Sonny's Named America's Best Barbecue Chain

Hot dogs and apple pie might be quintessential American staples, but some folks just prefer ribs that fall off the bones and sauce so thick it could practically stand up on its own.

With that in mind, the people behind The Daily Meal website set out to survey “nearly 10,000 folks from across the country” to see which chain barbecue joints they considered the best of the best.

When all was said and done, Florida’s own Sonny’s BBQ topped the list of 25, earning first-place honors.

“For nearly 50 years, Sonny’s has been serving real-deal Southern-style barbecue,” the website reported. “The chain received far more votes in our survey than any other.”

Gainesville-based Sonny’s got its start in 1968 when Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife, Lucille, decided to open an eatery in the college town. Now decades later, the chain has more than 150 locations, but insists it’s still a local establishment at heart.

“We still slow-smoke over oak for up to 12 hours at a time,” the Sonny’s website explains. “We still serve generous portions. And we still believe people should be able to go out to eat and feel right at home.”

Other chains in the top 10 were:

• No. 2 – Gates Bar B-Q
• No. 3 – Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ
• No. 4 – Rivers Smokehouse
• No. 5 – Corky’s BBQ
• No. 6 – Fiorell’s Jack Stack Barbecue
• No. 7 – Shane’s Rib Shack
• No. 8 – Dreamland Bar-B-Que
• No. 9 – Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q
• No. 10 – Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q

The entire list of the top 25 is available on The Daily Meal’s website.

What do you think? Is Sonny’s really the best? Share your opinions by commenting below!

Photo from the Sonny’s BBQ Facebook page

See Also:

• Where to Find U-Pick Blueberries in Tampa Bay
• Gator Brings Traffic to a Halt

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