Salt Lick Cellars

Good barbecue, even at the airport.

It was 4:30 AM and people were already lined up. That alone tells you something. Salt Lick at AUS isn’t just “good for airport food,” it’s just good barbecue, period.

I went with the brisket, egg and cheese breakfast tacos and they delivered. The brisket was smoky and tender, eggs cooked right and everything balanced without being greasy or heavy. Simple, filling and done right.

The photo I posted shows the menu, but the real takeaway is this: if you’re flying early and see a line forming before sunrise, get in it. Salt Lick proves you don’t have to wait until lunch or leave the airport for legit Texas barbecue

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Overpriced below average BBQ

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

Service, what service? They asked for a tip, okay I get it! But tips are for service. I asked her to please bag it, she replied, “they haven’t hired anyone to bag it.” We asked for no sauce and they covered the meat in sauce. Turkey was good but the brisket was really dry. The price for 2 of us was $69. Portions were very small for the price.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

I ordered a meal and, after paying, found that all the tables were taken. There was one open bar stool, so I sat down to eat the food I had just purchased. A bartender then told me I could not eat there because I didn’t order the food directly from her.

This makes no sense. It is the same company, the same physical location, and the same food I paid for. Being asked to leave after purchasing a meal—simply because of an internal rule like this—is unreasonable and frustrating.

If this policy is real, it’s completely customer-unfriendly. Unfortunately, this experience cost them a customer.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The brisket and Mac and cheese was great. Fast service and great food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food at Salt Lick is always great, and this visit was no exception. What was different was the experience.

My wife and I ordered about a $60 meal and sat at the end of the bar area so we could watch the game. There were no other available seats—this was the only seating open. A female bartender told me we could not sit there because it was “for bar patrons only.” I explained that we were simply eating the Salt Lick food we had just purchased.

She proceeded to spend 2–3 minutes cursing at me, speaking to me in a degrading manner, accusing me of stealing money from her, and threatening to call airport security. Eventually, she brought over her manager. We calmly explained the situation, and he apologized for her behavior and confirmed that we were absolutely allowed to sit there and enjoy our meal.

This was one of the worst customer service experiences I’ve ever had. The bartender working on January 4th around 3:50 PM should not be in a customer-facing role.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 1

I had the pulled pork sandwich at the airport and it was amazingly good. I wish I had time to go to the actual restaurant. I’m sure it’s amazing…. Thank you Salt Lake for providing your taste of barbecue to travelers coming in and out of the airport. This place is oh yeah certified I’m gonna let my nephew know. He runs Josheats FL.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The burger and fries was actually very good (better than I anticipated!) It was around $25 so not the best deal, but I had some time to kill in-between flights. The service was very, very slow but I think they were short staffed the day before xmas. Otherwise the staff was super friendly and remembered my name when I came back later. There's some tables nearby to sit at but few with outlets.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Love great Texas brisket, and salt lick made some of the best. I knew something was wrong this time around here at its airport outpost when they had already put barbeque sauce (only so-so) on it. Back in the day Salt Lick didn’t even offer sauce, it was considered an insult to the Smokey juicy quality of Texas barbeque brisket that would melt into your mouth. Not this time. This brisket was on the dry side which is why I think they added the sauce up front. For $25 it was a disappointing experience.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Friendly service and that the only good thing I can say, the Brisket was way over cooked and the ribs came to the table covered in sauce 🤢 I believe if you can bbq ribs the meat does the talking if you must cover it with sauce you shouldn't be cooking/ smoking ribs! As for the sides the only thing that was good in my opinion was the mac & cheese 🧀

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

The portions were extremely small for the money paid. 27$ for less than a quarter pound of brisket … I wouldn’t use them at the airport again
The servers were super nice though

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 4

Located in Austin Airport. Flight delayed do i had time to kill. The food is really good. It was super busy but It came out fast. Lots of gift type options for purchase. I bought some sauce and flavored salt.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Salt Lick BBQ. 1/2 pound Thurman’s Signature burger with extra 1/4 pound patty and bacon. Yum yum yum✔️ Excluded everything but the meat and cheese. Ideal between-flights carnivore meal. Service exceptional.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

If you want to get ripped off for an over priced drink and dish. You must go here !!! 5 stars for being over priced !

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

Not worth $30. Very dry and lean. Not the best combination for brisket.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3