Meat Market Barbecue — Review by Eating With Tod
London, United Kingdom — Texas Barbecue
Meat Market Barbecue brings authentic old school Texas style barbecue to London, run by Joe who previously worked at Smoke Stack for seven years. The restaurant features exceptional dishes including a massive 40 lb Wagyu beef shin, flavorful beef shoulder, and perfectly smoked beef cheeks that rival any Texas barbecue joint. The reviewer was highly impressed, feeling transported back to Texas with every bite.
What was great: 40 lb Wagyu beef shin smoked and cooked in its own fat, beef shoulder with massive beefy flavor and smokiness, beef cheeks smoked for 5 hours with perfect texture, roasted pork slice, authentic old school Texas style barbecue, brings something new to London barbecue scene
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The menu at Meat Market Barbecue showcases classic Texas barbecue at its finest. The star of the show is an absolutely humongous 40 lb Wagyu beef shin that's been smoked off and confited in its own fat, left on the bone for maximum flavor and texture. The beef shoulder, affectionately called Claude, delivers a massive beefy flavor reminiscent of roast beef with notes of smokiness. While leaner than some cuts, it maintains incredible juiciness throughout.
The beef cheeks emerge as the reviewer's favorite dish - smoked for 5 hours and then confited in their own fat before being served on top of Texas bread. These cheeks have a remarkable texture that requires a knife to cut through rather than falling apart in your hand, indicating perfect execution and doneness. The roasted pork slice rounds out the selection, delivering equally impressive results that showcase the restaurant's technical skill.
The Experience
Meat Market Barbecue has already made an impression on London's food scene with its fresh take on traditional Texas barbecue. The restaurant is operated by Joe, an experienced pitmaster who spent seven years at Smoke Stack before branching out to launch his own venture. His expertise is evident in every dish served, bringing authentic techniques and old school central Texas barbecue traditions to a UK audience.
The Verdict
This is a must-visit for barbecue enthusiasts in London. The reviewer explicitly stated feeling transported back to Texas, which speaks volumes about the authenticity and quality achieved. Meat Market Barbecue is perfectly suited for anyone craving legitimate Texas style barbecue outside of the United States. It represents a significant addition to London's barbecue scene, offering something genuinely new and exciting.