Our last post on Barbecoa upset a few people, it seems that many feel about Jamie the same way they feel about their football team. This time, we returned with a group of friends allowing us not only to see much more food but to get from the group (all non food bloggers) further opinions about how much they enjoyed it. From the beginning I should say it was better this time than last, but sadly, we can't entirely change our view from last time: it still feels like a high turnover generic grill house where the food remains okay, but nothing that much more. With recent blog postings including Hard Rock Cafe, Smollensky's, Carnaby Burger Co, Chicken Shop, Honest Burger and Henry J Beans, all offering similar ideas in one form or another, Barbecoa is very much 'in the pack', not worse, but not better either. Of the places mentioned however, it is probably the most expensive which needs to be taken into account.
This time round, I loved the pork scratchings which were a real highlight, lots of them and they kept me coming back for more long after the main food had arrived. As for real starters, the winner here was 'pit-smoked baby back ribs' which for a starter was a generous size and really ticked the box for a BBQ/grill. My order of Bourbon Chicken WIngs was so so, the chicken stringy at times, the glaze sticky with some traces of bourbon but never more-ish; I finished them but indifferently. Overall, they were not a patch on wings at MEATliquor, monkey fingers at MEATmission or the confit wings at Patty & Bun.
On the mains, my pulled pork shoulder was quite nice but I had to remove connective tissue from some early mouthfuls. Not sure what was going on with the waffles either as they are very different to what's shown on every other blog post and were more cake like than waffle like, a substitute product I'm guessing. And while the rest of the table enjoyed either the pit-beef, or the day's special, the cod, my friends found their meals to be warm, not hot, leaving all a little disappointed. Chips were ordered for the table to share, but sadly undercooked and a table of five failed to finish just two bowls of them. No one around the table was so fussed about ordering dessert. Service at the table was professional but never friendly, just a job you know.
At the end of the meal, we did the tally: how many points out of 10 would you give today's meal at Barbecoa. Universally it scored 6-7 out of 10 with most at 6. My feeling is that this might be good enough if it were slightly cheaper, but Barbecoa is not, as already noted, a cheap option, with three courses likely to set you back £35-£50 before drinks and service. And herein lies the problem in our view, while in this post we have name checked a few places, and some will inevitably accuse us of something bad for that, these other restaurants are typical of the competition, and if Barbecoa is not doing it better, or not doing it cheaper, then outside of fan adoration, we struggle to think why we should return.
This time round, I loved the pork scratchings which were a real highlight, lots of them and they kept me coming back for more long after the main food had arrived. As for real starters, the winner here was 'pit-smoked baby back ribs' which for a starter was a generous size and really ticked the box for a BBQ/grill. My order of Bourbon Chicken WIngs was so so, the chicken stringy at times, the glaze sticky with some traces of bourbon but never more-ish; I finished them but indifferently. Overall, they were not a patch on wings at MEATliquor, monkey fingers at MEATmission or the confit wings at Patty & Bun.
On the mains, my pulled pork shoulder was quite nice but I had to remove connective tissue from some early mouthfuls. Not sure what was going on with the waffles either as they are very different to what's shown on every other blog post and were more cake like than waffle like, a substitute product I'm guessing. And while the rest of the table enjoyed either the pit-beef, or the day's special, the cod, my friends found their meals to be warm, not hot, leaving all a little disappointed. Chips were ordered for the table to share, but sadly undercooked and a table of five failed to finish just two bowls of them. No one around the table was so fussed about ordering dessert. Service at the table was professional but never friendly, just a job you know.
At the end of the meal, we did the tally: how many points out of 10 would you give today's meal at Barbecoa. Universally it scored 6-7 out of 10 with most at 6. My feeling is that this might be good enough if it were slightly cheaper, but Barbecoa is not, as already noted, a cheap option, with three courses likely to set you back £35-£50 before drinks and service. And herein lies the problem in our view, while in this post we have name checked a few places, and some will inevitably accuse us of something bad for that, these other restaurants are typical of the competition, and if Barbecoa is not doing it better, or not doing it cheaper, then outside of fan adoration, we struggle to think why we should return.
pork scratchings
Bourbon chicken wings, crunchy rhubarb, celery, chilli & ginger salad
Pt-smoked baby back ribs
the day' special: cod
Pt-beef, smoky baked beans
Pulled pork shoulder, waffle, BBQ sauce & Coleslaw
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