British Mexican food

As far as I know, Mexicans and Spaniards don't really differ much in the pronunciations of j's and ll's.  I don't think "pie-el-la" is correct in any variant of Spanish.

that's what I was thinking too. my neighbors are Spanish and the major difference I notice when we are together is the c/th sound.

As far as I know, Mexicans and Spaniards don't really differ much in the pronunciations of j's and ll's.  I don't think "pie-el-la" is correct in any variant of Spanish.

Fair enough. I was thinking along the lines of the Beckhams calling their son Cruz and hearing that in Spain it would be pronounced "Cruth" or asking for wine in Spain and having it called a Ree-oh-ka rather than a Ree-oh-ha.

The "j" is pronounced the same in both Latin America in Spain, although in some places it is softer, like and American "h" and in other places harder, like a German "ch".

In some places, "ll" is pronounced "ly" as in "million", but pie-ella, would still be wrong.

Unless there are some places in Spain where they pronounce it pie-ella to make it easier for the British expats.

I've found that all the Mexican and Italian restaurants we've been to in the U.K. have sucked, with the exception of Latin in the Lane, if you're ever in Brighton. And in my experience, both Spaniards and Mexicans pronounce "j" as "h." I've also been to a fantastic restaurant in D.C., owned by Indians, with American cooks and waiters/waitresses, so you can't say Americans don't know how to cook curry, etc. (The owner actually sat with us for some time after we ate, wanting to know our opinions, which were both highly complimentary.)

We have to face the fact that most British food sucks. But at least they try! 

I asked Steve about the Spanish pronunciation thing.  He said, as many here have indicated, that the 'j' is pronounced with an 'h' sound -- more or less the same between Spain & Latin America.

It's the 'll' where you will have some variance -- sometimes pronounced more 'y' sounding and sometimes more of a semi-hard 'j' sound.  But this isn't a Spain/Latin America difference -- it can vary from one region of Spain to another, and perhaps then carrying on to whatever area of Latin America that people from that area of Spain immigrated.  (He loved hearing the Andalucian accents when we were there last October. )

We have to face the fact that most British food sucks.

Well I think you are trying to wind some people up on here with that.   I think that it's all down to where you live & your experiences, however - because I've eaten a lot of great British food.  Not too much good Mexican though (other than what I make at home), but I suppose you can't have everything.

We have to face the fact that most British food sucks. But at least they try! 

We'll have to agree to disagree on this point...I think the food is really nice here! I've also been very pleasantly surprised with the British cuisine.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this point...I think the food is really nice here! I've also been very pleasantly surprised with the British cuisine.

I find British cuisine to be quite good as well.  And if you dont like 'British' cuisine, there are still Italian, Chinese, Indian, American themed and fast food restaurants you can go to eat. And most of the ingredients, if not all can be found here with a little hunting around and you can make your favorite dishes just as you would in the US.  So, to me.. not much difference-- besides the lack of mexican food... although, I can pretty much see Chiquitos (mexican chain restaurant) from my house.. so i cant really complain to much 

I rarely cooked in the US, the land of convenience and fast food.  Here, inspired by British cooks and British cookery mags, I cook cuisine from all over the world.  Convenience foods are a rarity now -- thank god!

I rarely cooked in the US, the land of convenience and fast food.  Here, inspired by British cooks and British cookery mags, I cook cuisine from all over the world.  Convenience foods are a rarity now -- thank god!

same for me!
the man i was with when i fled the US would only eat tacos, burgers, steaks, or chilli.... maybe spaghetti, but only if it was made with a Chef Boyardee red box kit.   

Moving over here and being inspired by books and TV cooks has really broadened my horizons regarding food.

I rarely cooked in the US, the land of convenience and fast food. 

Same here.  Plus my last two (US) partners had such eccentricities when it came to food - it was just that much easier to succumb to convenience & fast food.  (And I had an enormous physical presence by the time I left!)  Fortunately, I've a man who likes to cook (and eat) REAL & healthy food finally.  Heaven!

I didn't cook that much in the US but it was more because I found it boring to cook for one. I didn't really rely on convenience foods, but wasn't terribly inventive. However, coming from a family of serious food-lovers, I knew at some point I'd get going. Moving to England was the starting point for that. But, I have to confess it was because I wasn't happy with a lot of the food I was being offered here...good gastro pubs and London restaurants being out of my reach. So I went out of my way to make my own, only better!

the man i was with when i fled the US would only eat tacos, burgers, steaks, or chilli.... maybe spaghetti, but only if it was made with a Chef Boyardee red box kit.   

Oh crikey, does that sound familiar!

I can remember coming here and thinking, "Oh holy sh*t, no Shake-n-Bake!"