The Salt Lick BBQ

We’ve tried multiple Austin BBQ places and so far this is our favorite. I loved that their entire menu was GF except for the bread. I had the brisket and loved all of the sides- beans, cole slaw and potato salad. And my gluten-eating family members did not need to sacrifice for me. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend!!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

OMG! This restaurant serves delicious barbecue. The menu is entirely gluten-free with the exception of bread and cobbler. We had the rib/brisket plate with potato salad, the best coleslaw I’ve ever had, and baked beans. All the food was delicious. The restaurant does a lot of business, and it pays to make a reservation. We did not have one, but you can order takeout and get it fairly quickly. They have outside tables for you to eat takeout. It’s quite an experience with delicious food. We highly recommend it.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dinner
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers online ordering
• Offers outdoor seating
• Reservations recommended

So good and felt great. They knew their stuff. Tons of options. Brisket and pork ribs were amazing.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Great meal! Everything gluten free except for the bread, which is served separately and easy to avoid. Ice cream is gluten free for dessert

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free space in the kitchen
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions
• Staff will clean kitchen space or change gloves if asked
• Food comes out flagged or marked gluten-free

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for dinner
• Good for takeout
• Good selection of healthy options
• Good vegetarian options
• Good with other allergies
• Offers outdoor seating

So good! Everything is GF except bread and dessert. No issues after eating. 😊

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Great experience. All the meat and sides are GF (except the bread). Great atmosphere and service, and about the best BBQ you can find.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Barbecue and sides are GF. Oh so good and always settles well.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Picnic table seating under enclosed shelter. Main building had a fire. All-you-can-eat with all the meats, or a plate with 1 or 2 meats, or 1/2 pound of a meat, a separate side if you like. Everything is gluten-free except the bread (on a separate plate) and the desserts (cobblers). Potato salad is German-style and delicious- had to get more. Coleslaw has vinegar-style dressing. Beans are worthy of and extra side of them. Bison rib had little meat and was tough, but sweet. Beef rib was more tender and meaty. Brisket was good with a little fat. Pork ribs were very good as was the sausage. Free refills on sweet tea. If your dining partner is hoping to have a beer or wine, buy it WELL BEFORE you get to the Salt Lick. It’s bring your own, and there’s nowhere around that sells any. They advertise they sell it next door, but we didn’t see any.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Menu clearly states GF. I have a sesame allergy as well. Asked my server, she said all was fine. Got my food and the coleslaw has sesame in it, potato salad was on top. Sent the food back and the meat came out with all the ends cut off. Ended up sending the whole thing back.

The company might care about your food allergies, but the staff has no clue and are not well-trained. Use caution when eating here.

Waited over an hr to be seated just to eat pickles for lunch.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not at all

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Poor

Everything here but the bread and desserts is gf and they take steps to avoid cross contamination. It’s delicious but it is cash only. Eaten here several times and haven’t gotten sick (the airport location isn’t gf bc they cut the bread on the same cutting board as the meat)

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for keto
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

No reaction here, but quality and taste of bbq ain’t great.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Below Average

Every thing is gf except buns and dessert

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Everything on the menu is gluten free except the bread and dessert. My daughter with celiac had no problems. The food was incredible! And atmosphere was so fun, especially for kids.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout

I live near here and have eaten Salt Lick many times and I have never been sick.

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for dairy-free
• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good for takeout
• Offers outdoor seating

I have eaten here at least 10 times in past 18 months and never gotten sick. Tell server you have gluten allergy and they cut meat separately. Love that I can have brisket, potato salad, cole slaw, pickles and onions and awesome bbq sauce gluten free. You can bring your own alcohol as well. And Bring your own GF bread if you want that. Tip: if long wait for inside seat, call in to go order and eat on outside picnic table.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Before you decide to eat here, spend the 5-10 minutes you’re waiting for your table watching the two guys cutting meat as it comes off of the pit. These two guys cut all of the meat going out to be served, and as I was leaving I watched them both assemble sandwiches with the same meat they had just cut - right on their cutting board. Sandwiches went onto plates and out for service, and they quickly resumed cutting meat coming off of the pit again, with the same gloves, cutting board, knives... everything. Not sure if this is commonplace, but it puts virtually all of the meat on the menu at risk of cross contamination - if not ensuring it is so.

Food tasted great, but I got very sick afterwards. Wish I’d decided to watch them work before I ate and not on the way out.

Celiac friendly?

No

Overrated tourist trap. They make an effort to be gluten free. Thats nice. But the food wasnt really that good.

Delish! Only thing not GF is bread and desserts. Clearly stated on menu. Easy-peasy!

Everything is gf except bread and desserts. BYOB. Best bbq in town.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The Salt Lick was worth the drive, worth the wait and worth the cost. I had heard of the Salt Lick first from a friend who lives where I do (California) and then from friends who live nearby the restaurant. I was looking forward to having great BBQ in Texas. I watched s couple of shows/segments on the restaurant and knew that I wanted to get the family meal for my daughter and I. I wanted to try the brisket, sausage and ribs. The brisket didn't blow me away, and we didn't get refills of that meat, but I really loved the ribs. I haven't had ribs better than what the Salt Lick has. I wasn't wild about the beans, but did enjoy the coleslaw and even more the potatoes. I did opt for a jalepeño and was surprised to be charged $0.25 for it. We could have all the fishes refilled as many times as desired. We got there a little after 6, and had an hour and 15 minute wait. While we were waiting, we went to Salt Lick Cellars to wine taste and purchase beer and wine. You can take the beer and wine back to the restaurant. The winery does take credit cards but there is an $8 minimum charge. While you are waiting you can enjoy live music or play bocce ball at the winery. It was a pleasant evening and very much worth the effort to go. I recommend trying it at least once if you're in the area, especially if you love BBQ. My daughter and I are both gluten-free and everything on the menu except the bread and dessert are gluten-free.

i have celiac and eat here often. all the meats and sauces are safe as well as potato salad and cole slaw. staff is helpful. you can't help but look longingly at their desserts. that would make it a 5 if they served some gf bread and dessert- one can hope...

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Wife has celiac disease, eat here very often, she has NEVER been sick. Just make sure to tell them you have a gluten allergy, and then they will make sure to cut your brisket/meat on a clean board.

Tastes awesome!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

I love the BBQ here. I've eaten there twice because of the claim to be gluten free. Unfortunately, I've gotten sick both times. I'm a Celiac. I think there's a cross contamination issue or inconsistent practices among workers. Too bad cause I love the food!

I have celiac and had no issues here. I mentioned my concern about contamination (per the last reviewer) and they said the bread is cut on its own surface and only put on plates by the same person each time. Confirm for yourself but I felt well and the food was delicious. Happy to have good bbq:)

Clearly marked GF however, food prep is highly contaminated as bread is cut on same surface as meat and sauce is slathered in onto bread. Talked to server and they were very nice to accommodate by pulling meat off pit and slicing in a clean area with clean knife. Easy for intolerants, a little more questionable for Celiacs. Food was very good though. (I avoided the BBQ sauce)

I really love the BBQ here. I come back whenever I'm in town. Avoid the bread and desserts because they have gluten. Very sad because I had the cobblers before diagnoses of celiac and they are fabulous! Lol sorry

Salt lick has been a frequent destination because I live in the area. I've yet to get sick from anything. their menu does state everything is gluten free except the obvious bread products. Extremely low risk of cross contamination. From pit to plate. I've made a call and a email to confirm the rumors and got nothing back. Take confidence that yes, they are gluten free.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Wow. The food at this place is amazing. BBQ places are usually pretty safe when they use their own sauce, and this place was no different. On the menu in big letters it states "we are gluten free, except for bread and dessert". Pretty easy (although for someone super sensitive I imagine cross contamination could be a problem, and I would check with the restaurant first) I got the Ranchers plate, which included a taste of everything. The rib and sausage both were my top picks, and I probably could have made myself sick if I didn't practice self restraint and PUT THE FORK DOWN. The potato salad was more of a mustard and vinegar base, rather than mayo, which is always a nice change. Would go back way too often if I lived here!

Clueless, but kind

Not even close to gf. Ok for fad dieters only

Cross contamination heavy, no understanding of sourcing, shared equipment, or gluten species vinegars

Sitting here watching everyone else eat because it is so out of the way. Smells great. Torture!

Celiac friendly?

No

Excellent. Everything but the bread and desserts are gluten free. Great atmosphere. The beef ribs were delish. I'm a very sensitive celiac and had no issues.

Everything on the menu (except the obvious bread and cobblers) is GF. It was nice to be able to have the "family style" with the rest of our group.