Popular seafood, chicken restaurant opens new spot in Boynton Beach

Serving South Florida for nearly 70 years, the original was opened in Pompano Beach by Bud Brinkman and that legacy is being carried on today by third generation family members Chris, Nick, Phillip and Luke Brinkman.

Bud Brinkman was an engineer in Minnesota who moved with his wife and family in the mid-1950s to Pompano Beach. It was there that he put down his slide rule, grabbed an apron and began serving fried chicken and other dishes based on his grandmother's recipes.

Brinkman would eventually relocate the family and business to Palm Beach County and opened that Bud's in Boynton Beach on US 1. At the time, a four-piece chicken dinner went for 99 cents.

That original restaurant would eventually relocate about a quarter mile away to Boynton Beach Boulevard and remains the local chain's busiest location. Other restaurants include Greenacres, two West Palm Beach locations, North Palm Beach and Royal Palm Beach.

Standing the test of time, not only has Bud's been in business for nearly 70 years, but their chicken has been voted best in Palm Beach County seven times in the Palm Beach County Community's Choice Awards presented by The Palm Beach Post. Those awards are driven by people nominating and then voting on businesses by various category.

Bud's Chicken & Seafood recently opened a new location in Boynton Beach. The new restaurant is the beloved local chain's seventh outlet.

Though Bud's started out serving chicken, the menu has expanded over the years. Phillip Brinkman said early on the menu saw items other than chicken and seafood make an appearance, including three-bean salad, hamburgers and even hotdogs. But that was early on. The current Bud's menu has been varied little for the past 30 years. He said "it's based on the demands of the people."

Brinkman said that he, along with brothers Chris, Nick and Luke are all sons of Tom Brinkman and that "We started in the business right after we graduated college" about 15 years ago. Though born into the family, he emphasized that they all "started as regular employees" learning the business from the ground level.

He said that when they finally did take the reins of the business at the end of 2025 that "it wasn't just a flip of the switch." He said his father Tom along with uncles, Michael, Mark and Tim Brinkman had been overseeing the transition for several years.

With a menu that features their signature fried chicken, fish and shrimp along with chicken and fish sandwiches, Phillip said that it's their tenders that are currently their most popular item, with a popularity that has grown over the past decade.

Competing against such massive brands as Raising Cane's, Huey Magoo's, PDQ comes down to brand awareness in the community and consistency, and always using the best ingredients — "We never compromise on our sourcing."

That mantra extends to their entire menu including their homemade coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad and much more, he said.

Grandsons of founder Bud Brinkman, Luke (from left), Nick, Phillip and Chris Brinkman are third generation family members of the beloved local chain and officially took the reins of Bud's Chicken & Seafood at the end of 2025.

The new Boynton Beach location is Bud's first since 2001 when they opened their sixth restaurant in Royal Palm Beach.

He said they have plans for an eighth restaurant in the future, but "We want to do it the right way. We want to expand at a rate we're comfortable with."

Another element of Bud's investment in community can be seen in their hiring. When they make a hire, Bud's focuses on mentoring, helping develop that person. "If we can make an employee on their last day, better than on their first day, we can make an impact on the community."

Bud's Chicken & Seafood, Boynton Beach

Opened by Bud Brinkman in 1957, Bud's Chicken & Seafood is now led by his grandsons Luke, Nick, Chris, and Phillip Brinkman.

Where: 8801 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.