For pitmasters across the US, the art and science of barbecue is something of a religion of its own. Everything from the type of wood used in the smokers to the length of time spent cookin’ is meticulously curated for maximum flavor. Let’s not forget that barbecue is not limited to American cuisine, as there are many barbecue traditions from around the world. Korea has gogigui, South Africa has braai, and Mexico has barbacoa (to name a few).
To celebrate National Barbeque Day on May 16th, we asked our Yelp Elite Squad, an exclusive group of passionate local foodies and explorers, what they look for when a ‘cue craving hits. Whether you prefer your meat sweet, spicy, or tangy, one of their barbeque picks is sure to tickle your tastebuds. Give them a try to celebrate the start of barbecue season and tell us what you think with a review on Yelp.
Do you find yourself to be a barbecue connoisseur? You could be a good fit for the Elite Squad! Nominate yourself today and join our crew of trusted users as they explore barbeque joints in your neighborhood.
1. Franklin BBQ, Austin TX
2. Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong, Los Angeles, CA
3. The Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood, TX
4. Hae Jang Chon, Los Angeles, CA
5. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, KS
6. Pappy’s Smokehouse, Saint Louis, MO
A friend told me that this is the best place in America to have ribs, she said pay [no] attention to the rest of the menu, just order ribs. The ribs melted in my mouth, the flavor was great, texture was dry yet wet, can’t explain it but it was the best ribs I have ever had, it needed no sauce.
– Maleka H on Yelp
7. Mr BBQ Fullerton, CA
8. Smoque BBQ Chicago, IL
9. Hard Eight BBQ Coppell, TX
10. Peg Leg Porker Nashville, TN
11. Green Street Smoked Meats Chicago, IL
12. Lewis Barbecue Charleston, SC
13. Jongro BBQ New York, NY
14. Hobak Korean BBQ Las Vegas, NV
15. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, New York, NY
16. Heirloom Market BBQ , Atlanta, GA
[Heirloom Market]’s the brainchild of Cody Taylor and Jieyon Lee, transplants from Texas and South Korea, respectively. The vibe is something close to American BBQ/Korean fusion, but in reading the menu the fusion is not really the point. Both styles exist assertively without gimmicky attempts to smash them together.
– Andrew B. on Yelp
17. Jack Stack Barbecue – Freight House, Kansas City, MO
18. 888 Korean BBQ, Las Vegas, NV
19. Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa, Orlando, FL
20. Kogiya Korean BBQ, Annandale, VA
Have this full list handy at all times by bookmarking this Yelp Collection here. Feeling hungry after reading? Find a top-rated BBQ restaurant near you.
Methodology: This is an all-time list of the Top Elite-Reviewed BBQ restaurants in the United States according to Yelp Elites. We identified businesses in the BBQ category on Yelp, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews by Yelp Elites. We included only 3 businesses per state for geographic diversity. This list looked at businesses in the United States.
