Big Pine barbecue joint crowned Yelp's top restaurant in 2015

BIG PINE, Calif. (KABC) -- Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine was named the best restaurant of 2015 by Yelp. The father-and-son owners were blown away by the top honors.

The small barbecue joint is located along Highway 395 on the way to Mammoth.

Co-owner Hank Otten said he broke down in tears when he heard the news.

"This was amazing. It was a local gentleman that came to me and he had a smartphone and he had walked up. We had not heard anything about it, and it just happened," Otten said.

Copper Top BBQ has been open for about 1 1/2 years. Since Yelp crowned it the best restaurant in the country, business has shot through the roof.

Other California eateries that made Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2015 include:

4. TKB Bakery & Deli, Indio

19. Saffron & Rose, Los Angeles

22. Big Al's, Maywood

24. Kech Cafe, Fountain Valley

31. Sessions, Newport Beach

33. Carrara Pastries, Moorpark

40. Porto's, Burbank

Watch Inland Empire Bureau Chief Rob McMillan's report from Eyewitness News at 11 a.m. above.