American Food & Drink — A British Guide

American Food Is Not What You Think

British preconceptions about American food are almost entirely wrong. Yes, fast food exists. Yes, portions are large (laughably, sometimes offensively large). But America also has the most diverse, innovative, and regionally distinctive food culture in the world.

Every region has its own cuisine, its own specialties, and its own food pride. Texas barbecue is an art form. New England clam chowder is a religion. A proper New York pizza slice is a spiritual experience. Southern comfort food will make you question everything you thought you knew about cooking.

This guide covers what to eat, where, and how — written for British palates and British wallets.

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The Must-Try American Foods

Hamburgers

Not McDonald's. Go to Shake Shack (NYC origin, now nationwide), In-N-Out (West Coast only — order a "Double-Double Animal Style"), or a local craft burger joint. The American craft burger is one of the great foods of the world. Budget: £6-12.

Barbecue (BBQ)

Slow-smoked meat — brisket, pulled pork, ribs — cooked over wood for 8-16 hours. Regional styles:

• Texas: Brisket is king. Smoky, peppery, sliced thick. Franklin Barbecue in Austin is the most famous (2-3 hour queue). Reality: any Texas BBQ joint with a visible smoker outside will be excellent.
• Carolina: Pulled pork with vinegar-based sauce (Eastern NC) or tomato-mustard sauce (South Carolina).
• Kansas City: Sweet, thick sauce. Ribs and burnt ends. Joe's Kansas City BBQ.
• Memphis: Dry-rubbed ribs. Central BBQ in Memphis.

Budget: £10-20 per plate with sides.

Pizza

• New York-style: Thin, foldable, sold by the huge slice. Joe's Pizza, Prince Street Pizza, or honestly any corner pizza joint. £1-4 per slice.
• Chicago deep-dish: 2-inch-thick pie with chunky tomato sauce on top. Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, Pequod's. Not really pizza — more like savoury pie. Extraordinary. £15-25 to share.
• Detroit-style: Thick, square, crispy cheese edges. Becoming widely popular. Buddy's Pizza in Detroit is the original.

Mexican Food

The closer you get to the border (California, Arizona, Texas), the better the Mexican food. In LA and San Diego, the taco trucks serve food that rivals Mexico City. Al pastor (vertical spit-roasted pork), carne asada (grilled steak), birria (spiced braised beef). £2-4 per taco.

Southern Comfort Food

If you find yourself in the American South (Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Carolinas), this is a culinary adventure:

• Fried chicken — Crispy, seasoned, juicy. Popeyes and Raising Cane's for chains; local "meat-and-three" restaurants for the real deal.
• Biscuits and gravy — Not what you think. A warm, flaky biscuit (like a scone) smothered in white sausage gravy. Served for breakfast. Strange. Addictive.
• Shrimp and grits — Sautéed prawns on creamy cornmeal porridge. Coastal Southern staple.
• Gumbo — Rich, dark stew with sausage, seafood, okra, rice. Louisiana's gift to the world.

Breakfast

Americans take breakfast seriously. Full American breakfast items you should try:

• Pancake stack with maple syrup and bacon (the sweet-savoury combination works)
• Eggs Benedict — poached eggs, ham, English muffin, hollandaise
• Breakfast burrito — scrambled eggs, cheese, salsa, beans in a flour tortilla
• Bagel with lox (smoked salmon) and cream cheese — a New York institution

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Drinks

Craft Beer

America's craft beer revolution is the best thing to happen to global drinking culture. Every city has excellent local breweries:

• NYC: Other Half, Grimm, Brooklyn Brewery
• Los Angeles: Modern Times, Firestone Walker, Angel City
• Portland, Oregon: The craft beer capital. Deschutes, Great Notion, 10 Barrel
• Denver: More breweries per capita than anywhere. Great Divide, Odell, Ratio
• San Diego: One of the best beer cities on earth. Ballast Point, Stone, Modern Times

Expect to pay £5-8 per pint at a taproom, £6-10 at a restaurant.

Wine

California's Napa Valley and Sonoma County produce world-class wine. Oregon's Willamette Valley makes exceptional Pinot Noir. Washington State's Walla Walla produces outstanding Reds.

Wine tasting in Napa/Sonoma: £15-40 per winery, often waived if you buy a bottle.

Coffee

American filter coffee (the bottomless-refill diner kind) is an acquired taste — weak by British standards. But American specialty coffee is exceptional. Every city has world-class roasters. Expect £3-6 for a craft coffee, £2-3 for basic filter.

Soft Drinks

Important: in America, "free refills" are standard at restaurants for soft drinks and coffee. Ask and they'll keep refilling your glass. Also, everything comes with ice — a LOT of ice. If you don't want it, say "no ice" when ordering.

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Restaurant Etiquette for Brits

1. You'll be seated. Wait at the entrance. A host will show you to a table. Don't just sit down.
2. Water is free and brought automatically at sit-down restaurants.
3. Tipping 18-20% is mandatory. It's not "extra" — it's part of the cost. Calculate on the pre-tax amount.
4. Tax isn't included in menu prices. Your bill will be higher than what you added up from the menu (tax varies by state, 5-10%).
5. Portions are enormous. A "regular" American portion feeds 1.5 British people. Sharing appetizers is normal. Taking leftovers home in a "to-go box" is standard and expected.
6. "How is everything?" The server will check on you frequently. This isn't rushing you — it's customer service. Smile and say "Great, thanks."
7. Splitting the bill is easy. "Can we get separate checks?" is a normal request. Americans do it constantly.

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Regional Food Map

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The Foods That Will Change Your Life

If you eat nothing else in America, eat these:

1. Mission burrito in San Francisco (La Taqueria)
2. Dollar pizza slice in New York (fold it, stand on the pavement)
3. Smoked brisket in Texas (any BBQ joint with a smoker outside)
4. Double-Double Animal Style at In-N-Out (West Coast)
5. Lobster roll in New England (hot butter version from Maine)
6. Fried chicken from a proper Southern meat-and-three restaurant
7. Beignets (fried dough covered in powdered sugar) at Café du Monde, New Orleans