The Pit

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16400 SW Eighth St
Miami, FL 33194

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(305) 226-2272
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Reviews
( 11 )
( 14 )
( 2 )
( 4 )
( 20 )

Best

We have visited ""The Pit"" many times during our trips to Dade County and have had only the best and friendly service. Food was great and you have the option of sitting in the A...

Worst

I'm not quite sure what makes this place ""Mom n Pop."" Is it the lack of A/C? Is it the shabby set up? Is it the lack of the staff's professionalism? Is it the remote locatio...

One of the best bbq around town 5/11/2010

The bbq there is really good with soft bbq ribs that will put a smile on your face. A perfect spot after paintballing at krome or playing at the casino.prices are very good compared with the portions they give you. more

One of the best bbq around town 5/11/2010

The bbq there is really good with soft bbq ribs that will put a smile on your face. A perfect spot after paintballing at krome or playing at the casino.prices are very good compared with the portions they give you. more

Editorial review from Urbanspoon 8/14/2009

The Pit lives up to it's name... it's just that. Before the restaurant changed hands, the BBQ was worth dealing with the disgusting environment. Now? Forget it! more

Editorial review from Urbanspoon 8/13/2009

With all due respect. The Pit still has the BEST BBQ RIBS and CHICKEN in town and they have had this reputation since 1965 until now!! I think eating a pork sandwish does not give someone the entire picture to be able to judge fairly.\r Did you ask yourself why there might be less meat on your sandwish? How long ago did you visit THE PIT? Well as a business man I can answer this question. In order to survive this economy and not increase prices, everyone should control their portions and KEEP THEIR PRICES DOWN!! When the new owners took over THE PIT we all though this is going to be a CUBAN RESTAURANT and to my surprise they kept the AUTHENTIC WOOD BURNING GRILL and THE OLD BBQ RIBS AND CHICKEN AS BEFORE. Yes they have added other items that cater to the Latin community but if you were them would't you? 90% of their neighbors are Latin. I think you should go back and try all of their dishes like the GATOR BITES and GATOR BURGERS and definately their SKIRT STEAK that by the way imagine cutting it with a "PLASTIC FORK and KNIFE" it must be tender!!!! and let's be fair they did not TAKE THE PIT AWAY FROM US!! There are just not enought of us in this part of town for them to survive just on US! I got to admit the place is clean, the food is excellent and the PRICES are affordable for todays economy!! When I visit THE PIT I still see a part of MIAMI that has not been touched! So to all of those out there that want to drive to the COUNTRY and get a bite to eat AL FRESCO like the good old days drive down to THE PIT and shoot down to the CASINO just for LUCK ! You will enjoy the sorroundings and definately THE FOOD and your POCKET will not hurt! By the way FRIDAY'S are" BIKE NIGHT", ROCK with DJ BURT more

Editorial review from Urbanspoon 5/26/2009

The PIT, which was one of Miami's original BBQ joints, has changed hands. And with that change, many other things have changed as well. Unfortunately, they no longer serve true sweet tea... a sure sign that it's just not a Southern BBQ place any more (you can get the raspberry and corn syrup stuff) . A dozen stray cats will surround you as you are served in a new, glitzy Tiki hut with a bar and loud contemporary dance or latin music. They still serve the BBQ fare, and have kept the name "Pit BBQ", but the hot BBQ sauce and the house Miami-style BBQ (similar to what Shorty's serves in the warm jars) is no longer in evidence. We ordered BBQ pork sandwiches, which used to be over-stuffed and tender. They were neither this time. The slaw is still good, but different. And, I gave the new Tostones a try, but was disappointed to find them soaked in grease. As with all things Miami, change happens. The PIT of my last review is no more. Too bad- it's Miami's diversity of cuisine that makes it special, and in the Pit we have lost some of that diversity.\r \r \r --------------------------------\r \r March 2011 update: I'd like to add that I've tried the Pit since my last review, and have unfortunately seen no improvement, but I chose to reserve further comment. Today I received a strongly worded email from the new owner, which clearly shows that they misunderstood what I meant to be constructive and factual criticism. My term "Cuban Cusine" came from their own wait staff of my visit in 2009. This somehow, two years later, upset the owner. There was no ill intent. To be fair, I'll let you, my readers judge for yourselves... here are the owners' own words to me: \r \r [\r \r "I just read your review on Urbanspoon. It is shamefull that because a person with a HISPANIC background and with a Master Degree in Business purchased THE PIT BBQ adding LATIN SIDE DISHES to the MAIN PLATES that you will call THE PIT A CUBAN RESTAURANT!!!!! If having RICE, BEANS, TOSTONES and MADUROS makes THE PIT a CUBAN RESTAURANT than you must continue your journey thru the STREETS of Miami to change each and every RESTAURANT that has cater to the LATIN COMMUNITY!!! ( 80% of our population)"\r ]\r \r \r \r I would have hoped that a business owner would listen to and respond to constructive customer comments in an open and positive manner. (I find it an interesting coincidence that the email I received from the owner bears a strong resemblance to the only positive review of the Pit here in UrbanSpoon by Matt in August 2009.)\r \r The owner went on in the email to say...\r \r [\r "We are not only following tradition!! The only difference is that we have CLEANED UP "THE PIT" so we do not subject our customers to the UNHEALTHY enviroment that THE PIT use to be before! YES and YES we do cater to THE LATIN COMMUNITY and THE AFRICAN AMERICANS and THE ANGLOS and ASIAN and GERMAN and anyone that wishes to come TO THE ONLY TRULY COUNTRY SIDE BBQ RESTAURANT IN MIAMI!!! YES we do cater to everyone becaouse ... we are in bussines to succeed not to fail!! and may I remind you THIS IS THE ONLY REAL WOOD BURNING PIT IN MIAMI!!! and we will not fix anything that is not broken!! Our recipies remain the same however our ribs are FAT FREE there is no fat on our ribs because of the high quality! You mention the BBQ SAUCE do you remember where the previous owner kept THE BBQ SAUCES? Outside on a gallon jar with a chain around it!! SAFE and HEALTHY!! I'll SAY!!"\r ]\r \r \r All I can really say to that is ... I never saw the gallon of sauce chained up outside, all I know is that it used to be delicious. "MustLoveFood's" description in another review here pretty accurately sums up what it was like on my last visit. Also, I'm intrigued by the characterization of pork BBQ ribs as "fat free!"\r \r If the new owner has half the spunk in running the kitchen that they exhibit responding to a food review, then perhaps there is hope for the establishment... They just need to direct that energy in the right place!\r \r I suggest you take a look at the "Citysearch" reviews for a chain of recent reviews on the Pit which clearly show the recent opinion of the restaurant- the 4.5:5 rating there is an artifact of times before the current ownership. The large number of 1/5 star reviews are far harsher than my words here. more

NO LONGER THE PIT 4/5/2009

I HATE THAT BLOND BIT*H!!!!!!! SHE A FCUKING MONEY-LOVER FAKE AS WOHRE!!!!! FAKE AS BIT*H NO ONE LIKES U. THEN I FOUND OUT SHE THE OWNER! NO WONDER WHY SHE KEPT OFFERING ME TO BUY ALL THIS OTHER FOOD! LOL more

NO LONGER THE PIT 4/5/2009

I HATE THAT BLOND BIT*H!!!!!!! SHE A FCUKING MONEY-LOVER FAKE AS WOHRE!!!!! FAKE AS BIT*H NO ONE LIKES U. THEN I FOUND OUT SHE THE OWNER! NO WONDER WHY SHE KEPT OFFERING ME TO BUY ALL THIS OTHER FOOD! LOL more

good ol bbq pit =] 4/5/2009

We try to go to the pit once a year when wer down to miami from north carolina, and i gotta tell ya the food is great! this time around with the new owners was even better, everything was clean, our weighter did a great job taking care of my big family and just everyone looked like a very friendly staff although i would of liked to have more english speaking people working there i still enjoyed some of the conversetions i tryed to have with one of the girls there! but ill tell u what i agree with what the review under me says why is the so called ""owner"" being a weitress? dont get it! and she sure doesnt care about being a bratt to her employees in front of her costumers. more

good ol bbq pit =] 4/5/2009

We try to go to the pit once a year when wer down to miami from north carolina, and i gotta tell ya the food is great! this time around with the new owners was even better, everything was clean, our weighter did a great job taking care of my big family and just everyone looked like a very friendly staff although i would of liked to have more english speaking people working there i still enjoyed some of the conversetions i tryed to have with one of the girls there! but ill tell u what i agree with what the review under me says why is the so called ""owner"" being a weitress? dont get it! and she sure doesnt care about being a bratt to her employees in front of her costumers. more

its personal 4/5/2009

alright heres the thing, the pit its no longer the pit. it was taken away from us by a couple of cubans who clearly know nothing about the pits history, and clearly they coulnt care less about it, i have nothing against cuban or hispanics at all [im married to one] and even she agrees this new ""management"" are just a couple of idiots who want nothing but money, loud cuban music with loud drunks everywhere, not what it use to be! the blond lady who wants everyone know shes the boss is exacly what i thought she was! a money-hungry dumass who couldnt take care of 3 costumers when the place was completly dead, by the way what kind of owner takes tips? are really that desperate for money? give me a break! ""the pit, love the food! absolutly hate the owners"" more

its personal 4/5/2009

alright heres the thing, the pit its no longer the pit. it was taken away from us by a couple of cubans who clearly know nothing about the pits history, and clearly they coulnt care less about it, i have nothing against cuban or hispanics at all [im married to one] and even she agrees this new ""management"" are just a couple of idiots who want nothing but money, loud cuban music with loud drunks everywhere, not what it use to be! the blond lady who wants everyone know shes the boss is exacly what i thought she was! a money-hungry dumass who couldnt take care of 3 costumers when the place was completly dead, by the way what kind of owner takes tips? are really that desperate for money? give me a break! ""the pit, love the food! absolutly hate the owners"" more

Best Barbeque in Miami No More 2/3/2009

Save your money and the gas and go to Shorty's. This used to be an excellent barbeque restaurant on the edge of the Everglades/Dade county. The restaurant used to be a shack that had the best wood-barbeque flavored ribs and chicken. This is no more.\r \r Now, the new owners have invested a lot of money to refurbish and renovate the restaurant and the outside area.In turn they must have decided to cut corners and this has resulted in poorer food. Gone is the wood-mesquite taste you would get when biting down on some ribs. Now days the food is no better or flavorful than a fastfood restaurant. The other day I was hungry and hoped the ribs would be as great as I remember them. The meat was not particularly flavorful and was not hot. I thought perhaps I went on an off day, and went back a week later with friends who had never been there. I loaded up on chicken - again, room temperature. Worse, the chicken was slightly pink. Worst of all, my friends neither said the food was great nor the food was bad. What had always been a memorable experience for me left no impression on my friends. I know they wont be going back, nor will I. Pros: Fixtures, seating outdoors, waitered staff Cons: Food more

Best Barbeque in Miami No More 2/3/2009

Save your money and the gas and go to Shorty's. This used to be an excellent barbeque restaurant on the edge of the Everglades/Dade county. The restaurant used to be a shack that had the best wood-barbeque flavored ribs and chicken. This is no more.\r \r Now, the new owners have invested a lot of money to refurbish and renovate the restaurant and the outside area.In turn they must have decided to cut corners and this has resulted in poorer food. Gone is the wood-mesquite taste you would get when biting down on some ribs. Now days the food is no better or flavorful than a fastfood restaurant. The other day I was hungry and hoped the ribs would be as great as I remember them. The meat was not particularly flavorful and was not hot. I thought perhaps I went on an off day, and went back a week later with friends who had never been there. I loaded up on chicken - again, room temperature. Worse, the chicken was slightly pink. Worst of all, my friends neither said the food was great nor the food was bad. What had always been a memorable experience for me left no impression on my friends. I know they wont be going back, nor will I. Pros: Fixtures, seating outdoors, waitered staff Cons: Food more

Worst BBQ I ever eaten..... 1/21/2009

\r The new owners of this place clearly do not have a clue about BBQ, we ordered quite a lot of food and all of it was terrible, poor quality meat, overcooked and very greasy. There so called famous Aligator was like eating small chunks of rock. Only two other people in the place, grubby tables and generally an all round dump. For those reading some of the old reviews....AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cons: Poor quality meat, badly cooked, unpleasant surroundings more

Worst BBQ I ever eaten..... 1/21/2009

\r The new owners of this place clearly do not have a clue about BBQ, we ordered quite a lot of food and all of it was terrible, poor quality meat, overcooked and very greasy. There so called famous Aligator was like eating small chunks of rock. Only two other people in the place, grubby tables and generally an all round dump. For those reading some of the old reviews....AVOID, AVOID, AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cons: Poor quality meat, badly cooked, unpleasant surroundings more

dissapointed on the bbq ribs 12/1/2008

this place was good long time ago, but last time i went about 2 month ago, it was lousy...i guess it changed ownership, the ribs were a total dissapointment and the rest of the menu sucked....shorty's by far is the best bbq in the area.... more

dissapointed on the bbq ribs 12/1/2008

this place was good long time ago, but last time i went about 2 month ago, it was lousy...i guess it changed ownership, the ribs were a total dissapointment and the rest of the menu sucked....shorty's by far is the best bbq in the area.... more

Editorial review from Urbanspoon 11/29/2008

-- see my updated review from May, 2009 Following is my original review which I leave in honor of the old PIT BBQ. -- \r \r "Fry bread, and simple, good BBQ, that hasn't EVER changed. That's the secret of the Pit. If you ate here in 1976 (and I did) or just yesterday (which I also did), then you simply wouldn't notice a difference. The only thing to change is how far "out" of town it is... Miami's moved and surrounded the Pit, and it used to be in the "boonies." I remember days at Trail Trap and Skeet capped off with a meal at the Pit with my Dad and brother. This is the type of place you find excuses to go visit again. This is where I developed my habit of loving Crystal hot sauce, and first heard a Juke Box." more

Salsa the night away on Sunday and yes the food is great! 9/14/2008

I went to The Pit for the first time on Sunday and I was really impressed. The place is hopping.\r I had a blast. I ate the churrasco and tried the gator bites they are delicious. The staff is friendly and the owners came by our table to say hello. I will certainly be back. I found out that they have an antique car show \r every 3rd saturday of he month. I know my husband and his friends will be there. Well, I have been told that The Pit has been around for a long time. I can see why. When you go try the gator bites they are mouth watering. Pros: Food, ambience and friendly staff. Cons: Gets really busy might have to wait for a table and for food. more

Salsa the night away on Sunday and yes the food is great! 9/14/2008

I went to The Pit for the first time on Sunday and I was really impressed. The place is hopping.\r I had a blast. I ate the churrasco and tried the gator bites they are delicious. The staff is friendly and the owners came by our table to say hello. I will certainly be back. I found out that they have an antique car show \r every 3rd saturday of he month. I know my husband and his friends will be there. Well, I have been told that The Pit has been around for a long time. I can see why. When you go try the gator bites they are mouth watering. Pros: Food, ambience and friendly staff. Cons: Gets really busy might have to wait for a table and for food. more
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Menu for The Pit


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Editorial
  • In Short
    The Pit's cole slaw is crunchy, creamy and spiked with a hint of relish and pepper. Meaty chunks of pork ribs are served with three different sauces, from smooth and sweet to...

  • 7/14/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily 11am-10pm
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card, American Express
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