"Buds" is the realm of one Bud Skinner who also owns Jubilee Seafood down the street. Bud rules his realm as a benevolent dictator with an iron fist. Bud's has pool tables, shuffle board, sports on TV and, if you are hungry, "brisket" sandwiches and my favorite: The "Kobe" Beef Burger. I usually order the burger with cheddar "all the way" and with the fries. Because it takes a while to fully cook this 1/2 pound mound of beef, the wait provides a sufficient excuse to enjoy a Pabst from the tap while evesdropping on the lobbyists over in the corner regaling each other with their stories of political intrigue. If that were not entertaining enough, I could watch one of about eight screens above the bar, one of which was showing the finals of the NCAA women's soccer finals at UNC. Sorry, no hair pulling this time. And although no one would ever tell Bud to his face: Get some more HDTV flat screens!
Once the star of the evening arrives from the kitchen, I always suggest cutting the thing in half so you can handle the girth of the burger (and make sure it is done), especially if you added the bacon, cheese, pickles and lettuce that comes when you order it "all the way." The steak fries that you can order with the burger are also thick and large. Together, it is a lot of food for a little money and the PBR's are cold and also cheap. If you can stand the smoke (which isn't that bad early in the evening) it is a great place for the occasional big burger. If you haven't tried Bud's I suggest you ignore the locals and "Sad Girl," (most don't bite) and make yourself at home at the bar. If you give them a name, the next time you come in they will remember you and probably what you ordered. "Cheers" for Montgomery.
Bud's opens around 4 p.m. for the early crowd and stays open into the wee hours for the college kids.
