THE SALT LICK
Animals on the ranch congregate around what’s called a salt lick, which is a big block of sodium sitting in a field. Humans in Central Texas have a place to congregate too, and it’s called The Salt Lick. If BBQ was a religion, its devout followers would make this age-old landmark their hallowed pilgrimage site. This mecca for the golden calf of brisket is nearly 45 minutes outside of Austin in a wide spot in the road called Driftwood. The Salt Lick’s award-winning BBQ is truly legendary, as their recipes have supposedly been handed down since the Civil War. With time-tested and time-honored beef brisket, sausage, smoked pork tenderloin, moist smoked turkey, potato salad, and beans on the menu, it’s hard to find something even remotely close to this Texas tradition elsewhere. Besides having the best BBQ in the Austin vicinity, the Salt Lick is also known for its remarkably beautiful location. Situated on an old ranch in rolling hills of oak trees, the restaurant is housed in old buildings made of stone quarried from the ranch. The setting is almost European in feel.
One important thing to know before driving all the way out to the Salt Lick is that you need to bring cash--they don’t have debit or credit card machines. Also, if you like beer with your beef, you must bring your own beverages, as the Salt Lick doesn’t sell alcohol (however they do have non-alcoholic drinks available). It may seem weird to some to show up with your own beer, but that’s the way it’s done here.
From Austin take MoPac (Hwy. 1) south. MoPac will turn into RR 45 and dead-ends at FM 1826. Turn left on FM 1826 and the Salt Lick is about seven miles down the road on the right. If for whatever inexcusable reason you can’t make it out to the Salt Lick during your visit, you can have a mini-Salt Lick experience at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. However, nothing is as good as driving out to the original great BBQ mecca in the Texas Hill Country.
18001 FM 1826, Driftwood
(512) 858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com