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.
Customer Perception
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.
Was a bit sceptical about the location but the food definitely compensated for it!
Just a heads up for those that want to go, the menus differ Friday through Sunday, so if you’re looking to get a loaded barbecue platter, Saturday or Sunday is for you!
We came on a Friday evening which has a smaller menu but the food is incredible, highlight was the wagyu ox cheeks, so beautifully tender!
At the start they give you some brandy to sample as the place is a working brandy distillery which is something quite different from the norm.
Excited to come back to try their big barbecue trays!
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’)
5
Took a trip down in a group of 6 people and loved it.
Everyone loved their food and are all making plans to go again.
We tried the following:
Laos Scotch Egg
Crispy Caribbean Brisket
Shortrib Pastrami Croissant
BBQ tray
Fries
Zinger Fries
Coronation Slaw
Wagyu Ox Cheeks
Banana Kostard Cream
Potatoe Party Sundae
...all of it was lovely.
Really well presented, everything had flavour and was cooked perfectly.
The boys are doing a great job. 10/10
2
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.
5
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
