SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR B Q

Is SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR B Q a safe place to eat? Mostly — a B (89/100) at its latest inspection, April 30, 2026. That visit logged 1 intermediate and 8 basic violations.

Its most recent inspection on April 30, 2026 cited 1 intermediate and 8 basic violations. It currently ranks safer than 40% of Orange County restaurants we grade. Diner rating: 4.3 from 3,567 reviews.

Trend: declining · B (89/100)

Get directions Call (407) 814-8888

Restaurant details

Health grade
B (89/100)
Violations
9 total — 1 intermediate, 8 basic
Address
2210 E SEMORAN BLVD, Apopka, FL
Cuisine
American
Categories
Barbecue restaurant, American restaurant, Bar & grill, Catering food and drink supplier, Family restaurant, Lunch restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.3 stars (3567 reviews)
Seats
180
Phone
(407) 814-8888
Website
Official website
Photo of SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR B Q
Photo: Sonny's BBQ

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.3 Community-sourced rating 3,567 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

59% of reviews here touch on how guests are treated, more than any other theme. How guests are treated tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 4.2 stars.

Conspicuously absent: freshness and temperature, which no reviewer brings up. The split is 15 positive to 2 negative across 17 rated reviews. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 13 of the 17 reviewers who rated.

On the health side, the most recent DBPR inspection returned a B (89/100) with 1 intermediate and 8 basic violations — middling, much like the reviews. That inspection was on April 30, 2026. The trend across inspections is decline. That puts it ahead of 40% of graded kitchens in Orange County. Among the items recorded were cross-contamination and clean clothes.

Both measures agree, which is the least complicated version of this page. Everything above is computed from the 17 reviews reproduced below.

Our own analysis of 17 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 28, 2026

    Brookelynn L is a WONDERFUL server! My hubby n I eat at the Apopka Sonny’s 2-5 times per week, lunch n dinner. She always has a smile when she greets us n remembers our order by heart!! She is very knowledgeable of the menu items n prices, we love to sit with her! I’m n a wheelchair n she always removes 2 chairs for me so I have plenty of room. She’s very accommodating n sweet!!! We LIVE BROOKELYNN!!

  • June 27, 2026

    My favorite Sonny's BBQ!

  • June 26, 2026

    We were in Orlando for a conference and stop to eat here. The food was amazing.

  • June 26, 2026

    The service was horrible and management is even worst

  • June 22, 2026

    Definitely above average barbecue pit franchise that is a Central Florida mainstay. From ribs to pulled pork, you won't leave hungry after visiting Sonny's.

  • June 20, 2026

    Baby back ribs and brisket where fall apart tender and delicious!! 😋

  • June 20, 2026

    Shaye was WONDERFUL! The food was delicious. And Kyle the manager was accommodating.

  • June 15, 2026

    Claudia was awesome as usual. Pay that lady!!

  • June 12, 2026

    Very friendly people and

  • June 11, 2026

    Always a great experience here. The food is amazing. The service is always friendly and the atmosphere even when it's busy is calm and enjoyable. Marlene was absolutely awesome very kind and friendly. Sonny's is definitely a go to if you enjoy good food and service.

  • June 11, 2026

    Love the redneck egg rolls. The smokey ranch sauce is delicious. Great food. Fast service. The chicken is delicious. Love the bbq salad. Heather our server was great very professional and out going, great positive attitude towards customers. It's a very comfortable environment.

  • June 8, 2026

    Since members of our group arrived at different times, it would have been preferable to provide beverages soon after each arrival and to proceed in taking orders as soon as most of the group arrived. Those who arrived close to the time of reservations did not like the extra waiting time that it took for several unexpected ones to arrive and help complete a third table. I was disappointed in my rib and sliced pork servings, compared to previous visits. Now there are 3 smaller and somewhat tough ribs. The 3 small pieces of sliced pork was less than half the usual size, and lean meat was neglible. Of all of the visits that I've experienced through the years, this was probably the first time that I ever left hungry. However, I did enjoy one of the new lemonades, though the refill arrived too late to drink it there. However, the server kindly brought me a to go cup, so I could take it home.

  • June 7, 2026

    I LOVE Sonny's. Love y'all, BUT this street corn dip is absolutely not street corn dip. It's corn salsa, which is fine, but nothing street corn-esque about it.

  • June 6, 2026

    Food is always good the drive-thru service is slower than molasses on a freezing day, never takes less than 20 minutes with only one car ahead of you, do a drive-thru? plan to camp out overnight to get your food!!!

  • June 5, 2026

    Love the BBQ food. We dine at this location often.

  • June 1, 2026

    The food was amazing. And our waitress Waitress Simmer was nice and very professional. Will definitely visit again when in the area.

  • June 1, 2026

    The food was good as always. Our waitress Summer was very nice and professional. Thanks a lot and will come back again when in the area.

Overall Score

62 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 30/40
    Grade B
  • Dietary transparency 13/20
    4 options listed
  • Community rating 17/20
    4.3★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 2/10
    Declining, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Friday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9:30 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. April 30, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 8 basic

    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×2)
  2. January 20, 2026 · Complaint Full

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 5 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 42 — Cleaning and maintenance equipment
  3. December 10, 2025 · Complaint Full

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    1 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 7 basic

    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
    • 42 — Cleaning and maintenance equipment
  4. July 9, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 1 basic

    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 50 — Current license, properly displayed

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to SONNY'S REAL PIT BAR B Q, by Florida DBPR grade:

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: April 30, 2026