Was lovely. Really nice good quality ribs and fries

Friendly staff

Wayne & Dee

I don't normally write reviews but after the meal iv just had I felt I had to !!

Best steak iv had for ages - restaurant was friendly and had a good atmosphere and priced very reasonably I will definitely be back soon the table next to me had the ribs and they looked and smelt amazing.

On recommendation, myself and 5 friends visited the Cattle Grid Restaurant this weekend. We were greeted at the door by the friendly maitre d' whom told us that the restaurant was full but only a short wait for a table was likely. We decided to go for a drink and come back. On our return we were seated promptly downstairs in view of the kitchen and tempted with the delightful smells that emanated from it.After looking at the straight to the point, 'cow' & 'Pig' menu we chose to go for the spicy chicken wings and some ribs as a starter as we were starving!! A bottle of, "The Don", Argentine Malbec was the obvious choice as we were in a steak house. The ribs were Fantastic, tender and basted in the most wonderful sweet spicy sauce, The wings advertised as, "hot", did not do so falsely, they blew our socks off, I love spicy food so off to a great start!!!Our main course was a selection of steak and burgers. I went for a New York strip sirloin with bearnaise sauce cooked medium/rare. Very hopeful as it was £24 on the menu... I wasn't disappointed!! Tender, juicy and full of flavour, cooked how i like it.. Well worth it! The other steaks ordered were also great, Ribeye and T-bone all served with chips and watercress. We all commented on how lovely the chips were, crispy but not your usual American style fries. The burgers that arrived were massive! Brie & bacon, Harissa & mozzarella and a hog roast sandwich.The burger bun caused some debate, when asked, the waiter informed us that it was actually a sun dried tomato sour doe bun.I dont usually like sour doe but my friends thought it was a pleasant change from the usual fast food style burger bun most places use.Only one dessert was ordered, a chocolate brownie with ice cream, which we shared as we were all stuffed!! It was very nice finish to a wonderful meal.Overall i found cattle grid to be relaxed yet vibrant. The floor staff were great, we were made very welcome. I will definitely be going back!!

Hi there, after going out for a few cheeky beers me and a couple of friends where getting a bit hungry but we are not the most healthiest of lads and fancied a filling meal.(to soak up the beer)One of the lads suggested Cattle grid steak house. As i walked into the place we where greeted and seated immediately. The waiter was highly knowledgeable of the wine menu and the food.As we glanced over the menu i was amazed at how many optional extras where available to top your steak or burger.(even haggis)we promptly ordered our food i opted for the New York strip which was accompanied with chips and it was cooked perfectly medium rare. The rest of the lads chose Ribs and burgers. I have never seen a burger like it in my life (and i have had a few) it was massive and i was informed it tasted as good as it looked.Overall i would recommend Cattle Grid to anyone who is a lover of meat and it is safe to say i will be returning with my family and friends in the near future.Well done guys!!!!!

I've been to both this one and their restaurant on Northcote Road now. Food has been consistently good and staff have always been spot on in my experience.

Visited this place last night and have to say I was really impressed with both food and service.

The ribs were delicious, as was the greek salad - couldn't actually finish both as quite large portions, but certainly not complaining!

Staff were friendly and professional - you're not over-serviced, e.g wine isn't poured for you at table, but I like the no-nonsense approach. Decent food at a decent price in a cool, comfortable setting.

Will definitely be returning...

Lucy R

Terrible service and ueber surly staff. Good steak, but ruined by poor service and atmosphere.

Having booked a table for 4 for a saturday night we were looking forward to a nice meal out. On arrival the waiter greeting us didn't understand we'd booked a table, the table wasn't ready and he just brushed crumbs off the dirty table onto the floor, instead of wiping it! Great start! Added to this, the gents toilets were out of order, so there was one very dirty toilet for everyone. Took ages for them to take our order ( they weren't that busy) and then when the wine arrived, it was just plonked on the table, not even opened or poured out. Same with the food, this was just thrown down, without remembering who had ordered what.! After eating it took at least 20 mins for the plates to be cleared and they never once checked to see if the food was ok or if we wanted desserts or coffees. Very poor. When we asked for the bill, it took ages to come and then when we left, the waiter barely grunted thanks! The attitude of the staff was terrible! I won't be returning.. Best avoid, unless you like grumpy arsey staff!

Terrible service and ueber surly staff. Good steak, but ruined by poor service and atmosphere.

Having booked a table for 4 for a saturday night we were looking forward to a nice meal out. On arrival the waiter greeting us didn't understand we'd booked a table, the table wasn't ready and he just brushed crumbs off the dirty table onto the floor, instead of wiping it! Great start! Added to this, the gents toilets were out of order, so there was one very dirty toilet for everyone. Took ages for them to take our order ( they weren't that busy) and then when the wine arrived, it was just plonked on the table, not even opened or poured out. Same with the food, this was just thrown down, without remembering who had ordered what.! After eating it took at least 20 mins for the plates to be cleared and they never once checked to see if the food was ok or if we wanted desserts or coffees. Very poor. When we asked for the bill, it took ages to come and then when we left, the waiter barely grunted thanks! The attitude of the staff was terrible! I won't be returning.. Best avoid, unless you like grumpy arsey staff!

I tried Cattle Grid a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. Service was a bit grumpy, but the food was great. We ordered sides but to be honest the burgers were so big that side dishes weren't required!
They're not too keen on kids, even well-behaved ones, but my daughter wasn't too keen on their "fancy" burgers anyway! Would definitely go again, especially as their early-bird burger for £5 deal looks set to continue!

Finding good burgers that are well-priced and as good as they claim to be is no mean feat. Having eaten in many of the larger chains which claim to be "gourmet" and been disappointed, it was refreshing to find somewhere that's actually serving what it says on the tin (or rather, the menu). Cattle Grid burgers are delicious, huge, and made from tasty fresh ingredients, rather than the sort of thing that's been sitting around for ages. Excellent value for money and will definitely go back. Great place to go in a group too, as you don't feel hurried or hassled. Go! You won't regret it.

Quite simply the best ribs I've ever had. And so large you could be forgiven for thinking that they were from a dinosaur. Amazing.

Being a lover of steak, it's hard to find places (especially in London) who do it well and at a decent price. Having tried Cattle Grid for the first time last night, I can honestly say that this is the best steak I've had in London. The restaurant was clean and unfussy, whilst still being welcoming, and I can't fault the friendly staff in any way. They were friendly and efficient, without being overbearing. The steak itself was amazing, particularly bearing in mind the price - cooked just how I asked and certainly enough for even the biggest appetite (I had the 10oz sirloin). Highly recommended!

Started well but ended badly. The food was fine however it was spoiled by the awful service. As soon as our food arrived, the staff lost interest in us. The restaurant was barely half full, yet empty plates and empty glasses were ignored and after half an hour of discreet attempts to attract attention, we had to resort to waving. Still not sure if this place has a pudding menu - it was certainly never offered to us. We were glad just to get the bill and leave.

I am a big steak eater, so was a bit sceptical of somewhere offering cut-price steak, but I'm so glad we found Cattle Grid. The concept is quite simple - think Gourmet Burger Kitchen but with steak, so no frills, but it what it lacks in price it more than makes up for elsewhere! My steak was perfectly cooked (and they have a blackboard on the wall with their cooking definitions, so rare really does mean rare) and was a really good quality bit of meat. The chips were definitely homemade and the salad was fresh and crunchy.

We also had a couple of very reasonable glasses of red wine. Beware food snobs - these were served in tumblers, rather than stem glasses, which led to a sour-faced man on another table to complain, but frankly if the only thing you can moan about is the shape of the glasses, I see that as a positive. It was so good, we went back for burgers the next week, and they knock the socks off anything from gbk. Again, really good quality meat and an optional topping of haggis, which is frankly a stroke of genius! This isn't a cosy romantic bistro for first dates, and isn't somewhere to take in the in-laws, but if you like steak, you really have to head here.

ATTENTION, please read before you even consider going to the Cattle Grid. We walked out without paying without an ounce of guilt, why not? The Cattle Grid tried to rob us.

Upon arriving we were told we could pay at the till before you even receive any food, which is absurd. Now I know why they give you the option of paying first - because they know that the food is really poor.

We ordered the starter, which was hot bread and dipping oil, it cost £3.50. The "hot bread" was infact a BURGER BUN cut into slices served with cheap, run of the mill olive oil probably from the 99p Zone near by.

It was only when my partner saw a waiter waltz past up clumsily with one of the house burgers we noticed that the bread was a burger bun. £3.50 for a BURGER BUN.

The colas arrived at room temperature.The staff are rude, brash and some have hygiene issues - one waitress in particular reaked of bad body odour everytime she passed our table. The manageress there in particular seemed to think because she is American she is the queen of steak, I think not when the steaks were of poor quality.

By the way thankyou for the free goods, we certainly weren't going to pay for the dreadful food or service.STAY AWAY FROM CATTLE GRID IT WILL RUIN YOUR EVENING.

Visited Cattle Grid on Saturday night, and have to say I was rather impressed.After reading some reviews it on here, I was skeptical..

But have to say Steak was good, nice cut and reasonably priced.

Ok so if you can excuse the order at the counter style service, its not too bad!

I would definately go back again.

Decent Steakhouse in the South.

Not good. I like the idea of a good value steak chain, but good value this is not. It is cheap. I had the sirloin and my wife ahd the rump, both medium-rare, both were barely edible. Sirloin, very undercooked and therefore cold and chewy as a result. Rump, a complete waste of money - stringy and raw. We won't be returning. I guess there is a reason most good steaks are expensive, it takes top quality meat and skill to deliver the perfect steak. Don't waste your time or money.

I went to the Cattle Grid because of a recommendation from a friend of mine who visited their Windsor chain.

I was not disappointed. The meat was delicious and the accompanying spinach a lovely touch.

The Cattle Grid has a really good atmosphere and excellent staff. I will definitely be returning.

Great concept, brilliant steak and reasonably priced. I've been to Gaucho a number of times and has always been a firm favourite, but this place would be my preference. We had a great night there and will be returning.

After a bit of a negative first impression, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food.
Yes, you have to order your own food at the bar and the wine arrives in tumblers rather than stem glasses, but by god it is good value!
My steak was a really good quality bit of meat and cooked just how I'd ordered it. And great chips - proper homemade ones, not the frozen ones you normally get.
Granted, this probably isn't somewhere to bring someone on a first date, but if you like a good bit of steak and appreciate good value for money, there is nowhere else like it in the area. It is easily as good as other places around the corner (no names mentioned...!) which charge nearly twice as much for their steak.
Well worth a visit if you appreciate good steak!
We'll definiately be back

Wow. Finally a restaurant that can cook top quality steaks to perfection for a very reasonable price. I’ve often wondered why you generally get charged top dollar for good steak but this place proves this doesn’t have to be the case. I’ve been twice and had a rib-eye (amazing) and the ribs (amazing). I’ll be a regular here now as the prices they charge it’s almost cheaper to eat here than to cook a steak at home. My prayers have been answered!

I can only surmise that the positive comments here have been posted by the Cattle Grid staff. The T-bone was not even half the claimed weight and was so thin it was perhaps not surprising that it was horribly overcooked. This is not a good steakhouse - don't go there.

Have never been to Balham before - but will certainly be going back - the whole area was much nicer than I had expected - but this restaurant was fantastic. No waiting (although I understand it gets very busy in the evening) and beautifully cooked fresh food. Nice people too. Looking forward to our next visit.

This place is great ! was in the area on business and this place is just superb, great atmoshpere, fab decor, even better value ! Wheres the next one going to open ??

The décor is more fine burger than fine dining and you have to
go to the counter to order which we found very strange. Still we ordered a Malbec and 2 16oz t-bones (med rare) and sat down.

It felt like a school canteen. Especially with the queue for the toilets growing to my right and the queue for the counter growing by our table. I had just looked around and poured the wine when the food arrived. Quick. Too quick. I mean it was quicker than McDonalds.

Unfortunately what was in front of me wasn’t a steak – it was more
a large rasher of beef bacon. Less than 1 cm thick and very well done at one end and a glimmer of pink at the other. I’m not sure it is possible to cook something that thin medium rare. I desperately searched the plate for a hint of meaty flavour but unfortunately the
rasher was also drowned in pepper making it impossible.

30 mins after walking in we left in silence. I know it is supposed to offer good value with its no frills approach but rediculously thin meat is one cut back too many. Awful.

After just dropping-in I'm sold. Great experience, great food and GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY. I'll become a regular at this level of quality and price. A great find

Good ,fresh, tasty, well cooked food at a very fair price.
Will certainly revisit .

The steaks here were awesome. I had the rump medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. I thought in Australia we had good steaks, but this place impressed me no end! Really accessible from the station too.

I went to the cattle grid on Monday night. I think of myself being a bit of a steak buff as I'm a chef by trade. The steaks were cooked perfectly and I could tell the meat was dry aged in the way we age our meat at work. The decor was really cool and I especially liked the print on the walls that described the different cuts of meat you can get. The service was great by attentive, courteous staff. The bill was less than I would have imagined. I will definitely be going again(if I can get a table!!)

This place is ace!!

my wife and I went to the Cattle grid on Monday night to try the steaks all our freinds had been raving about. The place was buzzing ,even for a Monday, however we were given a table straight away. You have to go up to the bar to place your order, in a Nando's style, but they don't charge service either so no problem, I guess this is how they maintain such good value for money. The food was top notch, haven't had steak that good for a while, staff freindly, will be back. P.s. I work in Putney, when are they opening one there as i would be doing lunch alot!

Went there saturday night and the place was packed!! They squeezed us in and we weren't disappointed!! Two great steak and two bottles of mablec for nearly half what it would cost at Black & blue...and dare i say it was better!! No service charge either!!...keep it up

Went there on Saturday night the place was packed but they squeezed me and the missus in and we weren't disappointed, great steak, two bottles of malbec and all for less then halve what i would have spent at Black & Blue.....keep it up!!!

Thank God!!

Finally I can achieve the kind of quality steak offer I've become acustomed to in Gaucho, etc without being forced to let the experience rule my entire evening out. In explanation, I get the level of excellence I desire but I don't have to dine over a period of two hours and I've still got plenty of cash/time for the Bedford and so on . . . . . .

"This looks quite nice" - as a designer, this was my initial reaction to cattle grids minimal, stylish presence as I exited Balham station. On closer inspection, my opinion dampened. Overall the food isn't bad, with decor to match, but I had three main issues with the grid:

1) wine is served in a glass tumbler.
2) the modern approach of "paying at the till" doesn't really work when you're sat upstairs and have to navigate past fellow customers.
3) I asked for my steak cooked rare, which was served medium at best, the waitress then proceeded to tell me in a patronising manner that i should have ordered it blue.

Two stars overall, I wouldn't say I have beef with cattle grid, but there are better places to eat in Balham.

Went there tonight for a quick bite and a nosey.
Great steak sandwich, only £8 and enormous. Good chips too.
No service charge either- you order at the till.
Can't help but feel they'd do better with a bar area downstairs- it's in a great location opposite the station and could definitely nab some passing trade before they get to The Exhibit and The Bedford et al.

I went to Cattle Grid with a group of friends for lunch over the weekend. Being vegetarian (who eats fish) it wouldn't have been my first choice of venue as it specialises in meat, but there was a fair choice of vegetarian dishes on the menu so I was happy to go along. However I was bitterly disappointed with the seared tuna fish salad when it arrived. All the 'chef' had done was empty a bag of supermarket salad into a bowl with a tiny bit of cucumber and red onion with the tuna fish on top. I know salads aren't their speciality (and the rest of the party were happy with their steaks and chips) but I just think any restaurant should be able to whip up something half decent and more imaginative for their vegetarian customers who are still likely to come along in groups to such restaurants. It's really not difficult to think of salad ingredients rather than lettuce.However the puddings were tasty, we had the cheesecakes and creme brulee, so that helped make up for it a bit. But overall I thought the value for money was poor.Also don't go here expecting/hoping for attentive service - if you want anything doing you have to go up to the counter - even asking for the bill - but they are friendly when you get there. Another highlight was when one of the party dropped their fork and a passing waiter picked it up off the floor, which was kind, but then reoffered the same fork back and seemed suprirsed when a clean one was requested!