As they have a no-reservations policy, both times I've gone mid-afternoon and thus not needed to wait at all for a single lonesome seat upstairs at the bar.
The menu concept is simple - select a meat and a side and decide if you are hungry enough for extras.
I've always liked pork ribs more than beef ribs since I had them at The Slanted Door, but the waitress on my first visit thought the Beef Ribs was better. There were tasty but chewier meat than I expected for something cooked on the bone. I left satisfied but expecting something more.
Luckily on my second I followed my instincts and order Pork Ribs. The meat was tender, delicious and a pleasure to chew through - much preferred to than the Beef Ribs. Being greedy I also ordered the Hot Rib Tips which are the end bits of the pork ribs deep fried with chilli sauce. They were similarly fantastic with even more flavour to the meat and sauce than the ribs themselves.
Both times I ordered the side of Green Chilli Slaw which is a great combination of red cabbage, Spanish onion, green chilli and some kind of orange crispy rice that contrasts well with the dense meat flavours. Sliced green pickles were also provided but the bread slice was pretty average.
Both times I drank the awarded Cornish Orchards Cider which was too big for me to finish on my own during an early afternoon but would be great for socialising.
Next time I would order either Pork Ribs or Smoked Beef Brisket with Green Chilli Slaw. Hot Rib Tips are great and so you could get these instead of the Pork Ribs and have an alternative main instead.
2013
I returned a few times in 2013. The food remains good, although I was consistently disappointed to find that the hot rib tips had been removed, pork ribs were no longer available, and often beef ribs weren't on the menu or had run out. Smoked featherblade became a regular feature as were some lesser known cuts. All were still good but I miss the items that made them famous and made me think of them as my #1 favourite place to eat in London.
