The Salt Lick Barbecue is an oasis in a desert of inferior barbecue.
A discussion about the best of Texas would be absurdly incomplete without talking barbecue. Every restaurant in Texas has some form of barbecue- like substance on their menu, and most of them think they do it well, but I’m her to tell ya folks, most of them are wrong. I don’t mean just wrong, but don’t ever order it, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, couldn’t be more wrong, wrong. There are a few barbecue restaurants that can make a legitimate claim to awesome barbecue, but they all pale in comparison to the Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas.
I’m lucky, in that I was introduced to the gold standard in Texas barbecue, way back in the horse and buggy era of 1981. My grandparents lived in Wimberley back then, and when I would visit them during the summer, the first thing on my to do list was a visit to the Salt Lick. Back then, Driftwood wasn’t at the end of the known universe, but you could sure see it from there. I mean to tell you it was in the middle of no where, and as such the Salt Lick was pretty much a locals only establishment, but it was still a Hill Country favorite. Its isolation was part of the charm, but it was the food that kept me coming back summer after summer.
The Salt Lick is most famous for their brisket and ribs, but you can’t possibly go wrong, no matter what you order. Their secret, or at least one of them, is the open pit where the meat achieves the fall off the bone, finger licking good, can’t get enough, goodness.
I suggest you order family style. It’s all you can eat pork ribs, brisket, sausage, plus potato salad, cole slaw , beans, and fresh bread. I know what you’re thinking, “It’s barbecue, and all I’m interested in is the meat.” Trust me folks, the sides are not to be missed, especially the German potato salad. Last, but not least is the sauce. As a rule, sauce on Texas barbecue is a blasphemy, but friends, the Salt Lick’s sauce is the stuff that cravings are made of. I could try describe it, but any attempt I would make describing it could not possibly do it justice. Trust me, it’s almost worth the trip just for the sauce.
Oh, I almost forgot desert. Order the sweet potato pecan pie. If you’re too stuffed to even think of eating another bite, then have them pack you up a slice to go, or better yet order a whole pie. Trust me it it’ll change your life.
Friends, if you’re going to follow only one of my suggestions, then make it this one. When you find yourself in the Texas Hill Country, and trust me you will find yourself there, make a point to get to the Salt Lick for lunch or dinner. Before you go make a stop at the ATM, as they only except cash. HAPPY EATING!!!!!!!!!!!
Hours= Every day 11:00am-10:00pm
Address= 18300 FM 1826 Driftwood, Texas 78619