Bodeans Smoke Shack London
Discussion
Has anyone ever been to Bodeans in either Soho or Tower Hill?
http://www.bodeansbbq.com/
what was your opinion? friend of mine wants to go next week and just wondered if we were in for a treat or nightmare
http://www.bodeansbbq.com/
what was your opinion? friend of mine wants to go next week and just wondered if we were in for a treat or nightmare
Firstly Bodeans is great - delicious man-food you won't go wrong with.
Start with the hot chicken wings (if you are a wimp like me don't go for the hottest ones!)
I lived near the Tower Hill one. Every time I've been there it's been easy to get a table.
I worked in Soho and it could be hit and miss regarding how busy it is, depending when you go. It's worth planning in a half hour wait if you go at a busy time (but you can usually sit and have a drink).
Talking of drinks, they do an excellent selection of American microbrew bottled beers - don't bother with the normal rubbish on draught. They are not cheap in the Soho branch though.
I have no 'avoid' to tell apart from to remind you not to go for the Macaroni option as you are in a smoke house.
So the answer to your question is 'treat' for the money you'll pay.
Start with the hot chicken wings (if you are a wimp like me don't go for the hottest ones!)
I lived near the Tower Hill one. Every time I've been there it's been easy to get a table.
I worked in Soho and it could be hit and miss regarding how busy it is, depending when you go. It's worth planning in a half hour wait if you go at a busy time (but you can usually sit and have a drink).
Talking of drinks, they do an excellent selection of American microbrew bottled beers - don't bother with the normal rubbish on draught. They are not cheap in the Soho branch though.
I have no 'avoid' to tell apart from to remind you not to go for the Macaroni option as you are in a smoke house.
So the answer to your question is 'treat' for the money you'll pay.
umm. Its OK.
they steam their meat though, rather than proper slow-cooking it, but because its London they have next to no competition on the American low n slow barbecue front.
the BBQ shack guys cooking out of the Worlds End Pub in Brighton are national champions the last 2 years in a row (and compete in the Jack Daniels world BBQ cookoff in the US) and utterly spank Bodeans for six. If you are down for a weekend, make sure you visit.
now American BBQ is "trendy" (see Meat Liquor et al) hopefully some places will open up that move the game beyond pastiche.
they steam their meat though, rather than proper slow-cooking it, but because its London they have next to no competition on the American low n slow barbecue front.
the BBQ shack guys cooking out of the Worlds End Pub in Brighton are national champions the last 2 years in a row (and compete in the Jack Daniels world BBQ cookoff in the US) and utterly spank Bodeans for six. If you are down for a weekend, make sure you visit.
now American BBQ is "trendy" (see Meat Liquor et al) hopefully some places will open up that move the game beyond pastiche.
i've been to the Soho one once, we ordered WAY too much for two people. I would certainly recommend the Jacob's Ladder. Burt ends and baby back ribs were both dry, chicken wings were not very good. Over all it is fairly mediocre. As has been said, I don't think it's possible to get proper bbq in this country, although I haven;t tried pitt cue yet.
tontoro said:
i've been to the Soho one once, we ordered WAY too much for two people. I would certainly recommend the Jacob's Ladder. Burt ends and baby back ribs were both dry, chicken wings were not very good. Over all it is fairly mediocre. As has been said, I don't think it's possible to get proper bbq in this country, although I haven;t tried pitt cue yet.
I'd say you went on an off day. The 3 times i have been have been excellent.craigjm said:
Thanks guys, I have heard some average things about the starters in particular so I was just a bit concerned
Anyone been to Pitt Cue Co in Newburgh Street W1?
I haven't been myself but it has been recommended to me and is meant to be very very good. Smaller portions than Bodeans but very good quality. I tried to get in a few weeks ago but the place only holds 30ish people and don't take reservations.Anyone been to Pitt Cue Co in Newburgh Street W1?
Regarding Bodeans, I've always preferred the one at Tower Hill - normally not as busy and there's no fast food element to it so the food always seems better.
I live near the Clapham one and my friends always request we go when they visit. I also used to work near the Soho one & it was very popular with most people in the office.
They have combos of burnt ends &... at the bottom of the menu. I usually go for burnt ends & ribs.
For the money you pay & the quantity & tastiness of the food I'd say it's a treat.
They have combos of burnt ends &... at the bottom of the menu. I usually go for burnt ends & ribs.
For the money you pay & the quantity & tastiness of the food I'd say it's a treat.
craigjm said:
Thanks guys, I have heard some average things about the starters in particular so I was just a bit concerned
Anyone been to Pitt Cue Co in Newburgh Street W1?
yes i was there saturday food was lovely but the place is tiny we got teh last seats by the door and the mrs kept having the door banged into her seat.Anyone been to Pitt Cue Co in Newburgh Street W1?
i had pulled pork brisket and burnt ends mash. was very juicy flavourfull not too much sauce so you could really taste the meat big thumbs up!
they really need to make peeople wait out side though as it was so loud and as i said kept getting banged as so many were waiting at bar and forcing their way in to ask for tables.
A subject close to my heart- my views:
Bodeans have been around for a fair few years and knock out a very good product. The Soho Special sandwich is one of the best food bargains in London in my eyes. It's a blend of pulled pork and shredded burnt ends and a shedload of BBQ sauce. It's about 6.50 for a regular; they do a large as well but I've never been left hungry by the regular.
Pitt-cue have certainly raised the game and the BBQ is better than Bodeans. However, they are a very high turnover restaurant so be sure you know what you're getting into as you will not get a full-service experience and will have to queue. Their Whiskey Sour is utterly sublime, however.
Big Easy is more of a high-end TGI Friday type affair rather than a BBQ specialist. Their ribs are very good but, for me, their prices for what is fairly simple food are completely bonkers. We're talking 8 for a potato skin starter, plus a supplement if you want bacon. I think their mainstay customers are US expats living in Chelsea and desperate for a taste of home.
Bodeans have been around for a fair few years and knock out a very good product. The Soho Special sandwich is one of the best food bargains in London in my eyes. It's a blend of pulled pork and shredded burnt ends and a shedload of BBQ sauce. It's about 6.50 for a regular; they do a large as well but I've never been left hungry by the regular.
Pitt-cue have certainly raised the game and the BBQ is better than Bodeans. However, they are a very high turnover restaurant so be sure you know what you're getting into as you will not get a full-service experience and will have to queue. Their Whiskey Sour is utterly sublime, however.
Big Easy is more of a high-end TGI Friday type affair rather than a BBQ specialist. Their ribs are very good but, for me, their prices for what is fairly simple food are completely bonkers. We're talking 8 for a potato skin starter, plus a supplement if you want bacon. I think their mainstay customers are US expats living in Chelsea and desperate for a taste of home.
Wadeski said:
the BBQ shack guys cooking out of the Worlds End Pub in Brighton are national champions the last 2 years in a row (and compete in the Jack Daniels world BBQ cookoff in the US) and utterly spank Bodeans for six. If you are down for a weekend, make sure you visit.
I took my neice and nephew to Bodeans in Soho, was a really good call, they loved it (i liked it too!) upstairs is more snack bar and diner with tvs showing sports and high tables. Downstairs is more restauranty, with wood pannelling and booths. I wouldn't vouch for the true smoked quality of the food but it was good enough for me and the price we paid.As for the BBQ shack, i searched them out on a recent trip to Brighton And was not disappointed! We were staying inthe Jury's hotel next to the station, and i left my wife watching TOWIE while i popped down the hill to get a takeout of ribs, coleslaw and rice& beans. I sat at the bar and had a pint while it was made up too, and we both enjoyed a feast of smoky fall off the bone ribs in our room!
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