Tucked along State Road 13 in St. Augustine, Florida, Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ is the kind of place locals guard like a secret and visitors rave about for years. With a 4.8-star rating from over 3,500 reviews, this humble roadside spot has earned a reputation that stretches far beyond the Sunshine State.
From melt-in-your-mouth brisket to house-made datil sauces, every bite tells a story of passion, tradition, and serious BBQ craft. Here are 13 reasons why Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ deserves a spot on every food lover’s must-visit list.
The Brisket That Changes Everything
Some foods stop you mid-bite and make you reconsider every BBQ meal you have ever eaten. That is exactly what the brisket at Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ does.
Reviewers call it the best they have ever tasted, and it is easy to understand why once you see that gorgeous smoke ring.
The fatty brisket option is the crowd favorite, delivering tender, moist slices packed with deep smoky flavor. It melts on your tongue without needing a single drop of sauce.
One customer described it as “outstanding” and gave it a perfect 10 out of 10.
Whether you order it by the plate or tucked inside a sandwich, the brisket here is the centerpiece of the entire menu. If you only order one thing at Woodpeckers, make it the brisket.
You will not walk away disappointed.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs Worth the Drive
Ask any regular at Woodpeckers and they will tell you the ribs are reason enough to make the trip. Slow-smoked until the meat practically slides off the bone, these ribs have earned their own loyal fan base among the restaurant’s many devoted customers.
One visitor drove out specifically after a friend’s recommendation and said the ribs were absolutely perfect. Another reviewer mentioned they would be coming back just for the ribs on their next Florida trip.
That kind of loyalty says everything about the quality on the plate.
The seasoning hits all the right notes — smoky, savory, and just sweet enough to keep you reaching for the next piece. Paired with one of the house-made sauces, a rack of Woodpeckers ribs turns a regular lunch into something you will be talking about for weeks.
Datil Pepper: St. Augustine’s Secret Ingredient
Most people have never heard of the datil pepper before visiting St. Augustine. That changes the moment they sit down at Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ.
This fiery little pepper is native to the region and has become the restaurant’s signature flavor, woven through nearly every corner of the menu.
From datil baked beans to datil slaw, datil cornbread, and the famous datil BBQ sauce, this pepper brings a fruity heat that is unlike anything you will find at a typical BBQ spot. One reviewer admitted they had no idea datil even existed before eating here.
Now they cannot stop thinking about it.
The datil pepper is not just a gimmick — it is a genuine local tradition that Woodpeckers honors with every dish. Trying it here feels like tasting a piece of St. Augustine’s culinary history in the most delicious way possible.
House-Made BBQ Sauces That Steal the Show
Walking up to the counter at Woodpeckers and seeing the spread of house-made sauces is genuinely exciting. The restaurant offers a wide variety, and the staff will happily let you sample every single one before you commit.
That kind of generosity tells you a lot about the place.
The datil BBQ sauce consistently earns the top spot among fans, blending that signature local pepper heat with a rich, tangy sweetness. One reviewer suggested mixing the hot sauce with the sweet for a combo that practically defines the Woodpeckers experience.
It is the kind of tip that gets passed around like a local secret.
Even if you are someone who usually skips the sauce, these house-made creations are worth exploring. They are crafted to complement the smoked meats rather than overpower them, striking a balance that keeps every bite interesting from start to finish.
Datil Cornbread That Deserves Its Own Fan Club
Cornbread often plays second fiddle at a BBQ restaurant, but not at Woodpeckers. The datil cornbread here has become something of a legend among regular visitors, with reviewers using phrases like “to die for” and “spicy and crumbly” to describe what sounds like a very humble side dish.
The datil pepper gives the cornbread a gentle kick that sneaks up on you in the best way. It is not overwhelmingly spicy — it is just lively enough to make you reach for another piece before you have finished the first.
Paired with smoked meats and a cold sweet tea, it rounds out the meal beautifully.
Several reviewers specifically called out the cornbread as a highlight of their visit, which is no small feat when the brisket and ribs are also on the table. Order it.
You will be glad you did, and you will probably wish you had ordered two.
Mac and Cheese So Good People Order It Twice
There is a reason so many Woodpeckers regulars mention the mac and cheese in nearly every review. One loyal customer admitted the mac and cheese was so good that even when ordering four sides, they took three servings of it and only one of everything else.
That says it all.
Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this is not the watery mac and cheese you find at chain restaurants. Woodpeckers puts real care into their sides, and the mac and cheese reflects that commitment.
The datil version adds a peppery kick that makes it even harder to stop eating.
Visitors who moved to the area from Georgia — a state that takes its BBQ and comfort food seriously — say it is the best mac and cheese they have had since relocating. When Georgia transplants give a Florida BBQ joint that kind of compliment, you pay attention.
Banana Pudding and Cobblers Worth Saving Room For
A great BBQ meal deserves a great ending, and Woodpeckers absolutely delivers on dessert. The banana pudding has developed a cult following among regulars, with one reviewer calling it one of the best they have ever tasted anywhere.
Another customer admitted they took a portion to go just to savor it later.
The apple cobbler and blackberry cobbler are equally impressive, earning perfect scores from visitors who tried both in the same sitting. One reviewer described them as “positively incredible,” which feels like the right reaction when something tastes that good after an already outstanding meal.
The peach cobbler gets high marks too, though it leans on the sweeter side — something fans of classic Southern desserts will absolutely love. Dessert at Woodpeckers is not an afterthought.
It is a full chapter of the experience, and skipping it would be a genuine mistake.
Gluten-Free Friendly and Genuinely Accommodating
Eating out with dietary restrictions can be stressful, but Woodpeckers makes it surprisingly easy. One customer called the restaurant the day before their visit specifically to ask about gluten-free options.
The staff member who answered went out of their way to check every single BBQ sauce ingredient to make sure everything was safe.
That level of care is rare and deeply appreciated by anyone who has experienced the anxiety of navigating a menu with food sensitivities. It reflects a restaurant culture that genuinely prioritizes its customers over convenience.
The visitor was so impressed they specifically called out that moment in their review.
Woodpeckers also offers a military discount, which several reviewers highlighted as a thoughtful and welcome gesture. Small details like these reveal the kind of family-run heart that beats at the center of this place, making every guest feel like they matter — not just like another order at the window.
A Menu Built for Sharing and Exploring
Few menus invite exploration the way Woodpeckers does. The Pick 2 and three-meat plate options let you mix and match smoked meats, giving you a proper tour of the kitchen’s strengths in a single sitting.
Brisket, ribs, datil sausage, pulled pork, chicken — the choices are genuinely hard to narrow down.
One visitor ordered the three-meat plate with four sides for around $32 and split it between two people, both of whom left completely stuffed. Another spent $42 before tip and called it entirely satisfying.
For the quality and quantity on offer, the value feels almost too good to be true.
The portions are generous enough that many customers report getting two full meals out of a single order. Taking leftovers home from Woodpeckers is practically a tradition at this point.
When the food is this good, eating it twice is never a hardship.
The Datil Sausage You Did Not Know You Needed
Smoked sausage is a staple at any serious BBQ joint, but Woodpeckers takes theirs to a different level with the datil variety. Infused with that distinctive local pepper, the datil sausage has a bold, smoky flavor with just enough heat to remind you that you are somewhere truly special.
Reviewers who ordered the three-meat plate often chose datil sausage as one of their selections, and nearly all of them came away impressed. The combination of smoke, spice, and savory seasoning makes it a natural companion to the brisket or ribs, and it holds its own just as well as a standalone item.
One long-time fan of the restaurant mentioned specifically wanting to return just to have the datil sausage again after trying it for the first time. That kind of craving-inducing quality is exactly what separates a memorable BBQ spot from a forgettable one.
The Laid-Back Atmosphere That Feels Like Home
Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ does not try to be fancy, and that is a big part of its charm. The setup is casual and unpretentious — outdoor picnic tables, a shaded yard, a front ordering window, and the kind of easy-going vibe that makes you want to linger long after the food is gone.
Wild chickens reportedly wander around the outdoor tables, which reviewers find equal parts quirky and delightful. One customer specifically mentioned the chickens as a fun bonus to the whole experience.
It is the kind of detail that only a place with real personality could pull off without trying.
The drive out along the Florida countryside to reach the restaurant adds to the experience, with one reviewer calling the scenic route a nice bonus in itself. Getting to Woodpeckers feels like an outing, and arriving feels like coming home to a backyard cookout with the best pitmaster in the state.
Sweet Tea and Smoked Meats: A Perfect Pairing
No Southern BBQ experience is complete without a proper sweet tea, and Woodpeckers delivers one that reviewers consistently describe as perfect. It is the kind of sweet tea that does not taste like it came from a powder mix — cold, refreshing, and balanced in a way that makes the smoky meats taste even better.
Pairing a glass of that sweet tea with a plate of brisket or ribs is one of those simple pleasures that reminds you why great food does not need to be complicated. The combination is classic, comforting, and completely satisfying in the Florida heat.
One reviewer specifically praised the sweet tea alongside everything else on their table, noting that it was just as impressive as the food itself. At a place where every detail seems carefully considered, it makes sense that even the drinks are done right.
Woodpeckers does not cut corners anywhere.
A 4.8-Star Rating That Speaks for Itself
Earning a 4.8-star rating from more than 3,500 reviews is not a lucky accident. It is the result of years of consistent quality, genuine hospitality, and a deep commitment to doing BBQ the right way.
Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ has built that reputation one smoked plate at a time.
Visitors travel from across Florida and beyond specifically because of those reviews. Multiple customers mention driving an hour or more to get there, with most saying the trip was absolutely worth it.
That kind of word-of-mouth power is the highest compliment a small family restaurant can receive.
Located at 4930 State Rd 13 N in St. Augustine, Woodpeckers is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM. They sell out regularly, so getting there early is strongly advised.
Call ahead at 904-531-5670 or visit woodpeckersbbq.xyz to plan your visit before the brisket runs out.