Helberg Barbecue

Just outside of Waco, worth the trip. Big, comfortable place, no hype or focus group decor. The focus is the food and the service and both are top notch. Found this place on Texas Monthly’s list and the biscuit was better than a few in the top 10, great flavor, good texture, bark that was a pleasure, not a chore. The jalapeño sausage was good too. The mustard potato salad was good and I liked the jalpeno, pickles and pickled red onions. At 1:30 on a Wednesday, the line was short, looking forward to going back.

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.

All around great experience. We were in the area for a wedding. We live in east Texas and a place called Brisket Love is our favorite at home. We have tried BBQ all over the state, often disappointed when we leave with flavorless meat. Brisket was delicious here as were the sides. Not insanely overpriced like many popular BBQ joints.

We pride ourselves on knowing Texas Barbecue, we have traveled the state eating at all the iconic, historic, and award winning Barbecue joints we can. Helberg Barbecue stands among the revered names in the field. We ordered the Trinity platter. Praise the Lord for blessing the pitmasters there with great skill. The brisket was moist, rich beefy flavor, not too salty, but with a perfect nearly crispy bark of peppery amazingness. My wife absolutely raved about the baked potato salad and the banana pudding. Their scratch made sausage - very delicious! I wish I could smoke ribs as perfect as they serve. Flavorful and with the perfect dry rub and the meat holds on the bone until you bite it, and it gives easily. Certainly championship quality. Absolutely recommended place near Waco. Find an excuse to be near there and stop in. We loved the food and traditional Texas vibe.

One of the best dining experiences available in central Texas. We had six people together as a group and ate around lunch on a Sunday. The crowd was amazing. People would point out delicious plates, such as the brussel sprouts, and many others. We finished the meal with banana pudding. The dining experience is highly recommended.

Best barbecue in central Texas! The sausage was succulant and tasty, the mac and cheese was creamy, the ribs were tender and full of flavor. The brisket was dark and crusty with a pink smoke ring. It was smoky, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. And the banana pudding!! It was light, creamy, and tasted like fresh bananas. A perfect comfort food dessert. You definitely have to try Helberg Barbecue.

I have to say that I’m glad I listened to the reviews because this place is delicious. The brisket was perfect: 10. The banh mi was amazing: 10. I really appreciated that their coleslaw is not smothered in mayo and it actually feels fresh because often times when eating barbecue there’s no healthier side dish to choose from: 9. The mac & cheese Brisket balls were pretty good, but I would say I don’t care to order them again: 8. I’m not a chicken person, but this chicken is the bomb! The smokiness and the way they make that skin so crispy and flavorful was very enjoyable. A 10! I know you might think I’m just giving 10s to everything but I rarely ever rate food a 10. The Mac and cheese for me was a 5. It has a very weird powdery texture and it’s tastes like vegan mac and cheese. It was just weird. Wouldn’t recommend it. Finally the mustard potato salad was an 8 for me. Very tasty I’m just not a potato salad gal. Hopefully I get to come back soon.

I'm visiting here for a couple weeks, from the East Coast, and I asked my brother to take me to the best BBQ in the Waco area, in his opinion. Did not disappoint. Great staff. Awesome Texas hospitality from the other guests in line to the employees. Your BBQ is amazingly good. The only thing I didn't care for, and it's not a deal breaker, was the slaw. Not bad, just different I'm used to. I understand that tastes are subjective, and I wouldn't kick the coleslaw outta bed, but I may try a different side next.

"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.

when your from california and you know that you want texas BBQ, the first place you want try is Helberg Barbecue. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. every single thing i had from the brisket, pork steak, mac and cheese, buffalo wings, nashville hot chicken, the steak frites. just absolutely INCREDIBLE. incredible hospitality, care and kindness is found in every asset from the people taking your orders, to the dudes cutting the meat and even the owners themselves. helberg barbecue is the real deal and i can't wait to tell all my friends that this is the place they're looking for when they want texas BBQ. SO DANG GOOD. thank you!!!

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.

Great lunch experience! Turkey and jalapeño sausage was beyond perfect. Mac n Cheese was very creamy and cheesy. And by the time I left the parking lot was full but the people keep walking in which is a tale tell sign that this is a good eating spot. Don't take my word for it but stop in for yourself and taste the experience of some good ole Texas BBQ!

We had an early dinner here. We were very disappointed needless to say. I had heard really good things and the reviews are very good. Not our experience. We had each a sliced brisket sandwich, a drink and each of us had one side. Our sides were Mac & cheese and "baked potatoe salad". For this meal I paid just a few Pennie's short of $50! First tge sandwich: the meat was just alright. The meat was mushy and while you might say "tender", it was over cooked. Which is hard to do with a brisket! It seemed to have been boiled or the like after smoking. It was two slices on one of the cheapest buns I've ever seen. The bun was cheap, small and cold. The Mac & cheese had a "powder texture" and definitely not homemade. The potatoe salad was really just cold mashed potatoes with no flavor. I guess I was just disappointed in what we got for paying 50 bucks! Listen... Guys... if you're going to sell food, expensive food, at least have a passion for your food. It was like going to a concert, the musician comes on the stage with his guitar and a boom box. Setting the boom box on a chair and clicking on play! We work hard for our money. At least have the respect for us, willing to come to your business and spend it there. Sorry folks for the negativity. But save your money, go to Rudy's!

They do a great job. Huge fan of the chicken but everything I've tried was excellent.

The food was so tasty and the best part you did not need to drown it in sauce for flavor. The portions are massive and the variety was good. The service was good and people friendly. Plenty of seats and building was kept cool in the Texas sun.

I've been wanting to visit here for years. I finally made the trip and don't regret a minor divergence from the interstate. Everything about this place is about simplicity. Plenty of food even late night on a Friday. No silly limit of food that crushes your soul when you get to order and find nothing but scraps left. I have searched all over Texas and found one of the rare spots that actually fulfills my palate the way I like it. Amazingly tender and juicy in all the meats. I have only tasted such consistency and flavor in a few select places. The rub gave a slight sweet and spicy hint to your tongue that only blends as the meats softly melt like butter with every bite. I took a few bites and had to wait to savor the texture and flavors. I had no desire to rush through the meal. I also was offered with a surprised discount on a full rack. I only regret that I have since moved from Texas and this place will haunt me until my return. The restaurant is about family. This isn't a commercial place looking for popularity. No obnoxious line, plenty of seating, and comfortable environment. No games, no tricks, just happiness.

Great experience, smoked and then fried chicken is our favorite! Service was on point as well very friendly. The outside area for kids is a plus as well!

The food was good. Cold Slaw is not creamy but more vinegar and pepper. The Brussel Sprouts were dry. The meat tender but not so tender it melts in your mouth. Don't get me wrong it's good it's just chewy.

we've loved Helberg for several years. the best Brusse sprouts in the world and used to be the best brisket in Texas (the world). since they moved the brisket is not the same. I don't know the reason, but it's not even close to what it was. it's a shame and I won't be making the drive from Temple anymore. sorry, it's gone downhill

We really wanted to like Hellberg's BBQ since so many people rave about it, but we just weren't impressed. For about $50, we got two slices of meat each, one side, and a drink. The restaurant itself was cold inside, but that also meant our food cooled off pretty fast. The potato salad said "mustard potato salad," which is fine, but this tasted like someone just poured straight mustard on it -- I couldn't eat it. The meat was greasy and fatty even though we specifically asked for lean cuts. We don't mind tipping, but being prompted to tip $10 when you have to stand in line, carry your own food, grab your silverware and drinks, and then bus your own table felt a bit much -- especially when it's not clear who actually receives that tip. We've eaten at a lot of barbecue places, and this one just didn't stand out. The pits were covered in dust and looked gas-powered, and the meat had no smoke ring at all. I don't like leaving bad reviews, but for the price and quality, it just wasn't worth it. We won't be back -- it's officially off our BBQ bingo card. No need for the owner to reply; our minds are made up.

Great service. An employee is in line explaining what they serve and make recommendations. Orders sides first, again employees are extremely friendly and helpful in making sure you meal is great. Plenty of tables and the floors are clean.

Barbecue is good, I usually get a chopped beef sandwich. Good selection of sides, I had the watermelon salad with feta on top; it was really good. I have also tried the mustard potato salad and the baked potato salad; both excellent. The chopped beef is always good; the sliced bbq has a little too much fat for my taste. As a side note; I wish they would do something about the parking lot; it is composed of chalky caliche, and your car will be covered in dust when you leave. also you will have white footprints on your hardwood floor when you get home.

Food is outstanding we had the brisket smash burger and fries , service was to notch, the building is put together very well lines move a lot fast.

This place is fantastic, brisket so good you don't need sauce! Mustard potato was awesome as well.

The smoked chicken is awesome! We also had the greens which was nice and spicy. Grab some brisket Mac and cheese balls to start off if feeling adventurous.

Some say this is the best barbecue we have in the Waco area! I will unashamedly agree-- not just because of how tasty their brisket is, but also because these people are the real deal and care out others, making excellent food, and being an asset to the community. These guys catered our wedding of around 150 people and I got so many compliments from the guests on the delicious brisket, corn salad, and Mac and cheese! They were so wonderful to work with and gave me very reasonable prices compared to how much people charge for wedding things. Love Helberg BBQ!

The food was crazy good; employees amazing. The only hitch was our appetizers (smoked wings/macaroni cheese brisket balls which were great but...) were special order, so they came out about 15 minutes after we were done with our meat and sides. By then, we were no longer hungry for appetizers. Not sure how to fix that except go through line twice: once for appetizers, wait, eat; then go back for meat and sides.

Hell yes! Yummy food, solid sides, and nice, clean and happy place. While waiting in line the woman was sharing info on the food and stories about the place. Super helpful and made the wait go by quickly! Photos and text on the wall share the history of the place too! Brisket was almost perfect, great flavor but a little too much fat for my taste and since I only got a small portion /sample it was disproportionate....) pork was excellent and pulled pork was solid. Super nice folks and I'll be sure to go back again next time I'm in the area!

Yuck! Not only did we not walk in and say "it's our first time", the guy turns around and said what can I get you. .... Fries? Brisket sandwich. The little rude girl cuts one slice of brisket cuts it in half put it on a smooshed bun and charged me 19.00 for COLD over salted disgusting fries, which tasted like they might've been from yesterday's dinner.... The brisket had no flavor to it..... the best thing that they had that we tasted with the pickles and the big red., this place is a zero in my book.

The food is amazing! The brisket was moist and super decadent. The tallow fries are great. The brisket Mac balls were a keeper for sure!

Getting the basics out of the way first - the food is as solid as you're going to find at a legit bbq place. The meats are excellent, the sides are tasty and unique, and the sauces are distinct. The smell is perfect as you walk in - the smoke from the oak is definitely present, but not overpowering. The layout and lineup and cafeteria-style seating are typical for that road trip BBQ stop aesthetic. Some local trophies, awards, and letterman jackets - but it's charming because it's authentic. The biggest shine for me, though, is the service. While the quality of the 'cue is undeniable, it's the folks working and their attention to detail that make this spot exceptional. This is the type of service that corrects something if it's not right, and then goes the extra mile to throw you something extra as a good faith gesture. It's the people working here that have solidified Helberg as a spot I'll always patronize, and recommend to others forever. My hat is off to them!

We have tried to eat there several different times and they are always sold out ! We have gone at different times the day different days of the week are they not ordering enough product ? There's never THAT many cars around the building,we have gone to Terry Blacks never had that issue same for Coaches BBQ, even Rudy's didn't have that problem! So what gives????

Excellent food. Nice atmosphere. Friendly wait staff. Brussel sprouts were awesome. We sat in the outdoor area with our pups. Highly recommended.

Well seasoned food but found the prices so high for what you received. Add a complimentary side to each meat ordered. $96 dollars for lunch with everyone getting water to drink and sharing two sides. Usually give only high ratings, but you can make a profit and give a reasonable amount of food for $96 dollars.

Absolutely love the corn and ribs! Everything is tasty, really. The staff is friendly and the food is consistently good. Excited for the new location and glad they're back!

First time visiting with a group of 10+. We ordered family style and the workers were so helpful in serving us and making sure we got what we needed. The owners were great as well. Definitely recommend coming in and trying their food!

I will never forget the *amazing* experience of Helberg barbecue. My boyfriend and I are extreme foodies from Dallas, we've tried many bbq joints, but none have EVER compared to this one. Don't even have a picture to post of the food because we devoured it so fast! We had the chopped brisket sandwiches, original sausage, and mac and cheese. Everything was phenomenal and fairly priced for such incredibly high quality food. Fluffy brioche bread/buns, tender meat even the fat was delicious, and well-seasoned Mac. Pro-tip dip your sausage in the Mac&cheese sauce We even spoke with the owner, who makes an effort to interact with all customers. The owner also makes sure he has dedicated workers and treats them like a family. They have an epic story, considering their restaurant burned down and the owner even considers it to have been a blessing. This place deserves way more recognition and we will be making the trip from Dallas just to eat here again. Won't be surprised if they end up with a James Beard award.. You will not regret coming!

We were looking for Texas BBQ and were definitely not disappointed. Love the family story too. We tried brisket, ribs and shredded brisket. Everything was great, the atmosphere was also old school, not fancy.

We traveled with 6 family members to Colorado for the 4th of July. We ordered a cooked brisket and pork ribs as we left Waco. The meats were moist and absolutely delicious. Because they were shrink wrapped, we heated both up in hot water bath in 30 minutes. How easy is that! I highly recommend this option. The online ordering process was exactly as promised. My order was ready and packaged exactly at my chosen day and time.

We had Helberg cater our wedding last weekend and they did a phenomenal job. Nearly every guest from TX and out of town I spoke to had something amazing to say about their food, service, and professionalism. They provided a beautiful spread and were so kind during the whole process. Worth every affordable penny! They really went above and beyond and helped make our wedding a memorable occasion...one bite at a time.

I'm telling you right now and I'm not messing around...this is the best BBQ I had ever eaten in my life. I've had BBQ in California and NYC, but never Texas. I tried the Salt Lick yesterday and this place is way better. The brisket, ribs, sausage, turkey hits! The most flavorful and tender BBQ I had ever eaten. At home in the Bay, we have a spot but Texas hits different. The meat is so good. It's smoky sweet, but not overpowering. I'm sad I can't go here everyday because I'm from California. The mac was my fav side for sure. WOULD BE BACK FSHO!

I do not do reviews for free food, coupons or any other freebies; otherwise I would not consider it a review. I have been there a few times. Parking is sparse, but I always got there early, thus parked in front. The BBQ Brisket is average, as is the potato salad; not spectacular, but then it depends on individual tastes. I never put BBQ sauce on my meats, my thoughts, sauce covers mistakes, and the meats flavors. If the meat is not right, why bother with the BBQ sauce? I myself will not be back, if it reopens, it's up to you to make your own judgment. The price is around $$$-$$$$. I myself will drive, irregardless of the distance, only go to a BBQ location in Temple, along I-35 S. Unfortunately it seems Heldbergs burnt out, literally, hopefully no one was hurt in the fire, destruction. If it opens again, I am not sure. Heldberg BBQ is one of the only local ones owned. The potato salad is average.

So, eaten at a couple of other high end BBQ places in town, but after eating here, I can say that this is the place for BBQ in Waco, at least for me, anyway. Drove down to see family, we decided to try Helberg out since our visits elsewhere just hadn't been very good. Since there were three of us, and we wanted to try the main meats, plus a few sides, we just decided cost be damned and went with the Trinity food pack. Pound of brisket, (we got moist) pound ribs, couple sausage links, (beef, jap and cheese) couple sides, (we got mac n cheese and collard greens) banana pudding. We ordered a Big Kahuna burger cause always curious about brisket burgers, and someone wanted to try the grilled brussel sprouts. We were committed. Okay, I'm honestly not the biggest brisket guy, I feel most of the brisket I've eaten at places, that while it may be cooked well, that other than the bark it can be kinda boring. The brisket here is some of the best I've ever had. The bark was super flavorful, and the brisket itself seemed to define perfect moist brisket and the meat was really flavorful as well. I ate a lot more than I usually do. The pork ribs were tasty but a tad undercooked and we had to gnaw the meat off the bone. Hey, it happens. Ribs were still moist, nothing major bad here. The two sausages were good, better than most places. The collard greens were good, some of the better ones I've had. The mac n cheese was good, also better than most places. Not a brusell sprouts guy but the one I tried was good. The banana pudding seemed more like a whipped version, but it was good as well, no real complaints. We all tried some of the Big Kahuna. It was a good burger but not wowed by it. I've had better versions of brisket burgers. The sauce they put on it made it different than most, but it just didn't do it for me. Overall, everything is pretty good here, with the brisket being fantastic. I would come back just to get more of it. They run a pretty fast line, inside picnic table sitting. I like how they have everything you need available on tables or racks in the dining room. Several different take home sizes. Butcher paper pieces, small condiment plastic bowls and lids. Really helpful. Looking forward to coming back sometime.

Not your average barbecue place has a lot of Innovative side, dishes, and appetizers. The banhmi sandwich not so impressive could have more meat and less bread. As for me, it's all about the chicken here. They tend to do that better than their other meats in my opinion. There are specials from time to time.

My husband and I brought my 96 year old aunt to eat here, our very first time. We were not impressed with the food at all, there was absolutely no smoke flavor. We will not be eating here again.

Continuing my mission to check off all the spots on Texas Monthly's Top 50 brought us too Woodway today 1/22/22 around 2pm. After a short 20 minute wait in line, it was time to eat. Before I get to the food, I want to give a quick shout out to the super friendly staff and the saw dust atmosphere. I really liked being in this place. Quick synopsis: Fatty Brisket was a bit too fatty for me but the actual meat that on it was perfect; Lean Brisket was a bit too tough for me unfortunately; Pork Steak was absolutely divine (even better than Cattlelack imo); Sausage was slightly above average with a really tough casing but still had good flavor; Ribs had a nice slightly sweet flavor to them and were pretty meaty as well; The SMOKED CHICKEN!!!! Oh My God, the smoked chicken is their sleeper and their superstar. The skin was super crisp but the meat was incredibly moist and juicy! If you visit you have to order this. I also saw locals and regulars at their tables enjoying the chicken too, you could tell it's a 'if you know you know' situation. Mustard Potato Salad was good and mustard-y as the name implies. The Chimichurri Slaw was very herbaceous but nice and fresh. The Elote salad was super yummy. It had great acid, loved that salty cotija cheese, and that sprinkle of tajin on top did the trick. My only regret was not trying the brisket chili and frito pie. I heard some locals gushing about it on the way out. Either way, very worthy of a Top 50 spot. Come see for yourselves!

Came out here and couldn't miss the spot. There is a HUGE, full sized bill board almost across the street telling you that you are at the right place. If the bill board doesn't let you know that you are in the right place, the two ginormous BBQ pits outside should clue you in! The building itself is a repurposed metal business of some sort so there is a ton of room inside and the obvious landmarks outside. When you come in, you hook a right hand turn to place your order. The order board is on the inside wall so check out the menu beforehand or just wait until you are in front of the meat cutter to start stuttering while you figure out what you want. That location may be convenient to the staff but it sure is wonky if you want to figure out what you want before starting to place the order. The staff are all SUPER cool, helpful, and engaged. I was really impressed with this team. In fact, I don't think I've ever visited a Top-50 spot that didn't have spectacular people working there. I started off with the Double Trouble sandwich. I think the four people in front of me ordered the same thing so it was very popular. Most of the folks just did a "double-double" of brisket. Me, for some crazy reason the turkey was calling to me so I ordered the brisket and turkey. I always like a two meat sandwich because I can sample a couple meats pretty easily without a huge feed bag. The brisket was good. Well deserved there. But the thing that blew me away was the turkey! The turkey was the best I've had from a BBQ spot. No kidding there. It is very hard to smoke a good turkey and this one was just so succulent, savory, and smoked to perfection. I am seriously going to come here before thanksgiving next year if they sell turkey for the holidays. Pro-tip: Come back here in the early fall and check to see if they can set you up for Thanksgiving!! Regardless, you've got to try their turkey. To try a wide range, I also had a 1/2 pound of ribs. VERY good there. Flavorful and tender. I was pretty happy to get these and if it weren't for the stunning love I had for the turkey, I would have raved about this a bit more. As a side, I went on a limb and tried out the Street Corn Salad. It was a very good run of a Street Corn. Not a standard staple, but certainly something to try out.

Unassuming and understated from the road, the bbq and sides are some of the most excellent bites in Texas! If you didn't know, the collection of bbq pits next to the metal building with a sign out front that says simply, 'BBQ,' is home to brisket, ribs, and chicken smoked to perfection. The brisket was tender, moist, and smoked perfectly. Get a mix of lean and moist, the burnt ends will start a fight. Ribs are tender, seasoned just right, and deliver the competition bite with a juicy flavor. Now the chicken is smoked and then flash-fried to produce a perfect marriage of the best fried chicken with the best smoked chicken, a truly unique dish that must be on your bucket list. The sides are all great on their own, and the brussel sprouts are a flavor bomb. Across the lake from Waco along hwy 6, you must make the trip!

My family and I love this place! Everything is tasty and there is something for everyone! My favorite is the smoked chicken that they then flash fry. It's crispy and juicy and served with the best white bbq sauce. Also not to be missed is their banana pudding, which they make with gingersnaps as a nice twist on a classic. I'm not usually one to suggest bbq for a meal, but we visit here every time we're in town! The new building is awesome and even has a covered turfed space for kiddos to play! Run and go get you some!!

Excellent food. So glad that I came across this place heading west from Waco. They even let me taste test their pork steak. Excellent chimichurri coleslaw. Yum

Daggone! Based on the photos and the reviews, I had extremely high expectations of this place and I'm happy to say my expectations were met if not exceeded! The food is outstanding! I mean, good lord it's good! We got the quarterback which comes with 1/4lb of each meat and 1 of each side along with the banana pudding or a mini pie. We got the banana pudding and it's the best I've ever had. The whole experience from start to finish was excellent. Location is great, right off the highway and super easy to find and park. The interior is spacious with plenty of seating. Friendly, personable and fast customer service, amazing food! I came to Waco to visit the Magnolia Silos, but I'll come back to Waco to eat here. Thank you and Amen!

The best barbecue in Central Texas and parts north and south. Won't disappoint try it you'll like it

Amazing bbq! Do it! It is in a food truck with nice area w fans to sit. I would sit in blazing sun for this bbq. We had the regular sausage, brisket (moist and delicious), chimichurri slaw, and corn. ALL was so flavorful and I already want more. This was only like $38! Which, in my opinion is cheap! Service was quick and lady was so kind

Delicious. Every meat we tried was extraordinary: pulled pork, baby back ribs, brisket and best beef ribs of our lives. Every sauce is unique and tasty and really enjoyed their innovative sides like red crema slaw and poblano potato salad this weekend. BYOB or on certain days free beer. Check it out. We will be back again for sure. The staff are super helpful and friendly too!

Driving around Texas eating BBQ on the Texas Monthly Top 50 list. So husband and I drove to Helberg Barbecue on. Thursday. This place was place 3 and our last BBQ spot on a Thursday BBQ drive. So Helberg Barbecue is located outside of Waco Texas. This place is a nice BBQ joint with indoor dining along with a few outdoor dining tables. But thankful that they had indoor dining on the day we visited as it was HOT. So the prices here is that you walk up and order your meats first and they cut and weigh it right there in front of you!! I love this process as you know what you are paying for and can get more or less if you want. After you order your meats/proteins then you order your sides. Then you pay and get your food! So no waiting on the food unless you order the pork ends which we did but they were ready by the time we finished paying for our food!! The pickles, onions and potato bread are self serve over to the side. So get s or do NOT, we did and let me say the pickles were delicious. Ok now for my thoughts on the food...delicious and full of flavor and worth the drive and the money. The brisket was tender and could be cut with a fork, the sausage was nice and the ribs were meaty and had good flavor. The pork ends were also good I just wish they had not been drowning in so much sauce, but no worries all was so good and full of deliciousness. I would definitely recommend that you make the drive here!!

Holy smokes!!! I have found ONE OF THE BEST BBQ places in the world! No joke, Helberg, you guys are LEGIT! And, I believe, it is God's grace and your heart for offering the best! As a Texas-transplant (and native Southern Californian), I have travelled all over to find good BBQ...and I believe I know my BBQ. Helberg is easily in my top 3! The meats are seasoned just right, and not too smoky or dry (which is the downfall of many mom and pop places). I recommend what you see pictured (chopped brisket, jalapeño & cheese sausage, pesto turkey), and you really gotta try the street corn salad! Next time, I wanna try the ribs and anything else I can shove in my mouth! A+++++++ Helbergs!!

VERY GOOD BBQ! This may be my new favorite! Come early to get the good stuff or at least call ahead to ensure they still have food left! That alone, says it all. Although everything we ordered was very good, they were out of sliced brisket so we opted for chopped brisket figured it couldn't be that far off because it wasn't served with sauce nor did it need any. Actually, everything we tried didn't need any sauce which to me qualifies as very good BBQ!! We also tried the pork steak which was amazing as well as the jalapeño cheese sausage, pork ribs, chimichurri slaw and mustard potato salad. On top of good food was impeccable good customer service. They said their beer was $2 because they were trying to get rid of it to make it a BYOB establishment.