Big Easy Chelsea

It’s almost impossible not to have a good time at this mini-chain of Deep South BBQ/ crabshacks – provided you don’t take things too seriously, of course. Big Easy was serving up baskets of bargain-priced lobster and dry-rubbed, pit-cooked ribs – complete with plastic bibs – long before many of its rivals got in on the act, and it still holds its own in the kitchen department.

On offer is a broadly based menu featuring gut-busting portions of voodoo chicken wings, piles of pulled pork, stacked burgers, charcoal-grilled steaks and lavish sides alongside its mainstays. But food is only part of the attraction here: Big Easy’s fun-loving punters start the night with boozy milkshakes or sharing bowls of fruity cocktails, before graduating to craft beers and easy-drinking wines – a perfect fit for the raucous vibe and nightly live music. We guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face.

Big Easy Chelsea is the original branch of the American BBQ restaurant to open in London, occupying a spacious site on the famous King’s Road. Taking inspiration from Southern States Gulf coast crab shacks and barbecue culture, these guys are one of the top places to enjoy slow-smoked meat and fresh seafood in the capital.  

All its meat is sourced from trusted butchers and carefully-selected producers, serving hand-cut quality steaks and pork from traditional breeds for the best quality and flavour. It also cooks a lot of its meat over a Parilla charcoal grill at this Chelsea joint to ensure an authentic smoky flavour. While all its lobsters are sourced from the icy seas off Nova Scotia. 

Big Easy specialises in slow-smoked meat cooked over oak, and you can expect lots of it on the menu. The stars of the show are its real pit-cooked BBQ meat platters, which are all served with BBQ beans and house slaw. Try its Texas smoked brisket cooked for 18 hours, pit-smoked Bar.B.Q chicken dry-rubbed with a house spice blend and finished with a sticky glaze, and Carolina pulled pork served with Carolina sauce. Daily specials keep things interesting, while a rotating roster of meal deals are great for diners looking to eat out on a budget. Kids menus, a daily happy hour and a weekend boozy brunch offering keep people coming back for more.  

Beer and cocktails are the main players on the drinks front. There’s a slushy bar serving all the classics – think Mojitos, Pina Coladas and Margaritas served over ice. While a host of Big Easy signatures include things like a Rum Punch featuring a trio of white, golden and dark rums, apple, mango, lime and bitters. Local IPAs and bottled favourites are on hand for beer lovers, as are a selection of wines and non-boozy options if you aren’t drinking.