US vs. UK round two: the food

[toomanyhatz]

All told- 'native' cuisine as well as chief imports, so Indian food in the UK counts.

[Quaco]

Tie. They both have everything under the sun don't they? Probably more hidden treasures in the U.S., but maybe not.

[Davey the Fat Boy]

Tie my ass! US by miles!

[toomanyhatz]

The UK does have certain advantages- organic produce is more accessible, and the Indian food is far better- but I agree the US takes it easily on the whole. More variety, better preparation, no chip buttys, etc.

[Quaco]

The UK does have certain advantages- organic produce is more accessible...

Is this true? When I was there, admittedly 7-odd years ago, it seemed like everybody was eating mostly from the food aisle at Tescos. In California in particular, the freshness and quality of produce is very very good.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

no chip buttys, etc.

I think you'll find those who consider that a disqualifier.

[Jimbo]

UK cheese is tops! Some Stilton would go great on a Red Robin burger.

[Nolamike]

The US, but its closer than the stereotypes would make you think. Ultimately, the sheer quantity of indigenous styles - stemming from both the size and the "melting pot" aspects of the US - is what sways my decision.

[copehead]

My only interaction with real US cuisine, that experienced by the vast majority, led to an intimate 2 week affair with a deep fat friar

I am sure the US does brilliant food, most places outside Africa do, most of it is crap

UK would win just based on cheese

[GoogaMooga]

I had something called "pork belly" at the Sussex uni canteen. Then there is Semolina... Really, there is no choice, US by miles.

[The Modernist]

You can't take a nation seriously that doesn't know how to make cheese.

[GoogaMooga]

You can't take a nation seriously that doesn't know how to make cheese.

I only take cheese on pizza, so what do I know?

[Phil T]

The UK. How the hell can you rate a culture that produces something called 'buffalo wings'?
Because a) it's not actually buffalo and b) it is chicken wings, something that civilised cultures feed to their dogs.

Deception & revulsion in one food.

Oh yeah, and corn dogs. A mechanically recovered meat sausage on a stick coated with spongey shit. I mean, what is that all about?

[yomptepi]

Any nation that defines its national cuisine as "Junk Food" is going to lose. Unfortunately the UK has no real national cuisine either, despite excelling in the preparation and cooking of every other style. I don't think roast beef and yorkshire pud is any better than fine Texas Bar be que.

A tie.

[The Prof]

an intimate 2 week affair with a deep fat friar

Of which religious order?

[Hugh]

San Franciscans probably.

[Deebank]

Both have their good points, but if we're talking excellence I'd estimate the UK has way more top notch restaurants (Michelin starred etc) per head of population than the US...

And the US's bad points are if anything worse than the UK's.

Most of our Merkin friends seem to have some quiaint notion that the UK still has food coupons and housewives in headscarves queueing for a couple of sawdust-filled bangers.

Two pubs (pubs!) in spitting distance from my house do fantastic, reasonably priced, locally-sourced menus in convivial surroundings. Driving around the US on business 13 years ago we found a smattering of high status (though not always good) restaurants but far and few between, and a mountain of shite junk food.

Of course local knowledge is all here - but that works in both territories.

[KeithPratt]

London is the restaurant capital of the world.

[Rayge]

I had something called "pork belly" at the Sussex uni canteen. Then there is Semolina... Really, there is no choice, US by miles.

Belly pork is a cut of meat, that can be cooked various ways. 'Pork Belly' is a dish American in origin.
Semolina is Italian, a by-product of pasta production. I know imported foods are allowed, but as someone who has eaten in England for 65 years I can attest not to have eaten it, or seen it offered, since I left infant school.

[The Modernist]

Yeah infants school is the last place I remember seeing it.

On it's wiki pagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semolina many countries are mentioned, but not the uk, so to use it to characterise British cuisine is rather bizarre to say the least.