How a California BBQ Spot Turned ‘Tendernism’ Into a Global Phenomenon
A small barbecue restaurant in California has sparked a global cultural trend. The term tendernism—first used to describe ultra-tender smoked meats—has now spread far beyond food, influencing fashion, relationships, and even leadership discussions. By mid-2025, the phrase had become shorthand for effortless quality in nearly every aspect of life.
The story began at Destination Smokehouse in Murrieta, California. Founded by Nick Yepremian, the restaurant earned the title Tendernism Capital of the World thanks to its fall-off-the-bone ribs. Walter Johnson, known as Mr. Tendernism or simply Unc, became the face of the movement after teaming up with Yepremian during the pandemic. His ultra-tender smoked meats, showcased on social media, turned the restaurant into a viral sensation.
The term itself was coined by chef Walter French, who used it to describe the perfect texture of barbecue. Soon, platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and TikTok amplified the phrase. Fans began travelling to Destination Smokehouse as a pilgrimage, while influencers documented their visits. The slogan That’s Tendernism evolved into a broader cultural idea—one that the internet remixed, repeated, and applied to everything from comedy to cooking. By 2025, tendernism had entered mainstream conversations, joining other trending words. Merriam-Webster named slop its word of the year, criticising low-quality digital content. Oxford University Press chose rage bait for content designed to provoke outrage. Meanwhile, Dictionary.com highlighted 6-7, a Gen Z slang term that went viral. Each selection reflected how language continues to adapt to digital culture.
What started as a barbecue review has grown into a widely recognised concept. Tendernism now represents a standard of ease and excellence across multiple fields. The term’s rapid rise shows how a simple idea, amplified by social media, can reshape everyday language.
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