American food choices in London?

Hard Rock Cafe?
https://cafe.hardrock.com/london/

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/londons-best-american-restaurants

https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/restaurants/best-american-restaurants-london-christophers-joe-allen-b1091660.html

https://londonist.com/london/food/american-usa-food-drink-restaurants-bars-london

Denmother43, we found the Pret a Manger menu choices for lunchtime to be really good (and good for our budgets). They have a lot of your normal US sandwich options, like ham and cheese, tuna, etc. Salads are good as well. Here’s a link to their UK menus

https://www.pret.co.uk/en-GB/products/categories/sandwiches-baguettes-and-wraps

I said in another thread fairly recently that burgers are a good bet for visiting Americans. You're usually going to be quite safe at getting something you like from home if you go for a good quality burger in London. BYRON is a chain with many branches, There's also Gourmet Burger Kitchen; also Five Guys and Shake Shack from the US.

I've also said before I hesitate to recommend Mexican food in London to Americans, because it's going to be better at home probably. I also agreed with another member that BBQ is probably better in Texas. Things are a little bit different over here so you might not find those items on the menu generally. There's plenty of sandwich places in central London that will make deli sandwiches to order.

If you're willing to push the boat out, London is a great place to try cuisines from all around the world. There's also quite a few British standards you might like if you try them.

Try shopping the Deli counter of the local supermarkets for sandwich fixings. Sometimes you might have to microwave some offerings like Pasties or Hand Pies. We picked up a whole roast chicken there for dinner. We found that their regular sandwich shops seem to have chopped meats. You can shop at the Food Markets such as Boroughs for variety. We did eat in Pizza places...they eat it with a fork! You can find Beef Roasts on Sunday at hotels, etc. They have Fish and Chips everywhere. If you want better Salmon (I'm from Seattle) you'll may have to go to Scotland where it might be fresh caught; ask for Trout Almondine instead. We usually ate breakfast at the B&B, some offer a buffet which are usually pretty good. We would eat in Pubs, family friendly, and order Scampi (Large Shrimp) Baskets which were usually pretty good. And we did eat at a MacDonalds...check exchange rate because this ended up twice US prices. We ate a couple times at Curry Bars...which was actually pretty good as it was not too spicey. We mostly did take out so we could go back to our accommodations in the evening to eat and watch Telly. We usually picnicked for lunch while on the road. Most dessert baked goods are good. We bought rolls of cookies in any grocery. You can get anything you want if you want to go upscale. Save time and money! Bon Voyage!

You certainly do not have to go to Scotland to find salmon on menus - it’s widely available all across the U.K. food from all over the world is available and in general is excellent quality but I would agree with Gerry that good Mexican food is not easy to find.

“Normal sandwiches.” Interesting phrase.

You want grilled cheese? Try Bonobo

You want a tuna sandwich? Try the ones at Pret. I grew up eating tuna sandwiches and throughly enjoy the Pret ones.

And if you aren’t willing to try differing food options while in a fabulous city with all sorts of cuisine, just find a Bill’s restaurant.

Lastly, you can find McDonalds, Five Guys, Pizza Hut, Subway, KFC, and Burger King outlets throughout London along with the swill of Starbucks.

EDIT: and if you need a Snickers you’ll easily find the candybar in every market, and often in souvenir shops

We’ve enjoyed Steak and Company on a couple occasions. There are a few locations around town. We ate at the one by the Gloucester Rd. tube stop. Your steak can be cooked for you or you can cook it to your taste at your table on a very hot stone. It isn’t inexpensive, but the food is good.

Best burger I ever had was by a Brit....Gordon Ramsey. His restaurants are upscale with enough takes on American cuisine to keep everyone happy.

Really, stop into any basic restaurant, even pubs, and you will find a range of options that are familiar to you. As someone mentioned, burgers will be everywhere, all kinds of chicken, steak, fish fillets, you simply will not have a problem picking something off the menu.

There are of course American themed restaurants (mostly burger, Diner, or BBQ places) but really no need to limit yourself to those.

For quick food with familiar logos, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, and Subway among others are big there (Something like over 200 Subways in London); but there are lots of other local options that work (For chicken, stretch your palate and try a Nandos.)

An interesting quirk of language - "broiled" doesn't exist in British English as far as I'm aware. Broiled salmon would be on the menu as grilled salmon here. The part of your cooker where heat comes from above is the grill.

I thought a lot of the food options in pubs were in the ballpark of what you’re describing. Usually there was a burger, chicken sandwiches, salads, along with the more traditional British fare. Incidentally, we learned that chicken tenders are often called chicken goujons.

For sandwiches, I agree that you might like Pret, but also look for the M&S grocery markets. I had several sandwiches/salads for on-the-go lunches or hotel room picnics.

We also ate at Vapiano, which is a chain restaurant kind of like Panera Bread (fast casual) but with Italian style options. Example, pasta with the protein and sauce of your choice, flatbread pizzas, etc.

And yes, we had some good burgers while in London.

Lunchtime...try the cafe in any museum you're visiting. They have great options such as the sandwiches you've named.
Or if you're near Trafalgar Square for lunch, try Cafe In The Crypt. It's in the basement (crypt) of St Martin In The Fields church. Great options; chicken sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads.

Dinnertime...try the restaurants in some of the more upscale Hilton hotels. There you will find the grilled chicken, broiled salmon, filet mignon steak, and good "American" style dinners you're wanting. Many of the Hiltons cater to American tourists so they'll have a restaurant in-house with a menu you'll like.

London has some wonderful steakhouses.....
I recommend:
Hawksmoor Seven Dials, 11 Landley Street. https://thehawksmoor.com/
Flat Iron Covent Garden, 17-18 Henrietta Street. https://flatironsteak.co.uk/
Smith and Wollensky, in The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam St, London;
advertises "American steaks and wines are the focus at this high-end, white-tablecloth spot decked in mahogany."
https://www.smithandwollensky.co.uk/menus/

For lunch or dinner look for the Nandos restaurant chain. They serve roasted chicken, fries, with a salad for far less than what you'd pay in a fancy restaurant. Delicious food!

The Tower of London (I'm sure you'll be going there) has an excellent lunchroom, serving chicken salad sandwiches, turkey or coronation chicken sandwiches, soups, salads, plate lunches, chilli or beef stew, desserts, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and more. You'll want to get to the Tower of London as soon as it opens in the morning, for touring it, and be sure to get to The Armouries Cafe before the big lunch crowd gets in there.

You'll want to continue touring around the Tower after lunch because there's so much to see.

I thought I would add a second thought. I stand by my previous response, but to expand a bit:

Traveling is a good way to expand your horizons. While you might be set in your ways, London and England are prime spaces to expand your palate a little bit, in a safe space.

When you think about it, English food (whatever that is now, but speaking traditionally) is the basis of American colonial cuisine. So the things you will see, and their preparation, will not be drastically different from your expectations. Various meats, root vegetables, sausages, fresh vegs, all will be familiar.

Where you can safely explore is mashes that include things like parsnips, leeks, and other things besides potatoes. For meat, lamb is nice as a sub for beef, Duck for chicken, various fish instead of salmon. Steak and Kidney Pie might be a stretch, but Steak Pies are wonderful, Shepherds or Cottage pie well within the safe zone. Fish and Chips should not be much of a stretch.

If you are looking to eat on the lighter side, menus are really good at listing healthier options, and every place will ask about allergies or dietary restrictions.

Do not be afraid to explore a bit, I and others mentioned Nandos, a great “stretch” for you. Wagamama is an Asian Fusion chain worth looking at. Indian might be a stretch, but there are many great places in London.

Visit some of the street and established markets, lots of places to get something different as a taste.

Johnew52, I have to agree with Kathleen regarding the salmon option. If you are accustomed to Pacific coast wild salmon, most of the salmon in Europe is Atlantic (often farmed) and will be disappointing in taste and texture. Being half Norwegian, I have had it various times over the years when visiting (out of necessity). I mention this given the OP has indicated they have particular preferences so best to be aware.

Pret is a good option along with burger places mentioned. If you are visiting museums, their restaurants can be quite good with fairly common offerings.

Almost all restaurants post their menus outside so you can see what they offer.

But burgers, fried chicken, pizza, etc. will be easy to find.

supermarkets and their smaller siblings have premade sandwiches many of which you'll be familiar with.

Definitely go to Pret or in any good size train station you'll find all the brands you know and love

As an aside, those of us from the Pacific Northwest appear to be salmon snobs. I don’t eat farmed salmon so I tend to avoid it in Europe and in many places in the US. Wild caught Alaska for me……

I'm an oddball in that my preference usually is for farmed salmon, and especially farmed steelhead, in the US. With that said, Faroe Island wild-caught salmon is as delicious as any I've had, and the salmon we've had in Scotland has also been superb. For whatever reason I didn't see salmon on the menu much in England.

Hawksmoor is a good steak restaurant which will offer many familiar foods. They have several branches all over London.

I want to thank everyone who gave me great options and tips on where to go! I have made notes and will use your suggestions. You all have been very helpful! Thank you very much!

I suspect that by using the term “normal sandwiches” they mean to exclude delicacies like the chip butty.

I don’t see if anyone mentioned Starbucks as a source for sandwiches but that might work. The Heathrow Starbucks came to our rescue when our BA flight was not stocked with food due to a strike by the caterers. They gave out vouchers to purchase food at the airport and Starbucks stepped up with a constantly replenished supply of baguette sandwiches, including turkey /cheese and other options.

And I will freely admit that we sometimes stop in to Shake Shack in Covent Garden or the location near St. Paul’s for a light dinner. My husband gets the burger and a shake, and I really like their chicken sandwich. We actually seek out Shake Shacks when we are in US cities. The chain was founded by famed New York restauranteur Danny Meyer, and the various other locations have maintained the quality, at least as far as the last time we ate there (pre-covid).

Nandos has a few London locations I believe. We were quite happy to discover what looked like “broasted” chicken and corn on the cob one evening. Warmed our little midwestern hearts.

Nandos has a few London locations I believe.

104 to be precise. And there are also 7 Wendys.

I think Nandos is a good example of a restaurant that's everywhere over here but it might appeal to the American taste. Chicken and hot sauce is a staple of Nandos. Wagamama is common in London and I'd add to what Paul said above; it's quite an accessible menu for people who maybe don't eat much Asian food at home in the US.

If my dad were a child today, he would probably be diagnosed with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and as such struggles when he travels, because he is hyper-sensitive to small differences in foods. If I were taking him to dinner in London, I'd pick Smith & Wollensky because they have American-raised beef on the menu - he would find Hawksmoor challenging. I'd also take him to TGI Fridays, Shake Shack, Five Guys, etc. He would probably enjoy a ham and cheese sandwich at a museum cafe, but not a coronation chicken sandwich from M&S. Even with the sandwiches, he'd notice a difference since we don't butter a ham and cheese sandwich.

The modern British casual restaurant flavor profile isn't as mainstream here in the US. If having an entree that is similar but sauced or spiced differently would be off-putting, I think the safest bet is to stick to American chains. About 15 years ago, I visited a younger friend who had just spent 8 months in the UK as an exchange student. For our first dinner in London, he wanted American food and picked a place that was a UK restaurant interpreting American classics. He was sorely disappointed, because it was close, but not quite. Have a look at Christopher's to see how London interprets American cuisine.

Hope you and your family find some food you enjoy while enjoying your packed itinerary!

Nando's would be fine. It's basically chargrilled chicken and you get to choose the sauce. Just ask for it "plainish" and you will be fine. The sides are also things you will be used to eating.

I also suggest you look at pubs. All pubs now have burgers, many have steaks, and pies. Not sweet pies like in the US but pies with meat and chicken. Think of them like Pot Pies but instead of a pastry top it has a mashed potato top.

If you're looking for American beer, they are now found everywhere. If you want to try a British beer, "lager" is the closest you'll find.

Nick, thanks for the info about Chik Fila. I wondered when they would expand internationally.

Chick-a Filet already had a go at opening in the UK some years ago. Some aspects of their brand identity didn't chime with some of the British public, so their flagship Reading store only lasted a couple of years.

Less than that - only 6 months. The Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading said only about a week after they opened that their trial lease wouldn't be extended in response to campaigns against it. They were only selling a limited subset of the usual menu which seemed rather halfhearted anyway.

As an aside, Reading is a popular town for big American food companies to start up in - it has the first Wendy's opened since the returned to Britain, and early branches of Popeye's & Taco Bell.

And just to continue down this road, London is just crawling with Five Guys burger joints of all things.

Or look for a Chinese or Italian restaurant, you will see stuff there that you can recognize.

Last resort, look for a hotel chain that sounds American (Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton) and check out their lobby restaurant chances are they will have the types of food their guests (and you) are expecting.

Spent many a nights at Kurk Bar and Grill in North Sheen.

Their chicken wraps were outstanding as was the atmosphere of the restaurant. As I was staying close by it was an easy stroll.

Not a place you’d find many tourists unless, like me, you were staying in the North Sheen neighborhood.

PS: Never eaten at a Chick Fil A, not a fan of KFC but love my local Zankou Chicken outlet.

I didn’t see anyone mention it yet, so I will mention Partridge’s. It is known as a “swank” grocery store - it’s in Duke of York Square (close to the famously spendy Sloane Square) - and has lots of very fancy/expensive gourmet food choice.

What it also has, quite randomly, is a magnificent selection of imported American snack foods and candy. If you are having specific cravings for snacks, check ‘em out!

London is probably as cosmopolitan as any city in the world when it comes to restaurant choices. You miss it once you get to Belgium and the Netherlands.

I will say that turkey is about as common in the UK as armadillo meat. Otherwise the choices are incredibly broad.

I will say that turkey is about as common in the UK as armadillo meat.

It's available in every supermarket and butcher in the country, how did you reach that conclusion?

It's available in every supermarket and butcher in the country, how did you reach that conclusion?

Should have limited my comment to restaurant and similar meals. I never once have seen turkey on an English or Scottish restaurant menu. Nor have I seen turkey sandwiches at M&S or other similar prepared-food sellers.

Taco Bell has opened stores all over the UK in the last few years. I had it built up as something special, so I was quite excited to try it. Maybe I just ordered the wrong stuff, and it was fairly inexpensive, but I didn't get enough to fill me up the couple of times I've been. The tacos were tiny! Not much even if you order four.

Should have limited my comment to restaurant and similar meals. I never once have seen turkey on an English or Scottish restaurant menu. Nor have I seen turkey sandwiches at M&S or other similar prepared-food sellers.

Yes, I'm not sure why it doesn't feature more often on restaurant menus. Possibly because it's generally viewed as a Christmas meat although that wouldn't explain why it's sold year round in the shops. Typically you'll only find whole birds for sale around Christmas and that is also when store bought sandwiches introduce their turkey sandwiches, M&S sell an excellent Christmas sandwich with the profits going to a homeless charity.

Question about the “chip butty” mentioned above as not being a “normal sandwich “. Do people really eat those things?

Question about the “chip butty” mentioned above as not being a “normal sandwich “. Do people really eat those things?

You’ll see them on the menu in some traditional chip shops, when it’ll normally be a soft white bread roll, buttered, with some chips crammed in.

We used to eat them at home, too, when I was a kid - white poor-quality cheap sliced bread, lots of butter, chip shop chips. Definitely not a delicacy. We also ate crisp sandwiches at home - there’s nothing like a bit of double-carbing.

Chip butties are heavenly but they must only be made with white bread, butter is obligatory and whilst chip shop chips are the best I will happily settle for oven chips. I've never made one with french fries but I can't see a problem with them, the crisp texture will make them halfway between a crisp sandwich and a chip butty.

Coming from Scotland, I'd call a chip butty a roll and chips. A sandwich with chips would be a piece and chips. A roll and chips from the chippy was a favourite lunch for me when I was at school. A roll and fritter if funds were low.

I think that this is an odd question…..England has chicken, ham, fish, steaks most anything you would find in the US. You really want to go all the way to the UK for a grilled cheese?

Nothing wrong with a grilled cheese. It's my go to (cheese, ham and mustard) at Pret if I'm central London. It would usually be on the menu as a cheese toastie (two slices of bread) in the UK.

Taco Bell has opened stores all over the UK in the last few years. I had it built up as something special, so I was quite excited to try it. Maybe I just ordered the wrong stuff, and it was fairly inexpensive, but I didn't get enough to fill me up the couple of times I've been. The tacos were tiny! Not much even if you order four.

Ha ha, I'm not a fan of Taco Bell, but I know it's beloved by many. The only fast food places I eat at are Culver's and Chipotle, and that's usually when I'm road tripping. Maybe Wendy's.

Now that you have many answers to your original question, I'll suggest you take a bold, adventurous step and try Indian cuisine while you're in London.
Tandoori Chicken tastes very much like American grilled/barbecued chicken, and you can order side dishes of rice and vegetables.
Chicken Tikka Masala is another great Indian dish in a creamy tomato sauce. I bet you'll love it! It has just a little bit of spice and is usually served over rice. Creamed spinach (sag paneer) is a good side dish to order with this. You'll want some bread (naan).

There are numerous good Indian restaurants all over London.
Dishoom is excellent and has several locations in London as well as in other cities.
The Covent Garden location is convenient for when you're out sightseeing.
https://www.dishoom.com/covent-garden/
Their Kensington location is near many good hotels, in case you'll be staying there.
https://www.dishoom.com/kensington/
Another popular location is near Kings Cross station.
https://www.dishoom.com/kings-cross/
Another good Indian restaurant--Masala Zone--has several locations.

There actually are a few Chipotles dotted around London but not outside (except Watford!).

There's one at Islington Green, near Angel. I haven't been, but I should probably try it. I wasn't aware it was a US chain until fairly recently.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xhyVg5gJ2HCNPSUk9

The Quality Chop House has been at the same location in London for 150 years. They have fish (although not necessarily always grilled salmon), and some upscale offerings, too, but the heart of their menu is meat - steaks and chops. The food is superb, although a nearly two-pound Aberdeen Angus bone-in ribeye will set you back £100. There are also various cuts of pork and lamb, and their deserts are phenomenal.

Chipotle Mexican Grill started in Denver (first location on Evans Ave., in a former Dolly Madison ice cream shop, is still going strong), and several locations opened in Colorado, before more opened elsewhere. There are now Chipotle (Chee-POTE-lay) restaurants in every U.S. state except Alaska and Hawaii, and several across the Atlantic, including one on Baker Street in London, a couple blocks south of Baker Street Station. Their menu won’t suit the OP’s desires, as expressed in the original post.

For someone who does want to try them out, a Carnitas burrito with pinto beans, brown rice, and some of both the “mild” and “hot” salsas is a good choice, made in front of you, as requested. Sour cream is optional, but do get cheese.

Any good pub will have burgers, fish n’ chips, sandwiches etc. Use google maps to find restaurants in the area where you are staying and go from there. You will not have any problem.

Chipotle Mexican Grill started in Denver

Hey that's cool they're from your home state. I wouldn't have associated Mexican food with Colorado immediately.

I don't know if any US visitors have tried it, but the Tortilla chain of burrito restaurants is popular in London.

They had just started out with their first site at Angel Islington when I first visited in 2006 or 2007. It came as a recommendation from a friend who had spent many years in San Francisco and he reckoned they had the Mission District burrito pretty much spot on.

The company was (is?) owned by an American couple, Brad and Jen. They've expanded a lot and now have restaurants all over London, including the Westfield malls at Stratford and Shepherd's Bush. I felt the quality suffered a little at the Angel restaurant because of rapid expansion, but still I've consistently gone there now and again for many years. A properly stuffed burrito does make a really filling meal for me.

https://www.tortilla.co.uk/

Lots of recommendations already, so the only tip I'll give (that I don't think I saw) is that if you like pickles on your sandwiches, be aware that they're usually sweet pickles there. I remember getting an egg sandwich at Pret with pickles only to discover they were sweet pickles (my least favorite of all). Easy to pick off, of course, but just forewarned.

In November when I was there I went to Angus Steakhouse, restaurant which specializes in Steak, & Angus burgers, but also has bbq ribs, chicken, Salmon, ravioli.

They have locations in Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Leicester Square, and Paddington.

I wouldn't have associated Mexican food with Colorado

The name Colorado means “colored red” in Spanish (the soil in lots of the state is reddish), most of what’s now Colorado belonged to Mexico until the 1840’s (as most of what are now the easternmost states once belonged to Britain), there has long been an established Hispanic population in Colorado, mostly of Mexican heritage, and the city of Pueblo which was once just a town (Pueblo means “town” in Spanish) is recognized for spicy Pueblo chiles (chillis in British English). For anyone traveling to Colorado, Mexican food here is a staple.

Has anyone tried Bodean's Barbecue in London? BBQ in London

It has roots here in BBQ country (Kansas City).

Ah interesting background on Colorado from Cyn. It makes a lot more sense when you put it like that. I had John Denver singing "Rocky Mountain High" imprinted from a very young age and that shaped my perception of Colorado :) I would think of California and Texas as being the home of Mexican food culture in the US, but Arizona and Colorado have their part to play I'm sure.

Merely going to add the reality you can always experience a sugar fix with a Snickers or Mars bar in London. I often opt for a packet of Walkers Shortbreads.

EDIT: OREO packet as well.

Has anyone tried Bodean's Barbecue in London? BBQ in London

Yes, a few years ago but I wasn't impressed. A lot of the food was too sweet for my liking and I'd not long come back from a BBQ road trip in Texas so my tastes were influenced by that.

I remember getting an egg sandwich at Pret with pickles only to discover they were sweet pickles (my least favorite of all).

In the UK you will generally see the word “pickle” (singular) which means a vinegar-ey chutney-like condiment like Branston Pickle. Very popular in cheese sandwiches (rather than egg, usually.) A completely different thing to the American “pickles.”

I have never seen pickles of any sort on an egg sandwich. Egg sandwich is mashed hard boiled egg with mayo (or salad cream if you’re still living in the 1980s) and pickle with this would be very weird. I reckon it was cucumber.

I remember getting an egg sandwich at Pret with pickles only to discover they were sweet pickles (my least favorite of all).

Pret makes a really delicious egg sandwich; cheap, too. Their Coronation Chicken sandwich is top-notch.

The comments about steakhouses in Britain are interesting. I have not yet found a steak in Britain (or, frankly, elsewhere in Europe) that remotely tastes like corn-fed US beef. I believe it's because beef cattle in Europe aren't often fed corn. They're fed other grasses and grains, which gives them an entirely different flavor. I understand that silage (fermented feed) is more commonly used in Europe, but I'm not sure what influence that has on the taste of the beef.

Frankly, in Europe if I have the chance I much prefer venison to beef, as its somewhat sweet flavor is more reminiscent of US beefsteak. I've had excellent venison in Scotland and France. Of course in France my red meat diet shifts mostly to duck breast.

One contributor above mentioned Angus Steakhouses. They were a bit of joke dating back to the 80's or beyond. A small Google would turn up some links if you're interested in reading about it.

You'd think somewhere like Hawksmoor or Flat Iron would be pretty up there.

I've been to an Argentinian place in Broadway Market some years ago. Their steaks were great. Their speciality. All their meat comes from Argentina, so is maybe raised differently than European. I have several Argentinian and Brazilian butchers I can think of within a mile or so of my house.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Af5FxiCFPT8Cxms86 - Buen Ayre, Broadway Market E8.

Merely going to add the reality you can always experience a sugar fix with a Snickers or Mars bar in London. I often opt for a packet of Walkers Shortbreads

You can also get a Milky Way bar in England, but it’s what a Three Musketeers is in the U.S., without caramel.

I have not yet found a steak in Britain (or, frankly, elsewhere in Europe) that remotely tastes like corn-fed US beef. I believe it's because beef cattle in Europe aren't often fed corn.

That's correct. Cattle are pasture raised in the UK (supplemented by grain in the winter) which gives the meat a more complex flavour, sometimes even gamey depending on the breed and diet.

I was curious about Argentinian steak after I mentioned it so did a bit of Googling. Argentine cattle are grass fed too. The link that I pulled up is from Gaucho, a chain of London steak restaurants serving Argentinian beef, so sort of on topic too, even if a bit heavy on the sociology.

https://gauchorestaurants.com/news/social-significance-of-argentinian-steak/

btw, in my limited experience of cattle, silage is a big component of what dairy cows are fed in the winter. I'm not sure about beef cattle. When I was in Scotland in June there was quite a bit of silage cutting going on.