London's best American BBQ

Well, slap my thigh and call me Gutsy...

"Restraint" hardly springs to mind when you think of American BBQ; instead you're almost certainly picturing a ravenous hick greedily gutsing down a kilo of ribs as BBQ sauce drips off his face onto the napkin tucked into his pants. (Yeah, we've given this quite a bit of thought too)...

But that's exactly as our American cousins intended... the food's hot, brown... and plenty of it. Oh, and it's tasty as hell! From delicious pulled pork in a sandwich to racks of ribs, brisket and more side orders than you can shake your bathroom scales at... Unlike socks-and-sliders, this is one US export we're happy to take to our bosom.

Q Grill image
Q Grill
29-33 Chalk Farm Road NW1 8AJ
Chalk Farm 0.25 miles
AIL
Users
American
Photos

Q Grill’s owner Des McDonald was CEO of Caprice Holdings before he opened <a href=”http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/restaurants/restaurant-17721.php”>The Fish & Chip Shop</a> in Islington. Here he turns his hand to American BBQ to great effect, adding a modern twist to with dishes such as charred octopus with kimchi and blood orange.The ribs and the barbecued hen wings in a bag are a must.

Pitt Cue Co image
Pitt Cue Co
1 The Avenue EC2M 4YP
Liverpool Street 0.19 miles
AIL
Users
American
Photos

Out of all the BBQ joints that have sprung up over the last couple of years there is no doubt that Pitt Cue Co has been the biggest hit. The eatery began life as a food truck under the Hungerford Bridge, and it proved sosuccessful the owners have been able to open a permanent venue in Soho. Over two years and a cookbook later Pitt Cue Co still draws queues for their ribs, pulled pork and ox tail.

Duke's Brew and Que image
Duke's Brew and Que
33 Downham Road N1 5AA
Haggerston 0.44 miles
AIL
Users
Bars
Opening Times

This pub in hip De Beauvoir Town has a wood pit smoker to slow-cook beef ribs and pulled pork. To match the menu there’s a selection of tequila, bourbon, American beers and locally brewed Beavertown.

Big Easy image
Big Easy
332-334 King's Road SW3 5UR
South Kensington 0.61 miles
American
Opening Times
Photos

This could well be London’s oldest BBQ eatery as the original site on the King’s Road has been open for more than 20 years. The menu has home smoked meats and seafood, all served in large portions

Porky's BBQ image
Porky's BBQ
18 New Globe Walk SE1 9DR
Mansion House 0.35 miles
AIL
Users
American
Photos

As the name suggests the emphasis is on barbecued pork here, with things like pork ribs, pulled pork that’s been smoked for 18 hours and a burger with more pulled pork and streaky bacon. In addition there are southern specialities like spiced catfish and BBQ beans.

Joe's Southern Kitchen and Bar image
Joe's Southern Kitchen and Bar
34 King Street WC2E 8JD
Covent Garden 0.08 miles
American

It’s all about the marinade at Joe’s Southern Kitchen & Bar (previously Navajo Joe’s),from the 24 hour marinated buttermilk chicken to the 8 hour slow roast beef ribs in BBQ rub. Here you’ll also find crab, gumbo and beer can chicken.

Grillshack image
Grillshack
61-63 Beak Street W1F 9SL
Piccadilly Circus 0.24 miles
American
Photos

Richard Caring of Caprice Holdings is behind Grillshack, an all day eatery where the theme is strictly American from breakfast till dinnertime. Start the day with buttermilk pancakes or the ‘extra protein breakfast’ with pulled pork, hamburger, maple bacon and eggs. From 11.30 onwards there’s grilled chicken, ribs and steaks.

Bodean's BBQ image
Bodean's BBQ
10 Poland Street W1F 8PZ
Oxford Circus 0.21 miles
AIL
Users
American
Opening Times

Having opened in 2002, Bodean’s pre-dates the trend for southern food and BBQ by about 10 years. Various types of barbecued ribs, chargrilled steaks, pulled pork sandwiches and mac and cheese with smoky chicken are on the menu, plus sports are shown on big screens.