I WANT TO START AN AMERICAN BISCUIT RESTAURANT IN THE UK!!!

I'm originally from NYC but my mother's side of the family has southern roots.  I also have family (on dad's side) in London and they've asked me to consider bringing my American biscuit concept to the UK.  Where do you guys go for your American-style comfort food fixes?

What area should I look into?

Thanks!

Any and all input is much appreciated!!

Cyndi

I don't have anywhere to be honest. I'm in the East Midlands and I haven't found anywhere that can make American food well.

What I miss is good breakfasts with streaky bacon. I'd kill for a Village Inn or a Perkins. And someplace that has waffles. haha. I can get a nice burger pretty readily but nowhere that has a nice Macaroni and Cheese.

There is a Five Guys about 20 minutes away.  Love Five Guys!

And there are two BBQ joints that "scratch the itch" though they aren't that great.

I also miss an American breakfast (sadly I have to make those myself).

While I would LOVE to see a restaurant near me that had a genuine American menu (other than burgers and pulled pork), I don't know if it would genuinely be sustainable.  London is probably a different story.  They have MEXICAN there.  I'm not jealous.  Okay, I'm totally jealous.

Thankfully we have an American breakfast restaurant called moose in Liverpool. queue is always out the door and there is always a wait. But they have waffles and pancakes and other yummy breakfast foods.

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Wow!  Thanks for all your replies. 
Once I get an idea in my head there's no stopping me sometimes. 
What area has the largest amount of Americans would you say?

Having just left London to see family & friends last week and getting to know just about crowded tiny street it was a nightmare with parking, etc.

What areas do Americans swarm to the most?  If there is one.

I'm in Manchester and the city seems to have an abundance of "American" restaurants. However they all serve the same junk...weird burger concoctions they claim is American, waffles for dessert and milkshakes. Sometimes hot dogs, but nothing like a good old Nathan's hot dog.

I'd love for there to be a place that serves southern American food. Biscuits sausage and gravy, chicken fried steak, macaroni and cheese, pecan pie, sweet tea etc etc.

The best macaroni and cheese I've had here was from Hickory's Smokehouse where they have proper iced tea too!

I assume more Americans would be in London but they always get the good stuff :-P

Lol....that's funny!
London always gets the good stuff huh? London commercial space rent is also outrageous so that makes sense.

I was in Horsham before I left. Cute city!  I wouldn't cross a city near London off the list as I know that if the food's good enough people WILL travel.

What city are you in if I may ask?  And how would you travel for the tastiest southern cuisine you've had since grandma made it?

The biggest suggestion I can make is if you make american food, keep in mind all of us celiac's. I know I'm going to miss american staples, because there's no chance there will be a gluten free version in the UK. Things like bbq and sausage don't need wheat in them This sounds weird, but having such limited sausage options is frustrating when I'm visiting - here you can buy fresh sausage that's just ground meat & spices, while there it's always so much more random stuff. A good pancake breakfast with streaky bacon is also always appreciated. Given how much my UK friends love Denny's & IHOP when visiting - I think if you look at their menu and recreate any of it, you'll have plenty of business!

I know I'm going to miss american staples, because there's no chance there will be a gluten free version in the UK. Things like bbq and sausage don't need wheat in them This sounds weird, but having such limited sausage options is frustrating when I'm visiting - here you can buy fresh sausage that's just ground meat & spices, while there it's always so much more random stuff.

Have you seen this article at all Margo? Lists some gluten free brands available here in the UK. Has at least one range of sausages!

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/may/14/growth-gluten-free-10-best-products

I might make excuses to go to Lakeside just to get some Five Guys (and don't get me started on the Cinnabon). 

To be honest, if I want good American food, I just make it myself.  Co-op have a new 'American' line and it is just disappointing.  At least the maple syrup is imported so my french toast and pancakes taste pretty much as they should.

Do let us know if you bring American biscuits to the scene; I will definitely give them a try!

limited sausage options

Limited.....sausage.....options.

The biggest suggestion I can make is if you make american food, keep in mind all of us celiac's. I know I'm going to miss american staples, because there's no chance there will be a gluten free version in the UK. Things like bbq and sausage don't need wheat in them This sounds weird, but having such limited sausage options is frustrating when I'm visiting - here you can buy fresh sausage that's just ground meat & spices, while there it's always so much more random stuff. A good pancake breakfast with streaky bacon is also always appreciated. Given how much my UK friends love Denny's & IHOP when visiting - I think if you look at their menu and recreate any of it, you'll have plenty of business!

Margo, my husband is Coeliac.  I'm happy to help you navigate the British food selections.  ALL of Asda's "extra special" burgers and sausages are gluten free.  Loads of flavors and options.  Good prices too. 

M&S has brought out a massive line of gluten free foods as well.  He can grab a sandwich or wrap on the go from the local gas station now!  It's becoming easier each day to be Coeliac here.

Eating out is always a gamble though - which is why we rarely eat out. 

I'm from the south and I would drive anywhere to get a sausage buttermilk biscuit.   I sincerely hope you can make it work.

I think you will struggle because I just don't think the British are interested in eating biscuits for breakfast or any other meal.  Biscuits means something else in British English and you will have a tough time getting past that.  Also, I just don't think British people yearn for biscuits, no more than they yearn for grits.  It's a bit specialised, a bit too much like scones, and god knows you don't put sausage in a scone. 

The only way I can see a biscuit only thing working is in a food truck.  I've seen a food truck that does English muffin sandwiches for £6 that seemed to be doing OK.

I do think that every British person wants American Pancakes because they've all had them at the breakfast bar.  An American breakfast restaurant that served pancakes, doughnuts and Bowls of American cereal might do well.  Cereal is trending.

Oh man I would KILL for some decent donuts! And American-style pizza, with loads of cheese and a pan crust. And, yes, decent fried chicken. I'm from Kentucky so I always get "Oooh you must love KFC!" and I have to try not to cry because gross, no.

There are a lot of places here that do American-style breakfasts, though I've never actually had one so I can't say if they do it well or not. I do miss a proper, soft buttermilk biscuit - I don't know why I haven't just made them myself.

We're getting some decent BBQ now, though there are so many different styles of American BBQ that it's hard to know what kind you're going to get.

I've never tied a milkshake at an American-themed restaurant, as I've been burned too many times by the sad, thin British kinds.

I've never tied a milkshake at an American-themed restaurant, as I've been burned too many times by the sad, thin British kinds.

Go to Five Guys Burgers & Fries!!!