4 Rivers Smokehouse

Reviews 3

TR

Traveler Foodie

This location really showcases the full extent of this marvelous concept in all of it’s smokiness. There is the same counter service and outdoor patio style seating, like it’s Winter Park location. However, there is indoor seating and more than ample parking here. The indoor dining room is warm, rustic, and welcoming. With high ceilings and sturdy furniture, this is a perfect gathering place for large or small groups. It is ideal for children who never sit still in a restaurant, they can add to the casual family atmosphere of relaxed fun. The outdoor patio boast several picnic style benches and tables. Wide open galvanized beams replaces wood as you would expect in a country style setting. Here is a tip, go online consult the menu, place your order and pick up at the side take out window. Avoid the long lines. Or, what better way to dine than in a shed full of people. If you did not come in with everyone, you will know everyone before you leave. That is the kind of atmosphere created here. One big happy family. Don’t let the big menu intimidate you. I say this because as I was walking in, an elder group of kind folks were surveying the menu. One distinguished gentleman remarked, “This is not Sonny’s BBQ.” Well, no….it certainly is not. This is way better. I am always confused when there are too many options to choose from. Because I want everything. So I have to tell myself before hand what I am going to eat. Or, let someone else do the ordering. I am like things 4Rivers. I have not tasted anything from the Winter Park location that I did not like. So running through Winter Garden menu it looks the same. If everything I’ve read about Chef John Rivers is true, I am sure there is duplicity and consistency in the food at all of his locations. Time to throwdown! Ribs, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Cornbread, and Jalapeno Grits – The ribs were well seasoned with a nice balance of sweetness to saltiness. What sets this apart from most ribs in town is the same seasoned flavor carries throughout the ribs. Great marination! The sides were all spot on. Next time I gotta get more of that grits. Brisket, Smoked Chicken, Sweet Potato, Smoked Jalapeños wrapped in bacon, Mac and Cheese – Disclosure: I nibbled at the Jalapeños, since I am impartial to little fire crackers….whew it was hot! The brisket I should say on this occasion was a slight bit on the salty side, but still very flavorful. Chicken was tender, juicy, and full of smokiness. The sides were bursting with flavors. I never quite realized how many different non mainstream sodas this restaurant carried. How many of these brands or varieties have you tasted? Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda – not too gaseous but rich of creaminess Cheerwine Cherry Soda – a nice fizzy burst of cherry. I can’t wait to keep trying different types of sodas from here. Wonder if I can complete the list? Another great replica of already amazing food. With the parking issue resolved from Winter Park, it goes to reason that there really is no comparison for BBQ anywhere else. The entire concept of smoking meats or any food for that matter was done outdoors in the great West. 4Rivers have hit the nail on the head so to speak, with this casual yet spot on concept. Great home meals served in comfortable surroundings. It is like having a feast with the entire family in the great American Outdoors. Yeehaw! Giddy up!

CA

Caleb Laughlin

These thick crusted slabs of Angus brisket were obviously a hot seller, as they were constantly being sliced and plated. There was no question this had to be part of my order. With so many choices including chicken, turkey, Texas sausage and more, it was difficult picking a mate for my two meat combo. In the end pulled pork won out, because thats what smoked pig is all about. Continuing down the cafeteria style line, the final choices of side items are made from the multitude of dishes inside the sparkling glass cases. My combo came with three. I settled on potato salad, cheese grits, and smoked jalapenos. After paying, you either take one of the few inside tables, or head back out the door to the "side porch" eating area.This room is filled with wood picnic tables and lined with stools. Even though youre outside, the roof overhead and the smart decision of placing this area on the east side of the building keep it from getting overly hot in the afternoon sun. I plopped my plate, which was actually just a butcher paper-lined tray on the table and got ready to dig in. The brisket was all that and more. Each fresh,tender slice had a subtle smoke that added to the high quality taste of the meat without overpowering it. The bit of sauce they drizzled over the top wasnt needed, but it made for a great looking presentation. Contrast that with the pulled pork, which was drowned in sauce- so much so that it had a sickly orange hue. That sauce, by the way, didnt strike me as anything special. There is a regular and a hot version, but really nothing interesting in the way of flavor. The pork did have some tasty bits of bark mixed in, and it may have been well smoked, but I couldnt tell. I can only guess they are trying to keep it moist by mixing in sauce. It was also barely warm, which tells me it had been sitting out for quite some time. But then the sides stepped in, bringing the awesomeness back to my meal. Thick and creamy potato salad, grits baked in foil with butter and cheese, and then the jalapenos. Stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and then smoked, they were my favorite part of the meal besides the brisket. One order was two peppers, but thankfully they gave me three because they were a little small. Even without finishing all the pork, I left stuffed and happy. My advice here: try whatever you like, but dont skip the brisket and you wont leave disappointed.

JA

Jared V

I have had better barbecue in Orlando. Go to Kennys in Clermont. Itll take you just as long to drive to Kennys and get better food as waiting in line at 4Rivers in the disgusting heat. They do not serve you on a plate, but on paper on a tray. The seating is annoying and I do not pay the kind of price Four Rivers charges to sit outside in 100 degree heat to have fans blow misty water on me and my food. At least this location has an inside, though I was harassed by flies buzzing around my food while trying to eat, which disgusts me. The service is mediocre and the staff usually look bored or annoyed. There is very frequently an unacceptably, unjustifiably long line, often out the door. This is not high enough quality food to wait 20-30 minutes in line to order. I have had the "pulled" chicken (misnomer-- its not pulled, it is chopped, and there absolutely is a difference), pulled pork, and the Texas Destroyer. The destroyer is great, the pork is good, the chicken is underwhelming. The sides have mostly been disappointing; the baked beans and fried okra are the best. The mac and cheese is bland, the fried pickles are worthless, and the fries are pitiful, frozen crinkle fries you can get at the grocery store and better left unordered. They do make a great bbq sauce, both hot and standard. Stick to pork or brisket and youll be happy. I have not had the ribs. They have an awesome plastic utensil dispenser that dispenses one fork/knife/spoon at a time so you know you arent getting a fork that some cretin put their diseased little hands on while getting their own. I will not give more stars due to flies in the dining room, price (should be about $2-3 cheaper per person on average IMO), and service. If there is a line out the door, do NOT wait. Go somewhere else and come back midday or in the evening during the week. Avoid this place on the weekend.