Apocalypse BBQ — Restaurant in Kendall

Oh how to start. I say this as I've been looking forward for just over a year to try their menu while they were still at their previous location. It was a small place and each time we went there was a decent crowd and just done like long waits. So this was a night out with friends who were willing to try their new location. Our night began trying to find a parking place. Although street parking is available Friday evening presented a parking issue. After driving around, we finally found a spot about 2 blocks away. When we finally got there, our wives had gotten us on their waiting list. They put us in their waiting area on medal folding chairs that was located adjacent to the main street coming into the area. It was not long before the loud noises of the cars and trucks got too you. Making matters worse was the smell of gas fumes coming directly to where all those waiting were sitting. This was far from the smell of bbq meats smoking that you'd expect. Well, violating my rule of long waits, i was overruled by my group. An hour passed with people going in and out and my temperament at its wits end. Something was not right as the receptionist kept telling the ladies we were next. The heat and thirst had gotten to and the receptionist was give an ultimatum, find us a table now or we're gone. And low and behold a table miraculously appeared. We're now seated get water and our lovely server explains options. All dishes were alacart with sides extra. The were, $$$ so I expected decent portions. One in our party ordered pulled pork but we soon learned they were out of it...in a bbq "joint" no pulled pork, uh oh.. we were ten told they has a special on a brisket sandwich and the price was right so that was ordered by everyone except myself. I ordered a 1/4 rack of ribs as the were a bit pricey and an order of backed beans that I was told had bits of meat and brown sugar, the way I liked my beans. 10 minutes passed, 20 minutes past 30 went and still no food. It wasn't that they were short of staff as they were all over. We said nothing and 45 minutes later here comes our food. So after alk this we're ready to enjoy our food. Starting with those with the special brisket sandwiches (might not have mentioned that earlier) it turns out the brisket was pulled and placed on a regular burger bun that had been tosted lightly. Each plate had a very small amt of coleslaw om it. All agreed that the sandwich was just OK, although a bit dry. By the way if you like ice tea, they don't have it. What bbq place doesn't serve ice tea, sweetened or no. Well finally to my ribs, beans and an order of corn bread. On with this saga.. the ribs were very good. Had a nice smoke ring and a nice chew. I like my ribs firm and not oven cooked falling off the bone. These fit that bill They were also covered with their own sauce that learne was made with a special blend of coffee. So what's the problem... the presentation. There were 4 small ribs on the plate with what appeared to be a dry piece of bread cut in a triangle on the plate that appeared to be an aafterthought Three of the ribs hhavevery little meat on them. So my problem was not the tasted but the small portion for the cost. The beans were good with a spicy bite but no brown sugar sweet. This was brought to my attention by another server. As for the cornbread, it was cooked in a creative skeleton face mold but tasted l9ke it had been around for a while and not fresh. It has what appeared to be honey on it but no taste. It was difficult to cut a piece with my fork ,nd the interior was tasteless and quite dry. A bright spot was when a manager came over to us asking how our experience was I just couldn't hold myself back. Keep in mind we had not made any complaints to our server. After a brief discussion withe the manager shecwant us to feel comfortable with out visit and brought out an order of brisket to taste. The good, it had a nice smoke ring and accompanied with what tasted like a honey mustard and vinegar sauce that good and helped with the fatty brisket. No more space....

We came here yesterday after work as I’ve been wanting to try this viral place. At first, I tried not to have too much expectations as a lot of the times the viral places are overhyped. However, this was not the case with Apocalypse BBQ. The wait time was amazing as we barely waited for our table. Once we were inside and guided to our table and saw the menu, I wanted to try everything. I indicated I needed help and Brian immediately offered to help after welcoming us. He gave us some suggestions on what to order from the smokehouse menu with a Miami twist. After his explanation, he offered to take our order despite him not being our waiter. I thought that was extremely sweet of him and we thanked him. We ordered pineapple piggies, 1/2 lb of brisket, 1/2 lb of mango tango ribs with cornbread and fully loaded Mac and Cheese. To drink, I ordered the passion y sol. While we waited for our food, Brian brought glasses of water without us asking, which I appreciated. I was impressed with how fast we got the food as everything came out right away. Everything we ordered was fingerlicking good and cooked to perfection. The seasoning of the pineapple piggies and mango tango ribs were a game changer. Even the pickles were very delicious, and usually I don’t like pickles. The only thing I would change is the honey mustard sauce that came on the side with the brisket. I liked the brisket better without the sauce. The drink was also delicious as you can really taste the passion fruit. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate chip cookie and I must say they have perfected the simple concept of the chocolate chip cookie. It had crispy edges with warm and soft middle. What stood out to me the most was the service provided from all the staff. I must say, this has been one of the best service I have received at a restaurant. Brian checked on us almost every five minutes making sure we liked our food and didn’t need anything else. The lady that was supposed to be our waiter and one of the managers also passed by our table to make sure we didn’t need anything. I thought that was very sweet. The ambiance of the restaurant was also very welcoming despite it being full. They had music but it wasn’t super loud. I absolutely loved my time at the restaurant and now have found my new spot for barbecue.

I brought my niece here as she told me she craving a delicious burger. I automatically thought of Apocalypse BBQ. We came on Saturday around 4 pm, so naturally there was an hour wait time. I told my niece it was worth the wait. Once we were at the table, we ordered the Wild Boar, french fries, corn bread with Lavender and Lemon Spritzer Mocktails. We got everything relatively quickly and loved every single thing. The Wild Boar was so tasteful. It had so many ingredients but it went so well together. The french fries were crispy and paired perfectly with the sauces and the corn bread is a must have. The mocktail was very refreshing. The attention here is always amazing. When I asked one of the staff what sauces do they have, they offered to bring me a flight. This small gesture made the experience so much better. All five sauces I tried were so good, I still do not know which one I liked the most. We also got the chocolate chip cookie, which is finger licking good. We got the cookie on the house. This small gesture made our day. My niece thought I was exaggerating when I described how delicious the food here was, but when she tried it, she shared the same opinion. Thank you apocalypse for always...

California native here, who has a large amount of family from the south, and have spent quite a bit of my life in the south through living there at times, visiting family and friends throughout, during my time in the USMC (when I was not deployed), and while in I was in law enforcement, etc. That time there was spent around a lot of BBQ. From the Carolinas, to south Alabama and Mississippi, to Texas, on up to Missouri and Kansas. I know from BBQ, pits, and smoked meats, and I’ve had my share of bad BBQ and stellar BBQ. There’s a common issue in SoFlo and that’s that many people just don’t know good BBQ. Not their fault. They just don’t know because there is just a limited amount of options. Just a throwback example - People’s BBQ used to get 5 stars for that garbage they served. As for these guys? Smelled good enough from the outside. I dismissed the fancy-schmancy high-dollar celebrity tequila branding everywhere in the front. Casamigos? Please. Not what I want from a supposed BBQ joint. Also tried to dismiss the fact that they wanted my phone number so they could text me my order status, and that, while they want your digits, you can’t have theirs because they only want to communicate via Instagram. I suppose it speaks a great deal about the demographic right there. Maybe I’m too old school, maybe I’ve been around too much, maybe I’m just not geared to the hipster version of “BBQ,” where it seems it’s more about IG likes than it is about providing a superior product and service. If you’re here, go for the brisket sammich. It’s decent. Not outstanding. Not horrible. I’ve had better, and I have had far worse. Nothing worth returning for, however. The pork sammich did not get a favorable review. The cornbread could not have been more dry had it been over baked and then left in its cast iron skillet in the back of my truck bed for a week. In August. Anyway, a one and done kind of place. If you’re in this area and set on trying it, I’ll not dissuade you. Give it a try. They’re generally nice enough folks. But if you’re set on BBQ and want some good BBQ from some folks who really know BBQ and have for generations, head over to nearby Shiver’s. That’s a meal worth waiting for, should you have to. Speaking of which, BBQ/smoked meals are not made to order, and usually this stuff is made beforehand and ready to go. So wait times should be minimal and mostly involve waiting on prep of other items, food service, and other diners. On my instance, the wait was about 30 minutes, and it really wasn’t even that busy. I’ve read here some folks saying the wait can be 3 hours. It is not, I repeat, it is not, worth waiting that long. You will be profoundly disappointed. If you’re told it’s that long of a wait, or anything like an hour, leave. Drive to Shiver’s, wait there, order, eat, pay your bill, and you can be off to your next destination before Apocalyse had even…texted…you. And you would have had a better meal. Again, generally pretty nice folks, but just not there…yet. Can’t speak about “hype,” as I’d never even heard of this place. I only smelled it coming out of Barnes & Noble and found it that way. Maybe they’ll one day rise to any level of hype they are getting, and, hopefully, ditch the too cool for school approach in favor of a more old-school, back to basics, plain old-fashioned live human...