Jay's BBQ Shack in Abilene has been named the best Texas-style barbecue in the country by USA Today. The restaurant had been competing for the top spot in the newspaper's contest, and after the votes were counted, Jay's finished first.
Customers at the restaurant said the result matches their experience there. One customer said they liked everything on the menu. Another said they had traveled and tried barbecue in many places and considered Jay's the best.
Jay's began in 2015 as a catering business. It later expanded to a food truck before opening its own restaurant. Staff start early each day, firing up the pits as early as 3:30 a.m.