A new 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which was voted the “South’s Best BBQ Joint” by readers of Southern Living magazine in 2020, will open in Orlando’s SoDo (South of Downtown) district early next year, according to a company press release.
The restaurant will be located at 3200 South Orange Ave., the former site of Freddy’s Frozen Custard.
The new 3,636 square-foot restaurant will have a couple cool things the other 13 locations don’t. For carryout customers, the site will have a double-drive through. And, those who come to dine in will likely want to dine out(side). The restaurant will have the first-ever 4 Rivers Pavilion, an open-air space where diners will enjoy 4 Rivers food, live music and a rotating selection of craft beer and wine. The outdoor Pavilion will also be available for private event bookings.
4 Rivers Smokehouse will bring popular classics like 18-hour smoked Signature Angus Brisket, Pulled Pork and Burnt Ends to the flourishing SoDo district. A variety of John Rivers (founder and CEO) Originals will also be available, including the Six Shooter, a longtime fan favorite that’s made with baked cheese grits topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, pickles, jalapeños and 4R Signature sauce. The location also will serve vegan dishes.
Established in Winter Park, Florida, in 2009, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is a family-owned “Barbecue Ministry.” Its 4R Foundation has donated funds to more than 650 local organizations, non-profits and churches. Out of this Foundation also grew 4Roots, an effort designed to build a better food future in Orlando, including the construction of an 18-acre farm in the Packing District area. 4Roots also launched Feed The Need Florida, a movement to feed Floridians in need of food since the onset of COVID-19. Since its inception, Feed The Need Florida has served more than 1.7 million meals, according to the press release.
