Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue (CLOSED)

Downtown Miami is, perhaps, the last place you’d go looking for traditional barbecue—but it’s where you’ll find it. This unassuming restaurant, edged by convenience stores and skyscrapers, serves up tender brisket, pulled pork and other Southern favorites. Portions are generous but hardly large enough to keep us from digging into their selection of homemade desserts. You won’t go wrong with a serving of the banana pudding (it’s the best we’ve ever tasted!). Craft beers are aplenty, too, both bottled and on tap.