Restaurant Review
Salt Lick – Driftwood (Austin), TX

Restaurant Review by Alan
Mexican & Barbecue Recipes

Barbecue

The 2003 City Search national winner for best barbecue restaurant. Generations have hauled coolers of beer out to this scenic location on Onion Creek southwest of Austin to enjoy the barbecue ribs, brisket, chicken, and sausage. Barbecue by the plate or all you can eat family-style.

Located on the banks of Onion Creek, about 20 miles southwest of Austin, the Salt Lick is pure Texana – natural Texas limestone and cedar buildings with stone and concrete floors, and a constant aroma of sweet smoke drifting out of the open barbecue pit.

It can seat 800 at a time, has five pits, three banquet rooms, and a Pavilion for weddings, reunions, and other special events. It ships barbecue all over the world and caters huge events. Feel free to bring your own beer … when was the last time you did that?

Actually, it’s not a bad idea as there can be a wait on weekends and around holidays. Most regulars bring their out-of-town guests and a cooler of beer so that they can truly appreciate the down-home friendly atmosphere.

Most folks come here for the Family Style Barbecue Dinners … a real bargain – all you can eat for $11.95. I have never seen anyone leave hungry. The plates are piled high with brisket, sausage, and pork ribs; the homemade barbecue sauce is tangy and sweet.

Meals come with lots of side orders, pinto beans, potato salad, and cole slaw. On special nights, they also serve prime rib, habanero chicken, beef ribs, or baby back ribs.

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