On the iconic circle where La Salle Avenue, Valley Mills Drive and Robinson Drive meet sits an eatery that seems as if it’s frozen in time. Health Camp Burgers and Shakes remains a classic American burger joint that evokes not only American nostalgia, but a deeply Wacoan nostalgia.
Open since 1949, Health Camp was born from a mobile canteen that served burgers and ice cream to military personnel at the Connally Air Force Base in 1948 before moving to its current home the following year. This Waco staple has seen new ownership over the years yet has not lost the charm that’s made it a local favorite for over 75 years. In 2023, Trent Neumann, owner of Whizzbang’s Hamburgers, acquired the restaurant with the goal of maintaining its legacy.
“I didn’t want to change a whole lot,” said Neumann. “I wanted to make some small changes to make it [so] it will last another 75 years. But you have to leave the things the same that make people have that feeling they had when they were kids coming here.”
Burgers and fries are as classic as it comes, and it’s a feat in and of itself to cultivate not only a loyal customer base but to also draw in out-of-towners. So, what draws people to Health Camp?
I would say that the first thing that catches the eye is the name. Whether you’re checking out nearby spots on the map or you received a recommendation, the name ‘Health Camp Burgers and Shakes’ is sure to spark interest. The name itself is quite an oxymoron. What kind of burger would someone eat at a health camp?
History buffs will know that the name has nothing to do with the food. It was simply the words stamped on the eggs that founder Jack Schaevitz’s father would sell at his dairy in Youngstown, Ohio that inspired the quirky name.
Besides the name, it’s the legacy that draws people to Health Camp. Schaevitz was a long-time attendee of the Baylor Homecoming Parade, and he created a community with the college that continues to this day.
And once you make your way to the vibrant restaurant with a bright yellow sign boasting the menu, it’s clear why Wacoans have cherished the establishment throughout the years. Walking in the door, be prepared for a line — potentially wrapped along the red and yellow booths — and for the mouth-watering smell of burgers on the grill that will taunt you until your number is called. The menu is simple, so ordering is a breeze — that is, if you don’t dare to make your own shake flavor. But we’ll get to that.
First, the main event: the burger. Grilled to perfection, it’s a charred yet juicy, melt-in-your-mouth decadence. We sampled both a Health Burger (a simple meat hamburger) with cheese added and a Super Burger (double meat, double cheeseburger) and loaded them up with the standard ingredients: lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard. I’m more of a simple gal that orders a Health Burger with onion and jalapeño, but this time, I took on the Super Burger. The patties were not oversized, so you don’t have to compromise ease of eating for the extra protein.
However you take your burger, Health Camp can load it up for you, even offering the Beyond Burger, a plant-based patty, and gluten-free buns. Even Neumann changes up his order, but it starts with the Super Burger.
“I almost eat it different every time I order one,” he said. “I don’t have a favorite. Our special sauce is really good; if I am wanting a burger, I’ll get special sauce and onions and pickles. I like the lettuce, I like it with mayonnaise and mustard, I like it with just mustard, I like it with just mayonnaise.”
It’s just that good of a burger.
But a burger isn’t complete without our favorite fried sides. Nothing beats classic fries, and Health Camp’s variation are a thin, crispy fry that have just the right amount of salt. Or opt for the onion rings, which are delectable with their super crispy breading and soft onion. From the very first crunchy bite, I knew these were a certified delicious onion ring. And it doesn’t stop there. Tator tots are also on the menu, and these are the crispiest I’ve had. They are perfectly bite-sized to go alongside your burger.
Now we get to the sweetest part of the meal: the milkshake. Officially, there are 39 flavors listed on the menu but mixing up your own flavor is almost a tradition at Health Camp. We just stuck to two crowd favorites. The Banana Pudding shake is a true southern treat and one of my personal favorites, so this was a sure-fire hit.
Then, we got the Chocolate Peanut Butter shake, and the banana was quickly forgotten. In addition to peanut butter, peanuts are added into the shake, bringing a little crunch to the sweet indulgence.
Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’re a longtime customer, Health Camp will grill up a burger just the way you want it, just as they have done for Wacoans for more than 75 years.
