What happened to Sonny's? Check your to-go order before you leave!I have been going to Sonny's BBQ in Florida since 1994. Around 2015 I stopped going to Sonny's as I felt the quality of the BBQ had severely diminished. The food did not taste or look home cooked anymore, the food looked and tasted more commercialized. The quality fell to the level of Golden Coral buffet food. Then I discovered Southern Pig & Cattle Co. on Maricamp in 2020, and I was again, back to tasting wonderful BBQ food. Recently I decided to give Sonny's another go to compare the two. I noticed in recent years the Sonny's franchise has revamped their restaurants, their logo and branding etc.Is it possible I have caught the Sonny's restaurant on a bad night? The food was sub-standard. It was a Sat night 9pm and they close at 9:30pm. Let me begin with what I ordered. Baby back rib dinner with fries and coleslaw, dry texas toast. Chicken tender dinner with fries and bbq beans, dry texas toast. Big deal sliced pork on a bun with mac n cheese, and a large sweet tea.Ordered and paid using the drive thru, Silver Springs BLVD Ocala FL. I was never asked what sauce I wanted. So I asked for an assortment including the mustard sauce.So when I arrive home. No coleslaw. The chicken tenders were extremely dry as if they were deep-fried twice, or sitting under a heat lamp for hours. Texas toast is now a slice of thin french bread? No assortment of sauce, I only got sweet sauce. The ribs were not tender at all. The ribs were tough as if they were not cooked very long. I know this sounds hard to believe but they were very hard to pull the ribs apart. The ribs were not basted and wet in sauce, at all. (See the photo of the ribs)I called and spoke to Lauren about my missing coleslaw and she said to come in the next time I visit to get my coleslaw. She said they are closing for the night as it was 9:30pm.I almost want to return the un-eaten food tomorrow. Let them see the ribs, they are tough and like rubber. the last issue is why does take-out food always skimp on the french fries? 10 french fries for each order? Really?The price may be high, but it's expected as gas is $5 a gallon now too. So inflation, I get it and I am okay with it. But what about getting what I paid for?I am in no way affiliated with the Southern Pig & Cattle Co., I certainly think you should give them a try, and compare them to Sonny's yourself.***update June 14th 2022The next day I visited the restaurant and spoke to Chris the manager. I explained my experience and returned with the uneaten food to show him the rubber baby back ribs and dry chicken tenders. Chris went above and beyond to correct the situation and I commend him for it. He refunded my money and remade the food to show he wanted a second chance at my patronage. He also apologized my family dinner that night was ruined. I did not expect such a response, I was a bit overwhelmed. I thanked Chris, and I retuned home with the new food for my kids and it was very good. The customer service response was amazing. To be completely honest, for me personally, the BBQ food at Southern Pig & Cattle is still better. Everyone has their own opinion and taste preference. I encourage anyone to try them both and come to your own conclusion which you prefer. A sincere thank you to Chris the manager at Sonny's.My original post was 1 star for the experience, and I changed it to 3 stars for the customer service effort put forward.
Food was great, except the sliced pork was very dry, not juicy.. I ordered my ff and tots extra crispy. The server brought them and thought I was going to send them back because both were completely brown, no white ones. I thoroughly enjoyed them, so much so, I couldn't eat the meat from my sampler, except for the sliced pork.. Go box was my partner when we left. Server was pleasant and kept my friends tea full.
Overall great experience food was good server was excellent. Just stopped by while driving by to have a quick bite. They were quick and efficient and it was a great experience.
Ordered my food waited at the curbside pickup got a text said to give them the spot and they would be out when ready I ordered @ 2:27 said it would be ready by 2:39 I had to call then they came out said I should call the text they didn't get. They sent to me and well got my foot after 3 pm I ordered corn so I thought was corn on cob well they have changed it not happy my food was cold and the portions were totally different from the past year. Not happy
I ordered online they said it would be ready in 25 mins I got there in 30mins and sent an email they said they would out as soon and it was ready . I waited another 15 mins then called the store. They said it was ready they would right out. It was cold. There was NO napkins or silverware. What was I supposed to eat with. Could not eat my Cole slaw and beans. I think I will find another BBQ place to go to. No butter for my cornbread. I will not go back.
Delicious BBQ. I usually don't like going out for BBQ because they tend to have relatively small portions. Not Sonny's though! The brisket was delicious and so was the BBQ chicken. They gave me so much I had to bring the rest home with me!By far my favorite BBQ spot in Ocala and my family and I will definitely be back!
Staff was great. Server was so courteous and quick even though they were short staffed. Certainly will be back for some more great food!
Had Dinner tonight w/my folks. Food was hot & delicious, absolutely no complaints there. Dennis ( I believe he's a manager )absolutely delightful gentleman. ? We'll be back soon!! Thanks for a great evening. 3/18/22
Very good dinner menu. Food was served promptly. Excellent selection and generous portions. I had the triple choice of meat and chicken white or dark meat. Everything was cooked to perfection. I'm sure we'll be back.
I forgot how well sonny's does BBQ. Came here for dinner but just went through the drive through because I'm still worried about eating in a restaurant. However, the food was amazing and it was pretty fast in the drive through too. I hadn't been to a sonny's in years but I have no idea why I had not gone back. The baby back ribs are the best.... just saying