BBQ News

New survey loves Texas barbecue but finds some surprising results

Texans love to argue about barbecue.

Photo by Robert Jacob Lerma

Texas barbecue rules the field, according to a new survey by a website called BBQ Revolution.

Titled "The Most Popular BBQ in the U.S.," the report finds that Texas-style BBQ is by far the most popular barbecue style, according to Google trends data, handily beating four other styles: Kansas City, Memphis, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In possibly more surprising news, the report also finds that the top city in America for barbecue is ... Houston.

Methodology is everything, of course: The ranking is based on the number of barbecue restaurants in each city, pulled from data on Tripadvisor. Houston has 167 establishments, edging out noted barbecue destination Los Angeles, which comes in at No. 2 with 162 restaurants.

Other cities in Texas that make the top 10 include San Antonio, with 135 restaurants, which ranks a surprising third nationally. Austin comes in at fifth with 113 establishments, followed by Dallas at sixth place, with 109 BBQ joints.

Chicago ranks fourth with 124, and New York City takes sixth with 94.

Houstonians will surely be pleased with that result, but the notion that Austin might be Texas' third best city for barbecue will likely cause considerable agita in the state capital.

As a point of comparison, consider Texas Monthly's 2017 list of the state's top 50 barbecue joints, which are based on actual visits by the magazine's staff. Austin landed seven in the top 50, including two in the top 10. On that list, Houston had four, Dallas had three, and San Antonio only had two.

Admittedly, a lot has changed in barbecue over the last four years, but the Texas Monthly list certainly feels more in line with conventional wisdom around the state's barbecue universe.

Then again, why not Houston? The city's is home to top restaurants like Truth BBQ, Roegels Barbecue, and Gatlin's BBQ and a lively pop-up scene that includes the Vietnamese-influenced smoke masters Khói Barbecue and the decadent birria tacos of JQ's Tex-Mex Barbecue. And Houston's own Blood Bros. will soon open their new location in a Las Vegas casino alongside some of the top chefs in the country.

One thing every Texan can agree on — any ranking that has Los Angeles ahead of anywhere in the Lone Star State should be viewed skeptically at best.

trends barbecue

This week in gluttony

These are the 6 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

Komodo Dallas

Komodo Dallas has launched Omakase Nights on Tuesdays.

It's a week full of festive pairing events, including wine and cookies, tequila and tamales, and bloody Marys and brunch. Make note of a new weekly omakase night, then hone your holiday cooking skills during a Christmas dinner cooking class by week's end.

Tuesday, December 17

Omakase Nights at Komodo Dallas
The Asian restaurant and bar has launched Omakase Nights, held every Tuesday, featuring three different menus priced at $48, $65, and $95. Highlights include creations like the crudo tasting box, salmon tacos, premium nigiri, toro caviar hand rolls, and lobster crispy rice. The offerings are available from 5-10 pm.

Wine & Mary’s Mountain Cookie Pairing at Lone Star Winery
The McKinney winery will host a pairing event featuring local Mary’s Mountain Cookies paired with festive holiday wines. The $42 price, plus tax and a small fee, includes five tasting pours paired with five different cookies. The tasting will begin at 7 pm. Can’t make it Tuesday? Plan for the Saturday pairing at 11:30 am.

Thursday, December 19

Tequila & Tamales: Masterclass at Little Daisy
The lead mixologists at Little Daisy, the French American bistro at the Thompson Dallas, will guide guests through a tequila tasting experience while the Thompson’s exec-chef team gives a lesson on making tamales from scratch. The $125 price includes tamales to take home. Class begins at 6:30 pm.

Saturday, December 21

Brunch with Santa at Thompson Dallas
As part of Thompson Dallas’ 12 Days of Christmas festivities, adults are invited to sip wine and champagne while the little ones explore the festive hot chocolate bar during this brunch with Santa. The $60 price ($20 for children) includes a mimosa bar, bloody Mary bar, and michelada bar. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots and bringing an unwrapped toy is encouraged. Brunch will run from 10 am-3 pm Saturday and Sunday.

A Holiday Dinner at Central Market Cooking School Plano
Amid all of Central Market Plano’s festive classes this week, which include make-and-take Buche de noel, sugar cookies, chocolate bark and truffles, and gingerbread houses, is this hands-on lesson covering an elegant holiday dinner. Participants will make blue cheese souffles with mixed greens, roasted prime rib of beef with pink and green peppercorn crust and red wine pan sauce, creamy Swiss chard gratin with Parmigiano-Reggiano, butter roasted herbed fingerling potatoes, and chocolate and peppermint tart. Class is $105 and will run from 6:30-9 pm.

Family Friendly Christmas Lights & Treats Tour
Among the many Dallas-area holiday light tours presented by operator Dallas by Chocolate is this event for the whole family. Guests can view holiday lights in sweet style on the private heated motorcoach, taste treats from premier local dessert venues, and relax as the lively tour host showcases some of Dallas' most spectacular holiday displays. The tour - which focuses on Park Cities neighborhoods - will highlight a cool Santa House, a unicorn house, and more surprises in the Park Cities. It embarks at 4:30 pm and tickets are $43-$56; free for children 3 and under.

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