I had a terrible experience at Salt Smokehouse. I have a nut allergy, and when I asked the waitress about the safety of my meal, she said they couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t contain nuts. She didn’t offer any alternatives or solutions and seemed completely nonchalant about the entire situation. It was incredibly frustrating and concerning. The rest of my party ordered and ate (at my request) while I sat there with no food. I obviously won’t be returning. If you have allergies, I would highly recommend avoiding this place.
Editing to add:
I appreciate your acknowledgment of the situation and your commitment to improving allergen awareness and staff training at Salt Smokehouse. However, I would like to clarify a few points and provide further context to ensure a better understanding of my experience.
First and foremost, my concerns were not about the inherent challenges of accommodating allergies in a restaurant setting, but rather about the approach and communication from the staff member during my visit. When I mentioned my nut allergy and the use of an EpiPen, it was to highlight the severity of my allergy, not to cause confusion. Individuals with severe allergies often carry EpiPens as a precaution, and this information was provided to ensure that the staff understood the importance of avoiding cross-contamination.
Unfortunately, the waitress’s response—that she could not guarantee my food wouldn’t come into contact with nuts—left me feeling unsafe. What was particularly concerning was the casual manner in which this information was relayed, along with the lack of any suggestions or alternatives for how I could safely eat at Salt Smokehouse. She never inquired about the specific nuts I was allergic to or what I was considering ordering. This response gave me no confidence that my dietary needs could be accommodated, which led to my decision to refrain from ordering.
While I understand that accommodating all allergens can be challenging, effective communication and a clear process for handling such requests are crucial. At no point was I offered guidance on safe menu options or reassurances that the kitchen staff would take precautions to avoid cross-contamination. This lack of effort to find a solution or offer alternatives was disappointing and contributed to my decision not to place an order. However, I did encourage the rest of my party to order, which they did.
I want to clarify that I was not rude or condescending to the waitress. Having spent many years in food service myself, I always strive to speak with respect and compassion to those in service. I was genuinely shocked and disappointed by the interaction. My reaction was driven by the need to prioritize my safety in an environment where I felt my allergy was not being taken seriously.
I respect the challenges small businesses face and commend your commitment to improving staff training. However, it is essential that your team is better equipped to handle inquiries about allergens with sensitivity, clarity, and a proactive approach. I hope my feedback can contribute to positive changes in this area, leading to a safer and more welcoming dining experience for all guests with dietary...
Read moreLet me start off by saying The Salt Smokehouse is 1000% legit! This place is a super-duper savory, culinary bundle of PURE goodness. My husband and I were searching for the best restaurants in downtown Huntsville, Alabama—and wow, are we glad this gem popped up!⭐
Myyyy goodness, THIS was it. If we could’ve taken down the entire menu, trust me, we would have! The Salt Smokehouse is absolutely phenomenal. Every dish feels like it's infused with love—it’s that soul-hitting, flavor-packed kind of food that stays with you.
We kicked things off with the Brussels Sprouts and Texas Twinkies. Let me tell you—the Texas Twinkies are a MAJOR hit. Flavorful, smoky, and absolutely addictive. Then came the Summer Salad... hands down, the freshest and BEST salad I've ever had. We got it without a protein, but I'm already planning a return trip TOMORROW to add protein and red onion. Yes—it’s that serious!
Next, we dove into the Fried Chicken Sandwich. This beauty is topped with creamy slaw, spicy oil (I got it on the side), and pickles on a toasted buttery bun🤤. The chicken? Fried to golden perfection. I had it with tallow fries and a side of their creamy ginger sriracha slaw. Every bite was insane. My husband had the brisket burnt ends, tallow fries, and slaw—he couldn’t stop raving about it.
As much as we wanted dessert, we left absolutely no room. But we’re going back. Possibly tomorrow. Definitely soon.
To top off the experience, the Top Chef himself took the time to greet us at the kitchen door, as we wanted to meet the master behind this culinary adventure! He was an absolute delight, and we just wanted to thank him personally for creating such an exceptional dining experience.
And let’s talk about the people! We were greeted and served by a brother and sister duo—Sara and her brother (missed his name but unforgettable energy). They were welcoming, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable. Their passion for what they do shines through in every interaction. They explained the menu, gave thoughtful recommendations, and truly made the experience elite.
In a world where customer service is hit-or-miss, The Salt Smokehouse delivers a 10/10 ELITE customer experience. We left full, happy, and genuinely excited to return. This place deserves ALL the stars.💫
Run, don’t walk! Whether you're a local or just passing through Huntsville, you HAVE to try this place. It’s not just a meal—it’s an experience. We’ll...
Read moreI see it said all the time on social media and even hear it in conversations around town, "Food is good in the area but we are missing out on great food that can be found in NYC/LA/Chicago/Atlanta/etc"...When I see/hear this, I think to myself, you just aren't looking hard enough...If you shift your perspective and realized that each region of the world offers some unique experiences made up of a combination of factors like local specialties, availability of resources, and most importantly, the people who make up the fabric of the community...So if you look hard enough, try enough places, you can find some exceptional cuisine in The Rocket City! Talking about the fabric of the community, it's hard to talk about the food scene in this town and not think about Chef Rene Boyzo...BBQ meets Hispanic flare but side eyes fine dining...That's what you're going to get when you eat at SAL'T! (Don't forget the ' in the name as the SAL pays homage to his Hispanic heritage)...The staff was amazing, all dressed in uniform, warm smiles, working as a team to make sure our experience was memorable...Neeley and I enjoyed an amazing linner (the lesser known cousin of brunch)...We (and by we I mean I) ordered a sampling of appetizers with every intention to try a few bites of each, Armadillo Eggs, Bao Brisket (Pork Belly was sold out, which if you get upset a restaurant sells out of something, don't because it tells you their ingredients are fresh...if it happens all the time, that's a different matter) and Truffle Fries...Well, what had happened was, it was so good I ate all of the appetizers...Neeley got the Pulled Pork plate with a loaded potato as her side which was as big as two fists and I ordered the Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich with Elote Creamed Corn as my side...And the Limoncello Cake with fresh strawberries and a side of raspberry sauce 😳 Everything was amazing...When the weather warms up, they have outdoor patio seating and it will be a great spot to hang...They are working on getting the liquor license sorted out so no alcohol but I'm telling y'all, go for the food, service and vibe of the place...It was well worth making the drive allllllllll the way from Madison (20mins tops lol)...Looking forward to trying the rest of the menu! ...
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