UK vs USA Food: Which Do Brits Prefer?
Roast or burgers - which is your favourite?
The UK and the USA have so much in common, but there are also plenty of differences between our two countries. Whether it's the sports culture, gambling slang and even casinos, take a trip to the States and you're bound to notice at least a few differences.
And when it comes to food, y'all could say we're an ocean apart! From supersized portions to BBQ-flavourings galore, the USA's food scene looks very different to what you'd expect to find on this side of the pond.
But that's not to say Brits don't love a slice of American cooking. Nuh-uh! American cuisine has made a name for itself over in the UK, especially with American hospitality chains and all-things-pumpkin-spice finding a home on British soil.
Wanna know just how much folks in the UK love American food? We got you. We surveyed 1,011 Brits about their food preferences to find out which American foods have made a lasting impression on British food trends and whether Brits prefer American food staples to their own.
Which country has the best breakfast menu? And when it comes to fries vs. chips, who can claim the title of champion? Plus, which country serves up the most awesome desserts?
We're diving into this tasty showdown between the British roast and the American cheeseburger. Are you mad for lobster or crazy for clam chowder? Or will Shepherd's pie win out? Keep scrolling to find out.
Does the UK stay loyal to their local or prefer US cuisine?
Turns out, when it comes to food choices, British diners still have a soft spot for the classics! Whether it's a cosy Sunday roast or a hearty full English breakfast, the staples of British cuisine are preferred over their American counterparts.
Judging by the ultimate favourite food, it would seem y'all are a nation of food traditionalists at heart, with the classic British roast winning the title of most popular main dish at 31.45%. However, if you thought that fish and chips were bound to be runners-up to the roast, think again!
The American burger and fries took second place with 15.53% of the vote, with the classic seaside treat coming third at 11.87%. Just behind fish and chips was chicken tikka masala, at 11.08%, itself a truly unique British culinary creation reflecting the UK's awesomely diverse food heritage.
Now, when it comes to desserts, it's a different ballgame. See, Brits may prefer a slice of UK cuisine for their main dish, but it seems American baking comes out on top for dessert.
The iconic American cheesecake takes the cake for favourite desserts, with 26.11% of the votes, just edging out the beloved British sticky toffee pudding at 22.75%.
The same can't be said for chocolates and sweets, though, with UK treats winning the majority of the vote for candy. The UK's beloved Dairy Milk holds the top spot at 30.56%, followed closely by Maltesers at 18.69%. American goodies, like Jolly Ranchers and Hershey’s, haven't quite made a splash here and are towards the bottom of the list.
But here's a fun twist: when it comes to our guilty foodie pleasures, Brits prefer a trip across the pond again, with 24.13% of our respondents naming the epic doughnut as a favourite. Right behind it is the late-night classic, the Donner Kebab, and then there’s Chocolate Orange in third place. At the bottom of the list? Three American staples: Meatloaf, Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
So, it looks like a few American delights are slowly making their way into hearts (and stomachs) over here!
From savoury flavours to sweet treats, what did women and men choose as their favourite foods?
It looks like there's more than just a food preference gap across the Atlantic; there are also some interesting differences between the tastes of men and women right here in the UK!
Take breakfast, for example. A massive 46.81% of British men say they love a full English to start the day, but that number drops to 30.78% for women. Seems like the ladies enjoy a bit more variety in their breakfast choices, with crumpets, pancakes, and French toast making some strong showings.
When it comes to dining out or eating at home, the classic British roast still tops the charts for both men and women. But here's the twist: while 35.41% of women prefer it, only 25% of men named it their favourite.
And guess what? Chicken tikka masala has made its way into the hearts of female diners, landing in the top three favourite foods at 10.53%. That bumps fish and chips down to third place - who'd have thought it?
As for desserts, it's a bit of a toss-up. About 26.32% of women like to slice into a cheesecake, while men are more likely to dive into a sticky toffee pudding at 26.33%.
As for sweets, Dairy Milk is clearly a winner! It's the favourite for 32.18% of men and 29.98% of women. But when it comes to those secret pleasures, y'all have a difference of opinion: 29.79% of men can't resist a cheeky donner kebab, while 24.24% of women prefer doughnuts.
Which UK and US dishes are loved where in the UK?
Different parts of the UK have their own unique food preferences and traditions. Our survey showed that there are some interesting contrasts in what everyone loves to eat.
For instance, the classic full English breakfast is a big hit in the East Midlands, where 49.37% of folks swear by it. But if you head over to Northern Ireland and Scotland, it takes a backseat to porridge, with 30.43% and 33.33% of people going for that instead.
And when it comes to the British roast, things get even more varied. In Wales, a whopping 48.78% of people choose it as their favourite dinner, while only 20.29% of Scots feel the same way.
Northern Ireland really loves its shepherd's pie too - 13.04% of respondents picked it as their favourite comfort food. And while fish and chips are popular across the UK, it’s Scotland that really can't get enough of it, with 20.29% putting it at the top of their list.
Now, for those with a sweet tooth, it looks like US treats are winning over some hearts. In Birmingham, 28.04% of people go crazy for doughnuts, while over in Glasgow, 34.29% can’t resist cheesecake as their go-to dessert.
So there you have it, bud. It's clear the UK is open to some tasty dishes from across the pond, but when it comes to British food trends, it seems like y'all still have a strong passion for those traditional favourites.
Methodology
To get the scoop on what people in the UK like to eat, Bally Casino ran a pretty extensive survey involving 1,011 Brits on 10/10/2024. The results were fascinating and broke down according to gender, city, and region. It sure is interesting to see how different preferences vary across the country.