Sonny's BBQ — Restaurant in Tallahassee

The bathroom was really clean-- the air freshener they use in there is really nice. Staff was super nice. Entrees were good. Na, not just good, EXCELLENT! I'm giving 3 stars instead of 4 or 5 because the salad bar (my favorite part) was a complete disaster. I know that a lot of people probably go to a BBQ place to eat BBQ and not the salad bar-- but still, if we are going to take the extra leap to have a salad bar-- let's have ourselves a fine salad bar!

Man! That salad bar was awful! Who is in charge of the salad bar? Please have them read this:

The salad bar had what I think was an attempt at ambrosia (y'know, that marshmallowy-fruit salad stuff) and it tasted like a strawberry Kool-Aid packet was sprinkled over sour cream. There were visible little pink dots all over the the light pink pudding-like mixture, which made it look like magenta endoplasmic reticulum. Aside from that-- their fruits were all dried out and smelled disgusting-- the cantelope and watermelon. Mostly everything except the spinach, tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms tasted really OFF and not fresh. Trust me I tried just about everything on that salad bar. Man, even the pepperoncinis had this weird plasticy taste to them-- and they were all waxy... I suspect the pepperoncini-weirdness is just the manufacturer's & not Sonny's problem-- they probably use some awful wannabe, generic Mt. Olive brand.This salad bar was a disappointment for sure! People love the salad bar! Please stop putting that weird apple-mayonaisse salad junk in the salad bar and focus on the things that matter! Please fix the salad bar! A solution to the salad bar would be to put a cover over the fruits that dry out easy. Also provide a cover for that rye bread that is near the croutons. The rye bread was rock hard and inedible. I almost broke a tooth off. Also another solution is to fire whoever is responsible for that pseudo-ambrosia (joking, but it is really awful).

MAKE THE SALAD...

This is just the sort of place that's tough for me to review....ate there twice and it was somewhat inconsistent. Stay with me here. First nite I had baby rack ribs and they were delicious, really outstanding and not fatty. Two of the party had the brisket and it was dry. Great salad bar, excellent sides (great BBQ sauce, fries, slaw and beans) and superb service.

Second nite I had BBQ chicken and the dark meat I had was nice and moist. A bit short of flavor, but still good. One person had brisket again and this time it was moist and tasty. Still excellent salad bar and great service. It was a Saturday nite, so not sure if the "kids eat free" special overran them or what, but the place was a mess. Dirty floors and the table next to us was piled high with dirty dishes that were never removed the whole time we were there.

Also very nice seniors' discount, so at that price it's a very sweet deal.

So, over all I gave them a 4. Still a "do over", but with some work to do. steve

Jan 31, 2018 update:

We've gone to Tallahassee once a year for several years now, to visit family. They love Sonny's so no trip to the thriving metropolis would be complete without dinner at Sonny's.

I swear every time we've been there for the past 4 years, the place has been a dirty mess. Food and trash on the floor, and tho' I don't eat off the floor, it's off-putting and gross. Once we were there and the table next to ours was stacked with dirty dishes (not just from the departed party). On another occasion, I went to the men's room only to see an employee take a piss and not wash his hands afterwards.

So why return?....really great ribs, great sides, excellent salad bar (so says my wife and her family....I wouldn't go to a BBQ place for salad, but....). Always friendly, helpful service and nice folks. If you can remember to ask, they have a very generous...

Hi I don’t like leaving a bad restaurant review but I can’t help but warning the Tallahassee community Togo to another Sonny’s not the one on Timberlane Road, me and my friend arrived at the restaurant around 6:15 pm on a Saturday we was greeted at the door and was seated immediately even with the restaurant half full. Me and my friend sat for 10 minutes and watched 5 tables pay the bill before I had I flag down a server to get drinks and it wasn’t even our server, when our waitress finally found her way to us the other server had come back with my friends mixed drink, but I had to wait for a sweet tea🤨 so the waitress finally took the order and we stated to split the check. When the food came out it was cold and a few things were missing like the silverware & ranch dressing, so after about halfway with the meals I needed a refill and the waitress didn’t ask if we needed anything else but just dropped the check off without a word….. at this time she only had 3 tables!!! I had to flag down another server to get a refill and finally flag down the waitress to get the check split, on my friend’s bill she was charge extra for white meat chicken that she didn’t request and I was charged extra for a refill of tea. I’m sorry to say I believe 10% was being gracious. Even the other staff seemed annoyed. And never seen a floor manager checking on...