February 22, 2008

Shiver's BBQ -Homestead, Florida

The day after we returned from Norfolk, my family followed! Their visit coincided with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival weekend, which we attend together annually.





Shiver's BBQ has been around for over 50 years, and we took my Kitty-Mom there as a surprise since she used to eat there as a child. Shiver's was sold after Hurricane Andrew, but according to Kitty, all of the different meats and the original sauce is just as good today as it was years ago.





Baby-back ribs. Tender and perfectly seasoned. Why doesn't Shriver's have a stall at the Rib Fest, one might wonder!



Beef ribs- they might look like something out of the Flintstones, but the taste of the beef is second-to-none. They don't consistently have as much meat as the pork ribs (they did this time but not on my last visit), but the meat that they do have is so rich and flavorful that it more than makes up for it. Beef ribs are not easy to find- in fact, I haven't seen them offered anywhere. If you know why, please leave a comment- I can't figure it out!



Pulled pork- tender, chock-full of flavor and delicous with a little of the original sauce.



The side orders are varied and excellent- collard greens, black-eyed peas, hush puppies, cole slaw, french fries, okra, green beans, sweet potato fries, and more. They have extras such as fried okra and corn on the cob.



Desserts vary- I have had their key lime pie but didn't think it was great. This night they had peanut butter pie. It was light if you can imagine that! It was superb. I will be attempting to make one of these very soon. I didn't expect to like it nearly as much as I did.

The daughter of the folks who own Shiver's owns Baby Back Joe's Smokehouse in Hendersonville, N.C., fashioned after the Shiver's model. If I ever find myself in Western North Carolina, you bet your bippy I'll be waiting in line for ribs at Baby Back Joe's. In the meantime, I am very content living mintues away from Shiver's- Dorothy Gale was right, sometimes you don't have to look any further than your own back yard...and the eggs.

Shiver's Bar-B-Q in Homestead


Update July 2008! We have been to Shrivers a few times in the last few months, including today- and it is consistently good. Try the fried corn for a really serious treat!

6 comments:

JB said...

I am often in search of beef ribs - they are almost impossible to find in VA - but Buzz and Neds BBQ has them - even pulled brisket sandwiches. they also have the best greens and sweet potatoe fries I have ever tasted. We will make a trip next time you visit -

Anonymous said...

Thank-you for posting all of these terrific pics. I was born and raised in Homestead and have been searching for a recipe for coleslaw like Shivers has. I have never liked any coleslaw but theirs. Probably because it was all I knew and we ate there at least once a week.
I now live in Richmond, Va and can say I have heard great things about Buzz and Ned's. (though I have not been)
Thanks again for the pictures, it made my day!

Arties32 said...

Hello Jayme- I just aw Buzz and Ned's on television last week. They have beef ribs too- my sister lives in Richmond and has been searching for good beef ribs, so now she knows. Shivers is great, we love it- you are welcome for the photos. I think you should be able to find suitable BBQ in VA!!
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Jennifer, I am a Florida native, and I lived in Homestead for many years. Shiver's was one of our favorite places to eat, as it was just around the corner from us. In those days, it was a big, screened in barn of a room, with cement floors, picnic tables and huge overhead fans to keep the air moving (and the flies, too). Nobody noticed the lack of ambiance once they started eating those wonderful ribs with that indescribable sauce. I haven't been back in 30 years, but, my longing for that sauce has never left me. Where, oh where, can I find a recipe for that sauce, or one similar? Please don't tell me that I will never taste it again!!

DavidfromDade said...

Thanx for the memories! My parents and I lived outside of Princeton, a few miles north, and used to go there monthly or so. A cousin of Dad's mother was a waitress there. His family came from Grand Cayman Island in the years before WWI. Half of Homestead moved to the Hendersonville NC area, especially after Hurricane Andrew, so it's good to hear that the owners opened up a similar restaurant there. Yummmm!!!!

Steven B said...

Still hunting the illusive original cole slaw recipe; ie back when the cabbage was cube cut. Bought by the gallon for every pot luck supper for many years. Always appreciated...