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The Salt Lick BBQ

4.1 (5.9k reviews)
ModerateBarbeque
Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

The Salt Lick BBQ Photos

THE SALT LICK BBQ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Classy
Moderate noise
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Salt Lick BBQ

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Reviews With Photos

Kelse S.

Been thinking about this BBQ since our visit in early March. It was absolutely delicious and a total vibe. There was a wait, so we got a bucket of beers at the bar area next to the restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lots of great spots to sit and soak in the sunshine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]When you're on your way to being seated, you walk past the grill where you see alllllll of the bbq. It is HOT and the staff is working hard![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This place is a well oiled machine and definitely has its customer service down. I ordered a plate with turkey and brisket with some Mac n cheese, and we also got the beef ribs. It was truly delicious and I would love to be able to go back and try other options! Definitiely seems like a Texas bbq staple.

Pit BBQ
Wendy J.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Atmosphere is fantastic and great for families & large groups wanting a Texas feel.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Lots of parking available and even a welcome shed to greet you & give you directions for drinks and getting a table. Once inside we were quickly seated and waited upon. Drinks & food were quickly delivered. I've been to Salt Lick many times in the last 40 years. While the buildings and space have increased and expanded, the food is nowhere near what I remembered. We ordered the chicken & brisket plates. Both were a disappointment. The chicken was dry and the sliced brisket overcooked. The sides were coleslaw beans & potatoes. The coleslaw was a heavy vinegar type. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Highlight of the evening was the country musician who sang in the hallway. Great touch and really set the Texas mood for the evening[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]],

Exterior
Marissa G.

4.5 My family and I decided to go to the Salt Lick BBQ for lunch. We went during the week at around 1:30. There was plenty of parking. As we walked in we were greeted by a friendly host that seated us. As you walk to one of the dinning rooms you pass by the room where the BBQ Pit is and where the meat is being cooked. It's cool to see. After being seated we were greeted by a friendly man that brought us some menus and took our drink orders. After a few minutes he returned with our waters and we ordered. We ordered some bread. My son ordered some ribs, my husband ordered two meats on a plate with two sides. I ordered the sliced brisket sandwich with coleslaw, potato salad and beans. My son loved his ribs and bread. He said that the food was good. My husband enjoyed his meal and ate everything up. For me the sliced brisket sandwich was okay. It had thick brisket meat but it was greasy with a lot of fat. I added some onion and pickles to my sandwich for extra texture and flavor. There were two choices of BBQ sauce. One was spicy and the other was regular. I preferred the regular sauce and used it in my sandwich. The coleslaw had a crisp texture but not a lot of flavor. The potato salad had some good sized potatoes with a slight flavor. The beans had the most flavor of the sides. Overall Salt Lick BBQ was an okay place to get BBQ for lunch. The restaurant had lots of seating, everyone that worked there was friendly, and the food was okay.

Smoking pit
Suzanne T.

This is clearly a populate place! We arrived right as they opened at 11am on a Saturday morning. There was already a line that had formed to be seated but no wait to speak of. The hostess who greeted us was nice and friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Restaurant is huge and has tons of various dining spaces[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], as this was our first time here, we wanted to sample all of the meats, so we each got a combo plate in order to try the beef brisket, pork rib, pulled pork, sausage, and chicken. My favorite meat was the pulled pork, followed by the sausage. My dining partner's favorite was the beef brisket, followed by the pork rib. So we each had a different ranking and they were all excellent. Our server was great, despite being a trainee. She got everything perfect for us. My reasons for a star deduction: The potato salad was great but it is served room temp. That's odd to me. Potato salad, even if doesn't contain mayonnaise, should be served cold! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The other "needs improvement" is the restrooms. At best, I would rate the cleanliness as a C+/B-[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would I come here again? Not sure. I'm not a local so I'd probably be inclined to keep searching. Am I glad I came and would I recommend it? Yes, I think so.

Thurman's Choice
Don J.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]A trip to Salt Lick is certainly an experience. It's not your typical BBQ "shack" - more like a BBQ compound.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you visit on a weekend, you'll definitely see loads of international tourists celebrating Texas BBQ with a selfie or two.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's both indoor and outdoor seating, with separate waiting lists for each.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Even though there's friendly table service indoors, if you want a bottle of beer or glass of wine with your BBQ you'll have to go to a separate building and get that yourself. I got the Thurman's Choice platter to sample the holy trinity (brisket, ribs, sausage). It was solid but not spectacular, and the portion was on the small side by Texas standards. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great place to take out-of-town friends and family if you're looking for a Texas BBQ theme park experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Bbq
Wendy B.

The food here is outstanding, I had the brisket (twice), sausage and pulled pork. Get the brisket moist! Our server was Natalie, she is so sweet and knowledgeable, she even made some suggestions and was attentive the whole night. This place is huge! They had live music on Saturday night and the guys singing were great, I just wish the check in process were more speedy. I'll definitely be back for the food and request Natalie as my server.

Pit
Garret F.

It's been a long time since we last ate at The Salt Lick. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Much has changed with the layout and surrounding areas of the restaurant but the same familiar great barbecue hast changed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Brisket, slaw, and bread were tops for us.

Liz Z.

The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood feels less like a restaurant and more like stepping into a Texas tradition that's been preserved exactly the way it should be. Tucked into the heart of Hill Country wine country, the drive alone sets the tone. You're surrounded by rolling views, open sky, and that unmistakable quiet that makes you slow down before you even arrive. The entrance often greets you with live country music and genuinely friendly faces, which immediately makes the experience feel personal. It's BYOB, which makes it even better. You can bring your favorite beer and settle in, or walk over to their wine building and grab a bottle or their sangria, which is one of my favorites. It's perfectly balanced, fruity without being overly sweet, and ideal for a warm Texas afternoon. Before you're even seated, you walk past the pit. This alone is worth the visit. The open fire, the meats hanging in every direction, and that deep smoky aroma create a moment that feels almost ceremonial. You know immediately you're in the right place. The best way to eat here is family style with the all you can eat option. It's reasonably priced for the quality and quantity, and it turns the meal into a shared experience rather than just another dinner. The brisket is my favorite, tender, flavorful, and exactly what Texas brisket should be. The coleslaw stands out because it's tangy and slightly sweet without any mayo, which makes it incredibly refreshing alongside the heavier meats. My husband swears by the ribs, and after trying them, I agree completely. The outdoor seating area is shaded by beautiful trees that keep everything cool and comfortable, even on warmer days. If the wait gets long, ordering to go and sitting outside is honestly one of the best ways to enjoy it. It feels relaxed, unhurried, and somehow even more authentic. Salt Lick isn't just about the food, though the food alone would justify the drive. It's the atmosphere, the tradition, the music, and the setting that make it unforgettable. It's the kind of place that reminds you why Texas barbecue has the reputation it does.

Thurman's Choice
Janice W.

Amazing! The best barbecue we've ever had and we've eaten a lot of barbecue in our lives! We even bought the tshirt! Highly recommend!

The food was very good, but I could not give the place five stars. I gave it four stars because of the staff. The gatekeeper had a self-righteous attitude. The parking lot was full of potholes. The musclebound host was a little too aggressive in his welcome.

Legendary bbq Pitt!
Ko K.

A place to be for a good bbq and good time! Venue: quite large venue for Bbq joint. Sit down table inside and outside. BYOB. Inside you can see the legendary fire pit where the magic happens. Outside also has plenty seating and at night time there is music. Great for family and all occasion. Food: my favorite so far is the baby back ribs. But I did order the soft version of brisket, bbq chicken and sausages. I had to order the seconds for the rib. Love their coleslaw- which is fresh, crunchy and not too oversaturated with sauce. Raw onions and fresh pickled jalapeno to cut the richness. Beans, mash potato are exceptional. Peach cobbler is amazing as well. Tip: walk to the Salt lick cellar and grab Bbq red! What an exceptional pairing with the bbq! Service: always good. Every time I visit Austin, this place a must to visit

Brisket, turkey, mac n cheese and "potato salad"
Alex G.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is definitely what hypes this place up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We came on a Saturday evening for dinner where we had an hour wait which was totally fine because we enjoyed some decently priced drinks and live music outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered brisket and turkey and tried the potato salad and mac. BE AWARE - the food definitely lacks decent seasoning. The potato salad is just potatoes w onions and tastes like curry? The Jalapeños tasted like cucumbers? The brisket was dry. If I had to go again, I'd try something different but I'd say it's a one time try for the experience!

Bbq sauces - red is hot, black is not
Yvonne V.

This has been on my list ever since I saw it on Somebody Feed Phil Austin episode. Was in the area and had some time to visit for lunch. Upon entering, looks like the place had 3 areas. Left building is the Cellar where you grab your wine and beer, middle which I saw had activity and right building which appeared to be the original venue. Tip - apparently visiting in January after the holidays for lunch avoids any crowds. There were lots of seating inside and outside, however the host mentioned that it gets really packed during the summer. It's a really pretty place to gather with a group. Service was friendly. Ordered the 1/2lb of ribs and small plate of brisket and sausage. They only serve baby back - no St. Louis btw. Meats were just ok for me. I think I must had the smallest 1/2lbs of ribs for TX. Do opt for the bread and it was soft. The rest of the meal were decent but not something I would place on my list as have to have.

The open pit that is the main attraction!

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The Salt Lick BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Salt Lick BBQ

Arriving at 5pm on wed 6/3, should I be able to be seated gor dinner?

Yes

Does that mean you eat nothing but salt?

LOL no, Salt Lick BBQ is named after the natural salt licks (or mineral licks) that animals use to obtain essential minerals. Their food isn't even salty.

Does The Saltlick serve brisket burnt ends?

Yes

How long is the wait on Sundays typically? Is the wait outside? Thanks!

one to two hours . Outside with misters.

Is it easy to get an Uber at the Salt Lick back to Dallas? Wasn't planning on renting a car since I'm only in town for a day.

That's a long ass drive, it would probably be cheaper to rent a car than to Uber.

I take it from your lack of a response you do not offer a Military Discount?

If I remember correctly, they do have a military discount

They accept credit cards now and can customers reserve a table?

The real trick is go to their gift shop, check out menu right there, order take out food from them (don't stand in line near hostess stand!), find an outside table, and in 15 minutes food is ready in pick up area, and you're dining! (We avoided 90m… 

Do you offer a military discount?

Is it still only cash? Or do y'all now accept debit cards?

Yes they do accept cards.

Is chicken included in the all you can eat family meal?

No chicken is not included

Is there a banquet menu?

No there is not. But there are large rooms

How much to cater a reception for about 30-45 people? Brisket, sausage and all the fixings. Someone will pick up. Thanks!

Not very specific in my answer but to keep it real it will cost alot of money..lol but it's worth it.

When is it the least crowded?

From my experience between 2pm till about 4:30 PM during the week, on the weekend and for the most part on Fridays it's always busy.

Is the dining room or outdoor seating open yet?

Yes to both

How easy is it to Uber or Lyft to and from the original location?

I'm not a local. But I was staying in Austin. It was a good 30+ minute drive there. A little out of the way. But definitely some of the best bbq I've had. Worth the trip.

What time do you open on Tuesday?

Good morning! We open at 11:00 this morning! Hope to see you soon!

Are dogs allowed on your outdoor seating area?

Yes...we take our dog all the time. 😃

Are dogs allowed to dine in with us?

Absolutely! They are allowed outside on the shaded patio. I have not seen any dog bowls during any of our previous trips so make sure to bring your own, and some water!

What kind of meat is in the sausage?

Delicious Delicious meat from animals...it's BBQ!

Is there a location near downtown Austin?

Nope. One in Round Rock, one in Driftwood and a small location in the airport.

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Vista Brewing

Vista Brewing

4.0
(240 reviews)
1.9 mi
•$$

Vista is one of my favorite local-ish breweries. Day tripping to Dripping Springs for good…read morebreweries and wineries is such a fun thing to do. So, if there's a place I like, I'm gonna go again and again. Vista is one of those places. I like their approach to beer making. They are vigilantly local when it comes to ingredients and offerings. The brewery/restaurant sits on over 20 acres in hill country. Large, clean, and modern interior with large outdoor seating areas and patio setups. Picnic tables, fire pits, etc. The food is good, gang. Love the grilled sausage board and the cheese board (all local cheese). Soft pretzel & cheese also super good. Lots of other items in the menu that look incredible. Sunday brunch too. Farm to table. The pours...oh, the pours. Excellent beers! I love the black pilsner (Dark Skies), the chocolate notes come through in such an aromatic and roasty manner. The pale ale (Driftwood Pale Ale) is the perfect summer pour. It's light, crisp, and refreshing. In addition to the regular pours, they've got a lot of seasonal offerings too. They also serve wine/wine cocktails and n/an options. Spending a day in hill country? Vista makes for a nice stop!

My family and I went to Vista Brewing for dinner. We drove there, parked, and walked in. There are…read moreplenty of places to park. It's a very spacious indoor and outdoor restaurant with lots of seating and places to explore. As we walked in I noticed that it's very bright with a lot of windows. You order at the counter. When we walked up to the counter the menu was on the bar top. We looked at the menu and placed our order with the man working behind the counter. He was really cool and answered our questions. After ordering he gave us a number and told us to seat ourselves. After figuring out where we wanted to sit we went to the water station and grabbed some water. We looked around inside at the decor and talked while we waited for our order. We started with two sharables and each ordered the burgers of our choice. Unfortunately when they started bringing out our food they made an error in how it was made. We told them, the took the wrong order back, and after awhile they brought us everything and apologized for the error. Our sharables were the Grilled Chimichurri Avacado which comes with a half avocado, corn, and tortilla chips, and the Hummus Board which comes with hummus, veggies, and pitas. Both of these sharables were tasty in different ways. The Grilled Chimichurri Avacado was delicious. You could taste all of the delicious flavors and the tortilla chips were strong enough to hold a mix of the ingredients. The Hummus Board was also very tasty. The Hummus was garlic flavored and the veggies were fresh and crisp. The pitas were warm and soft. For my main dish I ordered the Driftwood Cheeseburger. It comes with a beef patty, bacon jam, onions, pickles, sauce, and cheese. I opted for no cheese. The burger meat was really good. You could taste the Smokey flavor from the grill on the meat. The bacon jam was sweet but not overly sweet and gave the burger a sweet and savory flavor. The pickles added texture to the burger. It was a really good burger. I ordered my burger with a side of kettle chips which were nice and crispy. Overall it was a great place to visit. The service was good, the atmosphere was spacious, nice and bright, and the food was fresh and delicious.

Photos
Interior Merchandise and Decor
Interior Merchandise and Decor
Vista Brewing
Exterior Sinks Outside of the Bathrooms

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Exterior Sinks Outside of the Bathrooms
Trattoria Lisina

Trattoria Lisina

4.2
(945 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$$

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner here, and it exceeded all of our expectations! We reserved a…read moreprivate event space, and everything--from the food to the service to the atmosphere--was absolutely outstanding. The staff went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. We even requested a last-minute change to the layout of the room, and they accommodated us without hesitation. Their flexibility, professionalism, and kindness made the entire evening feel effortless. The food was phenomenal, and our guests couldn't stop talking about how delicious everything was. The private space was beautiful and created the perfect setting to celebrate with our family and friends before our wedding. We are so grateful to the entire team for helping make such a special evening unforgettable. We would highly recommend this venue for anyone planning a rehearsal dinner or private event!

Picturesque! Cheers from Tuscany !…read more Bravo! This restaurant was well worth the drive. Trattoria felt like an escape to Tuscany. The outside and inside is a knod to Tuscany. I enjoyed my time here. Don't forget to get some gelato on your way out. The service was spectacular and the waiter was so knowledgeable about the menu . Now, let's get into what I ate. Appetizers: Bread- I'm not sure what the proper name for the bread is, but it was so good. The bread was like a warm hug. It had a welcoming taste. I can't even explain it fully. The texture was phenomenal. It was like a cornbread and a roll put together. Artichoke fritters- This dish surprised me. I didn't expect to like it so much. It was fried to perfection and flavorful. I honestly didn't need the sauce . Meatballs- The meatballs were the best I've had in my life. They were covered in a well prepared sauce. Entrée: Snapper with pesto pasta- My snapper was very flavorful. The only downfall of the snapper was the size. For the price, I expected a whole snapper. The pasta was good, but I'm not a huge fan of pasta. I also ordered brussel sprouts. The brussel sprouts were cooked very well. Dessert: Biscoff and almond gelato - This was a perfect ending to to a wonderful meal. The gelato flavors change often. I will definitely go again!

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Seating and wine wrack in the background
Seating and wine wrack in the background
Veal Scallopini
Veal Scallopini
Interior at entrance area

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Interior at entrance area

The Salt Lick BBQ - bbq - Updated July 2026

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