Smokey Bones Tampa — Restaurant in Citrus Park

1. Went to pick up my take-out order and had to wait over 5 minutes (yes, 300+ seconds) for anyone to notice my existence by the To-Go register. 5 minutes is not the end of the world, but it feels like an eternity when behind the counter you see the bag with what is likely your food... (and ultimately was!) reaching room temperature in front of your eyes. [Take-away: Short-Staffed]

2. Was refused to have [$5 dollar off $20 - Take-Out Only ] coupon applied to my take-out order of $28 even though the fine print exclusions did not mention my dish nor type of dish. This was NOT a special offer order, nor BBQ Party Pack, nor Power Hour nor Brunch dish. No explanation nor remedy was offered, other than "I dunno why they don't mention on the coupon that it doesn't work with that combo." I work a lot with "fine print" at work, and this type of thing is a pet peeve. [Take-away: Poor implementation of promotions. Team-member problem resolution training is deficient.]

3. Decided to pay the full price (since after all the family was expecting to eat tonight) and took the order home. Removed everything from the bag and... no fries. Only two side dishes in the order and they forgot one. I immediately called and was told by the same young lady "oh, yes, sorry, I noticed that. That was my fault." Meaning she could have called me before I made it home to see if I wanted to turn back. I asked what they planned to do to correct the situation, and she could not think of anything. Not sending me what was missing by UberEats, nor offering a credit, a refund, a coupon... nothing. So, I asked to speak to the manager, but was told that he was too busy in the kitchen and would call me back. That was two hours ago. [Take-away: Short-staffed. Quality control procedures not being followed. Team-member problem resolution training is deficient. Manager not attending to customer service issues.]

In this day and age when it comes to restaurants, service is even more important than the food itself. Today we have easy access to fantastic recipes and higher and higher quality foods, so when eating out we should all expect to be treated as if the restaurant is thrilled to have us visit. I am not a demanding person, I don't make scenes. but I am quite observant and I share what I see. I had not tried Smokey Bones in quite some time since a few years ago their prices grew past my "worth it" scale. I was compelled to try them again tonight but am sad to say that, barring some exceptional circumstance, this will have been...

A Smokin' Hot Dining Experience at Smokey Bones Tampa!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Smokey Bones in Tampa, and I'm thrilled to give it a well-deserved 5-star rating! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of slow-cooked barbecue and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that made me feel right at home.

The staff at Smokey Bones were exceptional. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the food. They took the time to explain the menu and helped us make the perfect choices for our meal. It's rare to come across such a dedicated service, and it definitely elevated the entire experience.

Now, let's talk about the food! Smokey Bones serves up some of the most delectable, authentic BBQ dishes I've ever tasted. The St. Louis-style ribs were tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned with their signature dry rub. The meat practically fell off the bone, and I couldn't help but savor every last bite.

The pulled pork platter was another standout. The pork was tender, smoky, and generously portioned, with a perfect balance of flavors. The side dishes were equally impressive. The mac and cheese was rich and creamy, while the coleslaw provided a refreshing crunch to balance out the richness of the barbecue.

Don't even get me started on the appetizers. The skillet cornbread was divine – slightly sweet, with a moist, fluffy texture, and served with a delectable honey butter. It's an absolute must-try.

The drink menu didn't disappoint either. They had an extensive selection of craft beers and signature cocktails. I opted for their Smokey Bones Old Fashioned, which was expertly crafted and paired perfectly with the bold flavors of the BBQ.

To top it all off, the ambiance was perfect for a relaxed evening out. The décor was rustic and cozy, with warm lighting and a mix of booth and table seating. There was also a lively bar area where patrons could unwind with a drink while catching a game on one of the many TVs.

In summary, Smokey Bones Tampa is a must-visit destination for BBQ lovers and foodies alike. The exceptional service, mouthwatering dishes, and inviting atmosphere all come together to create a truly unforgettable dining experience. I can't wait to go back and try even more of their...

I used to come here all the time, haven’t been in years. the reviews seem good so we met some friends from out of town for dinner. I was so shocked to see how rundown the place looked. There’s a giant pothole in the front of the entrance which every one of our friends hit on the way in. Nobody saw it because it was pouring down rain. I told the hostess about how bad it was, she said they’re supposed to be a cone in it 🤷‍♀️ so it seems like they know about it just nobody cares to do anything about it. With that being said, water was dripping from the ceiling, the place itself was warm, like the AC couldn’t keep up, the bathrooms were even worse. They were out of brisket literally at dinner time. Our friends got served their food first We waited and waited, and finally got ours. my husband and I shared the bone fire entrée which in the picture shows plenty of food. When we got ours, it was very slim Pickens. The waitress told us that we picked the small version that the picture on the menu was the double meat. I had no idea or we would’ve gotten the bigger one, however, I’m glad we didn’t because the barbecue was dry. The chicken was overcooked and crumbled as if it has been sitting for a while. The bonfire is more theatrics, than it is actual tasty barbecue. And you can tell the server just wanted to get us out of there. Just not a good experience all the way around. maybe it’s good for small parties and for cheap drinks but when you went to enjoy time with your friends and good barbecue, this is not the place. So sad I used to...