Great Barbecue Has Landed in the Grove
The best Drinking Pig you'll ever find on Main Highway
Good barbecue can be elusive in Miami. And by elusive, I mean, “Sure, I’ll drive to West Kendall then wait in line, outside, in August on the off chance I can find a decent brisket.” So good news this weekend if you live east of the Palmetto: Drinking Pig – Chef Raheem Sealey’s pandemic-era popup – opens today in Coconut Grove. And while it’s not quite the front yard kickback his old North Miami spot was, at least you won’t get rained on.
It’ll live in the same courtyard as the recently-opened Mae’s Room and Michael Beltran’s burger emporium Chuggie’s. The vibe is still laid back and simple, but the beer coolers have been replaced with operative taps, the picnic tables swapped out for proper restaurant seats. The food is just as good, maybe even better. And for barbecue lovers, it’s reason to rejoice.
Is this just another “cool” BBQ place charging me $25 for 4 pieces of brisket?
No! This brisket is $20, first of all. But also it comes from Raheem Sealey, the OG chef at Kyu. During COVID he set up a barbecue popup in his front yard, which became as much a part of the Miami pandemic experience as gallons of margaritas. He recently opened Shiso in Wynwood, too, and has been in Miami for almost 20 years. So Drinking Pig is very much a local, passion project kind of endeavor.
The space: Is real simple. A barbecue counter with a bar, a handful of tables inside, and a handful more outside. You’ll find some cartoon pigs on the wall, a self-serve water cooler in the corner, and not much else. Drinking Pig didn’t go bonkers on its buildout – you’re here for great barbecue in a laid back, breezy setting and not a luxury experience. In that respect, it’s much the same as his front-yard popup.
What to eat and drink: Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t an all-pork establishment. Drinking Pig refers to the famous beer drinking pigs on Sealey’s home island of St. Croix, and while his pork spare ribs are excellent the brisket is where he excels. The crust has hints of Caribbean spice, and when paired with his darker house-made BBQ sauce is one of the best bites of the year. The cornbread is also a must, and the beef ribs carry much of the same smoky, spicy, island-inspired essence as the brisket. The flavors are a little different than what you might find in Texas or other barbecue meccas. But that’s kinda the point – it’s a tropical take on the traditional, and it works.
Perfect for: Casual dinner outside.
Expect to pay: $25-35 per person without drinks.
Pro tip: Get there early. The space is small and the food is great, and once the meat is gone, it’s gone.
How’s the parking: Budget another $16 to park in the CocoWalk garage.
@drinkingpigbbq // 3444 Main Highway Suite 16, Coconut Grove