Texas got beat out by Arizona, South Carolina, California … and Hawaii.
The Yelp Elite Squad, a selective membership program for active users, helped compile the list of the “most mouthwatering barbecue experiences.” The online crowdsourcing platform identified barbecue businesses and ranked them based on the volume and ratings of Yelp Elite reviews.
Only 13 Texas barbecue restaurants made the list. Austin’s Franklin Barbecue ranked the highest at no. 6.
“Premium, naturally raised meats set Franklin Barbecue apart, where USDA Prime brisket, heritage pork, and carefully sourced turkey get the spotlight they deserve. Here, quality and patience are everything, letting the honest flavors of world-class barbecue speak for themselves in a welcoming, no-frills setting,” Yelp’s report states.
Here are the other Texas barbecue restaurants that cracked the list::
Texas didn’t officially claim the No. 1 spot, but it did show up in a different way. Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix, Ariz., was boasted as a “must-visit for anyone craving authentic Central Texas–style barbecue.”
Little Miss BBQ’s owners specifically credited Franklin BBQ, John Mueller Meat Co, la Barbecue, Smitty’s and the Salt Lick as inspiration for their restaurant, according to its website.