Best 10 American Restaurants in London

Over the next two weeks I will be positing a review of ten American themed restaurants in London, critiquing the atmosphere, the menu and most importantly the quality of the food on offer.

Food, glorious food! Forgive me, but for a website created originally for film appreciation, I thought I might be able to get away with using one of the most quoted lines in film history to launch the latest addition to our cultural hotbed: Food! Since changing from Obsessed with Film to WhatCulture! six months ago we have branched out to cover a wide range of new topics; television, music, festivals, video games, sport, theatre, novels and comics. And yet for a €˜culture website€™ we have had one glaring omission that I have taken it upon myself to address: food! What is culture if it is not the celebration of the things that we admire, value and enjoy? I live in London, the most culturally diverse city on Earth offering the widest range of cuisines, and possibly the best quality of food in any city in the world. It is a rarity for me that an evening with friends or colleagues doesn€™t begin or end or even revolve around food: €˜Are we going to get something to eat€™, €˜Where are we going to eat?€™, €˜shall we get something to eat?€™ And everyone has an opinion: €˜you know where we should go?€™, €˜have you been there?€™, €˜I know this place that does the best everything..!€™ We spend so much time talking about it, thinking about it, watching others talk about it; food is literally a cornerstone of our existence, which is why so many of us make it our business not just enjoy what we eat, but to love it. I€™m not an expert on food just an adamant restaurant goer who loves everything about the dining experience and a passion for discussing and recommending places I visit and dishes I eat. Which is why I have decided it would be a sin for me not to share my thoughts and recommendations with the followers of WhatCulture! And because I have a borderline addiction to American food and what some have called an unhealthy obsession with American pop culture, I have chosen to launch What Culture€™s food appreciation section with a celebration of cuisine from our neighbours across the North Atlantic. Just like most of the world, our culture is heavily influenced by America; this certainly applies to the food we eat. Hamburgers, fried chicken, pizzas, french fries and milkshakes are all food favourites amongst British people, and all imported from The States. Thanks to a damning government report in the mid noughties, fast food restaurants gained an unwanted stigma, which despite introducing alternative healthy options, reducing salt and displaying calorie guidelines they struggled to shake. This led restaurateurs to question what they could do to attract people back to fast food. The answer was as simple as a change in environment. Adopting the philosophy, €œNot fast food, €˜good food quickly€™€ these new €˜gourmet diners€™ purported to serve all your old favourites but in an €˜authentic€™ American style and setting. The table service, pictureless menus, American paraphernalia adorning the walls and the look of an €˜American Diner€™ did the trick; restaurants offering that €˜authentic American taste and eating experience are thriving. And while the term €˜good€™ in €˜good food quickly€™ might be questionable, a slab of meat, a fistful of deep fried potatoes and a pint of sweet flavoured milk or imported beer from across the pond sounds pretty good to me. The following have been identified by my fellow commentators and myself as the ten best purveyors of American cuisine in London. They are in no particular order; that is for you to determine!
MAXWELL€™S RED DOG SALOON CHICAGO RIB SHACK THE DINER CHRISTOPHER€™S GRILL BODEANS STICKY FINGERS BIG EASY CAMDEN BLUES KITCHEN ADAMS RIB
Over the next two weeks I will be positing a review of each restaurant, critiquing the atmosphere, the menu and most importantly the quality of the food on offer. You may wait to read my musings, or if you have your own favourite, go with your gut and make your voice heard by voting. Once the votes have been tallied we will crown the best place to taste and experience a little piece of Americana in London, as voted for by you, the readers of Whatculture.com. And if you haven€™t visited any of the above, then what are you waiting for?! Pull on your baggy jeans and stuff your face with some good ol€™ fashion American grub. Then have your say and register your vote.
 
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Contributor
Contributor

Frustratingly argumentative writer, eater, reader and fanatical about film ‘n’ food and all things fundamentally flawed. I have been a member of the WhatCulture family since it was known as Obsessed with Film way back in the bygone year of 2010. I review films, festivals, launch events, award ceremonies and conduct interviews with members of the ‘biz’. Follow me @FilmnFoodFan In 2011 I launched the restaurant and food criticism section. I now review restaurants alongside film and the greatest rarity – the food ‘n’ film crossover. Let your imaginations run wild as you mull on what that might look like!