If you’re on the same side of TikTok that I’m on, you’ve probably seen the old man and his over the top reactions to barbecue. He holds up a rib or a piece of brisket and in seconds, gravity breaks it apart. It’s a sight so astounding that he stands up and chucks his glasses at the table in awe as he appreciates the tenderness of the barbecue. And with a knowing look towards the camera, he shouts about tendernism and goes onto promote the restaurant it comes from.
What is tendernism?
The word “tendernism” originated as a term that was used to directly describe tender meat; specifically a tenderness that coincides with the meat having the ability to effortlessly fall off the bone. Urban Dictionary’s definitions of the word can be traced back to 2024, but it’s had a recent resurgence on TikTok.
Not only does the food in tendernism videos look delicious, the addition of the funny reactions has propelled this term into a widespread sensation. People love these videos because they are both captivating and entertaining. While tendernism was originally used to describe well-cooked meat, it’s completely transformed into a trend and a movement. If you didn’t care about the different types of barbecue and the art of cooking barbecue before, tendernism has assured that you certainly do now.
Who is Mr. Tendernism?
At the core of the seemingly random explosion of tendernism on our feeds is Mr. Tendernism. Walter Johnson, who’s also known as Mr. Tendernism or even “Unc,” is a worker for Destination Smokehouse in Murrieta, California. He is seen in numerous videos showcasing the food from the restaurant and reacting accordingly when the meat slides off the bone.
These reactions are what have made Johnson viral, as it’s almost comical the way he immediately shoots up from his seat and glances at the camera before shouting out his iconic catchphrase: “That’s tendernism!” His actions have not only propelled Destination Smokehouse into the spotlight, but he’s created a revolution of tender barbecue falling off the bone as a food trend.
Johnson has become a personality that people took to openly, as it’s a refreshing burst of authenticity from a man who’s simply passionate about barbecue. Seeing his love for the food makes you wish you were right next to him with a pile of ribs, brisket, and ox tail in front of you.
So why are we all obsessed?
Well, tendernism consists of two things now: the food and the personality. When we see gravity separating slices of brisket or beef ribs sliding apart with ease, we start craving it ourselves. It’s undeniable that the food looks amazing, and the people of TikTok and Instagram cannot get enough of it.
In addition to that, Mr. Tendernism creates a format that people love to watch and spin in their own way. Various content has emerged from it, whether it’s people reviewing Destination Smokehouse, showcasing their own barbecue, or using Johnson’s catchphrase. Due to this, tendernism has become a magnet for our engagement.
But regardless of its value for views, remember that tendernism evolved from the simple beginnings of a man and his love for good barbecue. At the end of the day, that’s what tendernism will always be about: a passion for well-cooked food.