The Salt Lick – www.saltlickbbq.com – is the exact place that comes to mind when you hear Texas bbq. It is 20 minutes outside Austin along a rural two lane highway. After you think you’ve gone too far up pops an old ranch with a large wood barn looking structure with outdoor picnic tables, wood fences, gravel driveways, horse corals, piles of chopped wood and smoke billowing out of the roof vents. The aroma of the bbq pit hits you as you get out of the car.
As amazing as the setting and smell of the Salt Lick was, it was only the start. With three of the highest ratings so far - including two 4.5s and our first 5 - the food was no doubt the main attraction.
The Salt Lick outside Austin, TX looks like a barn on a ranch; even the sign is unassuming
Seating at the Salt Lick was at large worn wooden tables
When you walk in the door the first thing you see is a circular pit covered in ribs, brisket and sausage. You could tell it has seen its share of meat, smoke and sauce. From experience we’ve learned good bbq starts with a tasty sauce and a seasoned pit; the combination results in a savory sweet glazed skin and a meat flavor you can’t create with a rub or marinade.
The Salt Lick's seasoned pit resulted in unmatched flavor in all their meats
Footage of Salt Lick's amazing meat pit
Footage of our Salt Lick feast
Sauce – 4.5 – Highest rated sauce so far. It was vinegar based so it had the tang and it was complimented with a nice sweet kick. A few pepper seasonings balanced it out with a tiny spice. To be a five it could have used a hint of smoky flavor.
Sides – 3 – The potato salad was the best of the bunch. It was more of a mashed potato salad with a layer of spicy seasoning. It wasn’t creamy like a typical potato salad. The Texas-style beans were standard and a bit bland, no bbq flavor. The slaw was simply shredded lettuce with no seasoning or dressing; definitely disappointing.
Slabs – 5 – Our first five of the trip and it was well deserved. The beef and pork ribs were outstanding on every level; every bite got better and better. They met all the criteria: meaty, but not fatty; amazing sweet crispy glazed skin (a result of the delicious bbq sauce and seasoned grill); meat was tender and smoky pink and it required a slight tug to get it off the bone (just the way we like it); and they were delicious with or without the sauce.
Salt Lick's pork ribs (top) and beef ribs (bottom) met all the criteria resulting in a 5 rating
We were happy to get our hands messy eating Salt Lick's ribs
Steaks – 4.5 – Although not a five, this was the best brisket we’ve had. Similar to the ribs, it had the mouthwatering sweet crispy skin (again a result of the delicious bbq sauce and seasoned pit). It had the right amount of moisture and it was cooked perfectly with pink in the middle and well done around the edges. Great taste on its own and with the sauce it was top notch!
Salt Lick's brisket was perfectly cooked with a sweet glazed skin
Sandwiches – See steaks for brisket review.
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