CHICAGO, June 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to the best barbecue, which cities really turn up the heat? CheapTickets.com booking and survey data reveals the top 10 cities for barbecue in the United States, with Memphis, Austin and newcomer San Antonio topping this year’s finger-licking list.1 Since half of Americans are willing to travel for food, CheapTickets.com shares the top destinations and dishes that barbecue fans can’t miss as they hit the road and skies to celebrate America’s independence.2
“Fourth of July and barbecue go hand in hand, and due to the long weekend, there’s no better time to travel for all-American cuisine,” said Brian Wolf, general manager of CheapTickets.com. “The CheapTickets.com Barbecue Survey reveals that folks are willing to travel for tasty food this summer, so with the help of consumers, we made a list of the best barbecue-based trips for July Fourth weekend.”
In addition to spicing up the Fourth of July with good barbecue, travelers who book through June 21 can save 20 percent off participating hotels using promo code SUMMERFUN. To book a cheap getaway now and for complete terms, visit http://www.cheaptickets.com/travel-deals/exclusive-hotel-deals/.
| | CheapTickets.com 2015
Top 10 Cities for Barbecue | Average Daily
Hotel Prices | Average Airfare |
| 1 | Memphis, Tenn. | $ | 189 | | $ | 366 | |
| 2 | Austin, Texas | $ | 165 | | $ | 344 | |
| 3 | San Antonio, Texas | $ | 134 | | $ | 390 | |
| 4 | Kansas City, Mo. | $ | 145 | | $ | 303 | |
| 5 | New Orleans, La. | $ | 293 | | $ | 424 | |
| 6 | Nashville, Tenn. | $ | 189 | | $ | 350 | |
| 7 | St. Louis, Mo. | $ | 170 | | $ | 332 | |
| 8 | Atlanta, Ga. | $ | 169 | | $ | 300 | |
| 9 | Lexington, N.C. | $ | 136 | | $ | 335 | |
| 10 | Louisville, Ky. | $ | 107 | | $ | 419 | |
CHEAPTICKETS "ALL AMERICAN BARBECUE SMACK DOWN"3
Like the best barbecue, competition can get pretty messy. CheapTickets.com's Facebook fans can make their voices heard and vote for their favorite barbecue destinations in the CheapTickets.com "All American Barbecue Smack Down" through June 29. Voters will be entered to win a trip for two to their favorite all-American destination. The best barbecue city gets bragging rights for a whole year. To vote, enter and view the complete terms, visit http://www.cheaptickets.com/blog/2015/06/cheaptickets-bbq-smackdown/.
THINK OUTSIDE THE PIT WITH THE TOP SPOTS IN THESE BBQ CATEGORIES
Each of these BBQ chart-topping cities has countless Wet-Nap-worthy establishments to get your fix, but CheapTickets.com wants to honor those that go the extra mile and think outside of the pit. Within the top five BBQ cities, our editors have sniffed out two leaders per BBQ category.
BEST SANDWICH
Order the Z-Man at Joe’s Kansas City BBQ – Kansas City, Kansas
This mouth-watering mammoth is made with “sliced smoked brisket, smoked provolone cheese, a couple of onion rings, and a bit of barbecue sauce all on top of a Kaiser roll.” In 2013, it was speculated that the Z-Man sandwich helped the Royals get back on a winning streak, so have yourself a Z-Man before heading to Kauffman Stadium to root for the home team.
Runner up: The Cochon De Lait Po’ Boy at Walker’s Southern BBQ – New Orleans, Louisiana
MOST UNUSUAL BBQ DISH
Order the BBQ Spaghetti at The Bar-B-Q Shop in Memphis, Tennessee
Even BBQ purists will be asking for a second heap of noodles topped with smoky, tender pork and a uniquely tangy sub-breed of spaghetti sauce. Though it has become a Memphis staple, this dish is best consumed at The Bar-B-Q Shop where they still use the original recipe from the previous owner and inventor of BBQ spaghetti. What goes better with spaghetti than kids? Bring your brood after a day at the Memphis Zoo, less than a mile away.
Runner up: The Brisket Ramen at The Granary ‘Cue & Brew – San Antonio, Texas
BEST FIXINS (A.K.A. SIDES)
Order the Blue Cheese Coleslaw at Kerlin BBQ – Austin, Texas
You can forget counting coleslaw as a healthier side option to mac ‘n’ cheese, because this fixin’ is loaded with creamy blue cheese and mayo. Go on a clear day, because you’ll be eating outside. Kerlin BBQ is a no-thrills operation (think stationary food truck and picnic tables) in Austin’s hipster hood: East Austin.
Runner up: The Sweet Potato Casserole at The Big Bib BBQ – San Antonio, Texas
To get more information about these great BBQ spots and to vote for the best BBQ destination, visit the CheapTickets.com blog at http://www.cheaptickets.com/blog/2015/06/cheaptickets-bbq-smackdown/.
1Top 10 barbecue cities were selected by CheapTickets' editors from the site's top 50 markets July 3-6, 2015. Top 10 cities were then ranked by 502 adults via Google Consumer Surveys from May 29 - 31, 2015.
2Survey fielded by CheapTickets.com to 502 adults via Google Consumer Surveys from May 29 - 31, 2015.
3No purchase necessary. Contest open only to legal residents of the United States (including the District of Columbia) who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Visit http://www.cheaptickets.com/blog/2015/06/cheaptickets-bbq-smackdown/ for complete contest rules.
About CheapTickets.com
CheapTickets.com is a leading seller of discounted leisure travel products. CheapTickets.com provides consumers access to its collection of airfares on hundreds of airlines. In addition to cheap flights, CheapTickets.com’s family of discounted travel products includes cheap hotels, cheap cruises, cheap rental cars, cheap vacation packages, vacation rentals, last minute trips and event tickets. CheapTickets.com now offers the CheapCash program where customers can earn rewards towards hotel stays when booking flights through the website or when booking either flights or hotels through the mobile apps. Follow CheapTickets.com on Facebook and Twitter for more cheap travel deals and giveaways. Founded in 1986, CheapTickets.com is a brand that is owned and operated by Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW).
Media Contact: Cassidy Smith, Cassidy.Smith@cheaptickets.com, 312-894-4756