Central Florida BBQ Restaraunt Guide
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4 Rivers Smokehouse

Updated 2026-08-26 · 5,770 reviewed · 176 listed · Scored from 1,250 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.3(1250) 77 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified Publishes prices moderate
Traditional Smokehouse BBQTexas-Style BBQCarolina-Style BBQRib House / Ribs SpecialistBBQ CateringBBQ BuffetBBQ Food Truck / Stand
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Price
moderate
Services
Traditional Smokehouse BBQ, Texas-Style BBQ, Carolina-Style BBQ
Reviews
1250

What recent reviews say

4 Rivers Smokehouse delivers strong smoked meats and clean facilities, with staff who genuinely engage with diners. Recent visits show inconsistency in meat quality and some service gaps when orders go wrong, though the best encounters rival any BBQ spot in Central Florida.

Praised for
  • tender, juicy brisket
  • friendly, attentive staff
  • clean dining area and restrooms
  • generous portions
  • variety of sauce and side options
tender-meatsmoky-flavorgenerous-portionsfriendly-staffclean-dining-area
Best for: Families seeking generous portions and a clean, friendly environment for dine-in or carryout.

Strengths

  • Smoked brisket and St. Louis-style ribs
  • Clean, well-run facility
  • Generous portions for families
  • Multiple catering and party package options

Worth knowing

  • Named staff: Bree (shift leader), Kyle (manager), Joe (employee); customers specifically praised their attentiveness
  • Bakery items available daily, including Krispy Kreme bread pudding
  • Children's meals appropriately portioned for ages 3 and 5
  • Soda fountain offers unusual drink choices
  • 4R Party Packages available for groups of 6 or 12

How it compares

  • Rated 4.3 against a 4.48 average across the 139 traditional smokehouse bbq businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 73% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Score
Star rating 54
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 61
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
922
4
86
3
83
2
65
1
94

Contact

Address
4729 Florida Ave S, Lakeland, FL 33813

Last verified 2026-08-26

Opening hours

Monday
11:00-21:00
Tuesday
11:00-21:00
Wednesday
11:00-21:00
Thursday
11:00-21:00
Friday
11:00-21:00
Saturday
11:00-21:00
Sunday
11:00-19:00

As listed on Google.

From their website

Services listed
BBQ plattersSmoked brisket sandwichesPulled pork sandwichesSmoked chickenSt. Louis style ribsTexas sausageSmokehouse slidersBBQ quesadillas
Published prices
All-American Burger
$11.49
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
$8.99
Smoke Stack
$14.99
BBQ Platters 1 meat 2 sides
$13.99
BBQ Platters 2 meats 2 sides
$16.99
BBQ Platters 3 meats 2 sides
$16.99

As published by the business on its own website; not independently verified.

Common questions

Do you offer catering for groups?
Yes. The 4R Party Package feeds 6 for $61.79 or 12 for $122.99. The website also lists catering as a service.
Are children's meals available?
Yes, and reviewers report they are appropriately sized for young children (ages 3 and 5 noted as satisfied).
What sides come with the BBQ platters?
Two sides per platter. Menu sides mentioned include baked beans and fried okra. A sauce selection is also available.

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Last updated 2026-08-26