Texas Cities Sizzle in Top Spots for Best Barbecue, Study Finds
Who’s up for a barbecue? Well, if you are in the great state of Texas, you’ve hit the jackpot. A recent study by LawnStarter has found that the Lone Star State houses some of the best barbecue cities in the U.S., with three of its towns taking the top spots.
A Glance at The Rankings
In this noteworthy list, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio managed to secure the third, seventh, and eighth spots, respectively. Clearly, Texas is out to stake its claim as a desirable barbecue destination.
To establish fair rankings, LawnStarter considered multiple factors including the accessibility of barbecue vendors and smokehouses, customer satisfaction, awards won by local pitmasters in barbecue competitions, the number of memberships to exclusive barbecue societies, and whether the city hosts major barbecue festivals or events.
Texas Cities That Lifted the Crown
Houston: Cementing its position in the third rank is Houston’s barbecue scene, earning universal acclaim for its drool-inducing, pit-smoked meats and an impressive array of barbecue vendors. The city’s balance of offering both a traditional and modern barbecue experience worked to its advantage in the rankings.
Austin: Not far behind, Austin captured the attention—and appetites—of barbecue enthusiasts by making it to the seventh place. The city’s exclusive barbecue societies and a highly-rated customer satisfaction score may be to thank for its notable standing.
San Antonio: Rounding off the top ten is San Antonio at number eight. Its thriving barbecue scene, coupled with a reputation for hosting significant barbecue events, went a long way in securing its position in the list.
A Stiff Competition from Kansas City
While the three Texas cities certainly sizzled in the rankings, they fell short of the title bestowed upon Kansas City—”BBQ Capital of the World”. Kansas City, highly acclaimed for its rich barbecue history, a host of award-winning pitmasters, and thrilling barbecue competitions, stood out in all five factors that the researchers evaluated, reigning supreme in the rankings.
Recognizing a True Barbecue City
According to culinary experts, authenticity and history are critical components in identifying a true barbecue city. As such, aficionados are encouraged to explore cities and regions with a rich history of great pitmasters and family-owned businesses. They further opine that the best barbecue cities are likely to host a number of independently-owned barbecue restaurants, showcasing the local flavors and techniques.
Final Thoughts
All in all, if you are someone who can’t resist the tantalizing aroma of meat grilling over a fire, the diverse barbecue culture displayed in these Texan cities would be just the perfect treat you need. The recent evaluations only go to prove that Texas has perfected the art of smoking, grilling, and barbecuing to a point where it can challenge even the declared ‘BBQ Capital of the World’ – Kansas City. Undoubtedly, this culinary prowess makes these cities a must-visit destination for all barbecue enthusiasts around the world.