Saltlick Smokehouse — Restaurant in Hamilton

I’ve been to many smokehouses in Canada and the US and the briskets offered here are the best I’ve ever had. They are so juicy and perfectly prepared its unreal. Let me start my review with food.

Food:

Briskets: as I said, the best ones I’ve had…ever. So juicy, full of flavour and perfectly cooked. You can tell that patience made these. 10/10…..

Fried chicken: I’ll start by saying that I’m not that much of a fried chicken fan. These are reaaallllyyy good. While the batter could use more of a southern kick, the chicken was brined so well that even the next day it was super juicy. 7/10….

Jerk Chicken: Being Caribbean, I can say that I do have some things to say. While I loved it, I think the seasoning had a little too much nutmeg in it. Don’t be afraid to turn up the heat a little bit! 9/10....

Buttermilk Biscuits: I didn’t have high expectations for these to begin with, but they did exceed them! The flavour was reminiscent of Georgia… BUT… they were a little on the dry side. If the restaurant is reading this, try to find a way to make them the steamy hearty goodness that is a southern biscuit. Unfortunately for that reason I give them 6/10

Mac and Cheese: The star of the show. So hearty, so cheesy, so good. I really enjoyed the brisket being in the dish, some other at my table didn’t. I guess to each their own. This mac and cheese is made how it should be. I’ve been to places that “specialize” in making it and didn’t have the flavour, texture and goodness that I had here. 10/10

Corn Bread: The staff had some extra Jalapeno corn bread that ended up not being served, so they gave it to us. I’ll say right now, I don’t like corn bread if it’s not sweet… this wasn’t sweet. I guess its my bias, but don’t let this stop you from trying it. 4/10 because there was a little flavor in it.

Service:

I forgot the name of the person serving us, but he was awesome. Some people may come in expecting high end service, and I think that’s how the staff is assuming people are coming in expecting as well. This is a smokehouse, when I go to a smokehouse I expect jokes, fun and love of food. Once he knew that we weren’t the type to be stuck up restaurant critics, he dropped the formalities and started joking with us, telling us what he likes and giving us his personal recommendations. The rest of the staff chimed in every so often and added to the over al experience. To the owner: You have chosen great people to run your restaurant. Kudos to you.

One complaint I have is where the drink list is. It’s a little awkward to have to stand in between people eating. But that’s because we were sitting on the far side of the restaurant.

My overall experience here: 10/10 I came from Brampton to visit this spot and would do it again without a doubt. If you’re looking for good smokehouse food – come here. Don’t...

Visited Salt Lick on the weekend with some friends.

Atmosphere is good, and because its a fairly small place it always seems busy inside.

The way you order in this place is you order the number of different meat types you want and then you chose 2 side dishes. The amount of each choice you get is proportioned to the number of people at your table.

We ordered 4 meats with 2 sides and ordered an extra side.

Our choices were:

Brisket - fantastic, cooked to perfection and extremely tasty

Flat Iron Steak - again amazing, cooked to medium

Chicken drumstick - Very large drumsticks, but not very good in my mind

Jerk Chicken - this was my favourite dish. If you like super hot jerk you will be disappointed. I found it to be just the right spiciness for me. I couldn't get enough!

Our sides were:

Brisket Mac & Cheese - good, but barely any brisket in it. Felt ripped off Southern Bisquits - just okay...should come with butter but doesn't Coleslaw - don't waste your money. Basic coleslaw, and at an extra $2/person definitely not worth it.

We waited a very long time for our food. It didn't bother us much since we were all chatting and having a good time. I honestly think they forgot our order. I saw the manager and waitress looking at our table and saying something. My only complaint here is if you know our order is delayed come by and let us know, rather than keep us wondering what's going on. On that note, our waitress didn't seem like a people person anyway.

Drinks were super expensive. A glass of wine was $12 and I am not sure what I paid for a small pint of beer.

One other thing I didn't like was that the kitchen is right there among the seating area and there are no exhaust fans over the cooking areas. It was very smoky and my clothes smelled like smoke when I got home. I am not sure how that's even allowed in a restaurant.

Anyway, this is a place worth checking out. The food is very good. Just remember to bring lots of $$$ as it is not a cheap...

*A Smoky Delight at Saltlick Smokehouse *

From the moment I stepped into Saltlick Smokehouse, the alluring aroma of smoked meats promised a feast for the senses. This gem on James St in the heart of Hamilton is a haven for barbecue enthusiasts, and our experience was nothing short of spectacular.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the smoked brisket. Each slice was a masterpiece of flavor, with a perfect bark that gave way to tender, juicy meat that melted in my mouth. The brisket had been smoked to perfection, boasting a beautiful smoke ring that spoke of hours of careful cooking.

Next up was the Nashville fire chicken, a dish that set my taste buds alight with its well-balanced heat and spices. The chicken was cooked flawlessly, with a crispy exterior and succulent interior that absorbed the fiery marinade, offering a kick that was bold yet not overpowering.

But the surprise hit of the meal was the smoked pork belly nuggets. These bite-sized morsels were an explosion of flavor, with a smoky crust encasing the rich, fatty goodness of the pork belly. It was a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that left me craving more.

The sides were equally impressive, from the creamy slaw that provided a refreshing contrast to the smoky meats. And let's not forget the Brisket Mac n' Cheese – a sweet and cheesy delight that was the perfect accompaniment to the robust flavors of the barbecue.

Service at Saltlick was top-notch, with Alexander our friendly staff who was over the top passionate about the offerings. He made instantly made us feel welcome, offered some excellent recommendations, and ensured that our dining experience was memorable.

In conclusion, Saltlick Smokehouse is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic, high-quality barbecue. With its fantastic smoked brisket, fiery Nashville chicken, and irresistible pork belly nuggets, it's a place where every meal feels like a celebration of the finest in Southern...