Apocalypse BBQ Wins Battle With Miami-Dade County Over Smokers

For the past decade, Apocalypse BBQ hasn't just been serving smoked meats — it's been serving Miami pride with every cafecito-rubbed, Texas-style brisket or pulled pork shoulder. But on Wednesday, July 23, Miami's most beloved barbecue joint found itself fighting for its future. The mission? To convince Miami-Dade County to allow them to legally keep their smokers on-site — a crucial part of continuing to deliver the flavor-packed, slow-smoked magic the neighborhood knows and loves.

"We really want to be a part of everything that's going on in Kendall," Apocalypse BBQ's Jeff Budnechky told his fans on social media. "We absolutely love having this as our home, but in order to make that happen, we need Miami-Dade County to grant us a variance."

So they did what Apocalypse always does: they turned to the community. At exactly 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, customers, fans, and meat-lovers of all ages met in front of the restaurant, rallying together before walking to the community center as one unified front. The goal was simple — to show the county that this wasn't just about barbecue. It was about community, legacy, and love for Kendall.

And guess what? It worked.

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On Thursday, July 24, Apocalypse BBQ announced that it had officially won the appeal with a now-viral post on Instagram. The county approved the variance, allowing it to legally keep its smokers on the property. Within hours, the celebratory post racked up thousands of likes and comments, with fans from across South Florida sharing heartfelt congratulations.

"Our smokers are here to stay, and we couldn't have done it without the overwhelming support from our amazing community. Thank you!" reads Budnechky's caption. In the video, which now has over 4,000 likes, you can see his friends, family, and community overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotion. He screams, "Fuck yes, bro!" and immediately gives his coworkers and family hugs. 
For a restaurant that started as a pop-up and grew into a cultural landmark, this victory is bigger than brisket. It's about resilience, passion, and proving that when Miami comes together, anything is possible.

Therefore, the smokers are staying, the community showed up, and the barbecue will keep coming for the next 50 years (hopefully) and beyond.

Apocalypse BBQ. 8695 SW 124th Ave., Miami; apocalypsebbq.com.