I will NEVER go back to Sonny's. The place does not help Sonny's brand look good at all. read more

This place is great! We enjoyed lunch here and were stuffed! Good value for money. Definitely get the salad bar, which features regular salad items (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, etc.) but also fun stuff like cole slaw, broccoli slaw, tuna salad, potato egg salad, bread pudding, banana pudding, and much more. The beef brisket was melt in your mouth. My daughter said the hot dog was tasty. Pulled pork was very good. We couldn't finish it all but I'm certainly looking forward to a repeat visit. The only thing I would change is providing the beer selection on the table or menu. I dislike having to ask the waitress to recite it, then making a quick decision over something so important. I regret not getting the ribs. Until next time, Sonny's! read more

Our waiter was amazing he gave my daughter anime stickers and asked if she liked and me and she didn't reply yes so he gave her a bunch of stickers of my hero academia and was very funny and nice to be with the food was very good I definitely recommend this place read more

the managers simply don't want to manage. coming from a former customer and employee, this place has done nothing but slowly decline in quality over the years in the regards of food, customer service, overall dining experience, and work environment. if you ever have any problem (and you probably will) all you receive is an insincere apology from a manager, a coupon, and maybe a refund if it's really bad. if you know your way around and know the servers and the menu, then your experience might be alright on a good day. However if not, i'd go somewhere else. it's not a problem in the kitchen (if you're not counting the fact that it's the most unsanitary work environment i've ever seen especially for what's supposed to be considered "classy barbecue"), and it's not a problem with the servers, hosts, or cashiers. it's the management of this location specifically that is terrible. it's an actual laughable joke. if you want some sonny's i'd recommend any location but this one. but the potato salad is great and the servers are very sweet! read more

It was very good I had some Mac and cheese it was so good I would eat it again the sauces were great and the music they played was pretty good I liked it a lot my daughter had the grilled cheese sandwich and she loved it the brisket was very good I love this place 10/10 must recommend!! read more

Had a great dinner experience! Lori was very professional, yet friendly and very accommodating to our needs! Will definitely come back!

We ate at Sonny's on a Thursday night, which featured All You Can Eat ribs for $11.99. Although normally this would rate at least a 3 on Yelp, the ribs were dry and not very good. If you have a choice, go to the BBQ place on Bahia Vista instead (Roadside Rib Shack). read more

Perfect quick stop for a bbq lunch, this location is consistent with the food output as the other locations in the Franchise.

Lori Moyer was our server and she did an amazing job! Wonderful, quick service, friendly, and very responsive! We will definitely be back!

Lori Moyer was the BEST server I have come across in a long time! They were short staffed yet would have never known it. The food is reasonably priced and some of the best bbq around. Bring your restaurant to Northern Indiana! read more

The bad news is my favorite waitress, Tracy, of all time anywhere has been promoted a manager at this location. The good news is everything is running even smoother/better than before. If you like BBQ ribs, pork or chicken you are heading to the right place. If you tend to overindulge Tuesday's is their AYCE special on pork ribs and Thursday on sliced or pulled pork. All the sides are good on the menu. Even their salad bar kicks butt. I am a carnivore but sometimes I need that fresh salad bar. I personally think the tuna salad on it is better than Publix or any other grocery store in the area. To start with it tends to have less mayonnaise. Wow how Sonny's BBQ has evolved over time. I've been a regular with coworkers since they opened locations in both Sarasota and Bradenton years ago and have recently even made a customer out of my wife, a non-barbecue person because of their salad bar. See Ya Next Week Sonny's BBQ -Brett read more

I had a great meal there. Jamie Stringfield really went out if her way. Would certainly go back

this was my first experience in this establishment and I was unsure what to order. My server, rose, was extremely helpful in her suggestions and I had a wonderful dinning experience. The food was exceptional and plentiful and reasonably priced. I would recommend sonnys to all my friends when visiting Florida read more

Delicious BBQ at very reasonable prices. Excellent, very friendly service. We were unexpectedly delighted, and we will definitely be back.

Lori is the best server at sonnys in Sarasota go see her for a great dining experience tues- sunday 4-9

If I could have given my visit a zero, I would...Tonight we went in, and not only was the service atrocious, but the wait for our food was even worse. My bf received his food and his ribs were tough and dry. After he was finished, I finally received my burger which was burned. I ordered another, and it was given to another table....The manager argued with me, and said that they were busy...In any event, we were there for 2 1/2 hours...Never again... read more

all of the food tasted microwaved and the chicken looked like rubber we had a party if 14 and all of our food was horrible and our server only came around twice read more

I went to Sonny's this past week and had a great experience. Jamie prepped my food and it was amazing. I will definitely be going back there soon. My overall experience with the whole establishment was great. Thank and keep up the good work. read more

Terrible, not only did they ruin my order, the manager, Logan, hung up on me. I called back and would not be connected to him. You will regret ordering from this place. read more