Owner-Chef, Michael Liuzza

At 13 years old my culinary journey began. Coincidentally enough, it also started in this very location that Buddies sits in today. In 2001, it was know as Chookie’s Oyster Bar. There I did nothing more than peel shrimp for hours at a time! I stayed working in a family restaurant throughout high school. In 2007, I graduated from Louisiana Culinary Institute. While attending school, I worked at Mike Anderson’s, Salvador’s Italian Restaurant, and The Caboose Two, where my love for great quality meats and butchering grew! In September 2007, I was hired as the first Executive Chef of Buddies Bar & Grill. Several years later I set out on a new journey to help open a couple other restaurants and catering venues. That path lead me back to Buddies to become the Catering Chef. I later became the Executive Chef again. In 2015, I was lucky enough to marry the woman of my dreams, Brittany Lyon! In August 2018, my wife and I took the big step into becoming the owners of Buddies! We now have 3 beautiful daughters Everly Sage, Rainey Nicole, and Annley Jaymes.

General Manager, Chelsea Rodriguez

I was born and raised here in Southeast Louisiana. I am the mama to two amazing, hilarious little girls, Aiden and Moxy. I love my daughters more than anything in the world, but man, do I love the restaurant industry. Most people would steer clear of the chaos during the rush hours of a restaurant but I dive headfirst into it! I fell in love with the industry at the age of 18 and ever since, it’s been truly a passion to soak in everything I could about this incredible, wild ride of a career. From front of house to back, I love every bit of this. It was through this industry and the chefs I’ve been lucky enough to work with that I truly learned what food had the potential to be; it isn’t just good ole homecooked meals that bring families together and make happy bellies. Food is also a science, it’s creation, it’s pressure, it’s limitless art in constant motion AND it’s the thing that brings people and families together. In July 2021, I got a new job..but it wasn’t just any job. I became a part of a family that we call Buddies Bar and Grill and my passion for this industry grew into something so much bigger than I ever imagined it could. It wasn’t just a job anymore, it was home, it was where I was meant to be…mise en place. So it’s a pleasure to introduce myself, pull up a chair and stay for a while because Chef Mike and I are ready and waiting to give you a culinary experience like you’ve never had before!