Bergjord Boarding

By: Luke

The Setting

Travel back in time with me to August 2018.

The location: The Salt Lick BBQ Driftwood, TX. ( 30 minutes southwest of Austin)

The people: Samie, Alyssa(Samie’s sister), Evan (Alyssa’s boyfriend, now husband), and myself.

Prelude to a Feast

Following a recommendation from our Airbnb host, we drove to this BBQ place for supper. Having BBQ in Texas was definitely on the list, but I thought most of our food adventures would be the next day in Austin.

Pulling into the parking lot we started feeling the ambiance. With windows cracked we could smell the wood smoke from far away. Our anticipation was building as we walked up to give our name to the host. There was live music while we waited for a table to open up. The entire establishment is BYOB and we saw some prepared regulars carrying coolers. The center piece was a huge open fire pit with all cuts of meat glazing in BBQ sauce just waiting to be sliced and served.

Soon enough we were seated and got to meet our waiter. This man went above and beyond. With it being our first time, he answered all questions before we could ask. Maybe it was the intoxicating fumes of smoked meat. Maybe it was the feeling of being in a decades old establishment, or maybe it was our waiters southern accent. We were completely in love before eating a bite of food.

Calories In Concert

“Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.”

– Anthony Bourdain

We had hard choices ahead of us. What kind and how much meat did we want? What sides would we chose and how would we wash it down? I remember getting a sample platter including brisket, pork ribs, and sausage. All of our meals came with multiple sides and a loaf of bread and butter for us to mop up the last drops of meat juice.

We ate until we couldn’t anymore. Denying the bus boy our plates because we knew we would sneak another bite after a couple of minutes of talking. We were drunk on life in only the way the right food and company can make you. And when we were asked about dessert we didn’t hesitate. After all, there is always room for dessert. Especially when its chocolate pecan pie a la mode, peach cobbler, and blackberry cobbler.

As I look back years later I remember less and less detail, and find it infuriatingly hard to describe the taste of the food. What I really remember, and I doubt I will ever forget, is how much joy I felt. The spirit of adventure in our hearts, and with a generous helping of indulgence, we had an incredible meal. I can’t help but to smile every time this place crosses my mind, and it was an easy choice for my first blog subject. We had a hard time leaving The Salt Lick. Instead of staying sad it had to end we celebrate it happened at all and that we have food and family that nourish our body and souls.

Until next time.