Blacklock

Ask any newspaper, playwright, or Jonas brother, and they’ll tell you the same thing. Sex sells. That’s probably why Blacklock, a loud and proud steakhouse that boasts about being in a converted Soho basement brothel, was always going to be popular. It’s cool. It’s affordable. And as long as you don’t think too hard about the things these walls have seen, it’s a lot of fun. But really it’s the meat here—not that kind of meat, get your mind out of the gutter—that makes Blacklock one of those restaurants that you’ll visit time and time again.

From the moment you walk down the steps from the unassuming black entrance and smell the sirloin sizzling, you’ll know that this is a proper steakhouse. On the old industrial beams you’ll find all of the different cuts and chops handwritten in white pen, and which the servers will talk you through with a strange mix of David Gandy and Del Boy. On the wall opposite you’ll find a huge mirror with ‘let’s talk about chops, baby, let’s talk about you and meat’ written in blood red lipstick. If this doesn’t give you a clear picture of this Soho spot’s combination of serious and silly, then let’s just take a moment to appreciate the fact that a section of their menu simply reads ‘Steak Sarnie’. This sandwich is a sourdough brick full of tender hanger steak, bone marrow, and mustard. It is a beast of a thing. And more importantly, it’s a tenner. That makes it one of the most cheap and cheerful sit-down lunch options in this part of town.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Apart from the butchering of Salt-N-Pepper lyrics and knockout butcher’s cut sandwiches, Blacklock is also home to something that the British love far more than physical affection. A bargain. Particularly their ‘All In’ offer where you get pre-chop bites, flatbread, a side, beef, pork, and the highly chewable lamb skinny chops for a very casual 20 quid per person. Big group catch-up? Sorted. Working out the dinnertime location for your friend who’s on their sixth promotion and your other friend who survives purely on Bolt offers? Sorted. Strong classic drink? Also, totally sorted. The cocktails here are a fiver. By West End standards, that’s not just cheap. It’s a miracle. The kind of boozy blessing we really only thought we’d encounter if Danny Dyer became prime minister.

Sure, Blacklock has the obvious seduction of some delicious pig’s head on toast (hubba hubba), but basically, this Soho spot is a bloody good time. Think of it as your own très trendy, 21st century Moulin Rouge, but with a mean Sunday roast and within walking distance of the Central line. You can rock up here with dates, mates, and anyone else you know who is willing to get handsy with some bone marrow, have a steak, an affordable glass of on-tap red, a big, essential scoop of the chilli hollandaise and leave around £35 lighter. And really, that’s much better than sex appeal.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Steak Sarnie

Quietly hums Sexual Healing: And when I get that feeling I need some steak sarnie eating. Steak sarnie eating, oh baby. It just tastes so fine. Anyway, join us next week for another episode of Reasons Why We’re Single. Just know that this is an excellent sandwich, although it requires a mildly alarming amount of chewing.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

The Blacklock Burger

Everything from the chunky, fluffy bun to the perfect helping of gherkin makes this one of the best burgers in this city. If you’re here for steak, order one of these for the table—request with confidence.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

The All In Selection

Every time a server brings this mighty fine plate of meat out the kitchen, a strange atmosphere of respect and anticipation that we imagine could be equal to that of an ancient gladiator ring comes over the restaurant. Deep breath, start eating, you’ll like it.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Sixth Rib-Eye

This slab of meat is the king of Blacklock steaks. We’re also very into the rump cap and porterhouse beef, but this is the one to order if you want something tender and that makes you feel much more powerful than you actually are.

photo credit: Blacklock

The Sunday Roast

Looks like the centrepiece of Hannibal’s wedding, tastes fantastic. Just be sure to book ahead as it’s one of the most popular roasts in London.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Bread And Pudding

Somehow this bread and butter pudding manages to simultaneously taste of very little but alarmingly also taste exactly like our childhood. What does that mean? We’ll talk to our therapists and get back to you. But if you have room after all that meat, this is a classic way to end your meal. It’s a big boy serving though, so consider sharing.