Miami has two of the South’s best new barbecue restaurants, according to Southern Living. The magazine’s new ranking of 16 barbecue spots places Kendall’s Apocalypse BBQ at No. 6 and Coconut Grove’s Drinking Pig BBQ at No. 13, with Orlando’s Smokemade Meats + Eats taking the top spot at No. 5.
The list, published September 10, covers restaurants that have opened permanent locations since its 2024 edition. Contributing barbecue editor Robert F. Moss based the rankings on his meals and overall experience at each restaurant, but didn’t assign individual scores.
Kendall lands at No. 6
Apocalypse BBQ has spent the past several years building its take on Miami barbecue. Jeffrey and Laura Budnechky started the business as a pandemic project, moved through a brewery and then a pop-up at Killian Greens Golf Club, then relocated to a much larger Kendall restaurant in March 2025.
The food combines Southern smoking techniques with flavors tied to Budnechky’s Brazilian-Argentinian background and Laura’s Cuban roots. Southern Living singled out the brisket empanada, cafecito ribs, brisket-loaded beans, and honey-glazed skull-shaped cornbread. Apocalypse’s menu also includes dishes like brisket bacon and smoked-then-fried wings finished with cafecito rub and Oro Negro barbecue sauce.
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Drinking Pig puts down roots
Drinking Pig BBQ began in 2020, when Raheem Sealey, Yohanir Sandoval, and Mark Wint sold takeout barbecue from the front yard of Sealey and Sandoval’s home during the pandemic. Five years later, the team opened a permanent restaurant in Coconut Grove with Ariete Hospitality Group and Mae’s Group…