Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ – St. Augustine’s Hidden BBQ Gem
Located at 4930 State Rd 13 N, St. Augustine, FL, Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ is a community favorite known for its authentic, low-and-slow Southern barbecue. For over a decade, this casual, down-home restaurant has served up award-winning flavors and generous portions that draw lines before opening time. Ranked #42 on Yelp’s Top 100 BBQ Spots in the U.S., it’s a must-visit for any barbecue lover.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Southern-style BBQ restaurant |
| Address | 4930 State Rd 13 N, St. Augustine, FL 32092 |
| Phone | +1 904-531-5670 |
| Owner | Lisa Marston (“Head Pecker”) |
| Opening Hours | Tue–Sun: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Closed Mondays) |
| Dining Options | Dine-in, Takeout, Curbside Pickup |
| Parking | Free parking lot & street parking available |
| Website / Menu | Facebook Page | Menu |
| Google Maps | View Location |
Atmosphere & Ambience
Woodpeckers offers a casual, rustic backyard setting with picnic tables, outdoor seating, and the occasional rooster sighting—giving it an authentic charm. Visitors consistently highlight the friendly staff, welcoming vibe, and excellent service.
BBQ Specialties & Must-Try Dishes
| Item Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| BBQ Meats | Brisket (fatty, lean, or mixed), ribs, pulled pork, turkey, chicken, sausage |
| Signature Flavor | Datil Pepper — a native pepper used in award-winning sauces & baked beans |
| Popular Sides | Datil baked beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, collard greens |
| Sandwiches | Served on Texas Toast, available with all meats |
| Loaded Tater | Baked potato with two sides, can add brisket for extra |
| Sauces on Table | Sweet Hickory, Carolina Vinegar, Mustard, Orangedale White, and Datil BBQ |
Customer Tip: Try mixing Datil sauce with sweet hickory for the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Menu
Pecker Plate
(Served with 2 sides & Texas Toast)
- 1/2 Plate: 1 sauce
- Whole Plate: 2 sauces
| Item | Lunch Price | Dinner Price |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket | $20.00 | $22.00 |
| Ribs | $18.50 | $22.00 |
| Pork | $11.50 | $13.50 |
| Turkey | $13.00 | $15.00 |
| Sausage | $9.00 | $10.50 |
| Datil Sausage | $10.00 | $12.50 |
| Jalapeno Sausage | $10.50 | $12.50 |
| Bone-in Chicken (Qtr) | $11.00 | – |
| Bone-in Chicken (Half) | $13.00 (+$1 all white) | – |
Sandwiches
(Served on Texas Toast with 1 Side & 1 Sauce)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Brisket | $14.50 |
| Rib | $13.00 |
| Pork | $10.50 |
| Turkey | $11.50 |
| Chicken (All white +$1) | $10.00 |
| Sausage | $9.00 |
| Datil Sausage | $9.50 |
| Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage | $9.50 |
Peck a Pound
(Includes sauces: 1/2 lb = 2 sauces, Whole lb = 3 sauces)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Half Wt | $21.00 |
| Brisket (per lb) | $28.00 |
| Pork (per lb) | $10.50 |
| Turkey (per lb) | $17.00 |
| Sausage (per lb) | $9.50 |
| Datil Sausage (per lb) | $11.00 |
| Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage (per lb) | $11.00 |
Ribs by the Slab
| Portion | Details |
|---|---|
| 1/2 Rack | • Price: $18.50 • Sauces: 2 sauces |
| Whole Rack | • Price: $27.00 • Sauces: 3 sauces |
Chicken on the Bone
| Portion | Details |
|---|---|
| 1/2 Chicken (All white +$1) | • Price: $11.00 • Sauces: 2 sauces |
| Whole Chicken (All white +$2) | • Price: $13.75 • Sauces: 3 sauces |
Captain Mike’s Special
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Turkey & Sausage Sandwich • Served with 1 side • Choice of Datil or Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage | $13.00 |
Peck a Lil More
(Served with Texas Toast & sides)
| Combo | Details |
|---|---|
| Two Meats | • Price: $19.00 • Includes 2 sides • $2 upcharge for duplicate meats • Brisket +$3 |
| Three Meats | • Price: $30.00 • Includes 4 sides • Brisket +$6 |
Sides
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Single | $3.50 |
| Pint | $5.50 |
| Quart | $9.00 |
Options:
- Add Cheese: +$0.50
- Baked Beans
- J. Datil Baked Beans
- Coleslaw
- J. Datil Slaw
- Mac & Cheese
- Apple Sauce
- Green Beans
- Collard Greens
- Corn on the Cob
- J. Datil Corn
- Baked Potato*
- Baked Sweet Potato*
BBQ Sauces
| Portion | Price |
|---|---|
| Additional Cup | $0.50 |
| 1/2 Pint | $5.50 |
| Pint | $9.00 |
Flavors:
- J. Datil
- BBQ
- J. Datil Mustard
- Orangecale
- White
- Sweet
- Hickory
- Carolina Vinegar
- Mustard
(Additional sour cream: +$0.50)
Drinks
- Coke Products
- Tea
Customer Experience
- Rating: 4.8 stars
- Reviews praise: Freshness, flavor, portion size, and local flair
- Crowd Favorites: Brisket, ribs, Datil sausage, baked beans
- Best time to visit: Arrive early—items sell out fast
- Service: Walk-in only, no reservations
Accessibility & Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible (parking, restrooms, seating, and entrance)
- Good for families, groups, and casual lunches or dinners
- Accepts: Credit cards, debit cards, NFC payments
- No alcoholic beverages served
Most Recommended Dishes
| Recommended Dishes |
|---|
| • Brisket (lean and fatty) • Ribs • Datil Sausage • Mac & Cheese • Coleslaw / Datil Slaw • BBQ Sauces (multiple types, including Datil, Hickory, Carolina Vinegar) • Banana Pudding • Blackberry Cobbler • Baked Beans • Loaded Baked Potato • Datil Cornbread • Pulled Pork • Sausage Sandwich • Sweet Potato • Smoked Turkey • BBQ Pork Sandwich |
Food Quality
| Food Feedback |
|---|
| • BBQ is flavorful, juicy, and smoky • Brisket varies: some say juicy, others dry • Sides consistently praised (especially mac & cheese, slaw, beans) • Generous portions, often enough to share • Signature Datil pepper adds unique flavor • Some complaints about takeout meat quality • Sauce enhances flavor but not required • Banana & Blackberry desserts highly rated |
Service Experience
| Service Feedback |
|---|
| • Friendly, helpful, and attentive staff • Fast service even during busy times • Staff accommodate dietary restrictions • Some specific staff (e.g. Jackie, Rich) praised • Takeout process can sometimes lead to food issues • Consistently rated 5/5 for service |
Atmosphere & Dining
| Atmosphere Highlights |
|---|
| • Casual, laid-back BBQ joint vibe • Both indoor and outdoor picnic seating • Outdoor area under oak trees with chickens roaming • Busy, often with a line or wait • Family-friendly • Near St. John’s River (scenic takeout option) • AC can be strong inside – bring a jacket! • Small indoor dining space, often full |
Price Range (Per Person)
| Price Feedback |
|---|
| • $10–20 (most common) • $20–30 (combo meals or shared platters) • $30–50 (larger meals, multi-meat, dinner) • $50–100 (rare, large to-go orders) • Value for money frequently mentioned |
Parking & Accessibility
| Parking Details |
|---|
| • Plenty of parking available • Free parking lot and street parking • Some parking on dirt, not paved • Can get full during peak hours |
Unique Features
| Notable Highlights |
|---|
| • Datil pepper used in sauces and sides • Sauce variety praised (6+ types) • Lean/fatty brisket options available • Gluten-free friendly (esp. proteins) • Outdoor seating with chickens/roosters • Local hidden gem, not touristy • Consistently packed – early arrival recommended • Digital menu available (some guests missed it) • Takeout available, but dine-in quality preferred |
Final Thoughts
Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ delivers more than just food—it offers a memorable local dining experience. With its homey vibe, standout Datil-infused dishes, and consistently high-quality BBQ, it’s no wonder locals and visitors alike flock to this roadside gem.
If you’re visiting St. Augustine and want a taste of Florida-style Southern barbecue, make sure Woodpeckers is on your list. Just be sure to get there early—once it’s gone, it’s gone.
For the full menu and more details, visit their Facebook page or menu site.