The Salt Lick BBQ Menu 2026: Brisket, Ribs, Sausage & Family Sides

Yes — The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX is famously cash only. An ATM is available on the property. The cash-only policy has been in place for decades and is part of the restaurant's no-frills Hill Country character. Bring enough cash to cover your group, including tip.

Yes, The Salt Lick is BYOB. Guests are welcome and encouraged to bring their own beer, wine, or other beverages. Coolers are welcome on the grounds. The restaurant does not sell alcohol, so BYOB is the way to enjoy a cold drink with your BBQ. This is one of the most popular aspects of the experience — many guests turn it into an afternoon outing.

The Salt Lick is generally open for lunch and dinner, but hours can vary seasonally and the restaurant sometimes closes when they sell out of meat. The most reliable way to confirm current hours is to check saltlickbbq.com or call ahead. The restaurant is closed on certain holidays. Weekends are peak days — expect a wait, especially on Sunday afternoons.

The Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood is approximately 20–25 miles southwest of downtown Austin, about a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic. The address is 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619. The scenic Hill Country drive on FM 1826 is part of the experience — many visitors make it a day trip from Austin.

The Salt Lick does not take standard walk-in reservations for individual parties at the main Driftwood location — it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Large group and private event bookings are available for weddings, corporate events, and private parties — contact the restaurant directly via saltlickbbq.com for event inquiries. Expect significant waits on weekend afternoons during peak season.

The classic move is the All You Can Eat family-style service — continuous rounds of brisket, ribs, and sausage with sides. If you prefer a single plate, the Combination Plate (brisket + ribs + sausage) gives the full picture. Don't skip the peach cobbler — it's made in-house and is the definitive dessert. Bring your own cold beer for the full Hill Country experience.

Yes. The Salt Lick ships vacuum-packed smoked meats (brisket, ribs, sausage) and pantry items like their bottled BBQ sauce and dry rub nationwide through their website at saltlickbbq.com. The shipped meats arrive fully cooked and need only to be reheated. Sauce and dry rub are available year-round; meat gift packs ship refrigerated.

The Salt Lick is a BBQ restaurant built around smoked meats, so vegetarian options are limited. The sides — potato salad, cole slaw, pinto beans, bread, pickles, and onions — are available and filling, though cross-contamination with meat smoke is inherent in the pit environment. There is no dedicated vegetarian or vegan menu. Guests with strict dietary requirements may want to call ahead.

The original and flagship location is in Driftwood, TX. There are additional Salt Lick locations at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (multiple terminals) and at Round Rock Premium Outlets in Round Rock, TX. The Driftwood location is the original and is considered the definitive experience — the airport and outlet locations offer the food but not the full Hill Country property and atmosphere.