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Up date March 2006. Woodpecker's is still fantastic! Nice BBQ joint atmosphere, great service, and supreme barbecue. Prices are good. My family, the six of us, most who live very close, my wife and I, visiting from CA, made our usual visit to Woodpecker's during an "around Florida" vacation. We visited many spots of my youth between Jax & St. Petersburg while dining at old favorites and several BBQ joints along the way. Without a doubt, Woodpecker's Backyard Barbecue was the best by far. The last time we were there, the turkey stole a show as it was the best turkey I have ever eaten in a barbecue restaurant. This time the brisket was the number one meat, equalling or bypassing any I have had anywhere, even in the many Texas joints we have tried. It was right up there with Franklin's and other top Texas offerings. All of their meats were extremely good. Their sides are very interesting as well as good tasting utilizing a lot of dátil pepper to flavor several and add a little bite of spice. My only wish is that it was closer than the 2547 miles away that it is. If you are anywhere near woodpecker's backyard, barbecue, go. Go. Go. You will not regret it.
If you haven't been to Woodpeckers before, I highly recommend trying lunch there first, as it's a great experience and likely a little less crowded than peak times. We stopped by for lunch on a weekday, and even then the place was quite active. We got a table inside, but there are also plenty of tables outside - it was a bit hot on the day we were there. Service is casual yet ultra-friendly and quite efficient. The table was a solid wood table, almost like a high quality picnic table inside. I got the brisket and ribs with a sweet potato and mac and cheese on the side... Absolutely delicious! The drinks come in very large styrofoam cups, so I didn't even need a refill during the meal. Sauces are on the table, so it makes it easy to pick the one you most enjoy. When I just couldn't eat anymore, our server brought over some to-go foil and a bag which made it very easy to take home leftovers which I enjoyed just as much for dinner. Pricing was certainly reasonable, averaging about $25 per person. This is definitely the place to go for great tasting BBQ, in an ultra casual setting. We'll be back.
Both my husband and I have seen recommendations for this barbecue place so we decided to give it a try for lunch today. It was a great decision because it was delicious. It is located off of state road 13 in western St. Augustine. The restaurant is not real big, but there are also additional picnic tables in the backyard. We were fortunate enough to get a nice table inside the restaurant. The menu offers ribs, brisket, turkey, pulled pork, sausage, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, baked beans, Cole slaw, collard greens, and a few other items. I chose the ribs, brisket, baked beans and cole slaw and loved it all. My husband had the ribs, brisket, sweet potato and macaroni and cheese. He also liked his food. The table also had five different sauces on it, and they were all good. Service was quick. The ambiance is casual.
They catered my step daughter's wedding in Green Cove Springs at Oak Chapel Venue 12/19/2025. The food was phenomenal. We had BBQ brisket, turkey, pulled pork, baked beans, Mac n cheese, jalapeño cornbread(a little too hot for me), & rolls. The food was Delivered and was good and hot. Pros: delicious BBQ Cons: cornbread-too spicy hot Another option was dinner rolls-good Recommend? Absolutely
Holy smokes, now this is barbecue! I showed up randomly with a group of 14 other others for lunch after a kayaking trip. We opted to eat outside because inside it is a little tight, and they were quite full already. Everything is quite casual, including the hostess stand on the outside and the walk up window on the other. Food is served in a to-go bag from the walk up window and comes with everything you need to land a happy belly and a messy face. I have lived around here for years and wondered if there was a reason why this place is always bursting at the seams on nice days. Now I know, this is some legit bbq. The portions are generous, the chicken was tender, the beef ribs were huge, and the coleslaw is very similar to a fried chicken place (with only three letter letters in its name)... Which was my most favorite coleslaw in the whole wide world. No french fries though. But the coleslaw makes up for it. I told my BF that I would absolutely travel down there (30 min) just to pick up some to-go chicken and coleslaw. He also told me that the datil pepper cornbread was deliciously spicy with a real pepper kick.
HEAVENLY FOOD. brisket was amazing, ribs were meh but that's because they were Side ribs and my family likes back ribs, they had some great homemade sauce but we were in love with the sweet sauce, fair drink selection, the sides were pretty vast but I didn't like the Mac n' cheese or corn. The service was good, the workers were kind and the food came out quick and delicious. Environment was pretty good, they had some tacidermies which I liked an lots of other things to look at.
When it comes to barbecue in the south, every southerner has their own opinion as to what the best is. After growing up eating all sorts of rubs, marinades and sauces my favorite hands-down is Woodpeckers off of State Road 13! Sweetest staff, crazy good food made fresh with every single day. When they run out, you're out of luck and that is just the way it has always been. Luckily, we know to go early! This trip I decided to try their turkey.. which I do not even remember them having as I usually cannot tear myself away from the fatty or lean brisket. But the turkey did not disappoint! Juicy and yummy and perfectly paired with their mustard sauce. They have different versions of coleslaw, corn, and other side items that include datil peppers or not and the fruit Cobblers are a must have if you can get them at the end or heck... just start with them. They're so good. But decide for yourself and if you decide you don't like it.. GREAT.. it means there's more for me then! Oh.. no food photos.. we were there to eat!
This was a great stop for lunch. Their brisket is super fresh and flavorful. Love it on the tater. And the datil baked beans are an absolute show stopper. Service was great and ambiance is your typical southern bbq joint.
Unfortunately, their quality continues to decline. Today I was served the most poorly smoked brisket I've ever received. Dried, overcooked and poorly seasoned, though with a nice bark. The cutter should've caught it and never let it get past the counter. But really, the worst part is that when I complained, they replaced it one that was cooked about 10x better! It's obvious that they know the difference, but quality control is lacking- or they gave me day old meat, hoping I wouldn't care? Ribs were dry and badly cooked too, though the seasoning was good. Sausage was excellent. Two pics of the bad, one of the replacement.
Woodpeckers has some of the best bbq in the area. Their brisket, datil sausage, turkey, and datil corn are phenomenal. They have a great huge baked potato option that comes with 2 sides. The staff is very friendly with the girls always serving with a smile and the owner is amazing. They truly get to know their customers. Great local small town bbq shop with a laid back atmosphere.
Heard that this was one of Yelp's top BBQ spots in the whole country, so of course I had to try it. Obviously, Florida isn't known for its BBQ, but gosh darn, it does have some diamonds in the rough. And this is one of them. I came here after a Jaguars game in Jax. It was loosely on the way back to Orlando, so I made it a point to come here. I say loosely, because it was quite a ways off the beaten path. It's definitely not a tourist trap; more of a local-supported place, which boded well, I thought. After getting to the place, we pulled into the poorly lit, single shanty looking building, and I start really getting excited. This was gonna be some good Q. We walk in, get seated, and get our order going. I forget exactly what we ordered, but it was a pretty massive feast with a good assortment of their meats and sides. We sit at our picnic tables and sip on our sweet tea, and browsing the many different table sauces they had. A neat thing about this place was that it showcased a local produce called a datil pepper, grown primarily in St. Augustine. It was featured in a couple of their sauces and in a couple of side dishes as well. They love this pepper, and I loved it, too. It was a little tangy, a little kicky, and definitely unique enough to make me get more than my fair share of that datil BBQ sauce in to-go cups when we were done. As for the food, wowww. The meat itself was perfect. The spare ribs were tender, had a good chew, and had a great little seasoning bark on the outside. The chopped pork was juicy, unsauced so it could sing for itself, but was complimented very well by each of the six sauces on the table. Sausage was flavorful and snappy. Even the turkey was moist, not even a little dry. And the brisket, forgetaboutit, juicy and moist to a fault, amazingly rendered fat, perfect smoke levels, and a bark on it that was so perfect I wanted to bronze it and keep it forever. Nothing needed sauce, but the sauces were awesome, so I let it fly as appropriate. And as for the sides, I feel like they were probably the best in all of Florida. Just so much TLC was put into each one of them. From the datil-infused corn to the datil baked beans to that lovely bite on that mac & cheese, everything was designed and executed to perfection and was a lovely side to the stars of the show. Overall, if you're within 100 miles of Woodpeckers, I would definitely come here to give it a try. If you're even a casual barbecue lover, you will absolutely fall in love with it.
Pros: Love the middle of nowhere vibes and the simple, single dining room only architecture. Makes it feel rustic, like where good barbecue is supposed to come from. Service was quaint, friendly, everything you want from a small town feeling place. Food was incredible. This is a place that focuses on both the quality of their meats as well as the quality of their sides. Best sides I've ever had at a barbecue place. You could taste the TLC. Cons: It was kind of in the middle of nowhere. You won't stumble upon this place. You have to intentionally want to come here. That's the only con. Once you get here, the place is perfect. Tips: Get anything. Nothing was bad. Even the turkey was moist and juicy. All the sides were amazing, but the mac & cheese and the beans were particularly amazing. When you inevitably ask for to-go containers, don't forget to ask for all the sauces.
First time visit, tried the turkey, pork, chicken, and brisket. It was all good. The turkey was excellent, the brisket was great, the chicken was good and the pork was fair. The sauces were very good. The Carolina vinegar dressed up the pork sufficiently. The mustard was good, the Datil mustard was a bit too Datil. The sides were very good. The Datil corn and cole slaw were pretty spicy for me but I'm not that tolerant of the heat these days. The baked beans could be a meal in and of themselves. The collards needed more seasoning but were good. Service was great. Very helpful for a first timer on a takeout order. I'd go back for sure, but I think that Captains BBQ down at Bings Landing has an edge. read more
3 years ago
What a gem of a place. Neat building and decor. Very busy intersection. Met a friend there for lunch. I arrived at 11:20 and the parking lot was pretty full. We put our name in for a table but after 10 minutes decided to order at the window and sit outside as the weather was nice. I had the brisket with collard greens and datil baked beans. Very tasty. My friend had the pork with corn on the cob and I forget what else, but he loved it. He's a bbq fanatic and said he would definitely return. I will too although not frequently as it's an hour drive from where I live. read more
Yes, we visited yet another BBQ place. What can I say? We love good BBQ. We ordered a three meat plate to go. We had ribs, pork and sausage. For our sides we had macaroni and cheese, baked beans, datil corn and collards. They packed the meal with such care. It was easy to warm up and didn't seem to have lost anything in the move. The ribs were delicious. There wasn't anything that wasn't very good. They are allowing people to eat inside, but they have mastered the to go orders. read more
3 years ago
After having heard about Woodpecker's ribs from a friend, my DH and I decided today was the day to stop by and try them for ourselves. We lucked out on our timing because they actually had a table for 2 available inside. We were seated immediately and noticed right off how friendly everyone was. We each ordered a 2-meat meal which also came with 2 sides. My DH had the brisket and ribs with the sides of Datil Creamed Corn and I had the chicken and turkey with the Collard Greens and Green Beans... that way we could try a bit of everything. First off, the ribs: OH MY GOODNESS!! Perfectly cooked and seasoned, falling off the bone... DELICIOUS! The brisket also had a nice flavor and my DH appreciated that you could specify for them to be more fatty or more lean. Always nice to have a choice! The chicken had a nice flavor and was cooked well... not dry, which is always hard to do! The turkey also had a great flavor. There wasn't anything we tried that we didn't enjoy. As for the sides, all were flavorful, but it was the green beans that won my heart! They reminded me of the ones I would have years ago! The cornbread is also a winner here... and a perfect complement to our meals. Donna was our server and not only did she do a fabulous job, but she was friendly and gracious. We thoroughly enjoyed our first time at Woodpecker's and we are already planning a return trip! Highly recommend! read more
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There is a spot tucked away hiding some of the best southern barbecue imaginable. They utilize the local Datil pepper to infuse barbecue favorites such as datil creamed corn and baked beans. My GOD! They've got indoor and shaded outdoor seating for those wishing to escape the sun but get that outdoor barbecue vibe. This was a recommendation by a local and it delivered. The smoked and prepared meats were just pure southern decadence. This is stellar barbecue, and if you see a brightly colored building with a Woodpecker sign, I'd pull over and get some! read more
My sister had a craving for BBQ and so we were off for an adventure. We knew that it was going to be quite a drive but had heard that it was well worth the trip. When we got there the parking lot was full and the line was fairly long. That's always a good sign. As we were waiting in line the board with the specials changed as they were selling out of things pretty quickly. My sister ordered the ribs, brisket, corn on the cob and mac & cheese. One of the special desserts of the day was blackberry cobbler and that's her favorite so she ordered that as well. It was the last one. I ordered the pulled pork, datil sausage, mac & cheese and datil cornbread. Sadly since my sister ordered the last blackberry cobbler I ordered the apple, with a side of ice cream of course. It took about 20 minutes to get our food which was to be expected as their was a sign when we ordered to expect 25 minutes to get our food. I waited about 15 minutes and then went up to the front to wait to be called. They called my name and I got my food. Since my sister ordered before me I asked about her food as well. They said that they had just called her name and someone had picked up her food. I knew for a fact that she had not gone up there to get her food as she was still sitting at the table. When I inquired about it the lady came back out to confirm her order and said someone else had in fact picked up her food by mistake. Although very frustrating they were very accommodating and remade her order within just a few minutes. Unfortunately the lady that picked up her order had also taken the last blackberry cobbler. To make up for everything they refunded my sisters full check. They didn't have to do that but they did so without batting an eye. If you are looking for great BBQ and great people this is the place to visit. It's well worth the drive. read more
When it comes to BBQ in Northeast Florida, Woodpeckers might take the cake as the crème de la crème. Almost a religious experience. Drive down State Road 13 and eventually you'll come across Woodpeckers. It's out in the middle of nowhere. Woods and abandoned building adjacent. However, it's home to righteous 'que. It just looks like a BBQ place where you belong. They greet you upon entering, the menu is straightforward, and they even have something for those little peckers. Wait, what? (see menu pics) When I see Tri-Tip on a menu, my body goes from Bruce Banner to the Hulk. Get the hell out of my way, daddy is going in! Just look at the smoke ring, absolutely outrageous! And the flavor had me dancing internally, and maybe externally too? The surprise for me was the juiciness and richness of the chopped pork. Probably the best I've had in a long time. I actually stay away from it as BBQ spots, because it's usually the least memorable. Not here - it's divine! The sides, the sauces and servers were all first rate. I can't think of one negative aspect. Well, except it's 30+ miles away from me! That's okay, I'm planning on cruising to Green Cove more often to pig out. I suggest you do the same. read more
5 years ago
Not sure what 5 star BBQ looks like but this was not it. My stuff was too dry , almost like it was forgot on smoker . Other interesting fact was that I did not pick up and smoke flavor form any type of wood & no spices what so ever on any my meats . Parking also is a nightmare or at least it was when I got there. Sides also nothing special & what I don't understand is why everything needs to be sweet . read more
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We've been to many BBQ joints in NE Florida in a never-ending quest to find decent Q. Our search has stopped. Woodpeckers was worth the hour drive. We ordered the Pick A Lil More with 4 sides and brisket upgrade. Massive quantities of food. Enough for 2 meals for 2 people. We tried the ribs, sausage, and brisket. Not too smokey and seasoned just right. Each was excellent in its own right. Good man-sized portions. The sausage was amazing. Most BBQ joints use a normal kielbasa not Woodpeckers. I almost didn't share it. Sauces are always subjective. Our favorite was the Carolina Vinegar, just enough twang but not overpowering. The sides were impressive as well. I ain't had collards this good since my mama died and that's saying a lot. The mac & cheese was a delightfully different treat. The parmesan cheese and hints of pepper made it a stand out. The toast of all things deserve a mention. Nice, thick, and heavily slathered with real butter. Not just a smear either. Truly good. Woodpeckers took over the number one spot of my favorite BBQ Joints in NE Florida. Get there early, the food will run out. We missed the blackberry cobbler. read more
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"Everybody hurts...everybody cries" Based on the high reviews I had really high expectations for this place. The expectations continued when I saw the long line outside, but were unfortunately bashed when trying the food. Let us start with the good - the macaroni and cheese, baked beans and sauces were great - 2 forks up! Moving on to the rough. We ordered the ribs, sausage and brisket for our meat. The sausage wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything that I would make a trip back to get. The ribs were tender, but were literally just cooked meat. They didn't have a dry rub or any seasoning added, just cooked meat. They didn't have any fatty brisket, so we tried the lean. I don't want to make excuses for the time of day, but that brisket was dry - like meat floss dry. And, similar to the ribs, had no flavor - 2 tears down. Again, I will say that we got there in the late afternoon, so maybe that had an affect on the dryness, but that lack of flavor was a killer. I will wipe my tears and venture on to find another bbq place. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Heard this was a great spot for BBQ when we moved to the area and it did not disappoint! The staff was super friendly and I look forward to coming back when it is a little warmer to enjoy the outdoor patio (there is some indoor seating as well). The kids with their "varied palates" even loved it so for us that is always an automatic winner! read more
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This was a trek to get out to Woodpeckers, it's off State Rd 13, past Switzerland...but I had seen the pics and read the reviews raving about this BBQ! We had to try it! This is a small restaurant, definitely known by the locals because they were packed on Sunday morning 30 minutes after opening, they serve till they run out of food, so you need to go early to ensure getting what you want. We went inside and they do table service if you eat inside or you can get "to go" and eat out on their tables in the back under the trees, we chose outside. I wanted to try everything!! So we got the 6 meat sampler with 4 sides for $30... good deal to me cause we got to try so many things and this easily fed 3-4 people! -Ribs- excellent, my favorite...deliciously meaty, great seasoning, not too fatty -Brisket- yum, very tender, falls apart, but not much seasoning? Aside from the outer crust they didn't have much flavor...also we got served a very fatty part of the brisket which I don't love -Datil Sausage- delish!! Love the addition of the peppers -Pulled Pork- eh just ok, again no flavor had to add BBQ sauce -Turkey- just ok, bordering on dry...better with sauce -Chicken- good...*shrugs* get the ribs.....lol! The sides: Mac n cheese- good standard Datil creamed corn- spicy goodness Datil baked beans- oh good gosh yes!! Coleslaw- yummy, yum! Would I return, yes for sure...the location is nice and eating some delish BBQ outside in the shade was a great Sunday to me! read more
More info about Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ
4930 State Rd 13
Saint Augustine, FL 32092
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(904) 531-5670
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https://woodpeckersbbq.com
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Ask the Community - Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ
Is anything gluten free...if not can I bring something in so I can eat with friends? I have celiac?
This is down home BBQ joint. Not sure if there's anything gluten free on the menu, but if you like BBQ this is the place to go. Maybe look for a place that advertises as 'gluten-free'.
Are they offering dine in?
There are tables on the inside and the outside that you can sit down and eat! I prefer eating outside at one of the picnic tables I have never been there when it wasn't…
Can you call in your order for pick up?
They stay open till they run out of food. But they say.... If you know you're coming give us a…
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