Pitt Cue Co

American-style BBQ

Five years ago, most Londoners thought barbecue involved some poor, innocent sausage thrown onto a grill until the skin became black and carbonized while the interior stayed resolutely raw. Now proper American ’cue—the real thing, cooked slow and low over fragrant smoke—has come to the capital, and hallelujah to that. Pitt Cue Co started as a street-food van, serving up pulled pork and ribs under Hungerford Bridge. Such was the success that co-owners Tom Adams and Jamie Berger added an outpost on solid foundation. And Pitt Cue Co has been packed ever since. House pickles are pert and crunchy; brisket is tender and beautifully imbued with smoke; cocktails are mean and lean—but beware, you can’t book, so prepare to queue at peak times. Still, for ’cue this good and well-priced, with heaping portions for $15, I would happily wait for days. At 1 Newburgh St. in Soho; pittcue.co.uk.