Bodean's Byward Street

Not the place to dwell on your divorce or latest investment failure, Bodean’s is all about the good times. The Motown/disco soundtrack is played at full volume, chatter is lively & the clientele boisterous – especially when it comes to cheering teams on the big screen. An all-American menu centres on barbecue delights, from smoky meats to hot dogs, Cajun prawns & Tex-Mex. Good-value chicken wings come in three heat waves: mild is wimpy, hot is just the right side of fiery, & diablo is best left to the show-offs. Mains are mixed, with tender pulled pork living up to expectations, while ribs can vary between ‘gloriously meaty & fatty’ to ‘a little on the dry side’. That said, if a slice of the terrific baked cheesecake – with its salty, buttery base & sweet creamy filling – can’t put a smile on your face, you may be a lost cause.