For something different we decided to head out to the Spitafield Market to try out the BBQ at the Arkansas Cafe. Its supposed to be fabulous for meat eaters so I was looking forward to chowing down with relish. The Cafe certainly looks the part with a very relaxed atmosphere and with decor to make it look like you would imagine a diner to look like in the deep of south the USA. The menu also appears promising with plenty of meat options – pork ribs, beef ribs, beef brisket, duck, cornfed chicken, pork sausages and of course a BBQ platter (everything is presumably grilled). Interestingly, however, when I asked about the BBQ platter what the waitress proceeded to describe was the assorted salads and veges that accompanied the platter rather than exactly what meats you would get (an ominous sign for sure.) In the end I settled on the pork ribs which is I think the best way to measure how good a BBQ is. Sad to say I was a little disappointed. Sure the meat was quite tender and tasty in its own fashion (namely fairly salty) but it contained none of that smokiness or BBQiness that I would have expected. And for a meat-eaters paradise I was not impressed to see my “salads” (assorted cabbages, slaw, beans etc.) outsizing the meat. As a result I thought the price was certainly too high for what you got. It might be a good idea if you’re there just for the meat to just order a number of the starters cause then you won’t end up paying over £5 for salad you didn’t want to eat anyway. There is a plus side – service was quick and efficient if not necessarily overly friendly (though maybe put on an American accent and the owner will be much more friendly.)