Where the Uncle Dan’s Story Began

Uncle Dan’s BBQ was founded in Waco, Texas, in 1978by Dan Henderson and his partners, F.E. “Buck” Massey and Elsie Dieterman. The original restaurant opened at 1521 Wooded Acres Drive with a simple goal: serve great barbecue and take care of the people who walked through the door.

The restaurant entered an important new chapter in 1980 when Dan married Clara McNulty, a Baylor University graduate and experienced restaurateur. Clara brought years of restaurant experience and several ideas that would become part of the Uncle Dan’s tradition.

She created the now-famous Texas Tater, introduced smoked turkey breast to the menu, and brought Uncle Dan’s signature white potato salad to Waco. These favorites joined the smoked meats and classic sides that helped establish Uncle Dan’s as a favorite BBQ restaurant in Waco.

Growing With Waco and Central Texas

In 1988, Dan and Clara purchased the remaining shares of Uncle Dan’s from Mr. Massey and Ms. Dieterman, taking full ownership of the restaurant.

The late 1980s also marked the beginning of Uncle Dan’s off-premise catering and delivery services. What started inside the restaurant could now be enjoyed at gatherings, celebrations, business events, and other occasions throughout the Waco area.

As Central Texas continued to grow, so did Uncle Dan’s. In 1990, a second location opened at 231 North Hewitt Drive, making Uncle Dan’s BBQ more convenient for customers in Hewitt, Robinson, Lorena, and surrounding communities. The Hewitt restaurant’s drive-through window quickly became a customer favorite and remains a convenient way to enjoy Uncle Dan’s today.

A New Home on Lake Air Drive

In 1996, Dan and Clara purchased the former Kelly’s Night Club building at 1001 Lake Air Drive in Waco.

After an extensive remodel and the addition of a drive-through window, Uncle Dan’s moved into its new Lake Air Drive location in May 1998. The restaurant would become a familiar destination for Waco families, Baylor fans, local businesses, longtime customers, and visitors looking for Texas BBQ in Waco.

In March 2008, Dan welcomed experienced restaurant manager Gregory Behm to the Uncle Dan’s family. Gregory joined the Lake Air Drive restaurant as manager and helped oversee the continued growth of the business, including the expansion of Uncle Dan’s catering services.

Keeping Tradition While Trying Something New

Uncle Dan’s has always believed that tradition and innovation can share the same table.

When the Waco restaurant was remodeled in 2019, Dan Jr. helped introduce new ideas while preserving the menu classics customers had enjoyed for decades. One of those additions was Prime Brisket Friday, featuring premium brisket seasoned with a custom spice rub and smoked with the flavors of oak and mesquite.

The renovation also included updates to the private dining rooms at the Lake Air Drive location. These spaces provide Waco families, organizations, and businesses with private dining options for groups ranging from 6 to 68 guests.

A New Chapter for Uncle Dan’s BBQ

In April 2025, another important chapter began.

As Dan Henderson prepared for retirement and a new season of life, he sold the operations of Uncle Dan’s BBQ to longtime Operations Manager Gregory Behm. After years of helping lead the restaurant and its catering operations, Gregory took on the responsibility of carrying the Uncle Dan’s tradition forward.

While ownership has evolved, the heart of Uncle Dan’s remains the same: serving memorable food, taking care of our guests, and being part of the Waco community.

Looking ahead, Uncle Dan’s will continue serving the unique menu favorites our customers know and love while exploring the evolving flavors of Texas barbecue and opportunities to source quality ingredients locally whenever possible.

Proud to Serve Waco, Texas

Since 1978, Uncle Dan’s BBQ has had the privilege of serving generations of customers across Waco and Central Texas. We’ve watched families grow, welcomed longtime customers back through our doors, catered countless celebrations and events, and shared a lot of barbecue along the way.

We’re proud of where we came from, grateful for the people who have been part of our story, and excited about what comes next.

Whether you’ve been eating at Uncle Dan’s for decades or you’re visiting us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you and continuing a Waco BBQ tradition that began nearly 50 years ago.