Ellie Lou's Brews & BBQ — Restaurant in Bay Lake

Placed two (2) separate orders on Saturday, July 5, 2025 for the Brisket Sandwich with no sides. Was wrongly charged $13.62 for the first order. $13.62 is the total for the sandwich with a side, but I only ordered the sandwich a la carte. Should have just been charged $10.11 (incl sales tax), which is what I was charged for the second order.

After I finished the first sandwich, I went back to the register to let the cashier (“Kara A”) know about the error in how I was charged. This is also when I placed my second order.

Cashier agreed my first order was processed incorrectly and said she’d resolve the matter.

I return to my seat to wait for my second sandwich. The partial refund hadn’t been processed yet.

I finished my second sandwich, went to the front to clean my plate, throw out my cup, napkins, etc. Went to the restroom to wash my hands. Came out the restroom and asked for a receipt for the refund transaction they should have already processed. I waited for them to provide some kind of update as I ate my second sandwich. When they didn’t, I knew something was wrong.

Cashier now says she didn’t think they would be able to process the refund. So, had I just walked out the door after throwing out my trash the refund wouldn’t have been processed despite them saying it would …

I asked why. She offered to have her manager help me. Elder/ senior male (see photo) walks over and starts fidgeting with the computer — seemingly “trying to process the refund”. Doesn’t acknowledge me despite my greeting him. I’ve eaten here 5-6 times before and he’s been there every single time. We spoke briefly my last time there — the weekend of their 1-year anniversary at that new location. Actually, a different cashier on that previous visit wrongly charged me for a side too but I didn’t have any issue having the partial refund processed then. After flagging it of course …

Five (5) minutes later he says, “you don’t have to stand there and wait” for him to finish processing the refund, that he’ll get it done. I said I would wait for the receipt showing the refunded transaction.

Another few minutes pass and he hands me a receipt. I thank him and exit into my car. I then realize he’s just given me the receipt for my second order and not the receipt for the adjusted price of my first order.

I walk back into the restaurant and let him know about the discrepancy with the receipt. I let him know I was disappointed in how this was being handled as it felt like I was being lied to and effectively defrauded. Yes, we’re talking about a meager $3.51 difference here, folks … how silly.

He says they were still working on processing the refund. I took this as affirmation that he knowingly gave me the receipt for the second order (and not the receipt for the first order with the partial refund processed) just to try to get me to leave without actually processing the partial refund. The store was empty. No one else seated in the dining area. There was no line. My waiting for the refund to be processed wasn’t affecting their operation in any way …

After another few minutes he hands me a receipt for the first order with the adjusted total; however, still not reflecting the fact a partial refund was issued. Now I have to wait to confirm with my bank the partial refund was in fact processed. If not, I’ll dispute the charge …

This is the first review I’ve ever posted.

Food is good here, but I won’t be back. Between this petty level scam and, on a previous visit, watching the same manager (photo attached) who ran this refund scam serve two adult males alcohol who asked for beers to go (maybe illegal?), there’s a pattern of bad business here I can’t support. Happy to take my...

We are big fans of the Ocoee location, but this was our first visit to the Winter Garden (Flamingo Crossings) location. I can report that quality control appears to be strong, as most everything we had was very much up to the standard we've come to expect. Friendly service on top of that. I ordered my usual: tthe turkey platter with some ribs added. My biggest recommendation here is always the turkey. I say this as someone who almost NEVER orders turkey at a BBQ place, but theirs is the best I've ever had when they are at the top of their game, and when they aren't, it's still better than most. This visit it was excellent: moist & smoky. The ribs would be the one aspect of the food that was not so great. Some parts mostly fell off the bone and were delicious as usual, while others were a bit chewy and not up to par for Ellie Lou's. So...let's say inconsistent, and that prevents a 5 star rating for the food. I'll plan to try the ribs again next time just to make sure this visit was a fluke in that regard. My usual sides are fries & okra. That's what I ordered, but here's where the newness of the place came in. The guy taking my order couldn't find the okra button but promised to tell the kitchen. He got distracted I think and forgot, so if you notice in the photo that it looks like a ridiculous pile of fries you are correct! They gave me double fries. They very nicely brought me okra later, and explained they had only started offering it in the last few days, and that's why the confusion at the register. As far as quality, the fries were just what I've come to expect at Ellie Lou's and among my favorites in the Orlando area; and the okra was hot & fresh & tasty (they apologized that it took a while to get the okra to me, but it was because they bread and cook the okra when ordered, they don't cook ahead and have it sitting around, which I appreciate). Another thing about the food here is the cornbread. I find at BBQ joints the bread (rolls, cornbread or whatever) often seems to be an afterthought, but here the cornbread is always really good. A bit on the sweet side for sure, which works well for me because I see it as a dessert of sorts to top off the meal. And I would be remiss not to mention the fresh brewed tea (sweet & unsweet are offered). This is a nice location with plenty of space and a comfortable feel. Definitely a worthy new location for this small local chain, and certainly...

I ordered a little bit of everything just to get an idea of the BBQ. I did online order and scrolled through everything and noticed that you can add the Texas toast at no charge - so be sure to do that so you get it!

My order was: Sunday Grits with Brisket and side of fried green tomatoes Pick 2 platter (chicken, pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw) Ribs platter with brisket, Mac and cheese and collard greens

Let me tell you, I’m not a grits fan. I actually got it because it happened to be Sunday and I figured I should just get it to try. Oh man am I glad I did! This was AMAZING and quite possibly the best grits I have ever had in my life. I may make it a new once a month thing I go out of my way to get. If it’s Sunday for you, do yourself a favor - get the grits! The fried green tomato held up all the way home and was still surprisingly crunchy - the batter was fantastic as well as the dipping sauce accompanied by it.

I really enjoyed the chicken, the rub on it was amazing and it had a delicious Smokey flavor. The pulled pork was super juice and also had a Smokey flavor. The baked beans was clearly house-made and had meat inside, it was amazing. The coleslaw wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it was still pretty good!

The ribs were okay, they weren’t super juicy or fall off the bone - the rub on it was good. I wouldn’t get them again. The Brisket was shaved and I really enjoyed it! I wonder if they have an unshaven version? I’d try that if the did just to see! But it was juicy and full of flavor. The collard greens were fantastic and I loved the bacon in it. The Mac and cheese didn’t look like I’d like it… but let me tell you. That SAUCE! Oh my gosh the sauce was unlike anything I’ve ever had. It was FANTASTIC! Definitely getting this every time. Get the Mac and cheese!

Texas toast was good! And I loved the cornbread, super moist and actually had corn inside - which is my favorite way to have cornbread!

All in all, this place is amazing! I’ll definitely be going back for sure and trying new thing! I say give it a go! All their BBQ sauce is already house made...