La Barbecue x Interstellar BBQ Pop-up — Review by Eating With Tod
London, United Kingdom — Texas Barbecue
Two renowned Texas barbecue chefs, Ali Clem and John Bates, collaborated on an extraordinary 200B platter pop-up in London featuring their greatest hits. The massive shared platter showcased perfectly smoked brisket, fall-apart ribs, buttery short ribs, and various sides at an impressive price point for the quality and portion size. This is an exceptional barbecue experience that delivers authentic Texas smoking techniques to London.
What was great: Juicy pork ribs with smoky-sweet glaze, perfectly smoked brisket with ideal salt and pepper seasoning and incredible tenderness, incredibly soft short ribs with butter-like texture, smoked pork belly with peach tea glaze, high quality USDA prime beef, generous platter with excellent value
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The 200B platter is an ambitious collaboration featuring some of the most celebrated barbecue items from two Michelin-style Texas pitmasters. Ali Clem's pork ribs are slow-smoked to perfection and finished with a sweet vinegar glaze that strikes an ideal balance - not overly sweet, delivering mouthful after mouthful of smoky, sticky satisfaction. Her famous brisket is the showstopper, defying conventional Texas smoking times by being completely done in just 6 hours. The salt and pepper seasoning is described as ridiculous, and the meat demonstrates such tenderness that it nearly falls apart - the ultimate flop test. John Bates' gigantic short rib is the textural revelation of the platter, with meat so tender it cuts like cream with a warm knife. Each bite delivers a beef butter consistency that's almost melting on the tongue. The platter also includes two sausages, smoked lamb shoulder, and John's smoked pork belly with a peach tea glaze that earns the ultimate compliment - it's described as the one bite of barbecue food worth proposing over.
The Experience
This is a pop-up collaboration bringing Texas barbecue royalty to London, creating a unique dining moment. The presentation of the platter is visually impressive and designed for sharing between two people, making it a social dining experience.
Value and Pricing
The platter is priced at 150 pounds or 200 pounds with brisket included. The reviewer notes this represents exceptional value compared to what you'd pay for equivalent quality in Texas, making it a significant bargain for Michelin-style barbecue.
Notable Moments
You bite into this rib and it is like beef butter. It's that soft, that tender.
the one bite of barbecue food I would actually propose to
The Verdict
This pop-up collaboration is a must-visit for serious barbecue enthusiasts in London. The combination of authentic Texas smoking techniques with premium USDA prime beef creates an unforgettable experience. This is best for couples or friends who want to share an exceptional, high-quality barbecue meal and appreciate the craftsmanship of world-class pitmasters.