Bodean's Soho

My friend and I went yesterday for a late lunch, the food was wonderful, we had the Bodeans Platter for 2. Excellent service, and would be very happy to spread the word.

I loved Bodeans when it first came to town. The BBQ was always excellent, with some of the best ribs I have EVER had in this country. Over the years, I have seen a decline in the quality and ingredient use which is terribly disappointing and there was one occasion where I ordered a delivery of food from my local Bodeans and it was absolutely awful. On this occasion, 4 of us headed to the Soho branch and despite not taking bookings, the manager was incredibly accommodating of a back injury I had and reserved a nice booth for us to ensure we had a table on arrival. The basement dining room is incredibly dark and a little dingy, with bizarre tartan carpetting and wooden panels. TV screens show American football, baseball and whatever US sporting events that were taking place.

I ordered a half rack of baby back ribs and a half portion of spare ribs. To my disappointment, the spare ribs were a little dry and not as gloriously meaty and fatty as they once were. The baby back ribs were still very good and next time I dine here, that is what I would stick to ordering. My friends chose a selection of side dishes included pulled pork, cornbread muffins and creamed corn. The creamed corn, although tasty and homemade, lacked any kind of seasoning but the cornbread muffins were light and sweet and really very good. I didn't try the pulled pork but my 3 fellow diners were cooing over how delicious it was so I can't imagine it was anything less than superb.

Bodeans may not be what it used to but it is still a great place to head to for some fun and a few beers. Also great for kids too as they use proper ingredients in their cooking rather than the vile processed hideousness of places like TGI's and other dodgy American-themed chains.

Three of us ate there last night and each ordered a different kind of ribs. All three portions arrived overcooked. It was as if- and this may be how they serve so quickly- that the food is prepared in advance and them simply warmed up when ordered. The bbq mayonaise was tasteless, even after adding hot sauce. The chips were good as was the cole slaw. But if you really want good bar b que- go half a block down the street to the Cattle Grid. They do their ribs to order and the sauce is memorable.

Bodean's is not the best BBQ I have ever had but it definitely felt good to get a taste of ‘home’. Out of all the dishes we ordered, the pulled pork was the best and I would definitely have that the next time I am there. I ordred the baby back ribs – they were OK but just not as tender as I was hoping for. I am used to BBQ meat being so tender that it just falls off the bones and I had to struggle a bit. On the plus side, the sauces are incredible!! I could just eat those out of the bottle!!

The service was good and the atmosphere was very unglamorous but who wants glamour when you've got BBQ sauce all over your face!!

Give me meat! Bring me a chargrilled hog that I can tear apart with my bare hands and bury my face in its aromatic burnt flesh. These are the sentiments one contemplates during a meal at Bodean’s, the barbecue ‘smoke house’ established by the same team who run Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue in Kansas City. They really know what they’re doing when it comes to delivering a genuine, US-inspired meat-fest of an experience.

Staple dishes such as the BBQ burnt ends and pulled pork, sticky, unctuous ribs and 16oz burgers are what Bodean’s is all about. They have a nice selection of beers too, some interesting desserts, and the whole experience is thoroughly unpretentious and stomach-pleasingly good. It’s the type of restaurant Homer Simpson dreams about.

This isn’t somewhere you go to sample gastronomic delights or to impress a first date. It’s somewhere you eat until you cannot walk, drink Canadian Moosehead beers until you actually contemplate buying a red-checked shirt and a pick-up truck, and watch baseball which you know nothing about but are strangely interested in now because the barbecue sauce and the beer have gone to your head.

It’s simple and affordable, and the food is shamefully tasty. It’s everything you’d expect from a US-style smoke house. There are so many restaurants in London that claim to be a ‘genuine New York steakhouse’ or an ‘authentic American grill’, but Bodean’s is the only place of its kind that actually does what it says on the tin, and does it very well. Just ask Bubba Gump.

A family meal spoiled by having to complain about the toilets ( when a 12 year old boy comments you know something is far wrong!) Part of the order was not delivered to table even after asking again but did make it onto the bill. Discretionary service charge also added to bill. Could have been a much better experience.

Not my average type of haunt but still one of my favourites for a cheap and guilty treat. It's a little too hectic upstairs and as you are now unable to book downstairs I find myself having to chance it more often – given the location there really is only a slim chance of sitting. The food is standard yummy BBQ fare – you get exactly what you pay for and value for money is part of that. The selection is good and always tasty – you don't expect much in the way of presentation but it's not needed. Sticky fingers a full tummy and a small bill will ensure I keep returning. Great for a bunch of lads before a night out or to annoy my colleagues by sitting at my desk with a take away for lunch.