Our Origin
Born from a Community Cookout
In 2004, John Rivers — a healthcare executive who had spent two decades traveling America and falling in love with regional BBQ — fired up his pit for a neighborhood family in need. That backyard fundraiser became a calling.
Five years of perfecting the craft later, John flipped the "Hot Brisket Now" sign in Winter Garden. This location — our second ever — became the neighborhood home of slow-smoked Central Florida.
Two James Beard House invitations and countless awards later, the soul of that first cookout still lives in every brisket we pull from the pit.
The BBQ Ministry Begins
John hosts a community fundraiser — the backyard cookout that started it all.
Winter Garden Opens
The second 4 Rivers location — and the only one with a drive-thru window.
Best BBQ in the Southeast
Southern Living names 4 Rivers the top BBQ destination in the entire region.
