It’s the end of an era: news of the flagship Shorty’s BBQ being demolished is official, and the Dadeland institution will serve its last meals for another year.
As reported by the Miami New Times, the log cabin-style restaurant at 9200 South Dixie Highway will close its doors after almost 75 years. Developers purchased the property back in 2022 for $14.5 million and have continued to lease it back to the establishment in order to continue operating at that location.
Found by E.L. “Shorty” Allen in 1951, Shorty’s became a staple for its hickory-smoked ribs, chicken, coleslaw and, of course, corn on the cob. Throughout the decades, the restaurant had weathered storms, Hurricane Andrew and even a devastating fire that required it to be entirely rebuilt.
While there are Shorty’s locations in West Miami and Davie, the restaurant on Kendall Drive off of U.S. 1 is the original.
When is Shorty’s BBQ in Dadeland closing?
In a comment under Only in Dade’s Instagram post about the closure, the company said it expects to remain open at Dadeland until late 2026.
“For now, our doors remain open!! We’ll continue serving our guests at the Dadeland location for about another year, and we look forward to seeing you soon. We’re savoring every moment with the generations of guests who have made Shorty’s their go-to BBQ spot. As soon as a date is confirmed, we’ll be sure to share it with our guests,” the comment reads.
As more information becomes available, we’ll be sure to keep you posted about the location. In the meantime, you can rediscover this piece of old Miami and make your reservations on their website.