Forty-two years and one day after opening the first Sonny’s restaurant – “We had to go to church on Sunday” – Floyd “Sonny” Tillman Jr. held court Monday in the original barbecue joint on Waldo Road.
The 80-year-old founder signed autographs, posed for pictures and shook hands in a dining room full of customers at the Founder’s Day Celebration, though most of the lunchtime crowd seemed oblivious to the festivities as they leaned into their pork, chicken and ribs.
Daniel Westling, 37, of Gainesville said he comes to Sonny’s two or three times a week and made sure he was there Monday on his lunch break to meet Tillman.
After speaking with him for several minutes, he described their talk as “relaxed.”
“He’s a good Southern gentleman. He’s a big Gator fan, too,” Westling said over a plate of chicken. Read full story.
Photo: Doug Finger.