7. The Salt Lick Barbecue Restaurant

Yup, it is that good!
Well, I DID move here to be close to the Salt Lick. I had a choice between moving back to North Austin or close to Driftwood. The decision was made easier after a visit to the Salt Lick. When faced with food served in old sone buildings with fire pits, an outdoor courtyard ringed by an old stone wall wth some local musician belting out a tune for folks to listen while waiting or just hanging out is just plain Texan. Did I mention that you can (must) bring your own beer/wine. Did I mention the food yet? Yes, the ribs are great. The brisquite may melt in your mouth and the sides are good too. Get the cobler for pete' sake!!! All this is served on large wooden picnic tables which have the carved initials of generations of folks who felt the need to let the world know that they had also had the good sense to eat where you now sit side by side with other Texans, even if you are only a Texan for the day. I am going back tonight.

Blissfull, blissfull barbecue. I travel all over the lower 48 for my job, and one thing that keeps me going is searching out and trying all the great, and sometimes not so great cue this nation has to offer. I have terrorized Memphis, Kansas City, and some of the Carolinas, but finally I got to the great Salt Lick. First I have to say this place looks like the pearly gates of bbq heaven, the building itself is the very heart and soul of where great bbq should be served. I ordered the 3 meat platter of brisket, ribs, and link to really get a good representation of what they have to offer. Also came with slaw, taters, beans, pickles, and bread. Some of the best brisket I have ever had (if not the best). Beautiful, stark smoke ring lets you know its the real deal, and moist and tender, with a taste you have never imagine out of a piece of beef. The link was also very good, and smoky. On to the ribs...oh those ribs. I was very surprised but these were the best pork ribs I have every had period, and I have eaten the best Memphis, and Kansas City has to offer. What is so surprising is that in Memphis and KC they pride themselves in pork barbecue, in fact pork is king, while in Texas beef reigns king. Well the pork rib I had at Salt Lick was out of this world. Moist, smoky and tender, with a nice pull off the bone, but the bone did not come clean (a sign of great smoking, and no pre-boiling). My previous pork rib favorite up till now was Central BBQ in Memphis, but that place has nothing on the pork rib at Salt lick, this stuff was unreal. Beans were very plain, but I feel this was a plus as they seemed to be authentic Texas-type pinto. The slaw had a nice vinegar bite, with a toasty flavor from roastes sesame seeds...something I have never tasted before, but very good. I know people go crazy over thier sauce, but while I felt it was good, it just wasnt for me. I prefer a vinegary sauce like Aurthor Bryants in KC, but sauce is very personal. I ended the meal with the blackberry cobbler al amode, which was just awesome, not to sweet, but just plain good. I swear they have done a deal with the devil to make the cue that good, and I was ready to move in to the damn place I loved it that much. A bit of a drive to get to, but truly a one of a kind American barbecue institution. Quite possibly the best barbecue restaurant in the world.

Hands down the best barbecue place I've ever been!! (and i've had my fare share!) The ribs are absolutely amazing and you can't get a better atmosphere for barbecue!