Salt Lick BBQ Austin
Salt Lick BBQ Austin
Nestled in the heart of Texas hill country just outside Austin, Salt Lick BBQ is a smoke-filled paradise where generations of pitmasters have perfected the art of slow-cooked meats. The sprawling Driftwood location charms visitors with its rustic wooden benches, open-air pits, and the irresistible aroma of oak-smoked brisket wafting through live oak trees. Open Sunday-Thursday 11AM-9PM and Friday-Saturday 11AM-10PM, this cash-only institution (ATM onsite) welcomes carnivores at 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619. Call (512) 858-4959 for large parties – though true BBQ fans know arriving early beats reservations when the ribs start running out.
Menu Highlights: 30 Can’t-Miss Dishes
Signature Smoked Meats
- Original Beef Brisket – 14-hour oak-smoked, melt-in-your-mouth slices with blackened bark.
- Pork Spare Ribs – Glazed with tangy house sauce, fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Smoked Turkey Breast – Juicy, herb-rubbed slices perfect for lighter appetites.
- Pork Shoulder – Pull-apart perfection with crispy caramelized edges.
- Beef Ribs – Flintstone-sized bones with meat so rich it’s almost buttery.
- Sausage Links – Snappy casings bursting with jalapeño-cheddar or classic peppery flavors.
Sandwiches & Plates
- The Driftwood Special – Chopped beef piled high on toasted white bread, messy perfection.
- Three-Meat Plate – Customizable combo with sides, ideal for first-timers.
- Pulled Pork Sandwich – Vinegar-kissed shreds topped with crunchy slaw.
- Brisket Burger – Thick patty blended with chopped brisket for double the beef.
- Smoked Chicken Plate – Half bird with crispy skin and applewood aroma.
- Texas Trinity Sandwich – Brisket, sausage, and ribs stacked between jalapeño cornbread.
Sides & Fixins’
- Dr. Pepper Baked Beans – Sweet, smoky, with crispy burnt ends mixed in.
- Vinegar Slaw – Tangy crunch cutting through rich meats perfectly.
- Creamy Potato Salad – Cool, mustardy with bits of pickle and egg.
- Green Beans – Simmered with bacon until they’re anything but boring.
- Mac & Cheese – Extra gooey with a golden breadcrumb crust.
- Jalapeño Cornbread – Slightly sweet with pops of spicy pepper.
Breakfast (Weekends Only)
- Brisket & Eggs – Smoky slices with farm eggs and hashbrowns.
- BBQ Breakfast Tacos – Flour tortillas stuffed with meat, cheese, and salsa.
- Pecan Pancakes – Fluffy stacks with Texas pecans and syrup.
- Chorizo Skillet – Spicy sausage with potatoes, peppers, and melted cheese.
Desserts
- Blackberry Cobbler – Warm, bubbly berries under buttery crust.
- Pecan Pie – Sticky-sweet with whole pecans in every bite.
- Banana Pudding – Layered with vanilla wafers and fresh whipped cream.
- Bourbon Bread Pudding – Boozy, custardy comfort in a cast-iron skillet.
Drinks
- House Margarita – Fresh-squeezed lime with a salted rim.
- Shiner Bock Beer – Ice-cold Texas brew for washing down spice.
- Sweet Tea – Classic Southern brew, served by the gallon.
- Texas Red Sangria – Fruity wine punch with local berries.
More Than Just BBQ: The Salt Lick Experience
Walking into Salt Lick BBQ feels like stepping onto a movie set for the perfect Texas roadhouse. The main dining hall’s cathedral ceilings showcase wagon wheel chandeliers dangling over picnic tables worn smooth by decades of elbows. At the heart of it all: the open pit where flames lick at iron grates loaded with sizzling meats, visible from every seat in the house.
Service moves at a leisurely Texas pace – friendly but never rushed, with servers who’ll gladly explain the difference between “moist” and “lean” brisket cuts to newcomers. Prices hover around $15-$25 for most plates (cash only!), a steal considering portions easily feed two average appetites. Come hungry: plates arrive heaped with meat, two sides, and unlimited pickles/onions/bread.
The vibe is unapologetically rustic – paper towel rolls on tables, sauce stains on the floor, and the constant murmur of satisfied chewing. Weekend nights bring live blues music under the stars, while families dominate Sunday afternoons. Don’t be surprised to see Rolls Royces parked next to pickup trucks – this place draws everyone from celebrities to construction crews.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit?
Salt Lick BBQ isn’t just a meal – it’s a Texas pilgrimage. The beef brisket (order it moist!) and pork ribs have achieved legendary status, while sides like the Dr. Pepper beans prove vegetables can shine in BBQ world. Come here for:
- Meat lovers craving authentic Central Texas-style barbecue
- Groups wanting a loud, shareable feast (they don’t do small portions)
- Anyone seeking that perfect “Texas vibe” – boots optional but recommended
Just remember: no reservations, no credit cards, and no regrets. Arrive by 5PM on weekends unless you enjoy waiting (pro tip: the bar serves full meals with shorter lines). Five stars for flavor, four for comfort – because true BBQ should leave you slightly uncomfortably full.
Some of the images and information is taken from other sources
