I have been to a number of places in America, including California and Texas who say they are serving 'British fish and chips'.
In California, along a beach, stood a sea food restaurant. On the outside was a sign,
'British fish and chips'. Wanting to taste a bit of home, excitedly I went in to order a good plate of f & c... only to find myself disappointed at the meal they presented me with.
The batter was not crispy as it should be, and the chips were not chips.. they were thin pre frozen fries. The fish was thin, not plump and juicy like we Britt's like it.
Last night, Saturday night, is our weekly meal out, a treat I look forward to all week.
Gregg and I take turns in choosing where we will go to eat, one week he picks, the next me, and so on.
Gregg usually chooses Mexican, but last night was his pick, and he decided to try the new Lion and Rose British pub that has opened up, another of 3 now in the region.
The place was impressive, inside was done out very well and very authentic, just like a British pub. The waitresses wore Tartan skirts, the furniture and decor was very well designed to give a traditional British feel. Our waitress told us that they are opening another one in Austin soon too.
The menu I smiled at, on one side it said. "British favourites'.. on the other it said 'Yanks favourites'. When Gregg hears the Britts refer to Americans as Yanks, he rolls his eyes and smiles. I dont know why the Britts ever started calling Americans Yanks, but I do know it most likely started during the first world war.
Anyway...
Not surprisingly, Fish and chips was on the Britts list. After my experience with California's version of the dish, I decided not to partake, so ordered the salmon.
Gregg decided he would go ahead and try the fish and chips.
When our meals arrived, I looked at Greggs plate. The fish looked very good, 2 pieces of battered fish, but.. not with chips.. instead it was served with potato scallops and again the batter was not at all very crispy.
Why oh why do they advertise something that isnt what it is supposed to be?
I asked the waitress if the owner of the Lion and Rose was a Britt, she told me No, it is an American offering some British food. (I thought so).
If I win a shed load of money, I am going to open up a fish and chips restaurant and Im going to cook it Britt style!
Crispy battered fish served with piping hot chips, and maybe even a side order of mushy peas to boot!
Some Britts put beer in the batter of the fish to make it even more crispy, a northen recipe that made its way all accross Britain... and quite delicious!
It's Gregg's grandson's birthday this week, so we're having a bbq today, no fish and chips.. instead we're having burgers and hot dogs.
Enjoy your Sunday, I'm off to wrap a pressie.
>>fish and chips<<
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read more blogs!
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ElmerFudd445
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Jul 12 @ 12:09PM
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Stop it.. you're making me hungry.. 
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ragtopcookie
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Jul 12 @ 12:24PM
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Theres only one thing wrong with that picture.....it needs two pieces of fish on that plate.....didnt see any tartar sauce......and maybe a few less chips.....three things wrong with that pic i think....  ....cookie
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ttomtarr
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Jul 12 @ 12:34PM
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The crispiest fish batter on earth goes soggy when it sits too long between the fryer and the diner. Blame the server as well as disorganized cooks and cheap frozen fries.
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maggiemae684
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Jul 12 @ 12:39PM
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not much different than getting a hamburger (traditonally American) in Britain....ewwwwwww
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legacy1
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Jul 12 @ 12:42PM
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I take it as unless you are in the country you will never get the "real" authentic taste. For british fish and chips...I have to settle for the neighborhood Long John Silver's! 
Great blog and right before lunch too! 
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A_TRAMP
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Jul 12 @ 12:51PM
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i have just been chippy for ?????
yes fish n chips with plenty salt and vinegar 
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missliss78
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Jul 12 @ 1:24PM
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Can't say I'm much of a fish & chips lover, Charli,
but I can say I enjoyed the blog! 
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Redwicket
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Jul 12 @ 1:59PM
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My Dear Charli, here's what I think you should do...get together some of your recipes from home...get an appointment with the owner of the Lion & Rose...sit him down and make him an offer he can't refuse, that you will teach his minions how to cook true Brit...With a going chain like his it's likely he will listen, If he is a good business man that is.
Or publish a cook book for those of us who are Always learning New Ways 
OMG those Frys have me thinking now about cutting up some of those Idaho Taters in the kitchen and making oven baked frys in olive oil...
Kudos Girl!
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misschoos
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Jul 12 @ 2:57PM
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It will make money regardless. It's such a shame though, because they are being mislead. Just like most other food outlets.
When i was in Turkey though, i visited my daughter's hotel, they did a 'Traditional Sunday Roast.'
I saw one being served and returned the following Sunday to order one.
As I talked to the waiter and told him my concerns about their claims, he said
''It's the best, if it's not, I will pay for your food.''
I ordered the Sunday Roast.
When it arrived, i was gobsmacked, this was the BIZ. It compared with the best Sunday Roast you could get anywhere in the UK.
eerm, I''m not sure how to finish this comment, but I'm sure you understand what I am saying.
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joker2000_x
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Jul 12 @ 4:46PM
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maybe time to buy some cod, dunk it in the batter and deep fry them yourself?
I sincerely hope they didn't put haggis on the menu????
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Tanikogirl
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Jul 14 @ 4:00AM
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Know what you mean about good old traditional Fish n Chips, do you remember Charli when they used to wrap it in Newspaper, oh the taste was brilliant.Even over here you have Chinese restaurants trying to cook it, not the same. When I lived in the West Country that was the best fish ever,straight from the trawlers into the fish shops,the trouble is we have been spoilt.
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Herodotus
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Jul 14 @ 5:48AM
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Strange isn't it, most of the American stuff we get over here, is pretty awful, unless McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken float your boat. For me thats the kind of food I would prefer to use to repair the boat.
No cornish pasties.Beautiful
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Tanikogirl
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Jul 14 @ 5:55AM
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Cornish pasties, now you are talking they are wonderful....no good for your diet though lol 
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Cynbaby
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Jul 14 @ 3:52PM
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This place I was at last week is suppose to have authentic fish n chips Chip Shop
I personally have not yet tried them here yet but I will soon. I saw other diners ordering it and it looked awesome. It was featured on the food network and the owner is British.
Of all places I did have them when I was in "England" at Epcot center they were pretty good. Then again it was Disney so I'm sure they are a thousand times better back home by your standards
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justme836
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Jul 14 @ 6:38PM
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I use to like a place here that served only Fish N Chips. They were thick and fluffy with a crispy crust. (The chips /"fries" were never crispy though  ) Then doused in vinegar. Is that Brit style? I loved them but it has been at least 20 years since I last had them. The local VFW has a fish fry that is close, good but not as good. I love fish but not my kids so I rarely make it. However when I do it is with (dark) beer batter with a spot of pancake mix in the batter. I pick at it all night and make a cold fish sandwich with veggies the following day.
Tonight is fried Cajun Chicken strips. This my kids will eat. Maybe I should try Cajun fish? 
I'm sorry that you are missing home.
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