Some people feel that a good barbecue meal is one of life’s simple pleasures. And Floridians have plenty of choices when it comes to barbecue – from chain options like Mission BBQ or Rivers Smokehouse to independent restaurants like Jazzy’s in Tampa or Jenkins Quality Barbecue in Jacksonville.
And now, one Florida city is getting a new location of a chain that has recently been closing stores.
About Sonny’s: This restaurant was started in the 1960s in Florida by a married couple named “Sonny” and Lucile Tillman. Although the restaurant has expanded, it strives to feel like a “local barbecue joint.” It slow-smokes over oak and is known for its barbecue pork and sides like loaded tots and fried okra.
Closures: According to Market Realist, Sonny’s has closed some of its Florida locations in recent years, such as one in Fort Myers in 2021 and another in Oakwood in 2019. Another closed in Jacksonville in 2021. At the height of its business, Sonny’s had 150 locations, but it currently has closer to 100.