One of the things we’re all missing from the UK (including Danny) is British back bacon. We all hate American bacon. It’s too narrow. Too thin. Too fatty. We knew we’d miss British bacon and I decided I would find a really nice butcher in Orange County who would appreciate my dilemma and cut some back bacon from his shop just for me. (By the way, when I typed ‘Orange County butcher’ into Google, it came up with ‘Butchers and Taxidermists.’ Not something I would put together myself.) I’m sure there is a lovely corner shop style butcher somewhere, but I haven’t found him yet. All the supermarkets have their bacon pre-cut before delivery so asking someone for a different cut has been impossible.
Then we found Fresh and Easy. Which is Tesco. But it’s not. Confused? Tesco have opened a few US stores but have named them Fresh and Easy and on their web site they listed back bacon. It doesn’t look like Tesco from the outside, but inside, the layout is similar to a British supermarket, the labeling and packaging is the same as Tesco but it says Fresh and Easy instead. I had a strange moment where I wasn’t quite sure where I was. I was in strange land that was a blend of the US and the UK.
I couldn’t wait to discover all the British products but it was all American stuff in Tesco style packaging, so I got even more confused and I’m not sure why I would shop there as apposed to my local supermarket. I did find back bacon, and stocked up with 5 packets. We happily fried some ready for our bacon sarnies, but it didn’t taste right. I’m not sure what the problem was, maybe too pumped up with water? I also stocked up on Cadburys chocolate. But that was it. Couldn’t find anything else that was particularly British. So why would I go to Fresh and Easy as opposed to Albertsons or Ralphs?
Now I’m sitting here wondering what I actually wanted to buy. What is it that I’m missing from the UK? What I would love is a nice Waitrose to wander around but that’s not going to happen anytime soon. What I miss is custard powder, golden syrup, mince pies, Christmas pudding, Ambrosia creamed rice, chocolate digestives, all comfort food.
Funniest thing? One of the guys working in the store realised I was British and said ‘Top of the morning to you.’ Which really made me laugh and made my day even more bizarre. But it was said with very good intentions and a very sweet thing to do.
And Tesco’s? Could we have some really lovely back bacon and a few more British things? Please?
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I’ve been told in no uncertain terms that F&E is not Tesco. So we’ll not be getting anything British from them. However, i do like Fresh and Easy because it’s small, quick and the choice is not overwhealming. It’s almost like a small Waitrose or M&S food hall to me.
if i were british, i’d be missing clotted cream! is it still a staple at tea? i even tried to make it at home back when we could get alta dena milk that was un-homogenized. it was delicious!
Hi Lorna
Have you tried one of the british shops in your area, like http://www.britishfoodshop.com/ ? We have a similar shop in Boston and it is where I get all my English food
David
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