Bodean's (Soho)

My boyfriend loves BBQ Ribs...and after reading some not so glowing reviews of Bodean's we almost didn't go......so pleased we did though! There was such a good Friday night buzz down in the basement restaurant, very friendly obliging staff and AMAZING chicken wings and BBQ Ribs! The chips weren't the best, but then we weren't there for the chips. The food was quick to arrive at our table, piping hot, the additional BBQ and Hot sauces you could pour over your plate are also very good.

I can't wait to go back! Enjoy....
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Anna
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, October 26, 2009

I was out with Big Matt last night and we decided to visit our old haunt Bodeans. Back in the day we came here most weeks as it offered great food, a great atmosphere and set you up nicely for an evening of gigging and drinking. Since leaving the West End I have made more use of their branches in Fulham and bayswater which are both very good but more geared to the sit down meal rather than the deli experience you get at Poland st.

When we arrived last night the place was packed, so getting a seat was tricky. They had a two for one offer on rack of ribs so we got one of those and a side of burnt ends. It has to be said I have had better meals there. The ends were pretty good but the ribs were very tough. I also noticed the staff were less than attentive about wiping down tables which is a bit lax. Overall it lacked a bit of polish and atmosphere. They used to have some very good people there who added to the buzz.

Having said all that, if you are out in Soho and want a cheap substantial feed then this place is a no brainer. I will certainly be back.
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david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 27, 2009

I really want to like this place, being a Yank living in the UK, and a devoted lover of good bbq. But despite a charming atmosphere, the simple fact is that the bbq here is only just about ok....certainly no better than what you'd get at one of the UK chains, like Old Orleans (where the ribs are better, in fact).

The clam chowder at Bodeans is actually really good...well worth having. The crab cakes we had were odd.......an off taste that was only slightly similar to crab, and not really very good, whatever it may have tasted like.

But the main thing is the bbq. The biggest problems with the bbq are the meat and the sauce. That's a bit sarcastic, of course, as the meat and the sauce is all you get with bbq. Good bbq is cooked a LONG time, and gets really tender. The ribs at bodeans taste like they've been cooked about 1/2 an hour...long enough to cook them, but not REMOTELY long enough to make them tender. And in fact, "tough and chewy" are the best words to describe them.

The chicken was ok......in fact the Mrs quite liked it. I thought it was decent, but unexceptional. The sauce is ok, but is NO better (or different) from what you can buy in a bottle at a supermarket.

In short, the place reminds me of one of those hollywood sets of a Western town....it looks real until you try to go through one of the doors and find there's nothing behind it but sand.

The place isn't cheap, I should add. Our bill for two (no booze of any kind) was over £50, for two starters and two mains.

A real shame, as it isn't that hard to do it right. I think the owners are American, and they should definitely know better!
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Adam Roberts
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 12, 2009

Great trashy comfort food like ribs, pulled pork, burgers, etc. Not gourmet but big hearty portions and friendly smiley service. Love it for refuelling after a night out in Soho.
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Ben
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, July 01, 2009

After passing this restaurant on my way home , I finally decided to give bodeans a try. I wished I had gone straight home!!! This was an absolute shambles from the moment we walked in . We were left standing in the restaurant being ignored by rude staff pretending to be busy but the highlight of the evening was the food. Burnt ribs , dry chips and coleslaw that was bubbling, to add insult to injury the waitress who served us had no idea what I was talking about and went into the kitchen, after a few moments a chef appeared and looked at our group in a fashion from a horror film.

We could not find anyone to help with our complaint so decided to pay up and leave after what took forever to receive our bill.

My friends and I will never visit again, it was absolutely disgusting!!!!!
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Felicity Harper
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, April 26, 2009

Had a early Sunday lunch at Bodeans and I really cannot believe how far downhill this place is going.

Firstly we asked for a booth but was told they are for 4 or more people only, fair enough if the place is busy but at 12.15 on a Sunday we were the only people there.

Secondly the menus on the tables were dirty and looking around it was clear the place needed a good clean.

Next we ordered a couple of beers which were plonked on the table minus the nice frozen glasses they used to have.

Then came the ribs, what used to be tender and moist was now burnt and dry. I got the feeling they may have been sitting around from the previous night.

Then after clearing our plates no hint of a warm towel to clean up, so had to go to the toilets to wash up.

Overall really poor and a real shame. I've been going here nearly 5 years now but I feel my love affair with Bodeans may be over.

By the time we left only 2 other tables were taken and the booths were still empty.
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Chris - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Monday, March 16, 2009

I have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions and have always enjoyed it immensely.

The downstairs area is well-decorated and feels like a hunting lodge/drawing room or something out of twin peaks. The wall lights are especially cool with the lights on small fake antlers.

The food is great, inexpensive and the portions are generally pretty massive. The nachos starter is absolutely vast and all the ribs on the menu are amazing. The burgers are also excellent and taste like a huge juicy steak in a bun. The provision of two types of barbeque sauce on the table with the meal is excellent too. The fries are superb and the coleslaw is a homemade style and delicious.

The staff are always really friendly and efficient and the sports tv in the background (with the sound turned down) is fun too. The only area where this place is lacking is in its selection of beer and the price they charge for it. £4 + for a bottle of grolsch is a bit much and only something with their tastebuds removed could drink the Coors Lite! Other than that, superb.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 14, 2008

Great for comfort food, especially after rolling out of Lucky Voice Karaoke over the road! I've only eaten downstairs in the main restaurant - there's a sports theme going on - big screens showing baseball but it's not intrusive. Laid back friendly service. Great ribs and sauces, lovely cocktails, super chips! Don't like the liquid cheese on the Nachos though!
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Richy London - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, October 26, 2008

Visited Bodean's on Saturday afternoon and it's back on form. Had a couple of 'meh' visits recently, but gave it another go and they've hit their stride again. A few additions to the menu (and the regrettable removal of Duvel) a slight shrinkage in the portion size, but the quality of the food is improved and the wait-staff are efficient and cheerful again. Bodean's just made it back into my Top 10.
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Boz
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 25, 2008

Just come back from lunch with a friend and it was great. Fairly busy but it was a Tuesday. Good, quick service, waitress offered us the £10 meal (ribs and beer) and we then pigged out on a second plate of beef ribs. Food was nice - extra rib sauce on the tables and lots of meaty babyback ribs. Quiet music in the background with Olympics on the screens with sound down. It wasn't expensive and I'll certainly go back. Not sure what they can do wrong here??
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John Doe
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 19, 2008