Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ

Service was fast and friendly, and the food was excellent. The brisket sandwich was especially impressive—tender, flavorful, and beautifully smoked with a gorgeous ring. The Datil coleslaw slaw and mac n’ cheese had a nice peppery kick, and the Datil baked beans were hearty and satisfying. Overall, a great experience with both quality food and warm hospitality.

Recommended from a friend and we drove out this weekend to check it out. The ribs were perfect, the datil cornbread, slaw and sauces were delicious! My friend opted for the fat brisket, which was tasty, but we both agree we will be back for more ribs on our next visit to Florida!

The food was great. The side portions were tiny. I am glad they were included because I wouldn’t pay extra for the 3 bite sides they included. If you are getting take out especially the potato bring your own silverware, the potato was hard to eat with the flimsy plastic ones they provided.

In town for a week and was told this was the spot for the best BBQ, the recommendation did not disappoint! I ordered several options to-gp from the front window, everything was out in just a few minutes. I was told to get there early as they sell out, they opened at 11, I got there around 12:30 and the place was packed! I got the Pick 2 with smoked brisket and sausage with sides of Mac n cheese & coleslaw and a half rack of ribs. Everything was amazing!

Fantastically tender and flavorful brisket and datil baked beans. Did not know about datil until eating at Woodpeckers. I also think this is one of the best banana puddings I've ever had. I want to come back for the ribs and datil sausage now.

We visited on a Sunday around 1 and it was quite busy as expected. The wait for an inside table was at least 30 min so we decided to just order and eat at one of the outdoor tables. Ordering was easy and all the staff were friendly and service was pretty quick. We ordered a variety of things. Presentation of the food was nice. The turkey sandwich, greenbeans and coleslaw was very good as were the sauce varieties. The 1/2 chicken had good flavor but maybe could have been cooked a bit longer and the collards were quite bland which was a surprise. The outdoor setting is laid back and shady which is a plus but with it being July in Florida the bugs were really bad which of course is not their fault. In conclusion, this did seem to be a good casual place to get decent BBQ if you live nearby but the experience would definitely be better when the weather is cooler.

We met up with friends from out of town at this restaurant and I called them the day before to ask them specifically about the gluten-free items and the person answering the phone was so wonderful to even go check all of the barbecue sauce ingredients for me to make sure that they were gluten-free so that I would have no issues during my visit. There was big portions and everything was delicious! 👏👏👏 would dine here again. Oh also, they have a military discount which I thought was super fabulous. 👏👏👏 we even got brisket to go for the kids. 👏😉🤤

Best BBQ and sides we have had since moving here from Georgia. Super fast service. Each meal was enough for 2 separate dinners. Cobbler are wonderful too !!

Lived up to the hype. Did not disappoint. Glad we went a little out of the way to stop in and check it out.

This place is our favorite family spot for a casual BBQ experience on Sundays. Get a spot at the bar for fast and friendly service if it's just 2-3 people. The service is exceptional anywhere you choose to sit and the smoked meats are second to none. It's really all about Woodpecker's consistency and quality. The staff with their warm welcoming hospitality keeps us coming back. Feels like a backyard BBQ every time. LOVE IT

First time visiting Woodpeckers and I am obsessed! It is a hike for me to go here but I do not mind driving here, it is so worth it! Went here before they open (they open at 11am) people were already waiting and the hostess was super friendly!! she took my name so that when they open I will have a spot. while waiting there are some chickens/rooster walking and they are so cute! sadly the other rooster named tiptoe was nowhere to be found :( we sat at the bar. service was phenomenal! we got our drinks. I ordered the sausage since I have been craving for a good sausage and woodpeckers din not disappoint, the side that i got was green beans and the mac n cheese and both of them are great! we also had their desserts, i got the peach cobbler which was just okay for me but that's okay because the food here is great! this place is definitely a hidden gem out of nowhere lol, even though woodpeckers is far from us I don't mind going back here again.

One of my sons was going to Woodpeckers with some of his buddies for lunch on the 4th of July. My wife and I gave him a to-go order since he was coming home after he ate. It's been a while since we have gone to Woodpeckers, and my grill has seen better days, so this was a great lunch option. My wife picked half a chicken so she could have enough for dinner, too with datil slaw & baked beans for the sides. I did two meats, which were sliced pork and ribs. My sides were datil slaw and a baked potato. My wife said her chicken was moist and delicious. She enjoyed the sides as well. My 2 meats were great. I had sliced pork at a chain BBQ restaurant a few days ago, which I really enjoyed. It blew my mind how much better this pork was. This sliced pork was so much better it wasn't close. The ribs were perfectly cooked, and I wished I ordered another serving for later tonight. The sides as always were very enjoyable. What a great BBQ for the 4th of July. Woodpeckers is still the best!

Captain Mikes Special 3.6/5. Bread 3/5. Meat 5/5. Sauce 4/5. Sides 3/5. Size & Value 3/5. Delicious smoked turkey and sausage packed with flavor. Thin texas toast style bread with BBQ sauce. Great combo. Banana Pudding 4.7/5. Texture 5/5. Flavor 5/5. Size & Value 4/5. Loved this pudding, very thick and creamy. Excellent flavor and a great balance of texture with the add ins. Highly recommend for dessert!

I had been eagerly anticipating a visit to Woodpeckers BBQ for months, and finally, the day arrived. Despite the long drive, we decided to head there for dinner on a Sunday, aiming to arrive by 5 PM. Upon arrival, I discovered that only three BBQ items remained: lean brisket, pork, and turkey. I opted for the brisket dinner. However, I must be honest--the lean brisket turned out to be disappointingly dry. Perhaps its leanness contributed to this lack of juiciness. Despite this initial setback, I'm optimistic about returning to Woodpeckers and exploring more of their offerings. On a positive note, the mac 'n' cheese and datil corn sides were quite enjoyable. The help was great. In summary, while the brisket left room for improvement, I'm willing to give Woodpeckers another chance. Next time, I'll explore different menu items and hope for a more satisfying experience.

Great customer service. Ordering was super easy and plenty of seats outside. Ordered brisket (fatty), Mac n cheese, and the spicy beans. Everything was flavorful and fresh. I liked the kick the beans had. Can't wait to come back!

An unsuspecting treat! Located off the beaten path in St. Augustine, Woodpeckers is a road side bbq joint that is worth the stop! The staff is super friendly and fast! Upon seating you are quickly greeted and they grab your drink order, followed up your meal. The meal arrived in what seemed like minutes of ordering. The table is filled with lots of bbq sauce options so you are likely to find a flavor that suits your palate! The food portions are large so come hungry! The ribs have a good smoke to them and a nice flavor of their rub or cooking sauce used. Layers nicely with any one of the sauce options. The chicken and turkey are also super tended! You'll also see a lot of datil pepper options on the menu and in the sauces. It's a native pepper to St. Augustine that they use throughout the cooking. Everything was delicious but the main food star was the baked beans! They were simply delicious! They rival a baked bean chili mash up. There are a few different beans and meats in the mix. It's great! Im not even a huge bean person and they are phenomenal! Highly recommend if you are in the area for some quality bbq!

My office often does carryout and we go there often with my MIL. Great BBQ with friendly service and assortment of Datil sausage, beef brisket, ribs and sides. Even the cornbread is incredible. Very rustic with seating inside and out. Parking is on a gravel lot with ancient live oaks. Mercedes to motorcycles. People line up outside for carryout before going to the nearby St Johns river. If you haven't been there what are you waiting for?

This BBQ is fantastic! I've had my fair share of great BBQ as I live in Fort Worth, TX and there is no shortage of it there, but Woodpeckers is easily one of the best in the nation! Get there early as certain items sell out quicker than others (moist brisket, ribs, cornbread, datil sausage). Our waitress was very nice, and she kept our drinks full. The restaurant itself feels like it's situated in the backwoods, which makes it feel even more authentic than it already is. Honestly, stop reading this review and just go there--you won't be disappointed.

The BEST BBQ in all of Jax/St John's hands down! The owner is the sweetest and is always there to talk with customers. The staff is all amazing and friendly too. Seating is limited inside but that doesn't stop a daily line waiting out the door! You can also sit outside too. I've used them several times for catering and it's always spot on. I Love all the datil pepper options and their sauces are spectacular!

Outstanding customer service. Ribs are among the best I've had. Perfectly cooked, juice, generous, flavor that sticks to your fingers. I might enjoy a little heavier rub. Brisket. Top three all-time for me. Got fatty, great bark worth good amount of seasoning. All generous portions. Baked beans are different, mustardy. Excellent. Collards very good, not great. It was solid with nice chip and meat, but the liquor was missing fat, I think. It's worth going out of your way.

Absolutely delicious and very quick! Had the pork and brisket, will definitely be coming back

Texas BBQ in Florda, went for business lunch with customer, the service was fast, friendly and very attentive, adding ice tea to checking on table for any needs. the place is well oiled machine. order the 3 meat combo, sausage was full of flavor, most juicy turkey breast with a kiss of smoke, brisket mix of fat and lean cuts OMG each bit transport you to Hard 8 in dallas, the smoke is not bitter and meat is juicy. the sides are delicious. the oldest city in america has one of the best BBQ

Barbecue perfection! Food items all were delicious! The plate meals, whether one meat, two meat, or three meats, were huge. Each portion of meat was like two portions elsewhere. The eight of us who ate there ordered enough different food where by trading amongst each other, everyone got to eat some of everything. Everyone was in agreement of the 5 star rating. The star of the show was their Turkey breast. Several of us proclaimed it the best we had ever eaten - and it wasn't dipped in butter to get it moist. It was cooked moist. The brisket point (fatty) was as good as any of the top Texas joints that we had visited the week before. The ribs were tops also. Full slab spare ribs cooked to perfection. The sides - all were great. The Datil corn was my fave. Datil beans came in second.! Even though Woodpecker's was very busy, the service was exceptional. Ambiance: I expect that many would grade it down to less than 5 stars, but to me the old-nessof the building and the unpaved parking lot just adds to the whole barbecue experience. Five stars straight across the board! If you are anywhere near St Augustine or Jacksonville, DO NOT MISS Woodpecker's Backyard Barbecue!

First let me start by saying I have this bbq spot a shot even with all the hype or popularity. Unfortunately the product isn't what it was hyped to be. Pros: Location is a nice family and group friend joint with outdoor benches and shaded area and a small indoor dining area. Service was friendly and prices are decent Cons. The BBQ! Brisket was unmistakably dry, Ribs overcooked and sides were unflavored. Purchasing a sizable order I was very disappointed with packaging to go order and just over all hype. I won't mind giving it a chance but compared to 4 Rivers I would give this place a pass.

Hidden, delectable, bbq spot in Orangedale! Pros: -fresh food -clean space inside -outside seating available! -takeout & catering available -no fried food options -friendly waitresses -decent prices -can order lunch or dinner portions all day **lunch portion is PLENTY -plentiful parking (but dusty) Cons: Nothing Hints: 1. Show up early in order to have full selection of menu options as when they are out of a side or meat choice, no more is made that day! 2. if you're a born-n-raised Southerner, try the collard greens!

Their Brisket and Banana Pudding are the best! I am always up to go to Woodpecker's BBQ

Best Bbq ever!!. It you want down home food that will make your mouth water for more for days, take a ride here. You'll thank me later!!

Shocked this place has so many positive reviews! Yes!!! I tried it twice to give it a fair shot, but after fatty, chewy ribs and dry, flavorless chicken and sides that were just ok, we were dumbfounded to see the lines! Maybe it being cheap is good for people, but that's not enough!

Food is Good not great inside dining a little on the seedy side. Looks can be deceiving this place is akin to a truck stop.

My personal favorite and the best barbecue around! Stop reading and start eating!!!!

The best barbecue I had in years! Service was fantastic. I kind of felt like I was at my aunts with all the authentic food.

This place is always amazing! No matter what meat, side, or dessert you order, it's always fast, fresh, and delicious. The servers are always on point, and the only slight con is that there is usually a wait on weekends, which is to be expected with a place this good.

This place is the best BBQ in Florida, the staff are great and their Datil Pepper sauces are off the chain.

We tried this for the first time and enjoyed our food. We ordered the whole chicken, which was a little dry. But it had a good flavor, and the sauce helped with the overcooking. We also ordered a pound of the chop pork. It was really good. The sides were mac & cheese and slaw. They were ok. I don't think I would order the slaw again. The service was friendly. We called ahead and the young lady was polite. I loved the outdoor seating options and the esthetics. There was a long line for indoors, so we didn't even check. Overall they did what they do well, which is BBQ. Their sauce selection was really good, and the prices were reasonable.

Recommended by a relative so I had to visit. Got there at 5:30PM on a Friday and more than half the menu was gone/out of! They explained that their policy was to prepare a certain amount of meats and sides and once they were gone, they closed the doors. Not a bad idea if you like to have dinner at 4PM. Pulled pork was still available and now that we were in place it sensible that we eat something. A great deal of their sides were very spicy and not to my taste. The pulled pork was dry and had little taste. The only thing that made it passible was the sauces which were all very good. I would like to try their ribs but 4PM is just too early to eat dinner. My relative said it's a good place but I just wasn't impressed. Serice was excellent, the building was nothing to look at but it was clean.

I enjoyed my meal, fatty brisket and ribs, with datil beans and corn. I sat at the bar as I was alone and was the first guest to enter as I had gotten there at 10:00. With a soda and tip it was $35. When I first received my meal I tried to eat the brisket but it was dry and almost crunchy, and not just the bark. When I told my server that I thought the kitchen had made a mistake and given lean, she scooped up my plate and took it to kitchen. She returned saying it was fatty, the trimming had just removed the fat. I don't know how they did this as there was bark on the entire perimeter. While certainly no expert, I have been to Texas Foodway's Brisket Camp (look it up) and I know the number 1 factor between ok and great brisket is that it come from the point end (preferably with point and flat). No other factor makes much difference. I was disappointed but just chalked it up to a pit master's hubris. I was then pleasantly surprised when my server brought me some partial slices (they were 1" tall with 1/2" of fat). These slices were what I expected, juicy and tasty. I scooped the meat from the fat and left the first batch. So if this happens to you complain. The ribs were fall off the bone with no tug and a unique flavor, like a blend of rosemary and ginger, although when asked they said none of the above. I tried their in-house sauces, but only at the end, as good bbq needs no sauce and this was good, ignoring the first brisket. I thought all three sauces were too sweet, especially for brisket. I loved the datil beans, the corn was ok but not a stand-out like the beans. When I left at just before noon there was no line and plenty of seats.

Great Bbq! Quick service- need to get there before they run out of food for the day. Our #1 stop when heading out of town as it's a bit of a drive for us but worth it.

Best BBQ in NEFL. Great service, get there early, they do sell out! Local small busines that serves awesome BBQ. 5 Star!

Excellent BBQ! Better make sure to go early cause the food will run out for the day. Fantastic choice of sauces and the meats are smoked perfectly.

Great Food and service. This is such a cool little place! You have to go even if it's out of your way! You won't be disappointed!

Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ is literally in the middle of nowhere, but if you are in the area, there is really no reason to go anywhere else. And if you are really hankering for some BBQ, it is definitely worth the drive. The only BBQ in the area that comes close is Monroe's on Highway Avenue. If there is a long line and your party is small, check in to see if there is seating at the counter. I recommend the Ribs, brisket, sausage and pork. They have a wide variety of BBQ sauces but my favorites are hickory and mustard. Lots of fresh, homemade sides and I usually go with the green beans and cole slaw because they are always spot on. The service is very good and if you have room, they usually have a couple of desserts to choose from. I went with the banana pudding. One word of caution, if you show up for a late lunch, they may be low or start selling out of items.

Only bad thing to say about this place is that once they are out of an item they are OUT. Unfortunately you don't always know till you actually order even then. Pork, ribs, chicken, sausage as far as meats. Great sides- Mac n cheese, collard greens, green beans, Datil baked beans, etc.. worth the drive as it's at County Rd 210 & State Rd 16 in the Fruit Cove area

Words cannot express how much I love this place. We were traveling through the area and looking for bbq and could not be more satisfied with Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ. If the place has a dirt parking lot and chickens walking around outside, you know it's gonna be great. Can't wait to go back!

The food and service were off the charts. We sat at the bar and were promptly greeted, order taken and quickly served. The BBQ and particularly the sides are OUTSTANDING. I spoke with the owner, Lisa Marston who touched base with all waiting to be seated for lunch, making everyone feel welcomed. The atmosphere is "Southern BBQ" Authentic with very healthy chickens (and crowing Roosters) roaming around outside. Having owned a number of restaurants, I highly recommend Woodpeckers. You will not be disappointed!

Nestled out under some awesome oaks, the atmosphere alone should get those old gastric juices going. It isn't fancy but you aren't going for barbecue for fancy. The staff is outstanding and eager to help you choose. *Many Gluten Free Options* Just go. You'll not regret it.

Even better than I remember! Where do I even begin?! Let's start with the overall vibe: Very well manicured and maintained outside; especially when you consider that this is a BBQ joint. There are multiple ordering options: Dine-in, walk-up window, and call-ahead. The staff was very friendly and answered all of our questions. And for being an hour shy of closing, they had a nice variety of meat selections still available. And now the taste: We received our food promptly after ordering and were pleasantly surprised to open the bag and find extra of the bbq sauces that we had shown particular interest in (without having to ask!). We ordered the three meat "Peck a Little More" to share. We tried the pork and lean brisket as well as mac n cheese, cole slaw, and (in true St. Augustine fashion) the datil pepper baked beans. All I can say is: "WOW!" The meat was juicy, our sauces were tasty, and we each had a side item that we loved! The datil baked beans were nice and flavorful with a hint of kick and the cole slaw was nice and cold with just the right amount of sweetness. I usually won't eat cole slaw, but this might honestly be the best I've ever had! Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with our experience at Woodpecker's Backyard BBQ! This is one of my all-time favorite BBQ joints and I can't wait to bring my family here next month when they come to visit! It was so good that I almost didn't notice the hour round trip drive... almost

Always great food. Love the datil corn and all of their sides. Wish they had a family size variety option

If you like BBQ in a friendly, family run business this is your place. Period. Just let the food do the talking. Whether take out or dining in, you cannot go wrong. Get there early as there is always a line waiting to get in. Friendly staff and owner. Reasonably priced. Great selection of sauces. Skip the mass produced chain restaurants and go to the locally run place - it's always much better.

Hidden gem ... excellent BBQ and the most cordial staff!! We will be regulars. This is by far the best BBQ in north Florida. Highly recommended!

I've driven past this small place all my life when that area. Finally stopped and tried it. The BBQ was so very tasty and service was excellent. My friends said the brisket was the best they have had anywhere. It's a popular place so be prepared to wait and come early to try the ribs - they were gone by the time we ate. This will now be a definite stop for us!

What does a woodpecker know about barbecue, a lot of good things! The service was fast within 5 minutes of sitting down fast. The waitress was a Southern "bless your little heart, delight". The Loaded Tater is a whole lot of mmm-licious! From top to bottom, every bite was loaded with flavor. Baked potato topped with cheese, pork, collard greens and mac n cheese. The waitress suggested adding Caroline Vinegar on the collard greens and it took it to a whole 'nother level joy. Worth the drive to enjoy Southern BBQ!

This spot compares well with the top quarter of Texas spots, that includes Goldee's, Snows and Cattleack! Excellent brisket, pork and jalapeño cheese sausage! Solid chicken and turkey. The datil sides? Phenomenal! Service was top tier and I was impressed with the quality of food given we came at 1600 on a Sunday! They were out of ribs at that time so I'll just have to come back a time or twelve!

My mouth is drooling thinking about how good our experience was at Woodpeckers. My husband and I ordered the 3 meats with 4 sides. We chose the turkey, pulled pork, & brisket with Mac n cheese and the datil corn & it came with Texas toast. Everything was delicious & did not disappoint. We also got the banana pudding... I've lowered my expectations when ordering banana pudding out at restaurants because it's usually just boxed pudding with nilla wafers but not this one! Their banana pudding was so creamy & the real deal. All employees were very welcoming! Great customer service! Will be back.

The food here is amazing! Be sure to order ahead or be there early, when they run out of food, that's it for the day. The smoked turkey was moist and flavorful, all the beef was amazing as well. Do yourself a favor and make it out to Woodpeckers soon! Ordering is at the window outside, and they have picnic tables out back to eat. Very 'backyard BBQ' type of ambiance, but we'll worth it!

Amazing customer service! Huge portions! Down home welcoming environment! I don't even like BBQ but still visit quite often! THE BEST BANANA PUDDING Ever!!!

Amazing stop for local BBQ. The sauce options were great because of the variety from sweet to spicy. The cheddar sausage sandwich was really good. The coleslaw with datil was spiced to perfection. The staff was extremely friendly and welcoming!

Was mediocre. Would not recommend. Had wings and they were terrible. Wife liked her salad though.

Great view. Food was good. Not busy at 6:300 on a Saturday. Waitress forgot a few items we ordered. She promised a free desert for the trouble. It never came.