Newark Deserves Its Spot On 'Best BBQ In US' List, NJ Foodies Say

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey barbecue lovers have been rushing to Newark's defense after the city made a controversial list of the “best BBQ” spots in the U.S.

As a nod to National Barbecue Month in May, culinary website Chef’s Pencil scoured Tripadvisor ratings for more than 2,020 barbecue restaurants in 75 of the nation’s largest cities. Researchers then ranked them by scores to create a list of the best cities for amazing ‘cue.

A spokesperson for Tripadvisor told USA Today that the website has no association with the Chef’s Pencil list, adding that there were “concerns” about how its data was used.

The list immediately raised eyebrows with its dubious results. Legendary BBQ hotspots such as Memphis and Kansas City didn’t make the cut, and no city in Texas, Mississippi or Georgia cracked the top 10. Newark, however, did – ranking as the ninth-best barbecue city in America.

Ranking at the top of the list were New Orleans and Oklahoma City. They were followed by Charlotte, Wichita and Virginia Beach, which tied for third. The top 10 slots were rounded out by Columbus, Seattle, St. Louis, Miami and Newark.

Since the list came out, a big question – “Why did Newark make the cut?” – has been echoing across social media. Some people have been politely curious:

Others have mocked Newark for even being mentioned in the same breath as the others on the list.

"I’m from California where we put kimchi on our BBQ, and even I know this map is wrong," a commenter wrote. "Newark? Really?"

"I grew up in New Jersey and can assure you there is no alternate universe that Newark has BBQ better than Texas," another person wrote.

But according to other local food lovers, when it comes to good ‘cue, there’s a reason Newark made the cut: its many amazing Portuguese restaurants.

“As far as Newark goes, they are definitely referring to Portuguese BBQ, which Newark slays,” a social media user wrote, summing up the feelings of many other local foodies. “But it's a distinction that should be mentioned ... there's more than one type of BBQ.”

Want to check out some of the restaurants that put Newark at the top of the list? These places have scored a big thumbs up from reviewers on Tripadvisor:

• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• Ferry Street Barbecue
• Elm St Barbeque II
• Pulaski BBQ
• South BBQ Restaurant

Still hungry? Here are some more great BBQ spots in the Brick City to check out, according to Newark Happening:

• McWhorter Barbecue
• Picnic Barbeque and Grill
• Brasilia Grill

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.