London’s appetite for stoking ‘cues and smoking meats remains undiminished by time or the increasing abundance of BBQ joints in the capital. Just this week Neil Rankin announced temper City, and the last 12 months have seen the launch of MeatUp in Wandsworth, temper Soho, The Stoke House at Victoria’s Nova development, Texas Joe’s Slow Cooked Meats in Bermondsey and a second outpost of Soho’s Blacklock in the City. Although notably Carnaby’s Shotgun closed. With 4th July just around the corner, we’ve rounded up London’s 10 best American-inspired BBQ joints, according to our 2017 survey…
“A meat Mecca and no mistake” – this epic US-style BBQ has “transitioned beautifully” from Soho to its “stunning new home” in Devonshire Square, and its dishes are “off-the-charts good”, if “not for the faint hearted” (“pig’s head scrumpet? Yes please!”). “Service tries hard” – “these guys clearly love their meat, treat it with respect” and “have tremendous knowledge of the breeds of animals and the cuts”. “Excellent bar too”.
Once tasted no other BBQ will do!” So say fans of the results from David Carter’s street food fave-turned permanent Shreditch restaurant. Top Menu Tip – “the beef brisket is the thing of dreams!”
“A fantastic bloke with a concept and passion that others can only admire”: Mark Gevaux is “one of the few pulled-pork purveyors in London to take real care over what he’s doing” and sells “massive rolls piled high with meat and his trademark Holy F##k hot sauce”. “Lovely piggy goodness!”
“A brilliant place in trendy Brixton market with amazing BBQ food” – “it requires a bit of a long wait, but boy is it worth it for the best pulled pork burgers” and “best ever wings”. “It feels great eating in the hustle and bustle of the market” too, and “all for a very cheap price”.
“Bring your appetite – you won’t regret it”, when you visit this “hip, crowded (with great music blasting)” Texan BBQ in Dalston. “Fred Flintstone-esque ribs (the size of your forearm), juicy, fat burgers, and spicy fries will make you salivate just thinking about them”; “fantastic beers” too.
N1: This Canonbury gastro-boozer boasts “all the charm and hospitality of your local pub, but with extra good food”. Smoked or roast meat dishes are its forte, but there are “veggie options which have lured carnivores away from the obvious choices”.
W4: “A reminder of how great pulled pork can be” – this tucked-away, year-old outpost of Smokehouse Islington has been “a good addition to W4”. Other attractions? – a cute garden and an “outstanding whisky selection”.
“A carnivore’s paradise”, these Kansas City-style BBQ joints have become a fixture after more than a decade in London, and they’re still “great fun” if “a tiny bit formulaic” – even those who say the food’s “only OK” say “it’ll win you over if you’re a meat-lover”.
“Good burgers, ribs, shakes and no vitamin C in sight” pretty well sums up the appeal of this highly rated US-style mini-chain, with grills in Brixton, Shoreditch and Soho.
Fans report “an adequate meat-fest” and “great lobsters and shrimp” too at these “fun” US-style BBQ shacks, although “given the proliferation of other smokehouses nowadays” even supporters acknowledge “there’s better BBQ elsewhere”. Both Covent Garden and the Chelsea original outscore their huge new Canary Wharf sibling, which divides opinion; enthusiasts say “it’s a great night out, with a stunning bar and top live music” – sceptics just feel it provides “horrible everything”.
