Smokestak is a barbecue restaurant in Shoreditch that evolved from a fantastic street food vendor at various locations such as Street Feast Dinerama and the now defunct Street Feast Dalston Yard. Shiima and I first became aware of Smokestak at Dalston Yard (one of our favourite street food locations and where I proposed ☺️). Shiima was never really a fan because, as you might know if you’ve kept up with our foodie adventures, she rarely eats beef and doesn’t go near Pork. So I always enjoyed a beef or pork rib alone, unless when my friends came along and we enjoyed it together. So I knew a visit to Smokestak would have to be a solo excursion 😁.

I went for dinner last Friday at 6PM and I was placed at the bar with a great view of the busy kitchen. The restaurant itself was already very busy, with lots of people inside and outside on terraced seating.

Smokestak oozes an industrial rustic vibe and the staff were all wearing black, which is a cool touch for me because I like black. The service was also very friendly and attentive, particularly the waiter and the bartender who took care of me.

What I ordered

The menu has all the staples from their time as street food vendors and much more. I ordered Pigtails, crispy ox cheek, and sea bream crudo as starters, and beef brisket for my main.

Food

Starters

Like at Pitt Cue, the cooking acumen of Smokestak don’t start and end with barbecue and meat. The sea bream crudo was utterly delicious. It was light and citrusy, and the sea bream was utterly delicate. There were some meaty tuna pieces as well which gave the dish an added dimension in regards to flavour and texture.

The crispy ox cheek were solid. Exactly what I’d hoped. Rich and tasty pulled ox cheek in a crispy coating 👌🏾.

The pigtails were awesome! Doused in sweet soy molasses, these were crunchy and indulgent. It won’t be easy to eat for the noncommittal though as you have to use your hands and dig in with your teeth to get all the delicious meat of the bone.

Main

The beef brisket was really good. Succulent thin slices of perfectly barbecued beef brisket. There isn’t much extra flavour to the brisket besides salt and the mustard barbecue, but that’s all good with me because I love the beef brisket as is. Top notch barbecuing.

Dessert!

Oh, absolutely. I ordered the sticky toffee pudding with clotted ice cream.

It was really good! Rich and warm toffee pudding in a river of warm toffee sauce and topped with creamy delicious ice cream… what’s not to love. It was perfectly sweet.

Verdict

I really enjoyed my experience at Smokestak. The vibe is perfect for a barbecue restaurant, especially in Shoreditch, the service is also really good and the food was even better. It’s everything you want from a barbecue restaurant. I recommend for relaxed dates and an excellent barbecue experience with friends or family. Smokestak is fairly inexpensive expensive as well.

Cuisine: Barbecue
Dress Code: Casual
Amen’s Star Dish: Pigtails with soy molasses.
Price: £20-£30pp (excluding alcohol)
Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Smokestak
35 Sclater Street
London E1 6LB
Book through their website,
call 020 3873 1733,
or just walk in.