Self-taught chef turns pop-up burger stand into cultural epicenter (includes video story)

In the beginning of the pandemic, self-taught chef Jeff Budnechky was working from home and frustrated by quarantine. He decided to start a side hustle to help make ends meet. Two years later Apocalypse Barbecue, which started as a pop-up barbecue place in Wynwood, now has its own brick-and-mortar at the Killian Greens Golf Club.

“So we wanted to come and kind of create what we’re calling a cultural epicenter,” said Budnechky. “During the day we’re going to be doing barbeque and have a lot of families coming in, people sitting down, sharing time. We want to carry that over into the night and make it an awesome place to get a cocktail, bring a first date… something that you can just chill, relax and have a cool vibe.” 

Budnechky runs the place with longtime customer and now business partner J.J. Matutina.

Though it’s under renovation, you can visit Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Boss burger is Budnechky’s take on a traditional burger but enhanced with his secret boss sauce and house-made pickles.

The Wild Hog Burger has brisket bacon topped with smoked candied jalapeños. Last weekend’s burger paid homage to a Seattle squeeze burger known as the “Cheese Skirt Burger.”

Krysty Hernandez is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Digital Broadcasting and is in the Honors College at FIU. In 2012 she obtained a BFA in Dance Theater from AMDA Performing Arts College and has pursued a career as a Professional Dancer. As a professional dancer, she has danced for various artists, TV shows, and commercials. After graduating from FIU, she would like to pursue a career as a TV anchor or reporter for a major broadcasting network.