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    Helberg Barbecue

    4.6 (277 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Helberg Barbecue Photos

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    HELBERG BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Helberg Barbecue

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    Walk into the right side to see the menus and order your food at the counter.
    Iliana E.

    The brisket was so delicious and moist! The fries were perfectly seasoned and crispy, the sliced brisket sandwich and chopped brisket sandwiches were amazing! Honestly this place just happened to be on the side of the freeway and it looked amazing so husband and I decided to try it out and we are glad we did the staff is friendly and answered all our questions. The restaurant was clean and big very family friendly and it was very well lit and open. We will definitely be coming back with friends! In my opinion, the mustard potato salad wasn't all that great and the baked potato salad was a little too salty for our taste. But even then everything else was extremely delicious!

    Sausage and brisket
    Teresa H.

    Great amazing dining experience! Went here for an early dinner. Had the sausage, brisket and brisket sandwich to share with the husband. We like the BYOB option to bring our own beer. They have to go boxes. And plastic ware near the drink station. The bbq was very good and easy on the pocket. All the meat was spot on. And the fries yummy! I added the Brussels sprouts super good. My husband devoured the pint of mac & cheese. He'd really liked it? The staff were friendly and helpful. If you want banana pudding maybe reserve it online. They might run out on it on the weekends. This is a low key date night spot as a couple or to bring the whole family. Lots of seating options for small and big groups inside and outside. Outside they have a covered patio area and other outside area that's covered. Can't wait to try the ribs at our next visit.

    1lb Brisket being prepared
    Joseph A.

    If in the area and you enjoy quality BBQ it's worth stopping at Helberg Barbecue. Lots of gravel lot Parking, a large airy Dinning space, efficient order Counter, viewable Smokers. Menus available where you enter the BBQ order line, with the wall lined with Biblical proverbs. Though some customers ate on site many others including ourselves brought our order of meats home. The selection, a Rack of Ribs, 1lb of Lean Brisket, and 6 Wings, all of which were highly flavorful from the cooking process. Pickles, BBQ sauces sweet and mustard provided, though I just used some sauce on the Brisket. The sides / desserts also looked really good and viewed the staff paying attention as they prepared each container. Meats are sold by pound, rack, via handhelds, family packs, and platter specials. Pricing is not cheap, but Helberg Barbecue is a top rated BBQ option in Texas, and via my selections the quality was noticeable. Staff were pleasant and professional, the BBQ very good, and the space comfortable. I can highly recommend Helberg Barbecue.

    tray
    Zachary S.

    Helberg Barbecue Last Saturday, I took a little trek to the Waco area, Woodway to be exact, to try another Texas Monthly ranked BBQ joint and get another stamp on my passport. The drive through Temple and Waco was not too shabby since I never hit the Waco I 35 construction and after about an hour and a half on the road, I made it to the white gravel lot where the white tin can of Helberg Barbecue sat. I arrived just after 11:00 and the line was not too extensive. It took less than 15 minutes to go through the line, pay, and sit down with my food. Outside was a mural of their barbecue slogan that read "Salt, Pepper and a whole lot of Prayer." Inside were displays of their mascot which I think is a deer and a quote from the great Anthony Bourdain reading "Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start." I liked their vibe already. As for the barbecue, it was just me so I wanted to try everything I knew I could reasonably finish and those items are as follows: Brisket: The 3/4 pounds of brisket I ordered was a beautifully big slab of meat and was very savory. I tried a bite of it with both of their sauces, but it was so moist and flavorful that I opted to eat the rest by its lonesome because it stood on its own. Pork Ribs: Not my personal favorite ribs I have had from a Texas Monthly joint, but still significantly high quality and the bark was yelling at me like a hound. Definitely in the top half of pork ribs I have had. Maple Blueberry Sausage: This is the second blueberry based sausage I have had this year and it was clearly the best. The maple flavor gave it a Jimmy Dean energy and felt like a perfect morning meat and perfect for the fall season. It is an item you order then everyone else orders out of pure curiosity and it lives up to that immediate hype. Baked Potato Salad: I was a little disappointed to see their regular potato salad was mustard based as a mayonnaise based potato salad lover, but their baked potato salad was a perfect compromise and exceeded my expectations. It is less creamy than a regular potato salad and is more like a casserole and I enjoyed it a ton. A perfect side. I wish I had been able to try more sides and more of their options because their Banh Mi sounded amazing, but as one guy, I knew I would not be able to eat it all. If you are a Waco resident, why are you not there every Saturday having some of the highest quality barbecue in the area. If you are a Dallas or Austin resident, it is worth the drive because it stacks up with the heavyweights of the major metroplexes. Another banger. RIYL: Big time barbecue without the big time wait.

    Brisket sandwiches, ribs, Mac and cheese, collard greens, mustard mash potatoes, street corn
    Scott T.

    Helberg Barbecue absolutely delivers on every level. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the energy--warm, bustling, and unmistakably Texas. The line was moderately long when we arrived, but it moved fast thanks to a friendly, talkative staff who clearly enjoy what they do. Everyone behind the counter was upbeat and engaging, and the service set the tone for an excellent meal. And the food... unbelievable. Every tray coming out looked like a masterpiece, and ours was no exception. The brisket was tender with perfect bark, the ribs were cooked to that ideal balance of smoky and juicy, and the sandwiches were stacked high with melt-in-your-mouth meat. Even the sides were standouts--creamy mac, flavorful greens, street corn, potato salad--nothing felt like an afterthought. This is the kind of barbecue that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate what's happening. With food this consistently fantastic, Helberg Barbecue absolutely deserves its spot on the Texas Monthly BBQ list--honestly, I'd put it in the Top 10 without hesitation. The quality, the flavor, the atmosphere, and the service all come together to create a truly memorable experience. If you're anywhere near the area, it's worth the trip. This is Texas barbecue done right.

    Slice beef sandwich
    Ronnie C.

    Consistently the best sliced beef sandwich around! This is my third time here and every time the sandwich is awesome. I actually look forward to coming to this restaurant just for that sandwich.

    Pork steak, collard greens, cowboy beans, mustard potato salad, banana pudding.
    Diane S.

    Oh my goodness, this place is amazing! We ordered the pork steak, collard greens, cowboy beans, mac cheese and brisket balls, & mustard potato salad. I'd order it all again in a heartbeat except I live in California. So for now, I'll just dream about it and recommend you go there.

    This platter is called the QB.Has a little bit of everything on it.
    Chris A.

    I saw someone on Facebook visit this place and it looked pretty tasty.So me and my wife decided to make the two hour trip to this place.I would say say the place is pretty solid but not worth the trip.I mean it was good but i definitely had better.We got there about ten minutes of so before they opened and there was already a little line.As they opened the doors and while were waiting to order the food we looked at the menu and decided to order this platter called the QB.Which is basically a sample of all their meats with 5 sides and banana pudding.So it was chicken,jalapeño sausage,brisket,ribs,turkey, pork steak and ribs.For the sides we got the beef tallow fries,Mac and cheese,potatoes salad, chimichurri coleslaw and beans.Lets start off with the meats.The Brisket was probably the star of the show and then after that I would say the chicken.It was really good.The turkey was just ok.A little dry and had no flavor to it.The ribs were decent.The pork steak was nice and tender and juicy.And the jalapeno sauce was ok.Now on to the sides.I would say the best thing was the potato salad.After that I would go with the Mac and cheese.We didn't like the coleslaw.I thought the fries were pretty good but the beans were just ok.But I will say the banana pudding was really good.My wife don't even like banana pudding and she ate it.Over all I will say it's good but I wouldn't say great.If I lived around here I would go back but I wouldn't go out of my way again.But hey if you live around here or want to make the trip give them a shot.

    Kelly T.

    Best brisket sandwich ever- banana pudding was excellent- friendly staff and fast service-

    Makenzie K.

    We had an amazing dinner with family while visiting the greater Waco area. My in-laws live in China Spring and this is MUST stop. Dry style BBQ - the brisket was tender and delicious. I skipped the ribs but my family loved those. The pickles and onions are fresh and savory. I hate cole slaw but this cole slaw is UNREAL - it's tangy - almost like a chimichurri sauce and not mayonnaise-y at all. The Mac and cheese is creamy and delicious. The crowd favorite to top it all off was the banana pudding - ginger snap instead of typical wafers and I swear the whip is almost like marshmallow fluff - so delicious. HIGHLY 5/5 recommend if you're in the area. Also love all the staff were high school kids working hard with a smile on their faces - great service! Finally - we visited one other time when they were in a different building and holy smokes this new location and seating area is so much more inviting and better ambiance for families.

    When you want delicious Texas bbq this is your place . Waco Texas you some of the best in woodway ,Waco area . That chicken brisket and ribs and o my . Eaton the menu is amazing! The food and staff are 5 star and represent Texas with the highest standards. Try everything! You'll thank me later !

    Tray of deliciousness
    Sean L.

    "You know it's serious when the pitmaster walks out with a camera crew and stamps your chest." TL;DR: Pulled into Helberg BBQ with the Side Dish Queen for a late Friday lunch, early dinner. No line. Straight to the counter. Brisket, turkey, sausage. Sides? She picked three winners: chimichurri slaw, street corn, and mustard potato salad. Banana pudding was mandatory. The brisket bark? Divine. Turkey with pesto? Glorious. Sausage? Hot, snappy, just the way I like it. Then came the surprise; Phillip Helberg himself stepped out, stamped my orange shirt, shook my hand, and gave me stamp #25. Halfway done, full belly, and one happy Queen. Let me set the stage. Friday afternoon. Sun high, stomach empty, and a BBQ itch only Woodway could scratch. My wife (aka the Side Dish Queen) was in tow, which meant I wasn't leaving without at least three sides and a banana pudding. We pulled up to Helberg BBQ at 4:15 PM; not a single person in line. It felt like a trap. Or a blessing. Turns out, it was divine intervention wrapped in brisket. We stepped up to the counter and I didn't blink. * Brisket: That bark could hold a sermon. Smoky, peppery, cooked with conviction. * Turkey: Thin-sliced, tender, laid back in a blanket of basil pesto. Absolutely stunning. * Sausage: Snapped louder than my knee in a cold front. Spiced just right. Juicy but behaved. And then came her royal selections: * Chimichurri Slaw: Bright and tangy, just enough punch to make the meat sing. * Street Corn: Loaded, creamy, topped with lime and seasoning like a backyard blessing. * Mustard Potato Salad: Cold, bold, and heavy on the love. Now let's talk banana pudding. That creamy swirl with ginger snaps and banana slices danced like it was made by someone's praying grandmother. They say it is a family recipe. And just when I thought the tray was the highlight, a staff member leaned over and said, "Hang tight, we're calling Phillip." Out comes Phillip Helberg, flanked by a camera crew, cool as smoke in February. He stamped my shirt like it was a BBQ baptism. We chatted meat and the madness of collecting these Top 50 stamps. Then I grabbed our tray, grinning like a fool, and slid into a booth with the Side Dish Queen. Every bite confirmed it. Helberg is the real deal. Clean dining room. Family friendly. Kind folks. Portions that don't pretend. Flavors that preach. Stamp count: 25 down. 25 to go. Halfway through the holy pilgrimage. If you're looking for brisket and blessings, Helberg delivers both.

    Ribs, brisket, jalapeño cheese sausage, beans, Mac-n-cheese, pickles and jalapeños

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    5 months ago

    Hands down our favorite bbq place. We go here after church on Sunday. Be sure to check out their monthly specials.

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    not as good a Terry blacks, but still yummy, cool interior! nice informative employees!

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Helberg Barbecue

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    Every time I visit Waco , I gotta have a meal here with my family!!…read more Orders taken at the counter with friendly cashiers ready to ringbyou up!! Moist briskets are my favorite served by pound !! Other sides available like buttered creamy chunk potatoes , creamed corn, pinto beans , green beans, coleslaw, potato salad, mac & cheese and Mexican rice as well !! I had the time of my life to enjoy this scrumptious meal once again this 2026!!!

    Wednesday, 6-03-2026: We've been craving Rudy's since we got to Texas. We fondly recall their…read morebrisket, smoked turkey, creamed corn , and potato salad. We finally made it to this one and it did not disappoint! The restaurant is spacious with many picnic tables covered with checkered tablecloths. The ceiling is vaulted adorned with beams. It's a very casual & rustic ambiance. I opted for the brisket sandwich while hubby craved the smoked turkey sandwich. The sides chosen were the creamed corn and potato salad. Our entire order was packed in one of those hefty dishwashing trays. Very clever. Staff were friendly and food came out quickly. We totally savored all the food. The brisket was just as tasty & tender as I remembered and hubby's smoked turkey had his tastebuds singing! Hands down the best creamed corn anywhere and their potato salad was excellent, too. Let's not forget their "sauce!" Everything was so flavorsome. Since we had leftover potato salad & creamed corn, we ordered BBQ sausage to go for dinner at the hotel later that evening. It was delicious, too. We're so happy we came by. Rudy's remains our #1 BBQ destination in Texas.

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    So many bottled drinks to choose from

    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q - BRISKET, MOIST (1LB.)

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    Union Grove Woodway - This is Vietnamese dish vermicelli, siring rolls & chicken! Yummy

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    Union Grove is a food court where you, your family and your friends have the option to try food…read morefrom different vendors & share a sit down meal together :) There's indoor and outdoor seating & a little arcade area for the kiddos. The bar is open an hour later than the food vendors so if you're trying to get a quick drink after work, stop on by

    (3.5 stars) Coming from a city where "food hall" is…read moresynonymous with "overpriced," I found Union Grove a breath of fresh air. That isn't to say that the offerings here were dirt cheap but rather that I didn't feel like the food hall setting was a license to jack up prices. Union Grove boasts a respectable variety of vendors for its size, and the offerings range from Cajun to Asian to pizza and wings and more. I opted for the ironically named Health Camp, the Woodway outpost of a longstanding Waco burger-and-shake joint. While the shake selections looked tempting, I limited myself to a Health Burger (cheeseburger), tots, and a drink. At the risk of drawing pitchforks, the burger was a bit underwhelming. It was a fast food style single patty, very thin, and though tasty enough when dressed (lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup), not really worth $7. I realize that for locals, nostalgia is a powerful lure (Greensboro's Beef-Burger had similar adherents), but if you didn't grow up with Health Camp's burgers, I'd have to believe that you could do better. To their credit, the tots were perfectly crisp and priced right. One final note: Union Grove has plenty of seating, but it can also get rather loud. There's an adjoining arcade, so expect kids running around. If the acoustics don't bother you, however, then the warehouse atmosphere can be fun.

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    This is from Huaco Tacos and it's their amazing nachos! So delicious

    Union Grove Woodway - Is from the Vietnamese restaurant. Chicken, spring rolls and vermicelli.

    Is from the Vietnamese restaurant. Chicken, spring rolls and vermicelli.

    Union Grove Woodway - These are nachos from Hueco tacos! they're delicious

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    Helberg Barbecue - bbq - Updated July 2026

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