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Texans to play the Jags Game @ London
- Thread starter GermanTexan
- Start date
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
I've been to Luton actually and I do agree. How do you know Rhyl? It's just up the road from me.
We are currently going through a big shift in lifestyle and need to make this as cheap as possible, I figured staying somewhere just outside London and travelling in for the days will cut a lot off the price, and maybe even make driving down there more feasible.
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Fred I hear you guys don't have Nando's chicken over there. I have a feeling you will love it!
IPA's are all the rage over here tend to be a bit overpriced but are very similar to the American style ale. You'll get Coors light or Bud on tap in plenty of cheaper establishments like Wetherspoons. Pretty sure these are brewed in the UK so not too pricey.
Surreal McCoy
Rookie
Was just thinking you're driving to the far side of London, then you'll have to drive back to Wembley on return. Perhaps check out places to stay near Ealing Broadway, should be cheap as, and much closer to Wembley?
!WARNING! - To anyone reading this thread: Do NOT, under any circumstances fly all the way to the UK and go to a Wetherspoon's Pub. That is unless you want glassing.
welsh texan
You may say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one
Luton is the near side of London for me, was thinking along the lines of driving to a hotel in that area, leaving the car at said hotel, and getting the train into London each day.
As for ' Spoons, all the ones near where I live offer honest grub on a budget and reasonable beer prices from clean taps.
If you are travelling here at great expense for a huge holiday it isn't exactly a destination though.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
I did the Houston-London route both ways for years, and the average good price I was getting for non-stop was around $1100. Got a few great deals for $700-ish. Got shafted on timing a few times and ended up with $1800. When the company paid though it was $5000 business class!
BA does a daily non-stop from Austin, so check those rates as well. I've seen them low enough to be worth the drive.
Staying in Luton? You're half way to the Midlands up there!
If you live in the UK and drop into a 'Spoons, it is decent cheap grub. But as a tourist, just don't. It's like going to a TGI Fridays here. Which they have there, and I recommend that you stay clear of those as well. Plenty of other American places if your stomach needs an anchor point while on vacation.
BA does a daily non-stop from Austin, so check those rates as well. I've seen them low enough to be worth the drive.
Staying in Luton? You're half way to the Midlands up there!
If you live in the UK and drop into a 'Spoons, it is decent cheap grub. But as a tourist, just don't. It's like going to a TGI Fridays here. Which they have there, and I recommend that you stay clear of those as well. Plenty of other American places if your stomach needs an anchor point while on vacation.
Do they have a Whataburger's or Tommy's burgers there? A-1 burger or chiliburger is the bomb!
Shishkabob
All Pro
Since people are talking about the trip figure I'll lend some advice for those of you who don't know this trick. When searching for the best prices for airfare, travel accommodations, and hotels search in incognito mode/ private mode, just whatever mode your web browser has that automatically deletes previous search history, cookies, etc. If you search on your regular browser, and don't constantly clear your cookies and stuff the travels sites will see that you have been shopping this for awhile now so they know they don't have to come off of the price as much to get you to buy. Also I think tickets are usually priced cheapest on like Tuesdays and Thursdays
sandman
Brexit Advisor
London also has some of the highest airport tax in the world, so cheap to London isn't the same as cheap everywhere else. If you want to connect out of Newark (United) or Miami (American) there are some pretty good deals. Lufthansa to Frankfurt on the A-380 then connecting to London wasn't bad either. Try searching for Manchester flights then taking a train down to London. But expect to pay for non-stop.
sandman
Brexit Advisor
Nope. Most of the national level chains though. The only American chains there that taste like it does here were Chipotle or Five Guys.
Well, there was also Taco Bell if you like that level of gastronomical distress. But there is only one in the London area at a mall on the far east side of town. I will admit to driving 45 miles to go there because my daughter was craving it.
Shishkabob
All Pro
Lufthansa was by far the nicest airline I have been on. Went to Italy last spring, connected in Frankfurt. But the flight there was United and not a very good experience, flight back was Lufthansa, incredible experience and free booze the whole like 14 hour flight back lol. Also recommend on those longer flights to get one of those double decker planes and sit on the top deck. Like 1/3 or 1/4 the amount of people that's on the bottom deck, so less noise, less competition for the bathroom, flight attendants can attend to you better since they have less to take care of, and if you sit next to the window I think on pretty much all of them the window rows are 2 to a row on the upper deck as oppose to 3, so if it's just you and another going you don't get stuck sitting next to a stranger for 12+ hours
KLM was awesome also... upper deck was business class only, window seats like a sofa
Fred
Veteran
Incorrect. It is true, and it is not racist - it is appreciating diversity and cultural differences. I am not saying there is anything wrong with them going to Golden Corral or, not to sound racist, Cracker Barrel and enjoying a bunch of bland meat loaf, chicken pot pie, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and jello (blue or green). But it's not spicy, it's bland. If this is not clear, go to a Thai restaurant and order your meal "very spicy, extra hot" to enjoy a non-bland meal.
Fred
Veteran
That is what I was saying, probably easy to get flavorless American beers like Coors Light and Bud Light served nice and cold. I don't drink that swill here, I certainly wouldn't seek it out there. I would look for local brews at a real pub.
Did you grow up in Idaho or something? Never been in Texas or even Louisiana? Tell Emil his food is bland if you're brave enough. I would dare you to try some Eastex cooking but this is a MB where the truth is stranger than fiction to some
We stayed up by Baker St. station (Regent's Park) for new years 2001/2002 at a nice little B&B. Hoping to find something as non-pretentious as that this time around. Bought unlimited train pass and hopped all over for 5 days.
(Hopefully this time I won't end up on the wrong side of Westminster bridge when the tube closes down!)
(Hopefully this time I won't end up on the wrong side of Westminster bridge when the tube closes down!)
markn
All Pro
Budweiser is brewed locally in the UK under license and tastes a bit different to the US swill. So different it's almost drinkable in fact.
Really, if you're in England and are not drinking the local ale, you're missing out on the best reason for being there.
What a load
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Shishkabob
All Pro
What a load of
I mean technically he is not wrong, here in America our cuisine is like our culture, it's a giant melting pot of everything so our food especially down south isn't as bland as traditional Caucasian cuisine. Bland in itself doesn't mean lack of flavor like you're probably thinking, but lack of spice. Hot peppers weren't really indigenous in Europe, like they were in India, Asia, and Central and South America's so the cuisines they developed were generally bland or not spicy. Spanish cuisine for instance is world renowned, but has no spice to it so it by definition is bland. British food has been known for being bland forever, even though they supposedly have had a culinary revolution within the last twenty or so years to break this stigma. I can't confirm or deny this though. Us down here in Houston don't really eat a lot of "bland" food, we have huge influences from all over the world as we are one of the most diverse cities in the world, but especially because of our huge influence from the Mexican cuisine. But you can kind of see how lack of certain cultural influence on cuisines lead to the bland description by just going up North. I've ate a plate in Nebraska that had a 3 pepper symbol next to it warning people it was very spicy, didn't really even register on my palate, similarly when we have relatives from up North come down to visit I have to really monitor how I cook because even using black pepper to a certain amount will leave to food to spicy, and inedible for them.
WTF is "caucasian cuisine"? What are its primary staples?
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Just going to use this excerpt as an example of where you're off.
Bland does not mean lacking heat. It means lacking flavor. You used the textbook example of wrong. Spanish food has tons of spices and flavors. It's the opposite of bland.
Plain rice, oatmeal = bland. Paella, not bland at all.
Shishkabob
All Pro
it can be either or, mild or lacking of flavor. I was assuming he was meaning the mild definition as saying it lacks flavor would be wrong
(of food or drink) mild or insipid.
"bland and unadventurous vegetarian dish"
synonyms: tasteless, flavorless, insipid, mild, savourless, unflavored, weak, thin, watery, watered-down, spiceless, unappetizing;
informalwishy-washy
"the peppers give the bland turkey a piquant flavor"
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Putting aside the source, food from Spain is then not definitionally bland as you asserted since it has tons of flavor.
Pulling mild out of that definition misses the meaning. That would be like pulling vegetarian dish out and concluding all are bland. The overall point is lacking flavor.
Shishkabob
All Pro
It's bland in the since it has no spice, if that is the definition of bland you are going with which I assumed the poster was
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
There are all sorts spices other than those for heat. Ever hear of rosemary, oregano, thyme, etc? They're commonly found in a SPICE rack.
Again bland is lacking in flavor.
Shishkabob
All Pro
Mild OR Insipid
Mild- lacking heat
Insipid- lacking flavor
it can be either or and I have heard it used as such both ways by actual chefs, welcome to the English language where we have 1 word with 20 different meanings , and 20 words all with the same meaning
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Lol at the idea you could find a single chef who would say food from Spain is bland. And that's the point.
Yes a word can have several meanings. And it can be misused by taking the wrong meaning in the wrong place.
Mr teX
Hall of Fame
What i was coming in here to say. Don't know what spots ya'll eat mexican food at...spice and heat are very much apart of the TRUE mexican cuisine spots...heat not so much the Tex-Mex joints though.
Shishkabob
All Pro
Spanish cuisine =/= Mexican Cuisine
Shishkabob
All Pro
I said I heard a chef use the term bland to describe something lacking any heat, not that he was describing Spanish food there.
Whether you want to stay ignorant to it or not, it's in the definition. Bland can either be lacking flavor, or lacking heat. I chose to go with the lacking heat definition as that's what the poster seemed to be implying. Hence why he said to bring hot sauce, if he said white people's food traditionally is bland, as in lacking flavor, he would be wrong but if he was saying it as in it traditionally lacks heat then he would be correct
Surreal McCoy
Rookie
Holy! Never seen so much wrong in one post - and succinct, too!
Shishkabob
All Pro
are you implying that Spanish cuisine(as in food from Spain) is the same as Mexican cuisine?
Surreal McCoy
Rookie
Actually, that is my fault for reading the greater than/less than wrong. I am accustomed to seeing it represented as ≠ and thus thought you were equating them as equal. My apologies and I would remove the offending post but I think it may make the remainder of this conversation difficult to read.
As for this thread, on the whole, there is a staggering amount of misinformation and naivety about London and the UK in general.
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
Hell, didn't realize we had the correct symbol.
Once again, what exactly comprises "Caucasian cuisine" or "white people's food" that you speak of?
That non-spicy, never hot concoction we call Chili?
cuppacoffee
Resident Grouch
I think I prefer Gumbo and potato salad over something called Bubble and squeak.
My taste buds prefer a combo of Cajun and Soul food. Nothing wrong with smoked ham hocks and pintos. Keep a bottle of Louisiana hot sauce and a can of slap ya momma seasoning handy. Bland will be the last thing you worry about.
Doubt you can find any cornbread in England. Any BBQ brisket?
Wash it all down with a cup of dark coffee.
To stay on topic I will stay home and watch the Jag / Texans game on the telley.
My taste buds prefer a combo of Cajun and Soul food. Nothing wrong with smoked ham hocks and pintos. Keep a bottle of Louisiana hot sauce and a can of slap ya momma seasoning handy. Bland will be the last thing you worry about.
Doubt you can find any cornbread in England. Any BBQ brisket?
Wash it all down with a cup of dark coffee.
To stay on topic I will stay home and watch the Jag / Texans game on the telley.
Shishkabob
All Pro
I was meaning like European food, since that is where the majority of caucasian people have migrated from. British, French, German, Spanish, etc foods
Chili wasnt started by white people either
Shishkabob
All Pro
I was meaning like European food, since that is where the majority of caucasian people have migrated from. British, French, German, Spanish, etc foods
Chili wasnt started by white people either
Some of the locations are beginnning to fade for exactness, but there was a place near the river with a lot of vendor stands. One in particular had a seasoned roasted pig. It was so good I had to find a table and take a seat.
your statement is correct.
However....
That's Paella. One of many 'signature' Spanish dishes.
That look "bland" to you?
...not trying to be a smarta$$ (this convo doesn't call for one
) just trying to illustrate what NOT bland means to me.
markn
All Pro
Fred
Veteran
It is awesome. Not spicy hot and definitely not bland. Sure, maybe Spanish folks are technically white but I would advise against ordering Paella in a diner in Idaho.your statement is correct.
However....
That's Paella. One of many 'signature' Spanish dishes.
That look "bland" to you?
...not trying to be a smarta$$ (this convo doesn't call for one
If people are claiming Spanish, Mexican, Soul, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Cuban, Japanese, and Mediterranean food as whitey white English food then I say "cultural appropriation".
Fred
Veteran
Thus there are excellent Indian restaurants just like I said in my first post.
ATXtexanfan
Hall of Fame
is taco bell mexican or spanish
oh wait, make a run for the border lol
sorry i've had a few beers
carry on....
oh wait, make a run for the border lol
sorry i've had a few beers
carry on....
infantrycak
Hall of Fame
How about cultural appreciation?
Anyway there was this whole East India Company ... Indian food is as much a part of English food as bbq is to US.
Edit - we cross posted.
markn
All Pro
Yeah, but you also said "There are still white people there," which is a bit silly. London is the archetypal ethnic melting pot and compares favorably to just about anywhere when it comes to diversity (assuming we think diversity is a good thing).
Saying the food is bland there is 40 years out of date, and saying it's white is just a bit ignorant.
Not trying to pick a fight, as you obviously like good beer which automatically places you in the very top tier of humankind, just trying to correct an unfair stereotype.
Fred
Veteran
Absolutely. I am all about cultural appreciation. That's why I like all those other cuisines better than white bread with white rice with white chicken meat with mashed potatoes. "Cultural appropriation" is just a ridiculious concept I was poking fun at.
Yeah, what was really ignorant on my part was assuming that people on the internet have a sense of humor. Especially white people apparently. Anyone (not aimed at you) who gets their panties in a wad over "there's white people so the food is bland" instead of having a chuckle has issues.
Although I do think the "there's lots of non-whites there now so the food doesn't suck anymore" proves my (jesting) point instead of disproving it. If I go into a Mexican or Indian restaurant and all the customers are white I am tempted to walk out because the food won't be very good.
Not joking - I do think it is a damning commentary on the taste of most Americans (including non-whites) that bazillions of cases of Coors Light, Bud Light, and Miller Lite are flying off the shelves when for 20 or 30% more $ they could buy excellent beers that actually have flavor (and 50 to 100% more alcohol not that anyone is counting).