David Letterman is reported to have said the Salt Lick Restaurant in the Texas hill country west of downtown Austin has the best barbecue in Austin, Texas. I do not know if that is technically true because I only had barbecue from a trailer truck on the grounds of the Long Center and here at the Salt Lick.
But according to folks from Texas, the unknown hole in the wall roadside operators provide the best barbecue in the state. I can believe that. But I could not resist barbecue prepared in a big pit, a very big one. And given my time constraints, the Salt Lick was one of my foodie experiences I wanted to check off while in Austin.
In a nutshell, according to lore the Salt Lick’s history dates back to Mississippi in the mid-1800s. The current owners’ great-grandmother who came to Texas from Desoto, Miss. in 1867 met James Howard, a surveyor, passing through her town. She was a 14-year-old orphan looking for a way to survive. She told Howard that if he would marry and take her to Texas, she would bear and raise all his children even though she did not love him. He agreed. The restaurant’s current menu reflects the same methods of preparing the meats she used on her journey from Mississippi to Texas in the 1800’s.
So here is the Salt Lick Restaurant’s pit fire that cleanses and prepares all the meats served on the current menu. They include, chicken, beef, pork, sausage, turkey and brisket. I was sort of mesmerized that this pit was a life-sized version of a biblical fiery pit.
There was a gentleman outside the actual restaurant where this trailer size pit operation stood who fed the fire and the meats. It was proof that the barbecue was fresh as you could see the meats going into the fire as you entered the restaurant.
As we were led to our seats this was our view. The meats were rubbed with sauce, cut and placed in servings.
I am giving the Salt Lick two thumbs up and a snap. By east coast standards, the prices were very reasonable. The service was excellent with lots of young service people working professionally to earn their tips and doing a good job I must say. Even though the restaurant is suitable for large groups, intimate seating could be arranged for smaller groups such that you do not wind up in your neighbor’s business. All barbecue was served with traditional pickles and onions, fresh bread, potato salad, and coleslaw using the same recipes the fourteen year old used on the wagon trains on her way to Texas.
It’s a good story and the food was also very good. Share if you know anyone considering traveling to Austin, Texas. Next time in Austin I will try the roadside BBQ establishments. But I will return to the Salt Link during the day so that I can enjoy a visit to the wine tasting portion of the business.
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