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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area RESTAURANTS, Drive-Ins, Bars, Lounges, Liquor Stores, Clubs, Strip Joints, etc. Gallery - All Years - click to view >> Shorty's Bar-B-Q Restaurant - click on image to view the gallery > 1950's - Shorty's Barbecue, founded in 1951 by E. L. "Shorty" Allen
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1950s Courtesy of Daniel Worth

1950's - Shorty's Barbecue, founded in 1951 by E. L. "Shorty" Allen

9200 Overseas Highway (US1), Miami, Florida


Thank you to Daniel Worth for contributing this image.


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SuziQ 09-Dec-2014 01:51
I desperately want the recipe to the warm BBQ sauce they put in the shakers. Anyone? :)
Guest 04-Nov-2013 00:47
Rachel Honderick
Mrs. Clewis, a relative of the Allens came to our Church every Sunday. My Dad was the Pastor, and we would go to Shorty's at least two times a month after service. We have many memories of Mrs. Clewis and going to Shorty's. The best Barbeque pok sandwich, cole slaw and corn. I went frequently until we moved from Miami.
Bob Simons 04-Aug-2013 02:21
I worked at Shorty's in the mid-1950's when living and going to high school in Coral Gables. I washed dishes, cooked the corn and, on occasion did a little cooking on the main back pit. I adored Shorty and Mrs. Allen, bought E.L.'s channeled Model A Roadster and, naturally, was in love with one of the waitresses (although she was clearly too "old" for me). The roadster turned into a very successful drag racer and led to another (this one a 1932) which I still have today.

Our Siamese cat just loved it when I came home from work, complete with the aroma of Shorty's and a tidbit of chicken as a treat for her. I'm now living in Port St. Lucie and have stopped a couple of times at Shorty's on rare occasions of being in the Miami area. These were like returning to the past and the Barbeque continues as best anywhere.

But it's all so congested and changed now, nothing like the gas station/fire station intersection of US 1 in South Miami. I still picture the "Welcome to Kendall" sign across from Shorty's on US 1 (as I recall, it also included "Population 525"). Although it wasn't my very first job, it was great and started me out in a very positive manner - - largely from the guidance and kindness from Shorty, Mrs. Allen and the whole staff. I often think of them and I am saddened by the passing of Shorty. I send my condolences and prayers to their family members.
George 23-Apr-2013 19:50
Shorty died a couple of nights ago at the age of 104. Thanks for everything Shorty! Your legacy lives on in each if us.
guest 22-Apr-2013 21:18
I remember so well the smell of the great ribs and the corn on the cob was the best. Live in
Wilmington,NC now but when in Miami I alwas go to SHORTYS. Been going their for
over 60 years. A peace of old Miami
Ron 02-Feb-2013 04:30
Glenda Nobles, any chance you could share that sauce recipe with the rest of us ??? I would make a lot of us that cannot make it back to Miami very happy !
Don Boyd30-Dec-2012 15:28
Thank you, everyone, for the comments you have posted here. There is no doubt that Shorty's will be remembered by a lot of folks forever including those who dine there currently. Glenda, thank you for sharing your positive story of working there; it's always great to hear from the employees who saw a different perspective of the restaurants.

Don
Glenda Nobles 30-Dec-2012 14:15
I was a waitress at Shorty's for 12 years. Best restaurant managers ever. A great product and the employees had clear direction from. Shorty and his brother James Clewis. My dad, Richard Nobles was Shorty's barber for over 30 years at Dick's Barber Shop on Bird Road. We have many stories of Shorty's family. Just before James died I asked him for the recipe for the sauce and cole slaw and he gave them to me. Shorty's was the best waitress job in town.
Al Ciampi 16-Dec-2012 20:44
One brother in law lives in Tampa, the other in West Palm Beach, just this morning we agreed that we would meet at The original Shortys Dadeland in February. By the way we will have to fly down there from Asheville, NC. Eating at Shortys.......Priceless!
Al Ciampi 08-Sep-2012 01:30
I started going to Shortys around 1958 with my mom and dad. We lived in N Miami and had a 2 hour ride down US 1 just to get there. Was it ever worth it! Long Picknic tables, delicious ribs, sauce and the corn swimming in butter. Mr. Allen greeted us by name back then and when I dated my wife back in 1979 some of the same waitresses still served there. By a the way one year about 1 mile south of Shortys US1 would flood so bad that the road was closed and all points south were in accessible
We can still taste the sauce!
Guest 07-Oct-2011 01:54
I grew up on this Bar B Que, I cried when it burned down in 1972 and had to be rebuilt a year or so later.
Guest 07-Sep-2011 02:56
Shorty's will always be #1 in my heart. Best BBQ sauce ever. Best everything!
Raised in Miamuh 10-May-2009 20:33
Weaned at Shorty's! Yup--ate my first solid food there at those long wooden tables, under the watchful eyes of the deer up on the walls. The big fans overhead created a steady breeze to help offset the humidity, but it was good if you got to sit by the screen windows. I remember standing in line out by those wagon wheels, often to the ones around the corner on the side there. That was where we went to eat out -- we'd peer ahead into the darkness, trying to be the first to see the lights of the neon sign as we drove way out Dixie Highway into the country. Corn on the cob, coleslaw, fries & BBQ sandwich, and a chocolate mint at the cash register. Good report cards always meant we got to go to Shorty's, or any other excuse my Dad could come up with!
Shawn 24-Apr-2009 18:32
Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane.

My father was stationed at the now-defunct Homestead Air Force Base in 1959, and we occasionally traveled up to eat at Shorty's. I was just a few years old at the time and have only a vague recollection of the rustic interior; however, I vividly remember the extraordinary food. Wasn't until just recently I discovered anything which rivals Shorty's: Bun'n'Barrel (which also dates from the '50's, I believe) in San Antonio, TX. I'm happy to know that Shorty's is still around, and (apparently) thriving!
Ralph Bertelson 03-Mar-2009 18:53
Even when the trains would rattle your Coke Shorty's was the best. If you're just to darn far away but can make it to Franklin, North Carolina.........try Fat Buddies. It's the closest I've ever found to Shorty's. I just can't find the cole slaw anywhere!
Guest 31-Dec-2008 20:53
I have lived, and eaten Bar B Q, in Memphis and Dallas........ and NOTHING ever came close to Shortys!
Ed Pomerantz
Guest 24-Dec-2008 20:39
Has anyone heard of putting Hickory Nuts with husks on the hot coals? The nuts burst open and the oils seep deep into the meats....so if you have Hickory Trees collect the nuts and freeze them...good forever...and best barbecue flavor ever!
Norman 23-Dec-2008 02:42
My father who was in the sign and screen printing business. Made a few signs for Shorty's opening. He was invited to bring the family for lunch or dinner I was then around 10 or 11 years old. I think Shorty's last name was Allen. His half brother James Clewis was the manager for many years until they sold the business.
George W Young 22-Dec-2008 14:04
I have only been eating at Shorty's since 1960 but I have a friend (Norman Rose) who ate there on their grand opening in '52 (I think). Only 56 years. He and I ate there last week. He lives in Broward, but has to come down for a fix once in a while. Great place. Our favorite is the original one on US1 near Dadeland.
Guest 14-Sep-2008 20:54
Best pork sandwich on the Planet, period.
Guest 14-Sep-2008 20:52
In the late 50's and early 60's I lived in Hialeah and used to drive down to the old Shorty's to get BBQ--everyone thought I was crazy--until they tasted it. They also hadn one on NW 27th Ave aroundd 90th st but it closed after a few years.
Maddie 03-Jul-2008 21:21
I first ate at Shorty's in 1954 after my uncle who was a mail carrier discovered it and said it was a real "find." It became a regular for the whole family. Not many people knew about it unless word of mouth or you lived right in the surrounding area or went to U Of M. There is now another Shorty's in Deerfield Beach just off Hillsboro Blvd and Military Trail...just east of Century Village....hope it survives over there.
Great memories of the original on Dixie!
Dave07-Apr-2008 00:33
Oh wow, lots of Shorty's memories. We used to go to church right across the railroad tracks and it was a good Sunday indeed when Dad said we were going to Shorty's after church! And in high school it was a regular stop. My friend and I played golf at Colonial Palms (farther down Dixie Hwy) the day after it burned (we didn't know it yet). We played 9 terrible holes and then said "Enough golf. Let's go to Shorty's". Imagine our disappointment when we saw the burned rubble. Thank God they rebuilt it. There is also a Shorty's in Davie on University Drive and Stirling Road.
And the Bodega was my favorite 'date place' for dinner.....
deborah (penney) smith 21-Mar-2008 00:49
growing up in this area west of dadeland mall, Shorty's was the place to eat. I can remember the straw on the floors before it burnt down. I remember it was the best barbeque to eat.
Fain 17-Mar-2008 17:21
We grew up several blocks away from Shorty's. Ludlum was a dirt road past our house and Dadeland Mall was a tomato field. We saw the smoke when Shorty's burned down and rode over on our bikes to watch! :-( Thankfully they rebuilt and their delicious barbequed ribs, corn-on-the-cob and my favorite, coleslaw, taste the same today as they did when I was a kid. Also, since Burger King's headquarters was on Kendall Drive, the BK across US1 from Shorty's was used as their "test market" store. I remember them serving hot dogs, pizza - and the best - root beer! Dairy Queen was several blocks north of Shorty's, near from where Snapper Creek goes under US1.
Guest 22-Feb-2008 19:28
K.Blanton

That Burger King by Shorty's is # 6. The 6th BurgerKing ever built. The stores are numbered in the order in which they were built. And if you ever get a receipt from there it will have store #6 on it.
Guest 18-Feb-2008 00:42
When I was in high school, Shorties was almost a daily ritual. But the ice cream parlor next door wasn't a dairy queen. I believe it was called Eddie's.
Guest 16-Feb-2008 17:45
Wow. Ordered a tee and a visor.

As for the sauce, we still have a jug of it in our fridge. Last time one of us was in Miami, the flight attendants had to have a major fit about bringing it on the plane.

The sauce and the cole slaw. Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering.
miamigrl 09-Feb-2008 19:34
I found Shortysbbq.com where you can buy some of their sauce, hats and t-shirts. Don, I promise I don't work there or have a financial interest, so am not using this to get free advertisement! The sauce is good, but it's better in person, and nothing beats that corn on the cob!
Guest 08-Feb-2008 21:33
Wow, memory lane! I believe we went to the Dairy Queen next door to the south for ice cream afterwards and wasn't the Original Burger King across the highway! If you look at the zip code on BK wrappers it's 33156! It's been 30 years since I lived there, how can I remember that?
SBailey 01-Feb-2008 04:10
My late husband was a Coral Gables guy. This was his favorite restaurant in the entire world.

Their original sauce was the most unique I've ever had. And you didn't get lemons in the ice tea, you got key lime. I remember before it burned down and it looked like this. After it burned, they had to rebuild in concrete, but they put the pine logs over the top.
Shorty's real name was J.L. Long.
K Blanton 28-Jan-2008 07:02
I remember Shorty's. We would eat there about 2 or 3 times a month, whenever my younger brother & I could talk mom & dad into it. They knew the owners & we always got in without waiting in the line that was almost always out the door. This was from the mid '60s till the fire. The secret to Shorty's was to go between tuesday & thursday. They were colsed sunday & monday & the meat was delivered on monday ! !

K Blanton
Don Boyd26-Jan-2008 07:08
If the Cincy sales manager flew down and back to Cincinnati in the 50's, he surely would have gotten back home around dinner time, so not much work was done that day, and that's assuming he left early in the morning. Those were DC6 and DC7 days and trips took longer, especially if they stopped in Atlanta both ways. Don
lGuest 20-Jan-2008 22:36
My Dad was sales manager for Delta in the 50's and the sales manager from Cincinnati, Ohio would hop on a plane, fly to Miami, they would lunch at Shorty's, and then fly back up north to get back to work. I've eaten there every time I'm in Miami.
Guest 15-Jan-2008 03:20
This picture is from a postcard. I have the same postcard. The back of the postcard gives the phone number as MO1-9231 and the address is given as "9200 Overseas Highway". That name and the alpha-numeric prefix have not been used since the 1950s. This picture is from early in Shorty's history.
Juan R. Pollo 25-Nov-2007 03:05
There was another Bodega on 36th St across from the airport, west of Red Road. That became Cisco's Cafe, a Mexican restaurant, great airport hangout and legendary Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Damaged by hurricanes and torn down last year.
Ray 20-Sep-2007 02:12
Yes, I do remember the Bodega. It was in a wedge between North Bound Palmetto and North Bound US1. Great steak. Every time they mention 'bodega' on Law and Order I think of our old one. The Dadeland Shorty's is still my favorite BBQ. The Doral one is decent. I'll skip the Bird Road. Key to their taste is the hot (temperature) BBQ sauce. Another old time BBQ place still standing: Uncle Tom's on SW 8th St, just east of LeJune. They recently ruined the old look by making it look modern, but the basic building is still there.
Joanne 16-Aug-2007 20:15
Just driving past Shorty's made your mouth water. I remember how upset I was when they had the fire, then was thrilled when they rebuilt. Anyone remember a steak place south of Shorty's called Bodega? It was around in the "70's.
Tommy A 09-Aug-2007 20:03
Located on US 1 south of Kendal Dr. I went there as a kid with my parents in the early 50's One of the first BBQ places in Miami that I remember. Remindes me of the Old South BBQ on US 27 near South Bay
Guest 02-Aug-2007 21:37
This morning I was in Starke, Florida and stopped at a produce stand on the side of the road because I could see from the car that the mango's looked superior to anything I ususally see around here (I live in Gainesville). Pleasantly surprised the lady said they were not the 'island ones' but were the real ones from "Dade County." We began to talk 'old Miami' when she revealed that she was the cashier at "Shorty's BBQ" for over thirty years. Just imagine what a great conversation we had - it was like this web-site live!
Helen 30-Jul-2007 00:01
I remember when I was going to the University of Miami in the early 60's we used to go to Shorty's for lunch - the same sandwich and fries were 50 cents. What a divine memory
George Young 25-Jul-2007 17:57
Shorty's is on the NW corner of South US1 and Dadeland Blvd. I believe it opened in '52. I think your picture is from the '50s. Friends of mine took me there in 1960 and I have been eating there ever since. Best Bar-B-Q in Miami. By the way, those friends (Norman Rose, John Collins, & Gil Acosta) still eat there when they can, although none still live in Miami.
Guest 12-Jul-2007 02:32
I'm grateful there's still a Shorty's......i'm sure the barbecue ranch set-up pre 1972 was divine...another wonderful place is Sonny's in Homestead or Davie. I feel the same way about Shorty's down here as I do about Lum's in Davie. I'm glad there still is a Davie and that hasn't been impinged upon
Guest 09-Jul-2007 18:36
US #1 just south of Dadeland.
A Metro Rail Station is located just behind it now.
We ate there last month when we were in Miami. Eating there is part of my wife's ritual when ever we go to Miami. She always gets barbecue beef, fries and corn on the cob soaked with butter. Never really my favoriate, but now they also have cheeseburgers, so I can get along just fine there.
I could never understand how this place could still exist when commercial land there is so expensive but, last time we got there at lunch time and had to wait for a seat. The place is an absolute gold mine.
Dave 08-Jul-2007 13:54
This looks like the original restaurant on US1 and would have to be before 1972 when this layout burned down. Looks to be mid to late 60's as you could still park in front and those yellow lines didn't exist in the early 60's and before. Just a guess!