Foodie from Chicago to London

Hello everyone!

I'm from Chicago and have been living and working in London for almost 2 years now. My husband is British and we decided to settle here, so here I am!

I am here at UK Yankee because, basically, I go through periods of being either really excited about or really bored by everything being so different. Meaning... I don't want the UK to be like the US, I want the UK to be like the UK... but sometimes, I want to have ease in finding graham crackers (how can you make cheese cake without it?), tomatillos (salsa is sad with no tomatillos!), plan corn tortilla chips (crisps, chips, I don't care what you call them but I want them plain with just a teeny bit of salt please!), face creams that don't have to be day or night (can't I just have one?!), frozen juice concentrate (that you don't have to buy in bulk from Cobell). I want Halloween party options, I don't want to work on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, I am oddly emotional on days like Abraham Lincoln's birthday (what? why?!), I don't want people to keep translating football into soccer for me (I get it guys... FOOTBALL.)etc etc.

So if you don't mind me pinging random questions like "where can I find this?" or "where do I go for that?" or "how do you handle that person at work that is like this?"... I'd love to hear any insights you all may have!

Thanks!

Hello!

I'm sure you'll find everyone on here to be friendly, helpful and all around good people. I know my silly questions have all been answered in a jiffy.

I haven't actually tried to buy corn chips, but you've made me curious! I'll have to check them out next time I'm in the chip aisle and see what they have. haha.

M&S do a great tortilla chip that works well enough for me.

Honestly, you have a much better chance of finding those other items versus being in the countryside like me.  Are you able to grow your own tomatillos?

You can definitely get graham crackers online and in places that have an American food selection but the price will shock you.

Well you probably will find that day-glo green stuff you guys slather on hotdogs hard to find.

Hey TheNoise I'm in London too and have similar issues ie. graham crackers, pinto beans and certain types of makeup. If you ever want to commiserate - I'm around Try the American Food Store in Holland Park for starters!

I want to have ease in finding graham crackers (how can you make cheese cake without it?),

We use digestive biscuits!

Are you able to grow your own tomatillos?

They are easy to grow outside in England. Gardeners on forums say they can grow them as far north as Chester. They are very tough plants. I'm still picking tomatillos!

If you haven't got the room to grow them next year, try the Mexican shops in London.

Thanks everyone!

... also... do love the neon relish on a Chicago dog but never thought to actually buy it and use on my own... but now I have a new obsession - thanks a lot sonofasailor!

Salted tortilla chips - seen them all over, try the store bargain brand, Morrisons do one, very lightly salted, great for dips or making nachos.

You don't want to work on Thanksgiving - book the day off work then, doubt that there'll be many people off that you wouldn't get it.