Yelp revealed its 11th Annual featuring the most buzzed-over restaurants in the country. Tumerico in Tucson, Arizona, took this year’s. The vegan/vegetarian restaurant offers mouthwatering twists on classic Latin food like potato tacos with cashew cream and prickly pear cactus “nopalitos” tacos.
Representing for Black-owned businesses is Baltimore gem Ekiben, known for its unique Asian fusion dishes like the signature Neighborhood Bird, Tofu Brah, and The Original. Since the opening of the original space, the Black and Asian-owned franchise has earned rave reviews from _Travel & Leisure_,_Vogue_.
According to a profile in Baltimore Magazine, “Eater,” Ekiben Asian Fusion Steamed Buns has experienced overwhelming support from the community, with operations manager Ephrem Abebe expressing gratitude for the city’s backing. The franchise, co-owned by Abebe and college friend, chef, CFO, and marketing maven Steve Chu, has flourished in Baltimore, a city known for valuing the success of small businesses.
This year, Asian, Asian Fusion, and Southeast Asian restaurants made up 25% of the list, showcasing the diversity of cuisines from establishments such as Cocina Madrigal in Phoenix and EDOBOY in Orlando. The list also includes Gino’s Deli Stop N Buy in San Antonio, renowned for its cheesesteaks and burgers. The Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list covers a wide geographic range, featuring restaurants from New York City to California.Yelp’s Trend Expert Tara Lewis said that the list highlights the unique tastes of Yelp users and shines a spotlight on beloved hidden gems across local communities.
The list has recognized over 750 establishments in more than 380 cities since its debut in 2014. California maintained its top spot with 18 restaurants in the collection, followed by Florida with 13 restaurants, and Arizona and Texas tied with eight restaurants each. The list is curated using a combination of community submissions and data to offer a unique perspective on what diners are craving across the country.
As Yelp celebrates its 20th anniversary, the brand is focusing on spotlighting the stories, trends, and data that demonstrate how Yelp helps people connect meaningfully with their local community.
