It’s the restaurant story du jour: a couple of enterprising mates start a food truck selling American stodge, it becomes successful and a Twitter buzz ensues, then a few months later they open a permanent restaurant. Now in their third guise at their new, gentrified Devonshire Square home, the chaps are going from strength to strength.
A distinctly fashionable no-bookings policy and an even more fashionable menu of BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket and bourbon, it’s very satisfying food, served in generous portions and at relatively low prices; small wonder it’s always full.
Pitt Cue Co
American Restaurant in The City
8 / 10 from 3 reviews
Address
Devonshire Square
1 The Avenue
The City
London
EC2M 4YP
Devonshire Square
1 The Avenue
The City
London
EC2M 4YP
Telephone
020 7324 7770
020 7324 7770
Cuisine
American
American
Region
The City
The City
Opening Summary
Mon - Sat: 12:00 - 15:00 & 17:30 - 23:00 (last orders 22:00)
Sun & Bank Hols: 12:00 - 16:00
Mon - Sat: 12:00 - 15:00 & 17:30 - 23:00 (last orders 22:00)
Sun & Bank Hols: 12:00 - 16:00
Pitt Cue Co Picture Gallery
All In London Review
Pitt Cue Co are kings of the BBQ
The menu is brief so we try as much of it as possible, including both the day’s specials: a hunk of smoked, nicely marbled feather blade (£16.50) and chunky slices of ox cheek (£16.50) that have spent so long in the smoker just a gentle prod makes them disintegrate. The cheek is served on a bone marrow trencher, a slice of toasted sourdough saturated in beef juices. These guys really know what they’re doing.
The beef ribs (£11) are huge in both size and taste, sticky and with tasty bits of char, and the meat pulls off the bone with ease. On the side there’s crunchy green chilli slaw and rich savoury bone marrow mash.
The pig’s head sausage (£6.50) is presented as two squares of grilled meat, and the pulled pork (£6) is almost mushy, practically swimming in sweet barbecue sauce, but they’re no match for the awe-inspiring beef.
To drink there is bourbon and craft beer, but you should try the pickle backs, bourbon chased with a shot of brine, which the waitress tells us divides people like Marmite. If like us you’re a fan of intense flavours you’ll love the sharp snap of pickle juice after the smooth, clean bourbon; imagine a far more exquisite version of tequila, lime and salt.
And what about the (in)famous queues because of their no-bookings policy? Our plan to arrive just as they open at midday on Sunday pays off, however within a couple of minutes of being seated it’s full. With space for around 30 in the miniscule basement dining area and the bar upstairs, it’s a pretty cramped, elbows-touching space. Not that this is the sort of place where you hang around; food is served on chipped trays and napkins are piled on the table, which you’ll need quite a few of.
Pitt Cue Co have already released a cookbook, so the next step can only be a second, larger venue that will probably take bookings and we’ll hazard a guess that it may be located in the East End. Good on them.
IMAGE: Paul Winch-Furness / www.paulwf.co.uk by Simon Anderson, via Flickr
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Jul 4, 2013
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It’s a bit like the Meatwagon/MeatLiquor story:Pitt Cue Co began life as a food truck, and since taking up permanent residence on Newburgh Street its inexpensive American BBQ fare has taken the capital by storm. Pulled pork and sticky ribs are served in generous portions, and drinks are Bourbon-based cocktails.
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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.
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Although London was already familiar with American BBQ delights such as smoky ribs, pulled pork and gigantic portions thanks to places like Bodeans, there’s no doubt that Pitt Cue Co began a trend that would spawn dozens of knock-offs. Their tiny Soho eatery regularly attracts long queues of people prepared to wait for their super tender ox cheek, pulled pork buns and smoked feather blade.
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In a short space of time Pitt Cue Co went from a food truck parked by the South Bank centre to the institution that arguably kick-started London's love affair with all things BBQ. They still reign supreme with cuts of meat like ox cheek and lamb neck.
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It's a meat lovers paradise here, particularly for fans of BBQ. Pulled pork, ribs, bone marrow, steak and ox cheek all feature on the menu, along with a lengthy list of bourbons.
User Reviews
Bec
from Herefordshire
from Herefordshire
Jul 2, 2015
The food in this tiny restaurant is fantastic. Yes you may have to wait to be seated but it really is worth it. The beef neck was the tastiest bit of meat I've ever eaten. And the cocktails are great too!
Edward
from London
from London
May 12, 2013
The restaurant is TINY and busy, so be prepared to wait outside if you're coming for dinner. Bring an umbrella. Once called inside, be prepared to wait even longer, but feel free to have a drink while you wait... Or two... Or three.
Once finally seated (in the crowded bar area) we ordered (they were out of ribs, btw). Waiting time for the food was about average, but the waitress forgot our drinks. The wrong appetizer was brought to us as well.
These things aside, the food was great! The pulled pork bun and the loaded skins were OUTSTANDING. But would WE go through it all again? Probably
Once finally seated (in the crowded bar area) we ordered (they were out of ribs, btw). Waiting time for the food was about average, but the waitress forgot our drinks. The wrong appetizer was brought to us as well.
These things aside, the food was great! The pulled pork bun and the loaded skins were OUTSTANDING. But would WE go through it all again? Probably
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