5 Hidden Florida BBQ Joints That Could Rival The Best In The South
Florida might be known for its beaches and theme parks, but y’all are missing out if you haven’t tried our smoky BBQ scene!
As a native Floridian who’s put on more than a few pounds sampling ribs and brisket across the Sunshine State, I’ve uncovered some serious hidden gems.
These under-the-radar BBQ joints aren’t just good—they’re giving those famous Tennessee and Texas pitmasters a run for their money
1. Captain’s BBQ: The Coastal Smoke Shack
Tucked away in Palm Coast’s Bing’s Landing Park sits my absolute favorite weekend escape. I stumbled upon Captain’s while kayaking one scorching July afternoon, following my nose to what looked like a glorified fishing shack.
What awaited inside changed my BBQ standards forever. Their North Carolina-style pulled pork practically melts on your tongue, with just enough vinegar tang to make you close your eyes and sigh with happiness.
The brisket rivals anything I’ve tasted in Texas (don’t tell my Austin friends I said that). Family-owned and operated by two retired New Jersey cops, Captain’s smokes everything low and slow over oak. The waterfront picnic tables, with pelicans watching hopefully nearby, create the perfect Florida BBQ experience.
2. Pumphouse BBQ: Garage-Turned-Smokehouse Wonder
My car broke down in Ormond Beach last spring, and while waiting for repairs, I noticed a line of people outside what looked like an old gas station. Curiosity (and hunger) got the better of me.
Pumphouse BBQ operates out of a converted service station, where the owner Todd still uses his grandfather’s 1950s smoker. The pulled chicken sandwich—my goodness—comes topped with a slaw that’s got this mysterious sweet-spicy thing happening that I’ve been trying to recreate at home for months.
The walls are decorated with vintage gas station memorabilia and license plates from happy customers. Todd remembers regulars by name and sandwich preference. I’ve since made the two-hour drive from my home just for their banana pudding alone, which comes in an old-fashioned oil can.
3. Shorty’s Bar-B-Q: Miami’s Smoky Time Capsule
“You haven’t been to Shorty’s?” My Miami cousin looked at me like I’d just committed a cardinal sin. So off we went to this unassuming cinderblock building that’s been smoking meats since 1951.
Surviving hurricanes, changing food trends, and Miami’s constant reinvention, Shorty’s remains gloriously unchanged. The wooden picnic tables still bear decades of carved initials, and the sweet smell of hickory hangs in the air like a delicious ghost.
Their corn on the cob, charred and slathered with a secret spice butter, makes me weak in the knees. The ribs come with a sauce that balances molasses sweetness with unexpected heat. I’ve since learned that three generations of Miami families have celebrated everything from Little League wins to college graduations at these very tables.
4. Shiver’s Bar-B-Q: Homestead’s Pit-Smoked Paradise
Last winter, I got hopelessly lost driving to the Keys. My GPS led me down a back road in Homestead where I spotted a weathered wooden building with more pickup trucks parked outside than I could count.
Shiver’s has been family-operated since 1950, and their oak-fired pit sits right in the dining room. You can literally watch your dinner being lovingly tended by pit masters who’ve been perfecting their craft for decades.
The beef ribs—massive Fred Flintstone affairs—left me speechless and slightly embarrassed by how many napkins I needed. Their house-made sauce comes in unlabeled squeeze bottles, a tangy-sweet concoction that should be bottled and sold nationwide. The clientele is a fascinating mix of farmers, tourists who took a wrong turn (like me), and locals who’ve been coming weekly since childhood.
5. Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ: St. Augustine’s Secret Smoke Spot
“Follow the dirt road past the big oak tree, and if you think you’ve gone too far, keep going.” These were the actual directions a local gave me to find Woodpeckers near St. Augustine.
Housed in what was once someone’s actual backyard workshop, this place doesn’t even have a proper sign—just a wooden cutout of a woodpecker with smoke coming from its beak. The owner, Miss Ethel, runs the smoker while her three adult sons handle everything else.
Their smoked mullet dip—a Florida specialty rarely found on tourist menus—converted me instantly. The brisket gets a coffee rub that creates a bark so flavorful I may have audibly moaned while eating it. The sides rotate based on what’s growing in Miss Ethel’s garden, making each visit a delicious surprise. Cash only, and worth every crumpled dollar in your wallet.