SONNY'S BBQ

Does SONNY'S BBQ keep a clean kitchen? Not quite — only a C, 76/100, the last time the state checked (April 16, 2026). That visit logged 3 high-priority violations.

Its latest visit (April 16, 2026) logged 3 high-priority violations. Diners rate it 4.6 across 3,598 reviews. By health score it's safer than 14% of Seminole County restaurants we grade. Menus here flag options for gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and paleo diners.

Trend: improving · C (76/100) · safer than 14% of Seminole County restaurants we grade

Get directions Call (407) 971-1131

Restaurant details

Health grade
C (76/100)
Violations
3 total — 3 high-priority
Address
7460 DOVER GARDEN LANE, Oviedo, FL
Cuisine
American
Categories
Barbecue restaurant, American restaurant, Bar & grill, Catering food and drink supplier, Family restaurant, Lunch restaurant
Price
$10–20
Rating
4.6 stars (3598 reviews)
Seats
246
Phone
(407) 971-1131
Website
Official website
Photo of SONNY'S BBQ
Photo: Sonny's BBQ

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.6 Community-sourced rating 3,598 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Diners writing about this place keep returning to how guests are treated. How guests are treated tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 4.7 stars.

Conspicuously absent: cleanliness, which no reviewer brings up. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 20 of the 26 reviewers who rated. 22 of 26 rated reviews are four stars or higher; 2 are two or lower.

The kitchen graded a C (76/100) on 3 high-priority violations at its last inspection, which is roughly where the reviews sit too. That inspection was on April 16, 2026. Its inspection trajectory is upward over the records we hold. On health score it sits safer than 14% of the Seminole County restaurants we grade. Among the items recorded were insects/rodents/pests.

The honest summary is that the evidence is mixed on both sides. Read the originals below and judge the pattern yourself.

Our own analysis of 26 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 30, 2026

    Micki was awesome ♥️

  • June 28, 2026

    First time here although I drive past all the time. I honestly wasn’t expecting much but the food was delicious!!! The turkey slices were so juicy and flavorful as well as the pulled pork! Seasoned well. I love the sweet sauce. We also got the tots app with pork and loved it. I could have ate just that. Def will be back.

  • June 26, 2026

    I wanted to recognize our server, Micki S., for providing one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. Great food is important, but outstanding service is what brings customers back, and Micki absolutely delivered. From the moment she greeted us, she was warm, genuine, and incredibly relatable. She made us feel like valued guests instead of just another table. She was attentive without hovering, anticipated what we needed before we had to ask, and her positive attitude made the entire meal more enjoyable. You can tell she truly cares about people and takes pride in her work. Employees like Micki don’t just serve food—they represent your brand and create loyal customers. In today’s world, exceptional customer service is becoming harder to find. Micki reminded us what hospitality is supposed to feel like. She turned an ordinary lunch into a genuinely pleasant experience, and that’s because of who she is. If you’re looking for someone who embodies the kind of employee every restaurant hopes to have, Micki is that person. I sincerely hope her hard work and professionalism are recognized. She’s exactly the kind of team member who deserves to be promoted and invested in. Thank you, Micki, for making our visit such a great experience. We’ll definitely be back because of you.

  • June 26, 2026

    Micki is the best! We always request her.

  • June 18, 2026

    The food is delicious here and I’ve had a bunch of great meals but then one day I got terrible food poisoning from it and I called them and they gave me two vouchers for free entrées but when I tried to use my first voucher, I got food poisoning that time too, so I still have a free voucher that I’m not going to use and I’m not gonna give it to anybody cause I don’t wanna give them food poisoning either lol

  • June 13, 2026

    Awesome waitress! She really helped us decide. Plus the service was FAST and the food was great!

  • June 12, 2026

    Very good food but felt uncomfortable when I arrived an hour and a half before closing and the food took too long to arrive they started to look at me bad and to rush me to get out

  • June 11, 2026

    Micki is our favorite server. Food is great and reasonably priced. Keep up the good work

  • June 8, 2026

    We love coming to Sonny's and meeting family and friends there. Erin and Yojana are great!!!! Erin knows our orders by heart and always has drinks waiting when we arrive. We understand that the Caesar salads are now gone....please reconsider....that's a favorite 😞 Still missing our Sonny's on alafaya but the food is sooooo much better here. We just don't get there as often...it's nearly a half hour drive now.

  • June 7, 2026

    Had a great experience with our Server Hope! She was spreading the spirit of BBQ throughout the entire meal!

  • June 7, 2026

    Wade is a phenomenal help, his wealth of BBQ spirit and Sonnys knowledge is a privilege to experience. Clone him and replace your staff with a Wade Army, ready to conquer the world one specialty BBQ sandwich at a time.

  • June 7, 2026

    erin was amazing! we had a lovely experience due to her hospitality

  • May 30, 2026

    Girl Erin is so sweet we really enjoy having her serve us!

  • May 30, 2026

    Erin was a fantastic server. She brought the food so fast and always refilled our drinks in a timely manner.

  • May 30, 2026

    Maddie was kind, and sweet. I would recommend giving her a raise. Great location

  • May 30, 2026

    Had a great experience in the drive thru with Maddie, excellent customer service and delicious food!

  • May 30, 2026

    We love this Sonny’s. Mady was super helpful and kind. Love the pulled pork, egg rolls and of course sweet tea. The drive through is game changing!

  • May 28, 2026

    This place is over rated The only thing is good is the sauce the meat is dry when I mean dry is dry and not fresh it look like the meat sit in the heat oven till you order then they add the sauce I pay 15 dollars for 4 small bones no side my husband had the chicken tenders and they were more like nuggets and the fries was cold You want good BBQ go to Chicago we have ribs tips with fries for 10 dollars and half of slab with mash or macaroni for 15 freshly made not dry

  • May 28, 2026

    Maddie’s amazing. Great service.

  • May 28, 2026

    Just had a great experience at the drive thru with Maddie. She was extremely patient with updates and changes to our order!

  • May 27, 2026

    This restaurant is always amazing. Maddie, working at the drive thru, was super friendly, but all the staff is awesome.

  • May 24, 2026

    Prices are way to expensive for what they serve.

  • May 23, 2026

    Managers were very helpful.

  • May 21, 2026

    Rude staff who complain in front of customers

  • May 21, 2026

    Micki is awesome . Great service. She is a keeper. Obt .Makes lunch fun. . Food good too. Give her a raise. JB

  • May 21, 2026

    Micki S was my server, absolutely the best! Friendly and funny! Definitely will be back in to see her! Food was great as well!

Overall Score

57 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 20/40
    Grade C
  • Dietary transparency 13/20
    4 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.6★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 6/10
    Improving, 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 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 9 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 9 PM
Friday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 9:30 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 9 PM

Inspection history

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

  1. April 16, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 0 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating) (×2)
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
  2. November 3, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    0 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 9 basic

    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 11 — Employee health knowledge; no ill/symptomatic employee present
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×2)
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges (×2)
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized (×4)
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 33 — Garbage and refuse; premises maintained

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to SONNY'S BBQ, 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 16, 2026