Anyone miss American breakfast?

Ooh, I'll have to see if there's a polish shop by me. I've been ordering off amazon for laundry and cleaning.

Do you have an Aldi? I saw a weird bottle of white vinegar in there. It has such a generic name but I could tell it was a big jug of vinegar.

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For fruits like berries, rinse them in vinegar water for about 10 minutes or so. It kills off the wee beasties and extends the life of the produce.

And if you use distilled white vinegar on a regular basis, make a note that most of our white vinegar here is actually white malt vinegar.

I get regular white vinegar at the polish shop.

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I never knew that about rinsing the berries. Great tip! I'm glad you told me that about the white vinegar too... because I only found the white malt vinegar as well.

For fruits like berries, rinse them in vinegar water for about 10 minutes or so. It kills off the wee beasties and extends the life of the produce.

What ratio of vinegar to water?  50/50?

What ratio of vinegar to water?  50/50?

I don't know. I've never measured it. I just pour some in. It doesn't take a lot honestly. Maybe 1/4 cup.

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OK, I just spent the last 20 minutes at work reading from post 1 to post 5060 (or however many there were). (pant pant pant) I'm all caught up.

FIRST! I have to address this Louisiana House of Pancakes debacle. https://restaurantguru.com/Louisiana-House-Of-Pancakes-Stirling#gallery   Just look at the crap this place put on plates. I'm sorry but if I ever started an "American Themed Restaurant", I wouldn't make it so cliche'. It's OK to be American themed and not be a stereotype. Like the Irish pub over here in the states which all the cliche' decorations. But I agree, whoever started this place probably is a fan of American TV and that is all they based their menu off. They deserved to go out of business for that.

SECOND! KissofDeath - "I went from being unapologetic to being apologetically unapologetic."     You broke my brain there for a few moments. I had to do a hard reset by banging my head into my desk. hahaaha

THIRD!   Country Fried Steak, scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon. Maybe some crispy shredded hash browns. That's my go-to Denny's breakfast whenever we go to one. haha  Love Country Fried Streak. I need to get my recipe down before we move over.

LAST! We all need to get together, buy a couple food truck and a couple times a week, travel to different areas in the UK and serve American style breakfasts. A menu created by American's and cooked by American's.   My husband managed several coffee shops here in Seattle, he can handle the coffee side, I can cook up bacon like nobodies business. We need someone on eggs, someone on pancakes/waffles. Maybe someone to make donuts for those who want some. I think we could make a killing.   We could call them the "Yankee Wakey Wakey Wagon's" And if I was the owner of Louisiana House of Pancakes, I'd but a giant screeching eagle on the roof.  haha

OK, I just spent the last 20 minutes at work reading from post 1 to post 5060 (or however many there were). (pant pant pant) I'm all caught up.

FIRST! I have to address this Louisiana House of Pancakes debacle. https://restaurantguru.com/Louisiana-House-Of-Pancakes-Stirling#gallery   Just look at the crap this place put on plates. I'm sorry but if I ever started an "American Themed Restaurant", I wouldn't make it so cliche'. It's OK to be American themed and not be a stereotype. Like the Irish pub over here in the states which all the cliche' decorations. But I agree, whoever started this place probably is a fan of American TV and that is all they based their menu off. They deserved to go out of business for that.

SECOND! KissofDeath - "I went from being unapologetic to being apologetically unapologetic."     You broke my brain there for a few moments. I had to do a hard reset by banging my head into my desk. hahaaha

THIRD!   Country Fried Steak, scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon. Maybe some crispy shredded hash browns. That's my go-to Denny's breakfast whenever we go to one. haha  Love Country Fried Streak. I need to get my recipe down before we move over.

LAST! We all need to get together, buy a couple food truck and a couple times a week, travel to different areas in the UK and serve American style breakfasts. A menu created by American's and cooked by American's.   My husband managed several coffee shops here in Seattle, he can handle the coffee side, I can cook up bacon like nobodies business. We need someone on eggs, someone on pancakes/waffles. Maybe someone to make donuts for those who want some. I think we could make a killing.   We could call them the "Yankee Wakey Wakey Wagon's" And if I was the owner of Louisiana House of Pancakes, I'd but a giant screeching eagle on the roof.  haha

Lololol. I talked to the manager one day when I had a complaint about my food. I ate there twice. The second time I was giving them another chance as my first trip was when they had been open for only a few days.

The guy was a douche. When I told him the pancakes were tough and rubbery and there was no way they were made fresh to order (since he proudly told me he had my food to my table in 3 minutes from the time I placed my order) he told me he was sorry that was my opinion. I then went on to tell him that his customer service skills were horrible and I noted that he turned off the ability to leave reviews on his Facebook page. He told me it wasn't fair that the business was getting bad reviews because they've only been open a short time.

I told him they were missing a huge opportunity to turn this restaurant into a fantastic American style diner with real American food. He said he wanted to be like McDonald's and his food was American style with a Scottish Twist.

Ok buddy. Good luck to you! And just like that, they were gone like a fart in the wind.

Except for this. It came home with me as a keepsake.

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Lololol. I talked to the manager one day when I had a complaint about my food. I ate there twice. The second time I was giving them another chance as my first trip was when they had been open for only a few days.

The guy was a douche. When I told him the pancakes were tough and rubbery and there was no way they were made fresh to order (since he proudly told me he had my food to my table in 3 minutes from the time I placed my order) he told me he was sorry that was my opinion. I then went on to tell him that his customer service skills were horrible and I noted that he turned off the ability to leave reviews on his Facebook page. He told me it wasn't fair that the business was getting bad reviews because they've only been open a short time.

I told him they were missing a huge opportunity to turn this restaurant into a fantastic American style diner with real American food. He said he wanted to be like McDonald's and his food was American style with a Scottish Twist.

Ok buddy. Good luck to you! And just like that, they were gone like a fart in the wind.

Except for this. It came home with me as a keepsake.

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You'd think maybe, just maybe, they'd take the lifelong experience of an actual American into consideration on this matter in particular...

But pride.

Be careful not to break it, tami! It's not like you'll be able to pick up another one! 

OK, I just spent the last 20 minutes at work reading from post 1 to post 5060 (or however many there were). (pant pant pant) I'm all caught up.

FIRST! I have to address this Louisiana House of Pancakes debacle. https://restaurantguru.com/Louisiana-House-Of-Pancakes-Stirling#gallery   Just look at the crap this place put on plates. I'm sorry but if I ever started an "American Themed Restaurant", I wouldn't make it so cliche'. It's OK to be American themed and not be a stereotype. Like the Irish pub over here in the states which all the cliche' decorations. But I agree, whoever started this place probably is a fan of American TV and that is all they based their menu off. They deserved to go out of business for that.

SECOND! KissofDeath - "I went from being unapologetic to being apologetically unapologetic."     You broke my brain there for a few moments. I had to do a hard reset by banging my head into my desk. hahaaha

THIRD!   Country Fried Steak, scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon. Maybe some crispy shredded hash browns. That's my go-to Denny's breakfast whenever we go to one. haha  Love Country Fried Streak. I need to get my recipe down before we move over.

LAST! We all need to get together, buy a couple food truck and a couple times a week, travel to different areas in the UK and serve American style breakfasts. A menu created by American's and cooked by American's.   My husband managed several coffee shops here in Seattle, he can handle the coffee side, I can cook up bacon like nobodies business. We need someone on eggs, someone on pancakes/waffles. Maybe someone to make donuts for those who want some. I think we could make a killing.   We could call them the "Yankee Wakey Wakey Wagon's" And if I was the owner of Louisiana House of Pancakes, I'd but a giant screeching eagle on the roof.  haha

Starting a small American pancake/breakfast cafe is one of my potential business ventures once I am living in England with my husband... I guess I just wonder how it might actually go over... Because I'm not cooking the food towards the British palate but I'm gonna go authentic American. Food might be too rich and have too much flavor and far too much seasoning. For the record, my English husband is crazy about my soulful cooking; however, I think he just loves eating. 

Be careful not to break it, tami! It's not like you'll be able to pick up another one! 

Maybe in a charity shop? Lol.

Legit though, I was going to get another one on my 2nd trip but they gave me just a plain white cup.

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I guess I just wonder how it might actually go over... Because I'm not cooking the food towards the British palate but I'm gonna go authentic American. Food might be too rich and have too much flavor and far too much seasoning.

I think some of the best restaurants I've eaten at have a small, rotating menu. Not a big ass Denny's style menu. Each week it changes. The one I'm thinking of right now is called Oddfellows Cafe. http://www.oddfellowscafe.com/good-evening-menu-5pm-late

That way its always something fresh for the customer, its something exciting and different for the chefs/cooks, and you can concentrate on fewer things to make sure they are perfect rather then a massive menu.

It sounds like the reason that other place failed was because of the quality of the food/service.  We go to Thai restaurants here and I've certainly had things which were too spicy for me (but my husband loved it) but the quality was good so I went back again and just found something less spicy. I've also been to ones where the quality was just bad and we never went back.

I think taking advantage of crowd-sourced feedback is also great. That manager that Tami had could have sad "We are so sorry. We really appreciate your feedback on the pancakes. We will work on that." And then actually go back and maybe try a different recipe. I hate places that think "This is how we do it and its perfect and customer opinion doesn't matter!" Well, customers pay your bills so yeah, it does. I don't have sympathy for business that fail because they do not listen to what their customers REALLY want.

I think some of the best restaurants I've eaten at have a small, rotating menu. Not a big ass Denny's style menu. Each week it changes. The one I'm thinking of right now is called Oddfellows Cafe. http://www.oddfellowscafe.com/good-evening-menu-5pm-late

That way its always something fresh for the customer, its something exciting and different for the chefs/cooks, and you can concentrate on fewer things to make sure they are perfect rather then a massive menu.

It sounds like the reason that other place failed was because of the quality of the food/service.  We go to Thai restaurants here and I've certainly had things which were too spicy for me (but my husband loved it) but the quality was good so I went back again and just found something less spicy. I've also been to ones where the quality was just bad and we never went back.

I think taking advantage of crowd-sourced feedback is also great. That manager that Tami had could have sad "We are so sorry. We really appreciate your feedback on the pancakes. We will work on that." And then actually go back and maybe try a different recipe. I hate places that think "This is how we do it and its perfect and customer opinion doesn't matter!" Well, customers pay your bills so yeah, it does. I don't have sympathy for business that fail because they do not listen to what their customers REALLY want.

I would definitely have a small menu if I did it. Simple pancakes with fresh, local ingredients and toppings, eggs, and traditional American breakfast sides. Definitely try to keep the menu in season with a few staples as well. I like to eat really clean food when I can so that's the type of food I'd like to serve to customers as well.

I agree 100% about customer feedback. I've owned a couple businesses and I have always focused on keeping my customers/clients happy. Do my best to retain clients and also make them happy enough to refer their friends. I've never understood the attitude of business owners who don't take client feedback into serious consideration... if it's a client-based business or one based on patronage, using the feedback is what matters most if you want to stay in business. When I go to a restaurant, if there is an issue I will speak to a manager versus say putting a bad review on Yelp or something. And I also tell them what I really like as well. People love to tell of the bad but don't speak as much about the good.

My husband really wants to open a cafe but I'm riding the fence a bit. Restaurants are hard work! I've had a few friends who have owned eateries and I've seen/heard firsthand just how challenging it can be. I think it has to be one's passion and I just don't know if I'm passionate enough about it. I do enjoy cooking but mostly for family and friends.

I would definitely have a small menu if I did it. Simple pancakes with fresh, local ingredients and toppings, eggs, and traditional American breakfast sides. Definitely try to keep the menu in season with a few staples as well. I like to eat really clean food when I can so that's the type of food I'd like to serve to customers as well.

I agree 100% about customer feedback. I've owned a couple businesses and I have always focused on keeping my customers/clients happy. Do my best to retain clients and also make them happy enough to refer their friends. I've never understood the attitude of business owners who don't take client feedback into serious consideration... if it's a client-based business or one based on patronage, using the feedback is what matters most if you want to stay in business. When I go to a restaurant, if there is an issue I will speak to a manager versus say putting a bad review on Yelp or something. And I also tell them what I really like as well. People love to tell of the bad but don't speak as much about the good.

My husband really wants to open a cafe but I'm riding the fence a bit. Restaurants are hard work! I've had a few friends who have owned eateries and I've seen/heard firsthand just how challenging it can be. I think it has to be one's passion and I just don't know if I'm passionate enough about it. I do enjoy cooking but mostly for family and friends.

You are right to be worried.  I can't think of a single American cafe that survived more than a year or so, and I could list 20 that failed.  At one time we had 6 American BBQ places in our town and now there's one and it's not looking good.  Every one of them thought they would keep the menu simple, focus on the food and provide good customer service.  That's fine until I come in and want £3 worth of maple syrup on my pancakes.  Are you gonna tell me I can't have it (bad customer service) or serve cheap artificial syrup (bad food)?

Try to find the Gordon Ramsey kitchen nightmare about Momma Cherie's in Brighton.  She was super nice, the food was great, she was a national celebrity after being on Gordon's show twice, went out of business 6 months later.

Try to find the Gordon Ramsey kitchen nightmare about Momma Cherie's in Brighton.  She was super nice, the food was great, she was a national celebrity after being on Gordon's show twice, went out of business 6 months later.

His first seasons were very good.

SECOND! KissofDeath - "I went from being unapologetic to being apologetically unapologetic."     You broke my brain there for a few moments. I had to do a hard reset by banging my head into my desk. hahaaha

hahahahaha sorry! dead impressed you read through as many posts as you did though!