Health Camp Burgers and Shakes — Restaurant in Waco

Health Camp – A Waco Institution

Old-School Charm, Big-Time Flavor

Health Camp has been holding down the fort on Waco’s Circle for decades, serving up nostalgia with a side of crispy onion rings and thick shakes. It’s the kind of place where the griddle’s been seasoned by time, and the menu stays simple because, well—why mess with perfection?

The Burger: Smash-Style Satisfaction

The cheeseburger here leans into that classic smash burger aesthetic—100% Angus ground chuck, seared just right to give it that crispy outer edge while staying juicy inside. No gimmicks, just beef done right. Mustard, onions, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and tomato—all stacked onto a perfectly toasted bun. The mustard gives it that Texas tang, cutting through the richness, while the crisp veggies bring balance. At nine bucks, you’re paying a little extra, but you’re also getting a burger with real beefy character.

Onion Rings: Golden Crunch Perfection

Skip the fries—this is an onion ring kind of place. They come out thick-cut and fried to an ideal crunch, the batter light but substantial. No limp, greasy afterthoughts here. These rings are the real deal, seasoned just enough to keep you reaching for the next one.

Banana Pudding Shake: Southern Sweetness in a Cup

Now, let’s talk about that shake. If you love banana pudding, this one’s a winner. It’s got that rich banana flavor, the kind that doesn’t taste artificial but instead reminds you of a homemade dessert. The real magic? The vanilla wafer crumbs dusted on top, with a few surprise wafers hidden inside, giving it that classic banana pudding texture. Cold, creamy, and just the right amount of thick—this one’s a must.

Final Verdict

Health Camp is more than just a burger joint—it’s a Waco staple, a slice of Texas history on a buttered bun. You’ll pay a little extra for the nostalgia, but you’ll also leave satisfied, knowing that places like this still exist. Whether you’re craving a classic burger, crispy onion rings, or a shake that tastes like dessert straight from grandma’s kitchen, Health...

I've heard many bad things about this place but I still wanted to try it out because it's been there so long. My family and a friend of ours came in for dinner, we were so excited and even took pictures outside because the building looked vintage and cool. When we entered the restaurant we noticed an employee cleaning the dining area an another one cooking, neither one greeted us or said anything, just an awkward silence as we looked at the menu. It smelled like they had just mopped the floors but it had a terrible mildew smell, at this point we should have just left and went to Rudy's like we had originally planned. When the cashier made it to the front my friend placed her order first, there wasn't a proper greeting or "what can I get for you today"? It was more like a go ahead you're wasting my time, she actually just said "go ahead". The cashier had a terrible attitude as if she did not want to be there or was having a rough night. When is was my turn to order the cashier began to count the receipts in the drawer looking down, just an awkward silence as we waited to be acknowledged. She then said "Go ahead, I'm listening" without even looking up and still counting the receipts. At this point I got an attitude right back with her I told her "You didn't say anything to us so how were we supposed you were ready to take our order" Then she looked up, maybe it caught her off guard because she didn't expect anyone to say anything to her. We placed our orders and sat down and watched other customers come in. Everyone was greeted once she noticed that we were watching her. The food was good not great but no complaints there but the customer service here is terrible. They seriously need to weed out the bad apples at this restaurant if they want to keep it open. We will never come back to this place. Visited on 9/4/17 cashier working...

Here's the skinny folks...those of you that know me, know that my lifequest is to find the world's greatest burger. Health Camp is not only a Waco icon. It has, hands down, one of the best burgers I've ever had. I grew up eating at this little gem. My grandparents went on dates here. They are unquestionably one of my top 5 favorite burgers of all time, and undeniably the best...burger...in...Waco.

Do not let the name fool you. There is nothing "healthy" about the Health Camp. It's is everything that you would expect from an iconic, old school burger joint. So when you go, loosen your belt and pull up a chair because you're in for a real treat. The burgers are always hot and juicy, and the veggies are always fresh and crisp. Go for the super health burger (aka:double-double). My favorite side is their onion rings...breaded, not battered (for you onion ring connoisseurs). They also have really great fries and tater tots that are...tater tots.

Not into burgers? That's okay (for a serial killer). They have a CFS sandwich that is out of this world, and chilly-cheese dog that will straight up put you to sleep. Health conscious snowflake? Still no problem...they have a grilled chicken sandwich that (I hear) is on point.

The pièce de résistance, their finishing move, THE knockout punch is...their homemade shakes. Homemade vanilla ice cream with 30+ flavor choices. Insider hint: your can mix flavors at no extra cost. My personal favorite is coffee-banana. Don't judge me until you try it!!!

It's small and intimate. So if you visit them on Sunday after church...plan to wait. But I promise you, it's worth it. You won't be disappointed. So, if you're looking for a classic, small town American burger joint...look no further. Health Camp has more than got...