Woodpeckers Backyard BBQ — Restaurant in Fruit Cove

BBQ has the power to invert a mediocre day. In this regard, Lisa and Keonna at Woodpecker’s, managed to turn a disappointing BBQ run from Miami to Saint Simons Island, GA into gold. I had originally intended to visit Southern Soul in Georgia, mingle with the local folk, then head back home to Miami. My experience at Southern Soul was less than splendid, relegating them and my trip to the dust bin of wasted time and bad ideas. At this point in time, I thought nothing could possibly recapture the initial sentiment, the desire to consume great Q, and my long journey back home began with a sense of chagrin and disillusionment. Then I remembered that while driving up to Georgia, I had encountered a BBQ joint in St.Augustine on Google reviews lauded with allegorical tales of Q so indescribably good, it was like winning the lottery in your mouth. Therefore, I decided to take a little detour to a place called Woodpecker’s Backyard BBQ, in a beautifully wooded area. I’m an honest reviewer, despite the fact that Lisa had run out of brisket and ribs, my go to meats, the pork and hospitality successfully salvaged my Q run. Lisa was unbelievably receptive to my complaints regarding Southern Soul, but if it hadn’t been for Keonna, my delightfully engaging and jovial waitress who had the presence of mind to inquire, listen, and alert Lisa as to what my adventure and predicament were comprised of... Lisa wouldn’t have been able to swoop in and save the day. The pork was amazing. I’m glad it wasn’t pulled, as a carnivore, I’m inclined to enjoy foods closest to their natural, intact state. The sausages, I wasn’t entirely convinced with due to the fact that I prefer sausages with a bit more bite. Smoking softens meat, which can enhance the smooth texture of a fine grind, therefore a “drier” sausage which utilizes bison, beef chuck, or less fat would be better for my particular palate. That’s why I tend to grill sausages as opposed to smoking them, giving them a “heartier” masticatory quality. Lisa was kind enough to include a trio of sides; corn, coleslaw, and beans, of which the beans were my favorite, because I’m not a huge fan of sweet sides, corn and coleslaw. Although, mildly sweet cornbread is always welcome. Side note: when I want something sweet I prepare a homemade pie whose base/shell constitution entails mixing sprouted hemp granola mixed with grass fed butter, followed by a filling composed of whole strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries swimming in a banana purée. Cornbread was also missing in action, but Lisa herself promised me she’d have all three of my favorite BBQ staples, brisket, ribs, and cornbread... on my next visit. I’d like to once again, thank Lisa and Keonna for their warmth and familiarity... and most importantly, for showing me and all of the customers whom were there, appreciation... and finally, for welcoming me to visit again in...

Heard that this was one of Yelp's top BBQ spots in the whole country, so of course I had to try it. Obviously, Florida isn't known for its BBQ, but gosh darn, it does have some diamonds in the rough. And this is one of them. I came here after a Jaguars game in Jax. It was loosely on the way back to Orlando, so I made it a point to come here.

I say loosely, because it was quite a ways off the beaten path. It's definitely not a tourist trap; more of a local-supported place, which boded well, I thought. After getting to the place, we pulled into the poorly lit, single shanty looking building, and I start really getting excited. This was gonna be some good Q.

We walk in, get seated, and get our order going. I forget exactly what we ordered, but it was a pretty massive feast with a good assortment of their meats and sides. We sit at our picnic tables and sip on our sweet tea, and browsing the many different table sauces they had.

A neat thing about this place was that it showcased a local produce called a datil pepper, grown primarily in St. Augustine. It was featured in a couple of their sauces and in a couple of side dishes as well. They love this pepper, and I loved it, too. It was a little tangy, a little kicky, and definitely unique enough to make me get more than my fair share of that datil BBQ sauce in to-go cups when we were done.

As for the food, wowww. The meat itself was perfect. The spare ribs were tender, had a good chew, and had a great little seasoning bark on the outside. The chopped pork was juicy, unsauced so it could sing for itself, but was complimented very well by each of the six sauces on the table.

Sausage was flavorful and snappy. Even the turkey was moist, not even a little dry. And the brisket, forgetaboutit, juicy and moist to a fault, amazingly rendered fat, perfect smoke levels, and a bark on it that was so perfect I wanted to bronze it and keep it forever.

Nothing needed sauce, but the sauces were awesome, so I let it fly as appropriate.

And as for the sides, I feel like they were probably the best in all of Florida. Just so much TLC was put into each one of them. From the datil-infused corn to the datil baked beans to that lovely bite on that mac & cheese, everything was designed and executed to perfection and was a lovely side to the stars of the show.

Overall, if you're within 100 miles of Woodpeckers, I would definitely come here to give it a try. If you're even a casual barbecue lover, you will absolutely fall in...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Woodpeckers BBQ, and I must say, it was an absolutely phenomenal experience. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with warm hospitality and a cozy atmosphere. But it was the food that truly stole the show and left me completely amazed.

Let's start with their stuffed baked potato, which was truly a work of art. This enormous potato was the size of a football and stuffed to the brim with mouthwatering tri-tip brisket. Each bite was a burst of flavors and textures that left me wanting more. It was a truly unforgettable dish.

Woodpeckers BBQ also boasts an impressive array of BBQ sauces. From tangy and smoky to sweet and spicy, there was a sauce to suit every taste bud. The sauces elevated the BBQ experience to a whole new level, adding an extra layer of deliciousness to their already incredible dishes.

Speaking of incredible dishes, the brisket at Woodpeckers BBQ is absolutely divine. They offer three different cuts: fatty, lean, and tri-tip, and I tried all three. Cooked to perfection, the meat was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Each bite melted in my mouth, leaving me craving for more. It's safe to say that Woodpeckers BBQ knows how to do brisket right.

And let's not forget about their ribs. These are not overcooked fall-off-the-bone ribs found at lesser places. No sir, these perfectly smoked finger-licking-good ribs were an absolute delight. The smoky and savory flavor was unparalleled, and the meat was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth. It's no wonder that Woodpeckers BBQ is famous for their ribs.

Now, let's talk about the datil corn and datil coleslaw. These two sides were the perfect balance of heat and flavor. The datil pepper added just the right amount of kick to the corn, while the coleslaw provided a refreshing and creamy contrast. Together, they created a harmonious combination that complemented the BBQ dishes perfectly.

Overall, my experience at Woodpeckers BBQ was nothing short of exceptional. The stuffed baked potato, array of BBQ sauces, brisket, ribs, and the delightful datil corn and datil coleslaw left me with a satisfied palate and a happy heart. Woodpeckers BBQ is a true gem in the world of BBQ, and I highly recommend it to anyone craving a memorable and mouthwatering...