Tucked along State Road 13 in St. Augustine, Florida, Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ looks like a humble roadside stop — but don’t let the small size fool you. This unassuming BBQ joint has earned a jaw-dropping 4.8-star rating from over 3,500 reviewers, and locals swear there’s one secret ingredient that sets everything apart.
That ingredient is the datil pepper, a fiery little chili unique to St. Augustine that shows up in everything from cornbread to baked beans to house-made BBQ sauce. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why people keep driving back for more.
The Datil Pepper: St. Augustine’s Fiery Secret Weapon
Most people have never heard of the datil pepper, but in St. Augustine, it’s practically a local legend. This small, intensely hot chili grows almost exclusively in the St. Augustine area and carries a fruity, complex heat that’s different from your average hot pepper.
Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ has made it the star of their entire menu.
From their signature datil BBQ sauce to datil cornbread and datil baked beans, this pepper weaves its way through nearly every dish. One reviewer called the datil BBQ sauce their absolute number one out of all the house-made options.
The heat is bold but not punishing — it layers on top of smoky, slow-cooked meat in a way that makes each bite more exciting than the last.
If you’ve never tried datil pepper food before, Woodpeckers is the perfect place to start your spicy education.
Brisket So Good It Stops Conversations Mid-Sentence
Ask almost any Woodpeckers regular what to order first and the answer comes fast: the brisket. Reviewers consistently describe it as the best brisket they’ve ever tasted, praising its gorgeous smoke ring, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and deep, layered flavor.
One guest said it was so juicy and tender that it changed their entire standard for BBQ brisket.
The fatty brisket option gets especially high marks. That extra marbling melts during the long smoking process, creating a richness that lean cuts simply can’t match.
Even guests who arrived skeptical left converted. One reviewer noted that the meat was so flavorful it didn’t even need sauce — though the datil BBQ sauce on the side certainly doesn’t hurt.
Whether you order it by the plate, by the pound, or tucked inside a sandwich, Woodpeckers’ brisket is the kind of food that earns a return trip before you’ve even finished eating.
Fall-Off-the-Bone Ribs That Rival Any Big-City BBQ Spot
There’s something deeply satisfying about a rib that slides clean off the bone with almost no effort. At Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ, that’s exactly what you get.
Multiple reviewers describe the ribs as fall-off-the-bone tender, with seasoning that hits every note — smoky, savory, and just the right amount of sweet.
One guest drove from out of state on a friend’s recommendation and said the ribs alone made the whole trip worthwhile. Another couple tried them for the first time and immediately started planning their next visit around ordering a full rack again.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident — it takes consistent craft and serious pit skill.
Woodpeckers proves you don’t need a fancy dining room or a big-city address to serve world-class ribs. Sometimes the best BBQ comes from a small window on a Florida back road.
Datil Cornbread That Turns a Side Dish Into a Main Event
Cornbread is usually an afterthought at BBQ spots — a soft square you nibble between bites of meat. At Woodpeckers, the datil cornbread demands your full attention.
Infused with the fruity heat of the local datil pepper, it’s crumbly, golden, and carries a slow-building spice that sneaks up on you in the best way possible.
Reviewers have called it “to die for” and a must-order item, even for people who don’t normally get excited about cornbread. The datil kick gives it a personality all its own, setting it miles apart from the plain, forgettable versions you find elsewhere.
It pairs beautifully with the smoky meats and creamy sides, acting almost like a flavor bridge between everything on your tray.
Pro tip: grab an extra piece if you can. More than one guest has wished they had ordered a second helping before it was too late.
Datil Baked Beans With a Kick You Won’t Forget
Baked beans are a BBQ staple, but Woodpeckers takes the classic comfort food and turns up the heat — literally. Their datil baked beans are described by reviewers as hearty, satisfying, and full of that signature peppery punch that keeps showing up across the menu.
The beans are thick, rich, and carry a smoky depth that makes them feel like a meal on their own.
One first-time visitor admitted they had never heard of datil pepper before eating at Woodpeckers. After trying the beans, they immediately wanted to know more about the ingredient and where they could find it back home.
That’s the kind of impression a well-made side dish can leave.
Whether you’re a beans-on-the-side person or someone who loads up on sides as the main event, the datil baked beans at Woodpeckers are worth every single bite. Order them without hesitation.
House-Made Sauces That Give Every Bite a New Personality
Walking up to the counter at Woodpeckers and seeing the lineup of house-made sauces is genuinely exciting. The variety is impressive, covering everything from sweet and mild to fiery and bold, with the datil BBQ sauce sitting proudly at the top of most guests’ rankings.
Staff will happily let you sample them before committing, which is a small but thoughtful touch.
One reviewer’s winning strategy? Mix the hot sauce with the sweet for a balance that somehow makes both flavors taste even better together.
Another guest spent time working through every option before declaring the datil version the clear champion. With this many sauces available, you could visit multiple times and experience the same meat in completely different ways.
Great BBQ sauce doesn’t just complement the meat — it tells a story about where the food comes from. At Woodpeckers, every bottle tells you something about St. Augustine.
Mac and Cheese So Creamy It Has Its Own Fan Club
Not all mac and cheese is created equal, and Woodpeckers’ version has developed something of a cult following among regulars. Reviewers mention it repeatedly, often calling it their favorite side on the entire menu.
One loyal guest admitted that when ordering a three-meat combo with four available side choices, they used two of those slots on mac and cheese alone — because one serving just wasn’t enough.
The texture is rich and creamy, with a depth of flavor that goes well beyond the basic boxed stuff. Some versions on the menu carry a light peppery kick from datil seasoning, adding that familiar Woodpeckers signature to a beloved classic.
It pairs especially well with the smoky brisket, cutting through the richness of the meat with its smooth, cheesy comfort.
Side dishes this good don’t stay in the background for long. At Woodpeckers, the mac and cheese regularly steals the spotlight.
The Datil Coleslaw That Packs a Peppery Punch
Coleslaw at most BBQ joints is cool, creamy, and completely predictable. Woodpeckers decided that wasn’t good enough.
Their datil coleslaw brings that now-familiar fiery pepper flavor into a side that usually plays it safe, and the result is something refreshing and surprisingly bold. Reviewers describe it as having a nice peppery kick that wakes up your taste buds between bites of smoked meat.
One guest got creative and ordered a mix of spicy and regular coleslaw, combining them in one bowl for a customized heat level they called perfect. That kind of flexibility and quality encourages experimentation, which makes the dining experience feel interactive and fun rather than routine.
Coleslaw might seem like a minor detail, but at Woodpeckers it’s one more example of how the kitchen refuses to settle for ordinary. Every element on your tray gets the same careful attention — right down to the slaw.
Banana Pudding and Cobblers Worth Saving Room For
After working through a plate of brisket, ribs, and sides, most people assume dessert is out of the question. Then someone at the next table pulls out a banana pudding, and suddenly there’s room.
Woodpeckers’ banana pudding has been called one of the best versions some guests have ever tasted — smooth, sweet, and layered with real flavor that doesn’t feel overly processed or artificial.
The cobblers are equally beloved. Apple and blackberry options show up regularly on the menu, and both have earned glowing praise for their warmth, sweetness, and satisfying depth.
One reviewer described both cobblers as “positively incredible,” which is high praise from someone who just finished an already outstanding meal.
Peach cobbler fans also report leaving very happy. Dessert at Woodpeckers isn’t an afterthought — it’s a proper finale that gives the whole meal a sweet, memorable ending worth planning around.
Lightning-Fast Service That Somehow Never Feels Rushed
One of the most consistent compliments woven through Woodpeckers’ reviews isn’t about the food at all — it’s about how fast and friendly the service is. For a place this popular, the speed at which orders come out is genuinely surprising.
Multiple guests mention receiving their food within just a few minutes of ordering, even during the lunch rush when the line stretches out the door.
The staff earns praise in nearly every review. Employees are described as kind, helpful, and accommodating — even going out of their way to check sauce ingredients for guests with dietary restrictions.
One customer called ahead specifically to ask about gluten-free options, and the person who answered the phone went and personally checked every sauce label before giving an answer.
That level of care in a casual counter-service setting is rare and refreshing. At Woodpeckers, good hospitality comes standard with every order.
Portion Sizes Generous Enough to Feed Two
Value is one of the first things long-time Woodpeckers fans bring up when recommending the place to friends. The three-meat, four-side combo meal runs around $32 to $42 depending on selections, and multiple guests report splitting it comfortably between two people and still walking away full.
For BBQ of this quality, that pricing feels almost unfair to the competition.
One reviewer from Georgia — a state that takes its BBQ very seriously — said Woodpeckers offered the best BBQ and sides they’d had since moving to Florida, and that each meal easily stretched into two separate dinners. That’s a remarkable statement from someone with high regional standards.
A military discount is also available, which several guests highlighted as a thoughtful and appreciated gesture. When great food, generous portions, and fair pricing all show up together, it’s no mystery why locals keep coming back week after week.
The Outdoor Atmosphere That Feels Like a Backyard Cookout
Pulling up to Woodpeckers for the first time, you might wonder if you’ve got the right address. The setting is deliberately simple — outdoor picnic tables, some shade, and a laid-back vibe that feels more like a neighbor’s cookout than a restaurant.
That unpretentious atmosphere is a big part of what makes the experience feel special and authentic.
One reviewer delighted in spotting wild chickens wandering around the outdoor seating area, calling it a cool and unexpected bonus. The surrounding Florida countryside adds to the charm, especially for guests who enjoy a scenic drive as part of their meal outing.
One visitor specifically mentioned that the rural road leading to Woodpeckers made the whole trip feel like a mini adventure.
Fair warning: Florida summers mean heat and bugs, so visiting in cooler months makes the outdoor experience noticeably more comfortable. Spring and fall visits come highly recommended by regulars who know the seasonal sweet spot.
Why Arriving Early Is the Golden Rule at Woodpeckers
Here’s a piece of advice that nearly every Woodpeckers regular will give you without being asked: get there early. The restaurant opens at 11 AM Tuesday through Sunday, and by noon the place is consistently packed.
Popular items sell out fast, and waiting for an indoor table on a busy Sunday can stretch to 30 minutes or more.
One guest arrived at 12:30 PM and found the restaurant already at full capacity, with a wait stretching outside. Another reviewer suggested arriving 15 minutes before opening to guarantee a smooth experience without the rush.
The good news is that takeout orders move quickly, so ordering from the window and grabbing an outdoor table is a smart strategy when the inside fills up.
The hours run Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM, with Mondays closed. Planning your visit around an early weekday arrival gives you the best shot at the full menu before anything runs out.