BLACK CACTUS BBQ

London's Epicentre of Exquisite BBQ Delights

A recent journey down to Blackhorse Road, ensconced in Hackney Wick’s creatively thrumming ambience, brought me to the unassuming yet buzzworthy Black Cactus BBQ. Tucked into Exale Brewery, this kitchen expertly marries American barbecue authenticity with a bespoke innovation that would raise even the most discerning of eyebrows. Behind the chew-tantalizing smoked meats and buns running riot with flavors, you could almost feel the team’s earnest passion as pulsating and rhythmic as the smokers they so deftly manipulate.

Upon entrance, the friendly sizzle of expectation greeted me, wafting through with smiling staff busy guiding patrons in sartorial bib-wrapped bliss. A wave of recommendations cascaded across social channels had led me to the heart-pounding brisket platter, laden with hearty burnt ends, with a complimentary cast of inventive sauces—even a dedicated herby mojo, balancing out each opulent mouthful with zest. There was undeniable restraint amid this decadence: whether finding freshness nestled among spicy sausages or the soft crackle underlying the pulled pork. The robust artistry here mirrors the charm of Exale itself—a brewery with ambiance balancing conviviality and substance effortlessly. So while occasional lapses in availability hint at the restaurant's youthful eagerness to perfect its ethos-driven fare, it’s these rich symphonies in smoky meat that ensure your taste buds melody home-bound far before you attempt that early mark on next foodie pilgrimages. — Nigel Gourmet