Top 6 BBQ Places In Miami For 2023

Best Barbecue in Miami

Throughout South Florida, barbecue purveyors are popping up left and right. Some have taken the smoky, minimalist Texas-style 'cue and turned it into some of Miami’s best new barbecue restaurants; others have thrown island flavors and seafood on their menu.

Formerly a pop-up, La Traila Barbecue, by Austin native and pitmaster Mel Rodriguez and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, has opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Lakes neighborhood. The counter-service eatery serves up items like the Brisket Sundae with a mac and cheese base, layered with baked beans and cream corn then topped with smoked brisket, cotija cheese, crema and house sauce.

Society BBQ

Society BBQ is the latest addition to Miami’s bbq scene, and it’s a great place to get some quality meat. The menu has a lot of Texas-inspired options, including burnt ends and brisket. They also offer some fusion dishes like the smoked pork cheek dumplings and bourbon bread pudding.

Longtime Miami chef Richard Hales has been experimenting with Texas-inspired smoking for six years, and he’s found that the approach works perfectly in this city. He says he’s learned to adjust his cooking style to the Miami palate: sweet, salty, and fat.

But it’s his beef ribs that really make Society stand out. Hales smokes them for a good 16 hours to achieve that smoky sweetness, and the result is something you can’t find anywhere else in town.

Aside from his ribs, Society also serves up pulled pork, brisket, and burnt ends. They’re seasoned with hot sauce and rubbed with spices to add some smoky flavor.

The meats are served in massive sandwiches, which can be eaten in or out. You can also order a sampler that’s great for the whole family.

A month after opening, Society has made a huge impression in the city’s barbecue scene. It’s a true testament to the dedication of its owner, Richard Hales. He spends up to 18 hours a day at Society, from prepping the meat at 10 p.m. to starting up the smokers at 3 a.m., a pace he’s able to keep up thanks to the help of his wife and two daughters, who run the restaurant’s kitchen and register while he sleeps.

Bon Gout BBQ

Bon Gout BBQ is a small shop in the heart of Little Haiti that makes an entire block smell like barbecued meat. They have a signature brisket and ribs that can be eaten in a sandwich or as part of a platter with sides like lalo Haitian collard greens and mac and cheese.

The smoked meats at Bon Gout are infused with epis, a dehydrated version of the popular Spanish seasoning called sofrito that gives the meat its signature pink smoke ring and a deep flavor. The pork is a standout, too. It’s cooked in a wood-burning smoker for hours, which creates a sticky, moist texture that’s reminiscent of pulled pork.

There’s also a lot to be said for the griot, which is a fried pork chunk served with three corn tortillas and a pikliz. Unlike the flimsy ones you might find at your local Chinese takeout joint, these are crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside.

Founded by Pittsburgh native Eddie Rawson and a friend of his, Lucel Bissaint, Bon Gout is part neighborhood meeting spot, part social activism hub, and above all a place to eat. They’ve been around for six months and their regulars include two of the city’s finest police precincts, along with a plethora of locals. If you want a taste of the best bbq in Miami, you can’t go wrong here.

Shiver’s

When Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie was growing up, Miami didn’t have many places to get good barbecue. Instead, it was mostly chain restaurants parked outside strip clubs and gas stations.

Thankfully, in the last decade, the city has slowly begun to forge its own barbecue identity. There’s now a whole range of quality spots, from trendy New York transplants in Wynwood to hole-in-the-wall joints like Homestead to longstanding local favorites.

One of the first to get in on the action was Shiver’s. Opened in 1953, this longtime Homestead favorite is still going strong and serves up classic ribs and brisket alongside traditional sides.

If you’re looking for a starter, look no further than the “Squealing Pig Skins.” These potato skins are filled with jalapeno cheddar sausage and pulled pork.

A smoked brisket sandwich is also on the menu. The meat is served on a bun and topped with a generous portion of Shiver’s sauce.

For a more filling meal, order the rib sampler, which includes two full slabs of ribs plus a side and a drink. The ribs are cooked in a hickory-fueled smoker for 12 hours, and they’re imbued with genuine, barbecue flavor.

Located inside Tripping Animals Brewery, this shack offers smoked pulled pork and brisket burnt ends by the pound along with hearty sandwiches and classic barbecue sides that pair perfectly with the brewery’s signature beers. It’s one of the best barbecue joints in Miami, and it’s worth stopping by for dinner or a lunch.

Hometown Barbecue

Hometown Barbecue is a wedding catering company that delights in crafting authentic pit-smoked meat. The team is dedicated to achieving high standards with every dish they create. Their menus feature pit-smoked meat and wood-fired dishes, which are complemented by a variety of foods that reflect their Brooklyn roots and Miami home.

At the Hometown BBQ Miami location, you can find all of the restaurant’s signatures like beef ribs, brisket, pastrami bacon, and jalapeno cheese sausage as well as sides that are sure to please your palate. You can order these dishes by the pound, or choose from a number of classic side options such as mac ‘n cheese and corn pudding.

Aside from offering great barbecue, Hometown BBQ Miami also offers a full-service catering team that can come to your event for on-site or offsite catering. This team is devoted to ensuring your event is perfect, and they love making your guests feel welcome and at home.

Tripping Animals Brewery

Tripping Animals Brewery is a small brewery with a big personality. The Doral, Florida-based brewery is a unique entity in today’s crowded craft beer scene. It’s driven by innovation, authenticity, and creativity while passionately emphasizing community and excellence.

Founded in 2018, Tripping Animals is the brainchild of Daniel Chocron, Ignacio Montenegro, Iker Elorriaga, and Juan Manuel Torres. They’re originally from Venezuela, a country not known for its brewing innovation, but they discovered their brewing talents while brewing in their kitchens.

Their small-batch brew days turned into full-scale brewing operations, and the company’s focus on collaboration with local and other breweries has boosted their reputation in the beer community. They’ve also earned a loyal following thanks to their psychedelic can art, fruit-heavy sours, and creative IPAs.

The brewpub’s food menu features a wide selection of barbecue plates and sandwiches. You can order platters of smoked pork and turkey, hearty sandwiches, and classic barbecue sides like baked beans and potato salad.

The Tripping Animals team isn’t content with the status quo, and they’re constantly learning new things to improve their recipes. Their commitment to quality is what sets them apart. They’re also a friendly, welcoming group of people who love to help each other succeed. It’s this sense of community that has helped them weather the pandemic, and it’s what’s keeping them open. They’re committed to creating a place where anyone can enjoy good beer, good food, and great company.

Fuego

If you love bbq, then this is the spot for you. You can find a variety of smoked meats, burgers and more here.

Fuego is a popular Miami-based restaurant that serves Latin grill and American smokehouse cuisine. Its menu includes a variety of different meat dishes, from Texas beef brisket to Carolina pulled pork.

The restaurant also has an extensive menu of side items that complement their meat dishes. Some of my favorites include their sweet potato fries and the burger with cheese, bacon, and pulled pork on top.

You can also order desserts like their famous brownies or ice cream. It’s a great place for a family dinner or a date night.

Another great feature is the residue tray that allows grease to drip down and safely store it away from the firebox. It is easy to remove and clean, so you can keep your grill looking great.

In addition, the grill comes with a propane tank storage that is below the fire bowl. This prevents you from tripping over the tank when it is in use, and makes it easy to access your propane when needed.

The Fuego Pro is a compact, well-thought-out grill that can heat up quickly and is fuel-efficient. It features a dual 26,500 BTU/hour burner, which gives you plenty of power to cook a wide range of foods. It’s a great choice for those who are on a tight budget, but aren’t afraid to invest in a good piece of cooking equipment.