Salt + Smoke brings crowd-approved barbecue to Delmar

What the ratings say

Salt + Smoke’s University City location carries a 4.5 Google rating from 4,396 reviews, a substantial body of feedback that points to broad, sustained approval. Public reviews repeatedly praise the combination of smoked meats, friendly service and a strong barbecue atmosphere. The moderate price designation fits a restaurant positioned for a full lunch or dinner rather than a quick bargain meal.

The setting makes an impression before diners enter. One reviewer noted the smoker outside beneath an awning, along with front seating that establishes the smokehouse mood immediately. Inside, barbecue-themed decor continues that identity. Another diner described smelling the restaurant while walking down Delmar. Taken together, those comments suggest a place that leans confidently into the sights and aromas of barbecue.

The meats and plates to prioritize

Ribs and brisket stand out most clearly in the sample feedback. One party used the shareable four-meat, two-side plate to double up on both, calling them favorites and describing the serving as plentiful. Another reviewer found the chicken and brisket moist. A separate diner ordered a half-rack rib plate and reported that the ribs came cleanly off the bone.

That pattern makes a mixed or shareable plate the most practical introduction, especially for two people who want to compare meats without committing to a single order. Brisket has repeated support, while ribs receive especially enthusiastic comments about texture. Chicken, pulled pork and a BLT also appear positively in individual reviews, though they do not recur enough in this sample to carry the same weight as brisket and ribs.

Sides, starters and dessert

Creamed corn is the clearest side recommendation. It appears in two reviews, including one that named it as the favorite part of the meal. Potato salad and fries were also described as good complements, while beef tallow fries earned a more emphatic endorsement from another diner.

Fried pickles received strong praise in one review. Hush puppies produced a more muted response, with one diner finding them merely okay. The brisket chili was enjoyed by its reviewer, but that diner wanted more smoky flavor and compared its profile to red beans. These are limited observations rather than consistent complaints, but they help separate the safest bets from the more subjective choices.

Dessert has one notable mention: the Zooey Gooey Lemon Bar was singled out as an exceptional finish. It is not a recurring recommendation in the supplied feedback, yet the enthusiasm makes it worth considering when available.

Overall verdict

Based on its rating volume and the patterns in public reviews, Salt + Smoke looks like a dependable University City barbecue choice for generous plates, moist brisket, tender ribs and a setting that feels committed to the smokehouse theme. Service also receives repeated positive attention, including comments that staff were friendly and enhanced the experience.

The strongest order is straightforward: choose brisket and ribs, then add creamed corn. Groups and couples may get the best overview from a shareable meat plate. Hush puppies and brisket chili appear more likely to divide opinion, but the overall review signal remains notably strong.