WACO, Texas — Ready those appetites, Central Texans, Yelp has released its list of the top 100 places to eat in Texas, and the website's No. 2 pick is right here in Waco.
Papa Jack's BBQ was named the second-best place in the Lone Star State to grab a bite to eat, with three more Waco-area restaurants also making the top 50.
Cajun Craft earned itself the 21st spot on the list, Revival Eastside Eatery came in at 23, and Cafe Homestead claimed spot 48.
With an overwhelming number of five-star reviews on Yelp and no reviews below four stars, people from across the country and world raved about Papa Jack's BBQ, shouting out factors like large portions, friendly service and of course great food as reasons to visit.
"We've had people as far as Africa, Greenland, we've had Ireland here, Croatia, Spain," said co-owner Kimberly Hicks.
Many reviews specifically praised the restaurant's brisket, smoked mac and cheese and smoked cabbage as highlights on the menu.
Rave reviews Hicks said even caught her off-guard.
"By the fourth person that came in he said, 'no ma'am, listen you're on this list, let me show you.' So he showed me and I was like 'wow, I didn't even know,'" Hicks said.
Hicks said the restaurant opened Jan. 12, 2020, and continued to do drive-up orders into the pandemic, but Hicks said it's the customer connection and the food, that's propelled them to their number two ranking.
"We're real serious about our food, we don't keep anything. Anything that is cooked today will be served today," Hicks said.
Hicks said nothing goes to waste.
"If there's stuff left over we plate it and pass it out to the homeless, if there's a lot left over we put it in big pans and give it to the Salvation Army," Hicks said. "We try to give back at the same time, but try to give people dignity."
Yelp said the restaurants chosen for the ranking were determined based on factors such as total volume and ratings of reviews between Jan. 1, 2021, and May 1, 2023.
Papa Jack's BBQ is located at 700 E Waco Dr. Suite A in Waco, Texas. They are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays. According to Yelp, they are closed Sunday-Wednesday.
For more information on Papa Jack's, visit their website at this link, or see their Yelp page at this link.
The full list of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Texas can be found at this link.
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