BBQ!!!! Meaty portions are HUGE!!!! Really nice brisket and ribs... Juicy, tender, firm but fall of the bone meatiness deliciousness. Juicy brisket, melts in your mouth. But the sides are greyish and not appealing. Good news is, you can order sandwiches, and they are plump and messy and oh so meaty goodness. The place is infested with HUGE CUPCAKES and CAKE... This is a college survival trough! Not for the faint of cholesterol...
(3)
Teampcbeach ..
We arrived at 8:30 on a Friday night and the line was still to the door. The line moved quickly thought and once you are out of line you have your food so that is a plus. We got ribs, brisket and burnt ends. It was all outstanding! The brisket was some of the best we ever had. You can get it moist or regular (lean). Both were super tender and had good smoke flavor. All of the sides we had were very good, but the baked cheese grits were the star. You get tons of food, so you won't leave hungry. This is very good BBQ, especially the brisket. We are already planning our next visit!
(5)
Bob H.
To the gentleman saying this is possibly the best brisket in the state: you must be eating different BBQ than I had when I came here. Having paid nearly $20 for my meal, I naturally had high expectations of the brisket. The piece of meat I ate was not even mediocre, and I'm easy to satisfy. The meat was tough and salty. Sides were ok, but who is rating a place based on sides? I can safely say that the general consensus on 4-rivers is that it's extremely overhyped and overpriced. If your afraid you might be missing out on something great here, rest assured you aren't. On a positive note, the restaurant was clean and staff were nice.
(2)
Caleb L.
Brisket is the main attraction here, and they do it well. It's perfectly smoky and well seasoned, and though we didn't specify, ours had a good balance of lean and fatty slices. Those who complain that the brisket is too fatty or too dry probably don't know that you have to order it how you want it; each brisket has a fatty and lean end, and if you don't specify, you just get whatever they slice. A legitimate concern, I think, is the temperature. By the time I made it past the cashier and to our table, the brisket was cold. I've noticed this during visits to their other locations, but it seemed worse here. This was a minor issue though and quickly forgotten. The ribs were good too. They were meaty with a good combination of smoky and sweet flavors. I would consider them slightly overcooked though, with a bit too soft of a texture. I don't actually like when they "fall off the bone"- great ribs take a few teeth to chew. Pulled chicken is not something I normally would order, but our 2 year old liked it, and it was actually pretty good. It came doused with sauce, but that was ok. The sauce goes better on chicken than it does on their pulled pork. The smoked jalapenos were epic as usual and they disappeared first. The rest of the sides were good too, but nothing stood out like the peppers. Overall, 4Rivers has taken over the top spot for barbecue in Gainesville in my opinion. Their brisket is definitely the best in town-maybe even the state. I would still go to Adam's Rib Company when I'm looking for ribs, and Adam's or David's for pulled pork. But if you're going with a group and want to make everyone happy, or if you're even considering eating brisket, this is the place to be.
Excellent chicken and pulled pork. The jalapeño poppers were average. Baked beans were Fire. Not spicy. Just delicious. Also, I enjoyed the green beans. I will be eating here again. Side note: I only ate one rib but it wasn't anything special.
(4)
Jon C.
I frequently come to 4Rivers as I enjoy the food and the portions are very generous. I had lunch here today and it did not disappoint. I had the pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw on the sandwich today, it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. For my sides I got French fries and Mac and Cheese which both were great. The portions of the sides were a bit less than usual but still plenty. If you're looking for BBQ in the area and looking for something quick (the line to order and receive your food moves fast), 4Rivers is the place to go.
(4)
Ryan L.
Great food and big portions. Really enjoyed the pulled pork and fries - wasn't a huge fan of the Mac and Cheese. Everyone I was with loved the barbecue
(5)
Doctor B.
A reliable source at work informed me of the arrival in Gainesville of what he thought was the best BBQ around. He had not been to Pearl Country Store in Micanopy, so I was suspicious and, as it turned out, with justification. Still, dinner was mostly satisfying; here's how it went. On a cold evening (41°F) before Thanksgiving we (wife, critical daughter and hypercritical son) made our way to the 4Rivers only to find that there were many like-minded people as the cafeteria style line snaked outside into the cold. We were inside within a few minutes and as we perused small menus, were served samples of the pulled pork with sauce; nice touch! (Moist meat overshadowed by tasty, tangy sauce.) We ordered two classic dinner plates which includes the meat of your choice, 3 sides and a biscuit. We also opted to add a second meat for $2.50. For the meats we selected a half-rack of the St. Louis style ribs, Smokehouse Prime Rib, beef brisket and smoked turkey. For the sides we selected cornbread salad, mac & cheese, 4R BBQ beans, Smokehouse corn, Texas cornbread and bread pudding. From the bottom up, the turkey was moist but lacking in smoke or the sense that we were eating turkey. The brisket can be ordered moist (more fatty) or dry (more lean). I was not asked which I prefer and can only suspect that we were given a dry cut. The beefy flavors were nice but there was little smoke and, as said, was dry. While enjoyable and, for those who enhance with sauce, capable of making a tasty sandwich, it pales compared to the brisket at the Micanopy Pearl Country Store. The St. Louis Style ribs were impressively sized. The meat was "push gently off the bone" rather than "slide off the bone" a la Micanopy PCS. The smokey flavors were nice but the meat dry compared to you know where. The Smokehouse Prime Rib was the table consensus: rare, beefy, smokey and tasty. It made for a nice sandwich, even without sauce. As for the sides, the one most ignored was the cornbread salad. My daughter thought highly of the Texas cornbread...it was okay for cornbread. The 4R BBQ beans were sweeter than I preferred while the accompanying sauce tasted meaty and as if it were thickened with corn starch. The mac & cheese was standard fare. The most interesting side, though probably having more in common with dessert, was the bread pudding. It tasted like a Cinnabon in a cup. The most popular side was the Smokehouse corn; unique flavors with a touch of heat and a accented by a subtle seafood flavor. We stopped at the sweet shop on the way out, picking up a double chocolate marshmallow cookie, 4R classic brownie, S'mores brownie and Almond Brownie. The massive cookie was good, better after microwaved but probably best when consumed fresh from the oven. The brownies were massive, as well. The "plain" 4R classic brownie was also just "good", suffering from being more cakey than I prefer. The S'mores brownie was dry and should not have been sold. OTOH, the Almond brownie, sort of like a German chocolate brownie with coconut and caramel; it was decadent and satisfying. Overall the meal was good, though disappointing as we expected more. Still, I'll return for the Smokehouse Prime Rib and Smokehouse corn. The gooey Almond brownie was satisfying and enough to lure me back just for that. But, IMHO, the best BBQ nearby is still to be found at the Pearl Country Store in Micanopy. Still, on this cold Wednesday night, the restaurant was jumping. You should check it out. Let me know what you think..
(3)
Julie S.
There is NO WAY anyone can say this place is one of the best in Gainesville for barbeque. We're in the south. Gainesville might be hoppin', but it's still a relatively small southern town. There are a ton of small, original, hand-made mom-and-pop barbecues around this area that will serve authentic, delicious, fresh barbecue. I mean, there are people who stick the grill on their truck and serve out on the 441 and in the boonies. The only reason 4 Rivers is SO popular is they invested a ton of money in projecting a word-of-mouth campaign around Gainesville before they even opened in a busy plaza to ensure a wide clientele interest. It was obviously incredibly effective; there are always lines. Is it really so good that people want to be there that bad on a Monday night? No. But it's popular, and it's peaked public curiosity. It sucks to always see local small businesses that have been here for years, sometimes decades, getting rooted out by the monster that is Butler Plaza. Adam's Rib Co. is 2 miles away on 13th street. Making the trek takes me less time than I would have to spend waiting in line and waiting for service at 4 Rivers. And it tastes way better.
(1)
Mary W.
I love barbecue and over all was disappointed with 4 Rivers. The line was out the door so i was expecting a pretty great meal. I got the pulled pork sandwich and two sides. The pulled pork was tender with a nice flavor but was cold. I got the corn and the mac and cheese as my two sides. Both were decent tasting. The mac and cheese had a nice thick sauce which i like. However, both were room temp at best. They really need to find a better way to keep their food warm while it is sitting in the serving tubs on the line. Perhaps i would have been more into the food had it actually been hot but cold food is a deal breaker for me. This happened twice in row! Average food served cold.... I really am not sure what all the hype is about.
(2)
Sonia T.
It's been a bit since I tried 4R. It was my friend's birthday and since we couldn't decide where to eat, we finally agreed giving this BBQ place a try as it was recently opened. I've seen the lines out the door every time I was at Butler Plaza, so maybe it was a good sign?!? I did check yelp before we went there and I should say I had my doubts... somehow I hoped my friend would say "Let's go to Panera." I like Panera; for a chain it's pretty good and consistent. Back to 4R, I wasn't wrong. It was memorable, for sure! Overly salty, super fatty and dry meat (I know, super fatty and dry at the same time... how is that possible?). Sides were whatever... I ordered a brownie, too. Terrible. Tasted fake, like all crappy baked goods do. There were 3 of us and it was unanimous this place does not deserve a repeat! I wouldn't say the price is a great value, either. And to make matters worse, the cups/cutlery etc are disposable. What's up with that? Big chain can't afford a dishwasher? I noticed that's quite a trend in Gainesville. But wait, Gainesville is so progressive! Wah, wah, wah! I still see lines outside. Makes me wonder if there's crack in their BBQ sauce, 'cause I can't explain the crowds. One star for the food.
(1)
Lola T.
Stopped while traveling through Fl, very conveniently located just minutes off I-75. We had heard of this franchise before from friends in Orlando but this was our first experience. It was just my husband and I, but we wanted to try a little bit of everything..,, We ordered a 1/2 slab of ribs dinner (15.99) and added an additional side of brisket (2,99). This came with three sides and a biscuit. We also ordered a pulled pork sandwich which came with two sides. The meat..... The brisket is definitely the star! Juicy and cooked perfectly, just a tad salty but still delicious. We both wished we had made this our main entree. The pulled pork sandwich was good but the cold bun bordered on being stale. Luckily the meat was wonderful without the bun and we took the majority home with us. Only disappointment was the ribs... Smoked but severely over cooked. Six nice sized bones but we didn't even eat half of them because they were so dry and difficult to chew. The sides were wonderful. We had.. macaroni and cheese 4 stars baked beans ( hubby's favorite) 5 stars Baked cheesy grits 5 stars (wonderful) Coleslaw 5 stars. For me to give a restaurant a good rating on coke slaw is amazing and This is some really good cole slaw! Fried pickles 3 star, not horrible just not that good. Batter needs some spice but the thick cut and the sharp dill saved them from total failure. We had a nice amount left over and was offered a to go box for a snack down the road. We also enjoyed our chocolate extravaganza dessert several hours later. For 2.50 it was a good value that took care of our sweet tooth. For lunch our bill was around. $35.00 but we had a lot of food and were perfectly content with the value. Line was outside when we arrived but moved efficiently, however don't come here thinking fast food. Staff was friendly and informative , we look forward to returning for more sides and brisket!
(4)
Joe R.
The low reviews are absurd. Go to the Orlando locations and you have thousands of 4/5 star reviews. People in Gainesville think Sonny's is good BBQ. People swear by David's which is below average. I enjoy Adam's and Pearl's as the only other good places in town but 4 rivers is better. The juicy brisket is amazing. Unique and quality sides. My only complaint is it would be nice to taste the pork before sauce. Not sure a place exists in Florida that you can eat the pork without sauce though. Nothing more annoying on Yelp than bad reviews for long lines. Not sure I've ever went to a big city and not waited a while for a top restaurant.
(5)
Kristen P.
I got pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, bread pudding and sweet potato casserole. The meat was very tasty. The macaroni and cheese was decent although more "Kraft" tasting than homemade. The bread pudding and sweet potato casserole were absolutely swimming in butter and I couldn't finish them in good conscience. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Southern girl so I love butter, but the extra butter didn't contribute or make it taste better. It's like they pour butter on it and hope everyone has Paula Deen tastebuds.
(3)
Dena G.
We were in Hogtown for medical monkey bidness and decided to check out the 4 Rivers. Tallahassee is about to get one of their own, so we wanted a preview. The place is a no-frills eatery with concrete floors and a cafeteria-style ordering arrangement. You pick your entree from the board over the service area, they put it on a tray, and you pay right there. I had a pulled pork sandwich (or sammich) as my cousin calls it, and the Boy had a pulled pork with two sides of his favorites, cole slaw and fries. I had an order of their macaroni and cheese. The pulled pork was tender, moist and flavorful. It tasted like actual pork. The sauce was sweet and spicy with a mild afterburn. They keep bottles of the sauce on the tables, so you can pick your burn, mild or hot. We enjoyed the meal. The restaurant was clean and moderately comfortable. Booths are a tight fit and not adjustable, the stools at the long tables are metal and not very comfy. Now, about the desserts...they have a bakery with deadly looking desserts. I am talking about cupcakes. They look like evil sugar temptation. And they are. I am usually craving sugar after a Gainesville medical event, so I got a coconut cupcake to go, and the Boy got a carrot cupcake. We had them that night. That coconut cupcake was to die for. It was like a coconut cream pie crawled into a cake. They had put coconut custard inside that cupcake and, well. Nom nom nom. Each 4 Rivers either has a bakery inside, or carries a selection of baked goods according to the bakery shop attendant. Ooooh Goody! This is going to be a must-do once the furor dies down in Tallahassee. You know, the "omg, we have a new place to eat in Tallahicky!" Go for it.
(3)
Jason C.
Right off the bat, more of 3.5 than a three. OK, so I moved to Gainesville from central Texas and have missed brisket ever since. Simply put, brisket in central Florida is just terrible, which I have never understood as it isn't THAT hard to make, particularly if you make it everyday. Sooner or later, you'd expect someone to figure it out, but nope, just one tragic example after another. Even places I really like around town otherwise make just terrible brisket. So 4 Rivers comes to town, a place that according to it's own website "is a sophisticated Texas-style smokehouse that is re-defining the art of smoking one brisket at a time." Tonight, I decided to see just how true that was. I have subsequently reviewed the place as I might any Texas barbecue joint since that is what they are doing. First of all, and maybe this is just a Texas thing, but where are the onions, pickles, and white bread that are liberally thrown out? Most of the places in Texas for years offered little more than white bread, onions, pickles, pickled whole jalapenos, and cheddar for sides and only very recently, begrudgingly started offering more. You could buy smoked jalapenos at 4 Rivers, but I saw none of the rest. If you are going to say you are Texas-style, well, be Texas-style. Some of you may think it is overreacting, but I took off a star just for this. After swallowing my frustration at not being able to make little brisket sandwiches (seriously, not offering the above is pretty much akin to not having chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant in the world of Texas BBQ), I settled in to check out the food they did have. I went with just a 1/2 pound of brisket and 1/2 pound of sausage with a side of collards. --Caveat: No one talks about the sides at Smitty's, City Market, Franklin, Black's, Cooper's, and so on because honestly, no one gives a damn really, the creamed corn at Rudy's being one exception. If what you remember are the sides at a BBQ restaurant, it wasn't good. Them's just the facts. I don't make the BBQ rules, I just abide by them. If the sides are good, then there is a little bonus, if they suck, well, who cares? That being noted-- The brisket was surprisingly good, kind of a Lockhart style that falls apart on the plate. It wasn't as quite good as my favorite places back in Texas, but I would absolutely put it up against some of the more standard fair like Rudy's, the County Line, or Iron Works (this is probably only useful if you have been to these places, admittedly). This may sound like a case of damning with faint praise, but it isn't. Brisket is religion in central Texas, and even average brisket there is still pretty dang good. I wouldn't be shy about serving the 4 Rivers brisket to anyone back in Texas as it is pretty good. Kudos to them for getting it right -- mostly. One area that could use some work is the carving. What I got was basically hunks of pulled brisket with no bark to be found despite there being plenty on the cut when it came out of the smoker. I've had enough fall-apart moist brisket over the years to know that this isn't just part of ordering moist. Had it been properly sliced into pieces that had bark, ring, and the rest, I think it would have been a bit better. On to the sausage. Sausage is not just a throw away item in Texas barbecue. The Germans that moved to central Texas brought their sausage making heritage with them, and central Texas has some wonderful sausage that is every bit as unique as you might find in southern Louisiana (calm thy dirty mind!). It's not a filler meat like chicken so to speak. 4 Rivers specifically calls their sausage "Texas Sausage," but it isn't. It's not even close. It's dry, no particular zip, and the casing is tough. I was hugely disappointed here. LBJ used to fly sausage up from Black's to the White House. That is important this stuff is to Texas cuisine. I decided this wasn't worth the calories and flew it into the garbage after eating about half. Since I mentioned them, the collard greens were awful. No points deducted because, as I said, I don't really care about the sides. However, if you do and you like greens, you'll find these to be pretty dodgy. Final analysis? Easily the best beef barbecue I've had in Florida, but you have to understand that in general the bar is pretty low. Worth a trip? Yes! Equal to the hype? I would have to say no. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable too -- $14 for a pound of meat, a side, and a drink. That's actually a shade cheaper than I would have expected to pay for similar. Go check it out for yourself, and if you are a Texas expat, hey, it's better than Sonny's!
(3)
Martha E.
Good BBQ in Gainesville! The portions are hearty and very filling. I got the pulled chicken which was delicious. My sister got the burnt ends sandwich which was stringy and not quite what either of us expected. But overall would recommend!
(4)
Jeff W.
If you're heading here for the brisket expecting Texas style (a/k/a Aron Franklin) - keep trucking and go somewhere else. The 2 stars are only because the salads we ordered were fresh and except for a couple of unripe cherry tomatoes it was fine. The tomato vinagrette dressing was very good. Saving the aforementioned this place would get a 1 star from us. If you have a smoker and can afford CAB brisket - you can make far better at home - I know this for a fact because I'm not a cook but I do it. My wife ordered sides of burnt ends and smoked chicken. The chicken was OK - the burnt ends were a complete joke chopped to smithereens and slathered in a cover up sauce - if you wanted to actually taste the beef you were out of luck. I ordered some sliced brisket from the flat for my salad - it was under smoked, very plain and drier than even the flat should be. The portion seemed OK for the $2.99 or $3.99 they charge to add meat add to your salad. After being underwhelmed by the by slices of the flat I went back and paid again to order the same add on - this time I tried the point. Meat from the point should be a little fattier and juicier as a result of the way the fat renders when the meat cooks. For another $2.99 or $3.99 I got 2 slices of mostly fat - I had to dissect the slivers of meat from the fat to even get an idea about the taste of the meat. Again under smoked and very plain. Crabby unhappy cashier, clean place, prompt self service but we wouldn't go back.
(2)
Dave L.
I do a pretty great job with my own BBQ, since I own three grills and pit, and I quickly tire of what often tough pork butt or "steamed" tender ribs! I discovered 4 Rivers in central Florida a couple of years ago, but the line was always too long to wait. Finally, in a larger location, I gave them a try! WOW!! This is a VERY good BBQ joint! Tons of awesome sides and large portions! I am hooked on the burnt ends, so I have no review for anything beyond that, but the ends and the sides, sauce, and method of selecting your fare is better than most BBQ places I have been and I usually try them all. Next visit I will review the other offerings, because I promise to try something else!
(4)
Joyce Z.
Great place even at off hours. Went for late lunch and still had everything our party of 5 requested. The burnt ends were different then I expected (well done very well chopped pulled pork), but they were yummy. The sides were really good. You get 3 of them + a biscuit or corn bread with the dinners. The biscuit was better. The collards were great and the sweet potato casserole was to die for. The baked cheese grits were also very good, but save room for dessert because the sweet shop had a great selection of desserts to choose from. Chocolate items, cupcakes, sliced cake. One member of the party was celebrating her birthday and is the only one who likes coconut so a very generous slice of coconut chocolate cake fit the bill for only $5. She said it was great and homemade. Wish I lived closer but only visiting the area but when I visit again this place will be visited again.
(4)
Troy B.
I am agreement with several others that I'm not understanding the hype. Yes, it is good food overall, but nothing mind blowing here. (Although there is something to say for consistent food quality and service.) Maybe I would rate them higher if I wasn't expecting so much based on what others have been telling me. Service is top notch. Meats are good. Sides that I have tried (corn, fries, grits, beans, cole slaw and mac-n-cheese) are nothing special. Prices are a little high for dinners ($14 for brisket). Sandwiches are $8 with 2 sides. Don't quite understand how the Stackers (a sandwich with some extra toppings) can be the same price as a sandwich, but doesn't come with ANY sides. Lets see, I can get a brisket sandwich with fries and beans or I can get a brisket sandwich with some cheese and a few jalapeños on top for the same price? I will be back, but not on my list of favorites. If I am wanting BBQ and Sonny's, David's, Backyard or Bubba Que's is closer, I am not going out of my way to hit 4R. Plus I will probably get out cheaper at one of those other places.
(3)
Randy H.
Everyone always raves about this place. I finally tried it when I was back in town. I had the 1/4? chicken plate. The BBQ flavoring was sweet but I am not one for the flavor. I was not too impressed with the seasoning and flavoring of the BBQ. The sides were great. The Mac & Cheese was great. They have a whole cooler of different sodas and drinks to choose from. It's probably the widest variety of bottled drink selection I have seen that isnt beer.
(3)
Aaron H.
This is the best BBQ in Gainesville. You may not agree with me, but that's ok. That just means I'll get my delicious food faster next time I go because you will likely be somewhere else! If it is your first time going to 4 Rivers, there are two very important things you need to know... 1) Brisket is a huge slab of meat that does not have the same taste and texture throughout! If you prefer lean or more moist you have to request it. Otherwise you will get whatever happens to be next. This is likely what happens when you read a review that says "my brisket was dry," or "my brisket was fatty." Expectation is everything, but it does not speak to the quality of the meat or how they cook it. Request what you want. There is even a diagram above the brisket station. 2) Get the sliders. You will have the opportunity to try 3 different meats. You can choose from brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and burnt ends. I like them all but they are all distinct tastes. You'll likely find something you love though. The sides set this place apart. I love all of the meats, but oh my goodness, the sides are so good. I hear the mac and cheese is just ok, but I haven't tried it. My picks in order of deliciousness are as follows: The corn, smoked jalapeños, green beans, sweet potatoes, baked beans. Oh, and they have a whole dessert store within the smokehouse. It is totally separate and there are lots of goodies. I've tried several of the cupcakes. I took them all home because I was stuffed. Some people have noted the price in their reviews, but my wife and I have been twice now and we took home enough to last for another meal both times. Thats a good deal to me. $20 on two people and we get to take home leftovers. Seriously, the sliders are a good deal. I love this place.
(5)
Alan C.
After hearing about all the hype in Orlando, I decided to try a beef brisket and smoked ribs dinner. All I can say is that...well...the coleslaw was good and the house sauces were decent. The meat was way over salted, little smoke flavor was present, biscuit was raw, and overall cafeteria-like in quality. The restaurant looks great and the vibe is good. However, Gainesville is known to have many good smokehouses and competition is tough (especially for the price they're charging). 4Rivers just didn't live up to the high expectations everyone raved about. So now I can say that I've tried it, but I can't say that I'm on the wagon with everyone else. 4Rivers will have to keep rolling on by without me.
(2)
Nick S.
Pro's: Delicious Meat - The brisket is like nothing I have ever had. A+ Decor is very fun and open. Sweet shop was just what this town needed. I would give the Sweet Shop a 5 star. Staff is polite and hospitable. Condiments and eating supplies were very available. Signature sides were interesting and good. Con's Pricey for what you are getting. Sides were old and not very good. Specifically the Green Beans and the Biscuits.
(3)
Alexander C.
Brisket is amazing, sides are below average but I'll still keep going for the meat
(4)
Morgan L.
Ok, so I'm a huge BBQ fan. And typically, Sonny's will suffice for me. But with my love of new and adventurous food (plus all the good things I'd heard!) I had to try 4 rivers. Now I know several people have had less than stellar experiences here so far, but I was completely impressed. Customer service is always the first thing I judge, and the girls at the takeout window were nice and shockingly knowledgeable for their first week open. They also had lemonade and water outside for our wait! My boyfriend and I got a burnt end sandwich, a brisket sandwich, and two sides - mac and cheese and fried pickles. The girls at the window overheard that we were going to split both sandwiches and they had them cut in half for us without us asking! Everything was outstanding. yes, the meats are salty. But not overly so - it's BBQ! I kind of expect some salt. So here's my official food description: There were no fatty bits on our brisket and it wasn't dry (a first time experience for me). the burnt ends were all the crispy delicious bits from beef and pork. Again, awesome. I would agree that I kind of wish the buns were more "exciting," but the meat was delicious. The bun wasn't necessary in the first place. The fried pickles appeared to be in a tempura batter - awesome idea! The only thing I didn't fall in love with was the mac and cheese. I'm just not a huge restaurant mac and cheese fan. Nothing wrong with it, but not my thing. The seating area outside is absolutely awesome. Tons of space. We originally went to the takeout window because the line inside was so long. We got our food in literally 5 minutes, and realized there was plenty of space to stay. it was a great atmosphere for a warm, weekend evening dinner. I would imagine some of the lower reviews on here have been during the peak meal hours. We went a little later at night - 8:15 PM. I have a feeling the staff was a little more relaxed at that point knowing the day was slowing down. And if you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know that things can get nuts during dinner. So for at least the first few months, cut them some slack during the busy times. :) I can't wait to go back. I've actually been craving it all day. And am intrigued by these things called "smoked jalapenos"...
(5)
Kaitlin H.
I finally got a chance to try 4 Rivers last night! I think we got there around 7pm and it was packed, the line was wrapped all around the building to Falafel House. It took about 20 minutes to get through the line. The nice thing about 4R is the setup. As you go through the line, you get to look at a variety of glass bottles of all kinds of funky sodas, water, etc.. The lighting is nice, and the staff are really friendly. The sweet shop looked neat too, but I didn't get a chance to try anything. Where 4R goes wrong for me is the food. They were handing out samples of the "burnt ends", and I was amazed at how dry the meat was. I got a Cuban sandwich, and the meat was again extremely dry and tough, the bread was burnt, and the sauce on it was kinda weird. As for the sides, the beans were undercooked and swimming in an overly-sweet, thick sauce. The Mac and cheese was okay, tasted like it was from a box. I don't think I'll go out of my way to go here again. I'd rather go to Adam's or try somewhere new for BBQ. But it's still a neat ambiance, and a fun place to go with a few friends.
(3)
Dave J.
I got food poisoning served straight from Jeff Driskel. How's this kid gonna be able to regulate the Gators football team, when he can't even regulate food/temperature? I was extremely sick for finals week, thanks. I still have not really recovered completely. That was actually during my first time back in months, to test it out and see if it improved from the last time I got sick there. What a mess. I think it's the generally young and inexperienced staff.
(1)
Chris C.
This place is good but a little pricey. When it first came to gainesville I heard so many good things about it but when i went it wasn't as special as i was hoping it to be. You have to pay for sides. So if you want a sandwich with two sides its going to cost you
(3)
Damion W.
My friends had a lot of good things to say about this place so I was excited to try it. They suggested the brisket so I had the brisket sandwich with baked beans and bacon-wrapped jalepeños. Overall...meh. The brisket was fairly good. Neither the beans nor the jalepeños were great. Based solely of my plate, I'd give it two stars, but the group I went with enjoyed their food by and large, so I'm bumping them up an extra star.
(3)
Alex G.
Called ahead to order take out. We ended up waiting 50 minutes before leaving without food. That's the short version. The longer version: on a Sunday evening we called ahead to order takeout dinner for a couple's night in. Only two dinners, so not even a massive order to screw up. They told us it would be 15 minutes. About 12 minutes later we arrived, checked in with the order taker at the window and was told it would be ready soon. So, we waited. And then we waited. About 20 more minutes pass and we ask the person at the window again what the status in. We're told it's not up yet should be any minute. So we wait, and we wait, and we wait some more. Finally about 45 minutes after our food is promised to be ready we ask the status. The person has the idea to look under the desk and tells us that staff just put that there. Already a bit frustrated we open the bag up to take a look. We inspect our food and it's cold. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have that right - our food has probably been sitting there getting cold for the past 45 minutes. We bring this to the attention of the order taker and she argues with us telling my fiance "no, it's not - they just put that there". Seriously lady, we have been watching the window as we ran out of games to play on our phones - no one just put anything underneath you. Had she not lied about the food just appearing we would've worked with a manager to come to a reasonable solution. The lying and blatant attempts to cover up failing at your job are what really got to us. The manager promptly refunded our money but we were a bit shocked he didn't try to rectify the situation and preserve the company image any further. The food may be decent, I don't know but I do know we won't be back in to try again anytime soon.
(1)
Matt H.
Don't let the hype, the line, and the cafeteria experience cloud your judgment of what great food actually is. Don't get me wrong their food is descent but considering the hype it doesn't live up. Plenty of other barbeque joints in Gainesville offer higher quality food....they just don't have the fancy looking restaurant like 4 Rivers does. Or the huge cult following from Orlando! Brisket....tasty but a little on the salty side...im thinking they'll correct that Bun....nothing more then a 10 cent bun from grocery store Mac 'n cheese.....out of a box and nothing special Cheese grits....these were excellent Sweet potato casserole....excellent as well and i like the pecan pieces Baked beans....not my style but I could see some people liking em Resses Peanut Butter cupcake....AMAZING Overall 4 Rivers is an ok place and they'll be busy because of their prime location and plenty of parking. For Ribs I say check out Adams. For Brisket and Mac 'N Cheese I say check out Kay Bros. Never been to Davids but I hear they've been in town for like 30 years so I guess I'll have to give em a try.
(3)
Peter F.
This place is great! Everything is fresh, full of flavor, and the service is very good. There is usually a loooong line, but the food is worth the 10 to 15 minute wait.
(4)
Laura L.
maybe it's better in person ( most places are) but ive gotten it to go at work twice and I wasn't impressed. They don't have garlic bread which stinks because I prefer that as a sandwich. The meat has been extremely greasy both times. Ive gotten the pork and biscuit. The pork wasn't so good and the biscuit had potential but was very fatty and way greasy i couldn't stomach it. I might try it one more time if I can dine in...maybe.
(2)
Landon E.
The food is pretty good at 4 Rivers, but unfortunately it seems as if they have the food pre-prepared and just heat it up as you order it, so not the freshest choice. REALLY good mac and cheese and beans, great sides. I got the brontosaurs rib and it was definitely tasty, fall off the bone. This gets three stars because I've heard of at least 3 people who's stomachs have not felt good after their meal and the day after (potentially very processed foods?); I was fine, but thought it should be put into consideration.
(3)
Thane J.
I was a bit skeptical after hearing that this was a cafeteria style restaurant, but I think that helps keep the price down for some great bbq!! I loved the pulled pork as it was really juicy! The brisket was good also, but as smoked brisket goes, you can't expect it to be really juicy as the pork. That's what the sauce is for! The atmosphere is very casual and on a Wednesday night got extremely busy!
(4)
Heather J.
Tried 4Rivers today at lunch. I wanted to see what all the hype was about and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Don't let the line out the door scare you. We almost hit Falafel King two doors down for fear of a wait when we saw that line! The style of services is like Moe's, Chipotle, etc. so the line moves fast. Just be patient. When you get to the front, tell the first person your meal choice and move on down the line for sides and drinks. I went with one of the "Signature Stackers" and ordered the Texas Destroyer. The Destroyer is brisket with onion rings, jalapeños, cheese and BBQ sauce. Ahhhh... yes, please!! BBQ purists may go for just straight meat and scoff at my sandwich. They are welcome to it. My sandwich was awesome. The sides appear to be where it is at! I went for smoked jalapeños with cream cheese wrapped in bacon. Loved them. I also got fried pickles. They were pretty good. Be prepared for A LOT of breading. If tons of breading is for you, go for them. I enjoyed them, but they weren't my favorite. My friends grabbed sandwiches, as well, and let me tried their sides. I really enjoyed the fried okra. It tasted very fresh. The baked cheese grits were very unique and I will definitely order them for myself next time. Overall, fun, quick, tasty and unique. Ignore the hater-BBQ-crazies giving negative reviews and check it out!
(4)
A Y.
I give a three for it being good not great. You're not going to leave dissatisfied although you're not going to leave raving about how good it was either. The prices are a little steep but the atmosphere is nice and casual. Good place for lunch.
(3)
Ajay P.
Wow! A Busy place on a Tuesday evening! Manager Frankie H. & his staff were constantly making their rounds asking if they could do anything to make our Barbeque experience better! Excellent food! Highly recommended!!
(5)
Annalisa U.
Do not eat the burnt ends here!!! I agree with another review that said that eating the burnt ends was like having a pile of pre-chewed beef jerky! I couldn't agree more. I wish I would've taken a picture of the pile of black, shredded meat that was plopped on my tray so you could see how awful it was. I had two bites and couldnt bring myself to eat the test. Additionally, all the sauces seemed overly sweet. The sides were OK...they were at least much better than the meat, which is a sad fact for a BBQ restaurant. I don't recommend the baked beans, though (see previous comment about overly sweet). The collard greens were better, but didn't really taste fresh. Honestly, the best thing I had at this place was the bottled Americana root beer. I didn't even want to try the bakery because I was so turned off by the main entree. Worst of all, this place was super, super expensive for the quality of the food. I'm just glad we didnt have to wait long. If there's a line when you get there, forget about it! Go across the street to Sonny's!! I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)
Joshua S.
4 Rivers Smokehouse in Gainesville has been open for two days, and I've gone there for lunch for both of em! Needless to say, I've been anxiously awaiting the opening after I visited the Winter Park location a month ago. Go for the brisket - stay for everything else. It's all about quality. Lots of barbecue places have reputably good beef and pork - 4 Rivers excels, although I agree with a previous reviewer that the pulled pork is average. There is much more to choose from (turkey, chicken, sausage, tri-tip steak, ribs...), and I will gladly make my way through it all. The brisket is without question unmatched. Then, when they can draw you in for the meat, lots of barbecue places skimp on the sides - canned, processed, and reheated. Not this place! There are many to choose from and they are all pleasantly free of the typical bland or over-salty flavors. The smokehouse corn is crisp and smokey. The cheese grits.... stellar. Smoked jalapenos wrapped in bacon... toasty. I've had most of them and not been disappointed. Oh, and then there's the biscuit. Another item all to oft overlooked or replaced with butter-logged toast. This one is worthy of a southern kitchen - crispy and lightly buttery on the outside, and fluffy flaky on the inside. I really wish they were open for breakfast... So yeah, I'm on the bandwagon.
(5)
Glenda P.
Love the brisket, cheese grits and okra! A dinner plate can easily be shared, tons of food!
(4)
Debbie G.
Great food the cheese grits are amazing. I am not even a fan of grits but these I could eat every day! Stuffed jalepenos wrapped in bacon are great if you like hot and spicy.
(4)
Caitlin C.
To be fair, I think 4 Rivers is a solid 3.5. Overall, the food is rather good. I recommend the Burnt Ends for its smoky, slightly spicy kick. The regular pulled pork sandwich is A-okay, but I think they could do better than a plain hamburger bun. I do enjoy testing out the various unusual sodas they offer (MacFuddy's ftw!). Sadly, the mac 'n cheese tasted like it was from KFC (that artificial cheese taste is hard to miss) but it wasn't awful. Go for the sweet potato casserole, baked beans or the corn. (I have yet to try the other sides, but they look promising.) The in-house sweet shop is a bonus. Though the baked goods are a tad on the pricey side, they're worth the extra dollars (and calories). The cake is moist and delicious, but unless you're a big fan of solid buttercream frosting, I would avoid the cupcakes. They're just a little too sweet (and too much frosting) for me. Last time, I shared a piece of the chocolate birthday cake, which I highly recommend. Overall, this is a very good place to get your BBQ fix.
(4)
Joy D.
I liked their corn side. Cornbread salad was lacking...well, cornbread. I got the brisket lean, but this stuff was pretty dry and salty. Probably won't go out of my way to go here as I have a great local bbq place down the road from my place. Also their house bbq sauce was only ok.
(3)
Symone D.
Tried the brisket and pulled pork combo - two thumbs up. Even though it looks like the worst thing a high school lunch lady could ever serve, it's the COMPLETE opposite. Not mind blowing BBQ, but really good! :) and there's cupcakessss! Yay!
(4)
Tom M.
Once again there is no one close on BBQ...worlds best with perfect sides at a great price...cannot go wrong unless you can't eat with a little noise....it is the best run low cost menu in the country, try to beat this place.
(5)
R L.
I remember liking this a lot in Winter Park. But like other people have said the brisket is impossibly salty. No exaggeration more salty than any food I've ever eaten in my life.
(3)
Charles D.
Like most places in Butler Plaza, I expected this to be terrible. I couldn't have been more wrong. The barbecue is fantastic, especially the smoked chicken. The sides are OK.
(4)
J C.
Good BBQ at reasonable price. Very crowded get there early. Found the food good. Brisket was a little dry, Bread pudding is great. Sides are good especially the greens. The sweet shop is very good and a good way to finish off a meal. Still a fan of Adams over 4 Rivers but its all about personal preference in BBQ.
(3)
Warren B.
Don't listen to all the gripers on here who are either ridiculously picky or had a 1 in a million bad experience. This place is AWESOME. Highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich, but their ribs are great too as well as their brisket. The sides here might actually be the best part: the beans, bread pudding, sweet potatoes, and great beans are all phenomenal. can't ever come to gainesville without filling up on 4rivers. Sweet shop is also great if you're not completely stuffed by the time you've had your meal!
(5)
Greg J.
Ambiance is cool. Love the outdoor eating area. Brisket a little salty for my taste but still very good. Staff is very friendly and accommodating which is good because there are no servers!
(4)
Jo R.
Finally had a chance to visit this place for dinner! As a Texas transplant I have been looking for a decent place in Gainesville to get BBQ. I had heard all the buzz about 4rivers my first month in at work. Tried to go on a Friday but the line was out the door and down the street and I was far too hungry to wait. So I headed over on a weeknight and braved a still-long line (all the way to the door) for a little taste of TX BBQ. The line moves quickly but still is very long... It is very similar to Rudy's BBQ or Chipotle in my mind where it is cafeteria style food but a step up from fast food. I ordered the burnt ends dinner plate with cornbread, a biscuit, mac and cheese, and fried pickles. My husband ordered the wings. After sitting down my husband noted they shorted us on the wings (gave us 6 but we paid for 10). He brought it back up and a few minutes later the manager was back with the remaining amount of wings plus a few more for the mistake. Overall the customer service was excellent from the floor staff to the resolution of our order. The food was solid but not mind blowing. I have pretty high standards after TX and their BBQ was delicious... there just wasn't anything special. The sides (cornbread, mac and cheese, fried pickles, cornbread, and biscuit were nothing to write home about. All in all I will be back when I am craving some quick and easy BBQ.
Decided to give the recently opened 4 Rivers Smokehouse a try this afternoon for late lunch (2:30). It was surprisingly busy for such a late hour, perhaps 1/3 full. As noted in other reviews, it is cafeteria-like in layout. Meals (at least what we ordered) are served on butcher paper. I ordered a moist brisket sandwich, cornbread salad and baked beans. My wife opted for the Six Shooter, one of the Signature Stackers. The brisket was a bit dry, but tasty and plentiful. The cornbread salad (a new one on me) was lettuce with cornbread crumbles, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and bacon. It was delicious. The beans were decent, with lots of molasses and barbeque sauce flavor but not too sweet. Not up to Sonny's standard but pretty good and far from "outa the can." The Six Shooter consisted of a generous helping of pulled pork topped with coleslaw, all piled on a hunk of cheese grits and doused with sauce. It looked about how it sounds but was quite good (my wife generously allowed me a taste). Certainly a unique dish. The menu is fairly large and it will take a few more visits to try some of the other offerings, visits we are sure to make. Overall, pretty good with some unique dishes and atmosphere you won't encounter elsewhere.
(4)
Veronica R.
Got the burnt ends combo of brisket and pork! Amazing! Any place that has BBQ and cupcakes are fine in my book!
(4)
Taylor W.
Was driving through the area and craving bbq, found this on yelp and decided to try it. SO GOOD! Ordered the brisket sandwich and it was to die for, I watched them cut the meat in front of me for my sandwich. Bread pudding was also wonderful!
(5)
Harrison S.
I have returned to 4R a number of times to give them a few chances to get it right. I'm happy to say that they have done a good job, but sad to say that was only a small fraction of the times I've been. 4 Rivers (at least in Gainesville) seems to be marked by a significant consistency problem. I've had some decent brisket at 4R, but I've also had the Sahara Desert manifest itself in my mouth in the form of brisket at 4R. Beyond that, their meat doesn't seem to have enough seasoning. Not enough dry rub on anything I've had there. I end up using a lot of sauce no matter what I get. It's hard to go back when you aren't sure if you're going to get decent brisket or really dry, flavorless brisket that day.
(2)
Coty S.
Service is excellent, food is awful. Yes, I said it. And, no, I am not even exaggerating. The seating is awkward and not enough for all of the bodies attempting to dine. It is a very unwelcoming feeling when you are holding a tray of food and not able to sit and eat it. I am totally confused by the line out the door at all times and the terrible food being served. Am I not understanding something? What is wrong with me? While, I was raised eating all different types of barbecue, I have never encountered something at disgusting at 4 River's "burnt ends." I have had burnt ends before and they are my favorite. Any carbonized meat or marshmallow is good in my book, in the right amounts. However, this was a heaping pile of pre-chewed and dried beef jerky. Those of you familiar with Chinese bakeries would know a topping called Pork Fu, which is dried and shredded meat used for topping. Well, these burnt ends were beef or pork fu mixed with BBQ sauce with an $11.99 price tag. For a restaurant to even serve something this bad to a customer is saying something about the business, and how little they care. Grilled chicken was lackluster. Wet cornbread is still in my fridge. The fried okra and french fries were not even edible. The okra was coated is so much chewy batter that there was barely any okra inside. I would never order any fried food at 4 Rivers again. Mac and Cheese that you could find at any local KFC. Beans were good, but did not have any meat. Brisket was almost pasty, like a terrine/pate texture of sorts, and I cannot even identify the issue there. The best thing I tasted was the Grilled Chicken Wings by far, because they were dry rubbed and then wet sauced when re-heated. At least they did not confuse me texturally like all of the other "meats." I tried what everyone else loves and did not feel the same love. And, I don't feel like spending $47 for three people to try it again anytime soon.
(2)
Miranda B.
This was the best meal I ate in Florida. The line was a little bit longer than anticipated for lunch on a summer weekday, but it went quickly enough. We had enough time to choose our meals by the time it was our turn to order. I had the sliders - brisket was tender, pulled pork was spot on, and the burnt ends were a taste sensation. The homemade baked beans are worth the trip, and the Mac & cheese was creamy. The meal was so filling that I didn't eat dinner that night! The experience was so good that I literally bought the tee shirt (packaged in butcher paper-great attention to detail!)
(5)
George V.
Something special in town . The food is dealicious here but sometimea over salty but so far over all perfect ..
(4)
James O.
I have to agree with Dina L. There is definitely better BBQ out there. Its not really fun or exciting. I found it to be pretty tacky and pricey.
(3)
Future P.
4 Rivers Smokehouse is a magical place! You order your meal like you're at Chipotle. I ordered the brisket and sliced pork (half and half). It comes with an excess of 3 sides, so I got collard greens, coleslaw, and fried pickles. I'll start with the sides then move into meat heaven. The collard greens were good but not great and they could've had a better, stronger flavor. The coleslaw was standard, nothing too special. The fried pickles though, were to die for, they are delicious with a side of ranch. Now, into meat heaven, I'll first start with the sliced pork. My pork was slightly dry, but if you soak it in sauce it gets a lot better, but overall it wasn't the best meat I've ever had. The bbq brisket on the other hand was phenomenal! It was so juicy and moist, I really like that they don't put sweet sauce on so you can do it yourself to your liking. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was like a southern community having a cookout at a nice modern, rustic ranch home. They also have a whole dessert section called the "Sweet Shop", it looked really awesome that's for sure. After getting all those juices and flavor on your hands, it might be good to rinse up in the restroom. What surprised me was that the restroom even had character, the sinks were like hose faucet pipes and the decor was the nice and modern ranch style, just like the restaurant itself. The workers are super nice as well and are focused on making your experience a great one. Do not miss this place if you are in Gainsville, you will be missing out tremendously!
(5)
Kat S.
Better than good BBQ with fantastic sides! Had take out tonight and the whole family ate (with desserts) for under $30 and it was sooooo good! Pulled pork, brisket, hot dog and turkey breast were great- our favorite was the pulled pork. All the sides were great- Mac n cheese- this could have been our meal, everyone loved this old fashioned style Mac n cheese so much. Not a huge fan of pecans in my sweet potato casserole, but the flavors were so good that I ignored them. The corn and the cornbread were both so addictive, I could've eaten them all night. The beans were thick, sweet and spicy- perfect combination. Finished off with a giant cupcake. It was really good, but we shared it because we would've gotten Type 2 Diabetes if we are a whole one alone. All in all a great family dinner. I deducted 1 start just because I felt like it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, although way better than any other I've had in Gainesville so far (not counting Pearl's in Micanopy). Sauces were fantastic and that's a huge deal to us- dipping is a major part and thankfully 4 Ruvers had a tasty sweet BBQ sauce :)
(4)
Mike S.
Great food, decadent desserts, everything just real good. The ribs melted in our mouths, and even the kids loved it.
(4)
Craig C.
Just had lunch there for the first time the brisket is awesome so were all the sides, I highly recommend and don't forget to stop by the sweet shop!
(4)
Ryan C.
Great brisket, sides, and desserts. While it looks like a fast food version of BBQ, my first bite let me know it was the real thing. And any place that has cheerwine on tap is going to get a high rating from me.
(4)
Brad K.
After a few more visits. My verdict is the same 3.5 stars but now rounding down instead of up. I wholeheartedly agree with the Gainesville Sun review. gainesville.com/article/… I agree that while they say they are Texas style BBQ. They really aren't as they don't smoke their meat strong enough. In the article they mention not smoking strong Texas style to try to fix the Floridian BBQ palate. Personally I don't think they should do that, we have enough Florida BBQ in town we want true Texas BBQ. My other item would be there sauces. I just don't feel they compliment the brisket and smoke flavor. I understand sauces are a personal item you either love the or not. Personally I think Cecil's BBQ in Orlando hit's the true Texas sauce and smoke mark much better than 4Rivers. 4River visit Cecil in Orlando to learn how Texas BBQ should be done. facebook.com/cecilstexas…
(3)
Meghan R.
I have been to 2 of the three 4 Rivers in the Orlando area and was very pleased that this location was just as good. After a day tubing at Ichetucknee Springs we decided to just grab lunch in Gainesville before heading out of town. We were all pretty hungry and decided BBQ was the way to go. We got there around 2 pm and it wasn't very crowded at all (no line). But within about 15 minutes of being seated the line was long. I ordered my usual - the sliders (2 chicken, 1 pork), fried pickles, and mac n cheese. Everything was just as good as always. I always worry when there are multiples of restaurants that the additional locations won't be as good as the original, but that is not the case with any of the 4 Rivers locations. One of my favorite things (non-food related) is the signs on their tables that say "Unless you're quite ready to eat pretty please don't save a seat" Cute huh? But also necessary. You don't know how many times I've stood in a long line at a 4 Rivers only to not be able to find somewhere to sit because someone BEHIND me in line sent someone over to save seats. Not cool people, not cool. So thanks to 4Rs for putting out these super cute, and to the point, signs.
(5)
Erica J.
Me and hubby normally go Thursday's and Friday's and we normally order the same thing every time. Which is a half slab of pork ribs. But next time I will try the beef ribs. We also tried their cooler drinks this time. We thought they were beer but I happen to read the drinks and they were old fashion drinks in a bottle.
(5)
Timothy N.
Brisket was ok, beans awful. It's been a full 2 years since I've dined at 4 rivers and the consistency has definitely fallen off. It seems that every location has a particular item it's good at so having your favorite dish at one location dosent necessarily mean you will enjoy it at another. I've had my fill on the entire menu so I know what to expect, I'll deff be back though the frequency may very. lack of consistency, 3 stars.
(3)
Arlene C.
Our new favorite BBQ . Everyone raves about the brisket (including my hubby) , but I love the BBQ chicken. Very moist. Great sides .
(5)
Mike W.
First of all, let me be clear: I'd rate this place four stars in general, probably like five stars in the specific realm of chain BBQ places. But as a restaurant competing with all restaurants, four stars. 4 Rivers is a BBQ place that prides itself on selection and diversity of not only its meats but its sides also. And compared to most of its competition it really delivers on the sides: some unique ones like smoked jalapeños and baked cheese grits you're not apt to find elsewhere. The BBQ itself was very good if not quite of the level of Pearl's BBQ in Micanopy. The sauces I tried--seems only two were on my table, a regular one and a hotter variant of the same--were fine but not exceptional. I had the bread pudding as one side and that was very good, though heavy on a banana flavor. Overall, the food was very good. The interior is beautiful in a fittingly rustic way. Dark woodwork, very clean but very country. They have a little sink in a barrel where you can wash your hands after eating by the trash can where you return your trays without journeying to the bathroom. I find that super-cutes and very pragmatic. They also have an in-store "sweet shop" which is a delightful bakery in the back with all manner of cakes, cupcakes, and other goodies. They're rather heavy on using Oreos in making baked goods, it seems, but aside from that it looks like good stuff--a little overly trendy and catching on the hipster cupcake craze maybe a bit late, but still pretty sweet. I'll certainly return.
(4)
William S.
Think my review should be obvious. I have had 4 Rivers multiple times and decided it finally deserved a review. This is really really good BBQ. It's not Texas or Carolina BBQ, but come on people, we are in Florida. Ordered the special, a Panko crusted pork sandwich. It had arugula, a creamy aioli, pickles, and it was on a buttered bun! Super fresh crunchy pork, peppery arugula with the finish of tart pickles. AWESOME!! And of course I asked for a side of BRISKET. You can't come here without getting some of that!! Sides were baked beans, cole slaw and corn bread. After eating the sandwich, I layered the corn bread, brisket and coleslaw with the signature BBQ sauce for 15 amazing bites. Such perfect mounds of goodness on my fork. Choked it all down w some good Southern sweet tea. Taking home two desserts, grasshopper cupcake and some 10 layer chocolate bar deal. This is a must stop if in Gainesville, FL. Please open one in Ocala. Good Knight Now!
(4)
Lisa G.
Ok I rarely give 5 stars but this place was amazing. Com'on great ribs and bang'n bakery all in same building?! I was confused where to start. I got my ribs, large portion, I love the texture (lil bite to em) the baked beans were really good. Now, the greens were ok - lil sweet for me. Then u got a piece if grandmas cake and a delicious chocolaty cookie caramel bar. All good. I will definite be back!
(5)
Frank B.
Solid bbq/southern fare. Tried pulled pork and brisket. Both excellent with brisket edging just higher than pork. Great service. Informal seating adds to the charm. Sides were also very good. Beans and sweet potato are a must. I wish they had one of these in Miami!
(5)
Debbie C.
We are frequent customers of 4Rivers in Winter Park and Longwood. We've been to the Gainesville location a few times. It is ALWAYS great but not tonight! We were there close to closing and were quite rudely served. The employees merely wanted to go home and not serve the five families there. They cleaned around us and even shut down the drinks. When we asked if there was more tea the girl at the counter rudely informed us there was no more that we were " lucky to have gotten food!" I'm sparing her name here as I've already passed that along to her GM. Maybe their evening employees need to realize the customers are paying their pay checks.
(1)
James J.
Seeing the reviews and information from the original location in Winter Park, I can safely say I showed up to their opening day in Gainesville knowing I would 1) Really like it and 2) Come back more than once. There are so many facets of 4 Rivers Smokehouse that have an effect on just how great it is and, rest assured, I will be quite detailed in illustrating how pleased I was with this first visit. The Space: -Take out: 4 Rivers has an external window with bench-seating so customers can wait for their food without having to navigate through the interior line format they have chosen for customers who decide to dine in. This is considerate, smart, and keeps makes it that much easier to grab up some take out from the establishment -Interior: **Note: My review of The Sweet Shop can be found here: yelp.com/biz/the-sweet-s… The ordering process is a mixture of Tijuana Flats and Chipotle, for those who are familiar with these two styles (you grab a menu at the start of the line, read through it and order, then they assemble your sandwich/plate/salad immediately from the stations they have set up. I would begin to complain about to-order cooking, but that's not their goal and it really does not slight the experience at all. You can get your food made to-go from within house as well, in the event you decided to bypass the take out window. The seating for 4 Rivers is ample, both inside and out. A long dining table sits in the middle of the place with stool seating and on the wall you can find a row of booths for the more traditional dining-in feel. -Exterior The really significant bonus for me is the outdoor options, which I did not suspect would be there due to the restaurant's location (within the plaza where McAlister's used to be). There are multiple sections of bar-like table spaces which are covered for when Gainesville becomes "Rainesville." The biggest, most thoughtfully simple addition to this space, however, is the OUTDOOR SINK. This is so smart and really makes me understand why this growing Florida staple is such a presence at its older locations. The Food: Ordered: Myself-Pulled pork dinner with baked cheese grits, BBQ baked beans, and bread pudding (dinner plates also include a biscuit); Company-Pork sandwich with mac n cheese and fried okra, pulled pork quesadilla with mac n cheese and fries, and finally a texas sausage on hoagie with mac n cheese and fries. 4 Rivers has two sauces on the table (they seem from the same base, but one is hot and the other is mild), both of which they make themselves. The sauce was good, but I have had better sauces and, as I have mentioned in other reviews, I do tend to prefer tangy/mustard sauces akin to S. Carolina BBQ. That said, it was not overly sweet and the hot version had a nice kick bur nothing overbearing. -Meat My pork was incredibly tender and flavorful, and not overly sauced to me (on of my eat-mates disagreed when trying mine, so there may be some relativity here). I did not try the other two pork dishes, but my sample of the Texas sausage was really delightful, though perhaps the slightest touch on the dry side. -Sides/Other ("A" is best, "F" is worst) Note: Did not try the fries (unless they are prepared uniquely, they are an instant write-offs for me when eating out) -Baked cheese grits: Delicious, well-portioned, flavorful and creamy. Will be getting this side every time I go (A) -BBQ baked beans: an interesting take on baked beans, I got an almost chocolatey taste from them. Did not detect any meat in them, which I think is a requirement for me. (B) -Biscuit: Fluffy and quite tasty. Not drenched in butter or overly-salty like the southern preparations people might be accustomed to which is a plus for me (B+) **PRO TIP: They have honey out next to the drink machines to elevate the addition -Fried okra: Fried foods sitting out for too long are always a bad idea and the serving style of the restaurant made these less desirable. Not crispy enough and pretty typical in taste (C) -Bread pudding: A nice little dessert option to round out the other savory components, it was a nice blend of sweet, moist and spongey. (B) -Mac N Cheese: Uninspired and artificial in texture (D) Additional Notes: -For the price, the portion of meat I got was a little bit on the light side compared to some other BBQ eateries in town (For the pork, sides and a tea the meal was over $14, not including tip). They portion their foods more particularly whereas other places pile it in the box and send you on your way. The sausage, on the other hand, seemed like a huge bargain. -I am not sure if it will continue, but they were sampling treats from their in-house bakery to those dining in. I have a substantial sweet tooth, and really appreciated this "icing on the cake," so to speak (more on these treats to come) I will keep my conclusion short: I will be back and you should absolutely go!
(4)
Oanh N.
I came here twice because all my friends seem to want to try it. The brisket was not up to par, it was super salty and very dry. I opted to get it without the bun because it was not a good bun. The way they left the meats out, although was eye-catching could be the reason why all the food was so cold and dry when I sat down with it. I did like the coleslaw and the jalapeño poppers. My friends enjoyed the side dishes probably more than the meat which is sad when the joint should be known for the meat. The line moved fast but it was so ineffectual placed. Their sweet shop inside the place was a treat though.
(2)
Michel A.
Best place in town to get some good smoked Angus brisket ! Hands down! Sides are great too and they have some delicious desserts!
(5)
Jon F.
Great BBQ! The sandwiches are awesome. I love the longhorn. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the desserts are underwhelming. they have a great bakery with products that look good but every desert I've ordered has been bad.
(4)
John C.
Best fast food bbq ever, with a bakery to boot... Just take my word and try this place
(5)
Anthony M.
So, this is my third 4Rivers location and it did not disappoint. We arrived earlier than the dinner rush, about 515ish...Total time from door to chow...less than ten minutes. That's a winner at a 4R. Everyone behind the line was professional, helpful, and happy. The cashier was a bit scatter brained, forgetting our drink cups and ringing in the order wrong. Dinner was spectacular...I had the sloppy pig and loved it...this would be pulled pork between slaw on a bun with pickles and jalapeno peppers. The perfect blend of scrumptiousness... My wife and son loved their dinners too. The only downfall is we didn't save room for the sweets.
(5)
David M.
Food was good but not near the quality of locations in Orlando. The glaring problem is the lack of cleanliness. Staff eating pickles right out of the bins. Combing their hair with gloves on then handling meat. I know it's a college town but still....oh there was more. Just tired of typing.
(3)
Jason W.
I'm in an awkward position. I went to this location last night and the brisket was pretty good and sides were decent. Not super expensive for a bbq place, but not really cheap. I'd normally rate it a solid 4 stars, but I have actually been here once before and the brisket was terrible. It was super super salty and dry, and the sauces were also really salty. I'm hoping that this place has some more consistency from here on out, because it really was tasty this last time around. I'll be back.
(3)
Brandon F.
The food here is always so good. The brisket is my favorite. The fried pickles are also really really good. Can't really go wrong with any of it
(5)
Alan W.
Fabulous pulled pork. Sweet potato was heavily sugared and delicious. Cole slaw was a definite miss. The energy was on point, well laid-out space. Professional and knowledgeable staff. Sweet shop was cute w/ beautiful desserts. I can't eat that stuff b/c I'd go into a coma, but it looked awesome nonetheless. Good work to the creator of the smokehouse. Though I haven't seen the books, I am impressed by the business owner, at least in terms of the customer-facing piece. Nice job!
(5)
Russ B.
Awesome brisket! Great bacon-wrapped smoked jalapeños. Very good sweet potato casserole. Good fries. Very good biscuit. Overall - excellent meal. You stand in line to order, carry your own meal, and get your own drink (but that means easy refills). If you don't like that - go elsewhere. If you don't mind serving yourself you will be rewarded with great BBQ.
(5)
-B- -.
Ok - so we get take out from here once every week or two. The wings are insane - they take a little longer to cook but are smoky and delicious and just wow! Prime rib is really good - make sure you ask for a medium rare cut if you like it that way and get your horseradish sauce if taking out because 90% of the time they forget to give it to you. The brisket (I like moist) is to die for. All sides I've tried are excellent (fried pickles are great!) and of course, don't miss the cupcakes.
(5)
Jeanine E.
Amazing! Just like BBQ from home. I moved from TX to NC almost 30 years ago and I still can't get used to pork bbq. While visiting my daughter in Gainesville, we ate at 4 Rivers and it was just like being in Texas again. Thank you for beef brisket bbq. I can't wait to visit again. Didn't get a chance to try to desserts. Saving that for next time.
(5)
Ryan R.
A great BBQ place and reasonably priced. We found that it's better to get the pulled pork sandwich rather than the pulled pork plate option. You get almost as much pork for a cheaper price.
(5)
Bill G.
I don't care for their ribs or pulled pork because I've had better elsewhere, but I LOVE the brisket. I order it moist, it is delicious! I just moved to G-ville and have decided that I will be having the brisket once a week. I also get collard greens, baked beans, smoked jalapeños, and cornbread. The only other side that Ive ahd was the cole slaw, which was average. I've been meaning to try other entrees, but I can't go and not have brisket......
(5)
Adam R.
I was so disappointed with my food here after hearing all this talk about how great it was. The location of this place was in the corner of a Gainesville strip mall which should have probably tipped me off in the first place that it wasn't going to be the greatest BBQ I ever had. They have an outside area to order food to-go which is convenient, and inside they have large high-tops and large tables closer to the ground which are reminiscent of a normal BBQ experience where you eat your food elbow to elbow with people you never met before. The place was really clean and still looked brand new even though it's been open a while. On the particular day I went it was empty, even though it was a little past noon, but that could be because I went during the summer when Gainesville's population drops to about 47 people. You order food here pretty much the same way you'd order from a Moe's or a Chipotle. Just say you want and they add stuff as you go along. It was quick and relatively painless! The food is my biggest gripe because it had been put on a pedestal, and I can't really say it was all that good. I got the pulled pork, mac and cheese, and fries because those should be staples for any good BBQ place. The pulled pork was cooked well, but I was just not digging the sauce. I like my BBQ sauce to basically be candy, and this BBQ was more tangy than anything else. For a really good sweet BBQ sauce I would probably suggest Adam's Rib Co. which is still my favorite BBQ in Gainesville even though they can be a bit inconsistent. The Mac and Cheese was good but a little watery, and the fries were...fries. Nothing special about them. All in all, it was a decent place and it's better than 90% of the BBQ in Miami but in Gainesville it's strictly middle of the road. Even Texas Roadhouse has better BBQ than 4 Rivers does. You can do worse than 4 Rivers, but you can also certainly do better.
(3)
Lanise A.
Ever since this place opened I have visited a number of times. They cater to the Alumni Homecoming tailgating events, so I was anxious to try them out. I usually have a smoked quarter white chicken, but I've also been open to having a pulled pork sandwich and their version of a Cuban Sandwich. The chicken is good, but it could be better. I'm not too fond of pulled pork, but I was satisfied. The Cuban sandwich was big and tasty, and I think that is my favorite on the menu. For the sides, the Mac n Cheese could use a little more salt to taste, but I like it. Baked beans are on point, and corn great. The biscuits tend to be hard and cold, so I don't care for them too much. Dessert is hard to resist. The sweet shop is so tempting, but on occasion I order a slice of cake or a cupcake. It is so delicious for my ever present sweet tooth.
(4)
Kim S.
We first found 4 Rivers in Winter Gardens. It was delicious. We were thrilled to finally get one close to us. The servers and staff are very friendly, the food is well cooked and the meat is tender. The sauces and selection of sides is very good also. The Sweet Shop is scrumptious. My absolute favorite thing is the Almond Joy. A decadent brownie with ooey coconut and topped with chocolate icing and slivered almonds. It is worth the 30 minutes trip from Ocala.
(5)
Shane J.
I am a long time consumer of Gainesville eats and also spent 15 years in the local restaurant industry. My wife and I just recently commented on the lack of "new experiences" in town. I'm not talking about new food, but the eating experience in general. Call it food as entertainment. 4 Rivers Smokehouse delivered the new experience we were looking for! It is two days before Christmas and I am out about town with the family. The shopping is done. We are just hanging together, people watching. Everyone seemed to simultaneously announce, Lunch time!" As we discussed our choices, I mentioned trying the new 4 Rivers Smokehouse since we were already on Archer Road. My only hesitation was that every time I drive by the place there is a line out the door. My wife said we should go for it since we had all day with nowhere to be. We parked and headed to join the line. Once inside I finally understood the concept. Cafeteria style BBQ. We browsed the menu as we moved steadily forward. I chose the Smokehouse Sliders. My rationale was to be able to try up to three of their meats in one meal. The Smokehouse Sliders is three sliders of your choice of three of four meats, and costs $7.99. There are no sides with this choice. Sides are ala cart with certain menu items. I chose the pulled pork, Angus brisket, and the burnt-ends. The fourth choice was pulled chicken. I ordered a side of French fries. We moved quickly forward and paid. The sliders were delicious! My favorite was the Angus brisket. All of the portion sizes more than adequate. I highly recommend 4 Rivers Smokehouse! I am excited at the possibility of returning very soon. Hopefully right after Christmas. I'll write more then.
(5)
Kevin M.
You cannot make this up. So after 3 failed attempts to try their overrated food (wait times being too long), this July 4th weekend, I finally got the opportunity. Terrible mistake!! I've never been this sick with food-borne illness resulting from grossly unsanitary practices in my life!!! Spent the entire day yesterday spewing projectile vomit and lava diarrhea, accompanied by the most intense stomach cramps. My girlfriend is just as bad. The reason? Perhaps it's because the food is served on dirty trays lined with construction paper. Seriously, no plates? Not even Styrofoam...? Or maybe it's because the utensils are provided via a dispenser, unwrapped in any plastic, falling into a basket undoubtedly riddled with bacteria from hundreds of hands. I mean, really? Does it cost that much more to provide customers with paper plates and pre-wrapped plastic utensils. This is just rudimentary sanitation. I get the cafeteria style service, but that doesn't excuse them from taking the responsible steps of providing their patrons with clean plates and utensils. This was a disgusting and unforgivable experience. I will never come back. P.S. - although I have no proof, if the aforementioned is any reflection of what goes on IN the kitchen, there is no doubt as to why my girlfriend and I got sick. Cross-contamination must be routine. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.
(1)
Bret A.
Fantastic barbeque with a host of meat choices and plenty of southern style sides. As you walk in the garage door style entrance, the decor feels homey yet opens to the parking lot in a unusual but welcoming way. Think woodsy mixed with chrome, high ceilings and a large porch with family style bar seating. Approach the counter to order and choose sides. Your meal will be served on brown deli paper on a tray so if it concerns you to have your entree meat sitting on the paper be sure to order a sandwich or other "insulated" item. Your chosen sides are placed along side and off you go to select a booth, family style elevated bar seating inside or out on the porch. The fried pickles are excellent and the entree filling. Be sure to save room for the full bakery/patisserie bar in the back. Everything we tried - from monster cookies and scones to carrot, key lime and birthday cake were outstanding. Portions are large - teenage boys took take out bags! A fun, gathering place for a meal. Great concept and food!
(4)
Marina M.
It had a nice vibe but I really don't understand the hype. I'm always very lenient and positive in my reviews but I felt like the mac n cheese came from a Kraft box. I got a little pulled pork sandwich and it was honestly just okay. The fries were good but that's pretty much it. It was my first time though, so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(2)
Coleen T.
I was really excited to try this BBQ place... I'm from North Carolina and I had been disappointed by the dry style BBQ here in Florida. I love sauce!!! I want it in my BBQ!!! With that said, 4 rivers has been the best BBQ that I have tried here so far. I got the dinner with the pork & brisket mixture, a side of corn and green beans. The corn and BBQ were awesome!! The green beans tasted very bland- probably came out of a can which is unfortunate. I also got some fries, which didn't seem very fresh. They were tolerable when I dipped in the hot and sweet sauce. Overall 4 rivers is a solid BBQ joint in gainesville. Since I don't come on this side of town a lot, I might not get a chance to come here often, but it was a satisfying meal overall.
(4)
Victoria H.
I'm so SAD!! I love love LOVE the 4Rivers in Orlando. The brisket at this location was dry and difficult to eat. The potato salad was too overdressed in the mayonnaise. The corn was still as appealing as I remember it with all the fabulous seasoning. The jalapeno cornbread was a new item for me--- YUM! But seriously, how can it taste so subpar from its original location? That brisket was the shining light to this establishment.... Not for Gainesville though!
(2)
Josh A.
How can this place get sub 4 star reviews? I've had 'cue all over the US, this is one of my favorites. Sure it's pricier than a buffet, but it's a hell of a lot better. You're getting quality, not quantity. With that said, I'm a large guy, still couldn't finish my 1/2 rack meal. Had to give a rib away. I felt like Homer Simpson, when he was trying to force himself to eat shrimp, but they kept falling back out. Eat here if you want great BBQ. Don't eat here if you're a loser.
(5)
Elina C.
the worst service ever! Standing in line for like 5 mins and nobody took the order for us. never came back againï¼ï¼
(1)
Izzy S.
Ive been to many of their locations throughout the state and have experienced the worst mac and cheese ever here in G'ville. I can't believe that this location waters down the cheese sauce and undercooks the pasta. The al dente pasta with a sauce that doesn't have any flavor isn't southern style mac n cheese. I would love to see the owner eat it and tell me that it is acceptable. If this is their new way of preparing their mac and cheese then I will never step foot in their restaurants again.
(2)
Michael R.
I spent awhile in Houston working and this is the first BBQ restaurant in Florida that captured the Texas BBQ essence. The brisket was very juicy and I asked for some 'bark' on mine which the blackened fatty part that makes it even juicer. I also had jalapeño sausage which was very good along with fries, baked beans, collard greens, and a big biscuit. Very good and very filling! You also go through a cafeteria-style line and the cut your meat right in front of you and put in butcher paper. Almost every Houston BBQ place did the same thing so that was also true to the Texas BBQ experience. They also have a sweet shop with like 30+ different types of cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts if I only had room to try. I will be back!
(4)
Matt S.
Great brisket! I chose the lean cut with less fat. Sweet tea is a must. The jalapeno wrapped in bacon sides are a great compliment to the brisket. Not too hot either.
(5)
Jonny G.
Great place for fast casual BBQ. They have good BBQ with awesome sides. Mac& cheese, greens, baked beans, bacon wrapped smoked jalapeno poppers.... All awesome. You can't go wrong with the sliders, the brisket is great, pulled pork is great. ENJOY!
(4)
Scott R.
2.5 stars Fast casual dining similar to chipotle style of ordering except with BBQ. This location has a lot of work that needs to be done with customer service. It's totally hit or miss on how friendly and helpful the person is that's taking care of you. If this was 4Rivers first location it probably wouldn't of grown into the small empire it has. A very important tip: when ordering the brisket make sure you tell them you want the "Moist Brisket" didn't know this my first time when I got horrible dry pieces and couldn't figure out why people talked so much about this place. It's like night and day from the moist brisket to just ordering the brisket. Service: hit or miss. Either really friendly and helpful or wow rude restless bitch face syndrome and poor attitude coming your way. If you want something tell them. Because they seemed to not want to go out of the way to give you what your paying for. Put your foot down and you will get what you want. Sad you have to do this. The food is decent: not the best I ever had for BBQ but not bad. Sides are decent too unless you get the bottom of the pan which is pretty often in this location. They really need to be on top of filling up their stations. Coke products: with refillable stations to help yourself and iced tea fresh brewed sweet and unsweetened. Plus many other bottles of sodas. Sweet shop: Leave a little room. 4rivers has a wonderful bakery with beautiful desserts and sweets. They offer lots of cup cakes and cakes plus other stuff for the sweet tooth.
(3)
Eric O.
New clean well ran restaurant is 5 stars . Food is very good , so 3 stars. I had the pulled pork with an extra side of meat , beef brisket . Basic sides of green beans ,collar greens, and jalapeño poppers. Meal also came with a biscuit but I am too full to try it. Pulled Pork was very good, but I had to pull out two large hulks of fat out , kind of gross. I choose the leaner option of brisket, very good . Just remember that 4 R's like other BBQ places must prepare the food in advance. So all the do is put your order on the tray for you . I think 4 R tastes so good as everything stays rather fresh due to how busy they are.
(4)
Alana A.
Chipotle-style (ordering) BBQ food. Sounds like a great idea. And apparently many people agree, because I'm not exaggerating when I say I think ALL of Gainesville was here. So, what I'm saying is, get ready for long lines. The selection was pretty decent with quite the variety of BBQ plates. I love quesadillas so I ordered just that. However, after ordering and paying, I had to wait quite some time for it to arrive. And when it finally did (I was starving!), I was a bit disappointed. It was too sweet. It wasn't really terrible, but it wasn't wonderful. After waiting so long, I expected wonderful, so you can imagine my disappointment. My order came with two sides - I decided to get fries and mac & cheese. The fries were stale and definitely not fresh. However, the mac & cheese was fantastic. Warm, fresh, cheesy, and perfect. I think the prices are spot-on for the amount of food you get (given you like it). However, I don't think it's worth making long lines and waiting an eternity for. It's just alright.
(3)
Stan M.
My son and I ate here yesterday. We were very hungry after going canoeing. I was surprised at the line to the door, since it was after 2:30 pm. I had the sliders. One with brisket, one with burnt ends and one with pork. I also got fries and collard greens. All of the sliders were good, but the brisket was the star. It was tender and moist. And don't think small when I say sliders. They were large for sliders. The fries were good, but the collards were vinegar tasting. Usually means they weren't cooked long enough. Not surprised, I have found, you only get good collards home made. My son got the cuban sandwich with brisket. It looked really good and he said, it was delicious. Next time we go, I will save room for desert. They looked amazing.
(4)
Olivia L.
Good barbecue restaurant. There is always a long line (they tell me), so arrive with plenty of time and patience. It is worth the wait! I got pulled pork with French fries, baked beans, and fried okra. It was a ton of food! The pulled pork was good, but the brisket my brother ordered was much better. All of the sides were delicious.
(4)
Chris D.
Cheese grits, topped with pulled pork, pickles, jalapeños, and four rivers sauce with a side of fried pickles and bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers. OH MY GOD. I can't get it out of my head. Delicious. Even their ranch! It has to be homemade bc its the best ranch I've ever had. Go and try their BBQ you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Brian A.
Little pricey but the flavors are spot on this place is great and if you take your girl get her a red velvet cupcake it'll make up for that thing you said about her hair earlier.
(5)
Erin S.
4 Rivers was neither the most amazing nor the worst BBQ I've had in my life. I didn't realize until I entered the line to order that this place is essentially the Chipotle of BBQ (quick service restaurant style). The line was out the door so I decided to give it a try. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwiches come with two sides (from a good selection of options.) I ordered BBQ beans and fries. I could have tried a more adventurous side like sweet potato casserole, greens, fried okra, or slaw, but I saw the fries were the big crinkle cut (my fav) so I was in for those. The pork sandwich was the best part of the meal. The pork was smokey and not overly sauced so you could enjoy the flavor of the pork. There were two sauces at the communal style tables (one spicy, one standard), but both were very sweet. The BBQ beans were excessively sweet. They were definitely not vegetarian with little strands of meat floating about, but this place probably isn't your jam if you are looking for veg options. I probably wouldn't order them again. The fries were A-Okay but it's hard to mess that up. This place also has a huge sweet shop. I was only okay with my dinner so I opted out of ordering any dessert.
(3)
Sungyak K.
Bottom line is - it's fun. You'd be missing out if you go alone. The southern flair is great and the layout of the dining tables is very informal and inviting. You feel like there's a simplicity akin to Chipotle, but then there's a lot more going on. I tried the souther pulled pork, but I'm excited to go back and try the infamous Messy Pig. Currently my favorite spot for fat injections.
(4)
Nydia M.
Checked out 4 Rivers while in town for the weekend. The line was out the door, but moved very quickly, and the smell coming from inside the restaurant kept me company while waiting. We were a party of 5 and everyone loved their food. Boneless rib sandwich, pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket were all perfectly cooked and delicious. There are so many wonderful sides to choose from. The biscuit, corn bread, sweet potato, mac and cheese, and beans were all delicious. The servings are huge and the platters come with 4 sides, so come with a good appetite and feel free to split a meal with someone else.
(5)
Danielle M.
I have to start off by saying my husband LOVED this place. I grew up in the country and know good barbecue. My dad taught me how to smoke meat over hickory chips at a young age and everywhere we traveled we would seek out the best ribs. I had high hopes for this place since the line is always out the door but it was dry and salty. I had the pulled pork and the greens. The greens were mostly vinegar, which just shows they weren't cooked long enough and they used vinegar over pepper sauce (personal favorite of mine). My hubby wants to go again so I'll probably agree eventually but for now I'll just stick to making it homemade.
(3)
Gerrald L.
Topnotch BBQ joint especially for a chain restaurant!! I would definitely recommend trying this place.
(5)
Ivanna G.
Genuinely authentic BBQ, all of the staff is really friendly. I would recommend if it's your first time to try the sliders, so that you can get a taste of all the different meats that they have.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rita V.
BBQ!!!! Meaty portions are HUGE!!!! Really nice brisket and ribs... Juicy, tender, firm but fall of the bone meatiness deliciousness. Juicy brisket, melts in your mouth. But the sides are greyish and not appealing. Good news is, you can order sandwiches, and they are plump and messy and oh so meaty goodness. The place is infested with HUGE CUPCAKES and CAKE... This is a college survival trough! Not for the faint of cholesterol...
(3)Teampcbeach ..
We arrived at 8:30 on a Friday night and the line was still to the door. The line moved quickly thought and once you are out of line you have your food so that is a plus. We got ribs, brisket and burnt ends. It was all outstanding! The brisket was some of the best we ever had. You can get it moist or regular (lean). Both were super tender and had good smoke flavor. All of the sides we had were very good, but the baked cheese grits were the star. You get tons of food, so you won't leave hungry. This is very good BBQ, especially the brisket. We are already planning our next visit!
(5)Bob H.
To the gentleman saying this is possibly the best brisket in the state: you must be eating different BBQ than I had when I came here. Having paid nearly $20 for my meal, I naturally had high expectations of the brisket. The piece of meat I ate was not even mediocre, and I'm easy to satisfy. The meat was tough and salty. Sides were ok, but who is rating a place based on sides? I can safely say that the general consensus on 4-rivers is that it's extremely overhyped and overpriced. If your afraid you might be missing out on something great here, rest assured you aren't. On a positive note, the restaurant was clean and staff were nice.
(2)Caleb L.
Brisket is the main attraction here, and they do it well. It's perfectly smoky and well seasoned, and though we didn't specify, ours had a good balance of lean and fatty slices. Those who complain that the brisket is too fatty or too dry probably don't know that you have to order it how you want it; each brisket has a fatty and lean end, and if you don't specify, you just get whatever they slice. A legitimate concern, I think, is the temperature. By the time I made it past the cashier and to our table, the brisket was cold. I've noticed this during visits to their other locations, but it seemed worse here. This was a minor issue though and quickly forgotten. The ribs were good too. They were meaty with a good combination of smoky and sweet flavors. I would consider them slightly overcooked though, with a bit too soft of a texture. I don't actually like when they "fall off the bone"- great ribs take a few teeth to chew. Pulled chicken is not something I normally would order, but our 2 year old liked it, and it was actually pretty good. It came doused with sauce, but that was ok. The sauce goes better on chicken than it does on their pulled pork. The smoked jalapenos were epic as usual and they disappeared first. The rest of the sides were good too, but nothing stood out like the peppers. Overall, 4Rivers has taken over the top spot for barbecue in Gainesville in my opinion. Their brisket is definitely the best in town-maybe even the state. I would still go to Adam's Rib Company when I'm looking for ribs, and Adam's or David's for pulled pork. But if you're going with a group and want to make everyone happy, or if you're even considering eating brisket, this is the place to be.
(4)Laura S.
Absolutely delicious! Brisket tender and moist. Had the baked grits and sweet potato soufflé for sides. They were both great. Quick service, clean. Great place for BBQ!
(4)Zac R.
Excellent chicken and pulled pork. The jalapeño poppers were average. Baked beans were Fire. Not spicy. Just delicious. Also, I enjoyed the green beans. I will be eating here again. Side note: I only ate one rib but it wasn't anything special.
(4)Jon C.
I frequently come to 4Rivers as I enjoy the food and the portions are very generous. I had lunch here today and it did not disappoint. I had the pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw on the sandwich today, it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. For my sides I got French fries and Mac and Cheese which both were great. The portions of the sides were a bit less than usual but still plenty. If you're looking for BBQ in the area and looking for something quick (the line to order and receive your food moves fast), 4Rivers is the place to go.
(4)Ryan L.
Great food and big portions. Really enjoyed the pulled pork and fries - wasn't a huge fan of the Mac and Cheese. Everyone I was with loved the barbecue
(5)Doctor B.
A reliable source at work informed me of the arrival in Gainesville of what he thought was the best BBQ around. He had not been to Pearl Country Store in Micanopy, so I was suspicious and, as it turned out, with justification. Still, dinner was mostly satisfying; here's how it went. On a cold evening (41°F) before Thanksgiving we (wife, critical daughter and hypercritical son) made our way to the 4Rivers only to find that there were many like-minded people as the cafeteria style line snaked outside into the cold. We were inside within a few minutes and as we perused small menus, were served samples of the pulled pork with sauce; nice touch! (Moist meat overshadowed by tasty, tangy sauce.) We ordered two classic dinner plates which includes the meat of your choice, 3 sides and a biscuit. We also opted to add a second meat for $2.50. For the meats we selected a half-rack of the St. Louis style ribs, Smokehouse Prime Rib, beef brisket and smoked turkey. For the sides we selected cornbread salad, mac & cheese, 4R BBQ beans, Smokehouse corn, Texas cornbread and bread pudding. From the bottom up, the turkey was moist but lacking in smoke or the sense that we were eating turkey. The brisket can be ordered moist (more fatty) or dry (more lean). I was not asked which I prefer and can only suspect that we were given a dry cut. The beefy flavors were nice but there was little smoke and, as said, was dry. While enjoyable and, for those who enhance with sauce, capable of making a tasty sandwich, it pales compared to the brisket at the Micanopy Pearl Country Store. The St. Louis Style ribs were impressively sized. The meat was "push gently off the bone" rather than "slide off the bone" a la Micanopy PCS. The smokey flavors were nice but the meat dry compared to you know where. The Smokehouse Prime Rib was the table consensus: rare, beefy, smokey and tasty. It made for a nice sandwich, even without sauce. As for the sides, the one most ignored was the cornbread salad. My daughter thought highly of the Texas cornbread...it was okay for cornbread. The 4R BBQ beans were sweeter than I preferred while the accompanying sauce tasted meaty and as if it were thickened with corn starch. The mac & cheese was standard fare. The most interesting side, though probably having more in common with dessert, was the bread pudding. It tasted like a Cinnabon in a cup. The most popular side was the Smokehouse corn; unique flavors with a touch of heat and a accented by a subtle seafood flavor. We stopped at the sweet shop on the way out, picking up a double chocolate marshmallow cookie, 4R classic brownie, S'mores brownie and Almond Brownie. The massive cookie was good, better after microwaved but probably best when consumed fresh from the oven. The brownies were massive, as well. The "plain" 4R classic brownie was also just "good", suffering from being more cakey than I prefer. The S'mores brownie was dry and should not have been sold. OTOH, the Almond brownie, sort of like a German chocolate brownie with coconut and caramel; it was decadent and satisfying. Overall the meal was good, though disappointing as we expected more. Still, I'll return for the Smokehouse Prime Rib and Smokehouse corn. The gooey Almond brownie was satisfying and enough to lure me back just for that. But, IMHO, the best BBQ nearby is still to be found at the Pearl Country Store in Micanopy. Still, on this cold Wednesday night, the restaurant was jumping. You should check it out. Let me know what you think..
(3)Julie S.
There is NO WAY anyone can say this place is one of the best in Gainesville for barbeque. We're in the south. Gainesville might be hoppin', but it's still a relatively small southern town. There are a ton of small, original, hand-made mom-and-pop barbecues around this area that will serve authentic, delicious, fresh barbecue. I mean, there are people who stick the grill on their truck and serve out on the 441 and in the boonies. The only reason 4 Rivers is SO popular is they invested a ton of money in projecting a word-of-mouth campaign around Gainesville before they even opened in a busy plaza to ensure a wide clientele interest. It was obviously incredibly effective; there are always lines. Is it really so good that people want to be there that bad on a Monday night? No. But it's popular, and it's peaked public curiosity. It sucks to always see local small businesses that have been here for years, sometimes decades, getting rooted out by the monster that is Butler Plaza. Adam's Rib Co. is 2 miles away on 13th street. Making the trek takes me less time than I would have to spend waiting in line and waiting for service at 4 Rivers. And it tastes way better.
(1)Mary W.
I love barbecue and over all was disappointed with 4 Rivers. The line was out the door so i was expecting a pretty great meal. I got the pulled pork sandwich and two sides. The pulled pork was tender with a nice flavor but was cold. I got the corn and the mac and cheese as my two sides. Both were decent tasting. The mac and cheese had a nice thick sauce which i like. However, both were room temp at best. They really need to find a better way to keep their food warm while it is sitting in the serving tubs on the line. Perhaps i would have been more into the food had it actually been hot but cold food is a deal breaker for me. This happened twice in row! Average food served cold.... I really am not sure what all the hype is about.
(2)Sonia T.
It's been a bit since I tried 4R. It was my friend's birthday and since we couldn't decide where to eat, we finally agreed giving this BBQ place a try as it was recently opened. I've seen the lines out the door every time I was at Butler Plaza, so maybe it was a good sign?!? I did check yelp before we went there and I should say I had my doubts... somehow I hoped my friend would say "Let's go to Panera." I like Panera; for a chain it's pretty good and consistent. Back to 4R, I wasn't wrong. It was memorable, for sure! Overly salty, super fatty and dry meat (I know, super fatty and dry at the same time... how is that possible?). Sides were whatever... I ordered a brownie, too. Terrible. Tasted fake, like all crappy baked goods do. There were 3 of us and it was unanimous this place does not deserve a repeat! I wouldn't say the price is a great value, either. And to make matters worse, the cups/cutlery etc are disposable. What's up with that? Big chain can't afford a dishwasher? I noticed that's quite a trend in Gainesville. But wait, Gainesville is so progressive! Wah, wah, wah! I still see lines outside. Makes me wonder if there's crack in their BBQ sauce, 'cause I can't explain the crowds. One star for the food.
(1)Lola T.
Stopped while traveling through Fl, very conveniently located just minutes off I-75. We had heard of this franchise before from friends in Orlando but this was our first experience. It was just my husband and I, but we wanted to try a little bit of everything..,, We ordered a 1/2 slab of ribs dinner (15.99) and added an additional side of brisket (2,99). This came with three sides and a biscuit. We also ordered a pulled pork sandwich which came with two sides. The meat..... The brisket is definitely the star! Juicy and cooked perfectly, just a tad salty but still delicious. We both wished we had made this our main entree. The pulled pork sandwich was good but the cold bun bordered on being stale. Luckily the meat was wonderful without the bun and we took the majority home with us. Only disappointment was the ribs... Smoked but severely over cooked. Six nice sized bones but we didn't even eat half of them because they were so dry and difficult to chew. The sides were wonderful. We had.. macaroni and cheese 4 stars baked beans ( hubby's favorite) 5 stars Baked cheesy grits 5 stars (wonderful) Coleslaw 5 stars. For me to give a restaurant a good rating on coke slaw is amazing and This is some really good cole slaw! Fried pickles 3 star, not horrible just not that good. Batter needs some spice but the thick cut and the sharp dill saved them from total failure. We had a nice amount left over and was offered a to go box for a snack down the road. We also enjoyed our chocolate extravaganza dessert several hours later. For 2.50 it was a good value that took care of our sweet tooth. For lunch our bill was around. $35.00 but we had a lot of food and were perfectly content with the value. Line was outside when we arrived but moved efficiently, however don't come here thinking fast food. Staff was friendly and informative , we look forward to returning for more sides and brisket!
(4)Joe R.
The low reviews are absurd. Go to the Orlando locations and you have thousands of 4/5 star reviews. People in Gainesville think Sonny's is good BBQ. People swear by David's which is below average. I enjoy Adam's and Pearl's as the only other good places in town but 4 rivers is better. The juicy brisket is amazing. Unique and quality sides. My only complaint is it would be nice to taste the pork before sauce. Not sure a place exists in Florida that you can eat the pork without sauce though. Nothing more annoying on Yelp than bad reviews for long lines. Not sure I've ever went to a big city and not waited a while for a top restaurant.
(5)Kristen P.
I got pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, bread pudding and sweet potato casserole. The meat was very tasty. The macaroni and cheese was decent although more "Kraft" tasting than homemade. The bread pudding and sweet potato casserole were absolutely swimming in butter and I couldn't finish them in good conscience. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Southern girl so I love butter, but the extra butter didn't contribute or make it taste better. It's like they pour butter on it and hope everyone has Paula Deen tastebuds.
(3)Dena G.
We were in Hogtown for medical monkey bidness and decided to check out the 4 Rivers. Tallahassee is about to get one of their own, so we wanted a preview. The place is a no-frills eatery with concrete floors and a cafeteria-style ordering arrangement. You pick your entree from the board over the service area, they put it on a tray, and you pay right there. I had a pulled pork sandwich (or sammich) as my cousin calls it, and the Boy had a pulled pork with two sides of his favorites, cole slaw and fries. I had an order of their macaroni and cheese. The pulled pork was tender, moist and flavorful. It tasted like actual pork. The sauce was sweet and spicy with a mild afterburn. They keep bottles of the sauce on the tables, so you can pick your burn, mild or hot. We enjoyed the meal. The restaurant was clean and moderately comfortable. Booths are a tight fit and not adjustable, the stools at the long tables are metal and not very comfy. Now, about the desserts...they have a bakery with deadly looking desserts. I am talking about cupcakes. They look like evil sugar temptation. And they are. I am usually craving sugar after a Gainesville medical event, so I got a coconut cupcake to go, and the Boy got a carrot cupcake. We had them that night. That coconut cupcake was to die for. It was like a coconut cream pie crawled into a cake. They had put coconut custard inside that cupcake and, well. Nom nom nom. Each 4 Rivers either has a bakery inside, or carries a selection of baked goods according to the bakery shop attendant. Ooooh Goody! This is going to be a must-do once the furor dies down in Tallahassee. You know, the "omg, we have a new place to eat in Tallahicky!" Go for it.
(3)Jason C.
Right off the bat, more of 3.5 than a three. OK, so I moved to Gainesville from central Texas and have missed brisket ever since. Simply put, brisket in central Florida is just terrible, which I have never understood as it isn't THAT hard to make, particularly if you make it everyday. Sooner or later, you'd expect someone to figure it out, but nope, just one tragic example after another. Even places I really like around town otherwise make just terrible brisket. So 4 Rivers comes to town, a place that according to it's own website "is a sophisticated Texas-style smokehouse that is re-defining the art of smoking one brisket at a time." Tonight, I decided to see just how true that was. I have subsequently reviewed the place as I might any Texas barbecue joint since that is what they are doing. First of all, and maybe this is just a Texas thing, but where are the onions, pickles, and white bread that are liberally thrown out? Most of the places in Texas for years offered little more than white bread, onions, pickles, pickled whole jalapenos, and cheddar for sides and only very recently, begrudgingly started offering more. You could buy smoked jalapenos at 4 Rivers, but I saw none of the rest. If you are going to say you are Texas-style, well, be Texas-style. Some of you may think it is overreacting, but I took off a star just for this. After swallowing my frustration at not being able to make little brisket sandwiches (seriously, not offering the above is pretty much akin to not having chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant in the world of Texas BBQ), I settled in to check out the food they did have. I went with just a 1/2 pound of brisket and 1/2 pound of sausage with a side of collards. --Caveat: No one talks about the sides at Smitty's, City Market, Franklin, Black's, Cooper's, and so on because honestly, no one gives a damn really, the creamed corn at Rudy's being one exception. If what you remember are the sides at a BBQ restaurant, it wasn't good. Them's just the facts. I don't make the BBQ rules, I just abide by them. If the sides are good, then there is a little bonus, if they suck, well, who cares? That being noted-- The brisket was surprisingly good, kind of a Lockhart style that falls apart on the plate. It wasn't as quite good as my favorite places back in Texas, but I would absolutely put it up against some of the more standard fair like Rudy's, the County Line, or Iron Works (this is probably only useful if you have been to these places, admittedly). This may sound like a case of damning with faint praise, but it isn't. Brisket is religion in central Texas, and even average brisket there is still pretty dang good. I wouldn't be shy about serving the 4 Rivers brisket to anyone back in Texas as it is pretty good. Kudos to them for getting it right -- mostly. One area that could use some work is the carving. What I got was basically hunks of pulled brisket with no bark to be found despite there being plenty on the cut when it came out of the smoker. I've had enough fall-apart moist brisket over the years to know that this isn't just part of ordering moist. Had it been properly sliced into pieces that had bark, ring, and the rest, I think it would have been a bit better. On to the sausage. Sausage is not just a throw away item in Texas barbecue. The Germans that moved to central Texas brought their sausage making heritage with them, and central Texas has some wonderful sausage that is every bit as unique as you might find in southern Louisiana (calm thy dirty mind!). It's not a filler meat like chicken so to speak. 4 Rivers specifically calls their sausage "Texas Sausage," but it isn't. It's not even close. It's dry, no particular zip, and the casing is tough. I was hugely disappointed here. LBJ used to fly sausage up from Black's to the White House. That is important this stuff is to Texas cuisine. I decided this wasn't worth the calories and flew it into the garbage after eating about half. Since I mentioned them, the collard greens were awful. No points deducted because, as I said, I don't really care about the sides. However, if you do and you like greens, you'll find these to be pretty dodgy. Final analysis? Easily the best beef barbecue I've had in Florida, but you have to understand that in general the bar is pretty low. Worth a trip? Yes! Equal to the hype? I would have to say no. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable too -- $14 for a pound of meat, a side, and a drink. That's actually a shade cheaper than I would have expected to pay for similar. Go check it out for yourself, and if you are a Texas expat, hey, it's better than Sonny's!
(3)Martha E.
Good BBQ in Gainesville! The portions are hearty and very filling. I got the pulled chicken which was delicious. My sister got the burnt ends sandwich which was stringy and not quite what either of us expected. But overall would recommend!
(4)Jeff W.
If you're heading here for the brisket expecting Texas style (a/k/a Aron Franklin) - keep trucking and go somewhere else. The 2 stars are only because the salads we ordered were fresh and except for a couple of unripe cherry tomatoes it was fine. The tomato vinagrette dressing was very good. Saving the aforementioned this place would get a 1 star from us. If you have a smoker and can afford CAB brisket - you can make far better at home - I know this for a fact because I'm not a cook but I do it. My wife ordered sides of burnt ends and smoked chicken. The chicken was OK - the burnt ends were a complete joke chopped to smithereens and slathered in a cover up sauce - if you wanted to actually taste the beef you were out of luck. I ordered some sliced brisket from the flat for my salad - it was under smoked, very plain and drier than even the flat should be. The portion seemed OK for the $2.99 or $3.99 they charge to add meat add to your salad. After being underwhelmed by the by slices of the flat I went back and paid again to order the same add on - this time I tried the point. Meat from the point should be a little fattier and juicier as a result of the way the fat renders when the meat cooks. For another $2.99 or $3.99 I got 2 slices of mostly fat - I had to dissect the slivers of meat from the fat to even get an idea about the taste of the meat. Again under smoked and very plain. Crabby unhappy cashier, clean place, prompt self service but we wouldn't go back.
(2)Dave L.
I do a pretty great job with my own BBQ, since I own three grills and pit, and I quickly tire of what often tough pork butt or "steamed" tender ribs! I discovered 4 Rivers in central Florida a couple of years ago, but the line was always too long to wait. Finally, in a larger location, I gave them a try! WOW!! This is a VERY good BBQ joint! Tons of awesome sides and large portions! I am hooked on the burnt ends, so I have no review for anything beyond that, but the ends and the sides, sauce, and method of selecting your fare is better than most BBQ places I have been and I usually try them all. Next visit I will review the other offerings, because I promise to try something else!
(4)Joyce Z.
Great place even at off hours. Went for late lunch and still had everything our party of 5 requested. The burnt ends were different then I expected (well done very well chopped pulled pork), but they were yummy. The sides were really good. You get 3 of them + a biscuit or corn bread with the dinners. The biscuit was better. The collards were great and the sweet potato casserole was to die for. The baked cheese grits were also very good, but save room for dessert because the sweet shop had a great selection of desserts to choose from. Chocolate items, cupcakes, sliced cake. One member of the party was celebrating her birthday and is the only one who likes coconut so a very generous slice of coconut chocolate cake fit the bill for only $5. She said it was great and homemade. Wish I lived closer but only visiting the area but when I visit again this place will be visited again.
(4)Troy B.
I am agreement with several others that I'm not understanding the hype. Yes, it is good food overall, but nothing mind blowing here. (Although there is something to say for consistent food quality and service.) Maybe I would rate them higher if I wasn't expecting so much based on what others have been telling me. Service is top notch. Meats are good. Sides that I have tried (corn, fries, grits, beans, cole slaw and mac-n-cheese) are nothing special. Prices are a little high for dinners ($14 for brisket). Sandwiches are $8 with 2 sides. Don't quite understand how the Stackers (a sandwich with some extra toppings) can be the same price as a sandwich, but doesn't come with ANY sides. Lets see, I can get a brisket sandwich with fries and beans or I can get a brisket sandwich with some cheese and a few jalapeños on top for the same price? I will be back, but not on my list of favorites. If I am wanting BBQ and Sonny's, David's, Backyard or Bubba Que's is closer, I am not going out of my way to hit 4R. Plus I will probably get out cheaper at one of those other places.
(3)Randy H.
Everyone always raves about this place. I finally tried it when I was back in town. I had the 1/4? chicken plate. The BBQ flavoring was sweet but I am not one for the flavor. I was not too impressed with the seasoning and flavoring of the BBQ. The sides were great. The Mac & Cheese was great. They have a whole cooler of different sodas and drinks to choose from. It's probably the widest variety of bottled drink selection I have seen that isnt beer.
(3)Aaron H.
This is the best BBQ in Gainesville. You may not agree with me, but that's ok. That just means I'll get my delicious food faster next time I go because you will likely be somewhere else! If it is your first time going to 4 Rivers, there are two very important things you need to know... 1) Brisket is a huge slab of meat that does not have the same taste and texture throughout! If you prefer lean or more moist you have to request it. Otherwise you will get whatever happens to be next. This is likely what happens when you read a review that says "my brisket was dry," or "my brisket was fatty." Expectation is everything, but it does not speak to the quality of the meat or how they cook it. Request what you want. There is even a diagram above the brisket station. 2) Get the sliders. You will have the opportunity to try 3 different meats. You can choose from brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and burnt ends. I like them all but they are all distinct tastes. You'll likely find something you love though. The sides set this place apart. I love all of the meats, but oh my goodness, the sides are so good. I hear the mac and cheese is just ok, but I haven't tried it. My picks in order of deliciousness are as follows: The corn, smoked jalapeños, green beans, sweet potatoes, baked beans. Oh, and they have a whole dessert store within the smokehouse. It is totally separate and there are lots of goodies. I've tried several of the cupcakes. I took them all home because I was stuffed. Some people have noted the price in their reviews, but my wife and I have been twice now and we took home enough to last for another meal both times. Thats a good deal to me. $20 on two people and we get to take home leftovers. Seriously, the sliders are a good deal. I love this place.
(5)Alan C.
After hearing about all the hype in Orlando, I decided to try a beef brisket and smoked ribs dinner. All I can say is that...well...the coleslaw was good and the house sauces were decent. The meat was way over salted, little smoke flavor was present, biscuit was raw, and overall cafeteria-like in quality. The restaurant looks great and the vibe is good. However, Gainesville is known to have many good smokehouses and competition is tough (especially for the price they're charging). 4Rivers just didn't live up to the high expectations everyone raved about. So now I can say that I've tried it, but I can't say that I'm on the wagon with everyone else. 4Rivers will have to keep rolling on by without me.
(2)Nick S.
Pro's: Delicious Meat - The brisket is like nothing I have ever had. A+ Decor is very fun and open. Sweet shop was just what this town needed. I would give the Sweet Shop a 5 star. Staff is polite and hospitable. Condiments and eating supplies were very available. Signature sides were interesting and good. Con's Pricey for what you are getting. Sides were old and not very good. Specifically the Green Beans and the Biscuits.
(3)Alexander C.
Brisket is amazing, sides are below average but I'll still keep going for the meat
(4)Morgan L.
Ok, so I'm a huge BBQ fan. And typically, Sonny's will suffice for me. But with my love of new and adventurous food (plus all the good things I'd heard!) I had to try 4 rivers. Now I know several people have had less than stellar experiences here so far, but I was completely impressed. Customer service is always the first thing I judge, and the girls at the takeout window were nice and shockingly knowledgeable for their first week open. They also had lemonade and water outside for our wait! My boyfriend and I got a burnt end sandwich, a brisket sandwich, and two sides - mac and cheese and fried pickles. The girls at the window overheard that we were going to split both sandwiches and they had them cut in half for us without us asking! Everything was outstanding. yes, the meats are salty. But not overly so - it's BBQ! I kind of expect some salt. So here's my official food description: There were no fatty bits on our brisket and it wasn't dry (a first time experience for me). the burnt ends were all the crispy delicious bits from beef and pork. Again, awesome. I would agree that I kind of wish the buns were more "exciting," but the meat was delicious. The bun wasn't necessary in the first place. The fried pickles appeared to be in a tempura batter - awesome idea! The only thing I didn't fall in love with was the mac and cheese. I'm just not a huge restaurant mac and cheese fan. Nothing wrong with it, but not my thing. The seating area outside is absolutely awesome. Tons of space. We originally went to the takeout window because the line inside was so long. We got our food in literally 5 minutes, and realized there was plenty of space to stay. it was a great atmosphere for a warm, weekend evening dinner. I would imagine some of the lower reviews on here have been during the peak meal hours. We went a little later at night - 8:15 PM. I have a feeling the staff was a little more relaxed at that point knowing the day was slowing down. And if you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know that things can get nuts during dinner. So for at least the first few months, cut them some slack during the busy times. :) I can't wait to go back. I've actually been craving it all day. And am intrigued by these things called "smoked jalapenos"...
(5)Kaitlin H.
I finally got a chance to try 4 Rivers last night! I think we got there around 7pm and it was packed, the line was wrapped all around the building to Falafel House. It took about 20 minutes to get through the line. The nice thing about 4R is the setup. As you go through the line, you get to look at a variety of glass bottles of all kinds of funky sodas, water, etc.. The lighting is nice, and the staff are really friendly. The sweet shop looked neat too, but I didn't get a chance to try anything. Where 4R goes wrong for me is the food. They were handing out samples of the "burnt ends", and I was amazed at how dry the meat was. I got a Cuban sandwich, and the meat was again extremely dry and tough, the bread was burnt, and the sauce on it was kinda weird. As for the sides, the beans were undercooked and swimming in an overly-sweet, thick sauce. The Mac and cheese was okay, tasted like it was from a box. I don't think I'll go out of my way to go here again. I'd rather go to Adam's or try somewhere new for BBQ. But it's still a neat ambiance, and a fun place to go with a few friends.
(3)Dave J.
I got food poisoning served straight from Jeff Driskel. How's this kid gonna be able to regulate the Gators football team, when he can't even regulate food/temperature? I was extremely sick for finals week, thanks. I still have not really recovered completely. That was actually during my first time back in months, to test it out and see if it improved from the last time I got sick there. What a mess. I think it's the generally young and inexperienced staff.
(1)Chris C.
This place is good but a little pricey. When it first came to gainesville I heard so many good things about it but when i went it wasn't as special as i was hoping it to be. You have to pay for sides. So if you want a sandwich with two sides its going to cost you
(3)Damion W.
My friends had a lot of good things to say about this place so I was excited to try it. They suggested the brisket so I had the brisket sandwich with baked beans and bacon-wrapped jalepeños. Overall...meh. The brisket was fairly good. Neither the beans nor the jalepeños were great. Based solely of my plate, I'd give it two stars, but the group I went with enjoyed their food by and large, so I'm bumping them up an extra star.
(3)Alex G.
Called ahead to order take out. We ended up waiting 50 minutes before leaving without food. That's the short version. The longer version: on a Sunday evening we called ahead to order takeout dinner for a couple's night in. Only two dinners, so not even a massive order to screw up. They told us it would be 15 minutes. About 12 minutes later we arrived, checked in with the order taker at the window and was told it would be ready soon. So, we waited. And then we waited. About 20 more minutes pass and we ask the person at the window again what the status in. We're told it's not up yet should be any minute. So we wait, and we wait, and we wait some more. Finally about 45 minutes after our food is promised to be ready we ask the status. The person has the idea to look under the desk and tells us that staff just put that there. Already a bit frustrated we open the bag up to take a look. We inspect our food and it's cold. Yes ladies and gentlemen, you have that right - our food has probably been sitting there getting cold for the past 45 minutes. We bring this to the attention of the order taker and she argues with us telling my fiance "no, it's not - they just put that there". Seriously lady, we have been watching the window as we ran out of games to play on our phones - no one just put anything underneath you. Had she not lied about the food just appearing we would've worked with a manager to come to a reasonable solution. The lying and blatant attempts to cover up failing at your job are what really got to us. The manager promptly refunded our money but we were a bit shocked he didn't try to rectify the situation and preserve the company image any further. The food may be decent, I don't know but I do know we won't be back in to try again anytime soon.
(1)Matt H.
Don't let the hype, the line, and the cafeteria experience cloud your judgment of what great food actually is. Don't get me wrong their food is descent but considering the hype it doesn't live up. Plenty of other barbeque joints in Gainesville offer higher quality food....they just don't have the fancy looking restaurant like 4 Rivers does. Or the huge cult following from Orlando! Brisket....tasty but a little on the salty side...im thinking they'll correct that Bun....nothing more then a 10 cent bun from grocery store Mac 'n cheese.....out of a box and nothing special Cheese grits....these were excellent Sweet potato casserole....excellent as well and i like the pecan pieces Baked beans....not my style but I could see some people liking em Resses Peanut Butter cupcake....AMAZING Overall 4 Rivers is an ok place and they'll be busy because of their prime location and plenty of parking. For Ribs I say check out Adams. For Brisket and Mac 'N Cheese I say check out Kay Bros. Never been to Davids but I hear they've been in town for like 30 years so I guess I'll have to give em a try.
(3)Peter F.
This place is great! Everything is fresh, full of flavor, and the service is very good. There is usually a loooong line, but the food is worth the 10 to 15 minute wait.
(4)Laura L.
maybe it's better in person ( most places are) but ive gotten it to go at work twice and I wasn't impressed. They don't have garlic bread which stinks because I prefer that as a sandwich. The meat has been extremely greasy both times. Ive gotten the pork and biscuit. The pork wasn't so good and the biscuit had potential but was very fatty and way greasy i couldn't stomach it. I might try it one more time if I can dine in...maybe.
(2)Landon E.
The food is pretty good at 4 Rivers, but unfortunately it seems as if they have the food pre-prepared and just heat it up as you order it, so not the freshest choice. REALLY good mac and cheese and beans, great sides. I got the brontosaurs rib and it was definitely tasty, fall off the bone. This gets three stars because I've heard of at least 3 people who's stomachs have not felt good after their meal and the day after (potentially very processed foods?); I was fine, but thought it should be put into consideration.
(3)Thane J.
I was a bit skeptical after hearing that this was a cafeteria style restaurant, but I think that helps keep the price down for some great bbq!! I loved the pulled pork as it was really juicy! The brisket was good also, but as smoked brisket goes, you can't expect it to be really juicy as the pork. That's what the sauce is for! The atmosphere is very casual and on a Wednesday night got extremely busy!
(4)Heather J.
Tried 4Rivers today at lunch. I wanted to see what all the hype was about and thoroughly enjoyed myself! Don't let the line out the door scare you. We almost hit Falafel King two doors down for fear of a wait when we saw that line! The style of services is like Moe's, Chipotle, etc. so the line moves fast. Just be patient. When you get to the front, tell the first person your meal choice and move on down the line for sides and drinks. I went with one of the "Signature Stackers" and ordered the Texas Destroyer. The Destroyer is brisket with onion rings, jalapeños, cheese and BBQ sauce. Ahhhh... yes, please!! BBQ purists may go for just straight meat and scoff at my sandwich. They are welcome to it. My sandwich was awesome. The sides appear to be where it is at! I went for smoked jalapeños with cream cheese wrapped in bacon. Loved them. I also got fried pickles. They were pretty good. Be prepared for A LOT of breading. If tons of breading is for you, go for them. I enjoyed them, but they weren't my favorite. My friends grabbed sandwiches, as well, and let me tried their sides. I really enjoyed the fried okra. It tasted very fresh. The baked cheese grits were very unique and I will definitely order them for myself next time. Overall, fun, quick, tasty and unique. Ignore the hater-BBQ-crazies giving negative reviews and check it out!
(4)A Y.
I give a three for it being good not great. You're not going to leave dissatisfied although you're not going to leave raving about how good it was either. The prices are a little steep but the atmosphere is nice and casual. Good place for lunch.
(3)Ajay P.
Wow! A Busy place on a Tuesday evening! Manager Frankie H. & his staff were constantly making their rounds asking if they could do anything to make our Barbeque experience better! Excellent food! Highly recommended!!
(5)Annalisa U.
Do not eat the burnt ends here!!! I agree with another review that said that eating the burnt ends was like having a pile of pre-chewed beef jerky! I couldn't agree more. I wish I would've taken a picture of the pile of black, shredded meat that was plopped on my tray so you could see how awful it was. I had two bites and couldnt bring myself to eat the test. Additionally, all the sauces seemed overly sweet. The sides were OK...they were at least much better than the meat, which is a sad fact for a BBQ restaurant. I don't recommend the baked beans, though (see previous comment about overly sweet). The collard greens were better, but didn't really taste fresh. Honestly, the best thing I had at this place was the bottled Americana root beer. I didn't even want to try the bakery because I was so turned off by the main entree. Worst of all, this place was super, super expensive for the quality of the food. I'm just glad we didnt have to wait long. If there's a line when you get there, forget about it! Go across the street to Sonny's!! I would not recommend this place at all.
(1)Joshua S.
4 Rivers Smokehouse in Gainesville has been open for two days, and I've gone there for lunch for both of em! Needless to say, I've been anxiously awaiting the opening after I visited the Winter Park location a month ago. Go for the brisket - stay for everything else. It's all about quality. Lots of barbecue places have reputably good beef and pork - 4 Rivers excels, although I agree with a previous reviewer that the pulled pork is average. There is much more to choose from (turkey, chicken, sausage, tri-tip steak, ribs...), and I will gladly make my way through it all. The brisket is without question unmatched. Then, when they can draw you in for the meat, lots of barbecue places skimp on the sides - canned, processed, and reheated. Not this place! There are many to choose from and they are all pleasantly free of the typical bland or over-salty flavors. The smokehouse corn is crisp and smokey. The cheese grits.... stellar. Smoked jalapenos wrapped in bacon... toasty. I've had most of them and not been disappointed. Oh, and then there's the biscuit. Another item all to oft overlooked or replaced with butter-logged toast. This one is worthy of a southern kitchen - crispy and lightly buttery on the outside, and fluffy flaky on the inside. I really wish they were open for breakfast... So yeah, I'm on the bandwagon.
(5)Glenda P.
Love the brisket, cheese grits and okra! A dinner plate can easily be shared, tons of food!
(4)Debbie G.
Great food the cheese grits are amazing. I am not even a fan of grits but these I could eat every day! Stuffed jalepenos wrapped in bacon are great if you like hot and spicy.
(4)Caitlin C.
To be fair, I think 4 Rivers is a solid 3.5. Overall, the food is rather good. I recommend the Burnt Ends for its smoky, slightly spicy kick. The regular pulled pork sandwich is A-okay, but I think they could do better than a plain hamburger bun. I do enjoy testing out the various unusual sodas they offer (MacFuddy's ftw!). Sadly, the mac 'n cheese tasted like it was from KFC (that artificial cheese taste is hard to miss) but it wasn't awful. Go for the sweet potato casserole, baked beans or the corn. (I have yet to try the other sides, but they look promising.) The in-house sweet shop is a bonus. Though the baked goods are a tad on the pricey side, they're worth the extra dollars (and calories). The cake is moist and delicious, but unless you're a big fan of solid buttercream frosting, I would avoid the cupcakes. They're just a little too sweet (and too much frosting) for me. Last time, I shared a piece of the chocolate birthday cake, which I highly recommend. Overall, this is a very good place to get your BBQ fix.
(4)Joy D.
I liked their corn side. Cornbread salad was lacking...well, cornbread. I got the brisket lean, but this stuff was pretty dry and salty. Probably won't go out of my way to go here as I have a great local bbq place down the road from my place. Also their house bbq sauce was only ok.
(3)Symone D.
Tried the brisket and pulled pork combo - two thumbs up. Even though it looks like the worst thing a high school lunch lady could ever serve, it's the COMPLETE opposite. Not mind blowing BBQ, but really good! :) and there's cupcakessss! Yay!
(4)Tom M.
Once again there is no one close on BBQ...worlds best with perfect sides at a great price...cannot go wrong unless you can't eat with a little noise....it is the best run low cost menu in the country, try to beat this place.
(5)R L.
I remember liking this a lot in Winter Park. But like other people have said the brisket is impossibly salty. No exaggeration more salty than any food I've ever eaten in my life.
(3)Charles D.
Like most places in Butler Plaza, I expected this to be terrible. I couldn't have been more wrong. The barbecue is fantastic, especially the smoked chicken. The sides are OK.
(4)J C.
Good BBQ at reasonable price. Very crowded get there early. Found the food good. Brisket was a little dry, Bread pudding is great. Sides are good especially the greens. The sweet shop is very good and a good way to finish off a meal. Still a fan of Adams over 4 Rivers but its all about personal preference in BBQ.
(3)Warren B.
Don't listen to all the gripers on here who are either ridiculously picky or had a 1 in a million bad experience. This place is AWESOME. Highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich, but their ribs are great too as well as their brisket. The sides here might actually be the best part: the beans, bread pudding, sweet potatoes, and great beans are all phenomenal. can't ever come to gainesville without filling up on 4rivers. Sweet shop is also great if you're not completely stuffed by the time you've had your meal!
(5)Greg J.
Ambiance is cool. Love the outdoor eating area. Brisket a little salty for my taste but still very good. Staff is very friendly and accommodating which is good because there are no servers!
(4)Jo R.
Finally had a chance to visit this place for dinner! As a Texas transplant I have been looking for a decent place in Gainesville to get BBQ. I had heard all the buzz about 4rivers my first month in at work. Tried to go on a Friday but the line was out the door and down the street and I was far too hungry to wait. So I headed over on a weeknight and braved a still-long line (all the way to the door) for a little taste of TX BBQ. The line moves quickly but still is very long... It is very similar to Rudy's BBQ or Chipotle in my mind where it is cafeteria style food but a step up from fast food. I ordered the burnt ends dinner plate with cornbread, a biscuit, mac and cheese, and fried pickles. My husband ordered the wings. After sitting down my husband noted they shorted us on the wings (gave us 6 but we paid for 10). He brought it back up and a few minutes later the manager was back with the remaining amount of wings plus a few more for the mistake. Overall the customer service was excellent from the floor staff to the resolution of our order. The food was solid but not mind blowing. I have pretty high standards after TX and their BBQ was delicious... there just wasn't anything special. The sides (cornbread, mac and cheese, fried pickles, cornbread, and biscuit were nothing to write home about. All in all I will be back when I am craving some quick and easy BBQ.
(3)Michael M.
Since its opening, it's had a steady stream of customers every night. Having never heard of this central Florida chain, I wanted to try it out. It was not what I was expecting. When we saw the line out the door, I figured we'd be in for a bit of a wait. I was not expecting to wait in a cafeteria-style line for cafeteria-style food. 4 Rivers is a part of the growing "fast casual" dining scene. Fast casual is characterized by fast food with limited table service, but slightly higher quality food than your typical fast food drive-thru. In that sense, 4 Rivers is a success. Their food is slightly better than your typical fast food. I opted for the bbq chicken quesadilla because it sounded interesting and unique. My friends have criticized me for ordering a quesadilla at a bbq joint, but if it's no good, why keep it on the menu. The sauce was robust and had a deep, smoky flavor. I was a little concerned when I read that their sweet potato soufflé was not safe for people with peanut allergies, but I got used to the awkward crunch. 4 Rivers also has a bakery full of sweets. I had a parfait, but it was way too sweet. I can't say I've ever encountered a dessert I didn't like, but I didn't finish this one.
(3)Michael T.
Decided to give the recently opened 4 Rivers Smokehouse a try this afternoon for late lunch (2:30). It was surprisingly busy for such a late hour, perhaps 1/3 full. As noted in other reviews, it is cafeteria-like in layout. Meals (at least what we ordered) are served on butcher paper. I ordered a moist brisket sandwich, cornbread salad and baked beans. My wife opted for the Six Shooter, one of the Signature Stackers. The brisket was a bit dry, but tasty and plentiful. The cornbread salad (a new one on me) was lettuce with cornbread crumbles, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and bacon. It was delicious. The beans were decent, with lots of molasses and barbeque sauce flavor but not too sweet. Not up to Sonny's standard but pretty good and far from "outa the can." The Six Shooter consisted of a generous helping of pulled pork topped with coleslaw, all piled on a hunk of cheese grits and doused with sauce. It looked about how it sounds but was quite good (my wife generously allowed me a taste). Certainly a unique dish. The menu is fairly large and it will take a few more visits to try some of the other offerings, visits we are sure to make. Overall, pretty good with some unique dishes and atmosphere you won't encounter elsewhere.
(4)Veronica R.
Got the burnt ends combo of brisket and pork! Amazing! Any place that has BBQ and cupcakes are fine in my book!
(4)Taylor W.
Was driving through the area and craving bbq, found this on yelp and decided to try it. SO GOOD! Ordered the brisket sandwich and it was to die for, I watched them cut the meat in front of me for my sandwich. Bread pudding was also wonderful!
(5)Harrison S.
I have returned to 4R a number of times to give them a few chances to get it right. I'm happy to say that they have done a good job, but sad to say that was only a small fraction of the times I've been. 4 Rivers (at least in Gainesville) seems to be marked by a significant consistency problem. I've had some decent brisket at 4R, but I've also had the Sahara Desert manifest itself in my mouth in the form of brisket at 4R. Beyond that, their meat doesn't seem to have enough seasoning. Not enough dry rub on anything I've had there. I end up using a lot of sauce no matter what I get. It's hard to go back when you aren't sure if you're going to get decent brisket or really dry, flavorless brisket that day.
(2)Coty S.
Service is excellent, food is awful. Yes, I said it. And, no, I am not even exaggerating. The seating is awkward and not enough for all of the bodies attempting to dine. It is a very unwelcoming feeling when you are holding a tray of food and not able to sit and eat it. I am totally confused by the line out the door at all times and the terrible food being served. Am I not understanding something? What is wrong with me? While, I was raised eating all different types of barbecue, I have never encountered something at disgusting at 4 River's "burnt ends." I have had burnt ends before and they are my favorite. Any carbonized meat or marshmallow is good in my book, in the right amounts. However, this was a heaping pile of pre-chewed and dried beef jerky. Those of you familiar with Chinese bakeries would know a topping called Pork Fu, which is dried and shredded meat used for topping. Well, these burnt ends were beef or pork fu mixed with BBQ sauce with an $11.99 price tag. For a restaurant to even serve something this bad to a customer is saying something about the business, and how little they care. Grilled chicken was lackluster. Wet cornbread is still in my fridge. The fried okra and french fries were not even edible. The okra was coated is so much chewy batter that there was barely any okra inside. I would never order any fried food at 4 Rivers again. Mac and Cheese that you could find at any local KFC. Beans were good, but did not have any meat. Brisket was almost pasty, like a terrine/pate texture of sorts, and I cannot even identify the issue there. The best thing I tasted was the Grilled Chicken Wings by far, because they were dry rubbed and then wet sauced when re-heated. At least they did not confuse me texturally like all of the other "meats." I tried what everyone else loves and did not feel the same love. And, I don't feel like spending $47 for three people to try it again anytime soon.
(2)Miranda B.
This was the best meal I ate in Florida. The line was a little bit longer than anticipated for lunch on a summer weekday, but it went quickly enough. We had enough time to choose our meals by the time it was our turn to order. I had the sliders - brisket was tender, pulled pork was spot on, and the burnt ends were a taste sensation. The homemade baked beans are worth the trip, and the Mac & cheese was creamy. The meal was so filling that I didn't eat dinner that night! The experience was so good that I literally bought the tee shirt (packaged in butcher paper-great attention to detail!)
(5)George V.
Something special in town . The food is dealicious here but sometimea over salty but so far over all perfect ..
(4)James O.
I have to agree with Dina L. There is definitely better BBQ out there. Its not really fun or exciting. I found it to be pretty tacky and pricey.
(3)Future P.
4 Rivers Smokehouse is a magical place! You order your meal like you're at Chipotle. I ordered the brisket and sliced pork (half and half). It comes with an excess of 3 sides, so I got collard greens, coleslaw, and fried pickles. I'll start with the sides then move into meat heaven. The collard greens were good but not great and they could've had a better, stronger flavor. The coleslaw was standard, nothing too special. The fried pickles though, were to die for, they are delicious with a side of ranch. Now, into meat heaven, I'll first start with the sliced pork. My pork was slightly dry, but if you soak it in sauce it gets a lot better, but overall it wasn't the best meat I've ever had. The bbq brisket on the other hand was phenomenal! It was so juicy and moist, I really like that they don't put sweet sauce on so you can do it yourself to your liking. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was like a southern community having a cookout at a nice modern, rustic ranch home. They also have a whole dessert section called the "Sweet Shop", it looked really awesome that's for sure. After getting all those juices and flavor on your hands, it might be good to rinse up in the restroom. What surprised me was that the restroom even had character, the sinks were like hose faucet pipes and the decor was the nice and modern ranch style, just like the restaurant itself. The workers are super nice as well and are focused on making your experience a great one. Do not miss this place if you are in Gainsville, you will be missing out tremendously!
(5)Kat S.
Better than good BBQ with fantastic sides! Had take out tonight and the whole family ate (with desserts) for under $30 and it was sooooo good! Pulled pork, brisket, hot dog and turkey breast were great- our favorite was the pulled pork. All the sides were great- Mac n cheese- this could have been our meal, everyone loved this old fashioned style Mac n cheese so much. Not a huge fan of pecans in my sweet potato casserole, but the flavors were so good that I ignored them. The corn and the cornbread were both so addictive, I could've eaten them all night. The beans were thick, sweet and spicy- perfect combination. Finished off with a giant cupcake. It was really good, but we shared it because we would've gotten Type 2 Diabetes if we are a whole one alone. All in all a great family dinner. I deducted 1 start just because I felt like it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, although way better than any other I've had in Gainesville so far (not counting Pearl's in Micanopy). Sauces were fantastic and that's a huge deal to us- dipping is a major part and thankfully 4 Ruvers had a tasty sweet BBQ sauce :)
(4)Mike S.
Great food, decadent desserts, everything just real good. The ribs melted in our mouths, and even the kids loved it.
(4)Craig C.
Just had lunch there for the first time the brisket is awesome so were all the sides, I highly recommend and don't forget to stop by the sweet shop!
(4)Ryan C.
Great brisket, sides, and desserts. While it looks like a fast food version of BBQ, my first bite let me know it was the real thing. And any place that has cheerwine on tap is going to get a high rating from me.
(4)Brad K.
After a few more visits. My verdict is the same 3.5 stars but now rounding down instead of up. I wholeheartedly agree with the Gainesville Sun review. gainesville.com/article/… I agree that while they say they are Texas style BBQ. They really aren't as they don't smoke their meat strong enough. In the article they mention not smoking strong Texas style to try to fix the Floridian BBQ palate. Personally I don't think they should do that, we have enough Florida BBQ in town we want true Texas BBQ. My other item would be there sauces. I just don't feel they compliment the brisket and smoke flavor. I understand sauces are a personal item you either love the or not. Personally I think Cecil's BBQ in Orlando hit's the true Texas sauce and smoke mark much better than 4Rivers. 4River visit Cecil in Orlando to learn how Texas BBQ should be done. facebook.com/cecilstexas…
(3)Meghan R.
I have been to 2 of the three 4 Rivers in the Orlando area and was very pleased that this location was just as good. After a day tubing at Ichetucknee Springs we decided to just grab lunch in Gainesville before heading out of town. We were all pretty hungry and decided BBQ was the way to go. We got there around 2 pm and it wasn't very crowded at all (no line). But within about 15 minutes of being seated the line was long. I ordered my usual - the sliders (2 chicken, 1 pork), fried pickles, and mac n cheese. Everything was just as good as always. I always worry when there are multiples of restaurants that the additional locations won't be as good as the original, but that is not the case with any of the 4 Rivers locations. One of my favorite things (non-food related) is the signs on their tables that say "Unless you're quite ready to eat pretty please don't save a seat" Cute huh? But also necessary. You don't know how many times I've stood in a long line at a 4 Rivers only to not be able to find somewhere to sit because someone BEHIND me in line sent someone over to save seats. Not cool people, not cool. So thanks to 4Rs for putting out these super cute, and to the point, signs.
(5)Erica J.
Me and hubby normally go Thursday's and Friday's and we normally order the same thing every time. Which is a half slab of pork ribs. But next time I will try the beef ribs. We also tried their cooler drinks this time. We thought they were beer but I happen to read the drinks and they were old fashion drinks in a bottle.
(5)Timothy N.
Brisket was ok, beans awful. It's been a full 2 years since I've dined at 4 rivers and the consistency has definitely fallen off. It seems that every location has a particular item it's good at so having your favorite dish at one location dosent necessarily mean you will enjoy it at another. I've had my fill on the entire menu so I know what to expect, I'll deff be back though the frequency may very. lack of consistency, 3 stars.
(3)Arlene C.
Our new favorite BBQ . Everyone raves about the brisket (including my hubby) , but I love the BBQ chicken. Very moist. Great sides .
(5)Mike W.
First of all, let me be clear: I'd rate this place four stars in general, probably like five stars in the specific realm of chain BBQ places. But as a restaurant competing with all restaurants, four stars. 4 Rivers is a BBQ place that prides itself on selection and diversity of not only its meats but its sides also. And compared to most of its competition it really delivers on the sides: some unique ones like smoked jalapeños and baked cheese grits you're not apt to find elsewhere. The BBQ itself was very good if not quite of the level of Pearl's BBQ in Micanopy. The sauces I tried--seems only two were on my table, a regular one and a hotter variant of the same--were fine but not exceptional. I had the bread pudding as one side and that was very good, though heavy on a banana flavor. Overall, the food was very good. The interior is beautiful in a fittingly rustic way. Dark woodwork, very clean but very country. They have a little sink in a barrel where you can wash your hands after eating by the trash can where you return your trays without journeying to the bathroom. I find that super-cutes and very pragmatic. They also have an in-store "sweet shop" which is a delightful bakery in the back with all manner of cakes, cupcakes, and other goodies. They're rather heavy on using Oreos in making baked goods, it seems, but aside from that it looks like good stuff--a little overly trendy and catching on the hipster cupcake craze maybe a bit late, but still pretty sweet. I'll certainly return.
(4)William S.
Think my review should be obvious. I have had 4 Rivers multiple times and decided it finally deserved a review. This is really really good BBQ. It's not Texas or Carolina BBQ, but come on people, we are in Florida. Ordered the special, a Panko crusted pork sandwich. It had arugula, a creamy aioli, pickles, and it was on a buttered bun! Super fresh crunchy pork, peppery arugula with the finish of tart pickles. AWESOME!! And of course I asked for a side of BRISKET. You can't come here without getting some of that!! Sides were baked beans, cole slaw and corn bread. After eating the sandwich, I layered the corn bread, brisket and coleslaw with the signature BBQ sauce for 15 amazing bites. Such perfect mounds of goodness on my fork. Choked it all down w some good Southern sweet tea. Taking home two desserts, grasshopper cupcake and some 10 layer chocolate bar deal. This is a must stop if in Gainesville, FL. Please open one in Ocala. Good Knight Now!
(4)Lisa G.
Ok I rarely give 5 stars but this place was amazing. Com'on great ribs and bang'n bakery all in same building?! I was confused where to start. I got my ribs, large portion, I love the texture (lil bite to em) the baked beans were really good. Now, the greens were ok - lil sweet for me. Then u got a piece if grandmas cake and a delicious chocolaty cookie caramel bar. All good. I will definite be back!
(5)Frank B.
Solid bbq/southern fare. Tried pulled pork and brisket. Both excellent with brisket edging just higher than pork. Great service. Informal seating adds to the charm. Sides were also very good. Beans and sweet potato are a must. I wish they had one of these in Miami!
(5)Debbie C.
We are frequent customers of 4Rivers in Winter Park and Longwood. We've been to the Gainesville location a few times. It is ALWAYS great but not tonight! We were there close to closing and were quite rudely served. The employees merely wanted to go home and not serve the five families there. They cleaned around us and even shut down the drinks. When we asked if there was more tea the girl at the counter rudely informed us there was no more that we were " lucky to have gotten food!" I'm sparing her name here as I've already passed that along to her GM. Maybe their evening employees need to realize the customers are paying their pay checks.
(1)James J.
Seeing the reviews and information from the original location in Winter Park, I can safely say I showed up to their opening day in Gainesville knowing I would 1) Really like it and 2) Come back more than once. There are so many facets of 4 Rivers Smokehouse that have an effect on just how great it is and, rest assured, I will be quite detailed in illustrating how pleased I was with this first visit. The Space: -Take out: 4 Rivers has an external window with bench-seating so customers can wait for their food without having to navigate through the interior line format they have chosen for customers who decide to dine in. This is considerate, smart, and keeps makes it that much easier to grab up some take out from the establishment -Interior: **Note: My review of The Sweet Shop can be found here: yelp.com/biz/the-sweet-s… The ordering process is a mixture of Tijuana Flats and Chipotle, for those who are familiar with these two styles (you grab a menu at the start of the line, read through it and order, then they assemble your sandwich/plate/salad immediately from the stations they have set up. I would begin to complain about to-order cooking, but that's not their goal and it really does not slight the experience at all. You can get your food made to-go from within house as well, in the event you decided to bypass the take out window. The seating for 4 Rivers is ample, both inside and out. A long dining table sits in the middle of the place with stool seating and on the wall you can find a row of booths for the more traditional dining-in feel. -Exterior The really significant bonus for me is the outdoor options, which I did not suspect would be there due to the restaurant's location (within the plaza where McAlister's used to be). There are multiple sections of bar-like table spaces which are covered for when Gainesville becomes "Rainesville." The biggest, most thoughtfully simple addition to this space, however, is the OUTDOOR SINK. This is so smart and really makes me understand why this growing Florida staple is such a presence at its older locations. The Food: Ordered: Myself-Pulled pork dinner with baked cheese grits, BBQ baked beans, and bread pudding (dinner plates also include a biscuit); Company-Pork sandwich with mac n cheese and fried okra, pulled pork quesadilla with mac n cheese and fries, and finally a texas sausage on hoagie with mac n cheese and fries. 4 Rivers has two sauces on the table (they seem from the same base, but one is hot and the other is mild), both of which they make themselves. The sauce was good, but I have had better sauces and, as I have mentioned in other reviews, I do tend to prefer tangy/mustard sauces akin to S. Carolina BBQ. That said, it was not overly sweet and the hot version had a nice kick bur nothing overbearing. -Meat My pork was incredibly tender and flavorful, and not overly sauced to me (on of my eat-mates disagreed when trying mine, so there may be some relativity here). I did not try the other two pork dishes, but my sample of the Texas sausage was really delightful, though perhaps the slightest touch on the dry side. -Sides/Other ("A" is best, "F" is worst) Note: Did not try the fries (unless they are prepared uniquely, they are an instant write-offs for me when eating out) -Baked cheese grits: Delicious, well-portioned, flavorful and creamy. Will be getting this side every time I go (A) -BBQ baked beans: an interesting take on baked beans, I got an almost chocolatey taste from them. Did not detect any meat in them, which I think is a requirement for me. (B) -Biscuit: Fluffy and quite tasty. Not drenched in butter or overly-salty like the southern preparations people might be accustomed to which is a plus for me (B+) **PRO TIP: They have honey out next to the drink machines to elevate the addition -Fried okra: Fried foods sitting out for too long are always a bad idea and the serving style of the restaurant made these less desirable. Not crispy enough and pretty typical in taste (C) -Bread pudding: A nice little dessert option to round out the other savory components, it was a nice blend of sweet, moist and spongey. (B) -Mac N Cheese: Uninspired and artificial in texture (D) Additional Notes: -For the price, the portion of meat I got was a little bit on the light side compared to some other BBQ eateries in town (For the pork, sides and a tea the meal was over $14, not including tip). They portion their foods more particularly whereas other places pile it in the box and send you on your way. The sausage, on the other hand, seemed like a huge bargain. -I am not sure if it will continue, but they were sampling treats from their in-house bakery to those dining in. I have a substantial sweet tooth, and really appreciated this "icing on the cake," so to speak (more on these treats to come) I will keep my conclusion short: I will be back and you should absolutely go!
(4)Oanh N.
I came here twice because all my friends seem to want to try it. The brisket was not up to par, it was super salty and very dry. I opted to get it without the bun because it was not a good bun. The way they left the meats out, although was eye-catching could be the reason why all the food was so cold and dry when I sat down with it. I did like the coleslaw and the jalapeño poppers. My friends enjoyed the side dishes probably more than the meat which is sad when the joint should be known for the meat. The line moved fast but it was so ineffectual placed. Their sweet shop inside the place was a treat though.
(2)Michel A.
Best place in town to get some good smoked Angus brisket ! Hands down! Sides are great too and they have some delicious desserts!
(5)Jon F.
Great BBQ! The sandwiches are awesome. I love the longhorn. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the desserts are underwhelming. they have a great bakery with products that look good but every desert I've ordered has been bad.
(4)John C.
Best fast food bbq ever, with a bakery to boot... Just take my word and try this place
(5)Anthony M.
So, this is my third 4Rivers location and it did not disappoint. We arrived earlier than the dinner rush, about 515ish...Total time from door to chow...less than ten minutes. That's a winner at a 4R. Everyone behind the line was professional, helpful, and happy. The cashier was a bit scatter brained, forgetting our drink cups and ringing in the order wrong. Dinner was spectacular...I had the sloppy pig and loved it...this would be pulled pork between slaw on a bun with pickles and jalapeno peppers. The perfect blend of scrumptiousness... My wife and son loved their dinners too. The only downfall is we didn't save room for the sweets.
(5)David M.
Food was good but not near the quality of locations in Orlando. The glaring problem is the lack of cleanliness. Staff eating pickles right out of the bins. Combing their hair with gloves on then handling meat. I know it's a college town but still....oh there was more. Just tired of typing.
(3)Jason W.
I'm in an awkward position. I went to this location last night and the brisket was pretty good and sides were decent. Not super expensive for a bbq place, but not really cheap. I'd normally rate it a solid 4 stars, but I have actually been here once before and the brisket was terrible. It was super super salty and dry, and the sauces were also really salty. I'm hoping that this place has some more consistency from here on out, because it really was tasty this last time around. I'll be back.
(3)Brandon F.
The food here is always so good. The brisket is my favorite. The fried pickles are also really really good. Can't really go wrong with any of it
(5)Alan W.
Fabulous pulled pork. Sweet potato was heavily sugared and delicious. Cole slaw was a definite miss. The energy was on point, well laid-out space. Professional and knowledgeable staff. Sweet shop was cute w/ beautiful desserts. I can't eat that stuff b/c I'd go into a coma, but it looked awesome nonetheless. Good work to the creator of the smokehouse. Though I haven't seen the books, I am impressed by the business owner, at least in terms of the customer-facing piece. Nice job!
(5)Russ B.
Awesome brisket! Great bacon-wrapped smoked jalapeños. Very good sweet potato casserole. Good fries. Very good biscuit. Overall - excellent meal. You stand in line to order, carry your own meal, and get your own drink (but that means easy refills). If you don't like that - go elsewhere. If you don't mind serving yourself you will be rewarded with great BBQ.
(5)-B- -.
Ok - so we get take out from here once every week or two. The wings are insane - they take a little longer to cook but are smoky and delicious and just wow! Prime rib is really good - make sure you ask for a medium rare cut if you like it that way and get your horseradish sauce if taking out because 90% of the time they forget to give it to you. The brisket (I like moist) is to die for. All sides I've tried are excellent (fried pickles are great!) and of course, don't miss the cupcakes.
(5)Jeanine E.
Amazing! Just like BBQ from home. I moved from TX to NC almost 30 years ago and I still can't get used to pork bbq. While visiting my daughter in Gainesville, we ate at 4 Rivers and it was just like being in Texas again. Thank you for beef brisket bbq. I can't wait to visit again. Didn't get a chance to try to desserts. Saving that for next time.
(5)Ryan R.
A great BBQ place and reasonably priced. We found that it's better to get the pulled pork sandwich rather than the pulled pork plate option. You get almost as much pork for a cheaper price.
(5)Bill G.
I don't care for their ribs or pulled pork because I've had better elsewhere, but I LOVE the brisket. I order it moist, it is delicious! I just moved to G-ville and have decided that I will be having the brisket once a week. I also get collard greens, baked beans, smoked jalapeños, and cornbread. The only other side that Ive ahd was the cole slaw, which was average. I've been meaning to try other entrees, but I can't go and not have brisket......
(5)Adam R.
I was so disappointed with my food here after hearing all this talk about how great it was. The location of this place was in the corner of a Gainesville strip mall which should have probably tipped me off in the first place that it wasn't going to be the greatest BBQ I ever had. They have an outside area to order food to-go which is convenient, and inside they have large high-tops and large tables closer to the ground which are reminiscent of a normal BBQ experience where you eat your food elbow to elbow with people you never met before. The place was really clean and still looked brand new even though it's been open a while. On the particular day I went it was empty, even though it was a little past noon, but that could be because I went during the summer when Gainesville's population drops to about 47 people. You order food here pretty much the same way you'd order from a Moe's or a Chipotle. Just say you want and they add stuff as you go along. It was quick and relatively painless! The food is my biggest gripe because it had been put on a pedestal, and I can't really say it was all that good. I got the pulled pork, mac and cheese, and fries because those should be staples for any good BBQ place. The pulled pork was cooked well, but I was just not digging the sauce. I like my BBQ sauce to basically be candy, and this BBQ was more tangy than anything else. For a really good sweet BBQ sauce I would probably suggest Adam's Rib Co. which is still my favorite BBQ in Gainesville even though they can be a bit inconsistent. The Mac and Cheese was good but a little watery, and the fries were...fries. Nothing special about them. All in all, it was a decent place and it's better than 90% of the BBQ in Miami but in Gainesville it's strictly middle of the road. Even Texas Roadhouse has better BBQ than 4 Rivers does. You can do worse than 4 Rivers, but you can also certainly do better.
(3)Lanise A.
Ever since this place opened I have visited a number of times. They cater to the Alumni Homecoming tailgating events, so I was anxious to try them out. I usually have a smoked quarter white chicken, but I've also been open to having a pulled pork sandwich and their version of a Cuban Sandwich. The chicken is good, but it could be better. I'm not too fond of pulled pork, but I was satisfied. The Cuban sandwich was big and tasty, and I think that is my favorite on the menu. For the sides, the Mac n Cheese could use a little more salt to taste, but I like it. Baked beans are on point, and corn great. The biscuits tend to be hard and cold, so I don't care for them too much. Dessert is hard to resist. The sweet shop is so tempting, but on occasion I order a slice of cake or a cupcake. It is so delicious for my ever present sweet tooth.
(4)Kim S.
We first found 4 Rivers in Winter Gardens. It was delicious. We were thrilled to finally get one close to us. The servers and staff are very friendly, the food is well cooked and the meat is tender. The sauces and selection of sides is very good also. The Sweet Shop is scrumptious. My absolute favorite thing is the Almond Joy. A decadent brownie with ooey coconut and topped with chocolate icing and slivered almonds. It is worth the 30 minutes trip from Ocala.
(5)Shane J.
I am a long time consumer of Gainesville eats and also spent 15 years in the local restaurant industry. My wife and I just recently commented on the lack of "new experiences" in town. I'm not talking about new food, but the eating experience in general. Call it food as entertainment. 4 Rivers Smokehouse delivered the new experience we were looking for! It is two days before Christmas and I am out about town with the family. The shopping is done. We are just hanging together, people watching. Everyone seemed to simultaneously announce, Lunch time!" As we discussed our choices, I mentioned trying the new 4 Rivers Smokehouse since we were already on Archer Road. My only hesitation was that every time I drive by the place there is a line out the door. My wife said we should go for it since we had all day with nowhere to be. We parked and headed to join the line. Once inside I finally understood the concept. Cafeteria style BBQ. We browsed the menu as we moved steadily forward. I chose the Smokehouse Sliders. My rationale was to be able to try up to three of their meats in one meal. The Smokehouse Sliders is three sliders of your choice of three of four meats, and costs $7.99. There are no sides with this choice. Sides are ala cart with certain menu items. I chose the pulled pork, Angus brisket, and the burnt-ends. The fourth choice was pulled chicken. I ordered a side of French fries. We moved quickly forward and paid. The sliders were delicious! My favorite was the Angus brisket. All of the portion sizes more than adequate. I highly recommend 4 Rivers Smokehouse! I am excited at the possibility of returning very soon. Hopefully right after Christmas. I'll write more then.
(5)Kevin M.
You cannot make this up. So after 3 failed attempts to try their overrated food (wait times being too long), this July 4th weekend, I finally got the opportunity. Terrible mistake!! I've never been this sick with food-borne illness resulting from grossly unsanitary practices in my life!!! Spent the entire day yesterday spewing projectile vomit and lava diarrhea, accompanied by the most intense stomach cramps. My girlfriend is just as bad. The reason? Perhaps it's because the food is served on dirty trays lined with construction paper. Seriously, no plates? Not even Styrofoam...? Or maybe it's because the utensils are provided via a dispenser, unwrapped in any plastic, falling into a basket undoubtedly riddled with bacteria from hundreds of hands. I mean, really? Does it cost that much more to provide customers with paper plates and pre-wrapped plastic utensils. This is just rudimentary sanitation. I get the cafeteria style service, but that doesn't excuse them from taking the responsible steps of providing their patrons with clean plates and utensils. This was a disgusting and unforgivable experience. I will never come back. P.S. - although I have no proof, if the aforementioned is any reflection of what goes on IN the kitchen, there is no doubt as to why my girlfriend and I got sick. Cross-contamination must be routine. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.
(1)Bret A.
Fantastic barbeque with a host of meat choices and plenty of southern style sides. As you walk in the garage door style entrance, the decor feels homey yet opens to the parking lot in a unusual but welcoming way. Think woodsy mixed with chrome, high ceilings and a large porch with family style bar seating. Approach the counter to order and choose sides. Your meal will be served on brown deli paper on a tray so if it concerns you to have your entree meat sitting on the paper be sure to order a sandwich or other "insulated" item. Your chosen sides are placed along side and off you go to select a booth, family style elevated bar seating inside or out on the porch. The fried pickles are excellent and the entree filling. Be sure to save room for the full bakery/patisserie bar in the back. Everything we tried - from monster cookies and scones to carrot, key lime and birthday cake were outstanding. Portions are large - teenage boys took take out bags! A fun, gathering place for a meal. Great concept and food!
(4)Marina M.
It had a nice vibe but I really don't understand the hype. I'm always very lenient and positive in my reviews but I felt like the mac n cheese came from a Kraft box. I got a little pulled pork sandwich and it was honestly just okay. The fries were good but that's pretty much it. It was my first time though, so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.
(2)Coleen T.
I was really excited to try this BBQ place... I'm from North Carolina and I had been disappointed by the dry style BBQ here in Florida. I love sauce!!! I want it in my BBQ!!! With that said, 4 rivers has been the best BBQ that I have tried here so far. I got the dinner with the pork & brisket mixture, a side of corn and green beans. The corn and BBQ were awesome!! The green beans tasted very bland- probably came out of a can which is unfortunate. I also got some fries, which didn't seem very fresh. They were tolerable when I dipped in the hot and sweet sauce. Overall 4 rivers is a solid BBQ joint in gainesville. Since I don't come on this side of town a lot, I might not get a chance to come here often, but it was a satisfying meal overall.
(4)Victoria H.
I'm so SAD!! I love love LOVE the 4Rivers in Orlando. The brisket at this location was dry and difficult to eat. The potato salad was too overdressed in the mayonnaise. The corn was still as appealing as I remember it with all the fabulous seasoning. The jalapeno cornbread was a new item for me--- YUM! But seriously, how can it taste so subpar from its original location? That brisket was the shining light to this establishment.... Not for Gainesville though!
(2)Josh A.
How can this place get sub 4 star reviews? I've had 'cue all over the US, this is one of my favorites. Sure it's pricier than a buffet, but it's a hell of a lot better. You're getting quality, not quantity. With that said, I'm a large guy, still couldn't finish my 1/2 rack meal. Had to give a rib away. I felt like Homer Simpson, when he was trying to force himself to eat shrimp, but they kept falling back out. Eat here if you want great BBQ. Don't eat here if you're a loser.
(5)Elina C.
the worst service ever! Standing in line for like 5 mins and nobody took the order for us. never came back againï¼ï¼
(1)Izzy S.
Ive been to many of their locations throughout the state and have experienced the worst mac and cheese ever here in G'ville. I can't believe that this location waters down the cheese sauce and undercooks the pasta. The al dente pasta with a sauce that doesn't have any flavor isn't southern style mac n cheese. I would love to see the owner eat it and tell me that it is acceptable. If this is their new way of preparing their mac and cheese then I will never step foot in their restaurants again.
(2)Michael R.
I spent awhile in Houston working and this is the first BBQ restaurant in Florida that captured the Texas BBQ essence. The brisket was very juicy and I asked for some 'bark' on mine which the blackened fatty part that makes it even juicer. I also had jalapeño sausage which was very good along with fries, baked beans, collard greens, and a big biscuit. Very good and very filling! You also go through a cafeteria-style line and the cut your meat right in front of you and put in butcher paper. Almost every Houston BBQ place did the same thing so that was also true to the Texas BBQ experience. They also have a sweet shop with like 30+ different types of cupcakes, cakes, and other desserts if I only had room to try. I will be back!
(4)Matt S.
Great brisket! I chose the lean cut with less fat. Sweet tea is a must. The jalapeno wrapped in bacon sides are a great compliment to the brisket. Not too hot either.
(5)Jonny G.
Great place for fast casual BBQ. They have good BBQ with awesome sides. Mac& cheese, greens, baked beans, bacon wrapped smoked jalapeno poppers.... All awesome. You can't go wrong with the sliders, the brisket is great, pulled pork is great. ENJOY!
(4)Scott R.
2.5 stars Fast casual dining similar to chipotle style of ordering except with BBQ. This location has a lot of work that needs to be done with customer service. It's totally hit or miss on how friendly and helpful the person is that's taking care of you. If this was 4Rivers first location it probably wouldn't of grown into the small empire it has. A very important tip: when ordering the brisket make sure you tell them you want the "Moist Brisket" didn't know this my first time when I got horrible dry pieces and couldn't figure out why people talked so much about this place. It's like night and day from the moist brisket to just ordering the brisket. Service: hit or miss. Either really friendly and helpful or wow rude restless bitch face syndrome and poor attitude coming your way. If you want something tell them. Because they seemed to not want to go out of the way to give you what your paying for. Put your foot down and you will get what you want. Sad you have to do this. The food is decent: not the best I ever had for BBQ but not bad. Sides are decent too unless you get the bottom of the pan which is pretty often in this location. They really need to be on top of filling up their stations. Coke products: with refillable stations to help yourself and iced tea fresh brewed sweet and unsweetened. Plus many other bottles of sodas. Sweet shop: Leave a little room. 4rivers has a wonderful bakery with beautiful desserts and sweets. They offer lots of cup cakes and cakes plus other stuff for the sweet tooth.
(3)Eric O.
New clean well ran restaurant is 5 stars . Food is very good , so 3 stars. I had the pulled pork with an extra side of meat , beef brisket . Basic sides of green beans ,collar greens, and jalapeño poppers. Meal also came with a biscuit but I am too full to try it. Pulled Pork was very good, but I had to pull out two large hulks of fat out , kind of gross. I choose the leaner option of brisket, very good . Just remember that 4 R's like other BBQ places must prepare the food in advance. So all the do is put your order on the tray for you . I think 4 R tastes so good as everything stays rather fresh due to how busy they are.
(4)Alana A.
Chipotle-style (ordering) BBQ food. Sounds like a great idea. And apparently many people agree, because I'm not exaggerating when I say I think ALL of Gainesville was here. So, what I'm saying is, get ready for long lines. The selection was pretty decent with quite the variety of BBQ plates. I love quesadillas so I ordered just that. However, after ordering and paying, I had to wait quite some time for it to arrive. And when it finally did (I was starving!), I was a bit disappointed. It was too sweet. It wasn't really terrible, but it wasn't wonderful. After waiting so long, I expected wonderful, so you can imagine my disappointment. My order came with two sides - I decided to get fries and mac & cheese. The fries were stale and definitely not fresh. However, the mac & cheese was fantastic. Warm, fresh, cheesy, and perfect. I think the prices are spot-on for the amount of food you get (given you like it). However, I don't think it's worth making long lines and waiting an eternity for. It's just alright.
(3)Stan M.
My son and I ate here yesterday. We were very hungry after going canoeing. I was surprised at the line to the door, since it was after 2:30 pm. I had the sliders. One with brisket, one with burnt ends and one with pork. I also got fries and collard greens. All of the sliders were good, but the brisket was the star. It was tender and moist. And don't think small when I say sliders. They were large for sliders. The fries were good, but the collards were vinegar tasting. Usually means they weren't cooked long enough. Not surprised, I have found, you only get good collards home made. My son got the cuban sandwich with brisket. It looked really good and he said, it was delicious. Next time we go, I will save room for desert. They looked amazing.
(4)Olivia L.
Good barbecue restaurant. There is always a long line (they tell me), so arrive with plenty of time and patience. It is worth the wait! I got pulled pork with French fries, baked beans, and fried okra. It was a ton of food! The pulled pork was good, but the brisket my brother ordered was much better. All of the sides were delicious.
(4)Chris D.
Cheese grits, topped with pulled pork, pickles, jalapeños, and four rivers sauce with a side of fried pickles and bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers. OH MY GOD. I can't get it out of my head. Delicious. Even their ranch! It has to be homemade bc its the best ranch I've ever had. Go and try their BBQ you will not be disappointed!
(5)Brian A.
Little pricey but the flavors are spot on this place is great and if you take your girl get her a red velvet cupcake it'll make up for that thing you said about her hair earlier.
(5)Erin S.
4 Rivers was neither the most amazing nor the worst BBQ I've had in my life. I didn't realize until I entered the line to order that this place is essentially the Chipotle of BBQ (quick service restaurant style). The line was out the door so I decided to give it a try. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich. The sandwiches come with two sides (from a good selection of options.) I ordered BBQ beans and fries. I could have tried a more adventurous side like sweet potato casserole, greens, fried okra, or slaw, but I saw the fries were the big crinkle cut (my fav) so I was in for those. The pork sandwich was the best part of the meal. The pork was smokey and not overly sauced so you could enjoy the flavor of the pork. There were two sauces at the communal style tables (one spicy, one standard), but both were very sweet. The BBQ beans were excessively sweet. They were definitely not vegetarian with little strands of meat floating about, but this place probably isn't your jam if you are looking for veg options. I probably wouldn't order them again. The fries were A-Okay but it's hard to mess that up. This place also has a huge sweet shop. I was only okay with my dinner so I opted out of ordering any dessert.
(3)Sungyak K.
Bottom line is - it's fun. You'd be missing out if you go alone. The southern flair is great and the layout of the dining tables is very informal and inviting. You feel like there's a simplicity akin to Chipotle, but then there's a lot more going on. I tried the souther pulled pork, but I'm excited to go back and try the infamous Messy Pig. Currently my favorite spot for fat injections.
(4)Nydia M.
Checked out 4 Rivers while in town for the weekend. The line was out the door, but moved very quickly, and the smell coming from inside the restaurant kept me company while waiting. We were a party of 5 and everyone loved their food. Boneless rib sandwich, pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket were all perfectly cooked and delicious. There are so many wonderful sides to choose from. The biscuit, corn bread, sweet potato, mac and cheese, and beans were all delicious. The servings are huge and the platters come with 4 sides, so come with a good appetite and feel free to split a meal with someone else.
(5)Danielle M.
I have to start off by saying my husband LOVED this place. I grew up in the country and know good barbecue. My dad taught me how to smoke meat over hickory chips at a young age and everywhere we traveled we would seek out the best ribs. I had high hopes for this place since the line is always out the door but it was dry and salty. I had the pulled pork and the greens. The greens were mostly vinegar, which just shows they weren't cooked long enough and they used vinegar over pepper sauce (personal favorite of mine). My hubby wants to go again so I'll probably agree eventually but for now I'll just stick to making it homemade.
(3)Gerrald L.
Topnotch BBQ joint especially for a chain restaurant!! I would definitely recommend trying this place.
(5)Ivanna G.
Genuinely authentic BBQ, all of the staff is really friendly. I would recommend if it's your first time to try the sliders, so that you can get a taste of all the different meats that they have.
(5)