The Health Burger at Health Camp: a legendary burger joint in Waco, Texas since 1948

Health Camp: the legendary Texas burger joint established 1948

Waco, Texas, USA

When it comes to hamburgers, there's nothing better than one that is simple, yet perfectly made. With a history dating back nearly 70 years, Health Camp in Waco, Texas, is an example of a hamburger shop that has stood the test of time. With so many restaurants coming and going all the time, it really says something about Health Camp's popularity and iconic status as a local institution that it's still going strong all these years later.

A longtime favorite of local Wacoans and students from nearby Baylor University, Health Camp serves up classic American-style burgers, fries, onion rings, tater tots, shakes, malts, and more - everything you'd expect to find at a historic old-school burger joint.

Health Camp: the legendary burger joint in Waco, Texas

Health Camp began as a mobile canteen selling burgers to military personal at Connally Air Force Base in Waco. The canteen quickly gained popularity, and a permanent location at the iconic Waco Traffic Circle opened its doors just a year later in 1949. It still stands at its original location today.

Health Camp's obviously ironic name is a huge part of its charm. After all, there's not much healthy about a burger, fries, and a shake. According to local lore, when founder Jack Schaevitz was setting up shop in 1948, he borrowed the name straight from his father’s dairy business in Ohio, where egg cartons were stamped with the words “Health Camp.” It stuck, not because it made sense for burgers and ice cream, but because it was catchy, and maybe even funnier once people realized the menu had nothing to do with health food at all.

I ordered the signature single-patty "health burger" with cheese, and my wife and I shared an order of tater tots, onion rings, and a strawberry malt. Like I said, there's nothing "healthy" about it!

burger with tater tots, onion rings, and a strawberry malt at Health Camp

What can I say? The health burger is a perfectly seasoned and grilled burger. There's no gimmick, nothing fancy about it. It's a pure taste of Americana, the type that's hard to come by nowadays. It's a million times better than any fast-food burger and doesn't rely on any special ingredients to make it unique.

If you're in Waco, definitely stop by. I've had tons of amazing hamburgers in my life, but there's something about Health Camp that puts it at the top of my list.

More great food in Waco, Texas:
Schmaltz's Sandwich Shoppe: A Waco, TX Institution

Breakfast Tacos at Lolita's Restaurante in Waco, Texas

Vitek's Gut Pak in Waco, Texas

Location

Health Camp is located at 2601 Circle Rd, Waco, TX 76706, United States on Circle Road (AKA "The Circle", an iconic Waco traffic circle just off of I-35 and just south of Baylor University.