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Battle of the BBQ: Uncle Hon’s Barbecue vs Smokestak

Barbecue in London is still finding its smoky identity—but if you’re craving serious meat, these two spots offer distinct takes on the craft: Uncle Hon’s Barbecue in Hackney Wick and Smokestak in Shoreditch. One feels like gritty experimental fusion; the other, a polished ode to wood smoke. Spoiler: only one truly wins the brisket crown.

Uncle Hon’s Barbecue: bold fusion with high ambition

Located in Hackney Wick, Uncle Hon’s is the brainchild of a chef trained in Texas-style smoking and Sichuan flavour combinations. The small warehouse space is stripped-back, pulsing with neon lights and heavy music. Here, BBQ is a creative cross-pollination: think Chinese barbecue techniques applied to pulled pork buns, Iberico ribs glazed in miso-chili, and ox cheeks slicked with pickled mustard.

On my Visit

The Sichuan Iberico ribs had surprising body—meaty, not falling off the bone, with a chew that contrasted well with the sauce’s sweet‑spicy edge. The crackling paddle of fat stabbed vertically into rice—visually bold, though under‑seasoned.

The ox cheek stew was soft but lacked punch; the pickles were fine, slaw respectable, but overall it felt more style over substance.

At £50 per person for a tray of ribs and sides, serviceable though not exceptional sides, we left less than convinced.

Despite ambition and buzz, reviews call it overpriced and inconsistent—flavour curiosity on paper, disappointment in real life. As one review summarised: “after £50pp … fairly mediocre tray … felt ripped off”

Smokestak: Shoreditch’s polished homage to southern smoke

Founded in 2016 by pitmaster David Carter, Smokestak sits just off Brick Lane in Shoreditch. Inside you’ll find industrial styling, soot-dark concrete walls, and slick service—this is BBQ made stylish and unapologetic.

On my visit

Beef brisket bun: Carnal joy wrapped in brioche. Brisket smoked 12–15 hours over English oak, falling apart yet still biting back—topped with pickled red chillis for acid kick

Crispy ox cheek croquettes: Tender shredded meat flattened, coated and fried—creamy on the inside, salty and crisp. One Redditor praised them alongside other standout bites like pastrami and pig tail nuggets

Beef rib & pork belly rib: Charred, bark-clad slabs served with pickled chilli pool and smoky intensity. Even vegetarians can find delight with mushroom toast or charred aubergine sides.

Prices are fair for quality (£8–£17 per plate). Don’t be shocked to come out smelling like smoke—it’s part of the ritual.

Face-off

The Verdict

Smokestak takes the crown. Its obsession with wood smoke, refined execution, and committed flavour consistency delivers where Uncle Hon’s only teases potential.

That’s not to say Uncle Hon’s is without merit—its fusion approach offers curious moments, and the ribs show effort—but it often trips over its own ambition. Smokestak’s signature brisket buns and croquettes, on the other hand, land reliably every time.

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AI vs Vogue: The Model that Wasn’t

For the first time ever, Vogue’s August issue featured an entirely AI-generated model in a Guess ad, created by London-based tech studio Seraphinne Vallora. The images showcase a flawless blonde model wearing striped and floral outfits—credited in tiny fine text as “Produced by Seraphinne Vallora on AI.” The decision sent shockwaves through the fashion world.

The model’s perfection—symmetrical face, smooth skin, pixel-level retouching—sparked criticism that Vogue sacrificed authenticity and diversity. Long-time readers reportedly cancelled subscriptions over the move.

On social media, critics called it the “war on art and culture,” with TikTok and X users lamenting the erasure of real-world creativity and humanity. Even Vogue’s explanation, that it didn’t commission the ad, did little to calm the backlash.

Fashion has historically expanded representation over the past 15 years—from plus-sized covers to LGBTQ+ visibility. AI threatens to roll that progress back by reinforcing homogeneous, unattainable beauty norms. As well as taking away the job opportunities from real-life models.

A Times Square poll found that people struggle to distinguish AI-generated influencers from real ones, raising concerns over authenticity and manipulation in fashion media.