American restaurant in London

[FeuerFrei]

Anyone ever gone to an American-themed restaurant abroad? I'm thinking Great Britain primarily, but anywhere really.
Probably independent ownership. Not a chain restaurant some American brand built overseas - like McDonald's.

What did you think of the experience? Food and decor-wise. Did it do us justice, or embarrass?

I've seen tv-footage of some American-themed restaurant in the U.K. and it looked a bit cheesy. So I'm wondering.

 

[Fenixgoon]

what even counts as an american-themed restaurant? isn't practically all of our stuff is derived from other cultures' food?

 

[FeuerFrei]

what even counts as an american-themed restaurant? isn't practically all of our stuff is derived from other cultures' food?

Lots of Americana on the walls should be a giveaway. Don't know for sure about food. I'm sure there's burgers in the mix though. But it's up to the restaurant to decide.

 

[FirNaTine]

I went to an American style burger restaurant in London last year. It wasn't bad or overly cheesy. But, we tended to focus on local spots while there, so I think that was the only one in the two weeks I was there. Not a huge statistical sample. I'll update if I can remember the name.

 

[brianmanahan]

in london i went to the mcdonald's on whitehall, just south of trafalgar square.

on trips i tend to skimp for lunch and splurge on supper, so i stopped at mickey d's and got a 99p cheeseburger. everything on the behind-counter menu looked fancy and expensive and cost several pounds, but i just asked if they did the regular cheeseburger and yep they did.

it was nice and hot and fresh, quite good as far as mcdonald's goes.

edit: oh yeah i forgot, i threw in a 3.35 pound fancy coffee too LOL. it was also good.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I've spent a year (cumulatively) in the UK with a corporate card and ate out every day. American food isn't really that different than a lot of UK food. It's easy to find a good burger. Regional specialties like barbecue and fried chicken aren't as good, but I've had pretty bad versions of those in the US. One hotel had an American themed restaurant in it. The sloppy joes were weird (more of a novelty since you don't really find them in restaurants) and the shakes were too warm and runny.

Given how cheesy some "American" restaurants in the US are, I don't think the UK is much worse.

Mexican food is another story... I don't recommend buying it in Europe.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I've spent a year (cumulatively) in the UK with a corporate card and ate out every day. American food isn't really that different than a lot of UK food. It's easy to find a good burger. Regional specialties like barbecue and fried chicken aren't as good, but I've had pretty bad versions of those in the US. Mexican food is another story... I don't recommend buying it in Europe.

Given how cheesy some "American" restaurants in the US are, I don't think the UK is much worse.

Why on earth would you go to another country and look for American food? I know a lot of military who've been stationed all over the world and have never eaten off base. I don't understand wth is wrong with them.

 

[whm1974]

Why on earth would you go to another country and look for American food? I know a lot of military who've been stationed all over the world and have never eaten off base. I don't understand wth is wrong with them.

If I went to another country you can bet I will certainly check out the local cuisine. Why in hell would anyone do otherwise?

 

[KillerCharlie]

Why on earth would you go to another country and look for American food? I know a lot of military who've been stationed all over the world and have never eaten off base. I don't understand wth is wrong with them.

I don't go looking for it. I have literally eaten out hundreds of times in England. A lot of places just have it, and sometimes you want something close (hotel) and familiar/convenient (Subway). Often you just want something different (no more mushy peas). Burgers are a restaurant staple there as they are here, if not more. After a few weeks, you get sick of the local food. For me the novelty has worn off. Again, it's not that different to the American palette. Like the US, they eat a lot of international food (Indian, Chinese, Italian), so that stuff isn't really different.

I enjoy eating one country's take on another country's food. I've actually had some amazing barbecue in England. It was different than what you get in the US, but delicious and unique in it's own way.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I don't go looking for it. I have literally eaten out hundreds of times in England. A lot of places just have it, and sometimes you want something close (hotel) and familiar/convenient (Subway). Often you just want something different (no more mushy peas). Burgers are a restaurant staple there as they are here, if not more. After a few weeks, you get sick of the local food. For me the novelty has worn off. Again, it's not that different to the American palette. Like the US, they eat a lot of international food (Indian, Chinese, Italian), so that stuff isn't really different.

I enjoy eating one country's take on another country's food. I've actually had some amazing barbecue in England. It was different than what you get in the US, but delicious and unique in it's own way.

If you're getting sick of local fare you're eating in touristy places or chains in different countries. Just like in the US, you don't eat at the Sheraton and complain the food is boring. You have to persue good food, talk to people.

 

[KillerCharlie]

If you're getting sick of local fare you're eating in touristy places or chains in different countries. Just like in the US, you don't eat at the Sheraton and complain the food is boring. You have to persue good food, talk to people.

I'm not sure why you're so intent on making it sound like I avoid local food, as the opposite is true. I always look for local food. Over half my meals are at pubs (which is the main place to go to for British fair, and many of them are upscale). I've never been to a fast food restaurant in the UK. It's nearly impossible to find American-style restaurants anyways.

I have a collection of beer glasses I've gotten after chatting up pub owners. Some of the pub owners recognize me months later.

But the English don't eat English food every day, and neither did I.