Where can I get American food in London and the UK

Just by chance, we happened to pick up a bag of Marks & Spencers Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips when we were in their Simply Food shop, while passing through the train station last Sunday (I wasn't sure how many regular tortillas we had left, the other shops were closed & we were having Tex-Mex leftovers for tea when we got home).

We didn't end up opening them until last night.  I found them really quite good & better than the lightly salted Doritos here.  They remind me of some brand of tortilla chips from the US - but I can't remember which one, it's been so long since I lived there.  Maybe Tostitos?  Maybe another one?

They're thinner and have a lighter, crispier quality to them, as compared to the Doritos.  A bit closer to a good, freshly fried tortilla chip from a nice Mexican restaurant.  Great for dipping into salsa.  

I am also a Hidden Valley (light) ranch fan and it drives me crazy that ranch is not popular here! If you google "hidden valley ranch UK" there are some sites that import the original. It might be a bit pricier than you're used to, but hey, it's worth it right?

I've not seen the light version, but I seem to see Hidden Valley Ranch everywhere.  Garden Centres with food sections tend to stock it in my area.

Just by chance, we happened to pick up a bag of Marks & Spencers Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips when we were in their Simply Food shop, while passing through the train station last Sunday (I wasn't sure how many regular tortillas we had left, the other shops were closed & we were having Tex-Mex leftovers for tea when we got home).

We didn't end up opening them until last night.  I found them really quite good & better than the lightly salted Doritos here.  They remind me of some brand of tortilla chips from the US - but I can't remember which one, it's been so long since I lived there.  Maybe Tostitos?  Maybe another one?

They're thinner and have a lighter, crispier quality to them, as compared to the Doritos.  A bit closer to a good, freshly fried tortilla chip from a nice Mexican restaurant.  Great for dipping into salsa.  

Good tip! Thanks. 

Just by chance, we happened to pick up a bag of Marks & Spencers Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips when we were in their Simply Food shop, while passing through the train station last Sunday (I wasn't sure how many regular tortillas we had left, the other shops were closed & we were having Tex-Mex leftovers for tea when we got home).

We didn't end up opening them until last night.  I found them really quite good & better than the lightly salted Doritos here.  They remind me of some brand of tortilla chips from the US - but I can't remember which one, it's been so long since I lived there.  Maybe Tostitos?  Maybe another one?

They're thinner and have a lighter, crispier quality to them, as compared to the Doritos.  A bit closer to a good, freshly fried tortilla chip from a nice Mexican restaurant.  Great for dipping into salsa.  

I prefer supermarket brand tortilla chips to Doritos. In fact some of the supermarket budget lines are perfect for making nachos.

I prefer supermarket brand tortilla chips to Doritos. In fact some of the supermarket budget lines are perfect for making nachos.

Yup. tesco value 25p bags work for me. Especially when smothered in all the toppings, I find they don't go soggy.

We are in South Shields, up by Newcastle...on reading all the posts about stuff you guys can get in your local s/markets down south (cookies, hersheys) ours are clearly "pants"

No kidding! But you can get cornmeal, French's mustard, and some other things at Asda up here, at least. They also have Pepperidge Farm cookies now. 

I found the closest thing to American pickles yesterday.  They are a Turkish pickle, brand Berrak and the kind is Salatalik (then Tursusu is written under it.)  I found them in a little off license in town. 

They aren't dills, but the flavour is soooooo darned close and make a killer PB and P sammich!

Ocado now has Kosher Salt, also these all beef hot dogs are delicious!

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Chicagos-Best-Jumbo-Frankfurters/44431011?from=search&tags=|20000&param=hot+dog&parentContainer=SEARCHhot+dog_SHELFVIEW

found at a jamacian shop yesterday cream of wheat, aunt jemima cornbread mix, kool-aide packets, and pre sweetened grape kool-aide.....all from america.....cornbread is gone...hahaha

Has anyone found Mexican food in Leeds?

Depends on what you're looking for!

Most of the grocery stores carry Old El Paso brand & Discovery brand products.  You may or may not like these.

You can find a few speciality items in the Food Hall - top floor of Harvey Nichols.  I have seen some nice salsas and things like pozole kits there.  Always worth having a look around Waitrose too.

Dried pinto beans (also black beans) are available in the shops, as well as tinned.

I tend to make my own Tex-Mex stuff from scratch, but I'll use the store-bought tortillas (like the Old El Paso or Discovery) & taco shells - to some that's heresy.  Just all depends on your standards.  

I don't like the corn tortillas sold here very much, so I'll probably just stick to the flour tortillas from hereon - if they're store-bought.  I've been thinking about getting stuff to make my own corn tortillas, but haven't mustered up the motivation to go to the trouble (of kitting myself out with a tortilla press, masa harina & doing it) yet.

What are you looking for specifically?

Also, don't overlook online mail order sources:

http://www.lupepintos.com/
http://www.coolchile.co.uk/
http://www.mexgrocer.co.uk/
http://www.southdevonchillifarm.co.uk/

There may be others too.

Thank you for the info will definitely check ot the stores you mentioned.  Was dreaming of    a restaurant with good margaritas and spicy food.

Oh that's what you meant!  Try...

http://www.iguanas.co.uk/
http://www.salsamexicana.co.uk/
http://www.calientecafe.com/  (if you can ever find it open!)
http://www.barburrito.co.uk/restaurants/leeds.aspx

There's a good one in York:

http://www.fiestamehicana.com/

Right, and it probably won't be exactly like what you're used to from home, but it might get you by in a pinch.  I haven't been to any of these recently - because I just tend to make my own.

I've been to Bar Burrito a couple times, it's the red-headed (ginger  ) step-child to Chipotle. Good in a pinch, but like Mrs. R I tend to make my own. 

As an aside, where do y'all find Chipotle peppers?  I've not seen them anywhere.  I did find Chipotle Cholula at Asda once and DF and I just about chugged it from the bottle. 

Mexgrocer.co.uk is amazing!!!