A laid-back waterfront restaurant in River Ranch, Florida, at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, Smokehouse On The River offers great family-friendly dining overlooking the scenic Kissimmee River. Menu items from the grab n' go window include ribs, burgers, BBQ meat by the pound, sandwiches and salads, as well as happy hour specials. Smokehouse On The River is open daily for lunch and dinner with easy slip access for boaters to tie up and dig in!
Mixed reviews on food quality; some praised the BBQ while others found it cold, dry, or bland.
Service Issues
Numerous complaints about slow service, disorganization, and unhelpful staff.
Customer Experience
Positive experiences highlighted friendly staff like Juan and Izzy, but many noted disappointing service overall.
Atmosphere
The location by the river is appreciated, but the dining setup and cleanliness received criticism.
VC
Victoria C.
Jan 4, 2026
2.0
First day in the area, no toilet paper in the poorly signed restrooms.
Day 2 breakfast! The website says they’re closed and the other restaurant is open. Fun fact, they don’t update their website often.
$25 per person for buffet cafeteria breakfast. They gave us 3 small plates (7 inch size I believe) for the 2 of us. The diet soda and the zero soda were out. I asked the employee about it and she acted as though she try to get it rectified. 30 minutes later I asked again and she said I don’t know that we have any. Photo included is how busy they were when I asked that. An employee checking food, a person with me, and no guests at the moment but they couldn’t check and really just do not care. The tea machine was also broken. And eventually someone brought out a large thing of dark liquor, unlabeled.
You pay too much for this stay to get repeated poor service.
The food was edible and fine but certainly not worth the price.
EH
Erica Hulen
Dec 26, 2025
3.0
Food was served cold because the employees were more concerned about cleaning up and doing end shift duties. Never received my kids milk that came with their meals or cup for my drink. Yummy food but sure do wish we had a better experience for my birthday.
JK
Jennifer Krayer
Dec 22, 2025
3.0
I've been here before and this time food was not very good. The ribs were very salty. The mac and cheese tasted like melted vanilla ice cream, which was weird, the coleslaw had no flavor.i was kinda disappointed. I will come again to river ranch but not to the smoke house
VB
Victor B
Nov 24, 2025
4.0
This is THE place to go for great BBQ. The chicken good, the ribs great, and the pulled pork amazing. It’s low on ambiance in general, but some tables on the riverside are nicer. We had dinner as well as the Sunday buffet breakfast. The breakfast was $25 and pretty basic, but I did like my “made-to-order” omelette. You have to ask for orange juice and you have to ask for a plastic cup for the soft drinks/lemonade/iced tea. Overall, the best part is definitely the BBQ food!
VictorB
Frequently Asked Questions About Smokehouse On The River
What type of cuisine does Smokehouse On The River offer?
Smokehouse On The River offers barbecue and American cuisine with specialties like ribs, burgers, gator bites, and smokehouse chili.
What are the operating hours of Smokehouse On The River?
Smokehouse On The River is open Friday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and closed Monday through Thursday.
Does Smokehouse On The River offer takeout or catering services?
Yes, Smokehouse On The River offers table service, bartending, full service dining, events, catering, room service, takeout, and pickup options.
Is Smokehouse On The River family-friendly and accessible?
Yes, the restaurant welcomes children, has a children's menu, offers high chairs, and has a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Can I order food online from Smokehouse On The River?
While no specific online order URL is provided, you can visit their menu online at https://resort.to/smokehousemenu for details.
Does Smokehouse On The River serve alcoholic beverages?
Yes, they serve liquor, beer, and wine, and have a bar on site.
Is Smokehouse On The River located within a resort?
Yes, it is located at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in River Ranch, Florida.
What nearby marina can boaters use to access Smokehouse On The River?
Boaters can use the nearby Westgate River Ranch Marina for easy slip access to Smokehouse On The River.
What attractions near Smokehouse On The River can visitors enjoy before or after dining?
Visitors can explore The Haunting of River Ranch, Cowboy Adventure Park, and the River Ranch Petting Farm nearby for entertainment.
Are there accommodations nearby Smokehouse On The River for guests planning to stay longer?
Yes, guests can stay at nearby accommodations such as River Ranch RV Resort, Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, and River Ranch Guest Ranch & RV Resort.