Michael Holland - Updated on November 7th, 2024
Looking for a quality joint to get your barbecue fix? This 4 Rivers Smokehouse review might point you in the right direction.
We analyzed 75 recent customer reviews using our SENTY75 system to reveal what people really think about the quality and authenticity of the place.
Keep reading to discover the juicy bits about this place.
What is 4 Rivers Smokehouse?
4 Rivers is a barbecue restaurant chain that started in 2009 in Winter Park, Florida. There are now 15 Florida locations, with the Coral Springs spot opening in 2016.
The restaurant has certainly made an impression on locals. Just look at its Google and SENTY75 ratings
This BBQ joint has attracted more than 2,000 lifetime Google reviews with a 4.4 rating. And it’s SENTY75 current sentiment rating is a solid 4.2.
But the devil is in the details below.
Top Current Customer Sentiments
First, diners shared the top positive and negative sentiments about the restaurant.
Positive Sentiments Explained
The Positive Sentiments table points to the outstanding food and dining experience expressed as follows:
– Delectable, flavorful smoked meats and classic BBQ dishes (22 mentions)
– Warm, attentive, and accommodating service that elevates the experience (18 mentions)
– Tender, juicy, expertly smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork (16 mentions)
– Friendly, knowledgeable staff who make guests feel welcome (14 mentions)
– A clean, inviting restaurant atmosphere conducive to relaxing and enjoying a meal (10 mentions)
So while the mouthwatering food is clearly the star, the exceptional service and dining atmosphere provide the perfect complements.
"I order my lunch & dinner from here every single day for almost 3 months now. Not only is it amazingly fresh farm to table but it's cost effective compared to eating out anywhere else or even cooking at this point. The staff is professional, genuinely happy to be there, & most importantly consistent. "
Negative Sentiments Explained
On the flip side, these negative sentiments point to some areas that could use some improvement, according to several reviewers:
– Overseasoned or overly salty meats and sides (6 mentions)
– Smaller portion sizes than expected for BBQ, especially for the price point (5 mentions)
– Dry, overcooked meats like brisket or chicken that lacked moisture (4 mentions)
– Inconsistent quality control, with highs and lows across different visits (3 mentions)
– Sluggish service, especially during busy periods with potential understaffing (3 mentions)
While not the majority experience, these are sticking points that come up regularly enough to warrant addressing for taking the overall experience to the next level.
Top Foods & Dishes
Next, here are the foods and dishes that recent diners liked and disliked enough to mention in their reviews.
Positively Mentioned Foods/Dishes Explained
When it comes to their signature smoked meats and classic BBQ sides, 4 Rivers excels in delivering the smoky, savory goodness customers crave. Just look at these beloved dishes dominating the positives:
– Tender, flavorful brisket that melts in your mouth (22 mentions)
– The mouthwatering, slightly crispy burnt ends that keep folks coming back (18 mentions)
– Fall-off-the-bone, sauce-lathered ribs in both baby back and St. Louis varieties (15 mentions)
– Juicy, pulled pork piled high with that signature smoky essence (14 mentions)
– The quintessential BBQ side – rich, savory baked beans enhanced by those smoked meat flavors (12 mentions)
But their menu also covers tasty delights beyond meats. Customers gave shout out about sides like mac and cheese, cornbread, fries, and more.
Negatively Mentioned Foods/Dishes Explained
However, not every dish was an automatic home run. Several items landed on the negative side for various reasons:
– The normally beloved pulled pork came under fire for being overly salty or aggressively seasoned (6 mentions)
– On the flip side, brisket – usually a star – was called out for being dry or lacking in smokiness at times (5 mentions)
– Chicken, whether fried tenders or smoked, drew complaints about dry, rubbery, or undercooked textures (4 mentions)
– Turkey also fell victim to dryness and blandness, according to a few reviewers (3 mentions)
– Wings, while flavorful, were dinged for being overcooked to the point of dryness on occasion (3 mentions)
So, while the potential is there for outstanding BBQ across the board, a little more attention to detail on seasonings and cooking times/temperatures could help iron out these issues. Consistent execution is key.
Perceived Quality/Value Ratings for Key Foods/Dishes
Next is the perceived value table that assigns ratings to specific foods and dishes.
The top-rated items were:
– The signature baked beans, with an exceptional 4.8 rating showing their smoky, savory flavor, are a real crowd-pleaser
– The melt-in-your-mouth burnt ends and ultra-tender brisket, both hovering around 4.7 to show their mastery of smoked meats
– The tasty, crispy cornbread also scored 4.7 as the perfect accompaniment
– Other standouts included the fall-off-the-bone ribs at 4.5 and the crispy, well-executed fries at 4.5 as well.
However, a few items missed the mark:
– Pulled pork came in at just 3.8 due to multiple complaints about overly salty or aggressively seasoned versions
– Mac & cheese was a little underwhelming at 3.5, with reviews describing it as average or subpar
– Chicken, turkey, and wings also ranged from 3.0-3.7 due to dryness, blandness, and overcooking issues
Important Note: Usually, the most passionate clients leave positive and negative reviews. So when you see a rating based on 2 or 3 mentions, don’t take that as the gospel since the sample size is so tiny. Other diners likely left great reviews but didn’t mention any particular food/dish.
Additional Bites
Here are a few additional items uncovered in the reviews that you may want to know before visiting 4 Rivers Smokehouse:
– Many reviews commented that 4 Rivers offered good value, with hearty portions and reasonable prices
– Multiple positive reviews mentioned taking advantage of 4 Rivers’ rewards program as an incentive to keep coming back
– The clean, inviting restaurant atmosphere and decor were frequently praised as enjoyable for casual dining
– While not the focus, two reviews gave kudos for offering vegetarian/vegan options like the vegan burnt ends
– One review specifically mentioned having an excellent experience using 4 Rivers for catering a baby shower
"Food is always great, the wait is never too long, and the restaurant itself is always welcoming! I will always recommend this place to any BBQ lovers in Coral Springs."
Restaurant Cleanliness
As of this review, 4 Rivers Smokehouse was inspected by the Florida Health Department in August 2024. There were 4 violations, and the inspector assigned the status of “Met Inspection Standards.”
1. A black/green mold-like substance accumulated inside the ice machine/bin. This repeated violation needs to be addressed for proper ice machine sanitation.
2. Multiple opened employee beverage containers were found in cold holding units meant for customer food. (Corrected immediately)
3. The quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution for wiping cloths was not at the proper minimum strength of 200 ppm. However, this basic violation was corrected on-site when the manager remade the solution to the correct concentration.
4. This was a high-priority violation—time/temperature control for safety foods like grilled chicken and sausage was improperly hot-held below 135°F. Specifically, the chicken had been at 131°F and the sausage at 133°F since 11 a.m. To correct this, the manager had both items reheated to 165°F+ before returning them to proper hot-holding temperatures. (Corrected immediately)
To get the most recent restaurant inspection report, visit this link.
Restaurant Profile:
–Type of Cuisine: BBQ
–Menu Options: Lunch, Dinner, Kids, Takeout & Delivery
–Ambiance: Casual, Family-Friendly
–Average Prices: BBQ Platters ($18), BBQ Sandwiches ($10)
Location & Hours:
- Address: 2660 N University Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33065 (Located in The Walk at University)
- Phone: (844) 474-8377
- Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday (Closed)
- Website: 4rsmokehouse.com/locations/coral-springs/
4 Rivers Smokehouse Review - FAQ
What is SENTY75?
Offering a refreshingly current perspective, SENTY™ analyzes only the latest detailed reviews with comments from Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
In stark contrast to Google’s approach of combining all feedback over the business’s life, SENTY75 surfaces an authentic understanding of how people genuinely feel about a company right now by ignoring old reviews and those with no comments.
The “75” represents the ideal number of fresh reviews examined to accurately gauge sentiment for Coral Springs restaurants.
What makes 4 Rivers Smokehouse's best dishes so special?
The clear standouts are the signature brisket, burnt ends, and classic sides like baked beans – all cooked to smoky, savory perfection.
When executed flawlessly, those items alone make 4 Rivers a BBQ lover’s dream with their tender textures and robust flavors.
Bottomline
With a 4.2 SENTY75 rating, 4 Rivers Smokehouse excels at delivering delicious smoked meats and classic BBQ fare in a welcoming atmosphere.
Admittedly, a few inconsistencies with seasonings, moisture levels, and portion sizes prevented it from being an utterly flawless experience every time. Nonetheless, after reading this review’s particulars, you now have the insight to have a great experience.
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