BBQ in the Orlando Area

[walter]

Has anyone had any descent BBQ in the Orlando area? How about Smokey Bones? Thanks!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

I would also like to know the answer to this. Anyone have any good suggestions for on the way down to Florida? We are traveling from Pittsburgh.

 

[Forever42]

My three favorites here in Orlando are Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, Sonny's, and Smokey Bones. I'd go to Bubbalou's before the other two, partly because it's a smaller local chain, and partly because the BBQ is much better there. The prices are relatively low ($8 for a turkey dinner including sliced turkey, fries, cole slaw, fries, garlic toast), and the sauces are great. Their baby back ribs are terrific.

 

[HopperFan]

Sonny's is very popular here in the south.

We snuck off premises last year to go eat there. Very reasonable.

 

[Bumbles]

I've done both Sonny's and Smokey Bones and I have to say Sonny's has the better 'cue

 

[Grumpy92]

Bubbalous is a local favorite. I consider myself a BBQ connisour and the chains just dont do it for me. Bubbalous has been named tops on one of the food channels.

 

[Bumbles]

I remember seeing them written up in Southern Living as well.

We drove by it this weekend and thought about stopping, but we didn't

Maybe in a few weeks

 

[HailToPitt]

wdisneyaholic,

If you like Eastern NC Barbecue (pulled pork with vinegar based sauce), Fuller's right off of I 95 in Lumberton is excellent. It is around mile marker 20 near the SC border.

 

[HopperFan]

Don't know at which point you are cutting east, so this may not be on course..............King's BBQ in Petersburg, Virginia.

 

[SeattleMark]

I second the vote for Bubbalou's. Here's their Web site for more info, menu and locations http://www.bubbalous.com/

 

[TwingleMum]

OMG I just looked at the website. Everything looks awesome.

 

[Figment22]

I just had to put my vote in for Bubbalou's also. Their BBQ is the best! I was also very pleased with their prices in comparison to other barbecue places.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

the minute I saw this thread I figured I need to rush and post Babbalou's but as you can see it has already been posted BUT if you get the Entertainment book for orlando there are 3 5.00 coupons for Babbalou's in there. Smokey Bones is a part of the same group that has Olive Garden and FORGET SONNY'S. They were the biggest disappointment I have ever experienced.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by Bella the Ball 360
....FORGET SONNY'S. They were the biggest disappointment I have ever experienced.

I'd have to agree with you there. Sonny's seems to be all over the place down south. We ate at one in Daytona and were very disappointed. I didn't think they were any too cheap either.

Bubbalou's rocks!

 

[trola2]

The Sonny's here in my town is always good, reasonable prices and kids eat free every Saturday. I don't know if they do that in Orlando but it might warrant a call before your trip if that would make a difference in your stopping there.

That said, we loved Tony Roma's near DTD and ate there twice on our last two trips (twice each trip.) but Bubbalou's is on our list for our next trip, so who know.

Let us know what you think when you return!

~~Beth

 

[kylara]

If you are up in the WInter Park area, O'boys is the best. I has been voted the best in Orlando Magazine in the past.

 

[Miniefan]

Well, I just wanted to give my opinion on this too, I am from Pensacola, Fl and we have 3 Sonny's locations here. I like them a lot and we always find it pretty reasonable, so we eat there almost once a week. So when we found one in Kissimmee, Fl located on HWY 192, we thought we were in luck. Well, it was the worst bbq I have ever had! Everything tasted horrible! The BBQ was so dry and tough, I couldn't eat it even the sweet tea was gross. Not to mention the restaurant looked like it was built in the 1970's or something I was very disappointed!! I asked them if they had any other locations, thinking it just might be this restaurant that was so bad and was told this was the only one in the Orlando area. So to anyone out there that might have eaten at this one only, I want to say not all Sonny's are like this one. I also ate at the Smokey Bone's BBQ in Tallahasse on the way down, and we thought it was not very good and it was pretty expensive, $65.00 for 2 adults/2 kids. I was not impressed with Smokey Bones and when we got home from WDW I drove by a building in construction with a sign that said Coming Soon... Smokey Bones BBQ! Maybe we'll have to try it again. Hope this helps someone.
Kim

 

[Figment22]

When we were in Orlando in April, we ate at the Smokey Bones on West Colonial, several miles north of Universal Studios. I thought the ribs were terrific and it was a fun, sports bar type of atmosphere. You even have a speaker at your table that you can change to any of the different TV's that are broadcasting around the restaurant. This was great for me as a Yankees fan as the Yanks v. Red Sox game was on that night.

Anyway, back to the BBQ...as I said, the ribs were excellent but they were considerably more expensive than Bubbalou's (got to pay for all those TV's somehow ) and I still rate Bubbalou's just a little bit higher. If you're looking for more of a fun atmosphere, I would suggest Smokey Bones. If you're just looking for the very best barbecue, make it Bubbalou's.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I am glad to find out that the Sonny's in the Orlando area is so bad because the south is noted for BBQ and some of you who live in FLA said it was pretty good. At least I understand that the locations near those who said it was good must be considerably better and I could not understand how anyone could put Bubbalou's in anywhere near the same class as Sonny's. Now at least it makes sense.

 

[trola2]

"I am from Pensacola, Fl and we have 3 Sonny's locations here. I like them a lot and we always find it pretty reasonable, so we eat there almost once a week."

Kim, we're also near Pensacola, and we eat almost every Saturday at Sonny's. With the free kids meals, where else can I feed me, hubby, and 3 kids for less than $11 and the food is great at these locations!!

I was glad to read your comparison between the ones here and down there. Thank you!

~~Beth