Latest news with #TaraLewis
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
This Is America's Favorite Burger Chain, According to 119,000 Yelp Reviews
Yelp released a list of the top 25 burger chains in the U.S. based on user reviews, factoring in quality, speed, customization, and consistency. The rankings highlight regional preferences, with different chains topping the list in the West, Midwest, South, and Northeast. Only burger chains with 100-plus locations in multiple states were considered, using data from Yelp's vast archive of customer road trips and all-American burgers seemingly go hand-in-hand. If you're planning a cross-country excursion this year, we've got a few suggestions for stops along the way. Yelp just released a list of the top 25 burger chains in the entire country — and one viral burger joint has emerged as an overwhelming favorite. The ranking, published today in celebration of National Burger Day, seeks to quantify diners' favorite spots based on Yelp's extensive archive of visitor reviews. In-N-Out Burger, which boasts more than 119,000 reviews for its 400-plus locations, secured the top spot in Yelp's report. Known for its saucy, 'animal-style' fries and Double-Double burger stacks, In-N-Out has amassed a devoted following on social media over the years. The California-based restaurant, which has been serving burgers since 1948, attracts diners for reasons beyond social media hype, as Yelp trend expert Tara Lewis tells Food & Wine. 'Based on the reviews we're seeing, it has to do with the ingredients, drive-thru experience, and the not-so-secret 'secret' menu,' Lewis says. 'Of course, customization and consistency are big factors when it comes to this list, and I think In-N-Out does it really well. In the No. 2 spot is The Habit Burger Grill, a casual chain with locations on the West and East Coasts. It is the go-to for many diners thanks to its consistently high-quality chargrilled burgers, according to the report. Close behind is Shake Shack in third place, followed by Midwestern staple Culver's and Southern Californian favorite Islands Restaurants rounding out the top five. Related: Our 11 Best Veggie Burger Recipes Further down the list, fast-food staples like McDonald's and Burger King still made the top 20. The Golden Arches were ranked in the 17th spot, while Burger King was ranked No. 19. The restaurant review platform, which has been active since 2004, considered various criteria for this ranking. Their research team focused exclusively on burger chains with more than 100 locations and restaurants across multiple states. Eligible chains are also categorized under the 'burger' section on Yelp, according to the methodology. The research team included insights on the volume of reviews and positive elements — such as speed of service, quality, and customizations — that customers mention in their glowing ratings. 'You want to be able to access a burger that you know you're going to love regardless,' Lewis tells Food & Wine. 'When you look at the regionality, a lot of that has to do with accessibility and consistency of service. You know you're going to get delicious food every time, which taps into your nostalgia and the comfort food [element] of eating at a burger place.' Regional tastes vary significantly across the United States, according to Yelp's rankings. In the Midwest and South, Culver's has emerged as the top-rated burger chain, while folks in the Northeast seemingly prefer Shake Shack. Out West, In-N-Out Burger reigns supreme. While availability and accessibility play a role in the regional favorites — as some chains, like In-N-Out Burger, aren't available nationally — this data point also suggests differing tastes among American diners. Ready to branch out and try something new this summer? This ranking might be a good roadmap on where to Burger The Habit Burger Grill Shake Shack Culver's Islands Restaurants Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Five Guys Burgers & Fries Wayback Burgers Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes Red Robin Jack in the Box Cook Out BurgerFi Whataburger Wahlburgers Smashburger McDonald's Sonic Drive-In Burger King White Castle Fatburger Wendy's Carl's Jr. Checkers / Rally's Steak 'n ShakeRead the original article on Food & Wine
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Kansas fury as Texas takes top BBQ honors
Kansas and Texas have a long-standing, and often fiery, rivalry when it comes to BBQ bragging rights. Texas BBQ is world-famous — especially for its brisket. Central Texas, in particular, has become a mecca for smoked meat lovers. Meanwhile, Kansas City is known for saucy, slow-cooked meats like ribs and burnt ends. It's often seen as more traditional — and locals are fiercely proud of it. So it's no surprise that Kansas foodies were fuming when Austin and San Antonio, Texas, beat out Kansas City for the top spot on Yelp's 2025 list of the top 10 U.S. cities for BBQ . Fans on Reddit claimed Yelp had 'declared war' by ranking Kansas City third. 'KC has to be No 1 or the list is bogus,' one user wrote . Another called the decision 'a slap to the face.' Yelp's rankings were based on a mix of consumer interest, number of BBQ businesses, and average ratings. 'This year's top BBQ cities reflect both regional traditions and rising trends, from Austin's legendary brisket to Honolulu's island-inspired smoked meats,' Yelp's trend expert Tara Lewis told 'Whether you're craving saucy burnt ends in Kansas City or whole hog barbecue in Charleston, these destinations offer more than just great food—they're perfect stops for your next summer adventure.' Memphis, Tennessee came in fourth, followed by Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina. Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, also earned high marks, as did Durham, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. Austin made the top spot for its smoked brisket and flavorful-seasoned foods even though Reddit users believed its number one spot was a 'joke.' It's also the home of restaurants like Franklin Barbecue and Michelin-rated La Barbecue. San Antonio is full of a variety of meat styles on food trucks like Brisket Boys and Cake-N-Que, which specialize in smoked meat. While Texas dominates the list, Kansas City is still known for signature sauces and meats with 'burnt ends.' Some of its memorable selections are available in restaurants like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a fan-favorite eatery with over 3,500 5-star reviews. Restaurant-goers who enjoy dry-rub ribs and pulled pork may prefer Memphis, which fans have praised for allowing local diners to choose between dry and saucy spice-rubbed meats. Consumers in Charleston can enjoy low country-style meats, which are cooked over hardwood coals. Foodies who visit the South Carolina city may enjoy visiting spots like Rodney Scott's BBQ and Lewis Barbecue, which ranked third on Yelp's list of the Top 100 restaurants in the Carolinas two years ago. About three and a half hours outside of Charleston is Greenville, which has its traditional western South Carolina-style BBQ. Not only do places like Henry's Smokehouse and Mike & Jeff's BBQ offer various sauce options, but it's also the home of Bobby's BBQ, a restaurant that makes Texas-style brisket. Customers looking for a taste of the multicultural scene may enjoy Honolulu, which Yelp described as a 'must-visit destination for barbecue fans.' Guests who visit 'The Big Pineapple' have praised barbecue meets at places like Duke's Waikiki and Bob's Bar-B-Que, and its L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurant was an honoree in Yelp's 2024 Fastest Growing Brands. Tulsa provides a mix of Oklahoma and Texas-style techniques into its meats, and is the home of top-rated restaurants like Burb Co BBQ, Albert G's, and Bar-B-Q. Meet enthusiasts looking for 'whole-hog barbecue' may enjoy Durham, which has a growing Texas brisket scene and loaded plates at highly recommended places such as Backyard BBQ Pit and Lawrence Barbecue. Rounding out this year's list, Nashville is where guests enjoy its combination of Tennessee barbecue and the state's hot chicken. It also houses restaurants like Bringles Sports Oasis, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, and Peg Leg Porker, the last location making last year's list of Yelp's Top 100 Barbecue Spots.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kansas erupts with fury as rival state takes top BBQ honors in controversial new ranking
Kansas and Texas have a long-standing, and often fiery, rivalry when it comes to BBQ bragging rights. Texas BBQ is world-famous — especially for its brisket. Central Texas, in particular, has become a mecca for smoked meat lovers. Meanwhile, Kansas City is known for saucy, slow-cooked meats like ribs and burnt ends. It's often seen as more traditional — and locals are fiercely proud of it. So it's no surprise that Kansas foodies were fuming when Austin and San Antonio, Texas, beat out Kansas City for the top spot on Yelp's 2025 list of the top 10 U.S. cities for BBQ. Fans on Reddit claimed Yelp had 'declared war' by ranking Kansas City third. 'KC has to be No 1 or the list is bogus,' one user wrote. Another called the decision 'a slap to the face.' Yelp's rankings were based on a mix of consumer interest, number of BBQ businesses, and average ratings. 'This year's top BBQ cities reflect both regional traditions and rising trends, from Austin's legendary brisket to Honolulu's island-inspired smoked meats,' Yelp's trend expert Tara Lewis told 'Whether you're craving saucy burnt ends in Kansas City or whole hog barbecue in Charleston, these destinations offer more than just great food—they're perfect stops for your next summer adventure.' Memphis, Tennessee came in fourth, followed by Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina. Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, also earned high marks, as did Durham, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. Austin made the top spot for its smoked brisket and flavorful-seasoned foods even though Reddit users believed its number one spot was a 'joke.' It's also the home of restaurants like Franklin Barbecue and Michelin-rated La Barbecue. San Antonio is full of a variety of meat styles on food trucks like Brisket Boys and Cake-N-Que, which specialize in smoked meat. While Texas dominates the list, Kansas City is still known for signature sauces and meats with 'burnt ends.' Some of its memorable selections are available in restaurants like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a fan-favorite eatery with over 3,500 5-star reviews. Restaurant-goers who enjoy dry-rub ribs and pulled pork may prefer Memphis, which fans have praised for allowing local diners to choose between dry and saucy spice-rubbed meats. Consumers in Charleston can enjoy low country-style meats, which are cooked over hardwood coals. Foodies who visit the South Carolina city may enjoy visiting spots like Rodney Scott's BBQ and Lewis Barbecue, which ranked third on Yelp's list of the Top 100 restaurants in the Carolinas two years ago. Fans have praised Memphis, Tennessee, for having local diners that allow guests to choose between dry and saucy spice-rubbed meats Yelp described Honolulu, Hawaii as a 'must-visit destination for barbecue fans' About three and a half hours outside of Charleston is Greenville, which has its traditional western South Carolina-style BBQ. Not only do places like Henry's Smokehouse and Mike & Jeff's BBQ offer various sauce options, but it's also the home of Bobby's BBQ, a restaurant that makes Texas-style brisket. Customers looking for a taste of the multicultural scene may enjoy Honolulu, which Yelp described as a 'must-visit destination for barbecue fans.' Guests who visit 'The Big Pineapple' have praised barbecue meets at places like Duke's Waikiki and Bob's Bar-B-Que, and its L&L Hawaiian Barbecue restaurant was an honoree in Yelp's 2024 Fastest Growing Brands. Tulsa provides a mix of Oklahoma and Texas-style techniques into its meats, and is the home of top-rated restaurants like Burb Co BBQ, Albert G's, and Bar-B-Q. Meet enthusiasts looking for 'whole-hog barbecue' may enjoy Durham, which has a growing Texas brisket scene and loaded plates at highly recommended places such as Backyard BBQ Pit and Lawrence Barbecue. Rounding out this year's list, Nashville is where guests enjoy its combination of Tennessee barbecue and the state's hot chicken. It also houses restaurants like Bringles Sports Oasis, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, and Peg Leg Porker, the last location making last year's list of Yelp's Top 100 Barbecue Spots.
Boston Globe
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
The Bar Mezzana team will open FiDo Pizza in Allston; Revival Café opens in Fort Point
Foodie fashion : If your experience with wearable food consists of spilling condiments on your shirt, here's exciting news: Beloved Brookline Village sandwich shop Cutty's (284 Washington St.) slices into the apparel game to mark their return to indoor service after five years of pickup-only transactions. Tufts grad Tara Lewis creates cheeky pop art emblazoned on T-shirts or hoodies; Cutty's also rolls out a limited-edition Tara Lewis Collab (TLC) sandwich with turkey, lettuce, Calabrian chile mayo, pickled celery, and provolone on Iggy's focaccia. Munch and get merch Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Advertisement Tastings : The James Beard Foundation's Taste America: Boston comes to The State Room (60 State St.) on Thursday, Feb. 6, with the chance to sample dishes from Boston's upper-echelon chefs, many of whom are James Beard Sarma 's Cassie Puma; La Padrona 's Amarilys Colón (hot off a rave Globe Talulla 's Conor Denehy; The Black Cat 's Valentine Howell; and Suya Joint 's Cecelia Lizotte. Other prominent New England chefs will appear, too, like Cara Tobin from Honey Road in Burlington, Vt., and David Vargas from Vida Cantina in Portsmouth, N.H. Get tickets at Openings : Revival Café + Kitchen , with locations throughout the Boston area, has a new branch in Fort Point (15 Necco St.). Nookie Postal ( Commonwealth Kitchen ) and Liza Shirazi ( Crema Café ) cofounded the mini-chain. It serves all-day breakfast; creative coffee drinks; and an array of vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes. They also run the low-key bar and kitchen Kara Baskin can be reached at
