It’s National Barbecue Day! Yelp names 2 Texas cities as the best for BBQ in America

Fire up that grill — it’s National BBQ Day!

National BBQ Day is celebrated each year on May 16. So if you ever actually need an excuse to grab some Texas barbecue on a Friday, this is your chance.

To celebrate the day as well as the approach of summer, Yelp has rounded up a list of the cities with the best barbecue. And don’t worry: You won’t need to leave the state to enjoy the most delicious smoked meats and mouthwatering sauces in the country.

Celebrate National Barbecue Day at Austin’s Michelin-recognized barbecue spots

Austin, San Antonio have the best BBQ in America, Yelp says

Yelp reviewers, like Southern Living readers, determined that Austin and San Antonio have the best barbecue around. Yelp searches for “Texas BBQ” increased by 63% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Austin was hailed as the best barbecue city in the country — and if that comes as a surprise, you haven’t been paying attention. A couple of months ago, Southern Living named Franklin Barbecue as the best barbecue joint in Texas for the third year in a row. La Barbecue’s brisket received a coveted Michelin star last year.

Here’s what Yelp had to say about the Texas capital’s barbecue scene:

Whether you like slow-smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, or house-made sausages, Austin has earned its reputation as a top barbecue destination. The city’s food scene features legendary brick-and-mortar BBQ joints, such as Terry Black’s Barbecue, and food trucks, including Micklethwait Craft Meat in East Austin. 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. Many users also highlight the perfectly tender texture of the meats at spots like Interstellar BBQ and Salt Lick BBQ.

Coming in second on Yelp’s city rankings is San Antonio. Its diverse barbecue scene features iconic food trucks like Brisket Boys and Cake-N-Que.

Yelp had this to say about barbecue in San Antonio:

Home to top-rated joints like Curry Boys BBQ, Smoke Shack and Garcia Barbecue, this major Texas barbecue city takes the No. 2 spot on this year’s list. Yelp reviews frequently highlight the mix of classic BBQ spots and new fusion-inspired restaurants like Reese Bros Barbecue. San Antonio also boasts a thriving food truck and casual barbecue scene, with spots like Nelson’s BBQ — ranked No. 28 on our 2022 Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas list — which is known for its Texas-style brisket smoked over mesquite wood.

LIST: Best US cities for BBQ 2025

Here are the top 10 cities for barbecue, along with their top-rated barbecue spot, according to Yelp:

1. Austin, TX: Jim’s Smokehouse
2. San Antonio, TX: Curry Boys BBQ
3. Kansas City, KS: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
4. Memphis, TN: Elwood’s Shack
5. Charleston, SC: Lewis Barbecue
6. Greenville, SC: Smoky Dreams Barbecue and Catering
7. Honolulu, HI: Ty’s BBQ and Grill
8. Tulsa, OK: Alpha Grill BBQ
9. Durham, NC: Moe’s Original BBQ
10. Nashville, TN: The Ridge Nashville