The Pit

My friends and family and I love The Pit. It's somewhere I went as as child, and in the past year we started going again, and the food is phenomenal - especially the chicken with the gold BBQ sauce. It's a great, inexpensive hangout for my teenaged friends and I, and as classic rock fans we have always loved the jukebox, but upon our last visit, after the renovations, we were greeted with loud salsa music played on a stereo outside, and said jukebox was covered up as if it's no longer working. I can guarantee you that the majority of the people who eat at The Pit do not want to hear latin music - you can hear that anywhere. What they want to hear is classic rock and country coming out of the good old jukebox. That said, we were the last customers there and the food was still of the same excellent quality, if not better, and the chicken portions were definitely larger. I miss the way the Pit used to look inside, but if they'll just stop with the salsa music, I'll continue to eat there as often as possible! Pros: Phenomenal BBQ, better portions, clean/new tables and chairs, large Tiki hut outside, entertainment for kids on weekends Cons: Terribly annoying salsa music, only open until 8 PM on weeknights now more

My friends and family and I love The Pit. It's somewhere I went as as child, and in the past year we started going again, and the food is phenomenal - especially the chicken with the gold BBQ sauce. It's a great, inexpensive hangout for my teenaged friends and I, and as classic rock fans we have always loved the jukebox, but upon our last visit, after the renovations, we were greeted with loud salsa music played on a stereo outside, and said jukebox was covered up as if it's no longer working. I can guarantee you that the majority of the people who eat at The Pit do not want to hear latin music - you can hear that anywhere. What they want to hear is classic rock and country coming out of the good old jukebox. That said, we were the last customers there and the food was still of the same excellent quality, if not better, and the chicken portions were definitely larger. I miss the way the Pit used to look inside, but if they'll just stop with the salsa music, I'll continue to eat there as often as possible! Pros: Phenomenal BBQ, better portions, clean/new tables and chairs, large Tiki hut outside, entertainment for kids on weekends Cons: Terribly annoying salsa music, only open until 8 PM on weeknights now more

I went to The Pit last week and was pleasantly surprised that the place was not a health hazard and disgusting anymore. The clean up is commendable especially the bathrooms. The new owner was at the register and super nice. Now the food...I ordered a triple decker pork sandwich as I have for years expecting the same or better. However the kitchen thinks that a bigger bread bun make a better sandwich but that's not the case. When you do that to a triple, that's WAY too much bread! It didn't have the spice nor was the meat shredded as before. This place has the potential to be a real jewel since Miami is sorely lacking great, affordable places to eat. There should be cars lined up on Tamiami Trail to get in this place. The new tiki hut, seating and landscaping makes the place look and feel great. Note to the new owners, with the piped in salsa music please don't let this American icon turn into another Pollo Tropical. There are plenty of those around. Pros: Remodeled finally, Friendly staff Cons: Food just OK more

I went to The Pit last week and was pleasantly surprised that the place was not a health hazard and disgusting anymore. The clean up is commendable especially the bathrooms. The new owner was at the register and super nice. Now the food...I ordered a triple decker pork sandwich as I have for years expecting the same or better. However the kitchen thinks that a bigger bread bun make a better sandwich but that's not the case. When you do that to a triple, that's WAY too much bread! It didn't have the spice nor was the meat shredded as before. This place has the potential to be a real jewel since Miami is sorely lacking great, affordable places to eat. There should be cars lined up on Tamiami Trail to get in this place. The new tiki hut, seating and landscaping makes the place look and feel great. Note to the new owners, with the piped in salsa music please don't let this American icon turn into another Pollo Tropical. There are plenty of those around. Pros: Remodeled finally, Friendly staff Cons: Food just OK more

I am a 43 year old female who has lived in Miami for 40 years. I've been eating at the Pit for over 30 years. I can honestly say that I am thrilled that the Pit has reopened with refreshing new owners. The food has always been wonderful and it continues to be wonderful. In all the years I ate there before, I was never greeted by anyone, much less the owners. Now, since it reopened, my friends, co-workers, family and I have revisted it several times and have always had a fantastic meal, not to mention, we have all been welcomed by the new owners and friendly staff. The best part is, it's been cleaned up! I commend the new owners for a fantastic job and wish them much success. After taking a break from the Pit, I can say that I will be now be coming back more often. For all those who left a negative rating, you sound really angry, get over it, either the Pit is your competition, or you are an ex-employee. Get over it. Pros: Clean, friendly, good food Cons: None noted more

I am a 43 year old female who has lived in Miami for 40 years. I've been eating at the Pit for over 30 years. I can honestly say that I am thrilled that the Pit has reopened with refreshing new owners. The food has always been wonderful and it continues to be wonderful. In all the years I ate there before, I was never greeted by anyone, much less the owners. Now, since it reopened, my friends, co-workers, family and I have revisted it several times and have always had a fantastic meal, not to mention, we have all been welcomed by the new owners and friendly staff. The best part is, it's been cleaned up! I commend the new owners for a fantastic job and wish them much success. After taking a break from the Pit, I can say that I will be now be coming back more often. For all those who left a negative rating, you sound really angry, get over it, either the Pit is your competition, or you are an ex-employee. Get over it. Pros: Clean, friendly, good food Cons: None noted more

I visited the Pit on 11/18 after several years and I found that finally the owners were cleaning up and to our surprice even though they were closed temporarily ,we were able to enjoy the ""BEST RIBS IN TOWN"" yes we could go to SHORTY'S but we want the taste of the old traditional AMERICAN BBQ, and there is nothing like HICKORY WOOD to achieve that taste even on a portable grill outside the PIT parking lot!\r The restaurant is closed until the first week of December but the owners told us that due to the amount of customers coming from far away to get their ribs, they decided to use their portable catering GRILL to offer us, RIB'S, CHICKEN, BURGERS and CORN on the cob, just so their customers would not have to leave without eating. We were served 8 huge ribs and half a chicken that fed our family of four. The portions were huge and the taste was as always ""THE BEST"". To our surprise they even brought the food to our picnic table under the Tiki hut. Remember guys this is not a five start restaurant in Coral Gables this is a part of America that we are forgeting, this is the ""COUNTRY"" ,wood burning grill, no A/C but a beautiful country side, fresh air and seating under the TIKI HUTS, even PONY RIDES to keep our kids happy and occupied. In my opinion the trip to THE PIT is well worth every mile! and I don't know how others may feel, but I appreciate a clean atmosphere to dine in as well as a clean Restroom for my wife and child to use.\r I missed the home made biscuits and cole slaw, but the owners assured me that come December, the full menu will be served. I have family coming from Tennessee to visit for the Holidays, and I know they will\r appreciate and enjoy ""THE PIT"" just like we enjoy ""BARE BONES BBQ"" in Pigeon Forge.\r Keep up the good work guys, and don't change the taste of those ribs! They are mmmmm the best!! Pros: Authentic country style wood burning Bar B Q Cons: No A/C but plenty of ceiling fans! more

I visited the Pit on 11/18 after several years and I found that finally the owners were cleaning up and to our surprice even though they were closed temporarily ,we were able to enjoy the ""BEST RIBS IN TOWN"" yes we could go to SHORTY'S but we want the taste of the old traditional AMERICAN BBQ, and there is nothing like HICKORY WOOD to achieve that taste even on a portable grill outside the PIT parking lot!\r The restaurant is closed until the first week of December but the owners told us that due to the amount of customers coming from far away to get their ribs, they decided to use their portable catering GRILL to offer us, RIB'S, CHICKEN, BURGERS and CORN on the cob, just so their customers would not have to leave without eating. We were served 8 huge ribs and half a chicken that fed our family of four. The portions were huge and the taste was as always ""THE BEST"". To our surprise they even brought the food to our picnic table under the Tiki hut. Remember guys this is not a five start restaurant in Coral Gables this is a part of America that we are forgeting, this is the ""COUNTRY"" ,wood burning grill, no A/C but a beautiful country side, fresh air and seating under the TIKI HUTS, even PONY RIDES to keep our kids happy and occupied. In my opinion the trip to THE PIT is well worth every mile! and I don't know how others may feel, but I appreciate a clean atmosphere to dine in as well as a clean Restroom for my wife and child to use.\r I missed the home made biscuits and cole slaw, but the owners assured me that come December, the full menu will be served. I have family coming from Tennessee to visit for the Holidays, and I know they will\r appreciate and enjoy ""THE PIT"" just like we enjoy ""BARE BONES BBQ"" in Pigeon Forge.\r Keep up the good work guys, and don't change the taste of those ribs! They are mmmmm the best!! Pros: Authentic country style wood burning Bar B Q Cons: No A/C but plenty of ceiling fans! more

I took some friends to the Pit yesterday, on our way to the Everglades, and was extremely disappointed. The restaurant is being remodelled, and in a clear effort to squeeze as much money as they can out of would-be customers, the owners are selling chicken and ribs cooked on a portable grill in the restaurant's parking lot. That in and of itself is fine, it's the prices they're demanding of their captive customers like me that are inexcusable. A chicken leg quarter is $8.00 and it doesn't even include any side dishes, not even a slice of bread! A scant portion of ribs is $10.00 and it doesn't include side dishes either. Both the chicken and ribs were greasy and not very flavorful. If you want corn on the cob, that's $2.00 extra. \r \r I've been going to the Pit for years and I used to recommend it to others. After what happened yesterday, I will never go back there. These owners are taking advantage of their customers. Moreover, the re-modelling they're undertaking will likely rob the Pit of the old-Florida charm that made it a worthwhile stop even though it's food was never very good. I suggest you save your money and eat at Shorty's BBQ instead or, if the Pit is your only choice like it was for us, don't eat at all. I'd rather go hungry than get robbed at this dump again. Cons: high prices, uncomfortable seating, insects, inconvenience more

I took some friends to the Pit yesterday, on our way to the Everglades, and was extremely disappointed. The restaurant is being remodelled, and in a clear effort to squeeze as much money as they can out of would-be customers, the owners are selling chicken and ribs cooked on a portable grill in the restaurant's parking lot. That in and of itself is fine, it's the prices they're demanding of their captive customers like me that are inexcusable. A chicken leg quarter is $8.00 and it doesn't even include any side dishes, not even a slice of bread! A scant portion of ribs is $10.00 and it doesn't include side dishes either. Both the chicken and ribs were greasy and not very flavorful. If you want corn on the cob, that's $2.00 extra. \r \r I've been going to the Pit for years and I used to recommend it to others. After what happened yesterday, I will never go back there. These owners are taking advantage of their customers. Moreover, the re-modelling they're undertaking will likely rob the Pit of the old-Florida charm that made it a worthwhile stop even though it's food was never very good. I suggest you save your money and eat at Shorty's BBQ instead or, if the Pit is your only choice like it was for us, don't eat at all. I'd rather go hungry than get robbed at this dump again. Cons: high prices, uncomfortable seating, insects, inconvenience more

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 location, several miles out of the city? Since when does good barbeque have to be served up in a dilapidated poor excuse of a dining room? There's nothing special or extraordinary to find here. I'd rather go to Tony Roma's--at least I know it's not too out of the way for the health dept to inspect on a regular basis. I'm afraid the positive reviews stem from the stereotype notion that Southern = informal, uncomfortable, uncouth and remote. And, therefore, any place that fits this description must be genuine Southern and great barbeque.\r The cooks and servers sounded like NY thugs! And as for Mom and Pop, I didn't find either of them there. Bet the owner lives in a posh neighborhood and laughs all the way to the bank. Pros: the sodas weren't flat Cons: from the seating to the bathroom to the kitchen to the service and get ready to park on dirt more

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 location, several miles out of the city? Since when does good barbeque have to be served up in a dilapidated poor excuse of a dining room? There's nothing special or extraordinary to find here. I'd rather go to Tony Roma's--at least I know it's not too out of the way for the health dept to inspect on a regular basis. I'm afraid the positive reviews stem from the stereotype notion that Southern = informal, uncomfortable, uncouth and remote. And, therefore, any place that fits this description must be genuine Southern and great barbeque.\r The cooks and servers sounded like NY thugs! And as for Mom and Pop, I didn't find either of them there. Bet the owner lives in a posh neighborhood and laughs all the way to the bank. Pros: the sodas weren't flat Cons: from the seating to the bathroom to the kitchen to the service and get ready to park on dirt more

This mom and pop joint is a total dump. The service is ridiculously slow, and incompetent. The ""cooks"" looked like delinquents that came out of the nearby jail, and the food really isn't that amazing. I don't know why this is ""the best bbq in miami"" according to everyone! It really is no different from Shorty's, at least Shorty's has friendly and fast service. \r \r The famous ""BISCUITS"" they are not biscuits i'm sorry! Those oversized fried THAI DONUTS were not biscuits!\r The ribs my boyfriend had with his chicken and ribs combo were VERY undercooked, so he didn't eat them, we didn't even bother telling the staff since they were pretty rude, and it looked like they just wanted to go home and close shop. \r \r Trust me SAVE YOUR GAS. Pros: Good chicken I guess, and jukebox? Cons: nearly everything, the ""biscuits"", ribs, beans, and ambience more

This mom and pop joint is a total dump. The service is ridiculously slow, and incompetent. The ""cooks"" looked like delinquents that came out of the nearby jail, and the food really isn't that amazing. I don't know why this is ""the best bbq in miami"" according to everyone! It really is no different from Shorty's, at least Shorty's has friendly and fast service. \r \r The famous ""BISCUITS"" they are not biscuits i'm sorry! Those oversized fried THAI DONUTS were not biscuits!\r The ribs my boyfriend had with his chicken and ribs combo were VERY undercooked, so he didn't eat them, we didn't even bother telling the staff since they were pretty rude, and it looked like they just wanted to go home and close shop. \r \r Trust me SAVE YOUR GAS. Pros: Good chicken I guess, and jukebox? Cons: nearly everything, the ""biscuits"", ribs, beans, and ambience more

Ok, I'm Cuban, what do I know about real bbq? But I do know one thing, and that is taste. I have been to many bbq places in Florida, and have to admit that this one is by far my favorite. Only downfall, no ac, but who cares when the food is so good? The portions are huge, and the fried biscuits are out of this world. I highly recommend the drive. Pros: huge portions Cons: no ac more

Ok, I'm Cuban, what do I know about real bbq? But I do know one thing, and that is taste. I have been to many bbq places in Florida, and have to admit that this one is by far my favorite. Only downfall, no ac, but who cares when the food is so good? The portions are huge, and the fried biscuits are out of this world. I highly recommend the drive. Pros: huge portions Cons: no ac more

I think this place is great. I loved the BBQ Ribs and the key lime pie. It's run down but who cares, it has an old florida feeling and the food is good. It's not a french restaurant just some good BBQ. more

I think this place is great. I loved the BBQ Ribs and the key lime pie. It's run down but who cares, it has an old florida feeling and the food is good. It's not a french restaurant just some good BBQ. more

Don't listen to the guy that gave a negative review. I have traveled the country and had great BBQ also. While The Pit is not the best I have had, it is some of the best I've had in Miami. Ribs were cooked to perfection, great slaw, awesome sauce, and those fried bisquits...mmm! Pros: No A/C Cons: Great Food more

Don't listen to the guy that gave a negative review. I have traveled the country and had great BBQ also. While The Pit is not the best I have had, it is some of the best I've had in Miami. Ribs were cooked to perfection, great slaw, awesome sauce, and those fried bisquits...mmm! Pros: No A/C Cons: Great Food more