Helberg Barbecue In Woodway, Texas: Meet The Chef

May 16

We sat down with Executive Chef Phillip Helburg of Helberg Barbecue in Woodway, Texas. Dining at Helberg Barbecue offers an authentic taste of Central Texas barbecue that is truly unmissable. Known for its slow-smoked meats, including tender brisket and juicy ribs, the restaurant prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and time-honored cooking methods. The casual, welcoming atmosphere enhances the experience, making it a perfect spot for families and barbecue lovers alike. With a selection of homemade sides and desserts, Helberg Barbecue delivers a memorable culinary adventure that highlights the rich flavors and traditions of Texas barbecue culture.

Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?

I usually start my day reading my bible, checking some emails while I make my French press, and then head into the restaurant to check on the pit staff, kitchen & front of house before cutting lunch. I like to end my day reviewing the day’s numbers, sending out any important notes to managers for the upcoming day, and eating dinner at home with my family, usually watching baseball or golf with my son.

Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?

Being named among the “Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas” by Texas Monthly Magazine and Yelp’s “Top 100 BBQ Joints in America.”

Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?

Evan Leroy for his creativity and boldness in the bbq space, Chris shepherd for his philanthropy work and overall excellence, and Jesse Griffiths for his sustainability work with wild game. Never stop learning new things, and be generous with what you learn, that’s how we all grow.

What do you typically cook at home for yourself or your family?

We cook a lot of Asian food at home. Lots of rice dishes, curry, simple meals with meat and some kind of roasted veg, that’s our comfort food.

What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?

The growing interest in beef tallow! We have always used 100% of our brisket scraps and people are loving our tallow-fried French fries. We’ve only had them on the menu for 2 months and they’ve already been nominated for best fries in Waco in our local newspaper’s “readers choice awards.”

What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?

Bitter melon dipped in shrimp paste—a snack my Filipino coworkers from my cruise-ship days loved, but I couldn’t acquire the taste for it.

What cocktail or beverage do you enjoy most?

I’m a whiskey guy. My palette favors rye in particular. I prefer a barrel-proof, neat pour, but I love mint juleps and whiskey sours too.

Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?

I’ve had the pleasure of cooking for several. The Bush family, Ted Nugent on a couple occasions, and cooking for events hosted by Magnolia in Waco are a few to name. Probably the peak of my career so far though was plating dishes about 10ft away from iron chef Stephanie Izard at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen last year, where Nancy Silverton tried my Cajun smoked turkey & pimento cheese.

What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?

Follow my restaurant at @helbergbarbecue.

Why should readers visit Helburg Barbecue In Woodway, Texas?

You should visit Helberg barbecue because in addition to having some of the best barbecue in Texas, we also have an expanded menu of creative dishes that utilize smoked meats, like our smoked, reverse-seared steak frites with red chimichurri over tallow fries, or our smoked/fried hot chicken sandwich. But whatever you do, don’t leave without trying our pork steak!

Advertiser disclosure + editorial note