For 46 years, the aroma of slow-smoked barbecue has been part of the University Boulevard landscape. Now, Woody’s Bar-B-Qis preparing to close the doors where its Jacksonville story began, with one final taste of 1980.
The original Woody’s Bar-B-Q will close its location at 1638 University Blvd. S. at Atlantic Boulevard on Sept. 30. But for Jacksonville barbecue fans, this isn’t goodbye. The restaurant plans to reopen at a new location in Jacksonville.
To make the farewell a little sweeter, Woody’s will turn back the clock on its final day, bringing back 1980 menu prices to honor its 46 years in business. Customers can get a barbecue pulled pork sandwich with a side of French fries for just $1.90.
Here's everything we know about Woody's relocation
and what customers can expect.
When did the original woody's first open in Jacksonville?
Co-founders Woody Mills and Yolanda Mills-Mawman opened the first Woody's restaurant at its University Boulevard location on July 1, 1980. Then, in October 2025, they retired, and Greater Purpose Restaurant Group acquired the restaurant. The group is co-owned by longtime Woody’s franchisee Jack Dunsmoor and his partner, Kelly Harris.
Woody’s will bring back its 1980 menu price for closing day Sept. 30, 2026
The final day at the original location will focus on celebrating Woody’s history, its founders, employees and generations of Jacksonville customers, said Jason Chinn, chief branding officer for Woody's parent company Greater Purpose Restaurant Group.
To do so, Woody's plans to serve a barbecue pulled pork sandwich with a side of French fries for the original 1980 menu price of $1.90.
"What we're doing with the University location, more than anything, is a celebration not only of the last 46 years of being in the Jacksonville community and serving the community," Chinn said. "But it's a celebration of our founders, of all our guests who've come through our doors during that period of time. That's our main focus."
See original Woody's Menu from 1980
Why is Woody’s closing its original Jacksonville restaurant?
Woody’s is not closing because of a lack of business. Chinn said the restaurant continues to perform well, but the area around the original location has changed significantly in recent years, including the closure of several nearby restaurants.
At the same time, Woody’s has been presented with opportunities to move to other locations in Jacksonville. Chinn said the company believes a new location could better position the restaurant for the future.
"It's really about we've just been approached. We've been fortunate to have a couple other opportunities in different locations within Jacksonville that we just think would be a better opportunity overall for our restaurant," he said.
Where will Woody’s Bar-B-Q's original location in Jacksonville relocate to?
The new restaurant site has not yet been announced.
"We are currently in the process of literally deciding between a couple of different opportunities or options," said Chinn, noting that the potential new locations are both in Jacksonville.
Chinn said the company expects to select a new location “shortly,” adding, "We're just as invested in Jacksonville and the community as we always have been for going on 50 years now."
What is Woody’s Bar-B-Q known for?
Woody’s has built its reputation around Southern barbecue, slow-smoked meats and traditional sides.
Customer favorites include Baby Back Ribs, Memphis Ribs, Carolina Pulled Pork, Texas Brisket, Mesquite Grilled Chicken and the Sloppy Woody Sandwich.
Popular sides include Mac & Cheese, Collards, Cole Slaw and BBQ. Desserts include Banana Pudding and Sky High Pie.
Over the years, the restaurant has developed a multigenerational following in Jacksonville.
Will Woody’s keep the same menu after moving?
Yes. The company expects the core menu to remain intact at the new location.
"We anticipate keeping the same menu … What we've done has worked pretty well for a while, and we don't want to interfere with that," he said.
Employees at the University Boulevard restaurant will have the opportunity to move to the new restaurant or to one of Woody’s other Jacksonville-area locations, Chinn said.
Woody’s continues expanding beyond Jacksonville
While the original restaurant is preparing to move, Woody’s continues to grow. Here's other locations across Florida:
- 5930 Powers Ave. in Jacksonville
- 1301 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs
- 1482 South 6th St. in Macclenny
- 1593 N. Nova Road in Holly Hill
- 19501 U.S. 27 in Lake Wales
- 2227 West New Haven Ave. in West Melbourne
- 13600 U.S. 1, Suite 18 in Sebastian
- 902 S. 6th Ave. in Wauchula
Outside Florida, Chinn said Woody’s recently opened a location in Durham, North Carolina, with a second Durham restaurant expected to open later this year. The company also plans to open locations in Atlanta and Melbourne, he said.
Woody’s calls closing a ‘bittersweet moment’
Dunsmoor, in a statement sent to the Times-Union, described the upcoming closure and relocation as "a bittersweet moment for the Woody's family."
“There is an incredible amount of history within these walls," said Dunsmoor. "Rather than simply saying goodbye to this location, we want September 30 to be about celebrating everything that has happened here — Woody and Yolanda having the vision to open those doors in 1980, the team members who helped build this restaurant over the years, and especially the generations of Jacksonville guests who made Woody’s part of their lives.”
In the statement, Harris noted that "our people are an invaluable part of this story."
“A building can change, but the people, recipes, hospitality and traditions behind Woody’s are what truly matter. We want our team to have the opportunity to make this journey with us, and we look forward to continuing to serve Jacksonville for years to come,” Harris said.
After 46 years, the University Boulevard address is closing — but Woody’s Jacksonville story will continue at a new location.
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Woody's Bar-B-Q closing original Jacksonville restaurant Sept. 30
