Shiver’s BBQ in Homestead, Florida

I love Shiver’s BBQ in Homestead; let’s start with that. Before we jump into the beginning, let’s go straight to the food.

The menu at Shiver’s BBQ is much more extensive than the handful of items they initially offered. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by it.

I can make some suggestions to get you started, but you’re on your own from there on out.

If you’re looking for a starter, look no further than the Squealing BBQ Potato Skins. These potato shells covered in pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and cheese are almost like a meal.

I’m a giant fan of their baby back ribs, but if they’ve got beef ribs the day you’re there, then you need to jump on that with the quickness. The brisket sandwich is another one of my go-to, and you’ve got to choose that Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole as your side. It is some serious business, if you know what I mean.

The Food from Shiver’s BBQ

If you can somehow squeeze in some dessert, I vote for the homemade banana pudding.

Now that you’re hungry, there’s nothing else left to do but grab a meal from Shiver’s BBQ. So Dr. Beast says grab two and call me in the morning.

Shiver’s BBQ
28001 S Dixie Highway
Homestead, FL
(305) 248-2272

Website – https://shiversbbq.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/shiversbbq
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShiversBBQ

Monday 11 am – 9 pm
Tuesday 11 am – 9 pm
Wednesday 11 am – 9 pm
Thursday 11 am – 9 pm
Friday 11 am – 10 pm
Saturday 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday 11 am – 9 pm

Shiver’s BBQ History

In 1951, E.L. Shorty Allen opened a BBQ joint in Kendall called Shorty’s. A few years later (October 1st, 1957, to be exact), Allen opened a second location further down the street in Homestead, Florida.

Allen’s friend and fellow Georgia native Virgil Shiver managed the second spot. In 1960, Virgil purchased the Shorty’s on 28001 Dixie Highway and renamed it Shiver’s Bar-B-Q.

The business was brisk at his location. Unfortunately, if you were driving down to the Florida Keys, there was only one way to get there: driving by Shiver’s BBQ.

When business took a financial hit after the opening of the Florida Turnpike extension in the 1970s, the restaurant pivoted into more of a spot for locals. Until then, they had a steady flow of tourists heading down south.

First Retirement, Then a Rebuild

Around this same time, Virgil had a heart attack, and his sons took over the day-to-day operations of the business. He sold about ten years later, and the ownership has changed hands a couple of times since then.

In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew would decimate Shiver’s BBQ. The damage caused meant a rebuild with upgrades slowed by the county’s new building codes.

They temporarily sold hot dogs and chili dogs out of a cart until they could get things up and running again. Finally, on Friday, September 3rd, 1993, the “newish” Shiver’s BBQ with an old soul opened its doors to its adoring fans.

Those same doors would close early that first night when food began to run out.

The Miami Herald reported that on their first day back, they sold—check out these staggering numbers: 55 gallons of coleslaw, 540 buns, 200 pounds of beef, 300 pounds of pork, 250 pounds of chicken, 300 pounds of ribs, and 20 gallons of Shiver’s sauce.

An expansion into Westchester happened in 1994 with the addition of some Hispanic dishes. Unfortunately, it didn’t last very long, and the focus returned to their landmark location in Homestead.

More BBQ Talk

Since then, Shiver’s BBQ has consistently been the best BBQ in South Florida. Their competition till this point had been Shorty’s (1951), The Pit BBQ (1970), and Original Uncle Tom’s Barbecue (1948).

However, the BBQ revival in South Florida over the last ten years includes gems like Apocalypse BBQ, Hate Mondays Tavern, Smoke & Dough, plus an array of other after-hour smokers and trailers selling their ‘cue to hungry late-night patrons.

This new blood will keep them on their feet.