Sonnys

[Challenger]

Ate there last night. First time in three years because the meals were so bad. Thought that things might have gotten better. We were wrong.

Got the Ribs and again they were tasteless , mealy and generally poorly prepared. Corn on the cob was mushy, corn bread , tasteless and pasty. How does this place stay open?

[Chatbrat]

Find out the corp. contact & let them know.

[rubicon]

As described by the OP, tasteless ribs and mushy corn is simply unacceptable especially for a place that specializes in BBQ.

[Skip]

Think they have 3 more years left on their lease.
Will they make it?

Skip

[CFrance]

Ate there last night. First time in three years because the meals were so bad. Thought that things might have gotten better. We were wrong.

Got the Ribs and again they were tasteless , mealy and generally poorly prepared. Corn on the cob was mushy, corn bread , tasteless and pasty. How does this place stay open?
It beats me. But we have TV friends who head there the first day they fly in from out of state. I don't recall what the husband likes, but his wife likes the dry rub ribs. I've had their chicken, which is not great but edible, but their bbq sauces are not to my liking.

The sides are sub par.

[DonH57]

The very first times we went there about 3 years ago the food tasted great and servings were big. Since then it's as if they made the same decision other restaurants make and that is to change food vendor choices.

[Ray Roberts]

I have a son-in-law that sweares by Sonny's. I am always not sure if he is coming from Ohio to see us, or eat at Sonny's twice a day for a week..

[rubicon]

It beats me. But we have TV friends who head there the first day they fly in from out of state. I don't recall what the husband likes, but his wife likes the dry rub ribs. I've had their chicken, which is not great but edible, but their bbq sauces are not to my liking.

The sides are sub par.

CFrance: common dispute in Memphis TN is dry v wet ribs Memphis's famous Rendezvous served dry rub when I lived there

Bill's BBQ on Elvis Presley Blvd had the best pulled pork sandwich I ever tasted and their onion rings were huge

[MrGolf]

Ate there Friday night and it was great.

[Jima64]

Maybe they think with the Villages crowd all they have to do is open the doors each day. They forget that quality is utmost importance to us.

[Bonny]

I like their baby back ribs with the sweet BBQ sauce. Yum !! I also have to say I like the pulled pork and mac & cheese.

[John_W]

Until recently we had eaten at Sonny's at least once a month. The late lunch special was really a great deal. Started at 1pm and for $6.99 you got a sweet tea, pulled pork, one side (usually took corn on the cob) and garlic bread. I would ask them to substitute the kaiser roll for the bread and make my own sandwich. Never had a problem with the food. We also liked their Wings meal. I think we got 10 wings and 2 sides for $10.99. The only complaint is whenever I ordered the side of baked beans they were usually dried out and so the cole slaw was the better choice. Corn on the cob was usually always good. I believe the last time I was there they moved the time up to noon for the special but raised the price to $7.99.

I say until recently because our new favorite lunch time place is Gators at Dockside at Brownwood. They have a lunch special that isn't on the menu, usually written on the blackboard. You get ten wings, one side (the french fries are the best) and a drink and blue cheese dressing for $10.99. I add a side of celery for like 79cents and sweet tea for the drink. They have about 15 choices for the wings sauce. We usually just take mild or no heat BBQ.

[KennyP]

Maybe they think with the Villages crowd all they have to do is open the doors each day. They forget that quality is utmost importance to us.

Hit the nail on the head. All they have to do is come close to being acceptable and your good in the villages. Youll stay open. Resturants don't have to get better here, all they have to do is want to be able to be in the villages. Its not like really good resturants are beating down the door to get in. When that happens things will change. Be glad we got what we got.

[billybye]

Oakwood is heads and shoulders better. Their beef is actually eye round that Sonny's used to serve before they switched to cheaper brisket. Sonny's service leaves a little to be desired also. Don't go to Sonny's anymore.

[Sandtrap328]

Oakwood is best for baby back ribs without a doubt.

However, it is a hands down winner that Sonnys has the best pulled pork.

Their senior lunch special cannot be beat by anyone!

Sonnys will be around The Villages for years to come.

[bbbbbb]

We have eaten there (Sonnys) a few times, mostly good. If not then instead of an insert here, write a letter or call them from home, they will put you in the ledger and as with us, next time we got half prices, a good deal. Any restaurant cannot be perfect, they have cooks, chefs who take a day or week off and so it can be a real shocker. Also, if you are served something not good or cold, just tell the manager and then leave, you will find he/she will probably meet you at the door with a freebee to help.
TooJays did that, but they have really gone downhill for some reason. Got burned three times in a row.

[goodtimesintv]

Texas Stockyards puts both Sonny's and Oakwood to shame.

360 US-441, Lady Lake, FL 32159
Phone: (352) 750-5233

[nkrifats]

Texas Stockyards puts both Sonny's and Oakwood to shame.

360 US-441, Lady Lake, FL 32159
Phone: (352) 750-5233

No Longer Open

[spring_chicken]

Maybe they think with the Villages crowd all they have to do is open the doors each day. They forget that quality is utmost importance to us.

Quality? Many on here got upset when CiCi's closed down. LOL!

[spring_chicken]

Oakwood is best for baby back ribs without a doubt.

However, it is a hands down winner that Sonnys has the best pulled pork.

Their senior lunch special cannot be beat by anyone!

Sonnys will be around The Villages for years to come.

Absolutely right. There's a reason they are so successful at locations all over Florida.

[ColdNoMore]

Quality? Many on here got upset when CiCi's closed down. LOL!

Seriously?! :eek:

When my son was in college, he introduced me to CiCi's.

Even he said the food pretty much sucked, but it was cheap and all you could eat which for a still growing college kid is all that counted. :p

[kcrazorbackfan]

Woody's in Wildwood has really good bbq also. Sonny's 👎 is just so blah anymore. You can only put enough sauce on it to try and make it taste better.

[Challenger]

In my OP #1 , I just used the title "Sonnys". I didn't want a negative headline showing forever. I was hoping that my post about my negative experience would produce some rational discussion. For the most part this has happened. It looks like the Pulled Pork might have been a better experience for me and my family. We have only tried the ribs over the three visits in 5 years. Each time the meal was bad -ribs, corn bread, and corn. For me , ribs are Oakwood , with a lesser choice being Woodys

[SCasey]

I can't comment on the food. We went once about three years ago and waited over 20 minutes for anyone to acknowledge our existence...and we were sitting at the bar. Never been back, never plan to.

[Bonny]

I can't comment on the food. We went once about three years ago and waited over 20 minutes for anyone to acknowledge our existence...and we were sitting at the bar. Never been back, never plan to.
You waited one time 3 years ago and you're never going again? Maybe the bartender had something bad going on their life and was having a very rough day. You could have told him/her what you wanted.

[DigitalGranny]

We liked Sonny's ok until we tried Oakwood. While we generally choose golf cart-able, every time we do get in the car, we are going to stop at either Oakwood,for BBQ or Sam's St. John's for seafood! Oh,occasionally, Eaton's Beach, but that's been pretty bad on last two visits!

[yabbadu]

Ate there last night. First time in three years because the meals were so bad. Thought that things might have gotten better. We were wrong.

Got the Ribs and again they were tasteless , mealy and generally poorly prepared. Corn on the cob was mushy, corn bread , tasteless and pasty. How does this place stay open?

Thanks for the info.I too have stayed away for the reasons you stated but was considering trying again. You just saved me some money. :pepper2: