4 Rivers Smokehouse

Reviews 7

MR

Mrs. Chiefy McWifey

After going to the 4 Rivers location on Faribanks for MANY years, we decided to try this location . We came here on Saturday March 5th for my birthday celebration around 1pm in the afternoon. We didnt expect to get served and seated so quickly and we were quite surprised! Upon checking out my husband asked if they offered any discounts (military, AARP, AAA, senior, BIRTHDAY ,,, ) to which the young lady at the register replied no to all with the exception of a free cupcake for my birthday. My husband asked her if we needed to get that cupcake now or after we were finished and at the Sweet Shoppe, where she explained we could just go into the Sweet Shoppe after our lunch and let the girl behind THAT counter know it was my birthday (and I could prove it too) for a free cupcake from there selections. We went into the Sweet Shoppe and told the young lady it was my birthday and I was there to claim my treat. Never having wished me a happy birthday she right away asked if we were members of their "Loyalty Club" and I said no we had never heard about it and we were never told we needed that. She then asked who said it was that told me I could get a free treat and I said the girl at the register in the main area. She said "Theyre really not supposed to tell people that" and I said ok never mind ... feeling kind of offended,but still, we purchased a cupcake and a slice of carrot cake. After much pecking at the register the girl said, "Ill give it to you anyway. I dont want to ruin your birthday." Really? Seriously? We love 4 Rivers and brag about it all the time. We will return ... but never to this location again.

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TR

Traveler Foodie

Well sweet me up and stick me in a smoker! What a concept! A smokehouse attached to a sweet shop. This is the third Smokehouse by Chef John Rivers and the first of its kind with a sweet shop. What is a sweet shop, you asked? It is a shop that sells homemade ice cream and desserts. Of course all of these delectables are made in house by their capable staff. The large open viewing counter caters for a show as the chefs work their magic. Taking a hint from the people bustling round, it does take character to be pastry chefs. While these fine individuals cover themselves in flour and sugar, there is an ever present smile on their faces. Never thought working with sweet stuff was so fulfilling. I wonder if there will ever be a 4Rivers joint with no lines in the parking lot. There is always a line wrapped out the door and snaked around a couple of times either inside or out. It is amazing how fast this line moves. Same like the other locations, walk in, order, they slap it on paper and tray, you pay at the end of the counter, and off you go to find a dining spot. This location has a large indoor dining room and a very open patio. The outdoor patio shares space with the attached Sweet Shop. Although it appears as two distinct entrances and venues, it is all the same. The food is replicated with precision from the Winter Park and Winter Garden location. This is cloning to it’s finest. Exact recipes are exercised in all locations, this being the same. 4Rivers is set to go places. Keep smoking and we’ll keep eating.

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MI

Mike Wazowski

Ive had lots of different BBQ from around the States. Texas, Southern, Memphis, Carolina, etc. Very few are bad but once in a while you find that exceptional kick butt BBQ, however 4 Rivers isnt that - but at one time they were. When 4 Rivers started out is was small and perfect. Now they have expanded and to do that you sacrifice quality for quantity. Their brisket was once perfect but now it tastes like it was soaked in brine. Their sausage is shipped in. The ribs are hit or miss on being good or being over cooked. Their turkey still is good but that is about it. I never liked the jalapeno corn bread, their beans are more sauce than bean and lacks the thick chunks of bacon. The slaw is flat and lacking. They have a great selection of root beer. Then the bakeries are a mixture of greatness and dryness, which tends to be rolling the dice because you get some perfect and some crappy. Plus many of their desserts are lacking in a finesse of flavor and arent much more than a sugar overdose. There are much more hole-in-the-wall BBQ places around where quality is not sacrificed and I prefer to stay away from places which have incorporated in to a run of the mill assembly line for hipsters and newbies who know very little about great BBQ and tend to settle for what is trendy.

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MI

Michael michelle

My black community please put your money into your own people. I had the worst experience at this location, the discrimation is real. The blatant hovering over the only black people in the restaurant was infuriating and annoying. The constant checking on our table and constant staff frequenting our area; after watching them go no where else (but the kitchen area and back to our area) or checking on any other table but ours. We originally went there to meet with someone to discuss business then was going to chill out and order while also order to go for a friend in the hospital but after the passive aggressive disrespect I could not spend my money in this establishment. Good going 4 Rivers longwood for the reality check of discrimination and educating us on how you really feel about black people.

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BR

Brad M

Awful. Pay no attention to the salt addicts lined up outside. Apparently they have nothing better to do with their time. My 3rd try here and my last. My first bite of the brisket sandwich was a mouth full of fat, fully salted. Spit it into a napkin, tried again, but it was so salty I threw it out. On to the fried okra..it was mushy, and covered in salt, and then covered in more salt. The fried pickles were dripping in grease, and covered with...you guessed it...SALT. I cant understand why anyone would wait in line down the sidewalk for this, or for anything...Just goes to show, the general public is not that smart. And why drive around with a restaurants bumper sticker on your car? Funny Ive never seen an olive garden bumper sticker, why? because youd look just as foolish.

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NE

Neal Scott

I feel like Im at Disney when I visit this place. After being corralled like cattle in the usually log line (at lunchtime) the numerous, friendly servers pile your food selections on a piece of paper slid into a tray. You grab one of the dark wood booths or benches and eat some of the finest BBQ and sides in Central Florida. The smoked quarter chicken is moist and tasty, the pulled pork is fine and the brisket is at the pinnacle of the art. The sides are all delicious but make sure to try the bacon-wrapped smoked jalapeno and the baked cheese grits wrapped in foil. Oh, dont forget to visit the pastry area and try the chocolaty Earthquake bombe with a shot of espresso. Go there when you are very hungry or plan to take home some leftovers.

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NE

Nelson Santiago

Excellent food and excellent customer service the general manager Alex Pena was very was very attentive not only to myself and my family but also to all the customers in this establishment that were having dinner he went around making sure that everyone was satisfied with the service and the quality of the food, you dont find that kind of service in too many places anymore. The staff was fast and efficient and made sure we had everything we needed they all gave service with a smile. Staff came around often to ask if we needed Soft Drink refills or water and I observed them making sure that the establishment was clean cant wait to go back

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