Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Neptune Beach

Our group rep went in a month before our visit to let the manager know we would be bringing a group of @ 30 individuals including parents and participants with special needs. The manager said they couldn’t promise they would have staff to handle our group that far in advance but didn’t indicate we should take our business elsewhere. We called the day before to confirm. We didn’t receive any indication there would be a problem. We arrived @ 15 min early for our meal. There were a few people at the counter and 1-2 tables at 6:40 on Saturday night. They didn’t offer to help us with seats so we went to the outside dining. I explained to the staff that most of our individuals had scheduled rides that won’t wait and would need to leave promptly at 8. Fast forward, we were only provided one server to handle our whole group. Everyone was finally served at 7:45. I told the staff we needed to get our tickets and to go boxes because our group was going to be picked up. The single waiter was visibly annoyed and stressed and couldn’t get the tickets to the guests before the had to l. I had to use the business card to cover the bill. When asked to see the manager he made several week excuses and laid the blob out group for being large, orderly wings and burgers and needing separate tickets. Our social group seeks to provide opportunities to allow our participants to learn life skills through experiences in the community. This experience caused a lot of stress and anxiety when it should have been a fun...

Went with my wife for dinner last week.Vert nice building clean and well kept.Only a few other customers.We ordered onion rings to start.My wife had a smoked turk sandwich no sides. I had the a draft then pork and brisket combo with collards and a side salad. Onion rings came out quickly and were very good.The waitress forgot my beer and needed a reminder.I thought this is not a good sign.She will most likely forget my salad and serve it with my main course. I was right salad came with the main course.She then offered to put my meal back under the heat lamp until I ate my salad. No thanks! pork was strange more like a roast loin than slow cooked shoulder.Brisket was average at best.The collards were very good once I removed the large stem parts. My side salad was nice ($1.00 up charge) but was served in a cup of soup size bowl no room to mix the dressing. My wifes smoked turkey was tasty but lacked any kind of embellishment.Just turkey on dry bread.At $7.49 i would have expected a little more.Not even a pickle. There are tv screens in the dinning rooms they were playing some Judge Judy type program.Why?I do not watch tv at home during diner why would I want it when I go out? Our meal came to $42.00 (we did order 3 banana puddings to go) i do not think we will be back.There are much better BBQ restaurants...

Five Stars because after reviewing the negative comments about this place I realize that FOOD and the perception of its quality can be very subjective. That being said, this is a Family Owned Business and I have personal knowledge of the Owner/Family's integrity. For every negative experience posted about this Bono's, there are hundreds of positive experiences. Furthermore, from my knowledge of the Owner and his Staff, any complaint could have been resolved at time of service with a pleasant attitude. Two issues that will remain challenging of a BBQ establishment and everyone of them has these challenges; 1) Managing Chicken as to "dryness" and 2) Drive Thru is a noble offering but I experience the longest waits in regard to ordering food anywhere at any time at BBQ places. Again, Five Stars, not because the place is PERFECT but rather, because I know the Family who Owns it and their integrity would allow and accommodate a COMPLAINT at time of service with discretion and good will. Don't eat excess fat and Chicken Jerky, talk to your Server with respect and you'll find a palatable...