As the aroma of slow-smoked ribs fills the air and flames dance behind the kitchen window, Jeff Bud greets guests at the homey Apocalypse BBQ with the warmth of a pit master dedicated to his craft. The Class of 2006 Coral Gables Senior High alumnus has made a name for himself in Miami’s culinary scene, combining his passion for barbecue with a commitment to fostering community.
Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, Bud’s appreciation for bold flavors was shaped by his Brazilian mother and Argentine father, who shared their love of grilling and food traditions with him. This cultural influence eventually sparked a lifelong fascination with barbecue. Bud would hone his skills on the grill over time, constantly practicing through trial-and-error at family gatherings.
Bud’s journey is as much about resilience as it is about culinary skill. In his early twenties, he faced a life-altering diagnosis of leukemia. With a compromised immune system preventing him from going out, he would further develop his culinary abilities in his own backyard. After months of grueling treatment and a successful recovery, he emerged with a renewed perspective on life. That sense of purpose fueled his decision to pursue his passion for barbecue full-time and create a business rooted in connection and authenticity.
Working on the marketing team at Apple, Bud’s life would be transformed after his diagnosis. After his eventual recovery, he continued his passion on the grill until the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During this time of isolation, Bud ran errands for his wife, Laura Budnechky, as she worked as a frontline nurse responding to the epidemic. Reflecting on the quarantine, he decided to make something out of the ‘apocalypse,’ using it as the spark for his new business.
“A lot of it was just rolling with the punches and just dealing with what came our way. I think an important thing that I learned at the time was how to turn on a dime. I think that’s very important to us because you never know what life is going to give you. You just have to take the tools you have and find out how to best use them to move forward,” Bud said.
Starting in his backyard, Bud expanded his business as he realized that the demand for his cooking grew. Collaborating with breweries like Wakefield and Lincoln’s, he slowly built his vision in becoming the heart of a community. Despite never having cooked professionally, Bud was able to open his own restaurant against all odds and make his dream of Apocalypse BBQ into a reality.
“We anchored down, and we would just continuously revisit what we were doing. We originally did pre-orders where people order on the weekdays and then I would make all the food on Saturday and Sunday, but in the beginning we would totally miscount how many orders we had. We constantly kept tweaking, and we started figuring out systems that worked, and it just came together from there,” Bud said.
Located in Kendall, the restaurant is known for its focus on fresh, in-house dining. Apocalypse BBQ’s no-takeout policy encourages guests to enjoy the food immediately, emphasizing flavors best experienced in the moment. From brisket to burgers, the menu reflects Bud’s journey through American barbecue styles, honed through years of travel and study across the country. It also reflects the culture of Miami in his cooking, using ingredients like Cuban coffee in his original barbecue sauce to add flavor to his product while paying homage to the city in which he grew up.
Moving forward with his restaurant, Bud highlights the melting pot of Miami culture in his cooking. Honoring his Brazilian origins, for instance, he plans to add Brazilian coxinhas to his repertoire. With constantly changing menu items and new special deals every week, Bud continues to develop his business and build a communal atmosphere around Apocalypse BBQ. With specials like $1 Wing Wednesdays, Bud allows for all members of the community to enjoy his cooking at an affordable price. By staying true to the traditions that inspired him and adapting them to the tastes of his Miami community, he desires to create a space that goes beyond dining.
As Bud continues to grow his brand, his story serves as a reminder of how local talent can leave a lasting mark, blending the flavors of the past with the promise of the future. For those looking to experience Bud’s vision firsthand, the restaurant promises a dining experience which truly reflects the spirit of Miami.
