At each restaurant I visit, I will order a pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. Ratings will be calculated using this system. A total of 25 points are possible, which I’ll then multiply by 4 to give a rating out of 100.

Reputation – 5 points

In an effort to incorporate other people’s opinions as well as my own, I will aggregate scores from sites like Yelp, Google, Facebook, and TripAdvisor for a rating out of 5.

Experience – 5 points

My ratings are primarily focused on the food, but having worked in hospitality for years I am not one to ignore the overall guest experience. That may have sounded kind of snobby but all I really care about is that it’s quick, clean, and friendly.

Presentation – 5 points

Again, not looking for anything fancy. Just the basic visual appeal of the plate. This will also include the table setup – availability of essential BBQ elements such as sauces, paper towels, etc.

Quality and Taste – 10 points

Obviously the most important part of what we’re doing here. Taste is king. Part of why I love BBQ so much is that with many regional styles, it can be great in so many different ways. I’m pretty easy to please. So long as it’s juicy and flavorful, this number should be high.