- Yelp has ranked the best cites for barbecue across the U.S.
- The new rankings are based on Yelp data, such as restaurant ratings and total barbecue business count.
- Two cities in Texas took the top spot on the list, while the rest of the top five cities were spread across the South.
It’s a statistical fact that warm weather makes people want to buy barbecue foods. With the (hot) dog days of summer just around the corner, that means any second now you’re going to start craving something grilled, charred, and smothered in sauce. And Yelp knows exactly where you should go to get it.
Yelp compiled a list of the top cities in the U.S. for “smoked meats and mouth-watering barbecue sauces.” It explained in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure that it created the list by ranking each location using a “blended metric including consumer interest in BBQ, total business count, and average business rating.” It noted that it limited this year’s list to two cities per state to “ensure geographic diversity.”
After looking at all the data, unsurprisingly, Austin won.
“Austin reigns supreme as the No. 1 region for barbecue,” Yelp shared. “Whether you like slow-smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, or house-made sausages, Austin has earned its reputation as a top barbecue destination.”
It noted that Austin has earned this reputation thanks to beloved spots like Terry Black’s Barbecue and food trucks like Micklethwait Craft Meat in East Austin, which both earn high praise from Yelp users.
“Yelp users praise Austin’s barbecue for its simple seasonings, which let the quality of the meat shine. Trays of tender brisket, flavorful ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches are among the most photographed dishes,” it added. “Many users also highlight the perfectly tender texture of the meats at spots like Interstellar BBQ and Salt Lick BBQ.”
Also at the top of the list is San Antonio, which came in at No. 2. “The area’s diverse barbecue scene includes food trucks like Brisket Boys and Cake-N-Que, which showcase a variety of smoked meat styles,” Yelp shared. It’s followed by Kansas City, Missouri, which earned high praise thanks to its “signature sauce and legendary burnt ends” at restaurants like Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which “boasts more than 3,500 5-star reviews.
Then there’s Memphis, Tennessee, which Yelp noted is “well-known for its dry-rub ribs and pulled pork, offered at beloved restaurants like Cozy Corner and Elwood’s Shack.” And rounding out the top five is Charleston, South Carolina, which ranked highly thanks to its traditional Lowcountry styles. “With a mix of historic BBQ joints like Poogan’s Smokehouse and modern, pitmaster-driven spots likePalmira Barbecue, Charleston blends time-honored smoking techniques with innovative flavors that Yelp users love,” the site added.
Want to see who else made the list? Check out all the winners at yelp.com.
