Lala’s Burgers and Fries photo
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Apocalypse BBQ in Kendall has long been a magnet for meat lovers, but over the past year, its side project, Lala’s Burgers, has taken on a life of its own. What started as a once-a-week smash burger experiment inside the barbecue joint grew into a full-time residency at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing. Now, Lala’s is headed for a permanent home.
In a video posted to Instagram on Monday, September 22, owner Jeff Budnechky said the team is about three to four months away from opening the first standalone Lala’s. The exact address hasn’t been announced yet. Budnechky also dropped two other updates: Apocalypse BBQ is planning a second location in about a year, and he and his wife, Laura “Lala” Budnechky, are expecting their first child.
Burger Beast photo
From Pop-Up to Brick-and-Mortar
Lala’s first opened in August 2024, serving burgers one day a week at Apocalypse BBQ. The response was immediate, with lines stretching and posts flooding social media. By November, the Budnechkys set up shop at Lincoln’s Beard Brewing in the Bird Road Arts District, giving people a daily fix alongside local beer.
Lala’s menu so far has kept things concise yet indulgent. The “Lala” features a five-ounce smash patty with American cheese, grilled onions, house pickles, and Lala sauce. The “Bacon” builds on that with bacon jam, pickled medley, onion tanglers, and sizzle sauce. A newer option, the “Popper,” doubles the patty size and stacks on bacon, fried jalapeños, relish, and cream cheese.
Lala’s Burgers and Fries photo
Burgers with a Following
Fries dusted with holy trinity seasoning and a chocolate chip cookie round out the lineup. The menu rotates with seasonal specials, but the through-line is always a crusty, seared patty smashed on a hot griddle until it crackles.
The timing of the new location makes sense. On September 14, Lala’s team announced on Instagram that their Tuesday pop-up run at Apocalypse BBQ would end September 30, teasing “more to come.” Today’s news confirms the next chapter, though details on where the first standalone Lala’s will open remain under wraps.
Lala’s Burgers. Coming soon.
