Ah, Britain. Land of fish and chips, mushy peas, and… tacos?
That’s right, folks.
The culinary landscape of the UK is changing faster than you can say “God save the Queen”, oh it’s King now?
North American fast food chains are invading the British Isles like it’s 1776 all over again, but this time with less tea in the harbour and more burgers on the high street.
So let’s take a look at The Best North American Food in the UK!
So, you’re in the UK, yearning for that sweet, greasy taste of home—something that says “America” without literally slapping you with a bald eagle. The good news? North American food is making serious waves across the pond, with some of your favourite chains setting up shop. The bad news? Well, let’s just say not everything translates across the Atlantic. Here’s a rundown of the best, the weirdest, and the downright disappointing North American food you can find in the UK.
We’ve asked our NFL audience, queried oodles of expats, and even done some taste tests with our team (such hard work), so that you folks of Britain get to know what really tastes like home to a North American,
Let’s take a whirlwind tour of the best North American grub you can stuff your face with in good ol’ Blighty.
And no, you don’t have to put brown sauce on everything.
Top 5
1. Wendy’s: The Square Deal
Wendy’s, the ginger-pigtailed temptress of the fast food world, has finally graced British shores. With a slimmed-down menu that still packs all the American staples, Wendy’s is hitting the UK market like a well-aimed Frosty to the face.
Starting with dark kitchens (which sound more like Batman’s lair than a place to make burgers), Wendy’s has now set up shop in prime locations like Camden and Wood Green. It’s clear they’re targeting the youth and inner-city demo, probably because they know millennials will do anything for a good Instagram shot of a Baconator.
What sets Wendy’s apart? Well, in a sea of burger joints that all taste like slightly different variations of cardboard, Wendy’s stands out by actually tasting… good? Revolutionary, I know. Plus, their square patties are a geometry teacher’s dream come true.
Wendy’s is a breath of fresh, greasy air in a market saturated with sameness. Plus, their fresh menu items stand out in a way that makes Brits wonder if they’ve been overcooking everything all along.
2. Popeyes: Clucking Hell, It’s Good
If there’s one thing Brits love more than complaining about the weather, it’s fried chicken. Enter Popeyes, the Louisiana-born chain that’s here to show KFC how it’s really done.
Popeyes has taken the UK by storm, opening 50 branches faster than you can say “extra crispy.” They’re serving up 125,000 of their Shatter Crunch Chicken Sandwiches each week, which is probably more than the number of times the average Brit says “sorry” in a day.
What’s the secret to their success? Well, apart from the fact that Britons tend to overcook chicken until it resembles shoe leather, Popeyes offers something revolutionary: juicy chicken. It’s like they’ve discovered a magical formula that keeps moisture inside the meat. Witchcraft, I tell you!
3. Dunkin’ Donuts: The Hole-y Grail
Dunkin‘ is back in the UK, and this time, they mean business. They have outlasted Bennifer 1.0 AND 2.0, which means there’s more than cream in them donuts. They’re starting small, probably because they remember what happened the last time they tried to take on British tea culture. (Spoiler alert: It didn’t end well.)
But now, with Brits inexplicably willing to pay pub-round prices for a 10-pack of donuts, Dunkin’ might just have a shot. Their Soho location is busier than a pub on payday, proving that in these times of economic crisis, a coffee and donut is the new three-course meal.
Best of all we don’t have to watch Ben Affleck and Tom Brady setting up their Dunkin’ rap duo over here. There’s already enough horrible boy bands in the UK to fill a 12 pack.
4. McDonald’s: The OG of UK Fast Food
Ah, McDonald’s. The granddaddy of them all. Celebrating 50 years in the UK, McDonald’s has been here so long it probably deserves a British passport by now. One of them new ones, not one that gets you banned by Spain.
While other chains have come and gone faster than a Premier League manager, McDonald’s has stayed the course. They’ve adapted to local tastes, trumpeting their use of British farmers and produce. It’s like they’re saying, “Look, we may be American, but we’re practically wearing tweed now!”
With plans for 200 new restaurants in the next four years, McDonald’s is expanding faster than a Brit’s waistline after a night at the pub.
Call it ‘Maccie’s’, ‘Mickey D’s’, or just crawl to your phone and order it for delivery, Rotten Ron is officially British now.
5. Chipotle: The Burrito Bunch
Chipotle has been slowly but surely taking over London like a delicious, guacamole-laden invasion. They now have 17 locations across London and Greater London, proving that Brits are willing to pay extra for meat in a wrap as long as they can watch it being made.
Chipotle prides itself on having no frozen food, which in Britain is practically a superpower. Their menu boasts 53 ingredients, which is coincidentally the same number of words a British person uses to apologise for accidentally brushing against someone on the Tube.
While Chipotle may be overpriced and occasionally flavourless, it’s still leagues ahead of what passes for Mexican food in most of Britain. Let’s face it, when your country’s idea of spicy is a mild cheddar, any amount of jalapeño is going to seem exotic
Yes, it’s overpriced. Yes, the wraps are sometimes as bland as British weather. But for those who crave a customisable burrito that won’t kill you, it’s a decent option.
Honorable Mentions:
- Gerry’s Hot Subs: For those times when you want a sandwich that doesn’t taste like it was made by someone who hates food. Founded by the guy who created Bodean’s BBQ, this Canadian institution serves up hot dogs, brisket, and poutine. Get in!
- Detroit Pizza: With only 2 London locations, they have yet to deliver across the UK. Founded by a Canadian who missed authentic Michigan pizza. Because sometimes you want your pizza to be as thick as a Scouse accent.
Timmy No’s
While we’ve celebrated the successes, it’s only fair to pour one out for our fallen comrade: Tim Hortons.
Oh, Timmy’s. You tried, you really did. This Canadian donut shop decided to cross the pond and set up shop in the UK. But somewhere along the way, they seemed to have lost their map, their menu, and their minds.
Instead of bringing their iconic doughnuts and double-doubles to Britain, Tim Hortons inexplicably opened as a burger and fries joint. It’s like they got halfway across the Atlantic and thought, “You know what? Let’s just become an entirely different restaurant!”
To make matters worse, they avoided London initially altogether, focusing mainly on Scotland. Perhaps they thought the Scots wouldn’t notice the difference between a hockey puck and their hamburgers.
The menu at UK Tim Hortons would make any Canadian scratch their head in confusion. It’s as if they took everything that made Tim Hortons popular in Canada, threw it out the window, and replaced it with food that’s about as fresh and appealing as a used nappy.
The fact that most of their food is reportedly made in a microwave is the final nail in the coffee cup. Tim Hortons in the UK is to Canadian cuisine what haggis is to fine dining – a curious experiment that perhaps should have been left in the lab.
So, while we celebrate the triumphs of Wendy’s, Popeyes, and others, let’s take a moment to remember Tim Hortons UK. May it serve as a cautionary tale to all North American chains with dreams of British domination: know thyself, and for the love of poutine, stick to what you’re good at!
Wings?
Despite all these successes, one thing remains elusive: great wings. For some reason, the UK hasn’t quite figured out how to replicate the spicy, crispy, messy glory of a proper batch of buffalo wings. And don’t even get me started on the “North American” sections in UK grocery stores—if you’ve ever wondered how far off the mark a country can be about your favorite foods, just take a stroll down that aisle.
So, while these North American chains are making waves in the UK, there’s still room for improvement. We’re still on the hunt for truly great wings and perfectly cooked burgers. And let’s not even start on the abomination that is the “North American Food” section in UK grocery stores. (No, we don’t all subsist on Pop-Tarts and spray cheese, thank you very much.)
Word is Carl’s Jr will be opening here, as well as Dave’s Chicken, so we will wait and see how those go. Even Mary Brown’s Fried Chicken from Canada is looking to peck out some scratch in Blighty. Taste is coming to Britain!
That’s our list for The Best North American Food in the UK for 2024, but give us new places to eat that reflect authentic North American fare. We’ve judged wing and burger contests, and our main man Wade is an award-winning BBQ’r. We know what the haystack we are talking about!
So, next time you’re in the UK and feeling homesick for a taste of North America, fear not! You can now get your fix of familiar flavours, all while enjoying the uniquely British experience of queueing for hours in the rain.
God save the Queen, and pass the hot sauce!
If you want your restaurant featured, or would like to have us down to sample your fare, or promote your joint. Contact us!
