4 Rivers Smokehouse

9220 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA

Address:	9220 Baymeadows Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA
Phone:	+1 844-474-8377
Site:	4rsmokehouse.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Heather S

Had a truly disappointing experience today at this location. The customer service was definitely lacking. My husband called in our to-go order at 7:44pm. They stated it was going to be ready at 8:10pm. I arrived at 7:58pm and walked in because it was starting to sprinkle outside and I figured if it was going to start pouring I didnt wanted to get drenched coming and going since I was not equipped with an umbrella. Upon walking in, I found a group of workers standing around talking and the cashier asked if she could help. I gave her my name and she informed one of the girls standing around talking that I was there for my order. The worker then proceeded to state loudly that we were informed our order was not going to be ready until 8:10pm. She then made the others aware of our order and they began putting my order together that they have not even started yet. A pizza order arrived shortly after for this crew and I got to enjoy the sight of a whole bunch employees standing around and drinking and eating in plain sight. I understand that they should be able to eat. However, I do not feel this is an appropriate thing to do standing in plain sight where food is being made for customers patiently waiting for their own. They seemed to be taking their time as they continued their break while standing in their work area. The way things seemed to pan out, I truly felt as if I would have been out a lot faster if I would have gone directly through the line. Many who came in behind me were through the line and eating before I even was out the door. Just getting off a 14 hour shift in the hospital, I had my husband call the order in to try to save time. I just dont understand why my order was not even started when I walked in 14 minutes after the order was placed. To tops things off, upon leaving, I did make her aware that I wanted to check the order. She stated that was fine, however, she was a little hostile on pointing out what was in the bag while I was comparing the receipt to the items. There was no offense meant in checking the order, I only do so because I live 30 minutes away and do not like the idea of finding I am missing an item after the long drive home. Me and my husband truly were disappointed in this trip. It is a little sad because we do enjoy the food. We actually had 4rivers cater our wedding rehearsal dinner and conviced out best friend to have 4rivers cater her wedding. I can say after the poor customer service we will not be returning anymore and most definitely will not be advocating anymore as well.

Greg Foley

I didnt like much here except for the brisket and baked beans so I probably wouldnt come back. Its a cafeteria. First theres a soda case, then the meat guy, then the sides girl, then the cashier. There are some sweets next to the cashier, but theyre mostly in a sweets shop near the back with its own cashier. I asked for moist brisket. Lean brisket is offered as well but online reviewers seem to prefer moist. The meat guy asked if I wanted the sandwich or the dinner. The dinner comes with 3 sides and a biscuit and a larger quantity of meat, while the sandwich comes with two sides, if I remember correctly. I got the dinner ($14). The brisket and barbecue sauce were good-to-very good. Id have preferred a larger quantity of meat though, especially compared to the enormous quantity of sides I got. The only other dish I really liked was the baked beans. The corn was pleasant, the cheese grits fair (seemed like a pointless dish to me), and the biscuit fair (I think it needs to be eaten with something else, not alone). The sides/biscuit were too much to eat and I didnt finish the biscuit and cheese grits. If I go again, some reviewers liked the collard greens. My A&W root beer ($2) was warm, despite coming from a cooler case. It wasnt as good as I remember it and I dont believe I accidentally picked up diet. I took a dessert home: a salted caramel bar ($3.50). It was pleasant-to-good, but Im not sure Id get it again. It was too large in my opinion, at least after that large meal. Most of the servers I experienced were fine-to-friendly, but the cashier was gruff at best and shouldnt be doing customer service. Most of the seating is on long, high communal tables. Since it was uncrowded in mid-afternoon I took a wooden booth for myself. Utensils, ice, sodas, etc. are near the sweet shop in the back. On the table are barbecue sauce and napkins. There were two squeeze bottles of BBQ sauce, mild in the clear top and hot in the red-topped bottle. There was a barrel with a water spout next to the utensils/sodas area where you could wash your hands afterwards, but the water flow was weak and the napkins thin for drying hands with. The bathrooms are outside by the patio, and seemed good quality. The total was $20.86, which I consider to be a poor value.

Matthew Phaneuf

Went here since my daughter was craving ribs and I didnt want to fire up the smoker for 6+ hours. I had 4R catering before so figured we would give it a try. Positives: The service was fantastic. My youngest daughter got a free kids meal, promo Monday through Wednesday, with the purchase of an adult meal. My other daughter and I split the ribs platter. The ribs were very tasty and didnt need any sauce. The mac and cheese was very good as well. The inside of the restaurant was clean and beverage station was clean. Negatives: The bathroom wasnt as clean as it should have been. Maybe due to being outside and forgotten about. I wasnt a fan of the cafeteria style ordering. The sides on the hot line looked very sad and in desperate need of being changed out. The beans were good but they added in burnt pulled pork that ruined the taste. The checkout was clunky and food just sat there getting cold. Overall experience was good and the food was quite yummy. Definitely very good commercialized BBQ and better than most of the other independent BBQ places in Jax.

Ryan Hicks

This place is the Disney World of BBQ. Its absolutely amazing. From the decor, to the innovative hand washing oak barrels; this is a MUST TRY place if you enjoy BBQ. I was here for their opening and tried their burnt end sandwich, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and sweet tea. The baked beans were amazing, They were the best beans Ive ever had in my life. The mac n cheese was really good too. The burnt ends melted in your mouth. Tried some of my friends ribs and they were absolutely hands down the best ribs Ive ever had. They even have a dessert/sweet shop for anyone that has a sweet tooth. I cant say enough about their food. Ive also tried their angus brisket and pulled pork since the opening. The pulled pork comes in a close second to the burnt ends, and the angus brisket comes in last for me. Still need to try their sausage, turkey, and chicken. There was a long line when we got there for the opening, but the way that they serve their food makes the line go fast. This is virtually all self service dinning.