Bodean's

The greatest thing about Bodean's is how they capture that element of Americana -- the BBQ joint. If you're an American here in London feeling homesick, need to hear some vintage American rock and roll, while you eat your delicious pulled pork sandwich drowned in excellent Kansas City style sauce, and drink an American brew to wash it down, this is the place. It's also very reasonable and so far is the cheapest eat in lunch option I can find this side of the Thames. Bring your kids too and afterwards you can cross the street to take in a movie at the Clapham Picture House and *Presto* -- you've filled up the kids afternoon on a rainy Saturday!

i have been to Bodeans once on a quiet December friday afternoon...the twilight time after lunch and before 6pm and was invited to meet my eldest daughter there for an exchange of christmas gifts .We had a most excellent afternoon there where she introduced me to the signature dishes and my mind was blown . ( my exposure the americana had previously been the OLD chicago rib shack in knightbridge and after Bob Peyton died i lost faith in ever tasting anything as good as they used to serve ) i found it here !! in clapham !! so i tried to get the rest of the family to come and sample what our eldest had found 4 times ...but no ...try to book for a party less than 8 and you can't..first come first serve is fine for the management but not for the patrons as the long queues outside with the 1 hour wait and the 20 minute drive for us from kingston ( down the a3 ) is not on for a family of mixed age groups and patience ...so this place is off limits for dinner out ...are they the victims of their own success? perhaps other reviewers who have been willing to wait for hours or turn up at 2pm on a tuesday afternoon could shed some light as to whether its still got it ???

Me and my family went here in May 2011. Knew we had found a good spot when half hour after we had arrived, there was a que to get in! Very impressed with the standard of food and the service. The pulled pork was excellent, as were ribs, but for me the stand out dish was the burnt ends and beef ribs - succulent and tasty, with their homemade bbq sauce which was authentic and delicious. The decor was charming yet not too over the top. You felt it was a "proper" american bar/diner, not a cheap mock up. The servers were interested that you had a good time and were attentive throughout. Doubly impressive considering how busy they were! The selection of beers were incredible, with some genuine beers you cannot find this side of the bond (in particular, Blue Moon!). Would have liked more of a hat-tip to the designated driver rather then overpriced can's. Dessert maintained the high standards but more imagination on the dessert menu would have really finished it off. If this place was nearer to our home, we would be there more often to take advantage of what appeared to be very bargain-basement mid-week deals (Combo with sides+beer =£10), and just for a good beer. On Saturdays, get their early as it looks like it gets pretty busy pretty quickly. But will be definitely going back for more...and with an emptier stomach.