Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Jacksonville

First time at the recently rebuilt Bono's and have mixed feelings. First my review is either a strong 3 ⭐ or a weak 4 ⭐. Reasons are across the board. Our party of 5 arrived at 6pm and were seated right away. Welcome service was slow but that's due to limited staffing. Our server seemed new and overwhelmed by the number of tables and other duties she was attempting to perform. Normally that would be 3 ⭐ but during these times give her 4 ⭐. May I suggest that as you are doing so many things that you scan your area as diners are trying to get your attention. The food was good but rather slow coming out with items forgotten as well as utensils so 4 ⭐. We ordered several different choices. Bill had the 2 Meat large platter with Brisket and Sausage $16.99 which was good but a little light on quantity but still 5 ⭐. I had the 6 Wings and ordered the Fried Corn but got French Fries and no corn 3 ⭐. Guest had the 1949 Burger... rather overcooked and dry so 2 ⭐. Another guest did ribs, good but nothing to write about 4 ⭐. Another got the Cheese Burger again dry so 3 ⭐. Drink refills were slow in coming and after a guest went to the manager she assisted our server in straightening things out including the Checks. As you can see we had issues, not enough to give a poor review but enough not to give it a great one. One final Big Negative... these were the most uncomfortable chairs we have ever sat on in a restaurant. Our entire party complained to each other almost to the point of wanting to stand to eat and even leaving before we ordered and the food came. Bono... please change the seating or provide cushion for the chairs as they get 5 👎👎👎👎👎 and are a pain...

I have eaten at several Bono's in Jacksonville, FL. I decided to have lunch at the one on Skinner Lake Dr. by the Town Center and will never step foot into it again. I sat at the bar and was able to see things that were going on behind they counter and partially into the kitchen. I witnessed the following things take place by who I later found out to be the manager:

1. He used his bare hands in the beginning of my visit to prepare food.
2. When he finally put gloves on, he would wipe crumbs and whatever else was on the counter, with his hand and then touch food without changing gloves.
3. I watched him help on the register using the same glove, then go back and prepare food, without changing gloves.
4. The straw that broke the camels back....he put a hamburger on the grill. When it was finished cooking, he cut a piece of it off while it was on the grill and moved it to the cutting board. I then watched him pick it up and put it in his mouth. That's not the worst part. As he was putting it in his mouth, the tips of his fingers went into his mouth as well. Yup....you guessed it, he then immediately went back and prepared food with the same hand without changing gloves.

When I was paying my bill with the cashier, he confirmed that this guy was the manager. I told him the same list of things I am posting here. I told him that it is very unsanitary for him to be doing those things without frequently changing gloves or washing hands. The cashier said, " I will let him know." Either way, I won't go back. If a manager behaves this way, it gives the green light for the rest of the staff...

This is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at, which is a pretty astonishing task for a chain. I still miss this place after moving from Jacksonville over a year ago, and I have gone to several BBQ places since and I always use this place as a comparison and I always end up disappointed, since none of them hold a candle to Bono's.

This place has all you can eat mix-and-match meats and side dishes for $11.99, or 10.99 on Sunday, at least back when I lived there- the prices may have changed since. In case you don't realize, this is an AMAZING deal. To this day I struggle figuring out how they made money on this deal. You can try every type of meat, every type of side dish, and unlimited Texas toast and pay about half or even a third of what you might pay at another place depending on how much you can eat. The service was always great as well.

I can't say enough good things about this chain, and I strive for the day I find a local place that can compare to this. Please bring Bono's to Oregon! I just went to an "award winning" BBQ place in Portland, and they had NOTHING on Bono's. Nothing. I was begging for a Bono's by the end of my meal. To the owner of this chain,...