Sonny’s Ribs

Question

Wondering if anyone has visited the Sonny’s on Vineland Road, and can I ask how it was.

We visited a sonny’s many years ago and loved the ribs, but it was a one off as it was too far away

Answer

Good question. The Sonny’s BBQ on Vineland Road (12124 S Apopka-Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL) is part of the well-known Sonny’s chain, and here’s what people are saying — both the pros and trade-offs, especially if you’re hoping to relive your ribs-loving memory.

What’s good / what people like:

The meat tends to be solid and flavorful. According to Tripadvisor reviews, customers liked that the meats (like pulled pork, brisket, ribs) came out hot, tender, and smoky, and they appreciated that Sonny’s offers several house BBQ sauces to choose from.
The menu is generous: The Vineland location’s menu includes classic Southern BBQ fare — ribs, smoked chicken, brisket, plus interesting appetizers like loaded tots, BBQ pork egg rolls, and more.
It’s family-friendly: The location is noted for being “family‐friendly” with a kids’ menu, and overall it’s set up for comfortable dine-in or takeout.
The service gets praise in many recent reviews: On Birdeye, the Orlando Sonny’s location has a very high rating (4.8 out of 5) across over 2,200 reviews, and many people say the staff is attentive and friendly.
Value: Some reviewers feel like the prices are quite reasonable for a sit-down BBQ place. On Tripadvisor, one person said their meal for two (pulled pork sandwiches, sides, drink) was under $35.

What people warn about / potential downsides:

Inconsistency: Some reviewers say that the quality can vary — for example, a TripAdvisor reviewer reported that baby-back ribs were “so tough” on a to-go order compared to past experiences.
Ambiance: According to a local food blog, the restaurant feels very utilitarian — “warehouses with more ambiance” was the phrasing they used, so don’t expect a very cozy, decorated space.
Service sometimes misses: That same blog said service was surprisingly lacking (server hard to find, not very attentive), which can impact the experience.
Customer complaints on some reviews: On certain platforms (like PissedConsumer), people have reported quality problems — one claimed the brisket was burnt, another complained about being overcharged.

Overall impression for your situation:

If you loved Sonny’s ribs before, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll enjoy this location. It seems to deliver on the “classic Sonny’s BBQ” experience: smoked meats, variety of sauces, hearty portions, and a family-friendly environment. The ribs are likely to be good, though they might not always be “fall-off-the-bone” depending on how busy or how things are cooked that day.

That said, if you’re very nostalgic about *that one perfect Sonny’s visit*, don’t assume every visit will feel exactly the same — some customers have noted ups and downs. But for a reliable BBQ fix in Orlando, this Vineland Road Sonny’s is generally well-rated, with solid service, good food, and fair prices.

My verdict:

Yes, it’s very much worth checking out — especially if ribs are what you remember and love. Go in with moderate expectations on ambiance (it’s not a BBQ “destination” spot with rustic charm) but high hopes for the food, which is what people seem to love most.