4RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE
Does 4RIVERS SMOKEHOUSE keep a clean kitchen? Yes — an A grade, 98/100, at its most recent inspection on April 28, 2026. That visit logged 2 basic violations.
Its latest inspection on April 28, 2026 cited 2 basic violations. Diners give it 4.5 across 3,375 reviews. Menus here flag gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, paleo, and other dietary options.
A · 98/100 · safer than 80% of Orange County restaurants we grade
Get directions Call (321) 492-0796
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- A (98/100)
- Violations
- 2 total — 2 basic
- Address
- 11764 UNIVERSITY BLVD, Orlando, FL
- Cuisine
- Other
- Categories
- Barbecue restaurant, Caterer, Dessert shop
- Price
- $10–20
- Rating
- 4.5 stars (3375 reviews)
- Seats
- 104
- Phone
- (321) 492-0796
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
Reviews here split hard: 15 five-star against 3 one-star, with little in between. Reviewers who mention how guests are treated rate this place 4.5 on average — it is working in the restaurant’s favour.
5 stars is the modal score, given by 15 of the 22 reviewers who rated. The split is 16 positive to 4 negative across 22 rated reviews, with 2 in the middle.
The health record runs ahead of the reviews. The last DBPR inspection returned an A (98/100) with 2 basic violations. That inspection was on April 28, 2026. The trend across inspections is improvement. On health score it sits safer than 80% of the Orange County restaurants we grade. Among the items recorded were dishwashing facilities and food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized.
Both measures agree, which is the least complicated version of this page. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.
Our own analysis of 22 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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4RIVERS offer a wonderful selection of meat entrees, tasty side dishes, plus some hard-to-find bottled and fountain beverages. My favorite is the RIBS. They're almost a fetish. Without 4Rivers, I would be at a loss for a source of GOOD barbecue ribs. I have always received smiling friendly service. Save a little room because you WILL want to share a dessert from their very tempting pastry selection!
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This was my first experience of proper American BBQ and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The selection was fantastic and everything looked tempting. The ribs were outstanding—falling straight off the bone with no unnecessary fat, just perfectly cooked meat. The collard greens completely surprised me and ended up being one of the best things I ate all holiday. The team behind the counter handled a very large order efficiently and everything arrived quickly despite how busy they were. A brilliant BBQ experience that I’d happily recommend.
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Excellent food and service. Real delicious BBQ.
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Amazing food, desserts and friendly staff!
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Ordered a brisket sandwich and was literally served a slab of fat with a teaspoon size portion of meat. 95% of it was fat
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Went on a Sunday at around 530pm. The server was very nice and informed us they were out of a lot of things. Should have figured since they closed at 7pm. I got the 2x2 and got sausage and Turkey with fried okra and corn. The fried okra, corn, and Turkey were delicious. The sausage was cold and wasn't very good. My wife got a Turkey sandwich with side of Mac and cheese and says it was ok. My daughter had burnt end sandwich with cornbread and said it was pretty good but spicy. My other daughter got the kids chicken tender meal and barely ate a thing. She's picky but it wasn't very appealing so I took her to Raising Cane's afterwards. I probably wouldn't bring younger kids unless they like the regular menu items. Overall was decent for the price. I would try to go earlier in the day next time before they run out of stuff.
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Never disappoints!
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Extremely sad, when we left the area a few years ago, this was a wonderful place. Coming back today, I was given essentially fat from the deckle of a brisket. they have done so many cost savings initiatives that their product is what you throw away, I will never eat here again
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Service was top notch Javian did a great job checking up on us and making sure we were all satisfied
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The food was delicious and the music and environment. Javian's customer service was elite and top notch.
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This is my third visit to this location in about three months, and every single time, they’ve been out of wings. At this point, it’s hard to understand why they can’t figure out how many to order or prepare. Wings are one of their most popular items — it shouldn’t be this difficult to keep them in stock. The food I can get is good, but the consistency just isn’t there. It’s disappointing to come in hoping for the same thing and leave empty‑handed every time.
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First time at this location and the food was great and so was the service! Javian provided great service and very helpful. I will definitely be coming back!
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Amazing food, very clean and amazing customer service
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Quality and service was terrible, never coming back to this location. Came in for the first time in a while and ordered the Texas Destroyer with moist brisket and jalapenos on the sandwich. Should've known it was gonna be bad with the restaurant empty. While ordering my sandwich none of the employees were paying attention (foreshadowing my order being wrong). And as expected I got the worst bbq I've ever had, took 2 bites and realized no jalapenos, the little brisket that was there was dry and chewy (I don't like wasting food, but had to throw it away). Being from Texas, loving BBQ, and honestly used to like this location, this was a sad and expensive disappointment.
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4Rivers smokehouse gets a visit from me and my partner every here and there, but it never disappoints! The quality of the food, atmosphere, and staff have yet to disappoint. This visit I was helped by Javian, a great young guy who made sure our lunch experience was up to their high standards!
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Always love grabbing a meal here, staff is always great, especially Javian! Half rack ribs always my go-to!
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Don’t waste your money and time here.
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Bro Javian literally saved my life with these ribs. I was limping in the restaurant after getting destroyed with legs and he held me in his lap and hand fed me ribs and cornbread.
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They going to four rivers for about six years. They have got barbecue down. Brisket perfect pulled pork is full of flavor and the chicken is never dry.
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Good food good people great service.
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This is my first time at 4 Rivers, and it impressed!!! As someone who loves authentic, melt in your mouth bbq this place was the best! It hit ALL of my pregnancy cravings!!!!! We got the brisket, mac n cheese, fries, bayou bar, and chocolate chip cookie... we ate it all!. Javien was so kind and all the staff were amazing. This location is clean, chill and fun, and exceeded any expectations that my husband hyped up.
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Javian was an ace, honestly the whole team was incredible. It was my wife's first time here, and y'all brought the fire! It made our trip perfect!
Overall Score
82 / 100
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 PM
- Tuesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Thursday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday
- 11 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday
- 11 AM to 7 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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April 28, 2026 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
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February 23, 2026 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
0 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 5 basic
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
- 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
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December 10, 2025 · Routine - Food
Call Back - Complied
0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic
No violations cited.
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October 6, 2025 · Routine - Food
Warning Issued
3 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 7 basic
- 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition
- 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×3)
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 13 — Clean clothes; hair restraints; jewelry; fingernails
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
- 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
- 40 — Employee personal belongings
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 28, 2026