People can be picky when it comes to barbecue. There is one restaurant that most agree is exceptional, and it is coming our area. 4 Rivers Smokehouse is coming to Daytona Beach. The Winter Park-based BBQ chain filed paperwork with the state indicating a new location is coming. 

Based out of Winter Park, 4 Rivers Smokehouse has 12 locations in Florida and 2 in Georgia. Currently, the closest location for Volusia County residents is Longwood. There are multiple locations in Orlando including a food truck at Disney Springs. 

While everyone has a different hierarchy for their BBQ preferences, 4 Rivers Smokehouse has a strong cult following thanks to their killer BBQ, specialty sides like bread pudding made with Krispy Kreme donuts, and Sweet Shop desserts sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. 

While no location has been confirmed, locals are eyeing the spot at One Daytona left vacant by Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Cue. One Daytona is an entertainment, retail and dining complex across the street from the Daytona International Speedway. With two hotels, several restaurants and shops, the Cobb Daytona Luxury Theatres movie house and a set of 282 apartments set to open this fall, 4 Rivers Smokehouse would be in good company at One Daytona.

According to the website, 4 Rivers Smokehouse began as a “barbecue ministry” in 2004 as founder John Rivers hosted a cookout fundraiser to support a local family whose daughter was battling cancer. As the ministry grew, he opened the first restaurant in 2009 in Winter Park.