Shiver's BBQ

Before they're served, Shiver's baby-back ribs spend 12 hours in a sauna of hickory smoke. A half-slab of the ribs come with a side of "squealing pig skins" — potato skins stuffed with a mound of pulled pork, jalapeño peppers, and a mix of jack and cheddar cheeses. But that's not all you can get at one of the oldest barbecue joints in Miami, a place that dates back to the 1950s, making it even older than Shorty's in Kendall (see below). As the story goes, Shorty Allen and Shiver's were business partners who went on to open separate restaurants — but Shiver's opened a year earlier. No matter who owns the title of "Oldest Barbecue Joint in the Magic City," one fact remains: Shiver's barbecue is as good as barbecue gets. Here you'll find it all, from smoked chicken and spare, baby-back, and beef ribs to brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork. More than a dozen sides include the usuals along with a hash-brown casserole, jalapeño cheese grits, and fried green tomatoes. Don't miss the weekly "off menu" special, which might be brisket burgers and rodeo nachos or beef chili.