Black Cactus BBQ specializes in authentic Texas smokehouse BBQ, meticulously crafted using time-honored techniques. Every dish is made in-house with passion. Operating Friday through Sunday, it offers an evolving seasonal menu in a relaxed setting, located off the beaten track in London's E17 area. The restaurant also features local brewery beer and its own on-site brewed brandy.
Customers consistently praise Black Cactus BBQ for its exceptional and high-quality food, often describing it as the best BBQ they've experienced. Specific highlights include the Short-Rib Pastrami Croissant, BBQ Tray, Dino Rib, and sausage. Service is frequently noted as great, attentive, and genuinely friendly, with a chilled and welcoming vibe. While many find the experience worth the price, some reviews mention it being expensive (£95-£100 per person) and occasionally point out inconsistencies in food temperature (e.g., cold sides) or execution of certain dishes like burnt ends or ribs.
Additional Details
Black Cactus BBQ originated as a 'new style BBQ pop up' in London. They offer a selection of local brewery beers and brew their own brandy on-site, which is highlighted in their cocktail offerings.
Vegetarian options available (e.g., Broccoli Salad)Vegan options are limited, with a reviewer suggesting the addition of a dedicated vegan main.
Best Times to Visit
The restaurant operates Friday through Sunday. To ensure the widest menu selection, it's advisable to arrive before 2 PM or 6:30 PM, as later arrivals may experience limited options.
OVERVIEW
Simply the best stuffed croissant I have had so far!
ADVICE
* Booking recommended to avoid disappointment. Furthermore, arrivals from 14:00 and 18:30 onwards may experience limited menu options.
PLUS
+ The ‘Short-Rib Pastrami Croissant’ stood out as the tastiest stuffed croissant I have had so far! Flaky, layered perfection, filled with succulent pastrami and high-quality toppings.
+ The ‘BBQ Tray’ had a way of stealing your attention, no matter what you originally planned to order.
+ Evolving seasonal menu.
+ Finch delivered the best customer service I have experienced at any restaurant so far. He balanced discretion, fairness, and order availability.
+ Attentive and genuinely friendly staff who accommodated meal alterations.
+ The restaurant featured a simple, spacious, and airy interior.
MINUS
- Overpriced.
- Could consider adding a ‘meatless’ (vegan) main to keep the menu contemporary.
- The restaurant could provide a QR code self-payment option at each table for quicker, hassle-free service.
ORDER
Barbecue Plates:
* Short-Rib Pastrami Croissant
Vegetables:
* Broccoli Salad (Chef’s prepared alternative to the ‘Ox Caesar Salad’)
Came here for Father's Day last year and left genuinely impressed. The platter was everything you'd want from a BBQ joint, and the sausage alone was worth the trip. So we came back.
This time felt like a different kitchen.
The sausage is still exceptional. The croissant pastrami was a real highlight, well-executed and full of flavour. But almost everything else fell short. The Scotch egg was dominated by tarragon, or something like it, to the point where you couldn't taste anything else. The burnt ends, which should have some crisp and bark to them, were dense and chewy throughout. The ribs were around 70% fat, which made them hard to enjoy at this price point.
Temperature was the bigger issue. The meat tray arrived warm at best, and the sides, broccoli, leeks and Dauphinois potatoes, were stone cold. We mentioned the broccoli and were told it was served cold because it was "a salad." None of us touched it. The pulled pork barely registered above room temperature.
For what you pay, execution needs to be consistent. Last year it was. At £95 per person for us it really didn't hit the mark. Last year this place earned every penny. This visit, it wasn't close. I'd go back for the sausage and probably the pastrami, but I'd be cautious about the platter until they sort out the kitchen-to-table process.
Amazing food! Lovely service and Kudos to Candy who is warm and very friendly.
The vibe is very good, it’s not too noisy and we loved the playlist.
The dino rib was huge and the meat just fell off the bone.
The plater is really good for sharing and the gravy is top notch. It’s ashamed that we didn’t order a fries to dip into the gravy. (first timer)
The desserts were very well thought out too. The banana custard was hearty and the sourdough sundae was interesting.
The cocktails were another highlight! The brandy they brew there cut through all the oiliness from the meat. The apple dasquisia is refreshing and we loved it.
Overall wonderful experience and can’t wait to be back. Well done everyone!
WHAT an experience. The food was absolutely sublime, hit after hit after hit. I was initially tentative when I saw the prices, but worth every bloody penny.
Andrina was an amazing host and made sure we had the best time - good banter and very accommodating.
We will be back
Went here on a date with my partner last week. The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. I especially recommend the pastrami croissant, the Caesar salad and the dino rib, everything was tasty though,even the chips! The service was great, all the servers were friendly, the founders had a chat with us, which was lovely. It is evident they are passionate about the food they are serving. The bar/ restaurant itself was cool and is above a distillery. We sat at the bar and as a plus size girl, I usually hate bar chairs but the ones they had were comfortable. The cocktails and burnt faith brandy were also very good. Would definitely recommend and hope to go back soon.
