Bodean's BBQ Covent Garden — Restaurant in London

Bodean's BBQ in Covent Garden is a slice of American barbecue heaven right in the heart of London. If you're craving authentic, smoky, and tender meats, this is the place to be. My recent visit left me thoroughly satisfied and eager to return.

The Food: The star of the show at Bodean's is undoubtedly the food. From the moment you walk in, the aroma of smoked meats fills the air, setting the stage for a true BBQ feast. I ordered the Kansas City Platter, and it did not disappoint. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, with just the right amount of smokiness and a deliciously sticky glaze. The pulled pork was juicy and flavorful, and the brisket was perfectly cooked, with a nice balance of smoke and seasoning. The sides, including the mac and cheese and coleslaw, were the perfect complement to the rich meats. Portion sizes are generous, so come hungry!

The Atmosphere: Bodean's has a laid-back, casual vibe that makes it a great spot for both groups and solo diners. The décor is rustic with an American diner feel, and the staff are friendly and attentive, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for a leisurely dinner, the environment is relaxed and unpretentious.

The Drinks: The drinks menu at Bodean's offers a great selection of American beers, bourbons, and cocktails that perfectly complement the BBQ fare. I opted for a classic bourbon on the rocks, which paired wonderfully with the smoky meats. There’s also a good variety of non-alcoholic options for those who prefer something lighter.

What Could Be Improved: While Bodean’s delivers on food and atmosphere, the only slight downside is that it can get quite busy, especially during peak hours. Making a reservation is highly recommended to avoid a long wait, as walk-ins might find themselves waiting a bit for a table.

Conclusion: Bodean's BBQ Covent Garden is a fantastic spot for anyone looking to indulge in authentic American barbecue. With mouthwatering food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a great drinks selection, it's a standout choice for meat lovers in London. Whether you're a BBQ enthusiast or just in the mood for some comfort food, Bodean's will hit the spot. Highly...

Bang average

Bodeons used to be to my go to in London but my recent visit on Wednesday for a 13:00 sitting was underwhelming.

The place looks tatty for a start: chair cushions ripped, toilet rundown, dirty floor and my pint glass was old with the logo almost completely faded - the place needs some money reinvested because it clearly hasn't been renovated recently. A new pint glass costs like what 2 quid a piece? Just get some new glasses, fit a new toilet and give the place a good once over.

So the food then, we always get pulled pork sandwiches which are a very generous size but unfortunately on this occasion my pulled pork was cold, decent enough flavour nothing to write home about though shop bought pulled pork pretty close to what I had this visit, the chips however were spot on. My pint was also served to me flat with no sign of any head, unsure if this was a gas or serving issue.

Staff were all fine nothing special, absolutely no charisma from any of them, just a sit you down take your order job, which is fine I suppose but don't expect 5* service because this isn't the place for that, the server also forgot a side we ordered but stuff like that happens so whatever I guess.

I'm not bashing the place, it's just I've been coming to bodeons at covent garden a while and it seems like standards have slipped significantly. I hope on my next visit things will have improved otherwise I'm unsure if I'll keep...

The service was commendable, in line with the expected standard of any respectable restaurant—polite and well-mannered. However, the pricing seems disproportionate to the quality. The burger tasted far from fresh, almost resembling a frozen patty. On the brighter side, the chips were exceptional, delivering a delightful crispness and freshness.

Opting for the double supreme nachos, I encountered disappointment yet again. They arrived cold and didn't quite match their price in terms of satisfaction or quality.

Moving on to the pit boss platter, the burnt ends were flavorful, but regrettably, cold. The ribs were passable, but the chicken lacked appeal. Overall, it felt like an excessive price to pay for what seemed like reheated food, not remotely fresh and possibly left idle under a heater for hours.

Ultimately, the combination of subpar quality and steep prices left me dissatisfied. While I understand the higher pricing due to the restaurant's prime location, I expected better food quality. It felt as though minimal effort was invested, giving the impression of prioritizing profit over delivering a satisfying dining experience.

I have no idea if it’s new management that has taken over and maybe have taken significant cost cuts in the ingredients used to prioritise profit but it appears that way because as I have been to bodeans before and the food was absolutely top notch so worlds apart from this...