Salt - Smoke, BBQ Bourbon and Beer
6525 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO, 63130
Salt - Smoke, BBQ Bourbon and Beer Menu
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Address :
6525 Delmar Blvd
University City, MO, 63130 - Phone (314) 727-0200
- Website https://www.saltandsmokestl.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Desiree B.
I am not a huge fan of BBQ but get random cravings and this place did not disappoint! The interior is so creative, open, and vibrant! I also love the server's aprons, they appear to be gardening aprons of some sort. Super neat idea! The boyfriend ordered pretty much everything! The burnt end toasted ravioli was my absolute favorite!! As well as the bbq pork and the Mac and cheese. We were greeted as soon as we entered, but unfortunately our server was very inattentive and very slow. We waited a long time for waters and drinks. Then we wanted to order beers but she never made it back to the table until we were done with our food. Thank goodness the kitchen knows what's up because we didn't need anything else after the food was delivered. Also Lucky for them, some of their servers are big into teamwork so one gentlemen who also sat us, refilled our waters, checked on our food and cleared our plates. I wish I could have tipped him. We will definitely be back, but will probably sit at the bar next time to avoid the poor service.
(4)Darron M.
First and foremost our server Dexter was Awesome!!! Secondly, the food was delicious. I tried the Bestie 3 with the rib, burnt ends, and jalapeño bologna. I chose the mac and cheese and fries as my sides. Both were really good. The sauces were out of this world! You must try it out at least once!
(5)Benjamin S.
This place is great. Good service, fast kitchen, and the food is fantastic- as are the cocktails. Comfortable and trendy interior decor and a very impressive selection of brown liquor. I'm already a regular and business has been great. Strongly recommend. NOT vegan or veggie friendly, naturally.
(5)E Michael H.
My wife Mary and I had lunch here yesterday. For us the pulled pork was better than Sugar Fire or Badanna's. The Chef's special salad used local ingrediatiamts of tomatoes, watermelon with a spicey mayonnaise type sauce. The sauce was so good I wanted to ask the chef to do a slaw with it. The popovers were delicious with a parmasian and breadcrumb edge that was light and savory. I can't wait until the nex trip! The only complaint for me was the rest room didn't have grab bars for someone in a wheelchair. The owner Tom assured us that would be resolved by the time we came back. I love having bar b que in the Loop!
(4)Stacy B.
Yay! A great new BBQ restaurant in the loop! I liked Nico, but I love S&S. Creative BBQ, craft beers & bourbons, reasonable prices. Everything we tried was delicious. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Scot P.
I stopped by for dinner at the bar tonight and the place was packed at the tables with several people waiting. I had the brisket tip sandwich with mac & cheese and some rye pale ale. Everything was delicious- not oversauced, but well-smoked. I was a very happy man.
(5)Sonja K.
Fun little restaurant on the Loop with a great atmosphere. The food is quite good and its definitely a nice place to go on a date or with friends. All around a great place. The only reason I'm give 4/5 is the food, while good, was not exceptional in any way.
(4)Tom C.
The wings are fantastic. The French fries are fantastic. The pulled chicken is fantastic. The ribs are very good. Use the two BBQ sauces supplied at the table to maximize pleasure.
(5)Ken L.
First time here. Do I like bbq? Sure. I had pulled pork, it was "ok". A little dry and the potatoe salad was bland. I'm not a fan of a menu that has bbq stains over it. The container for the sweetner had empty packets and again bbq sauce on it. I get that it's a bbq place, but either wipe your hands off or the staff clean these things.
(3)Kacie N.
Brisket was the best in STL, hands down. Great beer and bourbon selection as well. Their house cocktails are to die for!
(5)E F.
Went to Salt + Smoke on a Saturday night after a movie at the Tivoli. The ambiance of the restaurant is very nice. For me this was the main point that differentiates Salt + Smoke from other area BBQ places where you need to stand in line for 15 to 20 minutes. Salt + Smoke has traditional wait staff service. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Food-wise, I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was very flavorful and moist. It came with one side. I had the beans, which were good, but small. I actually liked the fact that the portions were not huge. You didn't feel like you would need to take a nap an hour later.
(4)Jason M.
Damn good barbecue and the bread roll that comes with the plate is excellent and goes great with the bbq.
(5)Anthony A.
Two times in four days, this place is doing something right. If you can tolerate the super hipster vibe, the food will not disappoint.
(4)Erin P.
The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Service was a little slow but we sat outside.
(4)Kyle M.
Pretty bland overall. The baked beans were really bland. The met was smoked nicely but not anything remarkable. Sauces were ok, like the mustard sauce but the "hotangy" was tangy only. Bourbon selection was great.
(3)Pam M.
all i can say is delicious and awesome ! :) loved it and rubin the waiter was awesome
(5)Ken Z.
We came for dinner. Got seated in a dark corner of the store. Literally 0 lights above us. The main thing lighting my meal was the flat screen behind me. Ordered a combo meal of brisket, ribs, creamed corn, seasoned fries, and popover for $14. My friend ordered a pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and the hushpuppies for $13. Good portions, definitely filled me up. The brisket was good, fairly tender and just the right amount of fat. Ribs were dry and heavily peppered (like literally the entire top portion was black because of pepper) but otherwise lacked smoky flavors or other spices. BBQ sauce was excellent but the bottle itself was very sticky. Creamed corn wasn't sweet at all, not what I was expecting. Fries were excellently seasoned and I believe they were handcut. Popover wasn't too impressive either. Overall the meal lacked flavor and there was no salt or pepper on the table either. Waitress was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed.
(3)Alexander D.
Service was really quick and friendly, and the food came out without delay. I ordered a falafel burger (great vegetarian option) and mac n cheese, which were both delicious. I'll definitely return next time I'm hungry in the Loop.
(4)Rob M.
If you want BBQ, this is not the place. Meat was dry, sauces were all pretty mediocre.
(2)Nathan O.
It was good. I wasn't wowed by anything. I liked everything thing though. it's consistent to say the least. The BBQ sauce is probably the best thing about it. No lie the sauce is giving sugar fire a run for its money. It's good enough to race with the big dog's just not to win. Definitely won't be the last time I go there. My friends love it, I'm in that area plus I love BBQ. The best part about it to me is its not a hassle to get some quality food. The best BBQ places in the city run out of meat allot have crazy times of business. This is nice.
(4)Jason J.
I know the name is salt + smoke but my friends brisket sandwich was way salty & I use a lot of salt...the pulled pork sandwich I had was pretty good & we both liked the deviled eggs...we both thought the Mac n cheese was just OK...I thought it at least needed salt n pepper..but was none to be seen on any table...I hated the sauces...but I'm not a fan of sweet sauces (I always try all the sauces even the sweet)...idk I don't think I'll be back...to many other places to try! :-D BTW the service was great but we go early so it was pretty dead...
(3)Chris M.
Very good pulled pork sandwich, even with the cole slaw, which I don't usually like. It gave the sandwich a nice crunch.
(4)Eric S.
Turns out the person who served my whisky was not trained properly or new or something and they do actually have big 2 inch ice cubes for whisky. Speak up if you get the wrong ice!
(3)Tim R.
OK, so this is my revised review. I had a less than pleasurable experience on my first visit. However, the owner reached out to me to see what he could do to improve service and earn back my business. We made a return visit and I was MUCH happiee with the second go. The bourbon selection is pretty phenomenal. I enjoy bourbon either neat or on the rocks and I have had my eye on several bottles for my home collection. Salt & Smoke allowed me the opportunity to taste a few of them and decide yay or nay without breaking the bank to do so. I had a finger of the Noah's Mill and a finger of Booker's. Both were excellent, with the overproof Booker's slightly rising above, possibly due to the big bold flavor of an overproof bourbon. They were out of my favorite of their bbq, the smoked brisket, but that just gave me an excuse to try the chicken and pork. Both came out very flavorful and moist. There ls still room for improvement in the way of service, but a strong improvement from our last visit and we will be back to witness the continued evolution and improvements.
(4)Steve S.
Wonderful BBQ. Very good service. Had the brisket and pulled pork. Both were very very good. Tender. Nice smoke. I've had good brisket in Texas and this would give them a good run for their money. Pulled pork was tender. And if you add the South Carolina style bbq sauce, oh my. Good stuff. They have a craft beer selection that is real good. Interesting choices. Large bourbon selection. When I get back in town again, I will make this one of my first stops. Maybe I'll get to try their ribs.
(4)John S.
Some of the best brisket I've ever had. And the chicken sandwhich I tasted was sneaky good. My wife got the smoked trout salad & she loved it. Good price point too. Love it. And you can't beat people watching in the loop
(5)Jonathan S.
Just went to salt & smoke for the first time and it was excellent. Perfectly smoked ribs- tender and juicy with great flavor and a really good rub. The sides were great too- baked beans (tangy and sweet) and Mac & cheese (creamy with good overall texture). The waitstaff was also very nice and attentive. This was the perfect place to spend one of the few cool summer nights in St. Louis.
(5)Tony S.
Wow! What a find. We were in the Delmar district west of SLU walking around at lunchtime and found this place. It was amazing. We loved the hush puppies. The bread popover that comes with each entree is really great too. Fried ravioli filled with bbq pork was also really good. Of course the BBQ pork was really nice too. Owner was there on site and spoke to us and the wait staff was friendly and helpful and service was quick. Great meal.
(5)Patricia F.
Greasy, slippery floors. Sticky tables. Food so salty it is inedible. Ripping off 20-somethings who don't get the difference between trendy and good.
(1)Tom S.
Best BBQ in town!
(5)Clara N.
4 stars seriously? I was excited to try this place, the atmosphere seemed extremely nice/fun but I was very disappointed with my experience here. From the very beginning the male hostess was stand off-ish, and not only that but our waitress seemed very uneducated about the menu. I understand that this place just opened but I would recommend training your wait-staff for a longer period of time if they cannot accurately describe items on the menu. I got the pulled pork sandwich and while the portions were very decent I was not impressed with the taste, by the time we received our food my bun was so soggy it had a hole ripped in the bottom before I even took a bite. Fries were good and seasoned well, but we weren't offered anything other than the BBQ sauce on the table to dip them in. Speaking of BBQ sauce... options are slim. I tried the My Sweet Bestie flavor and it was honestly not great.. my sandwich was a little bland from the beginning and the sauce was no avail. This place has great outdoor seating and the inside is very spacious, it has the potential to be a wonderful restaurant unfortunately it fell just below par. Excellent whiskey selection and a decent craft beer list, only domestics offered were Bud Light and Budweiser. As a St. Louis restaurant I expected a little more beer options. Also, the drink menu did not list any vodka/rum/gin which was a disappointment to someone who appreciates a good gin and tonic. Whiskey, wine and beer (if they have it in stock) will have to do if you plan on drinking here.
(2)Albert H.
first time here and feel its the best bbq in st louis. servants are so nice.
(5)Eliza K.
If you like good bbq ribs, this is the place to go. Avoid the pulled pork, it's too salty and has an unusual after taste. Solid bbq choice when presented when the mid week BBQ urge!!
(4)Amber K.
Disclaimer: BBQ is not my favorite genre. Anyway, this place was great. I walked in wearing jeans and was concerned because everyone was dressed up, but then realized it was a party of some sort. We had no wait. The food came out pretty quick. I had the brisket sandwich. I tried all the sauces but my sweet bestie was the bestie. The bun actually didn't nothing for the sandwich so I pulled the meat off and just ate it with MSB. I had the creamed corn which my husband stole from me. Hubby had the pulled chicken plate with fries and brisket chili. The chicken and fries were good, I ended up stealing his chili. My girls had the Mac n cheese which they didn't like, I tried it and it was actually good, they're used to the stuff with no flavor from most restaurants. They also had the BBQ chips which had a sweet and salty flavor. The thing I liked best is most BBQ places don't season their meat and let the sauce do all the work. Their meat could stand on it's own. I also loved the vibe, great place!
(5)Dan G.
Out of meat before 8:30 on a Friday night. Very disappointing. Guy at the front told us we could just come back tomorrow or go have a drink at the bar (in lieu of dinner?). Where's the manager on a night like this? No big deal....
(2)Jamie H.
The service was amazing. Dexter was a doll. The brisket sandwich was incredible; served on pan seared bread with burnt end mayo. The mac and cheese is good; but my mom's is better. The burnt end ravs were delish. The popovers were good but not bacon or cheesy enough. Hushpuppies and pickles were good but I've had better. Manhattan was good but I can make a better one; I'm a bartender. The white BBQ sauce should be bottled. Definitely see myself coming back and taking advantage of the street side seating when it's warm.
(4)Susan F.
Best dinner I have had in months. These folks do BBQ right. I had the pulled chicken which was tender, juicy, and perfect on its own. The regular bbq sauce is the best I have ever had - sweet but not too sweet and smoky with a gentle kick. I had the garlic herb fries and green beans for sides which were both full of flavor and cooked to perfection. How nice to have a properly cooked vegetable at a bbq place! My usual experience is that BBQ places cook their vegetables to death. Boyfriend had the ribs which he said were not quite as good as Pappy's (I have not been yet) but only slightly so and he said that Pappy's could learn something from that sauce. BF also had the sweet potato chips and mac and cheese - both were excellent. We also had the burnt ends ravioli and we agreed it was the best rav we have ever had. Prices are comparably good and portions are generous. Menu has a few local beers though they could stand to add a few more. On the plus side, not a sign of InBev anywhere. The strawberry hard cider is purely amazing. I even saw a vegan falafel sandwich on the menu which, since every single piece of food we had was excellent, I imagine is quite good.
(5)Georgia M.
We went on a busy Saturday night, were seated right away and had excellent service from our waiter, Reuben. We LOVE barbecue and this place was amazing. Everything we ate was delicious. Popovers come on the plate with your food and are interesting. We had the brisket, mac and cheese, garlic fries, pulled chicken sandwich, half slab ribs, sweet potato chips and the best thing I have ever tasted,The Creamed Corn. The food came out fast, which might make you worry, but it was great. The sauces are good. The spicy, vinegar based sauce was perfect for the ribs. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Matt C.
Had a great lunch. Caesar Chicken salad was excellent with superior quality ingredients. Chicken wings were perfect, great smoke, moist meat, awesome rub (highly recommend). Ribs again great smoke and awesome rub superior quality of meat. Cole slaw balanced flavor must try. Green beans perfectly cooked with nice natural flavor.
(5)Ashley S.
I was in St. Louis on a business trip a few weeks ago so a few coworkers and I went to Salt + Smoke around 7pm on a Saturday night. We had about a 40 minute wait and by the time we were seated there was only Brisket left. This was not a problem at all... I ordered the Brisket Plate with White Cheddar Cracker Mac and the Garlic and Herb Fries. This is literally the BEST BBQ I've ever tasted. The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender and tasted incredible! The fries were so good and the mac and cheese was to die for. We made a to-go order the next night and I ended up just getting a pint of mac and cheese it was that good. I would highly recommend this place to anyone that goes to St. Louis. And those Bacon Cheddar Popovers? SOOO GOOD! Thank you for a wonderful experience. I can't wait until I come back to town!
(5)Ronnie M.
the ribs and brisket are AWESOME sides of mac & cheese and beans HORRIBLE!!! mac & cheese DRY HARD with NO CHEESE . let the server know , he said it was because of the crackers BS. the beans looked REFRIED and very BLAND, tried to add bbq sauce (witch ALL 3 VERY GOOD) for flavor, nope did not help at all, maybe that S+S style but not mine. (I THINK THEY SAT IN HOT PANS ALL DAY) they kept the water refilled but never refilled my drink?? i will wait a month or 2 and try the sides again to see if i was lied to or if they just do em that way
(2)Julia R.
Wow--in a city that boasts some incredible BBQ restaurants, Salt+Smoke is a welcome addition. I stopped in today for lunch while walking around The Loop, and ordered the pulled chicken sandwich. The chicken was juicy, smoky and delicious. The pimento cheddar cheese and corn relish (both on the sandwich, but not in overwhelming quantities) added a unique flavor. The bun, which was simultaneously crispy, buttery, and soft, rounded off this great sandwich. The restaurant serves Texas style BBQ, so the meat is served dry with sauces on the side. I used a bit of the sweet BBQ sauce that was on the table (being from StL, I prefer sweet sauce) and it was very good. There were also spicy BBQ sauce and mustard that I didn't try on the table. The side I ordered was the Green Bean and Tomato salad which was crisp, refreshing and healthy (something that is sometimes hard to find in BBQ joints). The service was fantastic as well. My server was friendly, witty, and on the ball. Overall great experience.
(5)Eric S.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is fresh. Had the BLT, which was delicious. We also got appetizers. The deviled eggs were great. Fried pickles were just OK. Potato salad that came with the BLT was good also. Service was a little lacking, but not enough to spoil the cool atmosphere.
(4)Stephanie K.
Had really high hopes for this place. Walking in we are greeted with...oh wait no one greeted us when we walked in. We stood around by the front door while the servers lumbered by trying to avoid eye contact as to not have to be the one to seat us. When we were sat our server greeted us in a timely manner but Buddy Holly wasn't much of a waiter. 2/3 drinks ordered were delivered (don't worry we received the 3rd after our entrees were served)...of which my Manhattan was room temp booze with an ice cube dropped into it. Guess stirring a drink is a bit much to ask. The mac and cheese came to the table and looked AWESOME! First bite- it was maybe room temp...I get that it's probably in a warmer in the back but turning the warmer on may help. Our sandwiches were pretty okay. The brisket was just a little dry as was the pulled pork sandwich, these things happen with BBQ though. Good thing for the sauce! After you're done pouring one if not all three of the sauces (that are really good by the way) on your plate you're going to need to wash your hands because it seems they can't wipe sauce bottles between seatings. This place also won't be your jam if you're into refills. There are full pitchers all over the floor but it seems they are only full because they are never used. The icing on the cake was a server dragging the trash bag and linen bag through the dining room. That being said I'm sure it's their only way of getting that stuff outside, but a clean container or even bags PICKED UP and not drug across the floor would be better.
(2)William B.
Simply the best BBQ in the state! Arthur Bryant's, Gates & Sons, Jack Stack ... All excellent - but no comparison here. I stopped in for lunch today and walked out amazed. The brisket plate (burnt ends) left me stunned. Fried pickles to start (very good) and the popover was wonderful. Nothing else to say ... There is no reason to go anywhere else (and I won't). I found my favorite BBQ and I no longer need to search elsewhere.
(5)Annie N.
We went here for my boyfriend's birthday and it was great! They had a wide selection of different bourbons, as well as food. I really enjoyed their toasted raviolis! I had a brisket sandwich as my main course with a side of fries, and that was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place
(5)Adam R.
I had a besties combo which is two meats and two sides. The brisket was really tasty and cooked well. The ribs were mediocre and nothing incredible. Had Mac and cheese and potato salad for my sides. Potato salad tastes like the Wal*Mart version, it just didn't hit if off for me. The Mac and cheese was just that. Even with the crumbles on top, it didn't really help. I'd probably eat here again if someone invited me out, but I won't go on my own doing. It's not bad, it's just not "slap you in the face good".
(2)Doug M.
This was a tasty lunch! We went down to the Loop to check out a couple of stores, and needed to get lunch first. Walked by Salt + Smoke, and since I had been wanting to try it - and since it was 11:30 am & not yet filled up - stopped on in. Because we were just grabbing a quick lunch, I didn't get to try all the tasty sounding items on the menu. But what we had was pretty dang good. The wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Bun had a nice buttered grill on both faces, pork was tender and moist. Pulled pork to me is pretty much you either get it right or you don't - and they did. It's the rare place that manages to hit it with some extra flavoring or smoke, and while Salt+Smoke didn't do that, it was good. The house pickles were nice and crisp, with light pickling that let the flavor of the cuke/pickle stand out. Her side was the garlic and herb fries. The seasoning seemed to be cooked into the fries, rather than dusted on, which I thought was great. You bite into it and get hit with an enjoyable little shot of garlic/herb. And whether by chance or design, the fries were a little more done than usual for fries, which gave a slight toughness to the outside while the inside was still soft and hot. I liked it. My sandwich was going to be the brisket. However, I asked the waiter what stood out, and he said they had a French dip special that day. So I gave that a shot. I'm glad I did. The dip itself was dark and flavorful, without being all that salty (thankfully!). The buns came with a mozzarella-consistency cheese melted on each side. It wasn't mozzarella, there was a stronger flavor than that, but I can't seem to place what it was. Regardless, another great shot of extra flavor and texture. The meat itself apparently was shredded brisked. I don't know if the brisket normally is like it was on this sandwich, but it was waaay good. Almost like burnt ends in flavor (and with the burnt ends mayo drizzled on it), but not actually burnt. It had a nice chew to it, and apparently had been simmered or whatever in a sauce that just really hit with savoriness. My side was the pit beans with smoked bacon. The beans were white ones, the bacon was finely chopped and soft, and the smokiness was an accent and not all the flavor. Subtle yet satisfying! Can't wait to go for a larger meal and hit all the other tasty options.
(4)Jay D.
We had a party of 7 on a Sunday night around 7. We had great service and excellent food. I tried the Salt+Smoke Cocktail and a Strawberry Cider from a local brewer. Both were great. As far as food, we made sure to hit as many of the notes on the menu as possible and enjoyed every bit of it. We will be back!!!
(5)Amanda H.
I come from the heart of bourbon and BBQ country in Kentucky. So to see the wide variety of Bourbon and whiskey available here was awesome. May I recommend the Noah's Mill with a splash of water. The service was just as amazing as the food. The hush puppies with maple butter really stole the show, they were so light and flavorful! I will definitely be back!
(5)Levi S.
If you have been putting off trying this place out, please stop punishing yourself - you're worth it, 100% - and try it. The brisket sandwich, I, I...I just don't understand how I was able to live as long as I have without tasting the dream, what smoked brisket SHOULD be, and what all other barbecue sandwiches ought to aspire to be. The meat is tender and juicy, freshly smoked, and is accompanied by a generous slathering of burnt-end mayonnaise. What are burnt ends? Burnt ends are the blackened, charred ends of a brisket that don't "make the cut" when it comes time to prepare brisket for serving. This restaurant has made the well-informed decision to use these ends to flavor a sauce, and it works. I think it comes with red onions, too, which brighten and texture any barbecue sandwich. There are four barbecue sauces on the table to choose from: sweet, hotangy, spicy, and a delicious mustard. Of course, I like to use all of them simultaneously. Any and all of them would work on the brisket sandwich. As a side, I can vouch for the baked beans, the fries, and the baked white macaroni and cheese. Especially the latter, it is worth trying. If nothing satisfactory is on tap and you like your IPAs, don't be shy to try a bottle of the He'Brew R.I.P.A. Heavy at 10%, it makes great sipping over the course of a meal and conversation.
(5)Christine W.
I know its kind of unfair, but I'm generally skeptical of places that I feel are super hyped up because a lot of times, reality doesn't line up with expectations, at least for me. Maybe the trick is to go in with lower expectations, but if a place has a good yelp rating, the pictures and menu look good, and lots of people have told me they like it, I can't help but look forward to eating there! Fortunately, in this case, Salt + Smoke lived up to the hype. In a nutshell, I really enjoyed my meal here (meats and sides), the service was good even though they were quite busy, and I would recommend making a reservation if you're trying to go with a party larger than 4. Food My husband and I shared a bestie combo ($14), where you pick two meats, two sides, and it comes with a popover. The brisket was so flavorful and rich (you can choose between fatty or not... obviously we went with the fatty brisket). The ribs were tasty, too, although they were a bit more burnt than I usually like; K. likes them that way, though! Our sides were the bacon baked beans and white cheddar cracker mac and cheese; both were great. I loved the sweet bbq sauce - so flavorful and delicious! Service We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, since we went without a reservation on a Saturday night and we had a party of 6. The two hostesses were very attentive and helpful, as was our server. Even though it was pretty busy, I didn't feel like we waiting too long for our food once we sat down and ordered. Pro tip: pick out what you want to eat so that as soon as you're seated, you can put in your order. :] All in all, I had a great experience; this is one of the better bbq places I've been to. I'm glad that the food was so delicious, because K. and I were taking a chance bringing out of town guests there without having been ourselves yet (though we had been planning to eat here for months). Good job, Salt + Smoke!
(5)Jim C.
They def get five of my stars. We had their ribs - outstanding, totally - beef, and chicken. All of it excellent to outstanding. I had a great brisket chili side, I will give it 5 stars on its own. And the bread was also excellent, not even going to try to describe it. I also had the cola that is 'like coca cola but made with cane sugar and better' and yes, it was like Coca Cola but better than Coca Cola. Seriously. I don't remember the name but am going to look it up and have it shipped here to Houston. It is not often you get a meal this hearty and fulfilling this far North - we're from the Texas Gulf Coast and eat a lot of Texas and Louisiana food - but there it was. If you are in the St. Louis area or have kids at school here, you are missing a great meal if you haven't been here. PS: daughter goes to WashU and is a cheeseburger fanatic, she gets them here I guess a couple times / week. VERY GOOD, Salt+Smoke, VERY GOOD.
(5)Justin S.
My friend who has spent a lot of time in Saint Louis told me this was one of the places we shouldn't miss for my short weekend there, so it ended up being the first stop I made, and I was seriously impressed. Saint Louisans take their barbecue seriously, and that is more than evident in my experience at Salt and Smoke. My friend and I popped in late-ish on a Friday night and of course the first thing that hits you when you enter this place is the campfire smell... That usually bodes well for a good dining experience! We were promptly seated in the cavernous dining room and decided relatively quickly on our selections from the classic barbecue menu. I went for "The Bestie Combo" which allows you to choose two barbecue items, two sides and comes with a popover. I got the ribs and the pulled pork, and let me just say I'm not (and never have been) a lover of ribs, but WHOA they were great here. Truly the classic "fall off the bone" ribs with some interesting, piquant sauces to choose from if you'd like. The sides (mac and cheese, and green bean salad) were pretty darn good too... and the popover is a buttery, flaky extra which I loved. Salt and Smoke also has a great cocktail and beer selection, and we enjoyed a couple of local brews with our food. The service was super friendly and the waitress allowed us to take our time and was patient with all our questions about the beer and food. Overall, a great spot in the Loop and one I'd definitely return to upon subsequent visits to Saint Louis!
(5)Monique B.
The restaurant is rustic and fun and crowded and social. Overall, a great ambiance and good service, but not great (we had to flag a waiter down a few times because they didn't check on us often). I had the deviled eggs to start and they were ok, but nothing special and my girlfriend had the wings and I thought they were a bit under seasoned. For my entree I had the half slab of ribs and they just didn't taste good although I couldn't quite figure out why. They weren't lip smacking good and in fact I only had a few and then put them aside. I also had a drink, and I don't remember which one, but I only had a few sips because it wasn't good and wasn't memorable. The icing on the cake was that when we sat down, a bug crawled along the table, which was just disgusting. The waitress got rid of it, and we were sitting by the high top where they store the firewood, but it definitely tainted my experience. Overall, I was super disappointed, and although it was moderately priced I just need more than cute ambiance; I need great service and delicious food.
(1)Danielle J.
I'm a fan of what I have eaten here. However, the restaurant is 0 for 2 on having ribs available. I've been twice this week (problem?) and both times they have been sold out of ribs, what we drove here for. I've had the brisket sandwich and the pulled chicken sandwich. I preferred the brisket over the pulled chicken. I love the white cheddar cracker mac. The beans were also good. I'm a fan of the popovers and I have not had those since BLT in DC. Both times, I have had good service but the last time was best with Travis as our server. He is so easy going, jovial and thorough. He's the one that you want to tell you that they are out of ribs because you just can't get upset with him. We'll go back at some point but I'll call first and check on the ribs stock. My expectations can't survive another occasion of running out.
(4)Leslie S.
We had a group of 6 who all had an outstanding experience here! Friendly management, friendly server. Popular place, took about 45 mins to get a table, arriving at 6pm on a Fri night (don't take reservations) Would recommend (see pics): Buddie combos Hushpuppies with maple butter Burnt ends raviolis Asking for bourbon/whiskey recommendations from the server THE BRISKET (wouldn't have normally ordered this if we hadn't learned it was award-winning, and we could see why) - this was THE MOST POPULAR item on the table among all 6 of our diners Pulled pork (not to same extent as brisket) Mac and cheese We wanted to try the ribs, but they ran out. Wish I had asked for add'l brisket instead of pulled pork to replace my ribs portion. Creamed corn was ok. Popover was tasty but wish there was a spread for it maybe as an option.
(4)Jennifer H.
First of all, any location where the work uniform is jeans and plaid shirt is exactly a place I want to be. Very laid back atmosphere and helpful staff. Our waiter was very knowledgeable regarding the different beers available. He was extremely attentive even though the place was pretty busy. Their food...nailed it! Go for their brisket. My friend ordered it and I spent more time on her plate than I did my own. I had the pulled pork and it was definitely tasty as well. It was served plain with an apple slaw, but there are several types of sauces laid out on the table to change up the flavors of the meal. My side was some sort of cracker mac and cheese that I adored, but my husband said was "meh." He's a moron. It's delicious. Go there. Wear plaid and drink beer. It's worth it.
(5)Jason G.
A wonderful experience. The food, the bourbon and atmosphere were briliant. Tom out server went out I God way to give us a great evening. I can't speak more highly of the place. You must give it a go.
(5)Jason U.
We received great Midwestern hospitality in this hipsterish BBQ restaurant! We both had the brisket which was fantastic. The mac n cheese was slamming and the garlic French fries were awesome. Oh, and my partner left his bag in the restaurant and we didn't realize it until we got the airport an hour later to head back home. They happily offered to deliver it to the airport before we left... What a great place!
(5)Katie A.
Save yourself time and money - go to SugarFire or Pappy's. I really wanted to like this place but I just didn't. My family of four went one night. We were seated right away - close configurations. I got the pulled chicken and my husband the brisket. The kids both got the Mac and cheese - which was okay but seemed like it was trying to be something more (with crumbled crackers) but was not. The meat was good but I can honestly say I disliked every single BBQ sauce they had. And the bottles on our table were disgustingly sticky. In fact, everything in that place was disgustingly sticky. My husband swears they pump smoke through the building (for the smell I guess) and that is causing a coat of disgusting on everything. The service was okay, the food was okay but the lack of good sauce and the disgusting stickiness dropped this place to a 2 star with me never returning if I have the choice.
(2)Oliver V.
BBQ is good but brisket is great very tasty and the fatty may gives a flavor out of this world. Mac n cheese and chili were also good with that thin fluffy muffins awesome experience.
(4)Andrew S.
I brought my parents here over the 4th of July holiday and it was our first time eating here. One of the best things on the menu by far are the smoked chicken wings. I was surprised by how tasty they were. I highly recommend you get those if you order appetizers. I had also ordered a half/rack of ribs with Mac N' Cheese and the Garlic and Herb Fries. I didn't care for the Mac N Cheese. Their version includes crumbled up crackers and I just think it was very good. The fries were amazing though so be sure to order some as a side when you eat here. The ribs were only average. If you want good ribs in St. Louis don't eat here, eat at Pappy's Smokehouse. They weren't super tender like I am used to and didn't have a lot of flavor unless you put BBQ sauce or another one of their table sauces on the ribs. Which by the way are amazing (the sauces, not the ribs) I liked almost everyone, although one of the sauces was a bit too sweet for me. There were lots of other good looking items on the menu and I will come back but it certainly isn't worth 5 stars. One quick note, we thankfully were seated outside because inside it was not only pretty small but very warm too.
(3)Jenny J.
This is my favorite bbq restaurant in St. Louis. I recommend the delicious and flavorful hush puppies which are served with a fantastic maple bitter. The macaroni and cheese is definitely not the type I would normally eat. -it has crackers on top- but it is so amazing. Their fries are also very very good. I've had the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket sandwiches and each were very good. The burnt ends of the brisket can be a bit salty though I also love their apple whiskey cocktail
(4)Audrey J.
Salt + Smoke you sure did not disappoint me. I'm truly only disappointed in myself that it took me so long to get here. IF all you read from this review is the next sentence... that is okay.. because I JUST WANT TO SAY this was probably the BEST BRISKET I have ever consumed. I definitely got the saltiness and smoke taste from it. It was fall apart good. Oh brisket. Okay so I ordered the Bestie Combo and in my honest opinion if you have never been here, it's probably the best way to go because you get to try multiple meats. You get two meats, two sides, and a popover for $14. It's a lot of food too. I got the Brisket, of course, and the Pulled Pork. Both were incredible. It's so flavorful and the meat is not dry what-so-ever, and it doesn't even need sauce. But I did try the Bestie BBQ Sauce and it was pretty great with the pulled pork. For the sides I made sure to get something on the healthier/lighter side so I got the Cracker Mac, and the garlic and herb fries. The Mac was sooooo freakin' good. I wanted more. And the fries were golden and crispy. Just how I like them. The entire place is super cute, and the service was great. Salt + Smoke is wonderful and you should for sure get there if you have yet to! P.S.: Brisket.
(5)Katie H.
I recently returned. Part of me wants to drop them down to three stars because the service was so bad. We sat outside on a Wednesday around 8:30p and it rook entirely too long for anyone to even notice that we were there. The same thing happened waiting for drinks, and again waiting to order. The service didn't improve the whole night. However, I will refrain from dropping a star because I found more food that I'm crazy about! The Cheddar and Jalapeño Bologna does have quite a kick, but it also had so much flavor! I also tried the popovers they serve and was super impressed! From the outside it looks like a plain ol' boring popover. But it tears open so easily because it's SUPER SOFT on the inside - it melts in your mouth like butter!!
(4)Alyssa S.
I have no idea where to start. This place shouldn't stay in the Delmar loop for long... In just a year it has most definitely outgrown the space. The wait times can get excessive but they are always worth it. First, get the brisket. If you have a chance, get double the brisket. You don't need a knife and likely won't need sauce at all. The mustarolina on the table is good-looking but ask for their white BBQ sauce that isn't out on the table. Also, the deviled eggs appetizer is not your co workers pot luck contribution...... These are deliciously crafted deviled eggs with proper seasoning, topped with bacon. Get it. Worth it. While you're at it, pair a few fingers of bourbon with your meal. The Bowman options are really delicious. Ask for the bacon cheddar popovers. And St Louisans I know you're going to be mad... But they have some of the best toasted raviolis I've ever had... The only cons: Very limited wait time seating area. You can sit at the bar as well. Cracker Mac is a bit bland, but up against so much flavor... *Add the tangy sauce to your brisket chili.
(5)David W.
Sadly to say, compared to the other available bbq's in st louis, overall, this is not one of the best. Things that do stand out: FATTY BRISKET! wow this is good, super tender very good salty black pepper seasoning. solid, this is their go to thing to order here their default bread that comes (i forgot what it is called but its like a big fluffy bread muffin thingy) overall though, the other things: ribs were ok dry rub (they need a couple more hours to hit the meat falls off the bone style), fries were solid, mac n cheese was light with ritz crackers a different surprise, pulled pork was kinda bland, bologna jalapeno thingy was alright, baked beans were mediocre. SO if you do end up coming here. definitely beef brisket over everything else. Their option where you can order 2-4 things for a little more money is definitely worth it. Portions were good for that option. Overall : 4 star fatty Brisket : 5 star
(4)Steven B.
I guess every restaurant has a bad night. If this is true, then S+S had one last night. I'll admit, for a Tuesday night they were packed at 6:30PM and many of the tables were large parties. Our table was 10, next to us was a party of 14 and in the next room I could see tables of 6 and 8. However, that should not have effected the quality of service and food, but it did. As an appetizer I ordered the Smokey Wings to share with my friends. They were huge, meaty and definitely smokey. For some of my friends who tried them, they were too smokey, but they tantalized my taste buds. For my entree I choose the Brisket Plate which came with two sides. Eating low-carb, I selected the cole slaw and green bean and tomato salad as my sides. Their GBSS is always a winner for me. The cole slaw is a vinegar base which I favor over a creamy dressing. It's a simple slaw, cabbage only and the dressing, which makes it an easy accompaniment to BBQ. When ordering Brisket, I like the fact that they give you three different options. You can choose from; lean, fat or burnt ends. They even allow you to mix two of them. In the past, I have always loved their fork tender brisket. However, tonight when I ordered the lean and burnt ends, my brisket was dried out and tough. I had to apply pressure and saw like movements to break it into pieces. It was also overly SALTY. Salt may be in your name, but do not make it the primary flavor that I taste. I promised the roomie I'd bring home a plate for them to enjoy and almost backed out on my promise after eating my meal. I stayed with my promise and brought him home brisket with baked beans and mac-n-cheese. To my surprise and delight, his brisket was the fork tender that I had experienced on my earlier visits to S+S. As in my previous review, both the mac-n-cheese and pit beans are winners. I also, brought home a slice of pecan pie and in the words of my roomie, "This Pecan pie would make any Texan, proud." Which in translation is damn good. Service was friendly and they were willing to separate all the checks, which is always a nice gesture to a large group. However, service was slow, orders brought out by a variety of different servers and orders were mixed up with different sides. I think most of the problems tonight were in the kitchen, dealing with a full house and several large groups. I'll keep the issue with the bartender to myself, but it was a major flub up. I know S+S is better and am also confident they'll be back up to 5 Stars on my next visit. I hated to take them down a couple of stars, but had to be honest.
(3)Aaron B.
I know some people don't care for Salt+Smoke BBQ, but I say bring it on! Okay, so I didn't try their BBQ technically speaking...except 1 burnt end a kind dining partner shared with me that was amazing! But I did try their 2x bacon cheeseburger and was very pleased. It was super bacon-y and red-meaty with relatively thin patties for a 2x burger. I highly recommend it. They also have BOMB green bean salad. Craving that slim waistline? It's a great alternative to their southern alternatives that maybe be a little more...buttery. On top of great food, they have AMAZING bourbon drinks. I got a barrel aged Manhattan and it was super strong and made just right. I highly recommend Salt+Smoke for craft cocktails, they do it right. Also, don't be afraid to leave room for dessert. 5$ for some VERY chocolatey pie? Sounds like a deal to me! I'll be back and maybe try a plate of their traditional BBQ.
(5)John H.
I arrived approx. 6:30 PM with a group of 11 or 12, and by 7, the dining room looked packed, looking pretty good for a Tuesday night. Our server Dexter was as patient as a server can be in a noisy room with a large group representing diverse tastes and orders. I sampled quite a bit. -I started with a Smoked Wing, shared by Steven B. -I moved on to a Besties combo of Lean Brisket and Chicken, Sweet Pepper Potato Salad and White Cheddar Cracker (as in Ritz) Mac as my sides, accompanied by a Popover, which was a big airy muffin with bits of pepper - I think - in it. -The presentation was nice, and the popover added a little more verticality to it. -The meats were very good, and the sides were ok. -Somewhere in the middle, I sampled Burnt Ends, shared by Brian M. -I like the option of craft beer with my BBQ, and enjoyed the Civil Life American Brown Ale. -I ended with some ribs, shared by Paul K. in my take-home box. After thinking it over, I suppose the thing that puts me off most was the amount of spice rub on wing and ribs, too much for my taste. The association of BBQ with craft cocktails and bourbon doesn't score any additional points for me, though there's nothing wrong with it, if that's your fancy. I enjoyed the company and conversation, the meat minus spice rubs, and good beer. Thanks Brian M. for organizing!
(3)Skye M.
The food, service and atmosphere were absolutely fantastic!! The place was packed and our drinks were kept full. We had the wings and deviled eggs as an appetizer. I can't say enough about the wings! The brisket was the most flavorful, tender and juicy brisket I've ever had. The potato salad is better than grandmas! I had to take a bite of the hubby's fried jalapeño and Bologna sandwich. Sounds gross but it was delicious! I'm definitely a fan of this place. It's by far the best BBQ in town.
(5)Stacy H.
Let's get straight to it, shall we? The appeal of Salt+Smoke seems to be that it is a local sit down barbecue restaurant with cool atmosphere. The barbecue is not that great compared with some of the really awesome barbecue we have in St. Louis. Now for the details. This place has pretty awesome decor and atmosphere. You feel like you're out at a country picnic in a barn or something. Every person who works here seems to be wearing either chambray or plaid (oh and seems to be a hipster). They have a pretty neat cocktail list, but each cocktail is pretty pricey. The Salt+Smoke cocktail really is delicious. The food is just okay. We had a fried pickle appetizer which was odd because it had a mixture of pickle types--I did not think the sweet pickles went with the sauce. I had brisket and chicken and both were lacking in flavor and were sort of dry. My husband had ribs, and they were really good. They have a good choices for the sides. I recommend the mac n cheese--it is rich tasting but very good. One of the best parts of the meal is the popover roll that you get with your food. it is really delicious! The worst part of the experience was our server. She was there to take our order and then to give us the check--no checking in between. We even went on an unbusy week night. Our food was brought out by kitchen staff, which I know helps a restaurant flow, but it sucks because you don't get any interaction with your server. Also, they brought out our food almost right after we got our appetizer which makes you feel rushed through the meal.
(3)Sasha S.
We walked in with a party of 4 on a Saturday evening at 7pm and were almost immediately seated even though it was fairly busy so that was cool. The ambiance is nice. Kinda hipster bbq and bourbon. All of the staff was friendly and efficient. For our appetizer we ordered Fried House Pickles with flaxseed mayo - $6. They were good but didn't blow us away and some of the pickles were sweet pickles which none of us like. For my entree I had the Falafel Burger w/ Local sprouts, red pepper jam - $9 and ordered bbq sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was good enough but the chips weren't special and didn't taste like bbq but they were nice and crispy and there were plenty of them. The hubs ordered Pulled Chicken - $12 that came with a popover and for his sides he ordered garlic and herb fries and coleslaw. He said everything was fine but not awesome or anything. I did try the fries and they were SOOOO GARLICKY. Like scare away vampires garlicky. All in all everything was ok, we just weren't blown away. We would mos def go back but we may want to try some other places first.
(3)Emily W.
My dear sweet baby Jesus. I had one of the best lunches at Salt + Smoke. My husband and I ventured there after some Sunday afternoon shopping. We sat outside on one of the first warm days of the year. We got the "Bestie Combo" plate with the mac and cheese and fries. This maybe just a pet peeve of mine, but I hate when restaurants don't do french fries. Salt and Smoke did not disappoint-their fries were delicious. And the popovers? Incredible BUT nothing could prepare me for the main course. The brisket and pulled pork. Both so juicy, they literally melted in my mouth. I simply cannot wait to go back.
(5)Brian M.
Salt + Smoke is a welcome addition to not only The Loop but also the already well-established Saint Louis barbeque scene. After just one meal I think Salt + Smoke already deserves a spot in the top five barbeque places in Saint Louis, it's just that good. Salt + Smoke is a more of an experience than some of the places which are order eat and leave. Let's start with the bar, the bartenders are great and their knowledge of bourbon is very deep, so they can recommend the best bourbon or bourbon inspired drink for you, or just get you a beer before your meal. I recommend making in a point to stop by the bar before your meal. You will notice on weekends that this place can get rather loud, and crowded so be prepared for a slight wait for your table. Once seated you will immediately notice the unique bottling for the bbq sauce on the table. My recommendation was the Hotangy and My Sweet Bestie, however the Mustardolina was pretty good too. Anyways for my meal I went with the Bestie Combo, which is two meats served with two sides and a popover, I went with the Brisket/Burnt Ends and Pulled Chicken with Pit Beans with smoked bacon and the White Cheddar Cracker Mac. Lets star with the meats, I went with the brisket and was presented with several choices on how it was prepared, I selected burnt ends, which were just that....burnt ends, they were perfectly cooked and full of sweet smokiness and paired perfectly with all three of the sauces. Next up was the pulled chicken was moist, juicy, and a slight smoky flavor again another perfect hit. Next up are the sides, I think that the White Cheddar Cheddar Cracker Mac, was almost the highlight of the meal. It was cheesy and full of taste without being overpowering. I highly recommend making this side part of your order! The Pit Beans with bacon were good too, the bacon added to the already tasty beans. Last but not least is the popover, what is a popover you may be asking? Well its essentially a light and airy roll cooked in a muffin pan that "pops" over the pan and become this large tasty creation. Its prefect to mop up some of that extra bbq sauce or to just enjoy on its own! Service is great, prices are fair, however their prices are slightly more than some of your more casual bbq joints in the city but trust me you will love the food and leave full! Overall Salt + Smoke hit the ground running and delivers some great food to an already diverse neighborhood, but best of all they have managed to elevate the already busy bbq scene here in Saint Louis!
(5)John W.
OUTSTANDING!!! This BBQ,Bourbon & Beer restaurant ( as they call it ) is great. The atmosphere is chill, a lot of wood w/ hardwood firewood stacked around. I enjoyed Brisket,Garlic & Herb Fries & White Cheddar Cracker Mac ( shell pasta w/ Ritz crackers crumbed on top ) The Brisket was lean,w/ a great flavor of hardwood smoke ( clearly not Liquid Smoke that cheaters use ) These people have an award winning recipe! The dish was served w/ a popover and a maple butter. The staff was friendly and fully present to provide great customer service. They're all dressed in flannel shirts, blue jeans and a welcoming smile. This place is located in University City ( U-City in the LOU ) across the street from Blueberry Hill & Vintage Vinyl.
(4)Jessica M.
I went to Salt & Smoke after visiting a friend's improv show at Blueberry Hill on a Friday night. It was about 10pm and we were a bit hungry and I had been dying to try Salt & Smoke....so this was the perfect opportunity. Since we weren't hungry for a full dinner, we just ordered drinks and appetizers/sides. Cheddar & Bacon Popovers: Very good but I hardly tasted the bacon that was supposed to be in the bread crust. But they were served fresh and warm. White Cheddar Mac & Cheese: Delicious. They used shell style noodles and it was completely covered in melty/gooey/creamy white cheddar cheese. Garlic & Herb Fries: Also delicious. The fries were the perfect combination of being soft, but not soggy and crispy, but not hard. The garlic & herb seasoning on the fries was flavorful and was further enhanced when dipped in their house BBQ sauces. The service at Salt & Smoke was fine. However the floor at the restaurant was really greasy! It was weird...at first I thought I had something on my shoes because I was having trouble keeping balance...but we noticed everyone had similar problems. I'm not sure what was causing the floor issues, but it needed a good mopping. I definitely want to visit Salt & Smoke again to try out their full lunch/dinner menu!
(4)Jessika O.
Barbecue heaven friends. We did the research and asked around and were told to check out Delmar Loop. We had originally planned to go to a place closer to downtown, but I wanted to check out the Loop. We were heading in a restaurant across the street when we saw this place. The smell ultimately lured us in. As soon as we walked in, we knew this place was the right choice. For appetizers, we couldn't decide between pickles or hush puppies so we got both! Great choice. The maple butter paired with the hush puppies is perfection. They also have a variety of choices of bbq sauces at the table. The Hotangy is by far the best! For lunch, we got the bestie combo. We ordered brisket, ribs, and pulled pork with a side of macaroni and cheese and beans. The brisket was my favorite. My boyfriend loved the ribs. He was still tasting the smokiness of the ribs the next day, but he wasn't complaining. This place is a must-see in St. Louis!
(4)Alison W.
The brisket is the best in the city! Juicy, flavorful, and accompanied by perfectly-paired sauces - what more can one ask for? This classed-up version of a BBQ joint is a welcome relief from standing outside in line to get your BBQ fix ala Pappy's/Bogarts.
(4)Rachele B.
Everything about this place is great. The atmosphere is like new age BBQ joint and the staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable. I had the pulled chicken with pimento cheese and sweet corn relish which was to die for! The creamed corn side isn't really my thing but my boyfriend liked it. He has the brisket and loved it. The meat was juicy and tender on both of our sandwiches. We made reservations which I strongly recommend, the place is packed! Their signature cocktails are also very good.
(5)Joe K.
Salt+smoke provides a cozy southern home atmosphere with a variety of drinks (especially whiskey) and BBQ. Food: $$ Definitely accurate on the name. I went for dinner and ordered the bestie. Got the brisket and ribs. Meat was slightly dry for me but definitely smokey, salty, and flavorful. Gave me a choice on picking lean, fatty, or burnt ends meat! For a side item, I recommend the Mac n cheese(you can get tomatoes and bacon in it). I liked their fries BC it comes w a heaping of mashed garlic. Brisket chilli was okay... Popover was great (toasted bread muffin) They also have falafel burgers for vegetarians. 3 types of sauces: mustarolina (mustard vinegar base), sweet n tangy, and salt+smoke house bbq Drinks: great selection with 8 beers on tap and beer bottles on menu. Tons of whiskey options from bourbon, rye,etc. Have your choice on 1 finger pour, 2 finger pour, etc. Ordered the apple barrel ($9) and was mixed well. Also had the pranqster beer (bottled)
(4)Jet S.
This place rocks! The food is good, the drinks are fantastic, and the service is outstanding. Plus, everyone is so sexy that works here!
(5)Elizabeth R.
I got a sense that this place is trying a little bit TOO HARD. It's just too hipster for me. Like really - and I wear stupidly big glasses every day. The food was honestly underwhelming except, interestingly, their green bean salad side dish. For me this stuck out as tasty because it was FRESH, light, simple and well done. It's green beans, grape tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil. This is the only local BBQ place that I know of that has a side that fresh. Like I said, the rest of the food was ok. Not bad, but definitely not anything earth-shatteringly good. Ok, I must also admit that the bacon I had on my sandwich was lovely. Thick and salty, full of umami. But then again, it's bacon, and you can't really go wrong with bacon.
(3)Melissa P.
I've been four times now, and every time has been really good. I'll say up front that I think Pappy's and Bogart's do meat better overall; however, I love S&S's pulled chicken and fatty brisket. (Pulled pork is good but not exceptional; never tried the ribs or bologna or fish.) The popovers you get with the plated food are fantastic, as are the deviled eggs (they have bacon!) and burnt end toasted ravioli. My only complaint about the deviled eggs: why is an order three? When you cut up two eggs you get four halves. Just make an order four. Their sides are freaking awesome. The white cheddar cracker mac should be in some sort of hall of fame. I love the garlic fries and the bbq sweet potato chips. The green bean salad is nice if you want a vegetable; very fresh and snappy. I don't eat slaw or potato salad so I can't comment on those. The beans are good for what they are but it's not my favorite style of bean. Not their fault. I don't love bourbon but I love their bourbon drinks. I've gotten lucky, I suppose, and had great service all four times.
(4)Ben S.
This place is pretty well reviewed but I really didn't see it on my one and only visit thus far. I dined with a group of fellow Yelpers and certainly enjoyed their company even though I didn't love the restaurant. This place has a lot of reviews so I will keep it brief...3 ups and 3 downs: + Great location - there is just so much going on around there all the time. + Server was very friendly. + Half of the burnt ends ranked among the best I've ever had. - The other half of the burnt ends were among the worst I've ever had. So dry that they bordered on beef jerky. - Really loud, very breezy near the door plus no reservations just doesn't seem like a place I will go out of my way to dine. - Ribs and chicken wings were both so thoroughly coated in rub that you I couldn't taste the meat. Very, very salty also. There are a bunch of bbq places I want to try before I make it back here to see if I have a different experience. I may give them another shot but it will be awhile.
(3)Jess S.
Great food. Great service. Worth the wait. Save room for the chocolate pie....its awesome. Forget about sugarfire...
(5)Amy G.
Dexter is the best bartender ever! Great drinks. Great looking menu the place however we only got drinks. Great for just drinks!!! Amazing spot right in the center of the loop. Great indoor and outdoor seating. They have high chairs!!!
(5)Ryan M.
Stopped in on a holiday weekend for lunch with a small group and grabbed seats at the bar. The service was friendly and prompt, and they have a nice beer selection. I had a pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese--both good. Nothing totally out of the ordinary; but a solid place to go for a nice meal with friends or family. If I'm in the area again and had a hankering for bbq, I would definitely return.
(4)Nick L.
If I was in the mood for barbecue I would stay away from this place. The actual meat that is served is not smoked, it is burnt and is covered in salt. The atmosphere is okay, but the servers are inattentive and mildly rude. You will have a better experience eating at any other barbecue place in saint Louis if you care for pork. Take your money elsewhere and it will be better spent.
(1)Cher C.
Nice little BBQ place on the strip of Delmar Loop. It was gorgeous weather so we asked to be seated outside, although there was a wait. I had the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese and my boyfriend had the brisket sandwich with brisket chili. Everything tasted pretty good. The mac and cheese had ritz crackers crumbled in it. That was a nice surprising touch. The portions looked small, but we definitely left full. If I was from the area, I would definitely try this place again.
(4)Paul K.
I have wanted to try this place since I first read about it. We had a UYE with a group of ten. The place was very crowded and it was Tuesday night. Good for them bad for us. I think we received about what I would expect as far as service. 10 people, 10 different orders, and 10 different checks. That is hard my friends. I ordered their Bestie Special. The special consisted of the following, beef brisket, bologna, and pork ribs. This dish also comes with two sides which were pepper potato salad and smoked beans. I took a taste of each side and did not need to go on. Was not my type of food. Nor my taste palate. In fact it was almost inedible. The rub they use at this BBQ place is very heavy. In fact it is so heavy you cannot see the meat on the ribs just the rub. I took one bite of the ribs and that was enough for me. No more. I took a taste of the smoked bologna and it was as dry as shoe leather, which leaves the brisket. Way to much rub so you could not taste the meat. I do not think this is typical of Salt and Smoke I caught them on an off night. But I can say in all honesty I don't see a reason to come back. I can say I have been there and tried that.
(3)Christine P.
Honestly the smells were better than the food. Every time I pass this place I think it smells absolutely delicious. Finally tried it and the wait was reasonable for a busy Saturday night for 2 people (25 minutes). The service was good and we were waited on almost immediately. The fried pickles were alright at best, interesting to try: they were a mix of sweet and sour pickles in an assortment of cuts. The mustard sauce that came with it was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side of the garlic fries. When the food came out it smelled deliciously of garlic, however tasted just alright. Weird that such potent smells were not accompanied by strong flavor. They had an assortment of sides to choose from that all look great (next time I'll probably try the Mac and cheese instead of the fries). Overall, the service and atmosphere were great. Smells 5/5, taste 3/5.
(3)Mel A.
I am usually skeptical about BBQ for the most part but I came here to try this place out very recently and if it wasn't for the fact that I just don't like how busy the Loop is, I would come here all the time. I tried their brisket and I really liked it. The meat pieces were seasoned enough that I didn't even need any of the sauces (although I do love their hot and tangy!) I tried their green beans and tomato salad which was okay but their parmesan and herb fries were quite delicious. The service was spot on. They were fairly busy but the food was brought over to the table quickly, drinks were plentiful, and they do have a wide variety of bourbons to choose from. I didn't try any but for those who are into bourbons, this would be a great place to try. I would love to come back again very soon!
(5)Austin Elizabeth H.
For lots of reasons, I highly suggest you skip Salt + Smoke on your next trip through the loop. First, the service left a lot to be desired. My boyfriend and I came to celebrate his birthday. The waiter ignored our table and passed us by many times throughout the meal. It took us roughly 20 minutes to order, 35 minutes to get our food, and another 20 to get our check. We ran out of water multiple times and had to wait lengthy periods for refills. The waiter was clearly aware that it was my boyfriend's birthday, as he ordered a beer and my boyfriend noted that it was his birthday when he pulled out his ID. Maybe I've been been spoiled by literally every restaurant I've ever been to, but I thought it was pretty strange that they did nothing to make the experience special for us. We spent more than $40 there, for just two people, on one of the worst meals I've had in a long time and the waiter didn't even say happy birthday to my boyfriend. He just said, "oh, that's neat" and walked away. The food was even more disappointing. My pulled pork sandwich was around 50% fat. There were straight up fat cubes in it. They are clearly using the cheapest cuts of pork available to them. It was too salty to finish, and tasted straight burnt. Not burnt like delicious burnt ends from Bogart's, but burnt like licking the layer of charcoal and old solidified fat from the bottom of a grill. Some of you may like that sort of thing, but I was not a fan at all! Their "baked beans" are also not baked beans. They're actually what people in the south refer to as Brunswick Stew (where the beans are whiter and the meat is completely chopped up, usually is made with bbq sauce, carrots, potatoes, and peas, and is AMAZING), but Salt + Smoke had the most horrible rendition I've ever had. It was just beans and extremely finely chopped meat, no veggies. Neither my boyfriend nor I could manage to eat more than a bite. Terribly bitter, like burnt grill char, with zero sweetness or tanginess. Basically a bowl of charcoal. Their smoke flavor was also not what I was anticipating. I expected, you know... good barbecue. A light kiss of woody, earthy, delicious hickory, apple, or other smoke. Theirs was more like THRICE BURNT GRILL SCRAPINGS. The taste permeated all the food except the potato salad. Their potato salad was the only thing I liked at all, and the vinegar flavor was still almost too pervasive to be passable. Their fried pickles were weird too. Randomly shaped (not sliced thin, how southerners do it) and they used different varieties of pickles (fried sweet dill? Bleh). The breading was soggy and meh, as was the dipping sauce. I'd take Bogart's, Pappy's, or Adam's over Salt + Smoke any day. Salt + Smoke was a new low for us both in the St. Louis barbecue scene. Granted, there's plenty of flavor to be had here, but not any that you couldn't find by licking any dirty grill in the city. I feel bad saying that, and you don't have to agree with me about it, but there's my honest opinion.
(1)Sean W.
No question, this is one of the best BBQ joints I have been too! Everything was perfect! I had the Ribs with Mac-n-cheese and Green Bean; and they were all delicious! The roll they give you is like none I have ever had. I don't go to St. Louise often, but when I do, I will eat here!
(5)Vincent M.
I came here with some high expectations based on the Yelp reviews, plus the recommendations of some coworkers. While the food was good, it didn't live up to what I had hoped for. I started with the hush puppies. I thought they had a good consistency, savory (but not overly salty) flavor, but were slightly drier than I would have preferred. Just my own personal preference. For my meal, I went all in on the BBQ. I got the sampler with pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket, ribs, the popover, French fries, and the mac & cheese. I'll start with the good. The mac & cheese and popover were very good. The mac had a thick, cheesy sauce and the pasta was cooked to a great consistency. The popover was huge, light, buttery, with a nice, crunchy cheese top. Going with ok, the fries, ribs, and pulled pork. So the fries might be a bit better than average. Out of the meats, the pulled pork was juiciest. The ribs were very dark with a good bark on them. I prefer ribs that have a little pull to them and don't just fall right off the bone (again, preference. I find that they can be overlooked). These had a nice little tear to them. The "eh"... Brisket and the chicken. So the chicken didn't have anything wrong with it per se, but it definitely didn't say BBQ at all. Didn't look to be particularly smoked in any way and didn't have much flavor to it. The pieces that appeared to be from white meat were a bit dry. The brisket was a little confusing. While not a lean cut, it seemed drier than a fatty cut should be. Again, not much of a smoky flavor. I appreciate a restaurant that doesn't try to hide mediocre BBQ by pre-saucing, but this BBQ did require sauce because (other than the ribs) it lacked seasoning and a smoky flavor. Overall, the atmosphere of this place was nice, but the BBQ didn't strike me as particularly memorable.
(3)Lydia L.
I love meat, so this was high on my list of places to try. This Tom Schmidt restaurant is filling a much needed BBQ void on the loop. It's already more popular than Nico. We didn't drink here, so this is strictly a food review. I would think upscale picnic: gingham napkins, sauce in fancy containers, but this is table service...no lining up and ordering your meat then walking to your table with a big tray of food. I love the unique containers, but they're kind of a mess to pour from, and I can't imagine the staff likes cleaning the rims every night. They also aren't labeled anymore, and our server didn't tell us what they were. The food: Tried the pulled pork, ribs, and brisket...and I would rank them in that order as well. The pulled pork is super moist and tender. The mustard sauce was probably the most flavorful and unique. The vinegar based "hot" sauce was fairly bland, and the original/sweet sauce was fine. Quite frankly, the ribs don't compare to Pappy's/Bogart's/Adam's. The meat wasn't falling off the bone, I have to gnaw on this until every ounce of meat is devoured. I only ate half of a half slab, and I LOVE ribs. The brisket was dry, and it doesn't match Sugarfire. The portions are solid; I ordered the Bestie combo and took half home. Mac and cheese- a good go-to side with just enough flavor from the sharp cheddar and crunch from the cracker topping. Slaw- vinegar based and a good accompaniment to the bbq Popover- sad panda. We never got them. I think our server just forgot. They looked good from a distance. Overall, this restaurant will survive, but I'll continue to venture elsewhere for my 'cue.
(3)Ale O.
Best brisket in St Louis. Seriously. This place is amazing. They've entered a tough BBQ scene and came out on top. Well done. Tom and his team have incredible range. The place jumps from Italian to BBQ and they nail it. Starting as you walk in the door, the place has a ling bourbon list, barrel aged cocktails. Not a ton of beers but a good list. The only thing I'm left asking is: 'where is the super high end bourbon list?' It's a big room with a lot of tables but it fills up. Take this into consideration. The menu is great. I haven't had anything I thought was meh. The real outlier however is the brisket platter. Trust me. Order it and ask for the fatty brisket. Unlike the sandwich, when you order the platter you get to choose whether you prefer burnt ends or fatty. Fatty is the right decision. The sides are great. Everything is great. Find parking. Find a table. Everything else will go smoothly.
(5)Francis J.
I love their combos, and I blame them for my weight :) Really great experience.
(5)Jennifer C.
First off, this review is waaay late :) and to be fair, the 4 Star is primarily for 2 components of my meal: the fries and the drink. Salt & Smoke specializes in Bourbon and Whiskey drinks, yes they have a full bar, but do yourself a favor and stay with the specialty. I tried the Salt + Smoke and when I say awesome, I mean it. I had 2 this particular evening and for $10 a pop, it had to be good! Now, even though the smoked meats smelled outstanding, my silly self opted for the BLTwith Garlic & Herb fries. The fries, oh the fries...very very good. They are in my top 10. The BLT...meh...wasn't anything to write home about. I absolutely will opt for smoked meats the next time I visit.
(4)Neil A.
The BBQ and rubs are amazing. Pulled meats and the STL-style ribs are definitely worth trying, and their sauce has an awesome unique flavor. I'm a sucker for mac 'n' cheese, and S&S definitely delivered. We went in on a Saturday night and waited for a short bit, around 35 minutes, which wasn't bad at all considering how crowded it was. There's a small (and crowded) bar behind the maitre d that has a great variety of whiskeys and a few, good beers on tap. This isn't the type of bar you can go in and just relax at; it's way too small and way too packed with other groups waiting to be seated. It's a nice addition for people waiting though. After we were seated service was great. The staff was busy so they weren't chatty, but everyone was courteous and extremely efficient. We all expressed a sort of shock at how fast we got our food. Overall good experience that begs for multiple visits.
(5)Angela M.
Great addition to the Delmar restaurant scene, and a place we will return to. Started out sitting on the sidewalk, but the construction craziness and exhaust from cars/trucks crawling down Delmar forced us inside for a calmer, quieter dinner, which was a good move. Celebrated my husband's birthday here with our 2 sons, who are major ribs kids, and Salt + Smoke did not disappoint. Thumbs up from both of our ribs kids! My husband and I, both major brisket fans, gave that a try, and was that a good decision! Sides were great (mac n cheese!) , as were cocktails. Did not stick around for dessert, as Serendipity ice cream was calling our name, but will definitely be re-visiting this establishment. A little more of a "go-out", trendy environment, compared to most other bbq joints in town, which is a welcome quality when out on a "date night" or looking for good bbq in the evening.
(5)Alice S.
Salt and Smoke accommodated our wedding party of 12 in good time and with lovely service. We really enjoyed the food and there was plenty of it!! Next time I'm going to have a bourbon too!!
(5)Daryl H.
I had incredibly high expectations going in and was ready to be let down, but my expectations were not only met but exceeded! Salt + Smoke was packed on Saturday night. We waited at the bar for almost thirty minutes before getting our seats. We started with the burnt end toasted ravs which were much better than I expected. I am not from St. Louis so toasted ravs aren't that big of a deal to me, but the burnt ends stuffed inside that fried dough is genius. Our mains arrived quickly. I had the brisket with mac and cheese and sweet potato chips. My wife had the ribs with fries and cole slaw. Everything was amazing including the sweet BBQ sauce. There isn't much I can say to explain how good this meal really was. The wine wasn't cheap so my wife had the cider which ended up being one of the best she has had. I got to try three different bourbons including a rye. This was another part of the evening at Salt + Smoke that just pushed the entire evening over the top. Bourbon and BBQ are a great combination! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Michael B.
Madison is an high energy waitress even at 10 O'clock at night, smiling and helpful, the food is outstanding and the ambiance is awesome! The fact I can get the hang of it and the rest of the year and the rest of the year and the rest of my favorite part of the day before I get a follow back on my way home and the rest of my favorite part of the day before I get a follow back on my way home and the rest of my favorite part of a sudden it was the best of the year of high quality of life!
(5)Dane H.
Drinks and food were phenomenal. Best brisket I've had. Great ambiance. Can't go wrong here if you're hanging out on the loop. Added note: if you are a whiskey lover, they had a 4 or 5 page list to choose from. Even if you don't care much for whiskey, they make some great cocktails that might change your mind. Enjoy!
(5)Nate L.
Ribs are the tell all. If your ribs aren't on point then you're just grillin. Unfortunately for the folks at Salt n Smoke, the ribs fell a bit short. Hey, when you're spoiled rotten like we are with Adam's Smokehouse, Pappys, and others, it's sometimes hard to measure up. Still. Good fries I think and other stuff too. Just not good enough to unseat the Kings. But it's not a competition right? No this is just life. Ribs are life. Don't ever settle! Service good. Ambiance, well it's the loop. You either love it or you don't. I happen to love it. So. Yeah.
(3)JT W.
The brisket is among the best I've had! We ordered a combo with brisket and ribs, I started with the brisket and can only have one rib after that. (The ribs are also very tender and tasty, the portion is just huge!) The whole experience is great, service is prompt and friendly. My aunt likes it so much that she wanted to pack the leftover and take it to San Francisco with her, and she did.
(5)Heather L.
I have made two visits to salt n smoke now. I can't really say that the food was bad but both times now they have been out of something I wanted to try. First the ribs second chicken. How do you run out of chicken?! I talked up this place saying the food was good but my second visit wasn't as memorable as the first. The service needs to be a little more knowledgeable especially considering the size of the food menu. Liquor is a little more understandable with the size of that menu. I'm not saying I won't go back but I'm not saying I can't wait to go back. At least give it a try.
(2)Ed S.
Had a very stuffing meal here! Was drawn in by the smell of BBW wafting down the street as we walked by. Was seated promptly on a cold Wednesday night even though the place seemed very packed with patrons. Service was great! Nice selection of whisky and bourbon. We ordered pulled chicken and a brisket dinner after an amazing appetizer of chicken wings. Did not disappoint. The chicken wing appetizer was almost 4 chicken quarters! LOL! Geez it was a lotta meat!! Stop in if you're in the area and get ur BBQ on!
(5)Scott H.
I went here on a Saturday night around 7:30. Man, it was crowded! Salt + Smoke seems like it's shooting for the feel of an Austin, TX BBQ spot with its decor, blackened ribs, hipster bartenders and bourbon selection. The host and hostesses up front were very kind. My ribs were good, as were my sides (white cheddar mac & cheese and sweet potato BBQ chips), but I didn't care for the popover that came with the meal. It was bland. I would rather have had no popover and more chips and mac & cheese. Salt + Smoke is a good restaurant, but I'll only go back during an off-peak time when it's not so crowded.
(4)Harrison S.
Best beef brusque I have ever had in my life. The ribs are also good but the brusquely is the way to go. The slow cooked wings are a great appetizer. Only issue I have are the sides. I live the cracker Mac and the creamed corn but the others are lacking. The drink selection is also fantastic. Incredible selection of whiskey and a nice assortment of fun cocktails to go along with great whiskey selection.
(5)Jack T.
This and Pappy's/Bogart's are putting out the best BBQ outside of KC. Salt + Smoke also has a really nice ambiance and location in the loop. And, though hearing it is usually a sign of mediocre BBQ, they really do have standout sides. Full drink menu as well.
(4)chelsea b.
We we're really excited to try this place but pretty let down. First, the place was so hot. That is one of my biggest pet peeves, I cannot eat while I'm sweating. At first glance, the place looks awesome. The wood shelves lined with whiskey etc. had my boyfriend drooling. We ordered our drinks, a beer for him and a wine for me. A white wine that was barely chilled, not helping the heat issue. A few minutes later we ordered our appetizers; they arrived in about 15 minutes. The hush puppies were amazing, delicious, fluffy, warm & flavorful. The butter they came with is a little dish of heaven. The pop-overs were....awkward? They are described as bacon & cheddar...I don't think so. Not at all. We split one, dipped it in the mustard sauce on the bar, which was yummy. The second one went home to the dog. Once our food came, neither of the three people behind the bar checked on us again. My boyfriend sat with an empty beer, was never offered another and never had a moment to order his whiskeys. Our dirty plates & glasses were left lingering in front of us while the three workers, laughed, ate and one played on their phone. After being blatantly ignored, we decided not to order the dinner we had planned and just leave. After being ignored even longer ( the place was not busy, there were 4 of us at the bar total) we finally got our check and left. I'm sad because I wanted to taste the mac n cheese and burger and so many other things, but it just won't happen. No one is too trendy for good service.
(2)Morgan G.
My mother and I came here the other day. Such a rustic feel. It was AWESOME. The food was great and our server was extremely friendly. I recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone, you can't go wrong!
(5)Tammy D.
Stopped in here on a business trip and LOVED it. Great service. Excellent food. I had the pulled pork with some beans, fried pickles, and a yummy popover. And their cocktails are just as good. I had the salt + smoke, okay maybe two of them. I highly recommend this place. It's on Delray Street which is also a great street for wandering around.
(5)Julissa C.
Great food! The bartenders are awesome! If you love bourbon and ribs this is the go to place! I'm from Florida, I visit Illinois for work and this is my second time here! I love this place!
(4)Wintaye G.
I was really disappointed with my trip to Salt + Smoke today. Placed and order for pickup and was told it'd be 20-30 minutes. It took over an hour and I had to badger the bartender and waitresses to check on my order. The bartender basically ignored me the entire time I was there and gave me someone else's order first. If I hadn't checked it, I would have left and both and I another customer would have gotten the wrong order. When they did get me my order, it was missing a side. The service was unbelievably bad. This really surprised me because I've been here many times before and was always treated really well and received friendly prompt service. The food: wings were dry, overcooked. Not great. I remember them being much better last time I had them. The brisket was really good (though I asked for lean brisket and got the fattiest piece I've ever had). The sides were reliably good. The Mac and cheese is always delicious and didn't disappoint today. The fries were limp (but I'll chalk that up to my choosing to take out) but the flavor was good. Overall, very disappointing. There are too many good bbq places in St. Louis to have to deal with the truly awful service I received today. I don't think I'll be coming back.
(1)D B.
Great food, reasonable prices. Well Brisket was better than I've had in Texas, ribs and chicken were delicious too.
(4)Caitlin T.
Food and drinks are amazing every time. I've tried the pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese and different type of bourbon. All were fantastic and service is great as well. I can smell it from a block away and always satisfies lunch or dinner cravings. Great job!
(5)Byron C.
If you've spent time in the Delmar Loop in the past year or so, perhaps you've had the experience of stumbling out of Blueberry Hill, barely upright, only to be bombarded by the smell of barbecue coming from this place, directly across the street. Salt + Smoke keeps its smoker in a parking lot on the side of its building, not far from a statue of Chuck Berry. It might be the single most American stretch of pavement in all of St. Louis, especially since they got rid of the Church's Chicken down at Delmar and Skinker. Walking past, I'm half tempted to lick the ground beneath it, like a dog, to see if it tastes like barbecue. If I were homeless, I'd curl up in the fetal position and sleep next to it. The radiant heat, in addition to the warm feeling I get inside from the very idea of barbecue, might be enough to get me through even the harshest winters. It's probably for the best that this place is both a little bit rich for my blood and not open at 1 AM anyway. Last night, I hit Salt + Smoke to celebrate the big 3-4. I'm officially older than Jesus. I get there at 5 PM, as agreed upon, and my mom and my little brother are already there. They're very prompt people. The waitress hands me a menu and asks if I'd like anything to drink. I take a look at the menu, and it's umpteen pages long, all different kinds of whiskey. There may have been more than a hundred of them. Who even knew there were that many different kinds of whiskey? I don't even drink whiskey, but I like the idea of having a nice, stiff glass of dark liquor with my barbecue. It seems like it might increase my testosterone, which is important now that I'm getting a little bit older. I wanna make sure all of my "levels" are holding steady. There was one page with a few cocktails made from whiskey. I ordered the one that seemed like it might taste best, called the Tennessee Rose. It tasted like whiskey with just the faintest whiff of ginger ale or something and a thin sliver of an orange peel in it. I was glad the alcohol wasn't too watered down. Because I got there on time and because I spent so much time marveling at the drink menu, I forgot to order an appetizer. This was a tragic mistake: they have chicken wings. Barbecue places almost always have good chicken wings. Vernon's has good chicken wings. Even WildSmoke had good chicken wings. I was told before I got there not to bother with anything other than the fatty brisket. Not that the rest of the meat is bad, but the brisket is especially good, says my little brother. I guess you get to choose between fatty and lean brisket -- I didn't spend much time looking at the menu, since my choice had been made for me. I used to work at Super Smokers back in the dark ages, and there was no choosing the amount of fat on your brisket. We'd cut the fat cap clean off of a brisket and just toss it and serve the meat part. I still shudder at the thought. The thing is, we charged by the pound, and that place was frequented by the kind of people who would complain if there was visible fat on their meat. Pause. I'm pretty much the exact opposite. Bring me enough fat, and I might do that thing where I demand the waitress bring me the chef so I can pay him a compliment. (I've seen that done in movies.) I might shed a single tear. Alas, there wasn't as much fat on this meat as you'd think, for something called fatty brisket. It was (ahem) moist and tender, which would lead me to believe that it was well-marbled, to the extent that brisket can be well-marbled, but there was no huge, thick, superfluous layer of fat, like on the steak John Candy ate in The Great Outdoors. Shit! Was it the best brisket I ever had? Maybe. What do I know? I've had brisket at a few places, all here in St. Louis. It was definitely good. Their side game is on point. Free with the entree, you get something called a popover. Don't toss this aside like the free saltines they give you at Tucker's Place. This thing is FN delicious. It's some sort of roll that's flaky like a croissant and ever so slightly gooey at the center -- but not accidentally, like an undercooked biscuit at Hardee's. It's meant to taste like that. :) Eight-year-old that I am, I went with fries and macaroni and cheese as my sides. These were really good too. The macaroni is shells with white cheddar sauce and huge, gnarly bits of Ritz cracker. There may have been an entire Ritz cracker in mine. I was impressed, at least theoretically. The fries are like something M.I.A. would eat now that she's married to someone from the Seagram's family. I polished off the entire thing in like eight seconds flat, in part because it was really good and in part because the servings are kinda small. I guess there's only but so much brisket they can give you for $15. They might consider supplementing that with anything they've been getting rid of either because it's unsightly or because it's technically considered offal. I'll take it out in the parking lot, if necessary.
(4)Jessica W.
My first thought, when I heard Salt+Smoke was opening, was "do we really need another BBQ restaurant in St. Louis??" Well, we may not NEED one, but I'm glad S+S is around. I've only ever tried the pulled pork sandwich, but that's because it's so good I haven't felt the need to venture out. It's served with cole slaw, homemade pickles, and your choice of side (I recommend either the fries or the mac and cheese). The weak link here are the sauces--the sweet sauce is the only one worth trying (IMHO) and though it's good, it's nothing spectacular. The rest were pretty meh. Overall, it's a welcome addition to the Loop!
(4)Sean M.
This was a fun place for us. We loved the ribs with the sauces being a great way to mix up the flavored. The brisket was very tender and I'd order it again but my wife thought it was a bit fatty for her liking. The potato salad was delicious but I was dissatisfied with the Mac and cheese.
(4)Megan C.
The brisket melts in your mouth. The service was good, the food was good, and you leave smelling like a smoked piece of meat. Yum!
(5)Aaron O.
Come for the side dishes and take them to your favorite good BBQ joint. Many times you find a BBQ joint that has amazing BBQ and poorly executed sides that are almost an after thought. All I can say is that Salt + Smoke should quit making BBQ and just make their business supplying side dishes to the many better BBQ places in the St. Louis area. It started off pleasantly with a crowded house and expecting a wait, but the front of house staff was nice enough to push two tables together to sit my wife and sons and I almost immediately on a dinner night out to celebrate their end of school year. We ordered a fairly simple selection of two burnt end brisket sandwiches, one double cheese burger with bacon, and a fish sandwich along with an appetizer of their fried brisket ravioli. The first clue that the night wasnt going to go well was when I asked my son how he wanted his burger and the waiter said that they only cook burgers one way and thats medium well. Not sure how you can run a BBQ joint and not offer burgers cooked to order temp wise. The rest of the order was straight forward with nothing customized or altered from their menu. The wife ordered a Moscow Mule for a drink and I ordered a simple scotch. We ended up waiting a fairly good amount of time for the appetizer to come out. The filing was dry and lacked any sauce and the dough was too thick which lead to a taste that was doughy more than anything else. No flavor of the brisket came through, and the parsley sprinkled on top was tossed with what we originally thought was parmesan cheese but turned out to be what tasted like finely diced raw garlic. Before we each finished one ravioli the rest of the meal was served, which makes me wonder if the food was left at the counter sitting before it came to us as the difference in time between getting the appetizer and then the main dishes was vastly different. The brisket on my order was cold lacking any cooking temperature what so ever, and my sons burger was well beyond medium well and the cheese on it was cool and hardening. The wife said her fish was good but nothing special. The only real good thing across all four dinner plates was the side dishes. The slaw that the wife and I had was very tasty and had full thin slices of apple that really help the overall flavor. The boys had white cheddar mac and cheese that was cooked nicely and had a wonderful flavor that when accented with a dash of pepper was even better. Since its not really a bar I wont spend much time on this one, but any place that serves a Moscow Mule in a plain glass should have their liquor license revoked. Enough said there. Salt + Smoke produced some great side dishes and some great sauces and I would gladly have them supply condiments to any BBQ joint in St. Louis, but outside of that the rest of the meal feel flat and was greatly a disappointment for the price.
(1)Charlotte S.
This place is fantastic! My husband said the ribs = Memphis style! Perfectly cooked. The deviled eggs were like something I've never tasted. They were nested on pimento and cheese! The kids had the Mac and Cheese and I could have eaten it all! Luckily they let me taste. I had the falafel burger with pepper jam. A special attest! My son had the fried jalapeño and Bologna and brisket. I loved the Bologna. The place was very crowded and had a fun atmosphere. The staff was very competent, quick and attentive. Definitely going back soon!
(5)Liz S.
Went here on a busy, hot Saturday night. We called ahead for a party of 6 (4 adults and two babies, but the babies car seats take up a table space). Pro's: great food. The pulled pork was a bit salty, but the brisket was killer. The burnt ends T-Ravs were incredible as was the mac n cheese. I will be back for those! Con's: There are a few. The floor is extremely slick. We watched customer after customer stand up to walk in/out/to the restroom and catch themselves before slipping. This is dangerous!! There is no baby changing station in the restrooms. This is unfortunate as I looked around and saw multiple families with small children dining. Either install a stand-alone changer, a large storage ottoman/bench or a pull-down changer. The back restroom was HUGE and could certainly accommodate one. I just think it's bad for business to not have a changing station anywhere in the restaurant, especially with other family-friendly restaurants across the street and next door. I had to change my baby on the FLOOR in the restroom. gross. It was extremely loud with the music blaring. The space has plenty of ambiance, the music could have been turned down. It was hard to have a conversation across the table! It was also VERY hot in the restaurant. Also, the system went down at the end of our meal, so we had to wait to pay. Not a big deal (the babies were being excellent!), but we had no place to hurry off to. Our waiter was nice and brought the guys a beer (to split) on the house while we waited.
(3)Megs M.
We have been wanting to try this place for awhile now but every time we attempted to go it was a Monday and they are closed on Mondays. Non the less, we finally got to try it last night and lets just say the wait was worth it! Not only was the atmosphere fun and unique, service was fast and friendly and the food was beyond delicious! As far as St. Louis bbq places I can easily say this is in my Top 3 bbq places! :)
(5)Patt C.
My girlfriend and I went for lunch. We both got a plate, which includes two sides and a popover. She got pulled pork ($12). I got pulled chicken ($11). We both got the same sides: white cheddar cracker mac, and green bean and tomato salad. They had three sauces on the table: My Sweet Bestie, White BBQ and Mustarolina. I tried them all on my finger. They were fine. But the chicken was great by itself. Moist and smoky. My girlfriend's pork was infused with tarragon. I found that interesting for a smoked meat. She found it awful, as she HATES tarragon. She gave me a taste of if, and it was full of some herb, and I didn't care for it. She didn't eat it. The sides: the white cheddar cracker mac tasted OK, but it was dry. Too much topping. The green bean and tomato salad was good. And the popover . . . I have no idea what it was. I took a taste, and that was it. Service was incredibly slow. Yes, he came by to fill my water glass. But it was an agonizingly long lunch. I took home half of my chicken and half of my macaroni.
(2)Shinwa C.
They aren't lying about salt and smoke, really sum up the BBQ ribs I had. This is dry and cover with season. Not the best BBQ I have.. Overall not a bad experience tho. Pappy's is still hand down the best stl BBQ u can get. But if u ever drive through Kansas you have to stop by Kansas City Joe's BBQ!!
(3)Brianne G.
I can understand the ribs not really being "my style." If you enjoy St. Louis-style ribs with a really smoky, peppery rub (layered on THICK), you will love these ribs. I thought the meal would redeem itself in the side dishes. I tried the creamed corn and pit beans. Both were sub-par. The creamed corn was thinned out and my pedestrian palate craved sweeter pit beans. The service was not great. Seating was fast, but you're likely to get more attention if you sit inside. The menus were filthy. That all said, I *MIGHT* go back. For the chicken wings. I could add a couple stars to this review if the wings do it for me.
(2)Harley B.
Wow what a busy establishment very impressive! Table was ready at reservation time. In my opinion this place is way too crammed pack. The food was all overcooked. We had the ribs and chicken and deviled eggs.The prices are insanely high in my opinion. We will not come back.
(2)Kathryn W.
I love Salt + Smoke. I'm a student at WashU so it's a short walk from campus that I frequently make. The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is perfect for a good time. My suggestion? Get the Mac and cheese. It's my favorite thing on the menu and I devour it first with every meal I get. I wouldn't come by myself, but this is a great place to spend an evening with friends.
(5)Kel Vin W.
Great location! Can't have too many BBQ joints around! We started out with the smoked wings. They were large, juicy and well cooked through. Certainly get the smoke flavor, other than that, it was chicken, but the tangy-ranch sauce that it comes with made up for it. I got the ribs (which is my marker of any BBQ place). I get that it's a different style, the dry rub, smoked (not mob sauce-fall off the bone type). But the top layer was way too dry, almost like chewing on jerky. The dry rub was very peppery, and smokey, which were all I tasted. Again, the BBQ sauces came to the rescue. I really like their trio of sauces, a Carolina-Mustard mix, a sweet-vinegary house blend and a spicy one. My girlfriend got the pulled chicken sandwich which came on a generous bun with corn slaw and sauce. The sides were ok, the bacon and cheddar popover was large and airy, mild flavor. The BBQ bacon beans were somewhat flat, needed more punch. The mac and cheese needed a more flavorful cheese.
(3)Michelle S.
Salt + Smoke was amazing. We went on a Saturday around 6:30, it took about 20 minutes to be seated. It was crowded, but well worth the wait. Our waiter was amazing, Dylan! My husband and I split a bestie combo, great brisket, fall off the bone ribs. We also tried the deviled egg appetizer and hush puppies. We will be back to try the BLT as recommended by Dylan. All around great experience. Not sure what previous reviewers were talking about with their complaints. This will be our new go to STL BBQ place.
(5)Tommy C.
Food was amazing, the ribs were fall off the bone amazing and the white sauce with the toasted ravioli burnt ends fantastic! Liquor selection was expansive. Waitress was top notch and knew her stuff, this is a must stop when visiting St Louis!
(5)Kat V.
Came here for a UYE tonight. The vibe was great. Very open & airy inside. The food was so-so. I got the brisket sandwich with fries. The garlic & herb fries were delish! Perfect amount of seasonings. The brisket was incredibly salty. I wanted to put the darn thing in some water to get the salt out (or in some kind of dialysis bag). The tobacco onions tasted & looked like french fried onions. The sauces offered needed a bit more variety. I like the fact that they put the bottles of sauces on the table. The sweet-n-tangy sauce was meh to me. I have had better. This place puts the capital "S" in salt. Indeed, there was salt in the brisket. A lot of salt! Service was okay. Attentive, but I had to ask twice for some ketchup.
(3)DeAnna K.
When you first enter the restaurant, it smells fantastic. Started with the toasted ravs and hush puppies. Both were great. Ordered a combo plate of pulled chicken & brisket, with mac n cheese & bbq pit beans. Both meats were tasty, but each portion size was about the palm of my hand. The mac n cheese was decent, but the pit beans tasted watered down, but I'd be willing to go back to try other items.
(3)Delbert H.
This my first time. The service was very quick. Even with a busy Saturday crowd in the loop. For only one it was quick. It has a great sidewalk area . Where you can watch the busy loop. There price a little high for the portion you receive but make up with Smokey favor. I would recommend everyone to try it
(4)Tony L.
Awesome place. Came here on a Sunday afternoon. The service was great. Food came really quickly. Price is acceptable. Had a pull pork sandwich. It was great! Had a great texture, well smoked, and tasty sauce. Highly recommend this place
(4)Cat U.
I brought my parents here when they were in town and it was the perfect choice! The barbecue is very good and the entrees aren't too expensive for the amount of food you get! It's also located in a great spot in the loop so it's easy to get to and not too far from downtown. I definitely recommend salt +smoke
(4)Jen J.
Very cute place, light and airy, with modern rustic flourishes; The fried pickle was delicious. I liked that they didn't bread the pickles too many layers as most places tend to do; My brisket sandwich was good but the brisket, which should be one of the stars of a BBQ joint, was too dry; luckily the "wet" burnt end mayo (which was very tasty) helped compensate for the dry meat. HUGE bourbon list! Was this the best BBQ in town? Not even close (from a first visit), but this doesn't matter; Salt + Smoke is here to stay. I don't even remember the restaurant that used to be in its place, but a dressed up BBQ joint is just what this loop needs. Did I say they have a huge bourbon list?
(4)Jon T.
This was my third visit to S+S in about three months. I had good experiences the first two times and this time with Aunt Annie in town, we decided to see how they hold up to the consistency test. We went for lunch and arrived a little before noon. I would say they may not have been completely discovered yet. The place was not busy on a weekday. It did fill up somewhat before we finished our meal. We were seated promptly and had a polite, professional and knowledgeable server. Salt + Smoke has been consistently good over the three visits. This time we tested; ribs, brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All were very good to excellent. The ribs were perfectly done with a good rub, perfect salt and very nice smoke. They stack measure up well against any that I have had in St Louis and would compete well in Memphis. These are the style I prefer, smoked not grilled. The brisket was again very good. I ordered fatty and it was not excessively so, but was moist, tender with a flavorful bark, good peppery rub and plenty of smoke. The rub can be plenty salty, it should be eaten with the meat as you go. Repeating myself, I am not a knee-jerk pulled pork fan because so little of it is done well. On this day, it was done well. I think it is the first time I have had it here. It was shredded and was moist and flavorful. I can't say I have had better in St Louis, but I do know I have had a lot that is much worse. This did not suffer from being the usual big hunks of dry roasted pork. The pulled chicken was exactly as last time. It was smoky, moist and very flavorful. Ms T has made this her thing to order here, I think. Sides at S+S are generally better than average. Mac 'n' cheese is white cheddar on shells and certainly not something out of a Kraft box. The potato salad is dressed with a mayo based dressing. It matches my taste except for the large hunks of potato. The pit beans were again very good. These are savory beans, not sweet, with a lot of smoked meat shreds. On this day they did not need salt. I really like these. It is nice to get something that was not just dumped out of a can with some brown sugar added. These are clearly made in house and I believe, cooked from dry navy beans. I would pass on the slaw with red onion and apples. It is bland and just not what I want. Forget the apples, omit the onion and work on a tangy dressing with some heat. Ms T again liked the green bean and tomato salad. She thought the dressing was different than last time. I thought it looked over-dressed a bit. I am raising to five stars. I said last time, that I might. The added star is for consistency across four smoked meats, which is quite an achievement. It is nice to have the meats all moist and salted just right. Having some very good sides also helps. The popovers are a nice change from a slice of light bread or sugary corn cake. It all adds up to the best place (that I have tried) for barbecue in St Louis right now. I hope they can maintain the consistency.
(5)Fred M.
Outstanding! Finally, we were able to get in. We went @ 4:30 because they've been Slammed every other time we tried. Absolutely some of the best brisket and pulled pork I've ever had. You must try the Mustard BBQ Sauces. I was not aware of such a product, and found it to be delicious! We will be back!
(4)Pari M.
Went here for a team lunch. Seating was quick. We started with hushpuppies, fried pickles and burnt end ravioli. All delicious. I had the smoked trout sandwich with garlic fries. Fries were great. The trout was ice cold. It tasted odd given that the sandwich was warm and toasted. But other than that little glitch I really liked their food. Everyone at the table loved their's too. I heard the popovers were excellent.
(4)Mark S.
4.5 S & S has a lot going for it: excellent location in the heart of the Loop (you'll know you're near when you smell the BBQ) an airy and open dining room, and plaid-shirted servers. Plaid shirts automatically make me feel comfortable. Our service was great, and everyone there seemed to be excited about the food. Burnt end raviolis-great flaky crust on the T-Rav, maybe fill em' up more? For sides we shared mac and cheese, pit beans, and a popover-all were tasty. The three BBQ sauces each had a unique flavor-the mustard-y one was my favorite, but Sweet Baby Ray's lovers will also like their signature sauce. Ribs: great dry rub, very tender Pulled pork: also tender, nice flavor Brisket: a little dry, but not an issue when accompanied by one of the sauces
(4)Keli H.
If it wasn't for our server Ruben turning our night around this place would have not gotten more than 1 star. First off, don't quote me a 45 minute wait on a Saturday night and then expect me to wait over 90 minutes. I'm fine waiting with a proper expectation but double the time means I get grouchy fast. I was a hostess back in the day - I get it. Know your restaurant and know the flow - quote better wait times. Bar Staff - act like you like making drinks. I'm sorry the group in front of us kept returning their fruity drinks because they were 'too strong' but that wasn't us. Our group wanted Manhattans - make them and be happy be didn't order a virgin daiquiri. And if I thank you for the drink, a 'you're welcome' is the appropriate response. By the time we sat down our four top was ravenous and not super happy about the service and treatment thus far. Thankfully, we had a very friendly and attentive server who helped calm our nerves and get some food in us stat. We ordered deviled eggs and burnt end t-ravs for appetizers. Both were really tasty - loved that the deviled eggs had a pimento cheese on the plate. The burnt end t-ravs were surprisingly delicious and the meat was very tender on the inside. I agree with other yelpers that 6 for $10 isn't a great price but at least they were yummy. For dinner I had a pulled chicken sandwich with pimento cheddar and a sweet corn relish on it with a side of the mac 'n' cheese. Soooo good. I never get chicken at a restaurant because I figure I can make it at home but this chicken was seasoned well and very tender. The additions of the cheese and relish were fun and made it that much better. The mac was very creamy and I enjoyed the crispiness from the crackers.
(3)Gabrielle K.
Salt + Smoke is so delicious. I frequent this place quite often. I was there shortly after they opened and was disappointed in the popover, but they have since corrected that doughy mess. The White Cheddar Cracker Mac is so good, but I have to go for the brisket. I have this thing with meat, and Salt + Smoke really does it right. I usually order a half pound of brisket and the deviled egg appetizer and that's what I eat! Only downfall is the serving staff is hit or miss. Some of them are absolutely stellar, some (on a regular basis) appear to have recently witnessed the demise of the family pet or some other catastrophic event. Smiling never hurt anyone! Overall, I love this place. So much better than Nico or whatever was there before. Who knows, who cares? Salt + Smoke wins my vote!
(5)Jessica W.
A surprise visit from an out-of-town friend landed us at Salt + Smoke for lunch per their recommendation. How they'd heard of it before us, we'll never know, but we were excited to check it out! It's just a short walk from the garage on Delmar and we had no trouble finding parking around noon on a Sunday. The restaurant's atmosphere and styling is pretty trendy (what you might expect for a slightly less casual BBQ place), but just felt right. Our server, I wish I remembered his name, did a great job telling us all about the various menu offerings and recommendations. I wound up ordering something I would normally never get at a BBQ restaurant, a pulled chicken sandwich (per his reco), with pimento cheddar and street corn relish. It was awesome. Super tender, great flavor -- not something I'd necessarily expect from chicken (I feel like most places mess it up!) but it was really, really good. I had the garlic and herb fries as a side. They were wonderful too.... but maybe don't have them if you're on a date. I can't wait to go back and try other menu items. Service and food were wonderful and we're looking forward to a return visit.
(4)Simone N.
Well it did not take long before we made a dinner appearance here since the grand opening. The smell outside alone is intoxicating. You're mouth starts watering when you enter the Loop and you start to go into a BBQ daze. Is the hype and daze and mouth watering mess worth it????/ YES I had the pulled chicken and I have never had such moist, tender, juicy chicken before. Even without the BBQ sauce, the chicken was bomb! The Sweet Potato chips were on point with great seasoning and the Garlic fries made my heart yearn for Jack's Urban Eats because they were the perfect amount of garlic and cheese and flavor. I also got to try the brisket. Oh my 3 person portion. You have meat for days with the brisket. The Mac and Cheese was also very delicious. The atmosphere is very welcoming and fun. Try all three sauces on the table and you will not be sorry. Bring Wet Wipes though because everything is sticky.
(5)Hao X.
wow. i went with bf and family for his dad's bday. We all got different things and loved them all! main dishes: chicken sandwich -- moist flavorful with really good corn brisket -- a little dry on its own but amazing with sauce. the fat fat melted in your mouth ribs -- wonderful rub, really juicy, amazing. i almost wish i got this. pulled pork -- finely shredded, ready to absorb sauce. sides: garlic herb fries -- really good, flavorful and not soggy at all! herbs... mmmmmm creamed corn -- yummy especially with popovers dipped in them. I think i'll have to try making creamed corn with popovers one day at home. smoked beans with bacon -- bf was floored. i only had a taste and i'm not overly fond of beans but i enjoyed them. bf wants to eat BOWLS of it at a time tomato and green beans -- bf's family loved them -- i didn't try it popovers -- delightful! :D (see above about creamed corn) toasted rav -- first time i actually like toasted raviolis. usually they're ok at best. perfect with their white bbq sauce chicken wings -- can i has more? tender meat, great rub, nice kick. wonderful. There were 3 sauces on the table -- all which were really amazing and very different. I really look forward to coming here again!
(4)Ian Y.
Surprisingly good dry-rub BBQ with very generous amount of meat at reasonable price. I would recommend the combo which you could pick two meats of your choice - I picked ribs and beef brisket. Very smokey flavor and the meat was very tasty with the rub. My preference on BBQ meat are tenderness, moist meat with dry rub, no sauce. The only slight disappointment is that the meat is a little too dry... but I think it's good enough for most who like dry rub (vs sauce). The beef brisket beans and creamy corn I ordered are chunky and taste great. I'm not a fan of potato salad but I found it pretty good as well. Everything was served quickly and at perfect temperature. I would give it 5 stars if it could clean up the greasy floor, and the rather dark and dirty restroom...
(4)Richie R.
Standard mill. We went there late but within the 'yelp hours of operation' to discover that after a certain time (unclear when that is), there is only a limited bar menu. Bummer... Were there anyway, so I had a burger and my wife had the brisket. Was underwhelming. Would hit Pappy's smokehouse if I ever get the urge for BBQ. Whisky and beer menu were fantastic. Service was also very underwhelming. Everyone appeared way more interested in cleaning and going home than in trying to attend to us.
(3)Sharon T.
The hubs and I went this past week to try this place. We weren't sure what to expect. Our waitress was the sweetest girl. We had the hush puppies appetizer and they were really good. So good we ordered another to go. Hubs had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac & cheese and I had the brisket sandwich with the fries. All were outstanding and we will definitely be back. The only complaint I really had was that the bun was SO big, I couldn't eat it and just wound up eating the meat out of the bun. Next time I will order it without the bun I think. LOL.
(5)John M.
A very classy BBQ restaurant. While everything on the menu was about what you could get at any other BBQ joint, their sides looked interesting. Usually I avoid all of those home cookin' types of items but here they were actually really good. BBQ sweet potato fries, potato salad, creamed corn, mac n cheese, brisket chili, garlic fries... Actually, the bar was quite impressive. Not like what you can just find anywhere. As a whiskey lover, it looked heavenly. Now to the brisket. Any BBQ place has to be judged by its namesake item right? Well, it was a dry and heavily salted meat. The table had a hot and tangy, sweet, and mustard sauces we could pour ourselves. Now they warned me with "Salt" in the name, but man was that a lethal dose? I covered it all up with sauces, but then you can hardly appreciate the meat. Do other places cover up such a salted product with sauce? The hot sauce too was a little disappointing. The other two options were very good I just usually prefer some heat. As a partaker in Japanese cuisine, I will emphasize that many throughout the world enjoy double or triple the salt intake of Americans and live long and healthy lives. My aversion to salted items is entirely a flavor preference and I am aware that a little salt brings out lots of flavor so that most restaurants serve their food quite high in sodium. I just don't believe a place with Salt in the name is for me. Everything else was very impressive. Definitely will remember the bourbon when out at the loop.
(3)DeAnne P.
Strolling down the Loop, this place was listed "New & Hot" on Yelp!... and boy is it! It was so spanking new and so dang hot that they were sold out of most of their food. What!? Well, I didn't care, being the responsible adult that I am, I was there to investigate the bourbon side of the joint. I ordered their signature drink Salt+Smoke and it was *awesome*. With local craft beer on draft and hundred's of bourbon choices, you could drive yourself mad if you don't ask for a suggestion. I saved myself, but fried pickles are available. There is a patio is you prefer to enjoy the summer evening and people watch. They don't have the tofu like Vernon's, but they do have one vegan option of a falafel burger - I didn't try it, but the word on the street is that it will do.
(4)Curtis H.
My daughter, son-in-law, and I were enjoying a stroll doe. The loop and honestly didn't really have any intention of stopping for anything to eat. After walking by, seeing people outside eating and smelling the deliciousness that came from inside their rustic little restaurant, we had little choice. My son-in-law ordered the burger and reported that it was fantastic. My daughter and I split several items: the Cesar, the burnt ends toasted ravs and fries. It was really good! I would to go back to get actual bbq! It just wasn't the right time of the day to go all out. The waitress was sweet, made excellent recommendations and was on top of her game.
(5)Marlo S.
Mealy ribs. Way too much spice rub as well (as if they were trying to hide something). All three sauces were mediocre. My wife's pulled pork was just horrific. Way too much salt. Overcooked to the point of mushiness. It was like leftovers in an old folks' home. Even my daughters' mac and cheese was bad. Oh, and my green beans were undercooked! Maybe this was just a really bad night, but....I can't imagine going back. I would sooner order pulled pork & mac and cheese at Fitz's (and don't get me started on that place again). Service was good in the sense that the waiter was charming and attentive. Our table however was literally tipping over due to broken screws and was sticky to boot. All in all, I can't fathom how this place is popular. If this wasn't St. Louis, I'd be inclined to think the customers have never been exposed to good ribs. But this IS St. Louis. Can't they recognize coal in Newcastle?
(1)Candace G.
We were very excited to try S&S, we have heard great things about the place. Unfortunately, we are unable to give a complete review of the food. As for the service, well we were never even offered water. Happy that on a Sunday afternoon, the place was not very busy. We were taken to a table next to the restroom. We sat, looked at the menu and decided. We waited and watched several waiters walk past us. No one looked up, asked us if we had been helped -- nothing. After 15 minutes we got up to leave. As we were walking out the young lady at the door said, "thanks". We said well, we're never even offered water. She asked us if some sat us, we replied "yes". Then she with a great big smile said, "sorry about that." Nothing more. We are so disappointed. It will most likely be some time before I return.
(1)Glass M.
I have tried two of their sandwiches and two of their sides and every single time the food was absolutely awesome. It was delicious, their sauces are great and on point. I don't really have a comment on the service because I generally like to just order and be left alone with my date. Always had a table and never had a problem.
(5)Michael E.
I'd recommend checking this place out. If you like smoked BBQ then you'll love this place, it's got a good noisy family vibe to it. I really enjoyed it.
(4)Christian R.
I came here with high expectations, wanting to try some St. Louis BBQ and I was not disappointed. I knew this place would be amazing as soon as I tried the wings. The portions were huge, the service excellent and the ambience delightful. I would definitely come back again and again. Added bonus: for wash u students, they accept bear bucks! Definitely worth a 5/5
(5)Skip H.
Had a really nice time there tonight. Thd ribs and brisket were wonderful. Loved the the pop-over bread. yum!
(5)Courtney C.
With a bourbon list that is extensive and thoughtful, intriguing beers worth drinking, and a mouthwatering menu, there was little than could keep us from visiting Salt + Smoke during our one night in town. Two of us split the house made toasted ravioli (for the first time- we're not midwesteners) and found it to be delicious. The fried pickles (pickled in house) were a variety of pickles and breaded well. We had the sampler-- 4 meats + two sides (we added a 3rd for $3). We found the mac and cheese to be delicious, the cole slaw solid, and the green bean and tomato salad fresh and crunchy. The jalapeño and cheddar Bologna was interesting and definitely worth a try - probably the best meat we ordered. We also had ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. These three were all slightly dry, and all of the meats were a tad too salty -- but with a name like *salt* and smoke that's not exactly a legitimate complaint. If I found myself back in St. Louis, I would probably order more appetizers/sides in exchange for less meat. Last but not least, our bartender was interesting, attentive, and helpful- all very important characteristics of the person you want serving your food and drink. Bottom line: delicious food, unique offerings, and a drink menu that keeps up with the best. Not much more to wish for at this place.
(4)Bob H.
Been many times. The selection is strong. The cheeseburger has been lauded in other places and I dutifully concur. The Caesar salad is a strong play that is underrated. Whiskey selection is deep and a great ice breaker for a tinder meetup. Love this place. See ya there soon
(5)Charles U. F.
This is a busy place in the heart of the Delmar loop. The crowd ranges from young to old, and as restaurants go, the service is good and portions are plentiful. It is a pretty good value. Barbecue is very personal. Some like dry rub, some go for the saucy. I like dry and ordered the two meat combo with two sides. I got four ribs and about four ounces of brisket. You get a choice of brisket, I chose fatty. The bark on the ribs was flavorful, but I couldn't taste pork. The brisket was perfectly tender, but flavor wise, nothing special. There is nothing wrong with this place, but for me, it was nothing special. Average barbecue.
(3)Brian S.
Even if you haven't done anything to deserve it...get here now! The service, even on a jam-packed Thursday was great. Attentive without being overwhelming. The drinks were varied and well made. The food (pulled pork, mac&cheese, slaw and that popover!!!) is just simply awesome. In short, Salt + Smoke is a must-visit on your culinary tour of St. Louis.
(5)Alyssa M.
Hit this place for a Saturday afternoon lunch. It was surprisingly busy for before noon, but we were seated immediately. It's a cute place with a nice atmosphere, and our waitress Claire was great-- always totally on top of things and really nice. Now for food-- totally awesome! I got the pulled pork plate, my guy got the brisket. The pulled pork was great-- salt and smoke describes it so well. The Mac and cheese were the best I've ever had, and the fries were amazing, too. Small downsides: they were already out of potato salad at 11:45, and the floors were greasy (like someone else mentioned). Mildly annoying but not worth taking away a star. We aren't drinkers, so I can't say anything about those. But even though that might be a draw to many, the food is so good that it's plenty worth the trip just with water! We'll be back!
(5)Alex B.
I will def be coming back here. I got a delicious fresh green salad with pulled pork, apple slices, and blue cheese. (its the chef's salad) Good service, good water service, and really impressed by the decor.
(5)Steve B.
I did not sit down to eat for my first visit rather I walked in and placed a to-go order. The lunchtime crowd flocked to this place and it was near 100% capacity which was great to see, I do think that had all the staff flustered though. I placed my order with the host who proceeded to tell me I could pay with the bartender, ok no problem. I grabbed the last seat at the bar and honest to god there was no bartender to be found for the entirety of the time I was there. The most contact I ever got with who I think was the bartender was towards the end of my wait (took about 20 minutes for a BLT sandwich...?!). I was going to order a beer while I was waiting but after waiting at least 10 minutes I figured it wasn't worth it so I 86'ed that idea. The sandwich was pretty decent, the smoke flavor on the bacon was great although I do wish there was a little more crispiness on the meat, too much white fat remained sadly. The pit beans were spot on. I'll definitely come here again at some point, minor annoyances like this don't sway me away from a good BBQ joint.
(4)Chris S.
Smoky! As mentioned, the Bestie Combo is a great deal. $14 for two meats, two sides and a popover (a giant bread muffin that's delicious). It was enough food to split for two average eaters. Lots of whiskey and decent selection of premium craft beer! Good service, good food.
(5)Paula L.
My my how the Loop has changed since I last lived in St. Louis (2012). I was back in town with a friend recently, and we were in the mood for BBQ and people-watching on a sunny Friday afternoon. St. Louis has never been in dearth of good BBQ (think Pappy's and Bogart's Smokehouse), but the Loop had been severely lacking before Salt + Smoke's appearance. We tried the pulled chicken and brisket-- the meat on both was tender and dripping in sauce. I added the sweet potato chips into my pulled chicken sandwich for some extra crunch. All in all, a satisfying BBQ experience smack dab in the Loop. I could write a whole other review of the people-watching experience, but the Loop will always be the Loop...
(4)Terry M.
Spectacular! Let's start there...my dining experience was truly spectacular. My friend and I were in St Louis for the weekend only and had heard about a new BBQ place so we jumped at the chance for what we hoped would be good. Our wait was about 30-40 minutes but well worth the wait. During that time, we enjoyed some Bourbon and good conversation with the front entrance staff who were polite and engaging with everyone that walked in that night. And there were MANY that walked in. When we did reach our table we were greeted by our server Dexter whose enthusiasm and knowledge of the menu was contagious. We started with an appetizer of toasted ravioli with barbecue burnt ends inside. It was surprisingly delicious. My friend and I opted to share the 4 meat combo of ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and brisket along with side dishes of sweet potato barbecue chips and white cheddar macaroni. This is where this gets difficult...it is boring to describe everything as perfect, but we were both at a loss for words at how incredible our meal was! All of the meats stand alone at greatness, but when their house sauces are introduced it only enhances the meal beyond mouth-watering delight. My friend and I kept asking each other which the other liked best but we honestly could not decide. Thank God for combo platters! I typically go for the the pulled pork everywhere, but with the chicken so flavorful, the ribs so tender and smokey, and the brisket literally melting in your mouth...I cannot decide. For dessert, Chef Hailey Riley treated us to homemade apple pie served from the oven to the table topped with maple ice cream with nuts. The combination of their apple pie and ice cream was phenomenal! So that is the food portion. Here is a little bit about the staff. They were all fun, entertaining, knowledgeable, and truly a team. Dexter was our main server, but at three other staff members came by to either ask if we needed more water, a drink from the bar, or to clear out empty plates. Even the head chef, Haley, was out on the floor greeting customers and clearing off tables. It was obvious all the staff get along and take pride in Salt and Smoke. I can't wait to return!
(5)Erik S.
The next great BBQ in St. Louis?! I went on a Thursday night with my boss. For a weeknight, the place was jam packed, though we were able to snag a booth by the window without any trouble. I started by browsing their drink menu and ordering a Jack Apple (around $9 or $10). It was nice and strong, with a hefty ginger flavor to it. The beer menu had some good choices too, and if you're a fan of craft selections, you won't be disappointed. For dinner, I got the brisket plate for $14 (with fries, a house salad, and a popover) and my boss got the double cheese burger. The popover was light and crisp, a perfect pre-cursor before I dug in to everything else! My brisket featured plenty of burnt ends and was simply decadent (and also peppery, so make sure you like a little spice!) The fries were a tasty garlic/herb combo, and the salad came with a vinaigrette dressing with some amazing candied walnuts in it. I tried a bite of my boss's burger, and if you like the crispy edges that you tend to find at places like Steak 'N Shake, you'll enjoy this one a lot. Quite good. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'll definitely return. Cocktails are just a tad pricey, so keep that in mind if you want to go all out with multiple rounds of drinks!
(4)Jonathan S.
Best ribs Ive had in awhile. Excellent smell and flavor. Sides were good; the beans were a little odd, but still great. Decent local craft beer scene. They have an extensive bourbon list as well. Great addition to the Loop. Service was a bit slow, but thats to be expected of a new place like this. Will definitely be coming back.
(4)Derek L.
The burnt ends are key, especially with the Carolina mustard bbq sauce. Favorite sides were cole slaw (with a vinegar base, not mayo) and the pork n beans, which was more pork than beans. Ambience was laid-back, and the volume tended up. The signature popovers looked better than they were. But overall a great dining experience.
(5)Bill T.
What a great restaurant. Just what the Loop needed. BBQ, Bourbon & Beer. The bestie combo was delicious. Nice portions. The wait service was excellent & friendly. Definitely be back & recommend to others.
(5)Anna H.
Oh my god the brisket. Their other meats are good, but the brisket is next level. I recommend the herb fries and the tomato and green bean salad as sides.
(4)Daniel H.
I would rank this in the top 3 BBQ in STL. Low prices (sandwiches with side ~$10, plates are a bit more), great selection of beer and whiskey, and a cool hip environment. It's not exactly the traditional BBQ shack in which decor is sacrificed for greater emphasis on the meat. It's a fairly nice restaurant, which makes it different from Pappys or Boggarts, and so wait times, especially around 6-7 pm, can be over an hour (they don't take reservations). Once you get in though, it's worth the wait. The meat is tender and flavorful (especially the brisket), and the sauces provided are great (I recommend the hot and tangy). There are a bunch of sides to choose from, but I always get the fries because they're delicious. The bestie combo plate is the best deal in my opinion, in which you get two meats, two sides, and a warm fluffy popover for $14. The only negatives I have about this place is the wait time and the occasional shortage of food. I do recognize these as growing pains of a new business and hope S&S corrects the issue soon.
(5)sam a.
Waiter was friendly helped us pick some tasty whiskies, problem was he waited until we ordered fancy drinks to inform us that they were out of 90% of the entrees... Made for an awkward meal of side dishes. I understand they run out of bbq, but they should probably tell customers this before they offer 14 dollar drinks.
(2)K W.
Let me be clear: I LOVE the appetizers at this place. 5 stars for apps. Their fried ravioli are unique and delicious, with smoked pulled pork filling and a dipping sauce that is out of this world. Their deviled eggs and popovers and fried pickles are equally delightful. My advice is to go here and make a meal out of appetizers! Their main dishes and salads are OK, but fairly standard. You'll eat it, you'll like it, but you'll leave dreaming sweet dreams about the appetizers.
(4)Jen B.
Food: 4 star Service: 2 star Okay, you can tell this joint is a newbie and I hate to bring them down because of the learning curve but this is one time I gotta do it. Even if your restaurant is new, doesn't mean you have to hire staff that have zero restaurant experience! Hostess had no idea at all how long the wait would be. That is something you should be tracking all evening based on what time you have sat all your other tables, by looking around to see the stages the currently sat diners are in and how many names are on your list. That fail was redeemed by a super nice guy who stepped up to help us out, wish I had gotten your name! Agree with all other reviews, the floor is dangerously slippery (one of our party was a personal injury lawyer....but none of us actually fell down, darn!) and it is very loud and very hot inside. Our server didn't really offer any information or knowledge about the 100 bourbans (thought that was one of their hooks?). Both the drinks and the food menus were very smeary and sticky with food. The bottles of BBQ sauce that were sitting out on the table were also very sticky with sauce running down the sides, which would be a buss boy problem. Brisket was the best choice at the table for sure, the lean version. The fatty was really very filled with fat. Best sides were mac-n-cheese, corn and baked beans. The ribs were incredibly tough and nearly impossible to remove from the bones. I sent mine home with another of our party so hopefully, he got that meat off somehow. Not the best BBQ experience ever but not the worst!
(3)Todd C.
I've heard great things about this place, and I found everything to be true. Great atmosphere and service, excellent location (across from Blueberry Hill), and the food was outstanding! I had their cheeseburger, and it was fantastic.
(5)Melissa M.
Had dinner on a weeknight with two adults and two children. I had the pulled chicken with green bean salad and pit beans. My husband had the brisket. Everything was excellent! There are a variety of sauces on the table to try (spicy bbq, reg. bbq, mustard, and vinegar based) and they were all delicious. We bought several pints of bbq sauce to take home to Chicago. Would highly recommend.
(5)Katie B.
My rating is basically for the great atmosphere, I'd still like a few more tries at the menu options to rate the food thoroughly. I had the smoked trout sandwich with the green bean/tomato side. My advice: opt for a different side. Next I'm trying the sweet potato chips and hoping they carry a bit more flavor. Love the sauces and that they are on every table. My fave was the Carolina mustard sauce. I could have drank it!
(4)Tim R.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS. I am different from the Tim posting previously. I want great restaurants....in my neighborhood, supporting my tax base, and providing a great experience. Read the next paragraph for a summary...and continue reading if you need the detail. I too - wanted to believe in the promise of Salt and Smoke. After reading all of the hype we decided to try Salt and Smoke for my friend's birthday. The key disappointment is a MAJOR DISCONNECT BETWEEN FRONT OF HOUSE AND BACK OF HOUSE - and the impact on YOUR DINING EXPERIENCE. SALT AND SMOKE IS A MILLENIAL RUN RESTAURANT - SUCKING DOLLARS FROM BOOMERS AND GENX customers. We imagined we might spend $200 for dinner, drinks, desert for a party of 7........we spent $130....this restaurant is misfiring on every level. * DISCONNECT BETWEEN FRONT AND BACK OF HOUSE * COMPLETELY INEXPERIENCED HOST, BAR, and WAIT STAFF * LUKEWARM TEMPATURE OF FOOD From the minute we walked in the door the SERVICE WAS A COMPLETE DISASTER.....AND THE BBQ FAME WAS NEVER DELIVERED. The host was on the phone and held up his hand for me to wait. A waiter approached the host stand and asked how many in our party. When I said 7 a look of confusion came across his face. He walked away and tried to hurry along a large table. In the next ten minutes nine parties entered the restaurant. The host, now off the phone, wrote five of them on a "wait list". A third waitress approached the host table and asked if we could move out of the way of the bar. Seriously - they have 25 square feet of space for people to wait. The bar tender and host share some sharp words directly behind us....they must think we are so engrossed in waiting for a table we can't hear their conversation...... OK....we are seated......15 minutes go by. No water poured. No wait staff. Finally...a waiter appears. He was pleasant. We ordered water, 4 bar drinks, 3 nonalcoholic drinks, and appetizers (pay attention to this part). 10 minutes later we have drinks....except the waiter brings my friend the wrong bourbon. Most people would not notice, but my friend is a whisky sommelier - I am not kidding. No ice ball in the bourbon either. After drinks are delivered the waiter is gone for another 10 minutes. When he returns, he asks if we want to order. Despite my insistence that the ladies order first, the waiter runs the table in counter clock wise motion with no courtesy for ladies ordering first. We all order. Drinks are gone, water is empty. Waiter is gone. Ten minutes pass and 5 entrees appear on the table. We order a second round of drinks - all beers (remember this as well). Remember the appetizers? Well the staff at SALT AND SMOKE FORGOT about them. We are courteous, cancel the appetizers, and anxiously await the delivery of the remaining two entrees. My friend insists I try my food. Nice flavor - but it is lukewarm. My wife's entrée is missing the "popover". 5 minutes pass and the remaining two entrees appear. 5 more minutes pass and our drinks are still empty, but a plate of deviled eggs arrives (1 of the 3 appetizers we ordered). The second round of drink arrives.....but we are nearly finished eating.....and 2 beers and 1 whisky arrive....we ordered 3 beers. We are finished with our meal and another "Deviled Eggs" appetizer appears at our table.....at the time we should be considering desert. We decline desert, decline more drinks. Decline the deviled eggs.... Will the bill be correct? We make a wager amongst the adults. The bill arrives.......and of course the bill is wrong and we are overcharged on some items and undercharged on others. How can this restaurant possibly keep up with the inept staff and operations?
(2)Kelly R.
My husband and I take a personal day from work together each year to play "hooky" and be tourists in our own city. This year, we decided to take the metrolink to the loop and eat at this new BBQ place we'd heard about. It was lunchtime on a Friday and we got a table just as the restaurant was filling up. Best decision ever. Even though a few apps looked good, we didn't want to spoil our appetite, so we decided on just our main courses. My husband had the BLT and I had the pulled chicken sandwich. We both chose the garlic and herb fries for our side. My sandwich was sinfully good. I've eaten at my fair share of BBQ joints in this city and I'm pretty choosy as to what I like. This? I like! The sandwich was topped with pimento cheese and a corn chutney of some sort. The sweet flavors of the cheese and corn complemented the savory smokey flavor of the chicken. It was moist and perfect, but what made the sandwich even more perfect was the bun. The soft and slightly chewy (but in a good way) texture totally worked and the sweet flavor of the bun added to the taste. The BLT was good, but even if it was the best BLT ever, my pulled chicken still would've been better. I'd love to come back in the evening and imbibe a bit during our meal, but I do know I'll definitely order that pulled chicken again!
(5)Kristi W.
Three different types of fried pickles that aren't greasy. Incredible brisket with a fantastic rub. The pecan pie and peach sorbet are a must have. Waitstaff could use a slight improvement. Would definitely come back!
(4)John D.
Thought I'd had the greatest brisket in St. Louis, that was before Salt & Smoke. Ordered the brisket plate, "fatty" meat (they offer fatty, lean, and burnt ends). The flavor of the crust, the moistness of the meat, and the smoke taste combined had me ready to lick the damn plate clean! The sides were a good mix of choices, I had the green bean &tomato salad and the sweet potato chips. Great! Interesting cocktail choices if you're into that with a large selection of whiskey, bourbon, and craft beers. Our server did a good job, but was apparently pretty busy with tables inside and out on the sidewalk, so he became a little scarce later in the meal. Not too bad though.
(5)Steph M.
Even though this place is the new kid in town, it is arguably one of the best BBQ spots in STL. Try the pulled pork platter with white cheddar cracker Mac and (insert any other side). I took my family here on a visit and they all left impressed!
(5)Danette A.
Not highly impressed. I ordered a BLT and the bacon tasted funky...maybe like it was past its prime? I don't know, it may just have been the way it was prepared, however, I wasn't comfortable eating it, so I sent it back. The hush puppies were amazing! My friend got deviled eggs and the presentation was fantastic, but it looked like they had been played far earlier in the day. I totally disliked the unisex bathrooms - I recommend they designate each, as I did not like using a bathroom that men share.
(3)Catherine W.
Salt + Smoke is downright cheating. They've put their smoker right outside the restaurant, filling the air all along the Delmar Loop with the tempting aroma of smoked meats. I'd be annoyed if they didn't back it up by offering what may be the best BBQ I've had in St. Louis. I've eaten here twice, and both times I was wowed. I recommend the Bestie Combo, which gets you two meats, two sides, and a giant popover for $14. I've tried the ribs, the brisket, the chicken, and the bologna, and so far have loved them all. The ribs in particular are incredibly tender and have a fantastic dry rub. The bologna was a surprise hit, with an excellent texture and great kick from the jalapenos. Now, I'm very much a fan of saucy BBQ, so you can imagine my surprise when I'd gotten halfway through my ribs without touching one of the cute sauce-filled bottles on the table - and I hadn't even realized it. The meat really holds up on its own. That said, the sauces are still excellent, the sweet being my personal favorite with the hotangy coming in a close second. My surprise combo recommendation is the bologna with the sweet BBQ sauce - completely delicious! Like any good BBQ place they offer a wide selection of sides. I appreciate that some of them are on the lighter side, though you can get your beans, french fries, and mac & cheese as well. The mac is the definition of comfort food, coming in a mild cheddar sauce and covered in crumbled crackers. The parmesan-garlic fries are delicious, but not for the faint of heart - there is some serious garlic on there. They have a somewhat limited beer selection, but the offerings they do have represent some of the best beer produced in St. Louis. The bourbon list goes on for pages, and though I have yet to try one, a quick chat with our waitress assured me that the staff can offer guidance for bourbon-novices like myself. My one complaint is that they don't offer flights, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.
(5)Annette W.
Great service, no line! Could be because it's mid day, but either way, it was fabulous !!! I finally got my burnt ends!! Tasty n tender, the ribs rocked! Mac n cheese, potato salad, all good. Your plate is served with a " popover" which is delightful. Big looking muffin soufflé thing. It has bacon n cheese I think, but fluffy n crispy, kinda hard not to finish it, even when your full!!
(4)Diana C.
Pulled chicken sandwich with spicy pimento cheese and corn relish and sweet potato chips. Very tasty!
(5)J R.
This place is great! We tried it a few weeks ago on a whim, just walking by and it was around lunchtime. The place was pretty crowded and there were at least 2 crying babies so we asked to be seated at the bar. The food is excellent and the service is attentive.
(4)Mark M.
Should probably be called Salt + Salt. Almost everything we ate was way too salty. Best items were brisket and burnt end ravioli. Mac n cheese was good too I'd go back and try it again.
(3)Raymond W.
As a competitive cooker, grill master, small business owner I love when people tell me they've discovered a new BBQ feeding trough. This one came with a few esteemed comments that circled around creativity, price point, and taste to which I'll write my review on these pillars. CREATIVITY: The menu is simple yet creative with appetizers that are native to St Louisans, but with twist such as the toasted raviolis. Except these have burnt ends as the meat filling...talking about kicking things up a notch. They also have devil eggs, cheddar bacon popovers and a few other mouth watering head turners. Moving on to sandwiches where they tout a Falafel burger....say what, yes and smoked jalapeno/cheddar bologna* (I'll comment further this in TASTE) to name a few. They have the BBQ restaurant favorites for your entrees: pulled pork, brisket*, pulled chicken, and St Louis ribs*. PRICE POINT: This will be quick and to the point as the prices are way more than reasonable as for $20 I enjoyed brisket, ribs, bologna, white cheddar cracker mac, garlic and herb fries and a popover*. TASTE: Have you ever tasted something that was so pleasantly surprising you began giggling as you ate it? I have to say that was my experience with a few things on my plate. IF my BBQ judging hat was on I'd score them 6-7/10 on presentation but find myself scoring them 8-10 on taste. I was pleased when my meaty ribs appeared without sauce on them (without me asking) but upon first glance they appeared dry without any seasoning unappetizing. It was LOVE at first bite, and I found myself gazing into every bite at the smokey juicy and tenderness of the meat with an inviting smoke ring throughout that said "bite me again." The brisket was thick cut, a little thicker I'm used to but all same tender, smokey hitting all original Texas peppery and well seasoned tasty notes. If this was a bbq competition the taste would be 9 or 10. The bologna was my least favorite on the plate as while it tasted pretty good it had a meatloaf like texture my mouth, which I'm used to BBQ bologna (which I've had some great BBQ bologna in Memphis) being way more processed and smoother. I probably won't order it again, note it didn't taste bad just a texture thing. The fries and white cheddar cracker mac ARE MUST HAVES. I WILL be faced with a quandary upon My next visit as they have some other sides I'd like to sample. Imagine if you had Penn Station, Five GUYS, and SMASH burger smashfries all mate....and BAM...that's what you get at Salt and Smoke fries....crispy with tender potato inside with garlic and herb pleasant notes. The white cheddar cracker mac was creamy cheesy uh-mazingness!I maybe wrong this but it appears the crackers that are crumbled on top are RITZ and can't wrong with buttery taste of RITZ crackers with good Mac. BONUS: They offer 4 sauces of which I tried 3: The Bestie Sweet was tomato base with molasses and array of spices that make it a great stand alone dipping your finger, ribs, fries anything for that matter. The Hot and tangy was not too tangy which made it a decent sauce, but if you're like me and like a kick I'd mix the sweet and hot and tangy to create a really good sauce. The Carolina Mustard was ok, and went well with the bologna. And lastly the cheddar bacon popover was fluffy and buttery...My only regret was not having 2 more. My server was Reuben and this young man was on his A-GAME delivering 4 star service! In my honest opinion this place is a Must TO Visit! They cannot be compared to the likes of some of the St Louis BBQ juggernauts (as they have a different product) but they are definitely my top 5 BBQ PLACES EAT. MY TOP 5 are Sugar Fire Smoke house, Bogarts Smokehouse, Salt and Smoke, Salted Pig, Big Woodys Smokehouse. *-denotes things I actually had.
(4)Julia W.
Last Sunday I went to Salt + Smoke for a late lunch. When my dad and I got there, it was around 2:00, so we were seated inside immediately. It was a hot day, and you could definitely tell once you walked in. It was warm in the restaurant the whole time. However, the heat was worth enduring for the food. My dad ordered a half rack of ribs, which fell off the bone and were very delicious, white cheddar mac and cheese, and baked beans. The mac and cheese was wonderful, and my dad said the beans were good. I had a caesar salad with smoked chicken. It was one of the best salads I've ever had. Everything about it just tasted phenomenal, from the chicken to the lettuce. I really enjoyed the food, and I will definitely be coming back soon.
(5)Marleigh R.
This place had so much potential, but just fell flat. We walked in and the people at the host stand acted like we were bothering them when they took our names for a wait list. They also told the people after us their wait would be shorter than ours... Ok. Got to the table quickly enough. Service was poor, but I at least felt like the waitress was trying. Appetizer came out before drinks. Decor was ok, not a fan of the farm look. Didn't like the way the sauces were stored on the table - very sticky, sauce everywhere, and easily unsanitary. Not a fan. Food was better. The fried pickles were not good, there was way too much batter! My Vieux Carré had way too much benedictine and was syrupy. The brisket though was DELICIOUS. If you get anything get that. My boyfriend had the pulled pork and it was mushy, which was sad. Mac was great, and I loved the popover. The creamed corn was a letdown because it had peppers and was way watery... Oh well. Overall it was fine, but disappointing for a place that touts BBQ and cocktails and can't deliver on either.
(2)Chris U.
I was very impressed with Salt & Smoke. St. Louis is full of good BBQ and you should add this one to your must stop list. I've only been here once but plan to eat here again in the near future. I ordered the brisket plate with Mac and cheese and pit beans. Everything came out quickly and the food presentation was very appealing. Then once I took the first bite I knew it was going to be a great meal. Their food was crazy good and I really enjoyed their 3 sauce choices as well. My favorite was the spicy sauce. Go here during lunch so you don't have to wait on a table. You will not regret it.
(5)LB T.
I forgot to mention that they have photos of cows and pigs around the restaurant. Am I the only one who doesn't want to be reminded I'm eating a living creature as I do so? Awkward for both me & those poor smoked saps. It's telling me to put mustard on my review so I think I should mention their specialty sauces and how great they are. They are great! I said it! All I want to know is why they don't have straws & why when I ask for two ketchups they give me one then another when I'm finished as if I'm a child?! Penny pinching? 4 stars shall remain.
(4)Kelsey H.
This place is soo good. Great bbq and I'm in love with their mac and cheese! Their ribs and fries are great! One of my favorite bbq place in stl
(5)Jason H.
Awesome place! The ribs are amazing. Kinda smoke and slat favor just like the name! The sides are great too. Will definitely be back for more ribs
(5)Jordan J.
What I like about Salt + Smoke is their innovation. Is their BBQ any better than other place in StL? No. But they find a way to make their offerings unique with additions like house pickles, red pepper jam, pimento cheese, corn relish, tobacco onions, etc. Here's what I've had and what I think: The great: Burnt end toasted ravs (by far my favorite item on their menu) Ribs Cracker mac & cheese Popovers The good: Fried house pickles with flaxseed mayo The average: Deviled eggs (meh, my girlfriend makes better deviled eggs at home) Pulled pork Pit beans Overall Salt+Smoke is a cool place with great food. The atmosphere borders on hipsterish but the southern flair and cheerful staff round it out well.
(3)Jeremy G.
Negative service (15 mins to get waters...) Negative food quality (chicken dry and cold... pig was acceptable) Negative beer draft selection (3-4 to choose) Positive ambience (good lighting) Positive pricing (now I get why it's cheap) Positive bourbon selection (100's to choose) Overall, negative experience. Only come here because it is in the loop. Otherwise go to Pappys, Bogarts, sugarfire, vernons, the shaved duck or any other bbq place really.
(2)Richard S.
In just about any other city in America Salt & Smoke would be the hands down best Barbeque restaurant in town. In St. Louis, a city that is among the best if not the best for BBQ in the U.S., whether Salt & Smoke is the best BBQ restaurant or among the top three depends on what qualities the diner places the most importance on. With this in mind I will share my thoughts what things at Salt & Smoke are amazing and what things are merely good. Imagine that a serious foodie running a upscale casual restaurant was a barbecue aficionado and decided to redo their casual fine dining restaurant over as gourmet barbeque. That in a nutshell is what Salt & Smoke is. DECOR A+: I have had amazing BBQ in restaurants where you order at the counter, then sit at a picnic table until your number is called while your food is made out back over a pit or smoker. At Salt & Smoke, a server will take your order at the table. The floors are fine wood, the counters are granite, the decor is sophisticated, and elegant, it is not stuffy or pretentious but there are no picnic tables and plastic forks dinging. BEEF BRISKET: A+: Salt & Smoke is a Texas Style BBQ. Their beef brisket is the best in St. Louis (yes better than Sugar Fire) and the best you will ever eat outside of Texas. They cook it for up to 18 hours. They are serious about their 'que. It is not super lean but it is certainly tender. It has a delicious dry rub. This stuff is so good it does not need sauce. RIBS: A: I liked the RIBS at Bogarts better than those at Salt & Smoke. The ribs were Salt & Smoke were great. The preparation was dry rub. Nice smoky flavor, tender, impressive, perhaps third best in St. Louis. PORK: A: The pulled pork was solid, smoky, yum, but it did not blow me away like the beef briskit. CHICKEN C-: Pulled chicken was the weak spot on their meat line up. I would prefer chicken on the bone with the texture contrast of skin vs. meat and some dry rub on the meat. This was just chunks of pulled chicken with no rub and sauce on the side. They doused the pulled chicken with way to much black pepper. The cracked black pepper overpowered any flavor from the smoking. This was a let down. SAUCE: They have three: Sweet gets a A-, Slightly Hot Red (I would call it regular), A-, and Mustard Sauce C- , the mustard sauce is to much like regular yellow ballpark mustard. They should reformulate their mustard sauce with some vinegar, citrus to make it distinct and either Carolina style loose/thin or Southern style. POPOVERS A+: If you order an entree instead of a sanwhich it comes with a popover. What an upgrade from a dinner roll. The Popover comes straight from the oven. I think there is bacon and cheddar in it. It is kind of like a soufflé. It is unbelievably good. I ordered an extra one (at $3.00) to go. I would have liked to bring home a half dozen. I bought a Popover pan on Amazon in hopes of replicating this dish. Its worth a trip their for the Popover alone. Wow. SIDES: Garlic French Fries A+: Most fast food restaurants use frozen french fries. Five Guys cuts up potatoes and fries them to order. The difference is huge. Salt & Smoke are at their core foodies. They put forth the effort to make everything the best that they can. They cut up fresh potatoes add some garlic and turn out the best french fries I have ever seen in a barbeque restaurant. These are decadent. Sweet Potato Chips B: There is nothing wrong with the sweet potato chips. They are fine. They do not hold a candle to the Garlic Fries. The garlic fries are the super hottie, and sweet potato chips are her 'nice' average looking friend. By my second trip to Salt & Sweet I had forgot Sweet Potato Chips were even on the menu. Mac & Cheese A: They do a Mac & Cheese from scratch. If you prefer Kraft Mac & Cheese, let me suggest you go to Chili's or Texas Roadhouse. They use white cheddar so there is not bright orange color that Kraft makes with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. The Mac is rich and decadent. They use the same homemade white cheddar mac for their adult side dish and their child's plates. They put crushed crackers (probably Ritz crackers) in the Mac. While a side of Mac is $5.00, when you order mac as an included side with an entree there is no up-charge for what is clearly an upgrade from other restaurants mac & cheese. Green Beans & Tomato Salad A-: Hurray there is a light, healthy, fresh, and green option on the menu. Childs Plate A+: The child's plate comes with a meat and a side. The price is $5.00, which is the price for just a side of Mac if ordered off the menu. Salt & Sweet is doing a solid for every parent who brings their kids. This is an amazing value for what you get. A kids meal at Panera Bread ( a/k/a St. Louis Bread) costs this much for a smaller portion of lower quality food. Use the savings for a cocktail and to tip well for the server who might have to clean up the mess.
(5)Anjana M.
Great for dinner with colleagues. Excellent drinks. And the vegetarian falafel burger was just OUTSTANDING. Enough so that I was actually satisfied to not have the even MORE outstanding BBQ.
(5)Blair L.
This place is a solid four stars - nothing more, nothing less. I'm always a bit confused on how it's always so busy, but I guess it's not bad. The food was just good. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either. I've tried to dine in and have left a couple of times without regret. One of those places that comes to mind when thinking of places to eat, but not a place I necessarily am dying to go to.
(4)Kathy K.
Decor is simple and casual, which appropriate for this type food. A small bar at the front of the restaurant sports a wide selection of bourbons and whiskeys. They also specialize in drink infusions that they age in barrels on sight. We were seated immediately. I couldn't help but notice that my feet were sliding all over the floor. Like a waxy finish on the floor. A bit challenging to stand in one place without your feet moving out from under you. Waiter was very informative about the food. We ordered a combination style plate to split. More than enough for 2. We ordered:?Pulled pork, burnt ends and ribs. Sides were the Cheese Cracker Mac and cole slaw. The cracker Mac was good, but needed a spice or some kick. I dipped it in my Bestie sauce and it rounded out the flavor. The cole slaw was made with red cabbage and apples with mild vinaigrette. It was good, but didn't seem to stand up to the flavorful BBQ. The BBQ was very tasty. The rib meat easily separated from the bones. The pulled pork was tender with a very slight, but flavorful peppery undertone. The burnt ends were also tasty and very tender. There are 3 sauces. All three have very individual flavors which complement any of the meats. I wanted badly to give this place 5 stars. 2 things stood out and smacks of carelessness. The floors were very slippery, which tells me they either mixed their commercial cleaner incorrectly or are using the wrong type for high traffic floors. The second thing that stood out was that I pointed out to the waiter, as did another reviewer, that sticky bottles attract and hold bacteria. I said that they should wiped down after each use. He said, "yeah, I know." Not the response I was hoping for. Bottom line: If your place isn't clean it doesn't matter what you're serving. It is a shame, because the food is really good, here.
(3)Steve F.
there are few foods that give me such undeniable cravings as the fatty side brisket at salt + smoke. I'm here about every two weeks. Btw you have to ask for the fatty side or else you get the harder, smokier burnt end. The cracker Mac and cheese is one of my favorite sides too. Seating is limited but service is fast as food is pre cooked for the most part. Please, for the love of God, if you're thinking about coming with a group bigger than 6 either don't or agree ahead of time how to split up your party. Otherwise you ruin everything from the wait time to servers accessing other tables.
(5)Lindsey L.
This place is a gem of the loop. Everything we had was seriously delicious. My boyfriend and I ordered the hush puppies and burnt ends toasted ravioli for appetizers. Both were great!! Would have gotten the fried pickles but asked if they were spears or chips and sadly they're spears. I got the pulled pork sandwich which has coleslaw on it. It's a vinegar based coleslaw and very tasty. Boyfriend had pulled pork and brisket plate. We both had the mac and cheese and he had beans. Beans could use some work but everything else is great. And they have civil life American brown on tap so that just made it even better!!
(5)C. H.
I do think this is as good as it gets in STL. I've eaten a lot of BBQ and I have to say the meal I had here really takes the cake. I had the combo meal which was $14, it included ribs and brisket, two sides and an amazing popover. The ribs were a great smokey dry rub, that was seasoned to perfection. I like a lot of flavor and didn't need to add a thing to the ribs. The spicy BBQ was fantastic, and very salty which I love. The brisket wasn't tough like it often can be... It was juicy and full of flavor. I also had the brisket soup which wasn't excellent so I probably won't go with that again. My second side was the green beans and tomatoes which sounds simple but it was amazing! My wife also loved her food and said it had surpassed her favorite BBQ joint which is the Shaved Duck. In addition to great food they have an enormous drink menu, more options of bourbon that you would know what to do with. They are a little pricy but if you just want to have one with dinner expect to pay close to $10 for a cocktail but it's craft and they are good. The location is busy, and don't expect to walk in and grab a table. It's popular and it's in a very popular stretch. We went across the street and grabbed a beer at Blueberry Hill which made the time go by quickly. I can't wait to take out of town guests here. The other BBQ spots in town better watch out b/c this place is going to blow them away. The only thing I thought was a bit dorky was that the employees all wear plaid. I think if you're a hipster you're a hipster it shouldn't be a uniform requirement, that was a bit cheesy.
(5)Gabriela C.
I never write reviews... but I just left this place and I'd feel wrong if I didn't write one now. The food, service and atmosphere was superb. I came here for a friend's birthday dinner and I was expecting to enjoy the food, but I didn't realize I would enjoy it this much. For starters, the service was good even before we sat down. We were standing by the bar and a waiter overheard me asking my friends how much longer the wait was; he went out of his way to check for us. So kind of him. The server that took our orders was also super patient with all of us as well. It just felt like he went above and beyond. Anyway, I ordered the hushpuppies with maple butter appetizer and a friend ordered the toasted ravioli - phenomenal! For the main entree I got the bestie pick two with brisket and pulled pork with mac and cheese and fries as my sides. The best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. The fries were amazing and the meat was so juicy. I think what made the food so good was the depth of flavor in every bite. Its like I could take the egg in the bread - which was flakey and moist all at once... The atmosphere was great too. I can tell they were going for a manly, garage sort of feel... but it didn't go overboard... it still felt classy and relaxing. Its not often you go to a restaurant and have such an enjoyable experience without paying an arm and a leg... or eat such great food at such a reasonable price without going to the hood. At Salt + Smoke, you get great food, at low prices at a nice place. Happy Valentine's day to me! :)
(5)Andy K.
For being open only 5 days Salt and Smoke delivered at a decent level. Certainly there is room to improve but nice start. The proteins were a mixed bag, absolutely loved the chicken had decent smoke flavor which is near impossible to do for pulled chicken. The brisket had a great bark on it and smoke flavor in it but was a tad bit too dry and chewy. The ribs again had a really charred bark, not to my liking, but I know folks like it that way. All my sides were very good and interesting. The baked beans used some white beans and I really liked them. the mac and cheese was shell noodles and was very tasty and I enjoyed the potato salad as well. Did not get the slaw because it was vinegar based. All in all a solid first visit. I loved nico too and sad to see them go.
(5)Michael M.
Refused to seat us at 7:15 pm on a Saturday because they ran out of BBQ. Hostess didn't communicate that to us with the slightest hint of apology or politeness, despite this being a fundamental failure on the restaurant's part. I understand that BBQ takes time, but running out of food at 7:15 on a Saturday for a place that serves a dinner crowd is not cute or hip or endearing--it's incompetent. Fortunately, we were five minutes from home and already on the Loop anyways, so I didn't really waste any of my time on this place. I'd suggest you don't waste yours with these amateurs.
(1)Hank N.
This Review makes me sad. I have eaten at salt and smoke in the past and was eager bring friends back because it was good food, and we wanted to have some whiskey as well. We knew a table greater than four would be an inconvenience on a weekend, but called ahead and were told that they would not take reservations. No big deal. We knew we could have a few drinks while we waited. We arrived at 6:30, set our place in line, and ordered some drinks for the expected 45 minute wait. Again, no big deal. We watched 4 tops and six tops cycle through at a reasonable pace. Right around an hour and fifteen minutes into the wait, we were told that we would be seated as soon as one of the large tables opened. We waited for another 20 minutes as that table cleared out and was bussed. Then the host came over and seated a group of people who came in only minutes before, and more than an hour after we arrived. When we asked about this, the host stumbled a little then rudely stated, "well they had a reservation." I remind you that this is a place which advertises that they do not allow reservations as we had tried to make one earlier in the week. The food was good on my previous visits, but not enough to deal with rude service on top of the long wait. I have spent more than 15 years working in a service industry, this was truly a failure. Bad service will tank any eatery just as easily as bad food.
(1)Edward H.
My fifth star is hard to get. Just got back from Salt and Smoke on the Loop across from Blueberry Hill. Place just opened a month or so ago. Highly recommend! Everything tasted great and well-priced! Recommend ribs, rib tip toasted raviolis with Mayonnaise-based sauce (not marinara), and Strawberry Hard Cider from Charleville. Beers are a bit on the high end at $5 & $6, entrees looked to be around $10 to $15. Stay off the alcohol if you want to keep the bill down.
(4)Mike P.
I've been here countless times at this point -- exclusively for lunch -- and have never had a bad experience. The space itself is decorated in a manner that perfectly captures what I'd want in a sit-down BBQ joint -- lots of warm wood and treatments that give it a cozy upscale-cowboy vibe. The servers are attentive and friendly and have graciously worked to accommodate us when we've arrived with larger parties. While the BBQ'd meats might not be quite as good as some of the premier places around town, they're still solid and they offer a greater variety than most (things like house made Bologna) with good sides. I'm a sucker for popovers and theirs are right up there with some of the best I've ever had. If you're looking for a nice meal with good food and a good atmosphere you will not leave this place disappointed (or hungry for that matter).
(4)Devin C.
I was extremely excited to try this place, but had bad luck the first time I tried. When I originally went, it was the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and there was 61 people in front of us in line. They said they would likely sell out by the time we were called, so we opted not to stay. The other day, we decided to try again for a friend's bday. It was a dreary, rainy Tuesday, so no line this time! I was delighted by the interior decor and cozy atmosphere. The tables were decorated with several different bbq sauces/mustards. The whiskey and beer list was extensive to say the least, each with descriptions of flavors that can be noted with each choice. It took me at least 15 minutes just to decide on a bourbon. It took me additional 10 minutes to decide what to order. I finally chose to go with the bestie combo - ribs, fried bologna, garlic herb fries and brisket chili - try the most I could. All the options were good, but not great. There is definitely far better BBQ to be found in St Louis; however, I don't know if you can find a BBQ joint as unique as this one. The environment is to the setting of a well-run restaurant as opposed to a kitchen with seating that you expect from most joints. So all-in-all if you are looking for a change of pace from the regular BBQ scene, give Salt + Smoke a shot, but if you want solid BBQ it can be found almost anywhere else.
(3)Avi R.
Living close to the Loop meant that i had tried out every food joint in the area. Well, almost every food joint. There was something about Nico (might have been the expensive menu ?) that always kept me away. So when Nico gave way to a new bbq place the GF and i were super excited to try it out. Now let me tell you about Indian BBQ first - it doesnt exist. Agreed, I didnt grow up eating BBQ in Memphis but I can tell you that this place serves amazing pulled chicken! I got to try my first bourbon too. Great ambience, friendly servers and overall a great experience ! One missing star cuz the GFs falafel was not great, partly our fault for ordering falafel at a bbq joint but also their bad for having it on the menu :) Trust me I really think this is some of the best food in the loop right now. PS - A meal for two with a bourbon cost us around $25
(4)Tara W.
First, I want say that I am basing my review on the third time that I went to this restaurant. The first two times were fine. The food was decent and the service was ok. Earlier in the week I called to ask if they take reservations. I was told no (it also says no on this website). We had a party of 6 so we knew we were going to wait and we had no problem with that. We got to the restaurant at roughly 7pm on a saturday and were told 45-60 minutes. That was fine and expected. All 6 of us ordered drinks and stood in the bar area. After we had been waiting an hour and after our second round of drinks, one of our party went up to check on our status. We were told that our party was next to be seated when a large table opened up. About 5-10 min later a large table opened up and....they put a party there who had been waiting for about half the amount of time we had. When we asked about that, we were told they had a reservation. A reservation? So either they were lying at this point or they lied when I called earlier. The host was also very rude during this whole ordeal. I am not angry about the wait. We had prepared for that. We were actually looking forward to it because this restaurant has plenty of choices at the bar. What I am angry about is how we were treated. Although we had been waiting well over an hour, we left immediately. The food is fine and the restaurant is still new enough to draw a lot of business but when the newness of this place disappears and all they have left is average BBQ (this is st. louis and we have plenty of BBQ options), expensive mediocre drinks, and rude employees good luck paying that expensive rent on the Delmar Loop
(1)Bryan G.
It was okay. Service was mediocre. Tattooed server acted like a deer in headlights every time he was asked a question. Took forever to get check. Pulled BBQ, creamed corn was delicious(more of a rich chowder) and deviled eggs were tasty.
(3)Tiffany S.
Ok so I went back and tried a few more items. The pulled chicken sandwich is wonderful. Very moist meat and well seasoned thanks to the toppings! But the brisket yesterday was super salty. The BBQ sauce helped tone down that saltiness but alone it wasn't too edible. I also think the sides leave much to be desired. I've had the baked beans which are way too smokey in my opinion and the Mac n cheese which lacks seasoning. The cole slaw looks fancy but doesn't have much taste.
(3)Dave S.
Can I say get your meat on!!! From beginning to end everything had tons of flavor!! For the appetizer we tried the toasted ravioli, yummy!! It had a crispy outside and when you took a bite you get a burst of beef brisket in your mouth! I could have eaten it all day!! The beastie combo will satisfy any meat craving! The everything was cooked perfectly! The meats were all juicy, well seasoned and smoked!! The ribs had a nice crispy on the one side but still so moist n tender. The pulled pork and brisket just melted in your mouth. Had the mac which was loaded w cheese, the brisket chilli was was nice n hearty, loaded w brisket and tons of flavor! Even the pop over bread was rockin! This meal definitely made my mouth happy!!! :D also a good beer selection
(5)Kelly M.
Wonderful good, great staff, extensive scotch, whiskey, bourbon list. Try the fries and the pulled pork sandwich. See my check in for more info.
(5)Christopher D.
Took the morning after's advice, tore up some wings. Great service, amazing food. Really enjoyed going to the Loop and checking it out. Huge bar that I'll have to come back for.
(5)David T.
How can you call yourself a BBQ restaurant and be out of ribs, pulled chix and pulled pork by 8 pm on a Saturday night. Unbelievable.
(1)Mike L.
Just not good barbeque. Got my food and first bite I was like, "WOW SALT!!!" I thought about saying something, but then remembered the name of the place. Rubbing that much salt on the meat just isn't the right approach. Their sides are good though.
(3)Joe H.
I got the bestie with ribs, brisket, potato salad and Mac n cheese. Everything was very good but not mind blowing. I actually think the ribs were over cooked. The brisket was perfect though. The St. Louis style sauce is amazing. This place is very good, but not 5 stars.
(4)Dan S.
Very comfy and casual spot in the loop, nothing fancy or overdone. I ordered the pork plate with garlic fries and green bean and tomato salad. The pork was excellent not dry at all and the perfect about of seasoning didn't even need BBQ sauce, I tried some anyway. The garlic fries (best I've had in a long time) and green bean salad was pretty good, good portion size. I recommend bringing a breath mint if you want the fries. The only downside was the server never offered refilled our drinks. I hate having to ask. Good place, I'll go again.
(4)Zach W.
Excellent food for an excellent price! Seriously, you get a ton of food for the money, but with the beers priced the way they are it probably evens out. $7 for a sawtooth ale? Get out of here... But if you are looking for a great spot for lunch or dinner and don't want to get any type of alcoholic drink, your money goes a long way with their delicious food.
(4)John W.
This is not your Daddy's BBQ joint. Group of 8 had multiple apps, sandwiches and entrees. Everyone passed everything around. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. The smoked meat and sauces were perfect. The sides were mostly what you would see at BBQ places but all had a twist that elevated them. And most importantly, for most of us regular folk, the prices are very reasonable. I would have paid at least 25% more and felt great about myself
(5)S. W.
This is a quaint little smoke house in the loop. The smell inside and out is deliciously amazing. My favorite meat here is the brisket, it's tender and flavorful. I've tried several items on the menu. The hush puppies with maple butter, they are OK, they need to be uniform (not excessively large pieces and small pieces) and provide more butter than what comes with an order. The STL cut ribs, would never order those again!!! They were tender, but the rub that they use I do not care for, I'll stay with Pappy's for my ribs where you do not have to add sauce to the meat for it to taste good. The burnt end toasted ravioli with the white BBQ sauce is soo different and very tasty. The cheddar bacon popovers are OK, I wouldn't order them as an appetizer. The fried jalapeño cheddar bologna is good, it taste like a homemade flattened meatloaf. As far as sides go, the white cheddar cracker Mac is sooo budget basic, I've tasted better out of the box. The brisket chili absolutely sucks!!! This is by far the nastiest chili I've had, possibly ever. The green bean and tomato salad is OK, needs a little something extra. The BBQ sweet potato chips are amazing!!!!
(4)Mike K.
Perhaps it is a little unfair to judge a restaurant on only one visit, but if it was only average, why go back again? A BBQ joint needs good, basic pulled pork. It was ok, except for the burnt part that doesn't go well on a sandwich, and except for the purple cabbage and apples on top. Pull them off and eat separately like it is your mini-salad. It came with 1 side for $9.00 which is an ok price. There was plenty of pork on it. Only 3 sauces however. Mix the tangy with the sweet for a good alternative. It is street parking and 1 tv in full bar area.
(3)Steven P.
Middle of the road. They have a great bourbon menu. Their sides and entrees are exciting but I wasn't blown away by the food itself. I had pulled pork and it was a little dry and sweet potato chips were cool but they didn't have a lot of flavor or seasoning. All in all it's worth trying the vibe of the location is really cool and my wife loves the brisket but we weren't blown away.
(3)Greg G.
Timber!!!!! Take a fallen tree, char it with some bitter spices and then serve it. Those were my ribs. My esteemed BBQ friend recommended this place and I went ready for a great meal. It didn't happen. I ordered the ribs with beans and fries as sides. The ribs were tough, dry, and tasted like the above description. My daughter ordered the cheeseburger and that was worse. If I had been served this at Crapplebee's, I would have said it was ok, but I expected much, much more from an allegedly genuine smokehouse. I would like to see how they actually prepared this stuff. The beans were also not good; the fries were ok, but needed some salt. The sauces were ok. The more I think about this experience, the worse it gets in my mind. There are many good smokehouses in STL and this isn't one of them. Skip (unless you dig tough and bitter tree bark). What the heck am I doing giving this 2 stars? 1.5 is probably more accurate.
(2)Lisa S.
Been wanting to try this place out because everyone says how great it is.... I have to believe most St. Louis people must me starving for a great BBQ place. It was not that great barely good. I had the brisket it was so dry, the smoked wings were very dry, tasted my husbands pork I couldn't stand it. I've had a lot of BBQ from many states, Alabama, New York, Kansas City, Calf., local backyard BBQ events. And this place is in the bottom. I will say... I'm going to try it in the afternoon to give it one more chance. If I were you I'd be hesitant about going. It must be hit or miss. I can't believe people would get this so wrong. Service was excellent.
(1)All American S.
Hands down the best BBQ Sauce and burnt end brisket in STL and rivals Kansas City's Oklahoma Joes. Just amazing! And the Mac and cheese is incredible as well! And not to mention the fries are just savory as can be. The mustard sauce is so good too. We go back every single week it's that good.
(5)Jess G.
I have visited this place twice now as I live in the loop and it is walking distance from my door. I stumbled upon this after a run and was really excited to try it. I had never been to NICO, so I cannot compare or critique the same business team on their new endeavor, but I am happy to see it as a BBQ place! However, the first time I went, I went with a friend after a long hike at Castlewood, so we had quite the appetite worked up! Both times I have been I have chosen to sit on the patio, thanks to the wonderful Summer weather and because I brought my pooch. The staff was really nice and accommodating. They even brought out a water dish for my pooch without even asking me! We got the deviled eggs appetizer to start with and they were great. They came with smoked bacon and a sauce underneath the eggs. The sauce really complemented the eggs well! If you're not a huge fan of deviled eggs, this wouldn't be your jam. We both decided to get the plates where you can choose two meats, two sides, accompanied by a delightful bacon cheddar popover. All in all we had the ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and brisket with baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and garlic french fries. We LOVED the meat. We really couldn't decide which was our favorite, but if we had to choose we'd go with the chicken and brisket. The meat was smoked and spiced to perfection! We also loved the three sauces because they really met the needs of all sauce lovers; vinegar based, sweet based, and a mustard based. Our personal favorite was the vinegar based sauce because it was lighter and tangy. We loved the coleslaw, and this is saying a lot because I do not like vinegar and oil based coleslaws, but they add apples to theirs and it really makes a difference. I did not care too much for the beans, they may have had too much of the smoke flavor. The mac and cheese was great though-not overpowered with cheese and the crackers they add give it a nice texture. The staff were really great with answering questions and making food and beverage selections. The second time I went which was this last weekend I had the brisket sandwich accompanied by the mac and cheese and an amazing seasonal grapefruit beer! The sandwich was great but a tad messy to eat. I loved that this was a place that you can sit down and order at your table versus ordering at a window and waiting. They do however sell out of the ribs on a daily basis, so in a way you still get your typical BBQ experience. I definitely will be back here frequently and I recommend you visit too!
(4)Mica G.
Maybe it's because I'm from Texas and know what brisket should taste like, but this place was sub par and that's being nice. I ordered the lean brisket and it was so dry it could have passed for beef jerky. I also tried the St. Louis style ribs thinking that would have to be a home run since we are in St. Louis, but they were so over seasoned that I couldn't eat more than one w/o chugging my water.
(2)John A.
We were there on Friday we all had the brisket very good the beans & mac& cheese was very good my wife had the cold slaw she said was very good. We plan on going back there. they are across the street from Blueberry hill. John St.Louis Mo.
(5)April B.
Great atmosphere & great location. Ordered the brisket sandwich and chicken plate. Chicken was moist and perfectly smoked. Brisket was good and both had adequate serving sizes. Coleslaw was a bit bland and was lacking a flavor punch. Mac and cheese was delicious and creamy with a cracker twist on a classic recipe. Fried pickles were disappointing as they came out soggy versus crisp, bummer as I was really looking forward to these. Great beer and bourbon selection. Overall I would return based on atmosphere and BBQ.
(3)Jennifer M.
Amazing BBQ food!!! It was truly a unique and authentic St. Louis Barbecue restaurant!! The service was very fast and the food was very reasonably priced!!
(5)Art B.
I had gone there twice. The first time we enjoyed our food enough (though were not overwhelmed) to come back. The second time was a disaster. Our waiter was aloof and slow. Drinks were delayed. After the drinks were delivered we were told that they ran out of ribs and chicken. Being that the menu only has 5 items on it - I would say this is a huge limitation and we should have been told this when we walked in. We made a big deal since that's what we came for. Waiter said that that's just the way it is b/c it takes 18 hours to cook their food and so tough luck. Food (pulled pork and brisket) was fair but dry. Sides were good. Our second round of drinks took forever. Plates were on the table way after we finished eating. But the most impressive thing was that as we were finished with our food there was a table right next to us and another several outside that had ribs. We asked the waiter, he just said some nonsensical thing and took off. we then waited for check and then waited forever to pay - in fact I had to go over to the register to do it myself. VERY DISAPPOINTED. WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN - if you want to go - be prepared to have terrible service and to be lied to in order to eat mediocre food.
(1)Kenneth R.
It took a friend of mine visiting from out of town to find this new restaurant in the loop and man was she right on the money with this restaurant. We went for lunch and the food was amazing! I got the 1/2 brisket (they are famous for their brisket) and 1/2 plate of ribs - it comes with 2 sides and the price was reasonable - all that for around $14! We had an incredible lunch. There were only 3 BBQ sauces - I tried the sweet version which was delicious, but considering it was a BBQ joint I expected more options.
(4)Richard D.
Very salty food. Cannot taste the flavor of the meat. I am A KCBS MASTER JUDGE. I told then I would rate them and who I was. The service was very slow and totally disorganized. The tables were sticky and were wiped with a dirty towel no sanitizer. The BBQ sauces were half empty and very caked with sticky sauce. Server told me when I asked to wipe ours off he told me they do that three times a day and walked away! Wow good service. The sides were average, plate messy had to ask what was what could not tell what food was what. All piled up on top of each other. Had to ask for spoons for beans...took forever? The water was good and they kept the glasses full. For lunch for four the bill was over 100.00 with tip. Drinks were two beers one coke and one tea. I would not go,back because of the saltiness , poor service but mostly the dirty tables and sauce bottles Sorry but I warned them so they could shine but they did not. Too many good BBQ places, take this on off your list.
(1)David C.
There was the slightest smirk on the waiter's face when we were working out our order. I suppose she could see we weren't showing proper reverence for what we were about to receive. The selection of whiskies and such was okay. Best BBQ ribs I ever ate in my life. Non plus ultra! What else needs to be said?
(5)Paw P.
Overall the brisket and ribs were very good. Tender with a good BBQ flavor. Drinks were expensive. Service, once it started went fast. He took our drink and food orders at the same time. Drinks and food arrived at the same tome not letting us relax and enjoy the costly drink. The table top was very sticky. We couldn't agree on whether the table wasn't wiped clean from previous use or the top was supposed to be real sticky. Either way it wasn't enjoyable. Be prepared to eat and go as they are in for a volume business and not letting the customer enjoy a relaxing meal. Overall, i would return.
(3)Gabbie R.
Gave Salt and Smoke another chance and had a great experience! The brisket sandwich is to die for!
(5)Dan C.
I'm a BBQ snob. This was so good it brought a tear to my eye. I'm also taken back by the extensive Scotch collection. Looks like I found a new lunch place!!
(4)Mark F.
Ate there for lunch. Not a long wait. Great service, and the food was fantastic. I'm not a huge BBQ sauce fan, but it was fantastic. My recommendation is the brisket.
(5)Jan D.
Tried Salt + Smoke in the University City Loop today at lunch with a friend. I'd read many reviews some good, some not so good and some bad -- and that's about where I stand too. I have some real mixed feelings. We ordered the Burnt End Toasted Rav appetizer. They would have been outstanding if half of them hadn't been cold in the middle. The dipping sauce was awesome with just a hint of horseradish to spice it up. But at $10 for 6 ravs I doubt I'd ever order again. Friend ordered pulled chicken sandwich with potato salad and I got the pulled pork with slaw and a side of white cheddar cracker mac (mac and cheese). My first bite of the mac was ice cold. I brought it to two people's attention but I was still waiting 15 minutes later. I finally went to find a manager. When I got back to my table the new order of mac was there (of course now the other half of my sandwich was cold). I took a bite of the mac -- well, at least it was hot but that's about all I can say about it. Totally flavorless. Could have used some salt but there is neither salt nor pepper on the table. I wasn't about to wait another 15 minutes to doctor the dish up. (Isn't the name of the place Salt + Smoke? You'd think you could get some salt.) I'll say that the pulled pork was good, very moist and smokey but it really didn't make up for a disappointing rest of the meal. I'll give the manager credit, he did comp the entire meal for both my friend and me (though he didn't tell us and we sat there waiting for the check for another 10 minutes until the server told us it was taken care of.) I'll stick with Vernon's.
(2)Ashley T.
I went here for the first time a few days ago, and the food is amazing! The pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese and beans were delicious. Plus the smell of smoked meat when you're just walking by the place is mouth-watering. My one complaint was that we received our food well before we got the drinks we ordered. But all of this was pretty much forgotten once we tasted the food-seriously so good! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Ed F.
The Post-Dispatch is right. The standard has been set for barbecue in St. Louis. I came with my family and we sampled as many dishes as we could--all were near perfect! Come early, the place was packed by 6:15.
(5)Amy R.
Great BBQ spot!! First, the location was great for people watching. Right in the center of things. We sat at the bar and ordered two Bloody Mary's which were DELISH (and I'm kind of Bloody Mary snob). We split the pulled pork sandwich and it was to die for. I wish I had gotten my own sandwich to myself. The environment was fun and cool. Service was fantastic. I loved it and can't wait to go back!
(5)Shawn P.
Tasty wonderful brisket and coleslaw! Mac and Cheese isn't good as it is very bland. Pit beans are blah. Two trips so far and service is pretty terrible. Slow, no offers for refills, and takes forever to get waited on and for a to go box to arrive. Third time better be a charm or hello 3 stars...
(4)William B.
Simply the best BBQ in the state! Arthur Bryant's, Gates & Sons, Jack Stack ... All excellent - but no comparison here. I stopped in for lunch today and walked out amazed. The brisket plate (burnt ends) left me stunned. Fried pickles to start (very good) and the popover was wonderful. Nothing else to say ... There is no reason to go anywhere else (and I won't). I found my favorite BBQ and I no longer need to search elsewhere.
(5)Doug M.
This was a tasty lunch! We went down to the Loop to check out a couple of stores, and needed to get lunch first. Walked by Salt + Smoke, and since I had been wanting to try it - and since it was 11:30 am & not yet filled up - stopped on in. Because we were just grabbing a quick lunch, I didn't get to try all the tasty sounding items on the menu. But what we had was pretty dang good. The wife got the pulled pork sandwich. Bun had a nice buttered grill on both faces, pork was tender and moist. Pulled pork to me is pretty much you either get it right or you don't - and they did. It's the rare place that manages to hit it with some extra flavoring or smoke, and while Salt+Smoke didn't do that, it was good. The house pickles were nice and crisp, with light pickling that let the flavor of the cuke/pickle stand out. Her side was the garlic and herb fries. The seasoning seemed to be cooked into the fries, rather than dusted on, which I thought was great. You bite into it and get hit with an enjoyable little shot of garlic/herb. And whether by chance or design, the fries were a little more done than usual for fries, which gave a slight toughness to the outside while the inside was still soft and hot. I liked it. My sandwich was going to be the brisket. However, I asked the waiter what stood out, and he said they had a French dip special that day. So I gave that a shot. I'm glad I did. The dip itself was dark and flavorful, without being all that salty (thankfully!). The buns came with a mozzarella-consistency cheese melted on each side. It wasn't mozzarella, there was a stronger flavor than that, but I can't seem to place what it was. Regardless, another great shot of extra flavor and texture. The meat itself apparently was shredded brisked. I don't know if the brisket normally is like it was on this sandwich, but it was waaay good. Almost like burnt ends in flavor (and with the burnt ends mayo drizzled on it), but not actually burnt. It had a nice chew to it, and apparently had been simmered or whatever in a sauce that just really hit with savoriness. My side was the pit beans with smoked bacon. The beans were white ones, the bacon was finely chopped and soft, and the smokiness was an accent and not all the flavor. Subtle yet satisfying! Can't wait to go for a larger meal and hit all the other tasty options.
(4)Jay D.
We had a party of 7 on a Sunday night around 7. We had great service and excellent food. I tried the Salt+Smoke Cocktail and a Strawberry Cider from a local brewer. Both were great. As far as food, we made sure to hit as many of the notes on the menu as possible and enjoyed every bit of it. We will be back!!!
(5)Levi S.
If you have been putting off trying this place out, please stop punishing yourself - you're worth it, 100% - and try it. The brisket sandwich, I, I...I just don't understand how I was able to live as long as I have without tasting the dream, what smoked brisket SHOULD be, and what all other barbecue sandwiches ought to aspire to be. The meat is tender and juicy, freshly smoked, and is accompanied by a generous slathering of burnt-end mayonnaise. What are burnt ends? Burnt ends are the blackened, charred ends of a brisket that don't "make the cut" when it comes time to prepare brisket for serving. This restaurant has made the well-informed decision to use these ends to flavor a sauce, and it works. I think it comes with red onions, too, which brighten and texture any barbecue sandwich. There are four barbecue sauces on the table to choose from: sweet, hotangy, spicy, and a delicious mustard. Of course, I like to use all of them simultaneously. Any and all of them would work on the brisket sandwich. As a side, I can vouch for the baked beans, the fries, and the baked white macaroni and cheese. Especially the latter, it is worth trying. If nothing satisfactory is on tap and you like your IPAs, don't be shy to try a bottle of the He'Brew R.I.P.A. Heavy at 10%, it makes great sipping over the course of a meal and conversation.
(5)Justin S.
My friend who has spent a lot of time in Saint Louis told me this was one of the places we shouldn't miss for my short weekend there, so it ended up being the first stop I made, and I was seriously impressed. Saint Louisans take their barbecue seriously, and that is more than evident in my experience at Salt and Smoke. My friend and I popped in late-ish on a Friday night and of course the first thing that hits you when you enter this place is the campfire smell... That usually bodes well for a good dining experience! We were promptly seated in the cavernous dining room and decided relatively quickly on our selections from the classic barbecue menu. I went for "The Bestie Combo" which allows you to choose two barbecue items, two sides and comes with a popover. I got the ribs and the pulled pork, and let me just say I'm not (and never have been) a lover of ribs, but WHOA they were great here. Truly the classic "fall off the bone" ribs with some interesting, piquant sauces to choose from if you'd like. The sides (mac and cheese, and green bean salad) were pretty darn good too... and the popover is a buttery, flaky extra which I loved. Salt and Smoke also has a great cocktail and beer selection, and we enjoyed a couple of local brews with our food. The service was super friendly and the waitress allowed us to take our time and was patient with all our questions about the beer and food. Overall, a great spot in the Loop and one I'd definitely return to upon subsequent visits to Saint Louis!
(5)Christine W.
I know its kind of unfair, but I'm generally skeptical of places that I feel are super hyped up because a lot of times, reality doesn't line up with expectations, at least for me. Maybe the trick is to go in with lower expectations, but if a place has a good yelp rating, the pictures and menu look good, and lots of people have told me they like it, I can't help but look forward to eating there! Fortunately, in this case, Salt + Smoke lived up to the hype. In a nutshell, I really enjoyed my meal here (meats and sides), the service was good even though they were quite busy, and I would recommend making a reservation if you're trying to go with a party larger than 4. Food My husband and I shared a bestie combo ($14), where you pick two meats, two sides, and it comes with a popover. The brisket was so flavorful and rich (you can choose between fatty or not... obviously we went with the fatty brisket). The ribs were tasty, too, although they were a bit more burnt than I usually like; K. likes them that way, though! Our sides were the bacon baked beans and white cheddar cracker mac and cheese; both were great. I loved the sweet bbq sauce - so flavorful and delicious! Service We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, since we went without a reservation on a Saturday night and we had a party of 6. The two hostesses were very attentive and helpful, as was our server. Even though it was pretty busy, I didn't feel like we waiting too long for our food once we sat down and ordered. Pro tip: pick out what you want to eat so that as soon as you're seated, you can put in your order. :] All in all, I had a great experience; this is one of the better bbq places I've been to. I'm glad that the food was so delicious, because K. and I were taking a chance bringing out of town guests there without having been ourselves yet (though we had been planning to eat here for months). Good job, Salt + Smoke!
(5)Jim C.
They def get five of my stars. We had their ribs - outstanding, totally - beef, and chicken. All of it excellent to outstanding. I had a great brisket chili side, I will give it 5 stars on its own. And the bread was also excellent, not even going to try to describe it. I also had the cola that is 'like coca cola but made with cane sugar and better' and yes, it was like Coca Cola but better than Coca Cola. Seriously. I don't remember the name but am going to look it up and have it shipped here to Houston. It is not often you get a meal this hearty and fulfilling this far North - we're from the Texas Gulf Coast and eat a lot of Texas and Louisiana food - but there it was. If you are in the St. Louis area or have kids at school here, you are missing a great meal if you haven't been here. PS: daughter goes to WashU and is a cheeseburger fanatic, she gets them here I guess a couple times / week. VERY GOOD, Salt+Smoke, VERY GOOD.
(5)Nick L.
If I was in the mood for barbecue I would stay away from this place. The actual meat that is served is not smoked, it is burnt and is covered in salt. The atmosphere is okay, but the servers are inattentive and mildly rude. You will have a better experience eating at any other barbecue place in saint Louis if you care for pork. Take your money elsewhere and it will be better spent.
(1)Monique B.
The restaurant is rustic and fun and crowded and social. Overall, a great ambiance and good service, but not great (we had to flag a waiter down a few times because they didn't check on us often). I had the deviled eggs to start and they were ok, but nothing special and my girlfriend had the wings and I thought they were a bit under seasoned. For my entree I had the half slab of ribs and they just didn't taste good although I couldn't quite figure out why. They weren't lip smacking good and in fact I only had a few and then put them aside. I also had a drink, and I don't remember which one, but I only had a few sips because it wasn't good and wasn't memorable. The icing on the cake was that when we sat down, a bug crawled along the table, which was just disgusting. The waitress got rid of it, and we were sitting by the high top where they store the firewood, but it definitely tainted my experience. Overall, I was super disappointed, and although it was moderately priced I just need more than cute ambiance; I need great service and delicious food.
(1)Danielle J.
I'm a fan of what I have eaten here. However, the restaurant is 0 for 2 on having ribs available. I've been twice this week (problem?) and both times they have been sold out of ribs, what we drove here for. I've had the brisket sandwich and the pulled chicken sandwich. I preferred the brisket over the pulled chicken. I love the white cheddar cracker mac. The beans were also good. I'm a fan of the popovers and I have not had those since BLT in DC. Both times, I have had good service but the last time was best with Travis as our server. He is so easy going, jovial and thorough. He's the one that you want to tell you that they are out of ribs because you just can't get upset with him. We'll go back at some point but I'll call first and check on the ribs stock. My expectations can't survive another occasion of running out.
(4)Leslie S.
We had a group of 6 who all had an outstanding experience here! Friendly management, friendly server. Popular place, took about 45 mins to get a table, arriving at 6pm on a Fri night (don't take reservations) Would recommend (see pics): Buddie combos Hushpuppies with maple butter Burnt ends raviolis Asking for bourbon/whiskey recommendations from the server THE BRISKET (wouldn't have normally ordered this if we hadn't learned it was award-winning, and we could see why) - this was THE MOST POPULAR item on the table among all 6 of our diners Pulled pork (not to same extent as brisket) Mac and cheese We wanted to try the ribs, but they ran out. Wish I had asked for add'l brisket instead of pulled pork to replace my ribs portion. Creamed corn was ok. Popover was tasty but wish there was a spread for it maybe as an option.
(4)Amy G.
Dexter is the best bartender ever! Great drinks. Great looking menu the place however we only got drinks. Great for just drinks!!! Amazing spot right in the center of the loop. Great indoor and outdoor seating. They have high chairs!!!
(5)Jennifer H.
First of all, any location where the work uniform is jeans and plaid shirt is exactly a place I want to be. Very laid back atmosphere and helpful staff. Our waiter was very knowledgeable regarding the different beers available. He was extremely attentive even though the place was pretty busy. Their food...nailed it! Go for their brisket. My friend ordered it and I spent more time on her plate than I did my own. I had the pulled pork and it was definitely tasty as well. It was served plain with an apple slaw, but there are several types of sauces laid out on the table to change up the flavors of the meal. My side was some sort of cracker mac and cheese that I adored, but my husband said was "meh." He's a moron. It's delicious. Go there. Wear plaid and drink beer. It's worth it.
(5)Jason G.
A wonderful experience. The food, the bourbon and atmosphere were briliant. Tom out server went out I God way to give us a great evening. I can't speak more highly of the place. You must give it a go.
(5)Jason U.
We received great Midwestern hospitality in this hipsterish BBQ restaurant! We both had the brisket which was fantastic. The mac n cheese was slamming and the garlic French fries were awesome. Oh, and my partner left his bag in the restaurant and we didn't realize it until we got the airport an hour later to head back home. They happily offered to deliver it to the airport before we left... What a great place!
(5)Katie A.
Save yourself time and money - go to SugarFire or Pappy's. I really wanted to like this place but I just didn't. My family of four went one night. We were seated right away - close configurations. I got the pulled chicken and my husband the brisket. The kids both got the Mac and cheese - which was okay but seemed like it was trying to be something more (with crumbled crackers) but was not. The meat was good but I can honestly say I disliked every single BBQ sauce they had. And the bottles on our table were disgustingly sticky. In fact, everything in that place was disgustingly sticky. My husband swears they pump smoke through the building (for the smell I guess) and that is causing a coat of disgusting on everything. The service was okay, the food was okay but the lack of good sauce and the disgusting stickiness dropped this place to a 2 star with me never returning if I have the choice.
(2)Oliver V.
BBQ is good but brisket is great very tasty and the fatty may gives a flavor out of this world. Mac n cheese and chili were also good with that thin fluffy muffins awesome experience.
(4)Andrew S.
I brought my parents here over the 4th of July holiday and it was our first time eating here. One of the best things on the menu by far are the smoked chicken wings. I was surprised by how tasty they were. I highly recommend you get those if you order appetizers. I had also ordered a half/rack of ribs with Mac N' Cheese and the Garlic and Herb Fries. I didn't care for the Mac N Cheese. Their version includes crumbled up crackers and I just think it was very good. The fries were amazing though so be sure to order some as a side when you eat here. The ribs were only average. If you want good ribs in St. Louis don't eat here, eat at Pappy's Smokehouse. They weren't super tender like I am used to and didn't have a lot of flavor unless you put BBQ sauce or another one of their table sauces on the ribs. Which by the way are amazing (the sauces, not the ribs) I liked almost everyone, although one of the sauces was a bit too sweet for me. There were lots of other good looking items on the menu and I will come back but it certainly isn't worth 5 stars. One quick note, we thankfully were seated outside because inside it was not only pretty small but very warm too.
(3)Audrey J.
Salt + Smoke you sure did not disappoint me. I'm truly only disappointed in myself that it took me so long to get here. IF all you read from this review is the next sentence... that is okay.. because I JUST WANT TO SAY this was probably the BEST BRISKET I have ever consumed. I definitely got the saltiness and smoke taste from it. It was fall apart good. Oh brisket. Okay so I ordered the Bestie Combo and in my honest opinion if you have never been here, it's probably the best way to go because you get to try multiple meats. You get two meats, two sides, and a popover for $14. It's a lot of food too. I got the Brisket, of course, and the Pulled Pork. Both were incredible. It's so flavorful and the meat is not dry what-so-ever, and it doesn't even need sauce. But I did try the Bestie BBQ Sauce and it was pretty great with the pulled pork. For the sides I made sure to get something on the healthier/lighter side so I got the Cracker Mac, and the garlic and herb fries. The Mac was sooooo freakin' good. I wanted more. And the fries were golden and crispy. Just how I like them. The entire place is super cute, and the service was great. Salt + Smoke is wonderful and you should for sure get there if you have yet to! P.S.: Brisket.
(5)Katie H.
I recently returned. Part of me wants to drop them down to three stars because the service was so bad. We sat outside on a Wednesday around 8:30p and it rook entirely too long for anyone to even notice that we were there. The same thing happened waiting for drinks, and again waiting to order. The service didn't improve the whole night. However, I will refrain from dropping a star because I found more food that I'm crazy about! The Cheddar and Jalapeño Bologna does have quite a kick, but it also had so much flavor! I also tried the popovers they serve and was super impressed! From the outside it looks like a plain ol' boring popover. But it tears open so easily because it's SUPER SOFT on the inside - it melts in your mouth like butter!!
(4)Alyssa S.
I have no idea where to start. This place shouldn't stay in the Delmar loop for long... In just a year it has most definitely outgrown the space. The wait times can get excessive but they are always worth it. First, get the brisket. If you have a chance, get double the brisket. You don't need a knife and likely won't need sauce at all. The mustarolina on the table is good-looking but ask for their white BBQ sauce that isn't out on the table. Also, the deviled eggs appetizer is not your co workers pot luck contribution...... These are deliciously crafted deviled eggs with proper seasoning, topped with bacon. Get it. Worth it. While you're at it, pair a few fingers of bourbon with your meal. The Bowman options are really delicious. Ask for the bacon cheddar popovers. And St Louisans I know you're going to be mad... But they have some of the best toasted raviolis I've ever had... The only cons: Very limited wait time seating area. You can sit at the bar as well. Cracker Mac is a bit bland, but up against so much flavor... *Add the tangy sauce to your brisket chili.
(5)Annie N.
We went here for my boyfriend's birthday and it was great! They had a wide selection of different bourbons, as well as food. I really enjoyed their toasted raviolis! I had a brisket sandwich as my main course with a side of fries, and that was delicious! I would definitely recommend this place
(5)David W.
Sadly to say, compared to the other available bbq's in st louis, overall, this is not one of the best. Things that do stand out: FATTY BRISKET! wow this is good, super tender very good salty black pepper seasoning. solid, this is their go to thing to order here their default bread that comes (i forgot what it is called but its like a big fluffy bread muffin thingy) overall though, the other things: ribs were ok dry rub (they need a couple more hours to hit the meat falls off the bone style), fries were solid, mac n cheese was light with ritz crackers a different surprise, pulled pork was kinda bland, bologna jalapeno thingy was alright, baked beans were mediocre. SO if you do end up coming here. definitely beef brisket over everything else. Their option where you can order 2-4 things for a little more money is definitely worth it. Portions were good for that option. Overall : 4 star fatty Brisket : 5 star
(4)Cher C.
Nice little BBQ place on the strip of Delmar Loop. It was gorgeous weather so we asked to be seated outside, although there was a wait. I had the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese and my boyfriend had the brisket sandwich with brisket chili. Everything tasted pretty good. The mac and cheese had ritz crackers crumbled in it. That was a nice surprising touch. The portions looked small, but we definitely left full. If I was from the area, I would definitely try this place again.
(4)Steven B.
I guess every restaurant has a bad night. If this is true, then S+S had one last night. I'll admit, for a Tuesday night they were packed at 6:30PM and many of the tables were large parties. Our table was 10, next to us was a party of 14 and in the next room I could see tables of 6 and 8. However, that should not have effected the quality of service and food, but it did. As an appetizer I ordered the Smokey Wings to share with my friends. They were huge, meaty and definitely smokey. For some of my friends who tried them, they were too smokey, but they tantalized my taste buds. For my entree I choose the Brisket Plate which came with two sides. Eating low-carb, I selected the cole slaw and green bean and tomato salad as my sides. Their GBSS is always a winner for me. The cole slaw is a vinegar base which I favor over a creamy dressing. It's a simple slaw, cabbage only and the dressing, which makes it an easy accompaniment to BBQ. When ordering Brisket, I like the fact that they give you three different options. You can choose from; lean, fat or burnt ends. They even allow you to mix two of them. In the past, I have always loved their fork tender brisket. However, tonight when I ordered the lean and burnt ends, my brisket was dried out and tough. I had to apply pressure and saw like movements to break it into pieces. It was also overly SALTY. Salt may be in your name, but do not make it the primary flavor that I taste. I promised the roomie I'd bring home a plate for them to enjoy and almost backed out on my promise after eating my meal. I stayed with my promise and brought him home brisket with baked beans and mac-n-cheese. To my surprise and delight, his brisket was the fork tender that I had experienced on my earlier visits to S+S. As in my previous review, both the mac-n-cheese and pit beans are winners. I also, brought home a slice of pecan pie and in the words of my roomie, "This Pecan pie would make any Texan, proud." Which in translation is damn good. Service was friendly and they were willing to separate all the checks, which is always a nice gesture to a large group. However, service was slow, orders brought out by a variety of different servers and orders were mixed up with different sides. I think most of the problems tonight were in the kitchen, dealing with a full house and several large groups. I'll keep the issue with the bartender to myself, but it was a major flub up. I know S+S is better and am also confident they'll be back up to 5 Stars on my next visit. I hated to take them down a couple of stars, but had to be honest.
(3)Aaron B.
I know some people don't care for Salt+Smoke BBQ, but I say bring it on! Okay, so I didn't try their BBQ technically speaking...except 1 burnt end a kind dining partner shared with me that was amazing! But I did try their 2x bacon cheeseburger and was very pleased. It was super bacon-y and red-meaty with relatively thin patties for a 2x burger. I highly recommend it. They also have BOMB green bean salad. Craving that slim waistline? It's a great alternative to their southern alternatives that maybe be a little more...buttery. On top of great food, they have AMAZING bourbon drinks. I got a barrel aged Manhattan and it was super strong and made just right. I highly recommend Salt+Smoke for craft cocktails, they do it right. Also, don't be afraid to leave room for dessert. 5$ for some VERY chocolatey pie? Sounds like a deal to me! I'll be back and maybe try a plate of their traditional BBQ.
(5)John H.
I arrived approx. 6:30 PM with a group of 11 or 12, and by 7, the dining room looked packed, looking pretty good for a Tuesday night. Our server Dexter was as patient as a server can be in a noisy room with a large group representing diverse tastes and orders. I sampled quite a bit. -I started with a Smoked Wing, shared by Steven B. -I moved on to a Besties combo of Lean Brisket and Chicken, Sweet Pepper Potato Salad and White Cheddar Cracker (as in Ritz) Mac as my sides, accompanied by a Popover, which was a big airy muffin with bits of pepper - I think - in it. -The presentation was nice, and the popover added a little more verticality to it. -The meats were very good, and the sides were ok. -Somewhere in the middle, I sampled Burnt Ends, shared by Brian M. -I like the option of craft beer with my BBQ, and enjoyed the Civil Life American Brown Ale. -I ended with some ribs, shared by Paul K. in my take-home box. After thinking it over, I suppose the thing that puts me off most was the amount of spice rub on wing and ribs, too much for my taste. The association of BBQ with craft cocktails and bourbon doesn't score any additional points for me, though there's nothing wrong with it, if that's your fancy. I enjoyed the company and conversation, the meat minus spice rubs, and good beer. Thanks Brian M. for organizing!
(3)Skye M.
The food, service and atmosphere were absolutely fantastic!! The place was packed and our drinks were kept full. We had the wings and deviled eggs as an appetizer. I can't say enough about the wings! The brisket was the most flavorful, tender and juicy brisket I've ever had. The potato salad is better than grandmas! I had to take a bite of the hubby's fried jalapeño and Bologna sandwich. Sounds gross but it was delicious! I'm definitely a fan of this place. It's by far the best BBQ in town.
(5)Stacy H.
Let's get straight to it, shall we? The appeal of Salt+Smoke seems to be that it is a local sit down barbecue restaurant with cool atmosphere. The barbecue is not that great compared with some of the really awesome barbecue we have in St. Louis. Now for the details. This place has pretty awesome decor and atmosphere. You feel like you're out at a country picnic in a barn or something. Every person who works here seems to be wearing either chambray or plaid (oh and seems to be a hipster). They have a pretty neat cocktail list, but each cocktail is pretty pricey. The Salt+Smoke cocktail really is delicious. The food is just okay. We had a fried pickle appetizer which was odd because it had a mixture of pickle types--I did not think the sweet pickles went with the sauce. I had brisket and chicken and both were lacking in flavor and were sort of dry. My husband had ribs, and they were really good. They have a good choices for the sides. I recommend the mac n cheese--it is rich tasting but very good. One of the best parts of the meal is the popover roll that you get with your food. it is really delicious! The worst part of the experience was our server. She was there to take our order and then to give us the check--no checking in between. We even went on an unbusy week night. Our food was brought out by kitchen staff, which I know helps a restaurant flow, but it sucks because you don't get any interaction with your server. Also, they brought out our food almost right after we got our appetizer which makes you feel rushed through the meal.
(3)Sasha S.
We walked in with a party of 4 on a Saturday evening at 7pm and were almost immediately seated even though it was fairly busy so that was cool. The ambiance is nice. Kinda hipster bbq and bourbon. All of the staff was friendly and efficient. For our appetizer we ordered Fried House Pickles with flaxseed mayo - $6. They were good but didn't blow us away and some of the pickles were sweet pickles which none of us like. For my entree I had the Falafel Burger w/ Local sprouts, red pepper jam - $9 and ordered bbq sweet potato chips as the side. The burger was good enough but the chips weren't special and didn't taste like bbq but they were nice and crispy and there were plenty of them. The hubs ordered Pulled Chicken - $12 that came with a popover and for his sides he ordered garlic and herb fries and coleslaw. He said everything was fine but not awesome or anything. I did try the fries and they were SOOOO GARLICKY. Like scare away vampires garlicky. All in all everything was ok, we just weren't blown away. We would mos def go back but we may want to try some other places first.
(3)Brian M.
Salt + Smoke is a welcome addition to not only The Loop but also the already well-established Saint Louis barbeque scene. After just one meal I think Salt + Smoke already deserves a spot in the top five barbeque places in Saint Louis, it's just that good. Salt + Smoke is a more of an experience than some of the places which are order eat and leave. Let's start with the bar, the bartenders are great and their knowledge of bourbon is very deep, so they can recommend the best bourbon or bourbon inspired drink for you, or just get you a beer before your meal. I recommend making in a point to stop by the bar before your meal. You will notice on weekends that this place can get rather loud, and crowded so be prepared for a slight wait for your table. Once seated you will immediately notice the unique bottling for the bbq sauce on the table. My recommendation was the Hotangy and My Sweet Bestie, however the Mustardolina was pretty good too. Anyways for my meal I went with the Bestie Combo, which is two meats served with two sides and a popover, I went with the Brisket/Burnt Ends and Pulled Chicken with Pit Beans with smoked bacon and the White Cheddar Cracker Mac. Lets star with the meats, I went with the brisket and was presented with several choices on how it was prepared, I selected burnt ends, which were just that....burnt ends, they were perfectly cooked and full of sweet smokiness and paired perfectly with all three of the sauces. Next up was the pulled chicken was moist, juicy, and a slight smoky flavor again another perfect hit. Next up are the sides, I think that the White Cheddar Cheddar Cracker Mac, was almost the highlight of the meal. It was cheesy and full of taste without being overpowering. I highly recommend making this side part of your order! The Pit Beans with bacon were good too, the bacon added to the already tasty beans. Last but not least is the popover, what is a popover you may be asking? Well its essentially a light and airy roll cooked in a muffin pan that "pops" over the pan and become this large tasty creation. Its prefect to mop up some of that extra bbq sauce or to just enjoy on its own! Service is great, prices are fair, however their prices are slightly more than some of your more casual bbq joints in the city but trust me you will love the food and leave full! Overall Salt + Smoke hit the ground running and delivers some great food to an already diverse neighborhood, but best of all they have managed to elevate the already busy bbq scene here in Saint Louis!
(5)John W.
OUTSTANDING!!! This BBQ,Bourbon & Beer restaurant ( as they call it ) is great. The atmosphere is chill, a lot of wood w/ hardwood firewood stacked around. I enjoyed Brisket,Garlic & Herb Fries & White Cheddar Cracker Mac ( shell pasta w/ Ritz crackers crumbed on top ) The Brisket was lean,w/ a great flavor of hardwood smoke ( clearly not Liquid Smoke that cheaters use ) These people have an award winning recipe! The dish was served w/ a popover and a maple butter. The staff was friendly and fully present to provide great customer service. They're all dressed in flannel shirts, blue jeans and a welcoming smile. This place is located in University City ( U-City in the LOU ) across the street from Blueberry Hill & Vintage Vinyl.
(4)Adam R.
I had a besties combo which is two meats and two sides. The brisket was really tasty and cooked well. The ribs were mediocre and nothing incredible. Had Mac and cheese and potato salad for my sides. Potato salad tastes like the Wal*Mart version, it just didn't hit if off for me. The Mac and cheese was just that. Even with the crumbles on top, it didn't really help. I'd probably eat here again if someone invited me out, but I won't go on my own doing. It's not bad, it's just not "slap you in the face good".
(2)Jessica M.
I went to Salt & Smoke after visiting a friend's improv show at Blueberry Hill on a Friday night. It was about 10pm and we were a bit hungry and I had been dying to try Salt & Smoke....so this was the perfect opportunity. Since we weren't hungry for a full dinner, we just ordered drinks and appetizers/sides. Cheddar & Bacon Popovers: Very good but I hardly tasted the bacon that was supposed to be in the bread crust. But they were served fresh and warm. White Cheddar Mac & Cheese: Delicious. They used shell style noodles and it was completely covered in melty/gooey/creamy white cheddar cheese. Garlic & Herb Fries: Also delicious. The fries were the perfect combination of being soft, but not soggy and crispy, but not hard. The garlic & herb seasoning on the fries was flavorful and was further enhanced when dipped in their house BBQ sauces. The service at Salt & Smoke was fine. However the floor at the restaurant was really greasy! It was weird...at first I thought I had something on my shoes because I was having trouble keeping balance...but we noticed everyone had similar problems. I'm not sure what was causing the floor issues, but it needed a good mopping. I definitely want to visit Salt & Smoke again to try out their full lunch/dinner menu!
(4)Ryan M.
Stopped in on a holiday weekend for lunch with a small group and grabbed seats at the bar. The service was friendly and prompt, and they have a nice beer selection. I had a pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese--both good. Nothing totally out of the ordinary; but a solid place to go for a nice meal with friends or family. If I'm in the area again and had a hankering for bbq, I would definitely return.
(4)Jessika O.
Barbecue heaven friends. We did the research and asked around and were told to check out Delmar Loop. We had originally planned to go to a place closer to downtown, but I wanted to check out the Loop. We were heading in a restaurant across the street when we saw this place. The smell ultimately lured us in. As soon as we walked in, we knew this place was the right choice. For appetizers, we couldn't decide between pickles or hush puppies so we got both! Great choice. The maple butter paired with the hush puppies is perfection. They also have a variety of choices of bbq sauces at the table. The Hotangy is by far the best! For lunch, we got the bestie combo. We ordered brisket, ribs, and pulled pork with a side of macaroni and cheese and beans. The brisket was my favorite. My boyfriend loved the ribs. He was still tasting the smokiness of the ribs the next day, but he wasn't complaining. This place is a must-see in St. Louis!
(4)Alison W.
The brisket is the best in the city! Juicy, flavorful, and accompanied by perfectly-paired sauces - what more can one ask for? This classed-up version of a BBQ joint is a welcome relief from standing outside in line to get your BBQ fix ala Pappy's/Bogarts.
(4)Joe K.
Salt+smoke provides a cozy southern home atmosphere with a variety of drinks (especially whiskey) and BBQ. Food: $$ Definitely accurate on the name. I went for dinner and ordered the bestie. Got the brisket and ribs. Meat was slightly dry for me but definitely smokey, salty, and flavorful. Gave me a choice on picking lean, fatty, or burnt ends meat! For a side item, I recommend the Mac n cheese(you can get tomatoes and bacon in it). I liked their fries BC it comes w a heaping of mashed garlic. Brisket chilli was okay... Popover was great (toasted bread muffin) They also have falafel burgers for vegetarians. 3 types of sauces: mustarolina (mustard vinegar base), sweet n tangy, and salt+smoke house bbq Drinks: great selection with 8 beers on tap and beer bottles on menu. Tons of whiskey options from bourbon, rye,etc. Have your choice on 1 finger pour, 2 finger pour, etc. Ordered the apple barrel ($9) and was mixed well. Also had the pranqster beer (bottled)
(4)Jet S.
This place rocks! The food is good, the drinks are fantastic, and the service is outstanding. Plus, everyone is so sexy that works here!
(5)Elizabeth R.
I got a sense that this place is trying a little bit TOO HARD. It's just too hipster for me. Like really - and I wear stupidly big glasses every day. The food was honestly underwhelming except, interestingly, their green bean salad side dish. For me this stuck out as tasty because it was FRESH, light, simple and well done. It's green beans, grape tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil. This is the only local BBQ place that I know of that has a side that fresh. Like I said, the rest of the food was ok. Not bad, but definitely not anything earth-shatteringly good. Ok, I must also admit that the bacon I had on my sandwich was lovely. Thick and salty, full of umami. But then again, it's bacon, and you can't really go wrong with bacon.
(3)Melissa P.
I've been four times now, and every time has been really good. I'll say up front that I think Pappy's and Bogart's do meat better overall; however, I love S&S's pulled chicken and fatty brisket. (Pulled pork is good but not exceptional; never tried the ribs or bologna or fish.) The popovers you get with the plated food are fantastic, as are the deviled eggs (they have bacon!) and burnt end toasted ravioli. My only complaint about the deviled eggs: why is an order three? When you cut up two eggs you get four halves. Just make an order four. Their sides are freaking awesome. The white cheddar cracker mac should be in some sort of hall of fame. I love the garlic fries and the bbq sweet potato chips. The green bean salad is nice if you want a vegetable; very fresh and snappy. I don't eat slaw or potato salad so I can't comment on those. The beans are good for what they are but it's not my favorite style of bean. Not their fault. I don't love bourbon but I love their bourbon drinks. I've gotten lucky, I suppose, and had great service all four times.
(4)Amanda H.
I come from the heart of bourbon and BBQ country in Kentucky. So to see the wide variety of Bourbon and whiskey available here was awesome. May I recommend the Noah's Mill with a splash of water. The service was just as amazing as the food. The hush puppies with maple butter really stole the show, they were so light and flavorful! I will definitely be back!
(5)Emily W.
My dear sweet baby Jesus. I had one of the best lunches at Salt + Smoke. My husband and I ventured there after some Sunday afternoon shopping. We sat outside on one of the first warm days of the year. We got the "Bestie Combo" plate with the mac and cheese and fries. This maybe just a pet peeve of mine, but I hate when restaurants don't do french fries. Salt and Smoke did not disappoint-their fries were delicious. And the popovers? Incredible BUT nothing could prepare me for the main course. The brisket and pulled pork. Both so juicy, they literally melted in my mouth. I simply cannot wait to go back.
(5)Ben S.
This place is pretty well reviewed but I really didn't see it on my one and only visit thus far. I dined with a group of fellow Yelpers and certainly enjoyed their company even though I didn't love the restaurant. This place has a lot of reviews so I will keep it brief...3 ups and 3 downs: + Great location - there is just so much going on around there all the time. + Server was very friendly. + Half of the burnt ends ranked among the best I've ever had. - The other half of the burnt ends were among the worst I've ever had. So dry that they bordered on beef jerky. - Really loud, very breezy near the door plus no reservations just doesn't seem like a place I will go out of my way to dine. - Ribs and chicken wings were both so thoroughly coated in rub that you I couldn't taste the meat. Very, very salty also. There are a bunch of bbq places I want to try before I make it back here to see if I have a different experience. I may give them another shot but it will be awhile.
(3)Jess S.
Great food. Great service. Worth the wait. Save room for the chocolate pie....its awesome. Forget about sugarfire...
(5)Jenny J.
This is my favorite bbq restaurant in St. Louis. I recommend the delicious and flavorful hush puppies which are served with a fantastic maple bitter. The macaroni and cheese is definitely not the type I would normally eat. -it has crackers on top- but it is so amazing. Their fries are also very very good. I've had the pulled chicken, pulled pork, and brisket sandwiches and each were very good. The burnt ends of the brisket can be a bit salty though I also love their apple whiskey cocktail
(4)Paul K.
I have wanted to try this place since I first read about it. We had a UYE with a group of ten. The place was very crowded and it was Tuesday night. Good for them bad for us. I think we received about what I would expect as far as service. 10 people, 10 different orders, and 10 different checks. That is hard my friends. I ordered their Bestie Special. The special consisted of the following, beef brisket, bologna, and pork ribs. This dish also comes with two sides which were pepper potato salad and smoked beans. I took a taste of each side and did not need to go on. Was not my type of food. Nor my taste palate. In fact it was almost inedible. The rub they use at this BBQ place is very heavy. In fact it is so heavy you cannot see the meat on the ribs just the rub. I took one bite of the ribs and that was enough for me. No more. I took a taste of the smoked bologna and it was as dry as shoe leather, which leaves the brisket. Way to much rub so you could not taste the meat. I do not think this is typical of Salt and Smoke I caught them on an off night. But I can say in all honesty I don't see a reason to come back. I can say I have been there and tried that.
(3)Christine P.
Honestly the smells were better than the food. Every time I pass this place I think it smells absolutely delicious. Finally tried it and the wait was reasonable for a busy Saturday night for 2 people (25 minutes). The service was good and we were waited on almost immediately. The fried pickles were alright at best, interesting to try: they were a mix of sweet and sour pickles in an assortment of cuts. The mustard sauce that came with it was delicious. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side of the garlic fries. When the food came out it smelled deliciously of garlic, however tasted just alright. Weird that such potent smells were not accompanied by strong flavor. They had an assortment of sides to choose from that all look great (next time I'll probably try the Mac and cheese instead of the fries). Overall, the service and atmosphere were great. Smells 5/5, taste 3/5.
(3)Mel A.
I am usually skeptical about BBQ for the most part but I came here to try this place out very recently and if it wasn't for the fact that I just don't like how busy the Loop is, I would come here all the time. I tried their brisket and I really liked it. The meat pieces were seasoned enough that I didn't even need any of the sauces (although I do love their hot and tangy!) I tried their green beans and tomato salad which was okay but their parmesan and herb fries were quite delicious. The service was spot on. They were fairly busy but the food was brought over to the table quickly, drinks were plentiful, and they do have a wide variety of bourbons to choose from. I didn't try any but for those who are into bourbons, this would be a great place to try. I would love to come back again very soon!
(5)Austin Elizabeth H.
For lots of reasons, I highly suggest you skip Salt + Smoke on your next trip through the loop. First, the service left a lot to be desired. My boyfriend and I came to celebrate his birthday. The waiter ignored our table and passed us by many times throughout the meal. It took us roughly 20 minutes to order, 35 minutes to get our food, and another 20 to get our check. We ran out of water multiple times and had to wait lengthy periods for refills. The waiter was clearly aware that it was my boyfriend's birthday, as he ordered a beer and my boyfriend noted that it was his birthday when he pulled out his ID. Maybe I've been been spoiled by literally every restaurant I've ever been to, but I thought it was pretty strange that they did nothing to make the experience special for us. We spent more than $40 there, for just two people, on one of the worst meals I've had in a long time and the waiter didn't even say happy birthday to my boyfriend. He just said, "oh, that's neat" and walked away. The food was even more disappointing. My pulled pork sandwich was around 50% fat. There were straight up fat cubes in it. They are clearly using the cheapest cuts of pork available to them. It was too salty to finish, and tasted straight burnt. Not burnt like delicious burnt ends from Bogart's, but burnt like licking the layer of charcoal and old solidified fat from the bottom of a grill. Some of you may like that sort of thing, but I was not a fan at all! Their "baked beans" are also not baked beans. They're actually what people in the south refer to as Brunswick Stew (where the beans are whiter and the meat is completely chopped up, usually is made with bbq sauce, carrots, potatoes, and peas, and is AMAZING), but Salt + Smoke had the most horrible rendition I've ever had. It was just beans and extremely finely chopped meat, no veggies. Neither my boyfriend nor I could manage to eat more than a bite. Terribly bitter, like burnt grill char, with zero sweetness or tanginess. Basically a bowl of charcoal. Their smoke flavor was also not what I was anticipating. I expected, you know... good barbecue. A light kiss of woody, earthy, delicious hickory, apple, or other smoke. Theirs was more like THRICE BURNT GRILL SCRAPINGS. The taste permeated all the food except the potato salad. Their potato salad was the only thing I liked at all, and the vinegar flavor was still almost too pervasive to be passable. Their fried pickles were weird too. Randomly shaped (not sliced thin, how southerners do it) and they used different varieties of pickles (fried sweet dill? Bleh). The breading was soggy and meh, as was the dipping sauce. I'd take Bogart's, Pappy's, or Adam's over Salt + Smoke any day. Salt + Smoke was a new low for us both in the St. Louis barbecue scene. Granted, there's plenty of flavor to be had here, but not any that you couldn't find by licking any dirty grill in the city. I feel bad saying that, and you don't have to agree with me about it, but there's my honest opinion.
(1)Sean W.
No question, this is one of the best BBQ joints I have been too! Everything was perfect! I had the Ribs with Mac-n-cheese and Green Bean; and they were all delicious! The roll they give you is like none I have ever had. I don't go to St. Louise often, but when I do, I will eat here!
(5)Rachele B.
Everything about this place is great. The atmosphere is like new age BBQ joint and the staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable. I had the pulled chicken with pimento cheese and sweet corn relish which was to die for! The creamed corn side isn't really my thing but my boyfriend liked it. He has the brisket and loved it. The meat was juicy and tender on both of our sandwiches. We made reservations which I strongly recommend, the place is packed! Their signature cocktails are also very good.
(5)Vincent M.
I came here with some high expectations based on the Yelp reviews, plus the recommendations of some coworkers. While the food was good, it didn't live up to what I had hoped for. I started with the hush puppies. I thought they had a good consistency, savory (but not overly salty) flavor, but were slightly drier than I would have preferred. Just my own personal preference. For my meal, I went all in on the BBQ. I got the sampler with pulled chicken, pulled pork, brisket, ribs, the popover, French fries, and the mac & cheese. I'll start with the good. The mac & cheese and popover were very good. The mac had a thick, cheesy sauce and the pasta was cooked to a great consistency. The popover was huge, light, buttery, with a nice, crunchy cheese top. Going with ok, the fries, ribs, and pulled pork. So the fries might be a bit better than average. Out of the meats, the pulled pork was juiciest. The ribs were very dark with a good bark on them. I prefer ribs that have a little pull to them and don't just fall right off the bone (again, preference. I find that they can be overlooked). These had a nice little tear to them. The "eh"... Brisket and the chicken. So the chicken didn't have anything wrong with it per se, but it definitely didn't say BBQ at all. Didn't look to be particularly smoked in any way and didn't have much flavor to it. The pieces that appeared to be from white meat were a bit dry. The brisket was a little confusing. While not a lean cut, it seemed drier than a fatty cut should be. Again, not much of a smoky flavor. I appreciate a restaurant that doesn't try to hide mediocre BBQ by pre-saucing, but this BBQ did require sauce because (other than the ribs) it lacked seasoning and a smoky flavor. Overall, the atmosphere of this place was nice, but the BBQ didn't strike me as particularly memorable.
(3)Michael B.
Madison is an high energy waitress even at 10 O'clock at night, smiling and helpful, the food is outstanding and the ambiance is awesome! The fact I can get the hang of it and the rest of the year and the rest of the year and the rest of my favorite part of the day before I get a follow back on my way home and the rest of my favorite part of the day before I get a follow back on my way home and the rest of my favorite part of a sudden it was the best of the year of high quality of life!
(5)Dane H.
Drinks and food were phenomenal. Best brisket I've had. Great ambiance. Can't go wrong here if you're hanging out on the loop. Added note: if you are a whiskey lover, they had a 4 or 5 page list to choose from. Even if you don't care much for whiskey, they make some great cocktails that might change your mind. Enjoy!
(5)Lydia L.
I love meat, so this was high on my list of places to try. This Tom Schmidt restaurant is filling a much needed BBQ void on the loop. It's already more popular than Nico. We didn't drink here, so this is strictly a food review. I would think upscale picnic: gingham napkins, sauce in fancy containers, but this is table service...no lining up and ordering your meat then walking to your table with a big tray of food. I love the unique containers, but they're kind of a mess to pour from, and I can't imagine the staff likes cleaning the rims every night. They also aren't labeled anymore, and our server didn't tell us what they were. The food: Tried the pulled pork, ribs, and brisket...and I would rank them in that order as well. The pulled pork is super moist and tender. The mustard sauce was probably the most flavorful and unique. The vinegar based "hot" sauce was fairly bland, and the original/sweet sauce was fine. Quite frankly, the ribs don't compare to Pappy's/Bogart's/Adam's. The meat wasn't falling off the bone, I have to gnaw on this until every ounce of meat is devoured. I only ate half of a half slab, and I LOVE ribs. The brisket was dry, and it doesn't match Sugarfire. The portions are solid; I ordered the Bestie combo and took half home. Mac and cheese- a good go-to side with just enough flavor from the sharp cheddar and crunch from the cracker topping. Slaw- vinegar based and a good accompaniment to the bbq Popover- sad panda. We never got them. I think our server just forgot. They looked good from a distance. Overall, this restaurant will survive, but I'll continue to venture elsewhere for my 'cue.
(3)Ale O.
Best brisket in St Louis. Seriously. This place is amazing. They've entered a tough BBQ scene and came out on top. Well done. Tom and his team have incredible range. The place jumps from Italian to BBQ and they nail it. Starting as you walk in the door, the place has a ling bourbon list, barrel aged cocktails. Not a ton of beers but a good list. The only thing I'm left asking is: 'where is the super high end bourbon list?' It's a big room with a lot of tables but it fills up. Take this into consideration. The menu is great. I haven't had anything I thought was meh. The real outlier however is the brisket platter. Trust me. Order it and ask for the fatty brisket. Unlike the sandwich, when you order the platter you get to choose whether you prefer burnt ends or fatty. Fatty is the right decision. The sides are great. Everything is great. Find parking. Find a table. Everything else will go smoothly.
(5)Francis J.
I love their combos, and I blame them for my weight :) Really great experience.
(5)Jennifer C.
First off, this review is waaay late :) and to be fair, the 4 Star is primarily for 2 components of my meal: the fries and the drink. Salt & Smoke specializes in Bourbon and Whiskey drinks, yes they have a full bar, but do yourself a favor and stay with the specialty. I tried the Salt + Smoke and when I say awesome, I mean it. I had 2 this particular evening and for $10 a pop, it had to be good! Now, even though the smoked meats smelled outstanding, my silly self opted for the BLTwith Garlic & Herb fries. The fries, oh the fries...very very good. They are in my top 10. The BLT...meh...wasn't anything to write home about. I absolutely will opt for smoked meats the next time I visit.
(4)Neil A.
The BBQ and rubs are amazing. Pulled meats and the STL-style ribs are definitely worth trying, and their sauce has an awesome unique flavor. I'm a sucker for mac 'n' cheese, and S&S definitely delivered. We went in on a Saturday night and waited for a short bit, around 35 minutes, which wasn't bad at all considering how crowded it was. There's a small (and crowded) bar behind the maitre d that has a great variety of whiskeys and a few, good beers on tap. This isn't the type of bar you can go in and just relax at; it's way too small and way too packed with other groups waiting to be seated. It's a nice addition for people waiting though. After we were seated service was great. The staff was busy so they weren't chatty, but everyone was courteous and extremely efficient. We all expressed a sort of shock at how fast we got our food. Overall good experience that begs for multiple visits.
(5)Angela M.
Great addition to the Delmar restaurant scene, and a place we will return to. Started out sitting on the sidewalk, but the construction craziness and exhaust from cars/trucks crawling down Delmar forced us inside for a calmer, quieter dinner, which was a good move. Celebrated my husband's birthday here with our 2 sons, who are major ribs kids, and Salt + Smoke did not disappoint. Thumbs up from both of our ribs kids! My husband and I, both major brisket fans, gave that a try, and was that a good decision! Sides were great (mac n cheese!) , as were cocktails. Did not stick around for dessert, as Serendipity ice cream was calling our name, but will definitely be re-visiting this establishment. A little more of a "go-out", trendy environment, compared to most other bbq joints in town, which is a welcome quality when out on a "date night" or looking for good bbq in the evening.
(5)Alice S.
Salt and Smoke accommodated our wedding party of 12 in good time and with lovely service. We really enjoyed the food and there was plenty of it!! Next time I'm going to have a bourbon too!!
(5)Daryl H.
I had incredibly high expectations going in and was ready to be let down, but my expectations were not only met but exceeded! Salt + Smoke was packed on Saturday night. We waited at the bar for almost thirty minutes before getting our seats. We started with the burnt end toasted ravs which were much better than I expected. I am not from St. Louis so toasted ravs aren't that big of a deal to me, but the burnt ends stuffed inside that fried dough is genius. Our mains arrived quickly. I had the brisket with mac and cheese and sweet potato chips. My wife had the ribs with fries and cole slaw. Everything was amazing including the sweet BBQ sauce. There isn't much I can say to explain how good this meal really was. The wine wasn't cheap so my wife had the cider which ended up being one of the best she has had. I got to try three different bourbons including a rye. This was another part of the evening at Salt + Smoke that just pushed the entire evening over the top. Bourbon and BBQ are a great combination! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Nate L.
Ribs are the tell all. If your ribs aren't on point then you're just grillin. Unfortunately for the folks at Salt n Smoke, the ribs fell a bit short. Hey, when you're spoiled rotten like we are with Adam's Smokehouse, Pappys, and others, it's sometimes hard to measure up. Still. Good fries I think and other stuff too. Just not good enough to unseat the Kings. But it's not a competition right? No this is just life. Ribs are life. Don't ever settle! Service good. Ambiance, well it's the loop. You either love it or you don't. I happen to love it. So. Yeah.
(3)JT W.
The brisket is among the best I've had! We ordered a combo with brisket and ribs, I started with the brisket and can only have one rib after that. (The ribs are also very tender and tasty, the portion is just huge!) The whole experience is great, service is prompt and friendly. My aunt likes it so much that she wanted to pack the leftover and take it to San Francisco with her, and she did.
(5)Heather L.
I have made two visits to salt n smoke now. I can't really say that the food was bad but both times now they have been out of something I wanted to try. First the ribs second chicken. How do you run out of chicken?! I talked up this place saying the food was good but my second visit wasn't as memorable as the first. The service needs to be a little more knowledgeable especially considering the size of the food menu. Liquor is a little more understandable with the size of that menu. I'm not saying I won't go back but I'm not saying I can't wait to go back. At least give it a try.
(2)Ed S.
Had a very stuffing meal here! Was drawn in by the smell of BBW wafting down the street as we walked by. Was seated promptly on a cold Wednesday night even though the place seemed very packed with patrons. Service was great! Nice selection of whisky and bourbon. We ordered pulled chicken and a brisket dinner after an amazing appetizer of chicken wings. Did not disappoint. The chicken wing appetizer was almost 4 chicken quarters! LOL! Geez it was a lotta meat!! Stop in if you're in the area and get ur BBQ on!
(5)Scott H.
I went here on a Saturday night around 7:30. Man, it was crowded! Salt + Smoke seems like it's shooting for the feel of an Austin, TX BBQ spot with its decor, blackened ribs, hipster bartenders and bourbon selection. The host and hostesses up front were very kind. My ribs were good, as were my sides (white cheddar mac & cheese and sweet potato BBQ chips), but I didn't care for the popover that came with the meal. It was bland. I would rather have had no popover and more chips and mac & cheese. Salt + Smoke is a good restaurant, but I'll only go back during an off-peak time when it's not so crowded.
(4)Harrison S.
Best beef brusque I have ever had in my life. The ribs are also good but the brusquely is the way to go. The slow cooked wings are a great appetizer. Only issue I have are the sides. I live the cracker Mac and the creamed corn but the others are lacking. The drink selection is also fantastic. Incredible selection of whiskey and a nice assortment of fun cocktails to go along with great whiskey selection.
(5)Jack T.
This and Pappy's/Bogart's are putting out the best BBQ outside of KC. Salt + Smoke also has a really nice ambiance and location in the loop. And, though hearing it is usually a sign of mediocre BBQ, they really do have standout sides. Full drink menu as well.
(4)chelsea b.
We we're really excited to try this place but pretty let down. First, the place was so hot. That is one of my biggest pet peeves, I cannot eat while I'm sweating. At first glance, the place looks awesome. The wood shelves lined with whiskey etc. had my boyfriend drooling. We ordered our drinks, a beer for him and a wine for me. A white wine that was barely chilled, not helping the heat issue. A few minutes later we ordered our appetizers; they arrived in about 15 minutes. The hush puppies were amazing, delicious, fluffy, warm & flavorful. The butter they came with is a little dish of heaven. The pop-overs were....awkward? They are described as bacon & cheddar...I don't think so. Not at all. We split one, dipped it in the mustard sauce on the bar, which was yummy. The second one went home to the dog. Once our food came, neither of the three people behind the bar checked on us again. My boyfriend sat with an empty beer, was never offered another and never had a moment to order his whiskeys. Our dirty plates & glasses were left lingering in front of us while the three workers, laughed, ate and one played on their phone. After being blatantly ignored, we decided not to order the dinner we had planned and just leave. After being ignored even longer ( the place was not busy, there were 4 of us at the bar total) we finally got our check and left. I'm sad because I wanted to taste the mac n cheese and burger and so many other things, but it just won't happen. No one is too trendy for good service.
(2)Morgan G.
My mother and I came here the other day. Such a rustic feel. It was AWESOME. The food was great and our server was extremely friendly. I recommend this restaurant to anyone and everyone, you can't go wrong!
(5)Tammy D.
Stopped in here on a business trip and LOVED it. Great service. Excellent food. I had the pulled pork with some beans, fried pickles, and a yummy popover. And their cocktails are just as good. I had the salt + smoke, okay maybe two of them. I highly recommend this place. It's on Delray Street which is also a great street for wandering around.
(5)Julissa C.
Great food! The bartenders are awesome! If you love bourbon and ribs this is the go to place! I'm from Florida, I visit Illinois for work and this is my second time here! I love this place!
(4)Wintaye G.
I was really disappointed with my trip to Salt + Smoke today. Placed and order for pickup and was told it'd be 20-30 minutes. It took over an hour and I had to badger the bartender and waitresses to check on my order. The bartender basically ignored me the entire time I was there and gave me someone else's order first. If I hadn't checked it, I would have left and both and I another customer would have gotten the wrong order. When they did get me my order, it was missing a side. The service was unbelievably bad. This really surprised me because I've been here many times before and was always treated really well and received friendly prompt service. The food: wings were dry, overcooked. Not great. I remember them being much better last time I had them. The brisket was really good (though I asked for lean brisket and got the fattiest piece I've ever had). The sides were reliably good. The Mac and cheese is always delicious and didn't disappoint today. The fries were limp (but I'll chalk that up to my choosing to take out) but the flavor was good. Overall, very disappointing. There are too many good bbq places in St. Louis to have to deal with the truly awful service I received today. I don't think I'll be coming back.
(1)D B.
Great food, reasonable prices. Well Brisket was better than I've had in Texas, ribs and chicken were delicious too.
(4)Caitlin T.
Food and drinks are amazing every time. I've tried the pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese and different type of bourbon. All were fantastic and service is great as well. I can smell it from a block away and always satisfies lunch or dinner cravings. Great job!
(5)Byron C.
If you've spent time in the Delmar Loop in the past year or so, perhaps you've had the experience of stumbling out of Blueberry Hill, barely upright, only to be bombarded by the smell of barbecue coming from this place, directly across the street. Salt + Smoke keeps its smoker in a parking lot on the side of its building, not far from a statue of Chuck Berry. It might be the single most American stretch of pavement in all of St. Louis, especially since they got rid of the Church's Chicken down at Delmar and Skinker. Walking past, I'm half tempted to lick the ground beneath it, like a dog, to see if it tastes like barbecue. If I were homeless, I'd curl up in the fetal position and sleep next to it. The radiant heat, in addition to the warm feeling I get inside from the very idea of barbecue, might be enough to get me through even the harshest winters. It's probably for the best that this place is both a little bit rich for my blood and not open at 1 AM anyway. Last night, I hit Salt + Smoke to celebrate the big 3-4. I'm officially older than Jesus. I get there at 5 PM, as agreed upon, and my mom and my little brother are already there. They're very prompt people. The waitress hands me a menu and asks if I'd like anything to drink. I take a look at the menu, and it's umpteen pages long, all different kinds of whiskey. There may have been more than a hundred of them. Who even knew there were that many different kinds of whiskey? I don't even drink whiskey, but I like the idea of having a nice, stiff glass of dark liquor with my barbecue. It seems like it might increase my testosterone, which is important now that I'm getting a little bit older. I wanna make sure all of my "levels" are holding steady. There was one page with a few cocktails made from whiskey. I ordered the one that seemed like it might taste best, called the Tennessee Rose. It tasted like whiskey with just the faintest whiff of ginger ale or something and a thin sliver of an orange peel in it. I was glad the alcohol wasn't too watered down. Because I got there on time and because I spent so much time marveling at the drink menu, I forgot to order an appetizer. This was a tragic mistake: they have chicken wings. Barbecue places almost always have good chicken wings. Vernon's has good chicken wings. Even WildSmoke had good chicken wings. I was told before I got there not to bother with anything other than the fatty brisket. Not that the rest of the meat is bad, but the brisket is especially good, says my little brother. I guess you get to choose between fatty and lean brisket -- I didn't spend much time looking at the menu, since my choice had been made for me. I used to work at Super Smokers back in the dark ages, and there was no choosing the amount of fat on your brisket. We'd cut the fat cap clean off of a brisket and just toss it and serve the meat part. I still shudder at the thought. The thing is, we charged by the pound, and that place was frequented by the kind of people who would complain if there was visible fat on their meat. Pause. I'm pretty much the exact opposite. Bring me enough fat, and I might do that thing where I demand the waitress bring me the chef so I can pay him a compliment. (I've seen that done in movies.) I might shed a single tear. Alas, there wasn't as much fat on this meat as you'd think, for something called fatty brisket. It was (ahem) moist and tender, which would lead me to believe that it was well-marbled, to the extent that brisket can be well-marbled, but there was no huge, thick, superfluous layer of fat, like on the steak John Candy ate in The Great Outdoors. Shit! Was it the best brisket I ever had? Maybe. What do I know? I've had brisket at a few places, all here in St. Louis. It was definitely good. Their side game is on point. Free with the entree, you get something called a popover. Don't toss this aside like the free saltines they give you at Tucker's Place. This thing is FN delicious. It's some sort of roll that's flaky like a croissant and ever so slightly gooey at the center -- but not accidentally, like an undercooked biscuit at Hardee's. It's meant to taste like that. :) Eight-year-old that I am, I went with fries and macaroni and cheese as my sides. These were really good too. The macaroni is shells with white cheddar sauce and huge, gnarly bits of Ritz cracker. There may have been an entire Ritz cracker in mine. I was impressed, at least theoretically. The fries are like something M.I.A. would eat now that she's married to someone from the Seagram's family. I polished off the entire thing in like eight seconds flat, in part because it was really good and in part because the servings are kinda small. I guess there's only but so much brisket they can give you for $15. They might consider supplementing that with anything they've been getting rid of either because it's unsightly or because it's technically considered offal. I'll take it out in the parking lot, if necessary.
(4)Jessica W.
My first thought, when I heard Salt+Smoke was opening, was "do we really need another BBQ restaurant in St. Louis??" Well, we may not NEED one, but I'm glad S+S is around. I've only ever tried the pulled pork sandwich, but that's because it's so good I haven't felt the need to venture out. It's served with cole slaw, homemade pickles, and your choice of side (I recommend either the fries or the mac and cheese). The weak link here are the sauces--the sweet sauce is the only one worth trying (IMHO) and though it's good, it's nothing spectacular. The rest were pretty meh. Overall, it's a welcome addition to the Loop!
(4)Sean M.
This was a fun place for us. We loved the ribs with the sauces being a great way to mix up the flavored. The brisket was very tender and I'd order it again but my wife thought it was a bit fatty for her liking. The potato salad was delicious but I was dissatisfied with the Mac and cheese.
(4)Megan C.
The brisket melts in your mouth. The service was good, the food was good, and you leave smelling like a smoked piece of meat. Yum!
(5)Aaron O.
Come for the side dishes and take them to your favorite good BBQ joint. Many times you find a BBQ joint that has amazing BBQ and poorly executed sides that are almost an after thought. All I can say is that Salt + Smoke should quit making BBQ and just make their business supplying side dishes to the many better BBQ places in the St. Louis area. It started off pleasantly with a crowded house and expecting a wait, but the front of house staff was nice enough to push two tables together to sit my wife and sons and I almost immediately on a dinner night out to celebrate their end of school year. We ordered a fairly simple selection of two burnt end brisket sandwiches, one double cheese burger with bacon, and a fish sandwich along with an appetizer of their fried brisket ravioli. The first clue that the night wasnt going to go well was when I asked my son how he wanted his burger and the waiter said that they only cook burgers one way and thats medium well. Not sure how you can run a BBQ joint and not offer burgers cooked to order temp wise. The rest of the order was straight forward with nothing customized or altered from their menu. The wife ordered a Moscow Mule for a drink and I ordered a simple scotch. We ended up waiting a fairly good amount of time for the appetizer to come out. The filing was dry and lacked any sauce and the dough was too thick which lead to a taste that was doughy more than anything else. No flavor of the brisket came through, and the parsley sprinkled on top was tossed with what we originally thought was parmesan cheese but turned out to be what tasted like finely diced raw garlic. Before we each finished one ravioli the rest of the meal was served, which makes me wonder if the food was left at the counter sitting before it came to us as the difference in time between getting the appetizer and then the main dishes was vastly different. The brisket on my order was cold lacking any cooking temperature what so ever, and my sons burger was well beyond medium well and the cheese on it was cool and hardening. The wife said her fish was good but nothing special. The only real good thing across all four dinner plates was the side dishes. The slaw that the wife and I had was very tasty and had full thin slices of apple that really help the overall flavor. The boys had white cheddar mac and cheese that was cooked nicely and had a wonderful flavor that when accented with a dash of pepper was even better. Since its not really a bar I wont spend much time on this one, but any place that serves a Moscow Mule in a plain glass should have their liquor license revoked. Enough said there. Salt + Smoke produced some great side dishes and some great sauces and I would gladly have them supply condiments to any BBQ joint in St. Louis, but outside of that the rest of the meal feel flat and was greatly a disappointment for the price.
(1)Charlotte S.
This place is fantastic! My husband said the ribs = Memphis style! Perfectly cooked. The deviled eggs were like something I've never tasted. They were nested on pimento and cheese! The kids had the Mac and Cheese and I could have eaten it all! Luckily they let me taste. I had the falafel burger with pepper jam. A special attest! My son had the fried jalapeño and Bologna and brisket. I loved the Bologna. The place was very crowded and had a fun atmosphere. The staff was very competent, quick and attentive. Definitely going back soon!
(5)Liz S.
Went here on a busy, hot Saturday night. We called ahead for a party of 6 (4 adults and two babies, but the babies car seats take up a table space). Pro's: great food. The pulled pork was a bit salty, but the brisket was killer. The burnt ends T-Ravs were incredible as was the mac n cheese. I will be back for those! Con's: There are a few. The floor is extremely slick. We watched customer after customer stand up to walk in/out/to the restroom and catch themselves before slipping. This is dangerous!! There is no baby changing station in the restrooms. This is unfortunate as I looked around and saw multiple families with small children dining. Either install a stand-alone changer, a large storage ottoman/bench or a pull-down changer. The back restroom was HUGE and could certainly accommodate one. I just think it's bad for business to not have a changing station anywhere in the restaurant, especially with other family-friendly restaurants across the street and next door. I had to change my baby on the FLOOR in the restroom. gross. It was extremely loud with the music blaring. The space has plenty of ambiance, the music could have been turned down. It was hard to have a conversation across the table! It was also VERY hot in the restaurant. Also, the system went down at the end of our meal, so we had to wait to pay. Not a big deal (the babies were being excellent!), but we had no place to hurry off to. Our waiter was nice and brought the guys a beer (to split) on the house while we waited.
(3)Megs M.
We have been wanting to try this place for awhile now but every time we attempted to go it was a Monday and they are closed on Mondays. Non the less, we finally got to try it last night and lets just say the wait was worth it! Not only was the atmosphere fun and unique, service was fast and friendly and the food was beyond delicious! As far as St. Louis bbq places I can easily say this is in my Top 3 bbq places! :)
(5)Patt C.
My girlfriend and I went for lunch. We both got a plate, which includes two sides and a popover. She got pulled pork ($12). I got pulled chicken ($11). We both got the same sides: white cheddar cracker mac, and green bean and tomato salad. They had three sauces on the table: My Sweet Bestie, White BBQ and Mustarolina. I tried them all on my finger. They were fine. But the chicken was great by itself. Moist and smoky. My girlfriend's pork was infused with tarragon. I found that interesting for a smoked meat. She found it awful, as she HATES tarragon. She gave me a taste of if, and it was full of some herb, and I didn't care for it. She didn't eat it. The sides: the white cheddar cracker mac tasted OK, but it was dry. Too much topping. The green bean and tomato salad was good. And the popover . . . I have no idea what it was. I took a taste, and that was it. Service was incredibly slow. Yes, he came by to fill my water glass. But it was an agonizingly long lunch. I took home half of my chicken and half of my macaroni.
(2)Shinwa C.
They aren't lying about salt and smoke, really sum up the BBQ ribs I had. This is dry and cover with season. Not the best BBQ I have.. Overall not a bad experience tho. Pappy's is still hand down the best stl BBQ u can get. But if u ever drive through Kansas you have to stop by Kansas City Joe's BBQ!!
(3)Brianne G.
I can understand the ribs not really being "my style." If you enjoy St. Louis-style ribs with a really smoky, peppery rub (layered on THICK), you will love these ribs. I thought the meal would redeem itself in the side dishes. I tried the creamed corn and pit beans. Both were sub-par. The creamed corn was thinned out and my pedestrian palate craved sweeter pit beans. The service was not great. Seating was fast, but you're likely to get more attention if you sit inside. The menus were filthy. That all said, I *MIGHT* go back. For the chicken wings. I could add a couple stars to this review if the wings do it for me.
(2)Harley B.
Wow what a busy establishment very impressive! Table was ready at reservation time. In my opinion this place is way too crammed pack. The food was all overcooked. We had the ribs and chicken and deviled eggs.The prices are insanely high in my opinion. We will not come back.
(2)Kathryn W.
I love Salt + Smoke. I'm a student at WashU so it's a short walk from campus that I frequently make. The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is perfect for a good time. My suggestion? Get the Mac and cheese. It's my favorite thing on the menu and I devour it first with every meal I get. I wouldn't come by myself, but this is a great place to spend an evening with friends.
(5)Kel Vin W.
Great location! Can't have too many BBQ joints around! We started out with the smoked wings. They were large, juicy and well cooked through. Certainly get the smoke flavor, other than that, it was chicken, but the tangy-ranch sauce that it comes with made up for it. I got the ribs (which is my marker of any BBQ place). I get that it's a different style, the dry rub, smoked (not mob sauce-fall off the bone type). But the top layer was way too dry, almost like chewing on jerky. The dry rub was very peppery, and smokey, which were all I tasted. Again, the BBQ sauces came to the rescue. I really like their trio of sauces, a Carolina-Mustard mix, a sweet-vinegary house blend and a spicy one. My girlfriend got the pulled chicken sandwich which came on a generous bun with corn slaw and sauce. The sides were ok, the bacon and cheddar popover was large and airy, mild flavor. The BBQ bacon beans were somewhat flat, needed more punch. The mac and cheese needed a more flavorful cheese.
(3)Michelle S.
Salt + Smoke was amazing. We went on a Saturday around 6:30, it took about 20 minutes to be seated. It was crowded, but well worth the wait. Our waiter was amazing, Dylan! My husband and I split a bestie combo, great brisket, fall off the bone ribs. We also tried the deviled egg appetizer and hush puppies. We will be back to try the BLT as recommended by Dylan. All around great experience. Not sure what previous reviewers were talking about with their complaints. This will be our new go to STL BBQ place.
(5)Tommy C.
Food was amazing, the ribs were fall off the bone amazing and the white sauce with the toasted ravioli burnt ends fantastic! Liquor selection was expansive. Waitress was top notch and knew her stuff, this is a must stop when visiting St Louis!
(5)Kat V.
Came here for a UYE tonight. The vibe was great. Very open & airy inside. The food was so-so. I got the brisket sandwich with fries. The garlic & herb fries were delish! Perfect amount of seasonings. The brisket was incredibly salty. I wanted to put the darn thing in some water to get the salt out (or in some kind of dialysis bag). The tobacco onions tasted & looked like french fried onions. The sauces offered needed a bit more variety. I like the fact that they put the bottles of sauces on the table. The sweet-n-tangy sauce was meh to me. I have had better. This place puts the capital "S" in salt. Indeed, there was salt in the brisket. A lot of salt! Service was okay. Attentive, but I had to ask twice for some ketchup.
(3)DeAnna K.
When you first enter the restaurant, it smells fantastic. Started with the toasted ravs and hush puppies. Both were great. Ordered a combo plate of pulled chicken & brisket, with mac n cheese & bbq pit beans. Both meats were tasty, but each portion size was about the palm of my hand. The mac n cheese was decent, but the pit beans tasted watered down, but I'd be willing to go back to try other items.
(3)Delbert H.
This my first time. The service was very quick. Even with a busy Saturday crowd in the loop. For only one it was quick. It has a great sidewalk area . Where you can watch the busy loop. There price a little high for the portion you receive but make up with Smokey favor. I would recommend everyone to try it
(4)Tony L.
Awesome place. Came here on a Sunday afternoon. The service was great. Food came really quickly. Price is acceptable. Had a pull pork sandwich. It was great! Had a great texture, well smoked, and tasty sauce. Highly recommend this place
(4)Cat U.
I brought my parents here when they were in town and it was the perfect choice! The barbecue is very good and the entrees aren't too expensive for the amount of food you get! It's also located in a great spot in the loop so it's easy to get to and not too far from downtown. I definitely recommend salt +smoke
(4)Jen J.
Very cute place, light and airy, with modern rustic flourishes; The fried pickle was delicious. I liked that they didn't bread the pickles too many layers as most places tend to do; My brisket sandwich was good but the brisket, which should be one of the stars of a BBQ joint, was too dry; luckily the "wet" burnt end mayo (which was very tasty) helped compensate for the dry meat. HUGE bourbon list! Was this the best BBQ in town? Not even close (from a first visit), but this doesn't matter; Salt + Smoke is here to stay. I don't even remember the restaurant that used to be in its place, but a dressed up BBQ joint is just what this loop needs. Did I say they have a huge bourbon list?
(4)Jon T.
This was my third visit to S+S in about three months. I had good experiences the first two times and this time with Aunt Annie in town, we decided to see how they hold up to the consistency test. We went for lunch and arrived a little before noon. I would say they may not have been completely discovered yet. The place was not busy on a weekday. It did fill up somewhat before we finished our meal. We were seated promptly and had a polite, professional and knowledgeable server. Salt + Smoke has been consistently good over the three visits. This time we tested; ribs, brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All were very good to excellent. The ribs were perfectly done with a good rub, perfect salt and very nice smoke. They stack measure up well against any that I have had in St Louis and would compete well in Memphis. These are the style I prefer, smoked not grilled. The brisket was again very good. I ordered fatty and it was not excessively so, but was moist, tender with a flavorful bark, good peppery rub and plenty of smoke. The rub can be plenty salty, it should be eaten with the meat as you go. Repeating myself, I am not a knee-jerk pulled pork fan because so little of it is done well. On this day, it was done well. I think it is the first time I have had it here. It was shredded and was moist and flavorful. I can't say I have had better in St Louis, but I do know I have had a lot that is much worse. This did not suffer from being the usual big hunks of dry roasted pork. The pulled chicken was exactly as last time. It was smoky, moist and very flavorful. Ms T has made this her thing to order here, I think. Sides at S+S are generally better than average. Mac 'n' cheese is white cheddar on shells and certainly not something out of a Kraft box. The potato salad is dressed with a mayo based dressing. It matches my taste except for the large hunks of potato. The pit beans were again very good. These are savory beans, not sweet, with a lot of smoked meat shreds. On this day they did not need salt. I really like these. It is nice to get something that was not just dumped out of a can with some brown sugar added. These are clearly made in house and I believe, cooked from dry navy beans. I would pass on the slaw with red onion and apples. It is bland and just not what I want. Forget the apples, omit the onion and work on a tangy dressing with some heat. Ms T again liked the green bean and tomato salad. She thought the dressing was different than last time. I thought it looked over-dressed a bit. I am raising to five stars. I said last time, that I might. The added star is for consistency across four smoked meats, which is quite an achievement. It is nice to have the meats all moist and salted just right. Having some very good sides also helps. The popovers are a nice change from a slice of light bread or sugary corn cake. It all adds up to the best place (that I have tried) for barbecue in St Louis right now. I hope they can maintain the consistency.
(5)Fred M.
Outstanding! Finally, we were able to get in. We went @ 4:30 because they've been Slammed every other time we tried. Absolutely some of the best brisket and pulled pork I've ever had. You must try the Mustard BBQ Sauces. I was not aware of such a product, and found it to be delicious! We will be back!
(4)Pari M.
Went here for a team lunch. Seating was quick. We started with hushpuppies, fried pickles and burnt end ravioli. All delicious. I had the smoked trout sandwich with garlic fries. Fries were great. The trout was ice cold. It tasted odd given that the sandwich was warm and toasted. But other than that little glitch I really liked their food. Everyone at the table loved their's too. I heard the popovers were excellent.
(4)Mark S.
4.5 S & S has a lot going for it: excellent location in the heart of the Loop (you'll know you're near when you smell the BBQ) an airy and open dining room, and plaid-shirted servers. Plaid shirts automatically make me feel comfortable. Our service was great, and everyone there seemed to be excited about the food. Burnt end raviolis-great flaky crust on the T-Rav, maybe fill em' up more? For sides we shared mac and cheese, pit beans, and a popover-all were tasty. The three BBQ sauces each had a unique flavor-the mustard-y one was my favorite, but Sweet Baby Ray's lovers will also like their signature sauce. Ribs: great dry rub, very tender Pulled pork: also tender, nice flavor Brisket: a little dry, but not an issue when accompanied by one of the sauces
(4)Keli H.
If it wasn't for our server Ruben turning our night around this place would have not gotten more than 1 star. First off, don't quote me a 45 minute wait on a Saturday night and then expect me to wait over 90 minutes. I'm fine waiting with a proper expectation but double the time means I get grouchy fast. I was a hostess back in the day - I get it. Know your restaurant and know the flow - quote better wait times. Bar Staff - act like you like making drinks. I'm sorry the group in front of us kept returning their fruity drinks because they were 'too strong' but that wasn't us. Our group wanted Manhattans - make them and be happy be didn't order a virgin daiquiri. And if I thank you for the drink, a 'you're welcome' is the appropriate response. By the time we sat down our four top was ravenous and not super happy about the service and treatment thus far. Thankfully, we had a very friendly and attentive server who helped calm our nerves and get some food in us stat. We ordered deviled eggs and burnt end t-ravs for appetizers. Both were really tasty - loved that the deviled eggs had a pimento cheese on the plate. The burnt end t-ravs were surprisingly delicious and the meat was very tender on the inside. I agree with other yelpers that 6 for $10 isn't a great price but at least they were yummy. For dinner I had a pulled chicken sandwich with pimento cheddar and a sweet corn relish on it with a side of the mac 'n' cheese. Soooo good. I never get chicken at a restaurant because I figure I can make it at home but this chicken was seasoned well and very tender. The additions of the cheese and relish were fun and made it that much better. The mac was very creamy and I enjoyed the crispiness from the crackers.
(3)Gabrielle K.
Salt + Smoke is so delicious. I frequent this place quite often. I was there shortly after they opened and was disappointed in the popover, but they have since corrected that doughy mess. The White Cheddar Cracker Mac is so good, but I have to go for the brisket. I have this thing with meat, and Salt + Smoke really does it right. I usually order a half pound of brisket and the deviled egg appetizer and that's what I eat! Only downfall is the serving staff is hit or miss. Some of them are absolutely stellar, some (on a regular basis) appear to have recently witnessed the demise of the family pet or some other catastrophic event. Smiling never hurt anyone! Overall, I love this place. So much better than Nico or whatever was there before. Who knows, who cares? Salt + Smoke wins my vote!
(5)Jessica W.
A surprise visit from an out-of-town friend landed us at Salt + Smoke for lunch per their recommendation. How they'd heard of it before us, we'll never know, but we were excited to check it out! It's just a short walk from the garage on Delmar and we had no trouble finding parking around noon on a Sunday. The restaurant's atmosphere and styling is pretty trendy (what you might expect for a slightly less casual BBQ place), but just felt right. Our server, I wish I remembered his name, did a great job telling us all about the various menu offerings and recommendations. I wound up ordering something I would normally never get at a BBQ restaurant, a pulled chicken sandwich (per his reco), with pimento cheddar and street corn relish. It was awesome. Super tender, great flavor -- not something I'd necessarily expect from chicken (I feel like most places mess it up!) but it was really, really good. I had the garlic and herb fries as a side. They were wonderful too.... but maybe don't have them if you're on a date. I can't wait to go back and try other menu items. Service and food were wonderful and we're looking forward to a return visit.
(4)Simone N.
Well it did not take long before we made a dinner appearance here since the grand opening. The smell outside alone is intoxicating. You're mouth starts watering when you enter the Loop and you start to go into a BBQ daze. Is the hype and daze and mouth watering mess worth it????/ YES I had the pulled chicken and I have never had such moist, tender, juicy chicken before. Even without the BBQ sauce, the chicken was bomb! The Sweet Potato chips were on point with great seasoning and the Garlic fries made my heart yearn for Jack's Urban Eats because they were the perfect amount of garlic and cheese and flavor. I also got to try the brisket. Oh my 3 person portion. You have meat for days with the brisket. The Mac and Cheese was also very delicious. The atmosphere is very welcoming and fun. Try all three sauces on the table and you will not be sorry. Bring Wet Wipes though because everything is sticky.
(5)Hao X.
wow. i went with bf and family for his dad's bday. We all got different things and loved them all! main dishes: chicken sandwich -- moist flavorful with really good corn brisket -- a little dry on its own but amazing with sauce. the fat fat melted in your mouth ribs -- wonderful rub, really juicy, amazing. i almost wish i got this. pulled pork -- finely shredded, ready to absorb sauce. sides: garlic herb fries -- really good, flavorful and not soggy at all! herbs... mmmmmm creamed corn -- yummy especially with popovers dipped in them. I think i'll have to try making creamed corn with popovers one day at home. smoked beans with bacon -- bf was floored. i only had a taste and i'm not overly fond of beans but i enjoyed them. bf wants to eat BOWLS of it at a time tomato and green beans -- bf's family loved them -- i didn't try it popovers -- delightful! :D (see above about creamed corn) toasted rav -- first time i actually like toasted raviolis. usually they're ok at best. perfect with their white bbq sauce chicken wings -- can i has more? tender meat, great rub, nice kick. wonderful. There were 3 sauces on the table -- all which were really amazing and very different. I really look forward to coming here again!
(4)Ian Y.
Surprisingly good dry-rub BBQ with very generous amount of meat at reasonable price. I would recommend the combo which you could pick two meats of your choice - I picked ribs and beef brisket. Very smokey flavor and the meat was very tasty with the rub. My preference on BBQ meat are tenderness, moist meat with dry rub, no sauce. The only slight disappointment is that the meat is a little too dry... but I think it's good enough for most who like dry rub (vs sauce). The beef brisket beans and creamy corn I ordered are chunky and taste great. I'm not a fan of potato salad but I found it pretty good as well. Everything was served quickly and at perfect temperature. I would give it 5 stars if it could clean up the greasy floor, and the rather dark and dirty restroom...
(4)Richie R.
Standard mill. We went there late but within the 'yelp hours of operation' to discover that after a certain time (unclear when that is), there is only a limited bar menu. Bummer... Were there anyway, so I had a burger and my wife had the brisket. Was underwhelming. Would hit Pappy's smokehouse if I ever get the urge for BBQ. Whisky and beer menu were fantastic. Service was also very underwhelming. Everyone appeared way more interested in cleaning and going home than in trying to attend to us.
(3)Sharon T.
The hubs and I went this past week to try this place. We weren't sure what to expect. Our waitress was the sweetest girl. We had the hush puppies appetizer and they were really good. So good we ordered another to go. Hubs had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac & cheese and I had the brisket sandwich with the fries. All were outstanding and we will definitely be back. The only complaint I really had was that the bun was SO big, I couldn't eat it and just wound up eating the meat out of the bun. Next time I will order it without the bun I think. LOL.
(5)John M.
A very classy BBQ restaurant. While everything on the menu was about what you could get at any other BBQ joint, their sides looked interesting. Usually I avoid all of those home cookin' types of items but here they were actually really good. BBQ sweet potato fries, potato salad, creamed corn, mac n cheese, brisket chili, garlic fries... Actually, the bar was quite impressive. Not like what you can just find anywhere. As a whiskey lover, it looked heavenly. Now to the brisket. Any BBQ place has to be judged by its namesake item right? Well, it was a dry and heavily salted meat. The table had a hot and tangy, sweet, and mustard sauces we could pour ourselves. Now they warned me with "Salt" in the name, but man was that a lethal dose? I covered it all up with sauces, but then you can hardly appreciate the meat. Do other places cover up such a salted product with sauce? The hot sauce too was a little disappointing. The other two options were very good I just usually prefer some heat. As a partaker in Japanese cuisine, I will emphasize that many throughout the world enjoy double or triple the salt intake of Americans and live long and healthy lives. My aversion to salted items is entirely a flavor preference and I am aware that a little salt brings out lots of flavor so that most restaurants serve their food quite high in sodium. I just don't believe a place with Salt in the name is for me. Everything else was very impressive. Definitely will remember the bourbon when out at the loop.
(3)DeAnne P.
Strolling down the Loop, this place was listed "New & Hot" on Yelp!... and boy is it! It was so spanking new and so dang hot that they were sold out of most of their food. What!? Well, I didn't care, being the responsible adult that I am, I was there to investigate the bourbon side of the joint. I ordered their signature drink Salt+Smoke and it was *awesome*. With local craft beer on draft and hundred's of bourbon choices, you could drive yourself mad if you don't ask for a suggestion. I saved myself, but fried pickles are available. There is a patio is you prefer to enjoy the summer evening and people watch. They don't have the tofu like Vernon's, but they do have one vegan option of a falafel burger - I didn't try it, but the word on the street is that it will do.
(4)Curtis H.
My daughter, son-in-law, and I were enjoying a stroll doe. The loop and honestly didn't really have any intention of stopping for anything to eat. After walking by, seeing people outside eating and smelling the deliciousness that came from inside their rustic little restaurant, we had little choice. My son-in-law ordered the burger and reported that it was fantastic. My daughter and I split several items: the Cesar, the burnt ends toasted ravs and fries. It was really good! I would to go back to get actual bbq! It just wasn't the right time of the day to go all out. The waitress was sweet, made excellent recommendations and was on top of her game.
(5)Marlo S.
Mealy ribs. Way too much spice rub as well (as if they were trying to hide something). All three sauces were mediocre. My wife's pulled pork was just horrific. Way too much salt. Overcooked to the point of mushiness. It was like leftovers in an old folks' home. Even my daughters' mac and cheese was bad. Oh, and my green beans were undercooked! Maybe this was just a really bad night, but....I can't imagine going back. I would sooner order pulled pork & mac and cheese at Fitz's (and don't get me started on that place again). Service was good in the sense that the waiter was charming and attentive. Our table however was literally tipping over due to broken screws and was sticky to boot. All in all, I can't fathom how this place is popular. If this wasn't St. Louis, I'd be inclined to think the customers have never been exposed to good ribs. But this IS St. Louis. Can't they recognize coal in Newcastle?
(1)Candace G.
We were very excited to try S&S, we have heard great things about the place. Unfortunately, we are unable to give a complete review of the food. As for the service, well we were never even offered water. Happy that on a Sunday afternoon, the place was not very busy. We were taken to a table next to the restroom. We sat, looked at the menu and decided. We waited and watched several waiters walk past us. No one looked up, asked us if we had been helped -- nothing. After 15 minutes we got up to leave. As we were walking out the young lady at the door said, "thanks". We said well, we're never even offered water. She asked us if some sat us, we replied "yes". Then she with a great big smile said, "sorry about that." Nothing more. We are so disappointed. It will most likely be some time before I return.
(1)Glass M.
I have tried two of their sandwiches and two of their sides and every single time the food was absolutely awesome. It was delicious, their sauces are great and on point. I don't really have a comment on the service because I generally like to just order and be left alone with my date. Always had a table and never had a problem.
(5)Michael E.
I'd recommend checking this place out. If you like smoked BBQ then you'll love this place, it's got a good noisy family vibe to it. I really enjoyed it.
(4)Christian R.
I came here with high expectations, wanting to try some St. Louis BBQ and I was not disappointed. I knew this place would be amazing as soon as I tried the wings. The portions were huge, the service excellent and the ambience delightful. I would definitely come back again and again. Added bonus: for wash u students, they accept bear bucks! Definitely worth a 5/5
(5)Skip H.
Had a really nice time there tonight. Thd ribs and brisket were wonderful. Loved the the pop-over bread. yum!
(5)Courtney C.
With a bourbon list that is extensive and thoughtful, intriguing beers worth drinking, and a mouthwatering menu, there was little than could keep us from visiting Salt + Smoke during our one night in town. Two of us split the house made toasted ravioli (for the first time- we're not midwesteners) and found it to be delicious. The fried pickles (pickled in house) were a variety of pickles and breaded well. We had the sampler-- 4 meats + two sides (we added a 3rd for $3). We found the mac and cheese to be delicious, the cole slaw solid, and the green bean and tomato salad fresh and crunchy. The jalapeño and cheddar Bologna was interesting and definitely worth a try - probably the best meat we ordered. We also had ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. These three were all slightly dry, and all of the meats were a tad too salty -- but with a name like *salt* and smoke that's not exactly a legitimate complaint. If I found myself back in St. Louis, I would probably order more appetizers/sides in exchange for less meat. Last but not least, our bartender was interesting, attentive, and helpful- all very important characteristics of the person you want serving your food and drink. Bottom line: delicious food, unique offerings, and a drink menu that keeps up with the best. Not much more to wish for at this place.
(4)Bob H.
Been many times. The selection is strong. The cheeseburger has been lauded in other places and I dutifully concur. The Caesar salad is a strong play that is underrated. Whiskey selection is deep and a great ice breaker for a tinder meetup. Love this place. See ya there soon
(5)Charles U. F.
This is a busy place in the heart of the Delmar loop. The crowd ranges from young to old, and as restaurants go, the service is good and portions are plentiful. It is a pretty good value. Barbecue is very personal. Some like dry rub, some go for the saucy. I like dry and ordered the two meat combo with two sides. I got four ribs and about four ounces of brisket. You get a choice of brisket, I chose fatty. The bark on the ribs was flavorful, but I couldn't taste pork. The brisket was perfectly tender, but flavor wise, nothing special. There is nothing wrong with this place, but for me, it was nothing special. Average barbecue.
(3)Brian S.
Even if you haven't done anything to deserve it...get here now! The service, even on a jam-packed Thursday was great. Attentive without being overwhelming. The drinks were varied and well made. The food (pulled pork, mac&cheese, slaw and that popover!!!) is just simply awesome. In short, Salt + Smoke is a must-visit on your culinary tour of St. Louis.
(5)Alyssa M.
Hit this place for a Saturday afternoon lunch. It was surprisingly busy for before noon, but we were seated immediately. It's a cute place with a nice atmosphere, and our waitress Claire was great-- always totally on top of things and really nice. Now for food-- totally awesome! I got the pulled pork plate, my guy got the brisket. The pulled pork was great-- salt and smoke describes it so well. The Mac and cheese were the best I've ever had, and the fries were amazing, too. Small downsides: they were already out of potato salad at 11:45, and the floors were greasy (like someone else mentioned). Mildly annoying but not worth taking away a star. We aren't drinkers, so I can't say anything about those. But even though that might be a draw to many, the food is so good that it's plenty worth the trip just with water! We'll be back!
(5)Alex B.
I will def be coming back here. I got a delicious fresh green salad with pulled pork, apple slices, and blue cheese. (its the chef's salad) Good service, good water service, and really impressed by the decor.
(5)Steve B.
I did not sit down to eat for my first visit rather I walked in and placed a to-go order. The lunchtime crowd flocked to this place and it was near 100% capacity which was great to see, I do think that had all the staff flustered though. I placed my order with the host who proceeded to tell me I could pay with the bartender, ok no problem. I grabbed the last seat at the bar and honest to god there was no bartender to be found for the entirety of the time I was there. The most contact I ever got with who I think was the bartender was towards the end of my wait (took about 20 minutes for a BLT sandwich...?!). I was going to order a beer while I was waiting but after waiting at least 10 minutes I figured it wasn't worth it so I 86'ed that idea. The sandwich was pretty decent, the smoke flavor on the bacon was great although I do wish there was a little more crispiness on the meat, too much white fat remained sadly. The pit beans were spot on. I'll definitely come here again at some point, minor annoyances like this don't sway me away from a good BBQ joint.
(4)Chris S.
Smoky! As mentioned, the Bestie Combo is a great deal. $14 for two meats, two sides and a popover (a giant bread muffin that's delicious). It was enough food to split for two average eaters. Lots of whiskey and decent selection of premium craft beer! Good service, good food.
(5)Paula L.
My my how the Loop has changed since I last lived in St. Louis (2012). I was back in town with a friend recently, and we were in the mood for BBQ and people-watching on a sunny Friday afternoon. St. Louis has never been in dearth of good BBQ (think Pappy's and Bogart's Smokehouse), but the Loop had been severely lacking before Salt + Smoke's appearance. We tried the pulled chicken and brisket-- the meat on both was tender and dripping in sauce. I added the sweet potato chips into my pulled chicken sandwich for some extra crunch. All in all, a satisfying BBQ experience smack dab in the Loop. I could write a whole other review of the people-watching experience, but the Loop will always be the Loop...
(4)Terry M.
Spectacular! Let's start there...my dining experience was truly spectacular. My friend and I were in St Louis for the weekend only and had heard about a new BBQ place so we jumped at the chance for what we hoped would be good. Our wait was about 30-40 minutes but well worth the wait. During that time, we enjoyed some Bourbon and good conversation with the front entrance staff who were polite and engaging with everyone that walked in that night. And there were MANY that walked in. When we did reach our table we were greeted by our server Dexter whose enthusiasm and knowledge of the menu was contagious. We started with an appetizer of toasted ravioli with barbecue burnt ends inside. It was surprisingly delicious. My friend and I opted to share the 4 meat combo of ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and brisket along with side dishes of sweet potato barbecue chips and white cheddar macaroni. This is where this gets difficult...it is boring to describe everything as perfect, but we were both at a loss for words at how incredible our meal was! All of the meats stand alone at greatness, but when their house sauces are introduced it only enhances the meal beyond mouth-watering delight. My friend and I kept asking each other which the other liked best but we honestly could not decide. Thank God for combo platters! I typically go for the the pulled pork everywhere, but with the chicken so flavorful, the ribs so tender and smokey, and the brisket literally melting in your mouth...I cannot decide. For dessert, Chef Hailey Riley treated us to homemade apple pie served from the oven to the table topped with maple ice cream with nuts. The combination of their apple pie and ice cream was phenomenal! So that is the food portion. Here is a little bit about the staff. They were all fun, entertaining, knowledgeable, and truly a team. Dexter was our main server, but at three other staff members came by to either ask if we needed more water, a drink from the bar, or to clear out empty plates. Even the head chef, Haley, was out on the floor greeting customers and clearing off tables. It was obvious all the staff get along and take pride in Salt and Smoke. I can't wait to return!
(5)Erik S.
The next great BBQ in St. Louis?! I went on a Thursday night with my boss. For a weeknight, the place was jam packed, though we were able to snag a booth by the window without any trouble. I started by browsing their drink menu and ordering a Jack Apple (around $9 or $10). It was nice and strong, with a hefty ginger flavor to it. The beer menu had some good choices too, and if you're a fan of craft selections, you won't be disappointed. For dinner, I got the brisket plate for $14 (with fries, a house salad, and a popover) and my boss got the double cheese burger. The popover was light and crisp, a perfect pre-cursor before I dug in to everything else! My brisket featured plenty of burnt ends and was simply decadent (and also peppery, so make sure you like a little spice!) The fries were a tasty garlic/herb combo, and the salad came with a vinaigrette dressing with some amazing candied walnuts in it. I tried a bite of my boss's burger, and if you like the crispy edges that you tend to find at places like Steak 'N Shake, you'll enjoy this one a lot. Quite good. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'll definitely return. Cocktails are just a tad pricey, so keep that in mind if you want to go all out with multiple rounds of drinks!
(4)Jonathan S.
Best ribs Ive had in awhile. Excellent smell and flavor. Sides were good; the beans were a little odd, but still great. Decent local craft beer scene. They have an extensive bourbon list as well. Great addition to the Loop. Service was a bit slow, but thats to be expected of a new place like this. Will definitely be coming back.
(4)Derek L.
The burnt ends are key, especially with the Carolina mustard bbq sauce. Favorite sides were cole slaw (with a vinegar base, not mayo) and the pork n beans, which was more pork than beans. Ambience was laid-back, and the volume tended up. The signature popovers looked better than they were. But overall a great dining experience.
(5)Bill T.
What a great restaurant. Just what the Loop needed. BBQ, Bourbon & Beer. The bestie combo was delicious. Nice portions. The wait service was excellent & friendly. Definitely be back & recommend to others.
(5)Anna H.
Oh my god the brisket. Their other meats are good, but the brisket is next level. I recommend the herb fries and the tomato and green bean salad as sides.
(4)Daniel H.
I would rank this in the top 3 BBQ in STL. Low prices (sandwiches with side ~$10, plates are a bit more), great selection of beer and whiskey, and a cool hip environment. It's not exactly the traditional BBQ shack in which decor is sacrificed for greater emphasis on the meat. It's a fairly nice restaurant, which makes it different from Pappys or Boggarts, and so wait times, especially around 6-7 pm, can be over an hour (they don't take reservations). Once you get in though, it's worth the wait. The meat is tender and flavorful (especially the brisket), and the sauces provided are great (I recommend the hot and tangy). There are a bunch of sides to choose from, but I always get the fries because they're delicious. The bestie combo plate is the best deal in my opinion, in which you get two meats, two sides, and a warm fluffy popover for $14. The only negatives I have about this place is the wait time and the occasional shortage of food. I do recognize these as growing pains of a new business and hope S&S corrects the issue soon.
(5)sam a.
Waiter was friendly helped us pick some tasty whiskies, problem was he waited until we ordered fancy drinks to inform us that they were out of 90% of the entrees... Made for an awkward meal of side dishes. I understand they run out of bbq, but they should probably tell customers this before they offer 14 dollar drinks.
(2)K W.
Let me be clear: I LOVE the appetizers at this place. 5 stars for apps. Their fried ravioli are unique and delicious, with smoked pulled pork filling and a dipping sauce that is out of this world. Their deviled eggs and popovers and fried pickles are equally delightful. My advice is to go here and make a meal out of appetizers! Their main dishes and salads are OK, but fairly standard. You'll eat it, you'll like it, but you'll leave dreaming sweet dreams about the appetizers.
(4)Jen B.
Food: 4 star Service: 2 star Okay, you can tell this joint is a newbie and I hate to bring them down because of the learning curve but this is one time I gotta do it. Even if your restaurant is new, doesn't mean you have to hire staff that have zero restaurant experience! Hostess had no idea at all how long the wait would be. That is something you should be tracking all evening based on what time you have sat all your other tables, by looking around to see the stages the currently sat diners are in and how many names are on your list. That fail was redeemed by a super nice guy who stepped up to help us out, wish I had gotten your name! Agree with all other reviews, the floor is dangerously slippery (one of our party was a personal injury lawyer....but none of us actually fell down, darn!) and it is very loud and very hot inside. Our server didn't really offer any information or knowledge about the 100 bourbans (thought that was one of their hooks?). Both the drinks and the food menus were very smeary and sticky with food. The bottles of BBQ sauce that were sitting out on the table were also very sticky with sauce running down the sides, which would be a buss boy problem. Brisket was the best choice at the table for sure, the lean version. The fatty was really very filled with fat. Best sides were mac-n-cheese, corn and baked beans. The ribs were incredibly tough and nearly impossible to remove from the bones. I sent mine home with another of our party so hopefully, he got that meat off somehow. Not the best BBQ experience ever but not the worst!
(3)Diana C.
Pulled chicken sandwich with spicy pimento cheese and corn relish and sweet potato chips. Very tasty!
(5)J R.
This place is great! We tried it a few weeks ago on a whim, just walking by and it was around lunchtime. The place was pretty crowded and there were at least 2 crying babies so we asked to be seated at the bar. The food is excellent and the service is attentive.
(4)Mark M.
Should probably be called Salt + Salt. Almost everything we ate was way too salty. Best items were brisket and burnt end ravioli. Mac n cheese was good too I'd go back and try it again.
(3)Todd C.
I've heard great things about this place, and I found everything to be true. Great atmosphere and service, excellent location (across from Blueberry Hill), and the food was outstanding! I had their cheeseburger, and it was fantastic.
(5)Tim R.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS. I am different from the Tim posting previously. I want great restaurants....in my neighborhood, supporting my tax base, and providing a great experience. Read the next paragraph for a summary...and continue reading if you need the detail. I too - wanted to believe in the promise of Salt and Smoke. After reading all of the hype we decided to try Salt and Smoke for my friend's birthday. The key disappointment is a MAJOR DISCONNECT BETWEEN FRONT OF HOUSE AND BACK OF HOUSE - and the impact on YOUR DINING EXPERIENCE. SALT AND SMOKE IS A MILLENIAL RUN RESTAURANT - SUCKING DOLLARS FROM BOOMERS AND GENX customers. We imagined we might spend $200 for dinner, drinks, desert for a party of 7........we spent $130....this restaurant is misfiring on every level. * DISCONNECT BETWEEN FRONT AND BACK OF HOUSE * COMPLETELY INEXPERIENCED HOST, BAR, and WAIT STAFF * LUKEWARM TEMPATURE OF FOOD From the minute we walked in the door the SERVICE WAS A COMPLETE DISASTER.....AND THE BBQ FAME WAS NEVER DELIVERED. The host was on the phone and held up his hand for me to wait. A waiter approached the host stand and asked how many in our party. When I said 7 a look of confusion came across his face. He walked away and tried to hurry along a large table. In the next ten minutes nine parties entered the restaurant. The host, now off the phone, wrote five of them on a "wait list". A third waitress approached the host table and asked if we could move out of the way of the bar. Seriously - they have 25 square feet of space for people to wait. The bar tender and host share some sharp words directly behind us....they must think we are so engrossed in waiting for a table we can't hear their conversation...... OK....we are seated......15 minutes go by. No water poured. No wait staff. Finally...a waiter appears. He was pleasant. We ordered water, 4 bar drinks, 3 nonalcoholic drinks, and appetizers (pay attention to this part). 10 minutes later we have drinks....except the waiter brings my friend the wrong bourbon. Most people would not notice, but my friend is a whisky sommelier - I am not kidding. No ice ball in the bourbon either. After drinks are delivered the waiter is gone for another 10 minutes. When he returns, he asks if we want to order. Despite my insistence that the ladies order first, the waiter runs the table in counter clock wise motion with no courtesy for ladies ordering first. We all order. Drinks are gone, water is empty. Waiter is gone. Ten minutes pass and 5 entrees appear on the table. We order a second round of drinks - all beers (remember this as well). Remember the appetizers? Well the staff at SALT AND SMOKE FORGOT about them. We are courteous, cancel the appetizers, and anxiously await the delivery of the remaining two entrees. My friend insists I try my food. Nice flavor - but it is lukewarm. My wife's entrée is missing the "popover". 5 minutes pass and the remaining two entrees appear. 5 more minutes pass and our drinks are still empty, but a plate of deviled eggs arrives (1 of the 3 appetizers we ordered). The second round of drink arrives.....but we are nearly finished eating.....and 2 beers and 1 whisky arrive....we ordered 3 beers. We are finished with our meal and another "Deviled Eggs" appetizer appears at our table.....at the time we should be considering desert. We decline desert, decline more drinks. Decline the deviled eggs.... Will the bill be correct? We make a wager amongst the adults. The bill arrives.......and of course the bill is wrong and we are overcharged on some items and undercharged on others. How can this restaurant possibly keep up with the inept staff and operations?
(2)Kelly R.
My husband and I take a personal day from work together each year to play "hooky" and be tourists in our own city. This year, we decided to take the metrolink to the loop and eat at this new BBQ place we'd heard about. It was lunchtime on a Friday and we got a table just as the restaurant was filling up. Best decision ever. Even though a few apps looked good, we didn't want to spoil our appetite, so we decided on just our main courses. My husband had the BLT and I had the pulled chicken sandwich. We both chose the garlic and herb fries for our side. My sandwich was sinfully good. I've eaten at my fair share of BBQ joints in this city and I'm pretty choosy as to what I like. This? I like! The sandwich was topped with pimento cheese and a corn chutney of some sort. The sweet flavors of the cheese and corn complemented the savory smokey flavor of the chicken. It was moist and perfect, but what made the sandwich even more perfect was the bun. The soft and slightly chewy (but in a good way) texture totally worked and the sweet flavor of the bun added to the taste. The BLT was good, but even if it was the best BLT ever, my pulled chicken still would've been better. I'd love to come back in the evening and imbibe a bit during our meal, but I do know I'll definitely order that pulled chicken again!
(5)Kristi W.
Three different types of fried pickles that aren't greasy. Incredible brisket with a fantastic rub. The pecan pie and peach sorbet are a must have. Waitstaff could use a slight improvement. Would definitely come back!
(4)John D.
Thought I'd had the greatest brisket in St. Louis, that was before Salt & Smoke. Ordered the brisket plate, "fatty" meat (they offer fatty, lean, and burnt ends). The flavor of the crust, the moistness of the meat, and the smoke taste combined had me ready to lick the damn plate clean! The sides were a good mix of choices, I had the green bean &tomato salad and the sweet potato chips. Great! Interesting cocktail choices if you're into that with a large selection of whiskey, bourbon, and craft beers. Our server did a good job, but was apparently pretty busy with tables inside and out on the sidewalk, so he became a little scarce later in the meal. Not too bad though.
(5)Steph M.
Even though this place is the new kid in town, it is arguably one of the best BBQ spots in STL. Try the pulled pork platter with white cheddar cracker Mac and (insert any other side). I took my family here on a visit and they all left impressed!
(5)Danette A.
Not highly impressed. I ordered a BLT and the bacon tasted funky...maybe like it was past its prime? I don't know, it may just have been the way it was prepared, however, I wasn't comfortable eating it, so I sent it back. The hush puppies were amazing! My friend got deviled eggs and the presentation was fantastic, but it looked like they had been played far earlier in the day. I totally disliked the unisex bathrooms - I recommend they designate each, as I did not like using a bathroom that men share.
(3)Catherine W.
Salt + Smoke is downright cheating. They've put their smoker right outside the restaurant, filling the air all along the Delmar Loop with the tempting aroma of smoked meats. I'd be annoyed if they didn't back it up by offering what may be the best BBQ I've had in St. Louis. I've eaten here twice, and both times I was wowed. I recommend the Bestie Combo, which gets you two meats, two sides, and a giant popover for $14. I've tried the ribs, the brisket, the chicken, and the bologna, and so far have loved them all. The ribs in particular are incredibly tender and have a fantastic dry rub. The bologna was a surprise hit, with an excellent texture and great kick from the jalapenos. Now, I'm very much a fan of saucy BBQ, so you can imagine my surprise when I'd gotten halfway through my ribs without touching one of the cute sauce-filled bottles on the table - and I hadn't even realized it. The meat really holds up on its own. That said, the sauces are still excellent, the sweet being my personal favorite with the hotangy coming in a close second. My surprise combo recommendation is the bologna with the sweet BBQ sauce - completely delicious! Like any good BBQ place they offer a wide selection of sides. I appreciate that some of them are on the lighter side, though you can get your beans, french fries, and mac & cheese as well. The mac is the definition of comfort food, coming in a mild cheddar sauce and covered in crumbled crackers. The parmesan-garlic fries are delicious, but not for the faint of heart - there is some serious garlic on there. They have a somewhat limited beer selection, but the offerings they do have represent some of the best beer produced in St. Louis. The bourbon list goes on for pages, and though I have yet to try one, a quick chat with our waitress assured me that the staff can offer guidance for bourbon-novices like myself. My one complaint is that they don't offer flights, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.
(5)Annette W.
Great service, no line! Could be because it's mid day, but either way, it was fabulous !!! I finally got my burnt ends!! Tasty n tender, the ribs rocked! Mac n cheese, potato salad, all good. Your plate is served with a " popover" which is delightful. Big looking muffin soufflé thing. It has bacon n cheese I think, but fluffy n crispy, kinda hard not to finish it, even when your full!!
(4)Melissa M.
Had dinner on a weeknight with two adults and two children. I had the pulled chicken with green bean salad and pit beans. My husband had the brisket. Everything was excellent! There are a variety of sauces on the table to try (spicy bbq, reg. bbq, mustard, and vinegar based) and they were all delicious. We bought several pints of bbq sauce to take home to Chicago. Would highly recommend.
(5)Katie B.
My rating is basically for the great atmosphere, I'd still like a few more tries at the menu options to rate the food thoroughly. I had the smoked trout sandwich with the green bean/tomato side. My advice: opt for a different side. Next I'm trying the sweet potato chips and hoping they carry a bit more flavor. Love the sauces and that they are on every table. My fave was the Carolina mustard sauce. I could have drank it!
(4)Raymond W.
As a competitive cooker, grill master, small business owner I love when people tell me they've discovered a new BBQ feeding trough. This one came with a few esteemed comments that circled around creativity, price point, and taste to which I'll write my review on these pillars. CREATIVITY: The menu is simple yet creative with appetizers that are native to St Louisans, but with twist such as the toasted raviolis. Except these have burnt ends as the meat filling...talking about kicking things up a notch. They also have devil eggs, cheddar bacon popovers and a few other mouth watering head turners. Moving on to sandwiches where they tout a Falafel burger....say what, yes and smoked jalapeno/cheddar bologna* (I'll comment further this in TASTE) to name a few. They have the BBQ restaurant favorites for your entrees: pulled pork, brisket*, pulled chicken, and St Louis ribs*. PRICE POINT: This will be quick and to the point as the prices are way more than reasonable as for $20 I enjoyed brisket, ribs, bologna, white cheddar cracker mac, garlic and herb fries and a popover*. TASTE: Have you ever tasted something that was so pleasantly surprising you began giggling as you ate it? I have to say that was my experience with a few things on my plate. IF my BBQ judging hat was on I'd score them 6-7/10 on presentation but find myself scoring them 8-10 on taste. I was pleased when my meaty ribs appeared without sauce on them (without me asking) but upon first glance they appeared dry without any seasoning unappetizing. It was LOVE at first bite, and I found myself gazing into every bite at the smokey juicy and tenderness of the meat with an inviting smoke ring throughout that said "bite me again." The brisket was thick cut, a little thicker I'm used to but all same tender, smokey hitting all original Texas peppery and well seasoned tasty notes. If this was a bbq competition the taste would be 9 or 10. The bologna was my least favorite on the plate as while it tasted pretty good it had a meatloaf like texture my mouth, which I'm used to BBQ bologna (which I've had some great BBQ bologna in Memphis) being way more processed and smoother. I probably won't order it again, note it didn't taste bad just a texture thing. The fries and white cheddar cracker mac ARE MUST HAVES. I WILL be faced with a quandary upon My next visit as they have some other sides I'd like to sample. Imagine if you had Penn Station, Five GUYS, and SMASH burger smashfries all mate....and BAM...that's what you get at Salt and Smoke fries....crispy with tender potato inside with garlic and herb pleasant notes. The white cheddar cracker mac was creamy cheesy uh-mazingness!I maybe wrong this but it appears the crackers that are crumbled on top are RITZ and can't wrong with buttery taste of RITZ crackers with good Mac. BONUS: They offer 4 sauces of which I tried 3: The Bestie Sweet was tomato base with molasses and array of spices that make it a great stand alone dipping your finger, ribs, fries anything for that matter. The Hot and tangy was not too tangy which made it a decent sauce, but if you're like me and like a kick I'd mix the sweet and hot and tangy to create a really good sauce. The Carolina Mustard was ok, and went well with the bologna. And lastly the cheddar bacon popover was fluffy and buttery...My only regret was not having 2 more. My server was Reuben and this young man was on his A-GAME delivering 4 star service! In my honest opinion this place is a Must TO Visit! They cannot be compared to the likes of some of the St Louis BBQ juggernauts (as they have a different product) but they are definitely my top 5 BBQ PLACES EAT. MY TOP 5 are Sugar Fire Smoke house, Bogarts Smokehouse, Salt and Smoke, Salted Pig, Big Woodys Smokehouse. *-denotes things I actually had.
(4)Julia W.
Last Sunday I went to Salt + Smoke for a late lunch. When my dad and I got there, it was around 2:00, so we were seated inside immediately. It was a hot day, and you could definitely tell once you walked in. It was warm in the restaurant the whole time. However, the heat was worth enduring for the food. My dad ordered a half rack of ribs, which fell off the bone and were very delicious, white cheddar mac and cheese, and baked beans. The mac and cheese was wonderful, and my dad said the beans were good. I had a caesar salad with smoked chicken. It was one of the best salads I've ever had. Everything about it just tasted phenomenal, from the chicken to the lettuce. I really enjoyed the food, and I will definitely be coming back soon.
(5)Marleigh R.
This place had so much potential, but just fell flat. We walked in and the people at the host stand acted like we were bothering them when they took our names for a wait list. They also told the people after us their wait would be shorter than ours... Ok. Got to the table quickly enough. Service was poor, but I at least felt like the waitress was trying. Appetizer came out before drinks. Decor was ok, not a fan of the farm look. Didn't like the way the sauces were stored on the table - very sticky, sauce everywhere, and easily unsanitary. Not a fan. Food was better. The fried pickles were not good, there was way too much batter! My Vieux Carré had way too much benedictine and was syrupy. The brisket though was DELICIOUS. If you get anything get that. My boyfriend had the pulled pork and it was mushy, which was sad. Mac was great, and I loved the popover. The creamed corn was a letdown because it had peppers and was way watery... Oh well. Overall it was fine, but disappointing for a place that touts BBQ and cocktails and can't deliver on either.
(2)Chris U.
I was very impressed with Salt & Smoke. St. Louis is full of good BBQ and you should add this one to your must stop list. I've only been here once but plan to eat here again in the near future. I ordered the brisket plate with Mac and cheese and pit beans. Everything came out quickly and the food presentation was very appealing. Then once I took the first bite I knew it was going to be a great meal. Their food was crazy good and I really enjoyed their 3 sauce choices as well. My favorite was the spicy sauce. Go here during lunch so you don't have to wait on a table. You will not regret it.
(5)LB T.
I forgot to mention that they have photos of cows and pigs around the restaurant. Am I the only one who doesn't want to be reminded I'm eating a living creature as I do so? Awkward for both me & those poor smoked saps. It's telling me to put mustard on my review so I think I should mention their specialty sauces and how great they are. They are great! I said it! All I want to know is why they don't have straws & why when I ask for two ketchups they give me one then another when I'm finished as if I'm a child?! Penny pinching? 4 stars shall remain.
(4)Kelsey H.
This place is soo good. Great bbq and I'm in love with their mac and cheese! Their ribs and fries are great! One of my favorite bbq place in stl
(5)Jason H.
Awesome place! The ribs are amazing. Kinda smoke and slat favor just like the name! The sides are great too. Will definitely be back for more ribs
(5)Jordan J.
What I like about Salt + Smoke is their innovation. Is their BBQ any better than other place in StL? No. But they find a way to make their offerings unique with additions like house pickles, red pepper jam, pimento cheese, corn relish, tobacco onions, etc. Here's what I've had and what I think: The great: Burnt end toasted ravs (by far my favorite item on their menu) Ribs Cracker mac & cheese Popovers The good: Fried house pickles with flaxseed mayo The average: Deviled eggs (meh, my girlfriend makes better deviled eggs at home) Pulled pork Pit beans Overall Salt+Smoke is a cool place with great food. The atmosphere borders on hipsterish but the southern flair and cheerful staff round it out well.
(3)Jeremy G.
Negative service (15 mins to get waters...) Negative food quality (chicken dry and cold... pig was acceptable) Negative beer draft selection (3-4 to choose) Positive ambience (good lighting) Positive pricing (now I get why it's cheap) Positive bourbon selection (100's to choose) Overall, negative experience. Only come here because it is in the loop. Otherwise go to Pappys, Bogarts, sugarfire, vernons, the shaved duck or any other bbq place really.
(2)Richard S.
In just about any other city in America Salt & Smoke would be the hands down best Barbeque restaurant in town. In St. Louis, a city that is among the best if not the best for BBQ in the U.S., whether Salt & Smoke is the best BBQ restaurant or among the top three depends on what qualities the diner places the most importance on. With this in mind I will share my thoughts what things at Salt & Smoke are amazing and what things are merely good. Imagine that a serious foodie running a upscale casual restaurant was a barbecue aficionado and decided to redo their casual fine dining restaurant over as gourmet barbeque. That in a nutshell is what Salt & Smoke is. DECOR A+: I have had amazing BBQ in restaurants where you order at the counter, then sit at a picnic table until your number is called while your food is made out back over a pit or smoker. At Salt & Smoke, a server will take your order at the table. The floors are fine wood, the counters are granite, the decor is sophisticated, and elegant, it is not stuffy or pretentious but there are no picnic tables and plastic forks dinging. BEEF BRISKET: A+: Salt & Smoke is a Texas Style BBQ. Their beef brisket is the best in St. Louis (yes better than Sugar Fire) and the best you will ever eat outside of Texas. They cook it for up to 18 hours. They are serious about their 'que. It is not super lean but it is certainly tender. It has a delicious dry rub. This stuff is so good it does not need sauce. RIBS: A: I liked the RIBS at Bogarts better than those at Salt & Smoke. The ribs were Salt & Smoke were great. The preparation was dry rub. Nice smoky flavor, tender, impressive, perhaps third best in St. Louis. PORK: A: The pulled pork was solid, smoky, yum, but it did not blow me away like the beef briskit. CHICKEN C-: Pulled chicken was the weak spot on their meat line up. I would prefer chicken on the bone with the texture contrast of skin vs. meat and some dry rub on the meat. This was just chunks of pulled chicken with no rub and sauce on the side. They doused the pulled chicken with way to much black pepper. The cracked black pepper overpowered any flavor from the smoking. This was a let down. SAUCE: They have three: Sweet gets a A-, Slightly Hot Red (I would call it regular), A-, and Mustard Sauce C- , the mustard sauce is to much like regular yellow ballpark mustard. They should reformulate their mustard sauce with some vinegar, citrus to make it distinct and either Carolina style loose/thin or Southern style. POPOVERS A+: If you order an entree instead of a sanwhich it comes with a popover. What an upgrade from a dinner roll. The Popover comes straight from the oven. I think there is bacon and cheddar in it. It is kind of like a soufflé. It is unbelievably good. I ordered an extra one (at $3.00) to go. I would have liked to bring home a half dozen. I bought a Popover pan on Amazon in hopes of replicating this dish. Its worth a trip their for the Popover alone. Wow. SIDES: Garlic French Fries A+: Most fast food restaurants use frozen french fries. Five Guys cuts up potatoes and fries them to order. The difference is huge. Salt & Smoke are at their core foodies. They put forth the effort to make everything the best that they can. They cut up fresh potatoes add some garlic and turn out the best french fries I have ever seen in a barbeque restaurant. These are decadent. Sweet Potato Chips B: There is nothing wrong with the sweet potato chips. They are fine. They do not hold a candle to the Garlic Fries. The garlic fries are the super hottie, and sweet potato chips are her 'nice' average looking friend. By my second trip to Salt & Sweet I had forgot Sweet Potato Chips were even on the menu. Mac & Cheese A: They do a Mac & Cheese from scratch. If you prefer Kraft Mac & Cheese, let me suggest you go to Chili's or Texas Roadhouse. They use white cheddar so there is not bright orange color that Kraft makes with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. The Mac is rich and decadent. They use the same homemade white cheddar mac for their adult side dish and their child's plates. They put crushed crackers (probably Ritz crackers) in the Mac. While a side of Mac is $5.00, when you order mac as an included side with an entree there is no up-charge for what is clearly an upgrade from other restaurants mac & cheese. Green Beans & Tomato Salad A-: Hurray there is a light, healthy, fresh, and green option on the menu. Childs Plate A+: The child's plate comes with a meat and a side. The price is $5.00, which is the price for just a side of Mac if ordered off the menu. Salt & Sweet is doing a solid for every parent who brings their kids. This is an amazing value for what you get. A kids meal at Panera Bread ( a/k/a St. Louis Bread) costs this much for a smaller portion of lower quality food. Use the savings for a cocktail and to tip well for the server who might have to clean up the mess.
(5)Anjana M.
Great for dinner with colleagues. Excellent drinks. And the vegetarian falafel burger was just OUTSTANDING. Enough so that I was actually satisfied to not have the even MORE outstanding BBQ.
(5)Blair L.
This place is a solid four stars - nothing more, nothing less. I'm always a bit confused on how it's always so busy, but I guess it's not bad. The food was just good. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either. I've tried to dine in and have left a couple of times without regret. One of those places that comes to mind when thinking of places to eat, but not a place I necessarily am dying to go to.
(4)Kathy K.
Decor is simple and casual, which appropriate for this type food. A small bar at the front of the restaurant sports a wide selection of bourbons and whiskeys. They also specialize in drink infusions that they age in barrels on sight. We were seated immediately. I couldn't help but notice that my feet were sliding all over the floor. Like a waxy finish on the floor. A bit challenging to stand in one place without your feet moving out from under you. Waiter was very informative about the food. We ordered a combination style plate to split. More than enough for 2. We ordered:?Pulled pork, burnt ends and ribs. Sides were the Cheese Cracker Mac and cole slaw. The cracker Mac was good, but needed a spice or some kick. I dipped it in my Bestie sauce and it rounded out the flavor. The cole slaw was made with red cabbage and apples with mild vinaigrette. It was good, but didn't seem to stand up to the flavorful BBQ. The BBQ was very tasty. The rib meat easily separated from the bones. The pulled pork was tender with a very slight, but flavorful peppery undertone. The burnt ends were also tasty and very tender. There are 3 sauces. All three have very individual flavors which complement any of the meats. I wanted badly to give this place 5 stars. 2 things stood out and smacks of carelessness. The floors were very slippery, which tells me they either mixed their commercial cleaner incorrectly or are using the wrong type for high traffic floors. The second thing that stood out was that I pointed out to the waiter, as did another reviewer, that sticky bottles attract and hold bacteria. I said that they should wiped down after each use. He said, "yeah, I know." Not the response I was hoping for. Bottom line: If your place isn't clean it doesn't matter what you're serving. It is a shame, because the food is really good, here.
(3)Steve F.
there are few foods that give me such undeniable cravings as the fatty side brisket at salt + smoke. I'm here about every two weeks. Btw you have to ask for the fatty side or else you get the harder, smokier burnt end. The cracker Mac and cheese is one of my favorite sides too. Seating is limited but service is fast as food is pre cooked for the most part. Please, for the love of God, if you're thinking about coming with a group bigger than 6 either don't or agree ahead of time how to split up your party. Otherwise you ruin everything from the wait time to servers accessing other tables.
(5)Lindsey L.
This place is a gem of the loop. Everything we had was seriously delicious. My boyfriend and I ordered the hush puppies and burnt ends toasted ravioli for appetizers. Both were great!! Would have gotten the fried pickles but asked if they were spears or chips and sadly they're spears. I got the pulled pork sandwich which has coleslaw on it. It's a vinegar based coleslaw and very tasty. Boyfriend had pulled pork and brisket plate. We both had the mac and cheese and he had beans. Beans could use some work but everything else is great. And they have civil life American brown on tap so that just made it even better!!
(5)C. H.
I do think this is as good as it gets in STL. I've eaten a lot of BBQ and I have to say the meal I had here really takes the cake. I had the combo meal which was $14, it included ribs and brisket, two sides and an amazing popover. The ribs were a great smokey dry rub, that was seasoned to perfection. I like a lot of flavor and didn't need to add a thing to the ribs. The spicy BBQ was fantastic, and very salty which I love. The brisket wasn't tough like it often can be... It was juicy and full of flavor. I also had the brisket soup which wasn't excellent so I probably won't go with that again. My second side was the green beans and tomatoes which sounds simple but it was amazing! My wife also loved her food and said it had surpassed her favorite BBQ joint which is the Shaved Duck. In addition to great food they have an enormous drink menu, more options of bourbon that you would know what to do with. They are a little pricy but if you just want to have one with dinner expect to pay close to $10 for a cocktail but it's craft and they are good. The location is busy, and don't expect to walk in and grab a table. It's popular and it's in a very popular stretch. We went across the street and grabbed a beer at Blueberry Hill which made the time go by quickly. I can't wait to take out of town guests here. The other BBQ spots in town better watch out b/c this place is going to blow them away. The only thing I thought was a bit dorky was that the employees all wear plaid. I think if you're a hipster you're a hipster it shouldn't be a uniform requirement, that was a bit cheesy.
(5)Gabriela C.
I never write reviews... but I just left this place and I'd feel wrong if I didn't write one now. The food, service and atmosphere was superb. I came here for a friend's birthday dinner and I was expecting to enjoy the food, but I didn't realize I would enjoy it this much. For starters, the service was good even before we sat down. We were standing by the bar and a waiter overheard me asking my friends how much longer the wait was; he went out of his way to check for us. So kind of him. The server that took our orders was also super patient with all of us as well. It just felt like he went above and beyond. Anyway, I ordered the hushpuppies with maple butter appetizer and a friend ordered the toasted ravioli - phenomenal! For the main entree I got the bestie pick two with brisket and pulled pork with mac and cheese and fries as my sides. The best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. The fries were amazing and the meat was so juicy. I think what made the food so good was the depth of flavor in every bite. Its like I could take the egg in the bread - which was flakey and moist all at once... The atmosphere was great too. I can tell they were going for a manly, garage sort of feel... but it didn't go overboard... it still felt classy and relaxing. Its not often you go to a restaurant and have such an enjoyable experience without paying an arm and a leg... or eat such great food at such a reasonable price without going to the hood. At Salt + Smoke, you get great food, at low prices at a nice place. Happy Valentine's day to me! :)
(5)Andy K.
For being open only 5 days Salt and Smoke delivered at a decent level. Certainly there is room to improve but nice start. The proteins were a mixed bag, absolutely loved the chicken had decent smoke flavor which is near impossible to do for pulled chicken. The brisket had a great bark on it and smoke flavor in it but was a tad bit too dry and chewy. The ribs again had a really charred bark, not to my liking, but I know folks like it that way. All my sides were very good and interesting. The baked beans used some white beans and I really liked them. the mac and cheese was shell noodles and was very tasty and I enjoyed the potato salad as well. Did not get the slaw because it was vinegar based. All in all a solid first visit. I loved nico too and sad to see them go.
(5)Michael M.
Refused to seat us at 7:15 pm on a Saturday because they ran out of BBQ. Hostess didn't communicate that to us with the slightest hint of apology or politeness, despite this being a fundamental failure on the restaurant's part. I understand that BBQ takes time, but running out of food at 7:15 on a Saturday for a place that serves a dinner crowd is not cute or hip or endearing--it's incompetent. Fortunately, we were five minutes from home and already on the Loop anyways, so I didn't really waste any of my time on this place. I'd suggest you don't waste yours with these amateurs.
(1)Hank N.
This Review makes me sad. I have eaten at salt and smoke in the past and was eager bring friends back because it was good food, and we wanted to have some whiskey as well. We knew a table greater than four would be an inconvenience on a weekend, but called ahead and were told that they would not take reservations. No big deal. We knew we could have a few drinks while we waited. We arrived at 6:30, set our place in line, and ordered some drinks for the expected 45 minute wait. Again, no big deal. We watched 4 tops and six tops cycle through at a reasonable pace. Right around an hour and fifteen minutes into the wait, we were told that we would be seated as soon as one of the large tables opened. We waited for another 20 minutes as that table cleared out and was bussed. Then the host came over and seated a group of people who came in only minutes before, and more than an hour after we arrived. When we asked about this, the host stumbled a little then rudely stated, "well they had a reservation." I remind you that this is a place which advertises that they do not allow reservations as we had tried to make one earlier in the week. The food was good on my previous visits, but not enough to deal with rude service on top of the long wait. I have spent more than 15 years working in a service industry, this was truly a failure. Bad service will tank any eatery just as easily as bad food.
(1)Edward H.
My fifth star is hard to get. Just got back from Salt and Smoke on the Loop across from Blueberry Hill. Place just opened a month or so ago. Highly recommend! Everything tasted great and well-priced! Recommend ribs, rib tip toasted raviolis with Mayonnaise-based sauce (not marinara), and Strawberry Hard Cider from Charleville. Beers are a bit on the high end at $5 & $6, entrees looked to be around $10 to $15. Stay off the alcohol if you want to keep the bill down.
(4)Mike P.
I've been here countless times at this point -- exclusively for lunch -- and have never had a bad experience. The space itself is decorated in a manner that perfectly captures what I'd want in a sit-down BBQ joint -- lots of warm wood and treatments that give it a cozy upscale-cowboy vibe. The servers are attentive and friendly and have graciously worked to accommodate us when we've arrived with larger parties. While the BBQ'd meats might not be quite as good as some of the premier places around town, they're still solid and they offer a greater variety than most (things like house made Bologna) with good sides. I'm a sucker for popovers and theirs are right up there with some of the best I've ever had. If you're looking for a nice meal with good food and a good atmosphere you will not leave this place disappointed (or hungry for that matter).
(4)Devin C.
I was extremely excited to try this place, but had bad luck the first time I tried. When I originally went, it was the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, and there was 61 people in front of us in line. They said they would likely sell out by the time we were called, so we opted not to stay. The other day, we decided to try again for a friend's bday. It was a dreary, rainy Tuesday, so no line this time! I was delighted by the interior decor and cozy atmosphere. The tables were decorated with several different bbq sauces/mustards. The whiskey and beer list was extensive to say the least, each with descriptions of flavors that can be noted with each choice. It took me at least 15 minutes just to decide on a bourbon. It took me additional 10 minutes to decide what to order. I finally chose to go with the bestie combo - ribs, fried bologna, garlic herb fries and brisket chili - try the most I could. All the options were good, but not great. There is definitely far better BBQ to be found in St Louis; however, I don't know if you can find a BBQ joint as unique as this one. The environment is to the setting of a well-run restaurant as opposed to a kitchen with seating that you expect from most joints. So all-in-all if you are looking for a change of pace from the regular BBQ scene, give Salt + Smoke a shot, but if you want solid BBQ it can be found almost anywhere else.
(3)Avi R.
Living close to the Loop meant that i had tried out every food joint in the area. Well, almost every food joint. There was something about Nico (might have been the expensive menu ?) that always kept me away. So when Nico gave way to a new bbq place the GF and i were super excited to try it out. Now let me tell you about Indian BBQ first - it doesnt exist. Agreed, I didnt grow up eating BBQ in Memphis but I can tell you that this place serves amazing pulled chicken! I got to try my first bourbon too. Great ambience, friendly servers and overall a great experience ! One missing star cuz the GFs falafel was not great, partly our fault for ordering falafel at a bbq joint but also their bad for having it on the menu :) Trust me I really think this is some of the best food in the loop right now. PS - A meal for two with a bourbon cost us around $25
(4)Tara W.
First, I want say that I am basing my review on the third time that I went to this restaurant. The first two times were fine. The food was decent and the service was ok. Earlier in the week I called to ask if they take reservations. I was told no (it also says no on this website). We had a party of 6 so we knew we were going to wait and we had no problem with that. We got to the restaurant at roughly 7pm on a saturday and were told 45-60 minutes. That was fine and expected. All 6 of us ordered drinks and stood in the bar area. After we had been waiting an hour and after our second round of drinks, one of our party went up to check on our status. We were told that our party was next to be seated when a large table opened up. About 5-10 min later a large table opened up and....they put a party there who had been waiting for about half the amount of time we had. When we asked about that, we were told they had a reservation. A reservation? So either they were lying at this point or they lied when I called earlier. The host was also very rude during this whole ordeal. I am not angry about the wait. We had prepared for that. We were actually looking forward to it because this restaurant has plenty of choices at the bar. What I am angry about is how we were treated. Although we had been waiting well over an hour, we left immediately. The food is fine and the restaurant is still new enough to draw a lot of business but when the newness of this place disappears and all they have left is average BBQ (this is st. louis and we have plenty of BBQ options), expensive mediocre drinks, and rude employees good luck paying that expensive rent on the Delmar Loop
(1)Bryan G.
It was okay. Service was mediocre. Tattooed server acted like a deer in headlights every time he was asked a question. Took forever to get check. Pulled BBQ, creamed corn was delicious(more of a rich chowder) and deviled eggs were tasty.
(3)Tiffany S.
Ok so I went back and tried a few more items. The pulled chicken sandwich is wonderful. Very moist meat and well seasoned thanks to the toppings! But the brisket yesterday was super salty. The BBQ sauce helped tone down that saltiness but alone it wasn't too edible. I also think the sides leave much to be desired. I've had the baked beans which are way too smokey in my opinion and the Mac n cheese which lacks seasoning. The cole slaw looks fancy but doesn't have much taste.
(3)Dave S.
Can I say get your meat on!!! From beginning to end everything had tons of flavor!! For the appetizer we tried the toasted ravioli, yummy!! It had a crispy outside and when you took a bite you get a burst of beef brisket in your mouth! I could have eaten it all day!! The beastie combo will satisfy any meat craving! The everything was cooked perfectly! The meats were all juicy, well seasoned and smoked!! The ribs had a nice crispy on the one side but still so moist n tender. The pulled pork and brisket just melted in your mouth. Had the mac which was loaded w cheese, the brisket chilli was was nice n hearty, loaded w brisket and tons of flavor! Even the pop over bread was rockin! This meal definitely made my mouth happy!!! :D also a good beer selection
(5)Kelly M.
Wonderful good, great staff, extensive scotch, whiskey, bourbon list. Try the fries and the pulled pork sandwich. See my check in for more info.
(5)Christopher D.
Took the morning after's advice, tore up some wings. Great service, amazing food. Really enjoyed going to the Loop and checking it out. Huge bar that I'll have to come back for.
(5)David T.
How can you call yourself a BBQ restaurant and be out of ribs, pulled chix and pulled pork by 8 pm on a Saturday night. Unbelievable.
(1)Mike L.
Just not good barbeque. Got my food and first bite I was like, "WOW SALT!!!" I thought about saying something, but then remembered the name of the place. Rubbing that much salt on the meat just isn't the right approach. Their sides are good though.
(3)Joe H.
I got the bestie with ribs, brisket, potato salad and Mac n cheese. Everything was very good but not mind blowing. I actually think the ribs were over cooked. The brisket was perfect though. The St. Louis style sauce is amazing. This place is very good, but not 5 stars.
(4)Dan S.
Very comfy and casual spot in the loop, nothing fancy or overdone. I ordered the pork plate with garlic fries and green bean and tomato salad. The pork was excellent not dry at all and the perfect about of seasoning didn't even need BBQ sauce, I tried some anyway. The garlic fries (best I've had in a long time) and green bean salad was pretty good, good portion size. I recommend bringing a breath mint if you want the fries. The only downside was the server never offered refilled our drinks. I hate having to ask. Good place, I'll go again.
(4)Zach W.
Excellent food for an excellent price! Seriously, you get a ton of food for the money, but with the beers priced the way they are it probably evens out. $7 for a sawtooth ale? Get out of here... But if you are looking for a great spot for lunch or dinner and don't want to get any type of alcoholic drink, your money goes a long way with their delicious food.
(4)John W.
This is not your Daddy's BBQ joint. Group of 8 had multiple apps, sandwiches and entrees. Everyone passed everything around. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. The smoked meat and sauces were perfect. The sides were mostly what you would see at BBQ places but all had a twist that elevated them. And most importantly, for most of us regular folk, the prices are very reasonable. I would have paid at least 25% more and felt great about myself
(5)S. W.
This is a quaint little smoke house in the loop. The smell inside and out is deliciously amazing. My favorite meat here is the brisket, it's tender and flavorful. I've tried several items on the menu. The hush puppies with maple butter, they are OK, they need to be uniform (not excessively large pieces and small pieces) and provide more butter than what comes with an order. The STL cut ribs, would never order those again!!! They were tender, but the rub that they use I do not care for, I'll stay with Pappy's for my ribs where you do not have to add sauce to the meat for it to taste good. The burnt end toasted ravioli with the white BBQ sauce is soo different and very tasty. The cheddar bacon popovers are OK, I wouldn't order them as an appetizer. The fried jalapeño cheddar bologna is good, it taste like a homemade flattened meatloaf. As far as sides go, the white cheddar cracker Mac is sooo budget basic, I've tasted better out of the box. The brisket chili absolutely sucks!!! This is by far the nastiest chili I've had, possibly ever. The green bean and tomato salad is OK, needs a little something extra. The BBQ sweet potato chips are amazing!!!!
(4)Mike K.
Perhaps it is a little unfair to judge a restaurant on only one visit, but if it was only average, why go back again? A BBQ joint needs good, basic pulled pork. It was ok, except for the burnt part that doesn't go well on a sandwich, and except for the purple cabbage and apples on top. Pull them off and eat separately like it is your mini-salad. It came with 1 side for $9.00 which is an ok price. There was plenty of pork on it. Only 3 sauces however. Mix the tangy with the sweet for a good alternative. It is street parking and 1 tv in full bar area.
(3)Steven P.
Middle of the road. They have a great bourbon menu. Their sides and entrees are exciting but I wasn't blown away by the food itself. I had pulled pork and it was a little dry and sweet potato chips were cool but they didn't have a lot of flavor or seasoning. All in all it's worth trying the vibe of the location is really cool and my wife loves the brisket but we weren't blown away.
(3)Greg G.
Timber!!!!! Take a fallen tree, char it with some bitter spices and then serve it. Those were my ribs. My esteemed BBQ friend recommended this place and I went ready for a great meal. It didn't happen. I ordered the ribs with beans and fries as sides. The ribs were tough, dry, and tasted like the above description. My daughter ordered the cheeseburger and that was worse. If I had been served this at Crapplebee's, I would have said it was ok, but I expected much, much more from an allegedly genuine smokehouse. I would like to see how they actually prepared this stuff. The beans were also not good; the fries were ok, but needed some salt. The sauces were ok. The more I think about this experience, the worse it gets in my mind. There are many good smokehouses in STL and this isn't one of them. Skip (unless you dig tough and bitter tree bark). What the heck am I doing giving this 2 stars? 1.5 is probably more accurate.
(2)Lisa S.
Been wanting to try this place out because everyone says how great it is.... I have to believe most St. Louis people must me starving for a great BBQ place. It was not that great barely good. I had the brisket it was so dry, the smoked wings were very dry, tasted my husbands pork I couldn't stand it. I've had a lot of BBQ from many states, Alabama, New York, Kansas City, Calf., local backyard BBQ events. And this place is in the bottom. I will say... I'm going to try it in the afternoon to give it one more chance. If I were you I'd be hesitant about going. It must be hit or miss. I can't believe people would get this so wrong. Service was excellent.
(1)All American S.
Hands down the best BBQ Sauce and burnt end brisket in STL and rivals Kansas City's Oklahoma Joes. Just amazing! And the Mac and cheese is incredible as well! And not to mention the fries are just savory as can be. The mustard sauce is so good too. We go back every single week it's that good.
(5)Jess G.
I have visited this place twice now as I live in the loop and it is walking distance from my door. I stumbled upon this after a run and was really excited to try it. I had never been to NICO, so I cannot compare or critique the same business team on their new endeavor, but I am happy to see it as a BBQ place! However, the first time I went, I went with a friend after a long hike at Castlewood, so we had quite the appetite worked up! Both times I have been I have chosen to sit on the patio, thanks to the wonderful Summer weather and because I brought my pooch. The staff was really nice and accommodating. They even brought out a water dish for my pooch without even asking me! We got the deviled eggs appetizer to start with and they were great. They came with smoked bacon and a sauce underneath the eggs. The sauce really complemented the eggs well! If you're not a huge fan of deviled eggs, this wouldn't be your jam. We both decided to get the plates where you can choose two meats, two sides, accompanied by a delightful bacon cheddar popover. All in all we had the ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and brisket with baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and garlic french fries. We LOVED the meat. We really couldn't decide which was our favorite, but if we had to choose we'd go with the chicken and brisket. The meat was smoked and spiced to perfection! We also loved the three sauces because they really met the needs of all sauce lovers; vinegar based, sweet based, and a mustard based. Our personal favorite was the vinegar based sauce because it was lighter and tangy. We loved the coleslaw, and this is saying a lot because I do not like vinegar and oil based coleslaws, but they add apples to theirs and it really makes a difference. I did not care too much for the beans, they may have had too much of the smoke flavor. The mac and cheese was great though-not overpowered with cheese and the crackers they add give it a nice texture. The staff were really great with answering questions and making food and beverage selections. The second time I went which was this last weekend I had the brisket sandwich accompanied by the mac and cheese and an amazing seasonal grapefruit beer! The sandwich was great but a tad messy to eat. I loved that this was a place that you can sit down and order at your table versus ordering at a window and waiting. They do however sell out of the ribs on a daily basis, so in a way you still get your typical BBQ experience. I definitely will be back here frequently and I recommend you visit too!
(4)Mica G.
Maybe it's because I'm from Texas and know what brisket should taste like, but this place was sub par and that's being nice. I ordered the lean brisket and it was so dry it could have passed for beef jerky. I also tried the St. Louis style ribs thinking that would have to be a home run since we are in St. Louis, but they were so over seasoned that I couldn't eat more than one w/o chugging my water.
(2)John A.
We were there on Friday we all had the brisket very good the beans & mac& cheese was very good my wife had the cold slaw she said was very good. We plan on going back there. they are across the street from Blueberry hill. John St.Louis Mo.
(5)April B.
Great atmosphere & great location. Ordered the brisket sandwich and chicken plate. Chicken was moist and perfectly smoked. Brisket was good and both had adequate serving sizes. Coleslaw was a bit bland and was lacking a flavor punch. Mac and cheese was delicious and creamy with a cracker twist on a classic recipe. Fried pickles were disappointing as they came out soggy versus crisp, bummer as I was really looking forward to these. Great beer and bourbon selection. Overall I would return based on atmosphere and BBQ.
(3)Jennifer M.
Amazing BBQ food!!! It was truly a unique and authentic St. Louis Barbecue restaurant!! The service was very fast and the food was very reasonably priced!!
(5)Art B.
I had gone there twice. The first time we enjoyed our food enough (though were not overwhelmed) to come back. The second time was a disaster. Our waiter was aloof and slow. Drinks were delayed. After the drinks were delivered we were told that they ran out of ribs and chicken. Being that the menu only has 5 items on it - I would say this is a huge limitation and we should have been told this when we walked in. We made a big deal since that's what we came for. Waiter said that that's just the way it is b/c it takes 18 hours to cook their food and so tough luck. Food (pulled pork and brisket) was fair but dry. Sides were good. Our second round of drinks took forever. Plates were on the table way after we finished eating. But the most impressive thing was that as we were finished with our food there was a table right next to us and another several outside that had ribs. We asked the waiter, he just said some nonsensical thing and took off. we then waited for check and then waited forever to pay - in fact I had to go over to the register to do it myself. VERY DISAPPOINTED. WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN - if you want to go - be prepared to have terrible service and to be lied to in order to eat mediocre food.
(1)Kenneth R.
It took a friend of mine visiting from out of town to find this new restaurant in the loop and man was she right on the money with this restaurant. We went for lunch and the food was amazing! I got the 1/2 brisket (they are famous for their brisket) and 1/2 plate of ribs - it comes with 2 sides and the price was reasonable - all that for around $14! We had an incredible lunch. There were only 3 BBQ sauces - I tried the sweet version which was delicious, but considering it was a BBQ joint I expected more options.
(4)Richard D.
Very salty food. Cannot taste the flavor of the meat. I am A KCBS MASTER JUDGE. I told then I would rate them and who I was. The service was very slow and totally disorganized. The tables were sticky and were wiped with a dirty towel no sanitizer. The BBQ sauces were half empty and very caked with sticky sauce. Server told me when I asked to wipe ours off he told me they do that three times a day and walked away! Wow good service. The sides were average, plate messy had to ask what was what could not tell what food was what. All piled up on top of each other. Had to ask for spoons for beans...took forever? The water was good and they kept the glasses full. For lunch for four the bill was over 100.00 with tip. Drinks were two beers one coke and one tea. I would not go,back because of the saltiness , poor service but mostly the dirty tables and sauce bottles Sorry but I warned them so they could shine but they did not. Too many good BBQ places, take this on off your list.
(1)David C.
There was the slightest smirk on the waiter's face when we were working out our order. I suppose she could see we weren't showing proper reverence for what we were about to receive. The selection of whiskies and such was okay. Best BBQ ribs I ever ate in my life. Non plus ultra! What else needs to be said?
(5)Paw P.
Overall the brisket and ribs were very good. Tender with a good BBQ flavor. Drinks were expensive. Service, once it started went fast. He took our drink and food orders at the same time. Drinks and food arrived at the same tome not letting us relax and enjoy the costly drink. The table top was very sticky. We couldn't agree on whether the table wasn't wiped clean from previous use or the top was supposed to be real sticky. Either way it wasn't enjoyable. Be prepared to eat and go as they are in for a volume business and not letting the customer enjoy a relaxing meal. Overall, i would return.
(3)Gabbie R.
Gave Salt and Smoke another chance and had a great experience! The brisket sandwich is to die for!
(5)Dan C.
I'm a BBQ snob. This was so good it brought a tear to my eye. I'm also taken back by the extensive Scotch collection. Looks like I found a new lunch place!!
(4)Mark F.
Ate there for lunch. Not a long wait. Great service, and the food was fantastic. I'm not a huge BBQ sauce fan, but it was fantastic. My recommendation is the brisket.
(5)Jan D.
Tried Salt + Smoke in the University City Loop today at lunch with a friend. I'd read many reviews some good, some not so good and some bad -- and that's about where I stand too. I have some real mixed feelings. We ordered the Burnt End Toasted Rav appetizer. They would have been outstanding if half of them hadn't been cold in the middle. The dipping sauce was awesome with just a hint of horseradish to spice it up. But at $10 for 6 ravs I doubt I'd ever order again. Friend ordered pulled chicken sandwich with potato salad and I got the pulled pork with slaw and a side of white cheddar cracker mac (mac and cheese). My first bite of the mac was ice cold. I brought it to two people's attention but I was still waiting 15 minutes later. I finally went to find a manager. When I got back to my table the new order of mac was there (of course now the other half of my sandwich was cold). I took a bite of the mac -- well, at least it was hot but that's about all I can say about it. Totally flavorless. Could have used some salt but there is neither salt nor pepper on the table. I wasn't about to wait another 15 minutes to doctor the dish up. (Isn't the name of the place Salt + Smoke? You'd think you could get some salt.) I'll say that the pulled pork was good, very moist and smokey but it really didn't make up for a disappointing rest of the meal. I'll give the manager credit, he did comp the entire meal for both my friend and me (though he didn't tell us and we sat there waiting for the check for another 10 minutes until the server told us it was taken care of.) I'll stick with Vernon's.
(2)Ashley T.
I went here for the first time a few days ago, and the food is amazing! The pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese and beans were delicious. Plus the smell of smoked meat when you're just walking by the place is mouth-watering. My one complaint was that we received our food well before we got the drinks we ordered. But all of this was pretty much forgotten once we tasted the food-seriously so good! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Ed F.
The Post-Dispatch is right. The standard has been set for barbecue in St. Louis. I came with my family and we sampled as many dishes as we could--all were near perfect! Come early, the place was packed by 6:15.
(5)Amy R.
Great BBQ spot!! First, the location was great for people watching. Right in the center of things. We sat at the bar and ordered two Bloody Mary's which were DELISH (and I'm kind of Bloody Mary snob). We split the pulled pork sandwich and it was to die for. I wish I had gotten my own sandwich to myself. The environment was fun and cool. Service was fantastic. I loved it and can't wait to go back!
(5)Shawn P.
Tasty wonderful brisket and coleslaw! Mac and Cheese isn't good as it is very bland. Pit beans are blah. Two trips so far and service is pretty terrible. Slow, no offers for refills, and takes forever to get waited on and for a to go box to arrive. Third time better be a charm or hello 3 stars...
(4)Desiree B.
I am not a huge fan of BBQ but get random cravings and this place did not disappoint! The interior is so creative, open, and vibrant! I also love the server's aprons, they appear to be gardening aprons of some sort. Super neat idea! The boyfriend ordered pretty much everything! The burnt end toasted ravioli was my absolute favorite!! As well as the bbq pork and the Mac and cheese. We were greeted as soon as we entered, but unfortunately our server was very inattentive and very slow. We waited a long time for waters and drinks. Then we wanted to order beers but she never made it back to the table until we were done with our food. Thank goodness the kitchen knows what's up because we didn't need anything else after the food was delivered. Also Lucky for them, some of their servers are big into teamwork so one gentlemen who also sat us, refilled our waters, checked on our food and cleared our plates. I wish I could have tipped him. We will definitely be back, but will probably sit at the bar next time to avoid the poor service.
(4)Darron M.
First and foremost our server Dexter was Awesome!!! Secondly, the food was delicious. I tried the Bestie 3 with the rib, burnt ends, and jalapeño bologna. I chose the mac and cheese and fries as my sides. Both were really good. The sauces were out of this world! You must try it out at least once!
(5)Benjamin S.
This place is great. Good service, fast kitchen, and the food is fantastic- as are the cocktails. Comfortable and trendy interior decor and a very impressive selection of brown liquor. I'm already a regular and business has been great. Strongly recommend. NOT vegan or veggie friendly, naturally.
(5)E Michael H.
My wife Mary and I had lunch here yesterday. For us the pulled pork was better than Sugar Fire or Badanna's. The Chef's special salad used local ingrediatiamts of tomatoes, watermelon with a spicey mayonnaise type sauce. The sauce was so good I wanted to ask the chef to do a slaw with it. The popovers were delicious with a parmasian and breadcrumb edge that was light and savory. I can't wait until the nex trip! The only complaint for me was the rest room didn't have grab bars for someone in a wheelchair. The owner Tom assured us that would be resolved by the time we came back. I love having bar b que in the Loop!
(4)Stacy B.
Yay! A great new BBQ restaurant in the loop! I liked Nico, but I love S&S. Creative BBQ, craft beers & bourbons, reasonable prices. Everything we tried was delicious. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Scot P.
I stopped by for dinner at the bar tonight and the place was packed at the tables with several people waiting. I had the brisket tip sandwich with mac & cheese and some rye pale ale. Everything was delicious- not oversauced, but well-smoked. I was a very happy man.
(5)Sonja K.
Fun little restaurant on the Loop with a great atmosphere. The food is quite good and its definitely a nice place to go on a date or with friends. All around a great place. The only reason I'm give 4/5 is the food, while good, was not exceptional in any way.
(4)Tom C.
The wings are fantastic. The French fries are fantastic. The pulled chicken is fantastic. The ribs are very good. Use the two BBQ sauces supplied at the table to maximize pleasure.
(5)Ken L.
First time here. Do I like bbq? Sure. I had pulled pork, it was "ok". A little dry and the potatoe salad was bland. I'm not a fan of a menu that has bbq stains over it. The container for the sweetner had empty packets and again bbq sauce on it. I get that it's a bbq place, but either wipe your hands off or the staff clean these things.
(3)Kacie N.
Brisket was the best in STL, hands down. Great beer and bourbon selection as well. Their house cocktails are to die for!
(5)E F.
Went to Salt + Smoke on a Saturday night after a movie at the Tivoli. The ambiance of the restaurant is very nice. For me this was the main point that differentiates Salt + Smoke from other area BBQ places where you need to stand in line for 15 to 20 minutes. Salt + Smoke has traditional wait staff service. Our waitress was friendly and efficient. Food-wise, I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was very flavorful and moist. It came with one side. I had the beans, which were good, but small. I actually liked the fact that the portions were not huge. You didn't feel like you would need to take a nap an hour later.
(4)Jason M.
Damn good barbecue and the bread roll that comes with the plate is excellent and goes great with the bbq.
(5)Anthony A.
Two times in four days, this place is doing something right. If you can tolerate the super hipster vibe, the food will not disappoint.
(4)Erin P.
The food was delicious and reasonably priced. Service was a little slow but we sat outside.
(4)Kyle M.
Pretty bland overall. The baked beans were really bland. The met was smoked nicely but not anything remarkable. Sauces were ok, like the mustard sauce but the "hotangy" was tangy only. Bourbon selection was great.
(3)Pam M.
all i can say is delicious and awesome ! :) loved it and rubin the waiter was awesome
(5)Ken Z.
We came for dinner. Got seated in a dark corner of the store. Literally 0 lights above us. The main thing lighting my meal was the flat screen behind me. Ordered a combo meal of brisket, ribs, creamed corn, seasoned fries, and popover for $14. My friend ordered a pulled pork sandwich, mac n cheese, and the hushpuppies for $13. Good portions, definitely filled me up. The brisket was good, fairly tender and just the right amount of fat. Ribs were dry and heavily peppered (like literally the entire top portion was black because of pepper) but otherwise lacked smoky flavors or other spices. BBQ sauce was excellent but the bottle itself was very sticky. Creamed corn wasn't sweet at all, not what I was expecting. Fries were excellently seasoned and I believe they were handcut. Popover wasn't too impressive either. Overall the meal lacked flavor and there was no salt or pepper on the table either. Waitress was friendly and made sure we had everything we needed.
(3)Alexander D.
Service was really quick and friendly, and the food came out without delay. I ordered a falafel burger (great vegetarian option) and mac n cheese, which were both delicious. I'll definitely return next time I'm hungry in the Loop.
(4)Rob M.
If you want BBQ, this is not the place. Meat was dry, sauces were all pretty mediocre.
(2)Nathan O.
It was good. I wasn't wowed by anything. I liked everything thing though. it's consistent to say the least. The BBQ sauce is probably the best thing about it. No lie the sauce is giving sugar fire a run for its money. It's good enough to race with the big dog's just not to win. Definitely won't be the last time I go there. My friends love it, I'm in that area plus I love BBQ. The best part about it to me is its not a hassle to get some quality food. The best BBQ places in the city run out of meat allot have crazy times of business. This is nice.
(4)Jason J.
I know the name is salt + smoke but my friends brisket sandwich was way salty & I use a lot of salt...the pulled pork sandwich I had was pretty good & we both liked the deviled eggs...we both thought the Mac n cheese was just OK...I thought it at least needed salt n pepper..but was none to be seen on any table...I hated the sauces...but I'm not a fan of sweet sauces (I always try all the sauces even the sweet)...idk I don't think I'll be back...to many other places to try! :-D BTW the service was great but we go early so it was pretty dead...
(3)Chris M.
Very good pulled pork sandwich, even with the cole slaw, which I don't usually like. It gave the sandwich a nice crunch.
(4)Eric S.
Turns out the person who served my whisky was not trained properly or new or something and they do actually have big 2 inch ice cubes for whisky. Speak up if you get the wrong ice!
(3)Tim R.
OK, so this is my revised review. I had a less than pleasurable experience on my first visit. However, the owner reached out to me to see what he could do to improve service and earn back my business. We made a return visit and I was MUCH happiee with the second go. The bourbon selection is pretty phenomenal. I enjoy bourbon either neat or on the rocks and I have had my eye on several bottles for my home collection. Salt & Smoke allowed me the opportunity to taste a few of them and decide yay or nay without breaking the bank to do so. I had a finger of the Noah's Mill and a finger of Booker's. Both were excellent, with the overproof Booker's slightly rising above, possibly due to the big bold flavor of an overproof bourbon. They were out of my favorite of their bbq, the smoked brisket, but that just gave me an excuse to try the chicken and pork. Both came out very flavorful and moist. There ls still room for improvement in the way of service, but a strong improvement from our last visit and we will be back to witness the continued evolution and improvements.
(4)Steve S.
Wonderful BBQ. Very good service. Had the brisket and pulled pork. Both were very very good. Tender. Nice smoke. I've had good brisket in Texas and this would give them a good run for their money. Pulled pork was tender. And if you add the South Carolina style bbq sauce, oh my. Good stuff. They have a craft beer selection that is real good. Interesting choices. Large bourbon selection. When I get back in town again, I will make this one of my first stops. Maybe I'll get to try their ribs.
(4)John S.
Some of the best brisket I've ever had. And the chicken sandwhich I tasted was sneaky good. My wife got the smoked trout salad & she loved it. Good price point too. Love it. And you can't beat people watching in the loop
(5)Jonathan S.
Just went to salt & smoke for the first time and it was excellent. Perfectly smoked ribs- tender and juicy with great flavor and a really good rub. The sides were great too- baked beans (tangy and sweet) and Mac & cheese (creamy with good overall texture). The waitstaff was also very nice and attentive. This was the perfect place to spend one of the few cool summer nights in St. Louis.
(5)Tony S.
Wow! What a find. We were in the Delmar district west of SLU walking around at lunchtime and found this place. It was amazing. We loved the hush puppies. The bread popover that comes with each entree is really great too. Fried ravioli filled with bbq pork was also really good. Of course the BBQ pork was really nice too. Owner was there on site and spoke to us and the wait staff was friendly and helpful and service was quick. Great meal.
(5)Patricia F.
Greasy, slippery floors. Sticky tables. Food so salty it is inedible. Ripping off 20-somethings who don't get the difference between trendy and good.
(1)Tom S.
Best BBQ in town!
(5)Clara N.
4 stars seriously? I was excited to try this place, the atmosphere seemed extremely nice/fun but I was very disappointed with my experience here. From the very beginning the male hostess was stand off-ish, and not only that but our waitress seemed very uneducated about the menu. I understand that this place just opened but I would recommend training your wait-staff for a longer period of time if they cannot accurately describe items on the menu. I got the pulled pork sandwich and while the portions were very decent I was not impressed with the taste, by the time we received our food my bun was so soggy it had a hole ripped in the bottom before I even took a bite. Fries were good and seasoned well, but we weren't offered anything other than the BBQ sauce on the table to dip them in. Speaking of BBQ sauce... options are slim. I tried the My Sweet Bestie flavor and it was honestly not great.. my sandwich was a little bland from the beginning and the sauce was no avail. This place has great outdoor seating and the inside is very spacious, it has the potential to be a wonderful restaurant unfortunately it fell just below par. Excellent whiskey selection and a decent craft beer list, only domestics offered were Bud Light and Budweiser. As a St. Louis restaurant I expected a little more beer options. Also, the drink menu did not list any vodka/rum/gin which was a disappointment to someone who appreciates a good gin and tonic. Whiskey, wine and beer (if they have it in stock) will have to do if you plan on drinking here.
(2)Albert H.
first time here and feel its the best bbq in st louis. servants are so nice.
(5)Eliza K.
If you like good bbq ribs, this is the place to go. Avoid the pulled pork, it's too salty and has an unusual after taste. Solid bbq choice when presented when the mid week BBQ urge!!
(4)Amber K.
Disclaimer: BBQ is not my favorite genre. Anyway, this place was great. I walked in wearing jeans and was concerned because everyone was dressed up, but then realized it was a party of some sort. We had no wait. The food came out pretty quick. I had the brisket sandwich. I tried all the sauces but my sweet bestie was the bestie. The bun actually didn't nothing for the sandwich so I pulled the meat off and just ate it with MSB. I had the creamed corn which my husband stole from me. Hubby had the pulled chicken plate with fries and brisket chili. The chicken and fries were good, I ended up stealing his chili. My girls had the Mac n cheese which they didn't like, I tried it and it was actually good, they're used to the stuff with no flavor from most restaurants. They also had the BBQ chips which had a sweet and salty flavor. The thing I liked best is most BBQ places don't season their meat and let the sauce do all the work. Their meat could stand on it's own. I also loved the vibe, great place!
(5)Dan G.
Out of meat before 8:30 on a Friday night. Very disappointing. Guy at the front told us we could just come back tomorrow or go have a drink at the bar (in lieu of dinner?). Where's the manager on a night like this? No big deal....
(2)Jamie H.
The service was amazing. Dexter was a doll. The brisket sandwich was incredible; served on pan seared bread with burnt end mayo. The mac and cheese is good; but my mom's is better. The burnt end ravs were delish. The popovers were good but not bacon or cheesy enough. Hushpuppies and pickles were good but I've had better. Manhattan was good but I can make a better one; I'm a bartender. The white BBQ sauce should be bottled. Definitely see myself coming back and taking advantage of the street side seating when it's warm.
(4)Susan F.
Best dinner I have had in months. These folks do BBQ right. I had the pulled chicken which was tender, juicy, and perfect on its own. The regular bbq sauce is the best I have ever had - sweet but not too sweet and smoky with a gentle kick. I had the garlic herb fries and green beans for sides which were both full of flavor and cooked to perfection. How nice to have a properly cooked vegetable at a bbq place! My usual experience is that BBQ places cook their vegetables to death. Boyfriend had the ribs which he said were not quite as good as Pappy's (I have not been yet) but only slightly so and he said that Pappy's could learn something from that sauce. BF also had the sweet potato chips and mac and cheese - both were excellent. We also had the burnt ends ravioli and we agreed it was the best rav we have ever had. Prices are comparably good and portions are generous. Menu has a few local beers though they could stand to add a few more. On the plus side, not a sign of InBev anywhere. The strawberry hard cider is purely amazing. I even saw a vegan falafel sandwich on the menu which, since every single piece of food we had was excellent, I imagine is quite good.
(5)Georgia M.
We went on a busy Saturday night, were seated right away and had excellent service from our waiter, Reuben. We LOVE barbecue and this place was amazing. Everything we ate was delicious. Popovers come on the plate with your food and are interesting. We had the brisket, mac and cheese, garlic fries, pulled chicken sandwich, half slab ribs, sweet potato chips and the best thing I have ever tasted,The Creamed Corn. The food came out fast, which might make you worry, but it was great. The sauces are good. The spicy, vinegar based sauce was perfect for the ribs. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Matt C.
Had a great lunch. Caesar Chicken salad was excellent with superior quality ingredients. Chicken wings were perfect, great smoke, moist meat, awesome rub (highly recommend). Ribs again great smoke and awesome rub superior quality of meat. Cole slaw balanced flavor must try. Green beans perfectly cooked with nice natural flavor.
(5)Ashley S.
I was in St. Louis on a business trip a few weeks ago so a few coworkers and I went to Salt + Smoke around 7pm on a Saturday night. We had about a 40 minute wait and by the time we were seated there was only Brisket left. This was not a problem at all... I ordered the Brisket Plate with White Cheddar Cracker Mac and the Garlic and Herb Fries. This is literally the BEST BBQ I've ever tasted. The brisket was melt-in-your-mouth tender and tasted incredible! The fries were so good and the mac and cheese was to die for. We made a to-go order the next night and I ended up just getting a pint of mac and cheese it was that good. I would highly recommend this place to anyone that goes to St. Louis. And those Bacon Cheddar Popovers? SOOO GOOD! Thank you for a wonderful experience. I can't wait until I come back to town!
(5)Ronnie M.
the ribs and brisket are AWESOME sides of mac & cheese and beans HORRIBLE!!! mac & cheese DRY HARD with NO CHEESE . let the server know , he said it was because of the crackers BS. the beans looked REFRIED and very BLAND, tried to add bbq sauce (witch ALL 3 VERY GOOD) for flavor, nope did not help at all, maybe that S+S style but not mine. (I THINK THEY SAT IN HOT PANS ALL DAY) they kept the water refilled but never refilled my drink?? i will wait a month or 2 and try the sides again to see if i was lied to or if they just do em that way
(2)Julia R.
Wow--in a city that boasts some incredible BBQ restaurants, Salt+Smoke is a welcome addition. I stopped in today for lunch while walking around The Loop, and ordered the pulled chicken sandwich. The chicken was juicy, smoky and delicious. The pimento cheddar cheese and corn relish (both on the sandwich, but not in overwhelming quantities) added a unique flavor. The bun, which was simultaneously crispy, buttery, and soft, rounded off this great sandwich. The restaurant serves Texas style BBQ, so the meat is served dry with sauces on the side. I used a bit of the sweet BBQ sauce that was on the table (being from StL, I prefer sweet sauce) and it was very good. There were also spicy BBQ sauce and mustard that I didn't try on the table. The side I ordered was the Green Bean and Tomato salad which was crisp, refreshing and healthy (something that is sometimes hard to find in BBQ joints). The service was fantastic as well. My server was friendly, witty, and on the ball. Overall great experience.
(5)Eric S.
I really like this place. The atmosphere is fresh. Had the BLT, which was delicious. We also got appetizers. The deviled eggs were great. Fried pickles were just OK. Potato salad that came with the BLT was good also. Service was a little lacking, but not enough to spoil the cool atmosphere.
(4)Stephanie K.
Had really high hopes for this place. Walking in we are greeted with...oh wait no one greeted us when we walked in. We stood around by the front door while the servers lumbered by trying to avoid eye contact as to not have to be the one to seat us. When we were sat our server greeted us in a timely manner but Buddy Holly wasn't much of a waiter. 2/3 drinks ordered were delivered (don't worry we received the 3rd after our entrees were served)...of which my Manhattan was room temp booze with an ice cube dropped into it. Guess stirring a drink is a bit much to ask. The mac and cheese came to the table and looked AWESOME! First bite- it was maybe room temp...I get that it's probably in a warmer in the back but turning the warmer on may help. Our sandwiches were pretty okay. The brisket was just a little dry as was the pulled pork sandwich, these things happen with BBQ though. Good thing for the sauce! After you're done pouring one if not all three of the sauces (that are really good by the way) on your plate you're going to need to wash your hands because it seems they can't wipe sauce bottles between seatings. This place also won't be your jam if you're into refills. There are full pitchers all over the floor but it seems they are only full because they are never used. The icing on the cake was a server dragging the trash bag and linen bag through the dining room. That being said I'm sure it's their only way of getting that stuff outside, but a clean container or even bags PICKED UP and not drug across the floor would be better.
(2)