Dunkin' Donuts Comes To The UK!!!!

Personally I'd rather the American food chains didn't set up shop here - as much as I enjoy visiting them when I'm in the US, I don't need them to be in the UK too - takes the novelty out of going to them when I'm in the US.

There's been such an influx of American brands and culture into the UK in the last 20 years or so that you can't go anywhere in the UK these days without seeing a US food outlet... I really don't see the need for even more of them.

Aren't you British yourself though? You talk about the Brits as if you're not one of us  .

Yes I am British, but I turned my back on my race years ago!! I wish I could change my Birth Certificate!!!

As soon as Britain gets off their self-righteous, holier than thou, healthy "high horse" the better!! In fact, when I used to live in the USA, I can honestly say, that I was far healthier over there than I am here!!

Britain?! Healthy high horse? !
Looks as if you've not been to Glasgow!

But a great little American-style deli would never open up over here...

But Subway has opened successfully, so I don't see why an independent deli that actually makes legitimate (read: good) sandwiches wouldn't. Subway's sandwiches aren't small, and they're also gross. And this perceived "healthy high horse" is hilarious. I don't think you are actually seeing where you live for what it is, you're just seeing that you don't live in the US anymore.

I don't think Subway is gross; it's fine for what it is. Kind of like Chipotle. And I am excited we're getting British chains here. Well, Pret at least!

I don't think Subway is gross; it's fine for what it is. Kind of like Chipotle. And I am excited we're getting British chains here. Well, Pret at least!

Yes! I was so excited when they went into Union Station!

But Subway has opened successfully, so I don't see why an independent deli that actually makes legitimate (read: good) sandwiches wouldn't. Subway's sandwiches aren't small, and they're also gross. And this perceived "healthy high horse" is hilarious. I don't think you are actually seeing where you live for what it is, you're just seeing that you don't live in the US anymore.

There is a BIG difference between Subway and an American-style deli, such as you see in NYC, Philladelphia, Chicago or any other city!! A deli is usually family run and owned and usually serves many more varieties of sandwiches, subs, paninis, gyros, wraps, etc. than Subway does!!

Yes! I was so excited when they went into Union Station!

I get breakfast there every time I take a train trip!

There is a BIG difference between Subway and an American-style deli, such as you see in NYC, Philladelphia, Chicago or any other city!! A deli is usually family run and owned and usually serves many more varieties of sandwiches, subs, paninis, gyros, wraps, etc. than Subway does!!

Which is why we'd prefer a deli to Subway or another big chain. Doesn't that make sense?

My kingdom for an independent sub shop. 

I would love an independent sub shop.  Plus, you usually get to pick your size at those places. 

I'm not really that excited about Pret, because they use so much d@mn mayo on everything.  They had to reformulate the sandwiches when they went to the US because of too much mayo, so perhaps I would like it better there. 

Also, in a bad sign for DD, Pret found that Americans wanted filter coffee more than espresso drinks.  So they added more filter coffee to the stores. 

I just don't think there is a filter coffee drinking culture(?) here.  People seem to drink fancier drinks or, like everyone at every office I have worked at, instant.

I suppose if I had a choice of chains that are nicer, I would go with Panera because you can tell them what you want on the sandwiches. 

I'd vote for Panera! As chains go, I think they are among the best.

I am not a Panera fan, I just don't get how they are so popular. I love DD coffee, it their donuts are terrible now. They no longer make them in the stores, so they are just not fresh anymore. I am from suburban NYC and we don't have the independent chains like the rest of the country does, also, NYC is like a shopping mall these days, all chain shops. It's very disappointing.

Also, in a bad sign for DD, Pret found that Americans wanted filter coffee more than espresso drinks.  So they added more filter coffee to the stores. 

I just don't think there is a filter coffee drinking culture(?) here.  People seem to drink fancier drinks or, like everyone at every office I have worked at, instant.

My husband used to be all about his lattes before I moved over. Because I was so homesick for the coffee I used to get in America, he bought us one of those dual coffee makers where one side makes lattes and the other side is a filter coffee machine. We now exclusively use the filter side. We also use it a lot when we have guests and they all love the coffee too. So, maybe there is a market for it.

I'm not a massive fan of Dunkies though. I was by no means a loyal customer of theirs, but would go there in a pinch. I do have a weakness for the butternut and coconut donuts from time to time. If they set up a shop somewhere near me, I'd probably go sometimes. However, I definitely prefer small, independent shops or smaller, local chains, but my town in the UK doesn't really have much in the way of independent shops for anything let alone coffee shops. It's unfortunate.

As soon as Britain gets off their self-righteous, holier than thou, healthy "high horse" the better!! In fact, when I used to live in the USA, I can honestly say, that I was far healthier over there than I am here!!

I'd rather just pay for the amount of food I'm going to eat, rather than coming home witha  box containing half of the food that was on my plate. Seriously the amount of left overs in the US disgusts me.
I was in a diner in the States recently and wanted the biscuits and gravy (white sauce) with bacon and hash browns, lovely, but I also wanted a fried egg...that actually was brought to me as another plate complete with yet another portion of hash browns!