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The Salt Lick

BBQ Joint and Steakhouse$$$$

Driftwood

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The Salt Lick

9.3^/10

2,085

ratings

Go here. Experience the barbecue. It's worth it.
The folks at The Wall Street Journal and Village Voice like this place. Would you agree?
"And a beautiful setting to boot! Best BBQ in Texas."(41 Tips)
"It epitomizes Texas BBQ and you can bring your own beer!"(53 Tips)
"Salt lick is awesome."(10 Tips)
"Turkey is surprisingly good; brisket and ribs are awesome (duh)."(84 Tips)

419 Tips and reviews

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barbecue
brisket
ribs
BYOB
salt lick
good for groups
cobbler
family-friendly
casual
all you can eat
pecan pie
live music
sausage
potato salad
cole slaw
sandwiches
great value
outdoor seating
turkey
green bean casserole
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Victoria U.June 25, 2016
Pro tip- don't sleep on the turkey. It's better than expected and incredibly moist. The brisket is amazing, but the beef ribs are where it's at. BYOB but you can buy local wines and beers on grounds.
Upvoted 3 weeks ago
Travel ChannelAugust 4, 2011
As seen on Man v Food, this is the original Salt Lick, and the best BBQ around. If you're anywhere in Texas, make the trip to Driftwood for Salt Lick's mouthwatering BBQ.
Upvoted 3 days ago
Lauren MacJuly 14, 2015
A cozy, adorable BBQ restaurant on a farm/winery, complete with wooden benches, stone walls, and twinkling lights in their garden. The wooden oven is a sight, and the pork ribs are perfect.
Frances 미라October 16, 2014
Byob, or get some from the cellar next door. Try the 3-meat option to get a taste of everything. And, save room for the 1/2 peach, 1/2 blackberry cobbler with ice cream. Cash only!
Brian StraussAugust 10, 2017
Sublime. I know it's Texas and its beef country, and the brisket was amazing, but it's the pork ribs, maybe the best I've ever had, that sent me clamoring for seconds.
Dianey SandovalJanuary 26, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Hands down one of the best BBQ I have ever had!! Get your brisket moist... And the family platter is totally worth the 21 dollars and change!! TRUST ME!! you can take some to go...😉
Damian BayonaSeptember 8, 2017
A little out there but worth the drive. Don't be scared by the line as it moves very quickly. BYOB and music on the patio. Brisket and sausage are 👌🏻
Frank RodriguezMarch 27, 2016
Their ribs & sausages are to die for!!! One of the best places to eat BBQ in Austin. Plus, you can chill while you wait for your table at their wine cellar.
Joe MedvedFebruary 17, 2019
Pork ribs over the beef ribs, though both are amazing. Pork was more smokey, beef more sweet. And get the burnt end brisket ribs, which delivers much more flavor than the regular brisket.
Kourosh Yazdani RFebruary 20, 2017
Originality, the quality and freshness of meat, special taste of bbq sauce and good service! Highly recommended.
Men's Health MagAugust 3, 2014
The all-you-can-eat family platter offers an earthly version of gustatory transcendence: dry-rubbed ribs, red-ringed brisket, and sausages, all smoked over live oak. Read more
Ernie BelloOctober 6, 2015
Get the brisket and pork ribs combo. Their potato salad is to die for. Hands down best BBQ I've ever had. Head next door for beer or wine for your meal.
D VolpApril 18, 2022
Everything was EXCELLENT!! There was. 2 1/2 hr wait so we ordered to go. Line was about a 30 min wait and food was ready in 10 min! Was delicious and plenty of picnicking tables to choose from!
Francis MirandaJanuary 2, 2013
I flew in thousands of kilometers from the Philippines to try this and yes it was worth the trip! Make sure you order the brisket with the burnt tips and the sausage! Great smokey flavor!
Russell HirschornFebruary 28, 2016
Go to check in, get a pager, expect min 2hr wait, go to wine room, buy BBQ white and Hill Country red, drink waiting for pager to page, return pager, order beef ribs and coleslaw, drink more wine
James DiotteJune 25, 2016
Everything is excellent here. Huge space means no long wait for your food. Check out the cellar next door for wine made on property and local beer.
Diana BrodyMarch 13, 2020
Super cozy outdoor picnic area for hanging with takeout BBQ, BYOB beer/cider, and live music. The BBQ sauce is delicious, and the pork rib and the turkey were standouts.
Ruben SavagliaNovember 30, 2015
The best BBQ you ever want to try.. Try the all you can eat for $24.95 you can't go wrong worth every Rib,Brisket and Sausage...!!!
RobMay 30, 2023
Put style que, perfectly done. BYOB or grab a reasonably priced bucket from their wine shop
John WareApril 12, 2016
Don't forget that it is 'cash only' and BYOB. Don't fret if you're already en route: there's a ATM on-site, and adult beverages (purchasable by card) next door at the tasting room.
Karla ArmendarizApril 21, 2017
We absolutely loved it! Great place to not only eat but to spend the day! Food was great, music was on-point, and weather was fabulous to be outside!
Jesse BagelsMarch 27, 2016
Wow lives up to the hype for sure, their light rub and sauce covering means you really get to taste this meat (and this meat tastes great)
Oz LublingFebruary 9, 2017
A meat party! A great place to go with a large group of people. Make sure you check out the BBQ pit. They'll even let you go up close and personal and take pictures.
Barry HottJune 22, 2016
Don't want to wait for a table? The take out line is quick and easy, and there are plenty of picnic tables.
Brandon DouglassMay 10, 2022
Everything! This place does BBQ right. Go with the family style if you’re in a big group or one of the plates of solo. Brisket is my personal favorite.
Travel ChannelNovember 30, 2011
At Salt Lick, enjoy slow-smoked meat to your hearts content. This restaurant offers a family-style meal with never-ending ribs, brisket, sausages and more. Seen on Food Paradise: Manliest Restaurants. Read more
Anthony LenaghanNovember 23, 2018
The sausage, the pulled pork, the ribs, above all the BRISKET!!! Stupendous.
Cameron GidariJune 26, 2016
The Salt Lick is a good touristy experience, but the actual food lags behind the top tier of the city. Great sausage, good pork ribs, average brisket. BYOB.
Mazanin FJuly 24, 2015
This is one of the places that you have to visit if you in Texas! The best BBQ in the world, live music. BYOB and cash to enjoy a wonderful meal.
ChaffroSeptember 12, 2014
So much beef, you'll grow horns. If there's three or more of you, order the Family Style selection. If you can manage that, it'll get refilled and if you can't manage any more, take it home in a box.
Guillermo AntoniniSeptember 29, 2014
Order the family style BBQ. You won't regret it. And come hungry cause it's all you can eat. BYOB at this BBQ gem in Texas. 30 minute drive from Austin, but worth it!
Alyssa PMarch 18, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Take a cooler of beer/wine to make the wait fun! Go with a big group and order everyone an all-you-can-eat plate: ALWAYS WORTH IT. And a beautiful setting to boot! Best BBQ in Texas.
Abner AcevesFebruary 15, 2015
BYOB. Cash only at the restaurant side, but the shop next door has beer and wine for sale which you can use credit cards for. Buy a 6 pack of lone star and get the moist brisket!
Yajaira RodriguezApril 14, 2015
The brisket is bomb! their potato salad isn't like others, or what we'd normally think but it's good nonetheless. their BBQ sauce is unique & their pickles are so good.
Diandra KusumawardhaniJuly 29, 2017
If you are visiting Austin and have a car, go to Salt Lick! Get the barbecue to go, very effortless, no frills, sit on the benches, listen to some live music, bring your own booze.
Dave CollinsFebruary 11, 2013
I do not have a love affair with ribs or barbecue, but this place had such good ribs, I want more ribs. Go! It is also a very interesting environment. Unique, in a very good way.
Denis SosnovtsevMarch 13, 2013
Turkey is surprisingly good; brisket and ribs are awesome (duh). Platters can be upgraded to the all you can eat at-cost as long as they don't include turkey (which isn't in the AYCE).
Jennifer RuizAugust 3, 2018
All the way in Driftwood but worth the drive. The ribs and brisket are mouth watering, and bonus, the place is BYOB
Seth VongJuly 11, 2016
Ambiance, food, people, and live music is def. worth the drive. If you don't like TX BBQ, then there's 49 other states you're more than welcome to relocate to.
Kat LMay 20, 2014
Pork ribs and sausage were the best. Cobbler is overhyped unless you are in the mood - better dessert can be found elsewhere. Combo plate was a great way to taste everything, even turkey was good.
Chris “RockNRollGeek” Darbro 🤘March 11, 2012
If you're not looking to stuff yourself, but want to try a great selection, try the 4 meat plate! Very delicious, turkey, brisket, ribs, & sausage! :)
Jerry SolizFebruary 25, 2023
Food is out of this world! Service is good. Yes can bring your own beer or buy wine in next door building.
American Eagle OutfittersFebruary 29, 2012
You won't want to miss out on the best BBQ in Texas. Take a detour from the hustle and bustle of Austin to enjoy this laid back atmosphere. The ribs and finger licking sides ain't half bad either.
MashableMarch 8, 2011
Get away from the hustle and bustle that is Austin for a few hours and enjoy some BBQ (or super hearty veggie sides). Mapquest organizes a free BBQ bus every year at SXSW. - Erica Swallow
Kimberly BarreroSeptember 16, 2013
Take the 20 min drive out to the Hill Country. Bring a cooler of beer or wine, and hang outside listening to the band play while you wait to eat. Kid friendly. Awesome experience!
DailyCandyNovember 20, 2013
The drive to Driftwood for all-you-can-eat piles of smoked meat and homemade cobbler is a rite of passage when visiting Central TX. It’s BYO, so be sure to take a full cooler and designated driver.
Cameron HoganMarch 15, 2016
Well worth the drive from Austin. Brisket is unreal and smoked based on your preference - dry, moist, burnt ends.
Kurt TholkingMarch 23, 2013
Huge compound with wine tastings, kids play area and beer gardens. Lots of outdoor seating while you wait for a table. BYOB but they sell wine and beers by the six-pack. Cash only but they have ATMs.
ClintNovember 27, 2019
Great bbq from an open pit - I like their slaw and potato salad because they don't use mayonnaise so it actually has flavor. Save room for cobbler
Tony XerriOctober 11, 2023
Great place for kids but don't order too much food because it's incredibly sub par compared to all the other great spots in Austin. Everything we had was tough.

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