The Salt + Smoke team

Meet our besties

The absolute dreamboats that make Salt + Smoke the place where BBQ besties form lifelong BBQ friendships.

Paradise is sitting down to a meal of slow-smoked BBQ, fresh and flavorful sides all homemade from scratch, and your choice from an extensive list of whiskey and beer. Paradise is sitting down to a meal with great friends at Salt + Smoke. Get a plate filled with your favorite cut of our world-famous brisket, smoked over post oak for 16 hours, or explore our other dishes—smoked salmon, St. Louis cut ribs, and our pulled pork will all keep your mouth watering and your appetite satisfied. Come on in, put in your order and take a seat at our place, where meat is always treated right.

Where it all started

The ultimate bestie duo.

Owner

The Tom Schmidt
“Browning is integral to the flavor.”

Tom was a really shy kid that found his voice and passion in the restaurant worlds he immersed himself in. Tom was thinking about BBQ and eating about BBQ for a long time. Then he started talking about BBQ to Haley and together they made great BBQ. Tom realizes now that thinking about stuff is bad for him. Now he just talks about stuff and then he and Haley make good stuff happen.
Co-Owner + Pitmaster

Haley Freaking Riley
“Risk it for the brisket.”

Raised in the wild by wolves, Haley Riley has a deep and meaningful connection to meat. After graduating top of his class at Meat Doctor University, he has gone on to be one of the world’s preeminent meat minds with his philosophy “You Can’t BBQ on Your Heels.”

Sauce, sides + bourbon picks

The bestie squad.

CFO

Steve
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
I Can’t Even. I love a little extra spiciness.
What whiskey/bourbon do you always recommend?
Angels Envy Rye and Redbeast 12 are always in my rotation … but I’m always down to taste-testing something new (you hear that, Tom?).
If you had a dish named after you, what would it be?
If we did chips and salsa, those better be named after me!
Director of Operations

Mike
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
My Sweet Bestie … it’s a classic, like me
Favorite daily side you wish was a permanent side?
Anything pickled.
What whiskey/bourbon do you always recommend?
Buffalo Trace … It pretty much has everything you want without overdoing it
HR Director

Emily
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
Definitely My Sweet Bestie
What whiskey/bourbon do you always recommend?
Whatever my fiancé suggests … he is the pro in that arena!
If you had a dish named after yourself, what would your dish be?
I can live without a lot of things but TACOS are not on the list. So my dish would have to be something taco related. Maybe I’ll convince Tom and Haley to add a Salt and Smoke Taco to the menu one day!
Corporate Chef

John
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
BuffaLove Me
Favorite daily side you wish was a permanent side?
Homemade Applesauce, Smoked Butter Squash Soup, Mashed Potatoes with Smoked Chicken Gravy, or a simple melon salad with feta crumbles, toasted pine nuts, chili oil and mint. SIMPLE.
What whiskey/bourbon do you always recommend?
Gin 😂😂, but really Templeton Rye
If you had a dish named after yourself, what would your dish be?
A giant MR ribeye with a kale salad, and fried rice on the side … or just a steak with a glass of water (definitely not slopping it up), or a STEAM BUN WITH OUR PULLED PORK
Catering Director

Amy
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
Bestie, I’m friendly to everyone
Favorite daily side you wish was a permanent side?
Mashed potatoes!!! It doesn’t get any better than that.
If you had a dish named after yourself, what would your dish be?
Jalapeno and Cheddar Bologna plate. I’m a little spicy and cheese goes great with everything including mashed potatoes and Bologna
Exec. Chef: Commissary

Shaina
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
I’m going with our “BuffaLove Me” sauce. I may even mix it with a bit of Alabama Ranch.
Favorite daily side you wish was a permanent side?
Either a roasted or mashed potato
What whiskey/bourbon do you always recommend?
Local all the way—Switchgrass Spirits
If you had a dish named after yourself, what would your dish be?
A tasty combo of my two favorite sandwiches, a Cubano and a Reuben- with all smoked meats of course- A Ruebano.
Marketing Director

Mackenzie
If you were a S+S sauce, which one would you be?
Probably Alabama Ranch. Mainly because no one else claimed it in their answer and I have to be different.
Favorite daily side you wish was a permanent side?
Mashed potatoes forever and always. I’d bathe in those potatoes.
If you had a dish named after yourself, what would your dish be?
Either a super decadent chocolate dessert (think gooey middle that you can’t stop eating even if it makes you sick) or a chicken pot pie.